Mobile News 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 12, 2026, 10:40 PM ET
Pixel and Android Devices
Google is selling refurbished Pixel 9 phones directly, with discounts of up to $300 on flagship models. For shoppers looking beyond the premium tier, Engadget outlines the non-negotiable features to look for in a cheap Android handset before committing to a purchase.
Nothing has begun rolling out Nothing OS 5.0, built on Android, to the Nothing Phone (3) through its open beta program. Samsung, meanwhile, has brought One UI 9 to the Galaxy S24 series, Z Fold6, and Flip6 in the United States, and Samsung phones now gain Googlebook cross-device features that Google had struggled to deliver at launch. An unofficial port also lets owners of any Android phone use the Pixel 11's Rambler voice typing feature.
Google Health and Fitness
Google has brought Health Guardian to the Fitbit Air and Edge while expanding automatic activity tracking. The company also added Metal Mesh bands for the Fitbit Air in two colors. Google is further partnering with Flo Health to develop new wellness hardware and sync cycle data with the Google Health app, a collaboration that also extends to Fitbit Edge features aimed at women's personalized wellness.
Smartphone Pricing and Upcoming Launches
The OnePlus 16 arrived with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chip, a 200MP camera, and a 9,000mAh battery. Huawei may debut a new phone sub-brand, Xingmang, after trade restrictions limited its access to US technology. Honor has confirmed that its Win 2 series, featuring an active cooling fan, will be unveiled next week. Analysts report that iPhone 18 Pro demand is running ahead of last year's 17 Pro models, while a separate report suggests the Galaxy S27 series could cost 75 to 100 percent more than the S26. Samsung's Galaxy S27 Ultra may also adopt DC dimming to reduce eye strain. The iPad mini with an OLED display is reportedly due later this month, and Apple's HomeView smart-home hub launch event is set for tomorrow.
Accessories and Wearables
CMF's Speaker S and Speaker M feature colorful designs, with one model offering printable 3D designs. Engadget reviewed the 8BitDo Ultimate 2, calling it the best Switch 2 controller available. Engadget also examined which accessories fit the foldable iPhone Duo.
Software and Gaming
Epic Games has reportedly delayed its Disney game so developers can adopt more AI for both code and asset creation. WhatsApp may soon add message scheduling, a feature long available on rival platforms. Google's AI agent Spark can carry out tasks on a user's behalf.
Privacy and Policy
Norway has fined a Microsoft subsidiary, Xandr, $9.6 million for allegedly misusing Grindr user data, with three weeks to appeal the record penalty. Microsoft's president argued that AI is less regulated than a carton of milk, a comparison that drew attention given AI's capacity to hack companies and governments. Engadget also explained what happens to Google and Apple accounts after an owner dies.
Automotive
Citroën revived the 2 CV as an electric concept with a target price of €15,000. Smart unveiled its ultra-compact EV at the Paris Motor Show. Engadget's review of the 2027 Rivian R2 called it the Goldilocks electric SUV, neither too big nor too small. Engadget also looked at what drains an EV battery fastest, and how adaptive cruise control works using cameras and radar.
Practical Tech Guides
Engadget offers guidance on boosting GPU performance without a hardware upgrade, and on building a RAID array from old hard drives. Readers can also learn how to fix blurry iPhone photos, and find and edit their Amazon About You page. Engadget's guides also cover Raspberry Pi RAM requirements, Kindle lifespan, the risks of extension cords, and the differences between alkaline and lithium-ion batteries. Finally, Engadget compared Microsoft's Magnetic Connect with Apple's Mag Safe for Mac Books.