smartphones

A new survey in the Netherlands finds that 8 in 10 people aged 16 to 34 say their smartphone use harms their everyday life. The finding has drawn attention for how candid young adults are about the negative impact of their own screen habits, feeding into wider debate about phone addiction, sleep, concentration and mental wellbeing among younger generations.

Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, its new flagship smartphone chip, alongside a higher-tier 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 variant. Both chips are positioned as flagships, with differences between them described as relatively minor, largely confined to improved AI processing, video capture and gaming performance. Coverage so far focuses on the naming and the modest spec separation between the two models.

vivo has unveiled OriginOS 7, the newest version of its Android-based operating system. The update introduces improved multitasking tools, a built-in AI agent, and stronger cross-device connectivity, letting users move tasks between vivo phones, tablets and other devices more seamlessly. Coverage so far focuses on the software's AI capabilities and how it positions vivo against rival smartphone makers pushing their own intelligent assistant features.

Reports say a variable aperture camera system intended for the iPhone 18 Pro has passed testing, but with a significant catch attached to the claim. Variable aperture would let the phone adjust its lens opening for better low-light shots and depth control, a feature more common on dedicated cameras. Details of the catch were not specified, leaving open questions about timing, cost, or whether the feature will ship as described.

PostmarketOS, the community project that brings mainline Linux to smartphones and other mobile devices, is rebranding under a new name: Nura. The rename was announced on the project's blog, and discussion is underway among Linux and open-source enthusiasts about the motivations and what the change means for the distribution's future.

The postmarketOS project, which has spent close to ten years building a Linux distribution for mobile phones, is rebranding itself as Nura. The change marks a new chapter for the community-driven effort to bring mainline Linux to smartphones, a niche area of ongoing interest to enthusiasts seeking alternatives to Android and iOS.

The Motorola Signature 27 is likely to become the first Motorola smartphone to support GrapheneOS, the privacy-focused Android operating system previously limited to Google Pixel devices. If confirmed, it would mark a significant expansion for the security-focused platform, giving privacy-conscious users a hardware option outside Google's own lineup for the first time.

Qualcomm announced two new smartphone chips as it intensifies its focus on on-device artificial intelligence. The launch comes as chipmakers race to position their processors for AI-driven mobile features. Despite the product news, Qualcomm shares edged lower in after-hours trading, suggesting investors were unimpressed or had already priced in the announcement.

Some members of Gen Z, who grew up on smartphones rather than keyboards, are teaching themselves typing skills to write AI prompts more effectively and gain an edge in the job market. Educators and career coaches note that fast, accurate typing can improve productivity with tools like ChatGPT and remains a basic workplace expectation, prompting young workers to close the gap themselves.