Technology Β· category
Gadgets
- 1Disney+ and Hulu raise prices after profits doubleβΌDisney+ and Hulu raise prices by up to 13 percent after doubling profits
Disney has announced price increases of up to 13 percent for Disney+ and Hulu in the United States, coming shortly after the company reported that its streaming division's profits had doubled. Critics say the move highlights how streaming services are raising costs on subscribers even as their financial results improve, prompting renewed debate about the rising price of streaming bundles.
- 2Samsung firmware update bricks smart fridges, spoiling foodβOwners mourn spoiled food after firmware update bricks Samsung smart fridges
A botched Samsung firmware update has left some smart fridge owners with dead appliances and refrigerators full of spoiled food. Users are reporting that the update rendered their units unusable, prompting complaints and questions about why connected appliances can be disabled remotely. Discussion online focuses on the risks of internet-connected home devices and Samsung's response to affected customers.
- 3Singapore's National Library Board Offers Micropayments to Encourage ReadingβSingaporeβs National Library Board offers micropayments to build reading habits
Singapore's National Library Board is offering micropayments to encourage people to put down their phones and pick up books. The scheme rewards readers with small financial incentives, and the story is drawing attention as an unusual government-backed attempt to rebuild reading habits and pull attention away from screens.
- 4
A small wearable camera designed to be worn as a charm or accessory is facing criticism online, with commenters raising concerns about covert recording and privacy in public spaces. The backlash centres on how easily such devices can film people without their knowledge, renewing a familiar debate about consumer camera gadgets and consent.
- 5Nikkei rises as chip stocks surge on Meta gadget launchβGlobal Market: Japan's Nikkei rises as CPU stocks surge on Meta gadget launch
Japan's Nikkei index moved higher, driven by a rally in CPU and semiconductor shares following Meta's launch of a new gadget. Chipmakers are seen as beneficiaries of increased demand tied to Meta's hardware push, lifting sentiment across Japanese technology stocks and supporting broader gains in the Tokyo market.
- 6Meta Muse Charm: Zuckerberg's AI gadget does more than expectedβMeta Muse Charm is more than a keychain: 5 things Zuckerberg's AI gadget can do
Meta's Muse Charm, an AI wearable shaped like a keychain from Mark Zuckerberg's company, is drawing attention for its range of features. Reports highlight five capabilities beyond simple accessories, suggesting the device functions as a compact AI assistant. It signals Meta's continued push to bring artificial intelligence into small, everyday hardware.
- 7Alibaba Launches Qwen Intelligence Agentic AI Platform for SmartphonesβAlibaba Launches Qwen Intelligence As A Full-Stack Agentic AI Platform For Smartphones
Alibaba has launched Qwen Intelligence as a full-stack agentic AI platform designed for smartphones. The move positions the company's Qwen models to power on-device AI agents capable of handling tasks across apps, putting Alibaba in direct competition with other tech giants racing to bring agentic AI to mobile devices. Details on launch partners and availability were not immediately clear.
- 8Apple TV 4K Fourth-Generation Refresh Rumored to Be NearβAn Apple TV 4K Refresh Is Just Around the Corner https://gizmodo.com/apple-tv-4k-4th-generation-leak-2000817522 # Tech #
A leak suggests Apple is preparing a fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, with a new model expected to arrive soon. The report has tech watchers speculating about what upgrades the streaming box could bring, including possible performance improvements and new hardware features. Enthusiasts are discussing what the refresh might mean for Apple's living-room lineup.
- 9Woman Held 86 Hours in Solitary After Flock Camera Linked SUV to CrashβWoman Spent 86 Hours in Solitary After Flock Camera Linked Her SUV to Crash
Lindsey Isaacs, a 23-year-old woman, testified that she was held in solitary confinement for 86 hours after an automated Flock license plate camera connected her SUV to a fatal crash. The case is drawing attention to the use of automated surveillance cameras in criminal investigations and the consequences of relying on them before a full investigation is complete.
- 10Xiaomi makes Apple Watch compatible with its Android phonesβΌXiaomi now lets Apple Watch work with its Android phones
Xiaomi has announced that the Apple Watch can now be used with its Android smartphones, a notable break from Apple's usual requirement that the watch be paired with an iPhone. The move means Xiaomi phone owners can consider Apple's wearable, and it highlights growing interoperability between rival device ecosystems. Gadget watchers are weighing what this means for cross-platform compatibility going forward.
- 11XPENG launches X9 and L03 in the PhilippinesβXPENG Enters the Philippines With a Six-Variant X9 and L03 Lineup
Chinese electric vehicle maker XPENG has entered the Philippine market, launching a lineup that includes the X9 people mover in six variants alongside the L03 sedan. The move marks XPENG's latest Southeast Asian expansion, giving Filipino buyers a wider choice of electric vehicles. Tech and motoring outlets in the region are covering the debut and the breadth of the initial range.
- 12Meta's $1,300 VR Glasses Aim for Spring 2027 LaunchβSpring 2027 Launch Set for the $1,300 Meta VR Glasses
Meta is reportedly planning a spring 2027 launch for a new pair of VR glasses priced at $1,300. The premium headset is expected to be a higher-end offering in Meta's virtual reality lineup, and tech watchers are weighing whether the steep price and distant timeline signal confidence in the mixed-reality market or a niche product for enthusiasts.
- 13Smartwatches less accurate at counting calories for people with higher body fatβThe higher your body fat percentage, the less accurate your smartwatch is at measuring calories burned
New reporting highlights research showing that smartwatches become less reliable at estimating calories burned as a person's body fat percentage rises. The findings suggest wearable fitness devices may systematically miscalculate energy expenditure for users with more body fat, raising questions about how much trust people should place in calorie data when tracking diet and exercise goals.
- 14Zeekr Malaysia Teams Up With EON For New Klang Valley ShowroomsβZeekr Malaysia Partners With EON To Expand Klang Valley Network With New Showrooms
Zeekr Malaysia has announced a partnership with EON to expand its dealership network in the Klang Valley, adding new showrooms to the region. The move is aimed at widening the electric vehicle brand's retail presence in Malaysia's most populous market, giving buyers more locations to view and purchase Zeekr models.
- 15Xiaomi launches Pocket Guitar accessory for smartphonesβXiaomi introduces Pocket Guitar gadget for smartphones
Xiaomi has introduced a new gadget called the Pocket Guitar, designed to attach to smartphones and let users practice guitar chords on the go. The compact accessory is aimed at beginners or players who want a portable way to keep their fingers trained when a real guitar is not available. Details on price and availability remain limited as coverage spreads across tech news outlets.
- 16Meta launches new AI lineup aiming where rivals fell shortβMeta Seeks Success Where Others Failed With New AI Lineup
Meta has introduced a new lineup of artificial intelligence products, according to Bloomberg. The company is positioning the offering as an attempt to succeed where competitors have struggled to gain traction with AI. The announcement is drawing attention as tech giants race to convert AI investments into widely adopted consumer and business products.
- 17Xiaomi launches safer 10,000mAh power bank globally with built-in cableβXiaomi launches safer 10,000mAh power bank globally with built-in cable and 22.5W charging
Xiaomi has launched a new 10,000mAh power bank worldwide, featuring an integrated cable and 22.5W charging output. The company is highlighting safety improvements as a key selling point of the accessory. The built-in cable removes the need to carry a separate charger, positioning it as a convenient everyday backup battery for smartphones and other portable devices.
- 18PeakDo teases power bank with semi-solid-state batteryβPeakDo teases new Starlink Mini power bank with a semi-solid-state battery
Accessory maker PeakDo has teased a new power bank designed for the Starlink Mini satellite dish, built around a semi-solid-state battery. The announcement suggests longer runtime and safer, more temperature-tolerant cells than conventional lithium-ion packs, aimed at users running portable satellite internet off-grid. Details on capacity, pricing and availability have not yet been disclosed.
- 19Apple said to plan more hardware launches before year's endβApple is expected to announce more hardware before the end of the year following the debut of the iPhone 18 Pro and fold
Apple is expected to announce additional hardware before the end of the year, following this month's debut of the iPhone 18 Pro and the folding iPhone Duo. Reported upcoming products include a new version of the HomePod mini, the iPad mini 8, and an updated Apple TV 4K, signaling an unusually packed late-year release schedule for the company.