smartphones

Technology companies are competing to develop dedicated hardware for artificial intelligence, and Meta believes it has produced a breakthrough device. The race reflects a broader industry push to move AI beyond smartphones and into purpose-built gadgets. Meta's entry puts it alongside rivals also trying to define what an AI-first consumer device should look like.

Financial commentary is weighing what could come next for Apple under new leadership, pointing to three likely priorities: a long-rumored foldable iPhone, building out AI server infrastructure, and expanding manufacturing and sales in India. The discussion frames these as key tests for the company's next phase, with investors watching how the strategy could affect Apple's stock and its competitive position against rivals in smartphones and artificial intelligence.

Alibaba has launched Qwen Intelligence as a full-stack agentic AI platform designed for smartphones. The move positions Qwen to power on-device AI assistants that can carry out tasks autonomously rather than simply answering questions. It puts Alibaba in direct competition with other tech giants racing to supply phone makers with agentic AI software as smartphones become the main battleground for consumer AI.

A new survey finds that 8 in 10 people aged 16 to 34 say smartphone use harms their everyday life, according to Dutch news outlet NL Times. The finding highlights growing concern among young adults themselves about the impact of constant phone use on sleep, focus and social life, and feeds into wider debate over digital wellbeing and possible limits on screen time.

Some members of Gen Z are teaching themselves touch typing, a skill many skipped as smartphones replaced keyboards in their upbringing. The motivation is twofold: typing fluently lets them write and refine AI prompts more efficiently, and it gives them an advantage in office jobs where fast, accurate keyboard skills still matter. The trend highlights a skills gap created by a mobile-first generation entering keyboard-centric workplaces.

Qualcomm has unveiled its next-generation flagship mobile processors, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6. The new chips are positioned as the company's top-tier smartphone silicon, expected to power upcoming premium Android devices. Details on performance gains and device availability were not included in the initial announcement.

Qualcomm has announced two new flagship smartphone chips, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and the 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6. The company describes both as flagship processors, with differences between them limited mainly to improved AI processing, video capture, and gaming performance. Tech watchers are weighing what the modest spec changes mean for next year's premium Android phones.

Apple may have more hardware announcements in store this October, following the recent iPhone release. Reports suggest the company could unveil a second-generation HomePod mini and a new iPad mini, reportedly the eighth model, alongside its smartphone lineup. The news has drawn attention as Apple continues expanding its product refreshes beyond the usual September iPhone event.

Qualcomm's chief executive says the smartphone will remain the central device in people's digital lives, pushing back against claims that wearables, smart glasses or AI gadgets could replace it. The comments position the phone as the hub that other devices connect to, with Qualcomm betting its chip business on that continuing role.

Apple's iPhone Duo and Microsoft's Surface Duo share a name while representing very different approaches to mobile hardware. Microsoft's Surface Duo is a dual-screen foldable device running Android, while the iPhone Duo name refers to Apple's smartphone line. The naming overlap is drawing attention as both companies market competing premium devices.

A supply chain source claims Apple's first foldable iPhone will launch in September 2026. The report adds to ongoing speculation about Apple's entry into the foldable smartphone market, which competitors like Samsung have dominated for years. Details on pricing and specifications remain scarce, but analysts expect the device to be a major product cycle driver for Apple if the timeline holds.

Apple's launch of a foldable iPhone is prompting investors to reassess the bull case for the company's stock. Commentary from analysts and market writers is focused on whether the new device category can reignite iPhone growth and justify bullish price targets for AAPL, as Apple looks for fresh revenue drivers in a maturing smartphone market.

Nintendo is ending service for Mario Kart Tour, its mobile Mario Kart game that launched on 25 September 2019. The shutdown will come just five days after the game's seventh anniversary. Gamers are marking the occasion and raising concerns about preservation, since smartphone titles that rely on servers typically become unplayable once official support ends.