consumer tech

Reports highlight the growing environmental footprint of AI data centers, which consume large amounts of electricity and water to power and cool the servers behind artificial intelligence services. As AI adoption accelerates, questions are mounting over energy demand, carbon emissions and strain on local water supplies, prompting calls for greater transparency and sustainability measures from the tech industry.

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.

Tech companies are competing to develop dedicated hardware for artificial intelligence, and Meta believes it has produced a winning device. NPR reports on the race, noting that Meta considers its offering a standout in a crowded field where rivals are also rushing to ship AI-focused gadgets to consumers.

Apple has announced its first-ever foldable iPhone, with a starting price of $1,999. The device marks the company's entry into the foldable smartphone market, years after rivals such as Samsung launched competing models. The high starting price is drawing attention, with commentators weighing whether the premium cost will slow adoption among buyers.

Finnish health-tech company Oura, best known for its smart ring that tracks sleep and health metrics, is preparing an initial public offering that would list its shares on Wall Street. The move would make the wearable maker one of the most prominent health-device companies to go public, drawing attention from both tech and finance observers tracking the market for consumer health wearables.

The Trump administration's rollback of fuel economy standards is projected to save US automakers about $60 billion in technology costs, according to Quartz. By easing requirements that would have pushed manufacturers to develop more fuel-efficient vehicles, the change reduces spending on advanced engines, electric drivetrains and efficiency tech. The move is likely to renew debate over emissions, consumer fuel costs and the pace of the auto industry's shift toward electrification.

Apple has started offering a lease program covering iPhones and other devices, according to Scripps News. The move would let customers pay monthly to use Apple hardware rather than buying it outright, adding a new option alongside existing installment plans and trade-in offers. Details on pricing, availability and lease terms have not been widely reported yet.

Meta has launched a new enterprise AI platform and brought in MongoDB's chief executive to run the initiative, according to a TechCrunch report. The move signals a push by the social media giant to expand its artificial intelligence business beyond consumer products and compete for corporate customers in the fast-growing enterprise AI market.

Meta has introduced Muse, a new AI agent that pairs customisable avatars with a small handheld charm device and tools aimed at handling everyday tasks. The announcement is being read as the latest step in Mark Zuckerberg's broader AI vision for the company, with coverage explaining what the agent can do and how it fits into Meta's consumer hardware and assistant strategy.

Reports say there is a solution for the iPhone 15's overheating problem, but it is one many users may find unwelcome. Apple's latest phone has drawn complaints that it runs hot during use, and the proposed fix reportedly involves changes or compromises that owners are unlikely to embrace. Discussion is circulating around what the remedy actually requires and whether Apple will issue a software update to address the issue directly.

Sony will not attend CES 2027, according to an Engadget report, as the company shifts its focus toward entertainment. The move marks a notable absence for one of the tech show's longtime exhibitors and signals Sony's growing emphasis on gaming, film, music and other content businesses over traditional consumer electronics showcases.

Sony is reportedly withdrawing from CES 2027, breaking an unbroken presence at the consumer electronics show that dates back to 1967. The move, reported by gadget outlet Gadget Review, would mark the first time in nearly six decades that the Japanese electronics and entertainment giant is absent from the Las Vegas event, prompting questions about its trade-show strategy.

Niantic Spatial says its spatial AI technology is being applied to real-world robots, extending the company's geospatial mapping work beyond games and consumer apps into robotics. The move signals the firm's push into physical-world AI, where spatial understanding helps machines navigate and interact with their surroundings.

The European Union's updated product liability framework is widening its scope so claims no longer hinge solely on physical damage. Under the new rules, compensation can cover data loss, psychological harm and damage from software and AI-enabled products. Commentators say the shift significantly raises exposure for manufacturers and tech firms selling into the EU market.

Sony will not take part in CES 2027, with reports saying the company is shifting its priorities toward entertainment content rather than the hardware showcases the trade show is known for. The move marks a notable departure from one of the tech industry's biggest stages and fits Sony's broader emphasis on games, music, film and other media businesses.

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.

Dutch retailer Wehkamp has removed Meta's camera-equipped smart glasses from its range with immediate effect, citing privacy concerns. The move, reported by Dutch tech and news outlets, comes amid ongoing debate about the spectacles' built-in cameras and the rules around recording people in public. It follows similar scrutiny of Meta's Ray-Ban glasses in other European markets, where regulators and consumers have questioned whether bystanders can meaningfully object to being filmed.

Google has rolled out a Health update that expands the fitness tracking capabilities of its Pixel Watch. The update adds broader health and activity monitoring features, strengthening the watch's position in the wearable fitness market as Google continues building out its hardware and health services ecosystem alongside Fitbit integration.

Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, a new audio platform that brings on-device AI processing to wireless earbuds and other audio wearables. The move signals Qualcomm's push to add smarter, locally processed features to audio devices rather than relying on cloud connectivity. Details beyond the announcement are limited so far, with tech outlets picking up the news as part of the latest wave of AI-focused gadget launches.

Xiaomi has launched a new 10,000mAh power bank globally, featuring a built-in cable and 22.5W charging output. The company is promoting the device as safer than previous models, with improved protection features. The accessory targets users seeking a compact, all-in-one portable charger without carrying separate cables.

Concern is growing in Alberta, Canada, that the rapid build-out of energy-hungry data centres, driven largely by artificial intelligence demand, will translate into higher electricity bills for households. The issue has become a prominent public talking point in the province, touching on debates over energy policy, infrastructure capacity, the role of the oil and gas sector, and the environmental and economic costs of attracting big tech facilities.

Neurable has introduced wireless headphones with built-in EEG sensors that monitor brain activity to estimate how close a user is to burnout, tracking focus and fatigue throughout the day. The device, covered by Gizmodo, sits at the intersection of consumer tech and neuroscience, raising interest in everyday brain-tracking wearables as well as questions about privacy and how such data could be used.

T-Mobile is preparing new plan tiers under a T-Mix structure that would give customers more flexible ways to combine services, according to Android Authority. The news suggests the carrier is reworking its lineup so subscribers can customize perks, lines, or add-ons rather than pick from fixed plans. Details on pricing and launch dates have not been confirmed, but the move follows industry-wide efforts to offer more modular, mix-and-match wireless plans.

Haute Living has published a guide to celebrity-endorsed beauty devices it considers worth buying in 2026, rounding up at-home skincare and beauty technology favored by famous names. No further details or reactions are available beyond the article itself.

Meta is signalling plans to build its Muse AI technology into a wider range of consumer gadgets, according to TechCrunch. The move suggests the company wants Muse to become a core layer in upcoming devices beyond its existing headsets and smart glasses. Details on which products or partners are involved have not been laid out yet, leaving observers guessing about Meta's next hardware push.

OpenAI has introduced "dots," a new AI assistant positioned as a direct competitor to Meta's Muse. The announcement is drawing attention in the tech press as the race among major AI companies to field consumer assistants intensifies, with observers weighing how OpenAI's latest offering will stack up against Meta's rival product.

Gear Patrol has published a running roundup of the standout new gadgets and hi-fi audio releases of 2026, updated as new products launch. The guide highlights the latest in consumer tech and high-fidelity audio gear for shoppers and enthusiasts following this year's releases.

Wired's Uncanny Valley podcast examined a voluntary AI safety agreement signed by tech executives under the Trump administration, describing it as "morally binding" but lacking legal force. The episode also covered the rise of AI agents aimed at everyday consumers and extremist candidates running in the US midterm elections, tying together debates over AI governance and political extremism.

Viome has acquired Sōlaria Biō, a deal the company says will move its personalized nutrition business beyond diagnostic testing into broader consumer offerings. The acquisition signals Viome's ambition to turn gut microbiome and health data into everyday nutrition products and services, expanding its footprint in the fast-growing personalized health and wellness market.