Today's Consumer Tech Pulse
Apple rolls out AI‑powered tools at WWDC 2026
Apple introduced a suite of AI features at its WWDC 2026 event, including the Spatial Reframe tool that converts 2‑D images into 3‑D scenes and a revamped Siri that rivals leading chatbots. The announcements also added tighter child‑online safety controls and reinforced Apple’s privacy‑first stance.
Shark Beauty Unveils First-Ever Air Straightener – and I Got to Try It Before Anyone Else
Shark Beauty introduced the SilkiPro Straight, a wet‑to‑dry air straightener that combines drying, straightening and waving in a single device. The tool uses HeatSense ceramic plates with a sensor that adjusts temperature 1,000 times per second, and comes with three interchangeable combs for root‑to‑tip control. It launches on 4 March in Plum Satin and Rose Petal, priced at £249.99, positioning itself as a premium alternative to existing hair‑tech offerings. Early hands‑on testing highlighted its lightweight design and ability to handle curly, coily and textured hair without excessive heat damage.
The Ray-Ban Meta Killer? Samsung Smart Galaxy Glasses Launching in 2026
Samsung announced its first‑generation Smart Galaxy Glasses, slated for a 2026 release, with two variants—SMO2000P and SMO200J—targeting both enthusiasts and casual users. The glasses run on Android XR, feature a Qualcomm AR1 chipset, a 12‑megapixel camera, and a 155 mAh battery,...
We’re Measuring Data Center Sustainability Wrong
Google claims its data centers are 1.5× more energy‑efficient than the industry average and Microsoft is investing billions in nuclear power for AI workloads, yet these metrics capture only about 30% of IT‑sector emissions. The bulk of carbon comes from...
Monetisation, Player Retention and Communities on Discord: Top Tips Incoming at PGC San Francisco
Discord will showcase its Social SDK at Pocket Gamer Connects San Francisco on March 9, 2026, where senior developer Anthony Tešija will present strategies for acquiring, retaining, and monetising mobile gamers via Discord. He will outline how the platform’s community...
US Video Game Consumer Spending Predicted to Reach $62.8bn in 2026
U.S. video game consumer spending is projected to hit $62.8 billion in 2026, a 3% rise from the previous year, according to market‑research firm Circana. The growth is anchored by strong hardware demand for the Nintendo Switch 2 and the launch of...
Snapchat Introduces Creator Subscriptions for Direct Fan Revenue
Snapchat is launching Creator Subscriptions. Creators will be able to set their own pricing using Snapchat’s recommended tiers and offer subscribers: 🔒 Exclusive content, including subscriber-only Snaps & Stories 💬 Priority replies to a creator’s public Stories 🚫 An ad-free experience within that creator’s...
This Corsair RAM and Gigabyte AM5 Motherboard Bundle Is Just $67 More than Buying the RAM Alone – 32GB of...
Newegg is offering a bundle that pairs the Gigabyte B850 Aorus Elite Wi‑Fi 7 motherboard with 32 GB of Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5‑6400 RAM for just under $505, a 20% or $133 discount versus buying the components separately. The motherboard features 12...
Apple Music’s iOS 26.4 Beta Introduces AI-Powered Playlist Tool
Apple Music is testing an AI‑powered playlist generator called Playlist Playground in the iOS 26.4 beta. The tool lets users type natural‑language prompts—such as “morning coffee music” or “disco songs that defined the 1970s”—to create 25‑track playlists with custom titles and...
The Razer Viper V3 Pro's Price Just Dropped $45, Hinting at Impending Viper V4 Pro
Razer has slashed the Viper V3 Pro’s price by $45, with Amazon listing it at $114.99 and Razer’s own store offering it for $129.99 after a $30 discount. The mouse, launched at $159.99 in May 2024, is praised for its lightweight...
Wago Enters Smart Homes with Eight Matter Devices
Wago, a leader in industrial electrical engineering, has entered the smart‑home market with eight Matter‑certified devices that offer both Wi‑Fi and Thread connectivity. The dual‑protocol lineup includes Home Relay 6A/16A, a dimmer and a blind controller, all built to industrial‑grade UL...
New Keenadu Backdoor Found in Android Firmware, Google Play Apps
Kaspersky has uncovered a sophisticated Android backdoor named Keenadu, embedded in firmware of multiple device brands and distributed through compromised OTA updates, system apps, and even Google Play applications. The malware can infiltrate every installed app, grant attackers unrestricted control,...
Don’t Buy an iPad Pro: The M4 iPad Air Is Coming Sooner Than You Think
Apple confirmed a 2026 iPad Air refresh powered by the new M4 chip, slated for a spring launch in February or March. The device will keep the familiar 11‑inch and 13‑inch aluminum chassis, preserving compatibility with the Magic Keyboard and...
NVIDIA RTX Steam Machine Build : AMD GPUs Run SteamOS More Smoothly
Iceberg Tech’s guide walks through building a compact Linux‑gaming PC using the ASRock DeskMeet X600 case paired with an NVIDIA RTX 5060 GPU. While the RTX 5060 brings DLSS performance, the article highlights persistent driver instability on Linux, making AMD GPUs a...
Apple Pushes Back Siri 2.0: Why iOS 26.4 Is Losing Its Biggest Feature
Apple has postponed the highly anticipated Siri 2.0 upgrade, opting to exclude it from the iOS 26.4 release. Instead, the update concentrates on security patches, modest performance tweaks, and fixes for persistent Wi‑Fi connectivity problems. The decision follows lingering issues...
Microsoft Quietly Increases Rewards Points Price for Xbox Gift Cards
Microsoft has quietly raised the points cost for Xbox gift cards in its Rewards program, roughly a 5.3% increase in the US and UK. The change affects all denominations and varies by region, with users reporting higher point requirements for...
PS6 Report Suggests Next-Gen Consoles Could Still Be a Long Way Off
AI‑driven demand for memory is inflating chip prices, tightening supply for console makers. Sony is reportedly considering pushing the PS6 launch to 2028 or 2029, while Microsoft’s best‑case target for its next‑gen Xbox is 2027 but may also slip. Both...
Galaxy Buds 4 Leak Leaves Little to the Imagination — and I’m Okay with the Safe Upgrades
Samsung’s leaked Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro show a return to a brushed‑metal aesthetic, abandoning the sharp blade design of the Buds 3. Both models keep the stem for improved microphones and pinch controls, but the standard Buds 4 adopt an open‑fit design...
AirPods Pro 4: The Secret “Vision” Feature Apple Didn’t Want You to Know
Apple is reportedly gearing up to launch AirPods Pro 4 with built‑in cameras, a move that could fuse spatial audio with real‑time augmented reality. The camera‑enabled earbuds aim to deliver immersive navigation, interactive AR apps, and new ways to engage with...
Ugreen’s New Power Bank Listens and Charges
Ugreen unveiled the MagFlow AI Voice Recording Magnetic Power Bank at CES 2026, combining a 10,000 mAh magnetic wireless charger with an AI‑powered voice recorder that can translate and summarize audio. The device retains familiar features such as a digital display...
Encrypted RCS Messaging Support Lands in Apple’s iOS 26.4 Developer Build
Apple introduced end‑to‑end encrypted Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging in the iOS 26.4 developer beta, extending the feature to iPadOS, macOS and watchOS in future updates. The encryption is currently limited to iPhone‑to‑iPhone conversations and depends on carrier support, with a...
Gboard's Allegedly Got a 'Cursor Mode' In the Oven That's Giving Me Laptop Vibes
A tipster claims Google is developing a “cursor mode” for Gboard that transforms part of the keyboard into a virtual trackpad. Users would activate the mode by holding the space bar, gaining fine‑grained control to slide the cursor for precise...
King and Yahoo Games: Filling a Bite-Sized "Appetite" With Candy Crush Crushable
King has launched Candy Crush Crushable, a daily bite‑sized puzzle exclusive to Yahoo Games in the United States, while international players can access it via a dedicated website. The game is designed around a single‑puzzle‑per‑day format that emphasizes clarity, fairness...
Fans Queue for AI Surveillance Device Despite Privacy Risks
If i were pitching @steipete i would start by telling the Siri story: how the founders were sold by Steve Jobs who called them every day for a month. It was launched in my house. Promised them they would be...
Samsung Bespoke AI Wants to Run Your Whole Kitchen
Samsung unveiled its Bespoke AI kitchen lineup at KBIS 2026, featuring camera‑enabled Family Hub refrigerators, AI‑powered ovens and Bixby‑driven voice control, all linked through the SmartThings platform. The AI Vision system can recognize up to 37 fresh items and 50 packaged...
Vivo X Fold 5 Ranks Second Best Foldable Camera
Randomly jumped back on the Vivo X Fold 5 and this is still the second best foldable camera around behind only the X Fold 3 Pro.
MSI RTX 5090 Lightning Z: 2500W XOC BIOS Leaked – Pushing the Limits with Advance Warning
MSI’s RTX 5090 Lightning Z has a 2500 W XOC BIOS leak, far exceeding the card’s typical 600 W TDP and even the model’s advertised 1000 W extreme profile. The BIOS is designed for liquid‑nitrogen record attempts and disables safety mechanisms, making it unsuitable for...
Netflix Drops Older TVs; Cheap Roku and Fire Sticks Available
Netflix is about to stop working on some more older smart TVs and consoles — but handily, you can get a Roku or Fire TV Stick super-cheap right now https://www.techradar.com/televisions/streaming-devices/netflix-is-about-to-stop-working-on-some-more-older-smart-tvs-and-consoles-but-handily-you-can-get-a-roku-or-fire-tv-stick-super-cheap-right-now
AI Shifts to Edge, Dem
#AI is leaving the data center for robots, sensors, drones, and #XR. 🥽 It needs open, programmable #5G now and AI-native #6G next. 5G SA brings slicing, automation, and open APIs. 🔗 Read more on Börje Ekholm’s blog: https://t.co/0AP5Zz84dm via...
More Rode Mics Can Now Connect Directly to iPhones and iPads
Rode is rolling out a firmware update that adds Direct Connect to its Wireless Pro and third‑generation Wireless Go microphones, enabling Bluetooth pairing with iPhones and iPads via the Rode Capture app. The update eliminates the need for a separate...
Google Messages Adds Partial Text Selection Feature
Google Messages is quietly addressing one of its most requested features You can finally select and copy a part of a message instead of the whole thing. ✅ Details and demo video - https://t.co/RmENf6Pn3j https://t.co/Va0NMH9Xx3
Google Confirms Android Downloads Backup Feature
Google confirms new Downloads backup feature for Android that I spotted first back in August 2025 https://t.co/zX3HyBV3TK
TESSAN Launches Universal Travel Adapter 21W for Seamless Worldwide Charging
The episode introduces TESSAN's new Universal Travel Adapter 21W, a compact 5‑in‑1 device that combines a universal AC outlet with two USB‑C and two USB‑A ports, delivering up to 21 W of fast charging for up to five devices simultaneously. It...
Instantly Compare Mall Prices to Amazon Deals
Why do you need this? So you can look at something in a mall and it will tell you “that is cheaper on Amazon.”
Earnings Surge, AI Capex Debate Drives Tech Outlook
The Week Ahead In Technology for February 16, 2026. Markets reopen after Presidents’ Day into a big earnings week. $ADI is the key semi cycle read with 41% EPS growth expected. $PANW tests enterprise cyber spend. $CDNS gives a read on...
Gaming Phone Hides a Controller Under Its Sliding Screen
Ayaneo unveiled the Pocket Play, a smartphone that slides its 6.8‑inch OLED screen upward to reveal an integrated d‑pad, face buttons and touch‑pad zones, reviving the sliding‑phone form factor. Powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300 and featuring UFS 4.0 storage, a 5,000 mAh battery...
Market Can Only Meet Half to Two‑Thirds of Demand
Morgan Stanley hosted $MU CFO. "the gap is significant" "commentary that the state of the market is such that it can only support 50% to 2/3rds of key customers’ demand," https://t.co/NLNcHwM3ri
Apple Podcasts Adds Video to Rival YouTube, Spotify
Apple Podcasts Is Launching New Video Features, Looking to Keep Pace With YouTube and Spotify https://t.co/mnCRH7Q9Bu
Apple Could Launch a New Entry-Level MacBook in March (Along with New MacBook Pro and Air Models)
Apple is slated to host a March 4, 2026 event that could unveil a new entry‑level MacBook priced below $1,000, alongside refreshed MacBook Air and Pro models powered by M5‑series chips. The budget MacBook is expected to feature a sub‑13‑inch aluminum display, a...
Semiconductors Shift From Volume to ASP‑Driven Value
Modeled a range of scenarios, but showing mid-bull to make a key point. For the first time in semiconductor industry history, value creation is primarily an ASP story not a volume story. https://t.co/IoHFb65Gmq
Amazon's High Capex-to-FCF Isn't New, Still Managed Well
Working on my $AMZN growth thesis report for this week, and just helpful to point out, that this high capex to FCF is not uncharted territory for Amazon. I get there is more competition this time than e-comm but they...
More than 10 Million Duolingo Users Have a 365-Day Streak
Duolingo disclosed that more than 10 million users have logged into the app every day for a full year, representing roughly 20 % of its 50 million daily active base. The language‑learning platform posted a record $88.9 million in gross user spending in January...
Gemini Adds True Split-Screen Support for All Devices
Gemini’s split-screen upgrade is here, and it's not just for tablets anymore Gemini can now read your other apps in split screen — no overlay needed. ✅ Details and demo - https://t.co/pl9uA5FBL4 https://t.co/yrbjwraKjP
Memory Limits Will Bind Semiconductors Through 2030
Hard to really say past 2027 for certainty at this point, but its very easy to lay out the scenarios that keep memory constrained to 2030. Really not just memory, the depth of the constraints are so deep across...
Apple Announces a March 4th Press Event
Apple announced a “special Apple Experience” press event for March 4 at 9 a.m. ET, to be held simultaneously in New York, London and Shanghai. The company has not confirmed whether the event will be livestreamed. Analysts anticipate updates to the iPhone 16e, new...
What Your Bluetooth Devices Reveal
A developer released Bluehood, an open‑source Bluetooth scanner that passively logs nearby devices and visualises their appearance patterns. The tool runs on a Raspberry Pi or laptop and can identify phones, wearables, vehicles and IoT gadgets without ever connecting. Its release...
Google Trials Android Auto Cellular Status Icons for Android 16
Google is testing new Android Auto icons to display cellular status, in line with Android 16’s icon design ✅ Details - https://t.co/i0KU9u5PsA https://t.co/BxOp6Qv7wg
5 EDC Tools the Whole Family Ends Up Sharing
The article highlights five everyday carry (EDC) tools designed for shared household use: the Victorinox Classic SD Alox knife, Olight Baton 4 flashlight, Leatherman Free T4 multitool, Apple AirTag (4‑pack) tracker, and Anker Nano 10 000 mAh power bank. Each product is chosen for...
These New iOS 27 Tweaks Could Make iPhone Gaming Smoother for Apple Fanatics
Apple’s upcoming iOS 27 is rumored to strip out legacy code, delivering a leaner operating system that feels more responsive. The cleanup is expected to improve battery efficiency, giving gamers longer playtime on titles like Destiny Rising and Zenless Zone Zero....
Google Signals Upcoming Android Auto Video App Support
Google hasn't forgotten about video apps for Android Auto A new code flag suggests the long-awaited entertainment feature is still in active development and could be rolled out to supported cars soon ✅ Details - https://t.co/FbpCZLXFnn https://t.co/K9ivrgsd19
BPI-R4 Pro Router Board Delivers MT7988A SoC with Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Capability
Banana Pi has launched the BPI‑R4 Pro router board, built on MediaTek’s MT7988A (Filogic 880) quad‑core Cortex‑A73 SoC and supporting tri‑band Wi‑Fi 7. The board ships in two configurations – an 8 GB DDR4 “8X” model with dual 10 G SFP+ ports and a 4 GB DDR4...