🎯Today's Consumer Tech Pulse
Updated 1h agoWhat's happening: Apple rolls out emergency patches for iOS, iPadOS and macOS after active exploit
Apple issued emergency updates for iOS, iPadOS and macOS to fix a newly discovered memory‑corruption flaw in the dyld Dynamic Link Editor (CVE‑2026‑20700) that was being actively exploited. The vulnerability was uncovered by Google’s Threat Analysis Group and was used alongside two earlier patched flaws to target specific individuals on iOS versions prior to iOS 26.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Nexfibre acquires Netomnia for £2B
News•Feb 19, 2026
Google Chrome Adds Split View and PDF Annotation with Drive Upload
Google Chrome 145 introduces three desktop productivity upgrades: Split View for side‑by‑side tabs, PDF annotation tools for highlighting and note‑taking, and a Save to Google Drive button that uploads PDFs directly to a designated Drive folder. Split View is accessed via a new right‑click option and includes a draggable divider and pinning controls. PDF annotation adds a squiggle icon with size and color choices, eliminating the need for external editors. The features are now broadly available to Chrome users.
By 9to5Google
News•Feb 19, 2026
5 Powerful Command Line Tricks Every Raspberry Pi Owner Should Know
Raspberry Pi owners can boost reliability and efficiency by mastering five essential command‑line tools. Monitoring temperature with vcgencmd prevents throttling, while cron automates routine scripts. htop offers real‑time insight into CPU and memory usage, and SSH enables headless remote control. Finally, nmap...
By How-To Geek
News•Feb 19, 2026
Windows 7 and Windows 8 Are Losing Their Last Web Browser
Mozilla announced that Firefox 115 will be the final version supporting Windows 7, 8, and 8.1, with security patches ending in March 2026. Microsoft stopped security updates for those OSes in January 2023, and other major browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Vivaldi have...
By How-To Geek
Social•Feb 19, 2026
IOS 26.4 Adds Five Features, Still No New Siri
iOS 26.4 will bring these 5 upgrades to your iPhone, but there’s still no sign of the new Siri https://www.techradar.com/phones/ios/ios-26-4-will-bring-these-5-upgrades-to-your-iphone-but-theres-still-no-sign-of-the-new-siri
By Lance Ulanoff
Social•Feb 19, 2026
Free MIT Course Shows Why Performance Drives Scalable Software
A free MIT course about building scalable & high-performance software systems: https://t.co/BxL5RulDp5 (v/@MITOCW) Here, MIT prof. & CSAIL principal investigator Charles Leiserson discusses why performance matters in computing (Lecture 1). https://t.co/x3tkqWF0Nt
By MIT CSAIL
Blog•Feb 18, 2026
System76 Preparing To Introduce Redesigned Thelio Hardware
System76 announced a ground‑up redesign of its Thelio desktop and workstation chassis, signaling the next generation of its Linux‑focused hardware line. CEO Carl Richell highlighted ten months of engineering, more than 16,000 durability tests, and over 250 hours of thermal...
By Phoronix
Blog•Feb 18, 2026
Linux 7.0 Brings Several Enhancements For Modern Laptops
Linux 7.0’s merge window delivered a suite of x86 platform‑driver updates aimed at modern laptops. The AMD Platform Management Framework now surfaces detailed Ryzen AI NPU metrics, while ASUS, HP, and Lenovo WMI drivers gain enhanced backlight, fan, and hardware‑monitoring controls....
By Phoronix
News•Feb 18, 2026
Amazon Fends Off Blowback for Ring’s Search Party Tool
Amazon’s Ring introduced the “Search Party” feature, allowing users to share video clips from their doorbell cameras with friends, family, or law‑enforcement agencies to help locate missing persons. The rollout triggered immediate privacy backlash from civil‑rights groups who argue the...
By Bloomberg – Technology (sitewide)
Social•Feb 18, 2026
S26 Pre‑orders Offer Double Storage—Limited Regions
You’ll be able to double your storage with Samsung Galaxy S26 pre-orders — but only in some regions https://www.techradar.com/phones/samsung-galaxy-phones/youll-be-able-to-double-your-storage-with-samsung-galaxy-s26-pre-orders-but-only-in-some-regions
By Lance Ulanoff
News•Feb 18, 2026
Wearable Devices Announces the Mudra Experience Studio: Universal Single Codebase Neural Input Platform for XR and AI Developers
Wearable Devices unveiled the Mudra Experience Studio, a developer platform that unifies neural‑input gestures into a single codebase for XR, mobile and desktop applications. The studio supplies production‑ready SDKs, a standardized gesture taxonomy and AI‑powered IDE integration, eliminating the fragmentation...
By AiThority
News•Feb 17, 2026
WOLED Vs. QD-OLED TVs: What's The Difference?
OLED TVs dominate premium home entertainment, but two distinct panel types—WOLED and QD‑OLED—compete on color accuracy and brightness. WOLED panels generate white light and filter it into RGB, while QD‑OLED starts with blue emitters and uses quantum‑dot layers to produce...
By SlashGear
News•Feb 17, 2026
15 Multi-Tool Brands Ranked From Worst To Best
The article ranks 15 multi‑tool brands from worst to best, evaluating material quality, product range, price‑to‑quality ratio, and warranty policies. Leatherman and Victorinox sit at the top, offering extensive lineups and robust lifetime or 25‑year warranties, while generic power‑tool brands...
By SlashGear
News•Feb 17, 2026
Texas AG Sues Wi-Fi Company over Links to China
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued TP‑Link Systems Inc., alleging the Wi‑Fi maker deceived consumers by marketing its routers as "Made in Vietnam" while sourcing most components in China. The complaint cites longstanding firmware vulnerabilities that Chinese state‑backed hackers have...
By Courthouse News Service
News•Feb 17, 2026
Some Users Report Windows 11’s February Update, KB5077181, Is Failing to Install and Causing a Range of System Issues
Microsoft’s February 2026 cumulative update for Windows 11 (KB5077181) is generating widespread installation failures and post‑install instability. Users report error codes such as 0x800F0991, 0x800F0922, and 0x80073712, along with DHCP‑related Wi‑Fi outages, Bluetooth loss, audio glitches, and graphics problems on Nvidia GPUs...
By Windows Central
News•Feb 17, 2026
16 Useful Apps You Didn't Know Existed
The article spotlights 16 lesser‑known apps that solve specific workflow, media, and gaming challenges across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. From Poolsuite’s vaporwave music player to WinDiskWriter’s macOS‑only Windows installer creator, each tool fills a niche often ignored by...
By SlashGear
News•Feb 17, 2026
Your Mac Has a Powerful Automation Tool Most People Never Open
Apple’s Shortcuts app, pre‑installed on macOS, offers a powerful, visual automation platform that supersedes the older Automator tool. Users can create workflows by dragging actions, set triggers, and leverage a built‑in Gallery of ready‑made shortcuts without writing code. The app...
By MakeUseOf
Blog•Feb 17, 2026
The Pokemon Pinball Machine Is Finally Real
Stern Pinball and The Pokémon Company have launched the first official Pokémon pinball machine, available in Pro ($6,999), Premium ($9,699) and Limited Edition ($12,999, 750 units). The game features four habitats, an animated Poké Ball, voice‑overs and an app‑linked collection system....
By The Gadgeteer
News•Feb 17, 2026
Samsung's Certified Re-Newed Program Will Now Give You a Galaxy Z Flip 5 for Just $349 — Here's the Deal
Samsung’s Certified Re‑Newed program is offering a refurbished Galaxy Z Flip 5 for as low as $349 when paired with a qualified trade‑in, delivering up to $300 in credit. The device comes with a new battery, a one‑year warranty, and retains the...
By Android Central
News•Feb 17, 2026
Today’s Android App Deals and Freebies: Undead Slayer, Alien Food Invasion, Muse Dash, More
9to5Toys released its February 17 2026 Android deals roundup, highlighting steep price cuts on popular games such as Undead Slayer, Alien Food Invasion, and Muse Dash, many now free or under $1. The list also bundles hardware discounts, including a pre‑order deal on...
By 9to5Google
News•Feb 17, 2026
Google Home Fails at Things It Once Could Do, and Google Admits It
Google Home smart speakers are experiencing a noticeable decline in performance, with users reporting failures on tasks the devices previously handled reliably. A Reddit thread revealed that a user submitted at least ten feedback messages daily, prompting Google to publicly...
By How-To Geek
News•Feb 17, 2026
How I Transformed a House Into a Smart Home for My Older Parents
A caregiver retrofitted his parents' house with a smart‑home ecosystem, selecting Apple HomeKit to align with existing iOS devices. By installing smart plugs, voice‑controlled switches, cameras, and a doorbell, everyday tasks like turning on lamps or checking on health became...
By How-To Geek
News•Feb 17, 2026
I'm Not Convinced Open Earbuds Work for Gaming, Despite Asus' Best Efforts
Asus has launched the ROG Cetra Open earbuds, an open‑ear design that connects via a 2.4 GHz low‑latency link for gaming while retaining Bluetooth for everyday use. The reviewer finds the build solid and comfortable, but notes a bulky charging case...
By T3
News•Feb 17, 2026
Google Photos Is Getting Messy, so I Switched to This Private Alternative
Long‑time Google Photos users are growing frustrated with its crowded interface and limited privacy controls, prompting a shift toward self‑hosted alternatives. PhotoPrism, an open‑source, AI‑driven photo manager, lets users store images on their own servers while offering advanced tagging, RAW...
By MakeUseOf
News•Feb 17, 2026
Google Expands Quick Share’s AirDrop Support to Pixel 9
Google is extending its Quick Share cross‑platform file‑sharing feature to include AirDrop compatibility on the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold devices. Users must install the Quick Share Extension update through System services to enable direct peer‑to‑peer transfers with iPhone, iPad or...
By 9to5Google
News•Feb 17, 2026
Roku Shares Climb. Is It Too Late to Buy the Stock?
Roku reported a robust Q4, with revenue rising 16% to $1.39 billion and EPS flipping to a profit of $0.53, beating expectations. Platform revenue surged 18% to $1.22 billion, driven by video ads and premium subscriptions, while device revenue barely grew. Adjusted...
By Yahoo Finance – News Index
News•Feb 17, 2026
Microsoft Is Fixing Windows' Oldest Audio Problem and You Probably Didn't Notice
Microsoft has begun rolling out Windows MIDI Services, a new MIDI stack for Windows 11 that modernizes the legacy MIDI 1.0 architecture. The service introduces native MIDI 2.0 support, multi‑client endpoints, and dramatically lower latency, while preserving compatibility with existing APIs and devices....
By MakeUseOf
News•Feb 17, 2026
Google Pixel ‘Project Toscana’ Reportedly Upgrades Face Unlock Hardware, Compares to iPhone Face ID
Google is developing "Project Toscana," a hardware‑based face‑unlock system for upcoming Pixel phones and Chromebooks. The solution reportedly uses an infrared sensor hidden behind a single hole‑punch camera and aims to match iPhone Face ID’s speed. Early reports claim it...
By 9to5Google
News•Feb 17, 2026
Dell XPS 14 (2026) Review: Two Steps Forward
Dell revives the XPS 14 with a lighter chassis, restored function‑row keyboard, and two display options—a 1080p panel with over 20 hours of battery life and a high‑resolution OLED screen. Powered by Intel's 13th‑gen Core Ultra processors, the top‑end X7 358H delivers strong...
By Tom's Hardware
News•Feb 17, 2026
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...
By GamesIndustry.biz
News•Feb 17, 2026
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...
By Music Business Worldwide (MBW)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Chatbots Are the New Influencers Brands Must Woo
In early 2024 Athenahealth’s CMO discovered that AI chatbots like ChatGPT could not accurately describe the company’s products, prompting a strategic shift toward marketing to machines. Executives across industries now view large language models as new influencers that shape consumer...
By The New York Times – Technology (sitewide)
Social•Feb 17, 2026
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
By Lance Ulanoff
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Hybrid AI Wins; System-Level UI Integration Leads
Good points from @benthompson @stratechery today. Hybrid AI is the way, and those OS/UIs that manage that best and integrate agentic at the system level are best positioned. https://t.co/b2PY6FuSgR
By Ben Bajarin
News•Feb 16, 2026
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...
By PocketGamer.biz
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Confident Helios Shipments Will Arrive on Schedule, Confirmed
There was zero doubt in my mind that there were any delays to Helios, and the first shipments would be on time. Glad @AnushElangovan confirmed it.
By Ben Bajarin
Social•Feb 16, 2026
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...
By Patrick Moorhead
Social•Feb 16, 2026
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
By Ben Bajarin
Social•Feb 16, 2026
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
By Ben Bajarin
Social•Feb 16, 2026
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...
By Ben Bajarin