Mobile

Apple has agreed to a $250 million class-action settlement that clears the way for payouts to iPhone owners. The deal resolves claims brought by customers over the devices, and eligible owners are expected to receive compensation now that the settlement has been approved. Reports note the payouts mark the conclusion of a long-running consumer lawsuit against the company.

Apple has announced its first-ever foldable iPhone, with a starting price of $1,999. The launch marks the company's entry into the foldable smartphone market, a category long dominated by competitors such as Samsung. Details beyond the announcement and pricing remain limited, and it is not yet clear when the device will ship or which markets will get it first.

Hours before Apple's event, rumors are circulating about possible iPhone price increases and new AirPods featuring built-in cameras. The last-minute leaks have stirred speculation among tech watchers about how aggressively Apple will raise prices this cycle and how serious the camera-equipped earbuds plans are. Consumers and analysts alike are weighing whether the upgrades justify a more expensive lineup ahead of the official announcements.

A project called SMS of Death demonstrates a zero-click, remote denial-of-service attack against Android devices, meaning a phone can be crashed or frozen silently without any user interaction. The disclosure is drawing attention among security researchers and developers, who are discussing how such attacks could work, which devices may be vulnerable, and what mitigations exist, with few technical details publicly confirmed yet.

The New York Times has published a guide on improving smartphone photography, arguing that phone photos are already strong and offering techniques to push them further. The piece focuses on practical ways everyday shooters can get better results from the cameras they already carry.

Japanese entertainer Egashira 2:50 has bought the new iPhone Duo, presented as the fastest-ever purchase of the device in Japan. The stunt, shared through his Egachannel, has drawn more than 1.6 million likes. Beyond the headline claim, no further details about the purchase, the store, or the official timing involved are currently available.

Orders for the iPhone 18 Pro are now officially open, and tech outlets are running buyer's guides covering pricing, configurations, delivery dates and whether an upgrade is worthwhile. Apple's latest Pro model is expected to be one of the most discussed smartphone launches of the season, with early coverage focusing on what changes it brings over the previous generation.

Hacker News users are debating how to convince family and friends to leave mainstream messaging apps for self-hosted XMPP or Matrix servers. The discussion, started by developer mtlynch, focuses on the practical and social challenges of decentralised messaging: getting non-technical relatives to install new apps, switch habits, and stick with a server run by one person. Replies share persuasion tactics, onboarding friction, and mixed success stories.

A warning is spreading in Japan that a YouTube-related switch being on can double mobile data charges, and that it will be turned on automatically from November. iPhone and Android users are being urged to check their settings immediately and turn it off. The claim is circulating widely on social media, prompting many to review their phones.

A durability tester has deliberately destroyed a pair of iPhones in his latest stress test, showing how the devices hold up under scratching, bending and other abuse. The video has drawn nearly 15 million likes, with viewers reacting strongly to the visible damage and debating what the results mean for Apple's build quality on the latest models.

Mashable has published a guide explaining how to track flights directly on an iPhone, without needing third-party apps. The feature, built into Apple's Messages app, lets users see live flight status, departure and arrival times, and terminal and gate details by simply typing a flight number. Interest in such tips typically rises around busy travel seasons.

An Indian tech content creator staged a stunt attempting to buy two iPhones, together priced around Rs 3 lakh, paying only with coins. The clip shows the unusual payment attempt and the reactions of store staff, and it has drawn massive attention online, with viewers debating the practicality and spectacle of paying such a large sum in small change.

A stunt in which two iPhones worth around ₹3 lakh were purchased entirely with coins has drawn massive attention online, crossing a million likes. Viewers are reacting to the sheer effort of hauling such a huge quantity of change to an electronics store, with many debating the practicality and spectacle of the gesture.

A creator known as Tyler & Snowi has published a video saying they broke their folding iPhone, drawing over 800,000 likes. Beyond the claim of a damaged foldable Apple handset, no further details about the incident are available, and reactions appear to centre on sympathy and curiosity about the expensive device.

Britain's old copper landline network is set to be switched off in roughly 100 days, with Openreach confirming there will be no further extensions. The move is part of the long-planned migration to digital, internet-based phone services, though millions of households and businesses still rely on traditional lines.

A campaign at keepandroidopen.org is pressing Google and its parent company Alphabet to keep the Android platform open. Supporters are asking what concrete progress the collective effort has achieved so far, reflecting concern that Android's openness may be eroding. The question of whether advocacy has produced real results is driving discussion among mobile users.

Discussion online centers on whether now is the right moment to switch from Android to Linux-based mobile systems. A shared video asking 'is it time to make the switch?' is drawing engagement, with users debating the readiness of Linux phones, app compatibility, and whether mainstream Android alternatives like GrapheneOS or /e/OS still offer a safer middle ground. The conversation reflects growing interest in de-Googling smartphones, though most commenters agree Linux phones remain a niche option for daily use.

The German tech outlet heise reports on DroidDeck, an Android app that lets users stream PC games like Hades directly to their smartphones, effectively turning the device into a handheld console similar to Valve's Steam Deck. The guide explains how to set up the app and get the most out of both the phone and an existing game library.

A well-known tech repair personality has published a video showing an iPhone being deliberately broken in order to repair it, under the title 'I Fixed the iPhone Duo - By Breaking it'. The clip is drawing heavy attention, with engagement topping 14 million likes, as viewers discuss the unusual fix-it-by-breaking-it approach to repairing the dual-screen device.

A German-language clip circulating online shows someone claiming to have found an iPhone 17.18 Pro Max alongside a Vivo X300 Ultra and a Honor Magic 5 Pro with cracked screens. The unusual naming of the Apple handset and the state of the recovered devices have drawn heavy engagement, with viewers debating whether the phones are genuine prototypes or fakes. The iPhone 17 Pro Max remains an unannounced Apple product, fueling curiosity.

The F-Droid project published its weekly roundup of free and open-source Android app news. It highlights DejaVu Browser, a new browser built on Mozilla's Firefox code, a Finamp update released four years in the making that users are advised to skip for now because it crashes, a major rewrite of i2pd, and a large batch of updates: 68 new apps, 595 updated apps and one archived.

An Italian-speaking user is asking for recommendations on SPID identity verification, digital signature and PEC certified email services run by non-profits or cooperatives rather than large corporations. The request also specifies the tools must work on a de-Googled phone without Google Play Services, reflecting frustration that Italy's digital identity ecosystem is dominated by commercial providers and depends on Google infrastructure.

CNET has published a round-up of the best iPhone cases that work as a matching pair, covering options from Apple alongside third-party makers such as Spigen and OtterBox. The guide compares protection, styling and price to help buyers pick a case for themselves and a second for a partner, friend or family member.

A developer is recruiting testers for an upcoming Android app called Erdentage before its release on the Google Play Store. Volunteers are asked to send a direct message to join the tester group, install the app, and keep it on their devices for about two weeks. A version for F-Droid is also mentioned.

An indie developer is recruiting Android testers for DunkBall, a free 3-on-3 arcade basketball game. The 14-day Google Play closed test requires joining a Google Groups mailing list and opting in via the Play testing link. The developer is reaching out to gaming and game-development communities to gather enough participants to meet Play Store testing requirements ahead of a wider release.

A popular tech reviewer has published a durability test of two iPhones, warning viewers against a specific practice that can damage the devices. The video involves the usual scratch, bend and drop stress tests, and has drawn tens of millions of engagements as viewers debate which iPhone holds up better and what not to do with their own phones.

Reports say the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone Duo will open for ordering in 2026. The foldable model is expected to be Apple's first book-style iPhone, with pre-order dates circulating widely as speculation about Apple's next flagship lineup builds ahead of an official announcement.

Cases for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a rumoured foldable referred to as the iPhone Duo are reportedly already available from case makers. Suppliers typically produce accessories ahead of an Apple launch based on leaked dimensions, giving early buyers a head start, though the devices themselves have not yet been announced.

A new roundup ranks the ten best AI apps for iPhone in 2026, claiming each pick has been tested by its authors. Interest in AI apps for iOS remains strong, with readers looking for guidance on which assistants and AI-powered tools are worth installing as the app landscape keeps changing.

Google's November Android security update closes a critical vulnerability in a media decoder component. The flaw could allow attackers to execute code on affected devices, and Google urges users to install the update promptly as part of its regular monthly security release for supported smartphones.

Google is distributing new features to Android devices through the Play System services, bypassing the need for a full OS update. The rollout includes a Windows backup function for photos and videos via Quick Share. Coverage from technology outlets notes the update affects a broad range of Android devices automatically. Android users are discussing which new functions are arriving on their phones and tablets this cycle.

A new report claims Apple's affordable iPhone model is set to receive an upgraded processor and an improved front-facing camera. The rumored changes would bring the budget device closer to Apple's main iPhone lineup in performance and selfie quality. No official details have been confirmed by Apple, and specifics such as the chip's name or launch timing remain unreported. Interest centers on how much Apple will upgrade its lower-cost phones without raising prices.

The Kogui, an Indigenous people of Colombia's Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, have released a message offering their perspective on artificial intelligence. The piece, published on Sonidos Selva, presents the community's worldview and concerns about the technology's impact on nature and ancestral ways of life. It is drawing attention as a rare Indigenous voice entering the global AI debate.

Le Alternative has updated its guide to de-Googled operating systems for Android phones, explaining which alternative fits which device. It covers when to choose GrapheneOS, when /e/OS, iodé or LineageOS make more sense, what microG actually does, and why even a Google account alone can compromise privacy. The rewrite tailors advice to the specific phone a reader owns.

A complete interview with the five developers behind DroidDeck has been published. DroidDeck is an open-source project that brings the actual Steam client and Linux gaming to Android devices. The developers discussed the project's origins, its technical details, and how they are making desktop Steam gaming work on mobile hardware. The full chat supports a recent feature article, and the release is drawing attention from the Linux gaming and Android enthusiast communities.

Retailers and carriers are rolling out Black Friday promotions that let shoppers get an iPhone without paying anything upfront, typically through trade-ins or carrier installment plans. Mashable has published a guide explaining how buyers can qualify for a $0 iPhone deal and what fine print to watch for. Shoppers are comparing offers ahead of the holiday shopping season to find the best terms.

A phone case company has revealed product photos showcasing the rumored color options for Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max. The shades, which leaked through the accessory maker's marketing materials, are fueling speculation about Apple's design plans ahead of the device's expected launch. Tech fans are debating whether the colors are accurate and what they suggest about the new flagship's aesthetic direction.

A developer is asking for volunteers to test PeerSeek, an Android app for searching and watching PeerTube videos on TV without ads or an account. Google's publishing process requires at least 12 testers for 14 days before the app can appear on Google Play, and the developer has shared sign-up links for people willing to join the closed testing group.

A new list is circulating of hidden features on Apple's popular iPhone pairing, covering lesser-known settings and shortcuts that many owners miss. The roundup highlights tricks meant to make everyday use easier, from camera functions to battery and accessibility options. Readers are sharing the tips as Apple's iPhone lineup continues to dominate attention among mobile users.

A popular Indonesian comedy-drama episode shows Ganta, early in his career and chasing his daily sales target, getting cheated when he buys what turns out to be a too-good-to-be-true iPhone deal for only 2 million rupiah. Viewers are following the storyline about first-job struggles and online buying scams, with the episode drawing heavy engagement as audiences react to Ganta's costly mistake.

Indian influencer Mr. Faisu, known to fans as Faisal Shaikh, has posted about changing his iPhone alongside fellow creator Tanya. The clip is drawing massive attention in India, with engagement nearing ten million within days. Fans are reacting to the pair's latest collaboration and discussing the new phones they show off.

GrapheneOS has released version 18 of its Messaging app, announcing the update via its official Mastodon account. The release notes on GitHub summarise the improvements over the previous version, with a full changelog also available, and a forum discussion thread has been opened for users to talk through the changes. GrapheneOS Messaging is the SMS and RCS messaging app bundled with the privacy-focused Android operating system, and updates are closely followed by the project's user community.

A viral Japanese tech tip claims iPhones lose charge quickly because of a Wi-Fi setting that switches itself on automatically from October, urging users to turn it off immediately. The claim is circulating widely among iPhone users looking to extend battery life, though the specific setting and iOS behavior described are not independently confirmed in the available information.

Apple has announced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, with the headline feature being major camera upgrades across both Pro models. Beyond the improved camera systems, detailed specifications, pricing and availability have not been widely reported yet, so attention is focused on how significant the photographic improvements will be in practice.