Consumer Edge

Apple is widely expected to enter the foldable phone market with a folding iPhone, and commentary is already cautioning consumers against preordering on day one. The advice: first-generation foldables typically carry high prices, unproven durability and software rough edges, so waiting for reviews or a second-generation model may be the wiser move for most buyers.

CNET tested two wire-free robot lawn mowers, the Sunseeker and the Mova, on a complex lawn to see how they compare. Wire-free mowers use onboard sensors and mapping instead of boundary wires, making setup easier, and the review looks at how well each handles tricky edges, slopes and obstacles. The comparison comes as robot mowers grow in popularity for hands-off lawn care.

Intel is developing Razor Lake-AX, a chip aimed at delivering 700 TOPS of AI processing performance by 2028. The target signals Intel's push to compete in the AI PC and edge AI market, where rivals like AMD, Nvidia and Qualcomm are racing to pack more on-device AI compute into consumer and industrial processors. Details on architecture and power draw remain limited.

Mozilla has introduced Firefox Enterprise, a business-focused offering of its Firefox browser aimed at organizations that need managed deployments and IT controls. The launch page outlines enterprise features for administrators, and the news is drawing attention among technology professionals discussing browser choices for corporate environments and Mozilla's continued push to diversify its revenue beyond consumer products.

US stock futures point slightly higher ahead of the latest consumer price index report, with S&P 500 futures edging up in premarket trading. Traders are positioning cautiously ahead of the inflation print, which could shape expectations for interest rate policy and near-term market direction.

US markets ended mixed on the 13th, with the dollar declining and the Nasdaq falling for a second straight session as long-term Treasury yields edged lower, according to a Newsweek Japan market summary. Attention is turning to upcoming US inflation data, with traders weighing how the consumer price index will shape the Federal Reserve's rate path.

Google has announced the Fitbit Edge, a new fitness tracker, revealing its features, pricing and availability details. Coverage is circulating details of what the device offers, where it can be bought and how much it costs, as Google continues to expand its Fitbit wearable lineup.

The CEATEC international exhibition has opened in Chiba, Japan, with 821 companies and organizations from Japan and abroad taking part. Artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge digital technologies are the main focus on display, as firms showcase their latest innovations at one of Asia's leading consumer electronics and IT trade shows.

Stock markets edged lower even as major Wall Street banks and companies reported solid earnings, with oil prices climbing above $105 a barrel. Traders appeared to weigh strong corporate results against concerns over elevated energy costs, which threaten to lift inflation and pressure consumer spending and corporate margins.

Asian shares edged higher after a recent selloff in semiconductor stocks showed signs of easing. Investors across the region were cautious but broadly positive, holding out for the latest US consumer price index figures, which could shape expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate policy. Chipmakers, key drivers of Asian markets, steadied after recent losses.

US stock futures are slightly higher, with S&P 500 futures edging up as investors wait for upcoming inflation data. Markets are in a cautious holding pattern, with the latest consumer price figures expected to shape expectations for interest rate policy and the next direction for equities. Traders are watching the numbers closely before making bigger moves.

Geniatech has introduced M.2 AI accelerator modules based on the RK1828 and Hailo-10 chips, designed to let devices run large language models locally rather than in the cloud. The hardware targets edge computing and embedded systems, reflecting growing demand for private, on-device AI processing across industrial and consumer applications.

Google is set to release a new fitness tracker, the Fitbit Edge, priced at $180, with an October launch date. Details remain limited beyond the reported price and timing, but the product signals Google's continued investment in the Fitbit wearable line. Consumers and wearable watchers are expected to weigh it against competing fitness bands as more specifications emerge closer to release.