Android 17 Stops Apps From Demanding Access to All Your Contacts
Google announced that all apps targeting Android 17 must use a new Google‑provided contact picker and a dedicated location button, restricting one‑time access to contacts and precise location data. Developers who need always‑on access must submit a Play Store declaration justifying the request. Automated checks will begin flagging non‑compliant apps on October 27, before the standard review process. The measures are designed to curb permission abuse and strengthen user privacy across the Play ecosystem.
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Android Phones Aren’t at Risk of Long-Standing iPhone Tap-to-Pay Vulnerability [Video]
A five‑year‑old tap‑to‑pay flaw in iPhone’s Express mode lets large transit purchases bypass the lock screen, a vulnerability highlighted in a recent Veritasium video. Apple and Visa have been aware of the issue since 2021, but claim it falls under...
Rumored Feature Coming to Steam that Will Help You Track Prices, and Microsoft Should Copy It Immediately for Xbox and...
Valve is reportedly rolling out a broader 30‑day price‑history tracker on Steam, extending beyond the limited EU pilot launched in 2023. The feature would let gamers see recent price fluctuations directly in the store, reducing reliance on external tools. Xbox...
This Open-Source App Made Every Download Manager I Used Before Feel Unnecessary
Gopeed, an open‑source download manager, has quickly displaced legacy tools like Internet Download Manager, qBittorrent, and niche YouTube downloaders for many users. Its minimalist interface presents only essential controls while a hidden advanced panel unlocks proxy settings, custom headers, and...
I Changed 3 Settings on My Samsung Galaxy, and It Feels Surprisingly Fresh Again
Tech writer Kanika Gogia discovered that three built‑in Samsung settings can dramatically refresh a Galaxy phone’s feel. By disabling system animations, turning off the RAM Plus virtual‑memory feature, and switching the display to its native QHD+ resolution, her device became...
Samsung Hikes Galaxy Book 6 Prices by up to $600 as Base Model Goes on Sale
Samsung has launched the base Galaxy Book 6 in the United States, but with a $200 price increase to $1,249, higher than the originally announced $1,049. The company also raised prices across the entire Galaxy Book 6 lineup, with Pro models climbing...
The Nothing Phone 4a Pro Is Nearly Unbreakable, Except for One Design Flaw
Nothing’s Phone 4a Pro, priced at $499, features a CNC‑milled aluminum unibody that survived bend, scratch and flame tests, proving it is one of the toughest mid‑range phones. The device’s 6.8‑inch AMOLED panel uses Gorilla Glass 7i and delivers up to 5,000 nit brightness. However,...
This Uncommon Port Turns Weak Mini PCs Into Sleeper Gaming Rigs
Mini PCs can become viable gaming machines by pairing them with an external GPU via the OCuLink port, which taps directly into PCIe lanes. OCuLink delivers up to 64 Gbps of PCIe 4.0 ×4 bandwidth—roughly double Thunderbolt 4 and often outpacing Thunderbolt 5 in real‑world...
Microsoft's Windows 11 Laptop Deal for Students Comes with a $500 Bonus - What's Included
Microsoft is offering U.S. college students a free bundle worth over $500 when they purchase a qualifying Windows 11 laptop from major retailers. The package includes a year of Microsoft 365 Premium with AI‑driven Co‑Pilot, a year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and a customizable...
Today’s Android App Deals and Freebies: Armed Emeth RPG, Poker Ya Joker, Dragon Spira, More
9to5Toys’ afternoon lineup spotlights a wave of Android app discounts, featuring premium titles such as Armed Emeth, Dragon Spira, and This Aint Even Poker. The roundup also highlights deep hardware cuts, including $250 off Pixel 10 models, 25% off Sony’s Glass...
I Use This Android Feature Every Day and No One Ever Talks About
Samsung’s One UI 6.1 update introduced Circle to Search, an on‑screen AI tool that lets users highlight any visual element and instantly receive product details, translations, or generative answers without leaving the current app. The feature, built on Google Lens and...
One of the World's Most Powerful Flip Phones Is Now 46% OFF at Amazon — That's Not a Typo
Amazon is offering a 46% discount on the Motorola Razr Ultra (2025), slashing the price from $1,299.99 to $699.99. The 512 GB foldable features Snapdragon 8 Elite, 16 GB RAM, dual 165 Hz pOLED displays, and IP48 resistance. The deal makes the Razr Ultra cheaper...
Struggling With This Early Heatwave? Shark’s New ChillPill Delivers 3 Ways to Cool Down Fast
Shark and Dyson have each introduced new portable cooling devices as an early East Coast heatwave drives demand for personal temperature control. Shark’s ChillPill combines a bladeless fan, dry‑touch mist and a cryotherapy‑inspired cooling plate that can lower skin temperature...
Motorola Razr Fold Release Date Might by May 6 as Pre-Orders Open in UK, Europe
Motorola has opened pre‑orders for its first book‑style foldable, the Razr Fold, in the United Kingdom and Europe, promising shipment on May 6. The device carries a pre‑order price of £1,579.99 (about $1,950) in the UK and €1,749.99 (roughly $1,900) in Europe,...
Moto Edge 70 Pro Chipset Details Leaked After Geekbench Listing
Motorola’s upcoming Edge 70 Pro 5G for India was spotted on a Flipkart microsite, and a Geekbench listing has revealed its internals. The handset is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 8500 SoC, featuring a 4‑core 2.20 GHz cluster, three 3.20 GHz cores and a 3.40 GHz prime...
Forget Apple Intelligence, Google Just Stealth Upgraded Your Mac
Google has released a native macOS version of its Gemini AI assistant, available for download from gemini.google/mac. The app integrates directly into the Mac desktop, launching via the Option + Space shortcut and offering context‑aware responses by reading the screen. Gemini can...
The Gemini App Is Now on Mac
Google announced that the Gemini app is now available as a native macOS experience for users running macOS 15 and later. The free desktop client lets users invoke AI with the Option + Space shortcut and share any on‑screen window for context‑aware...
Someone Finally Got an RTX 5090 Running on a Mac – No Hacks Required
Apple’s long‑standing removal of Nvidia support has finally been challenged by Tiny Corp, which released TinyGPU—an open‑source macOS kernel extension that lets a native Nvidia RTX 5090 run via Thunderbolt on Apple Silicon. The driver required only standard extension approval, avoiding...
Smartphone Vendor Strategies Shift in Q1-2026 as Cost Pressures Force Pricing, Portfolio and Market Realignment
The global smartphone market edged up 1% YoY in Q1 2026, but shipments fell 4.1% to 289.7 million units as memory component costs surged. Vendors are reshaping pricing, trimming portfolios and targeting premium segments to protect margins, with Apple holding stable prices...
Memory Cards and Flash Drives Prices Rocket 124%, some Products Peak at 261% Jump — Increases From 2025 Driven by...
The 2025‑2026 AI‑driven chip shortage has pushed NAND supply toward high‑performance SSDs, leaving USB flash drives and memory cards with soaring prices. PCWorld’s price tracking shows a median increase of 123% across formats, with some items jumping over 260%. Manufacturers...
Sony Enters the Esports OLED Monitor Race with a Fnatic Collaboration
Sony has entered the high‑end esports monitor market with the Inzone M10S II, a 27‑inch OLED display co‑developed with esports powerhouse Fnatic. The monitor offers a dual‑mode panel—native 1440p at 540 Hz or 1080p at 720 Hz—targeting ultra‑fast competitive play. Priced at $1,099.99,...
WhatsApp New Update Lets You Chat Without Sharing Your Phone Number
WhatsApp is introducing usernames, letting users start chats without sharing their phone numbers. The feature is currently in a limited beta rollout and will expand to more Android and iOS users over the coming months. While a phone number remains...
Google Photos Fixes Android Image Editing Tool: Here’s What Changed
Google Photos has rolled out a targeted update to its Android crop tool, fixing long‑standing bugs that caused preview shrinkage and unexpected flips during rotation. The patch also adds smoother, more fluid animations for dragging, rotating, and adjusting aspect ratios....
YouTuber Builds DIY Steam Machine Before Valve Even Reveals Full Specs
YouTuber Zac Builds constructed a DIY Steam Machine using off‑the‑shelf PC parts before Valve disclosed its official console specs. By sourcing second‑hand components and designing a custom case, he kept the build cost around $950, under the rumored $1,000 price...
Best Smart Smoke Detector (and Why You Still Need a Dumb One)
Smart smoke detectors have become popular for their Wi‑Fi alerts, but all models tested rely solely on photoelectric sensors, omitting ionization sensors that detect fast‑flaming fires. This sensor gap means smart units may miss certain fire types, while offering no...
IStore SA Expands Amid Growing Trade-In Business
iStore South Africa is accelerating its retail expansion, having opened its 40th store last year and targeting additional locations this year. The growth is fueled by rising iPhone sales, especially through a robust trade‑in programme that makes upgrades more affordable...
Why Smartphone Buyers Are Choosing Samsung and Apple over Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo in Q1-2026
In Q1 2026 Samsung and Apple solidified their premium lead, shipping 62.8 million and 61.1 million units respectively, pushing each to roughly 21% market share. Mid‑range players Xiaomi, OPPO and Vivo saw shipments tumble 10%‑15% year‑over‑year, while total global shipments slipped 4.1% to...
Best OTA DVR for Cord Cutters in 2026
Cord‑cutters can replace costly cable with a simple antenna paired with an OTA DVR. Among the options, the Tablo 4th Gen stands out as the most affordable, priced around $100 (or $130 with an antenna) and requiring no monthly fees. It...
Windows 11 Pro Is Now Less Than $15
Microsoft has slashed the price of Windows 11 Pro to under $15, making the premium OS accessible to a broader range of professionals. The Pro edition adds productivity‑boosting features such as Snap Layouts and the AI‑driven Copilot assistant. It also bundles enterprise‑grade...
GameSir Unveils Tarantula Pro For Xbox & PC, Described As 'The Best Xbox Controller In Symmetry'
GameSir announced the Tarantula Pro, a wired Xbox and PC controller that builds on its existing multi‑platform line. It features the company’s new Mag‑Res™ TMR sticks, dual‑mode Hall Effect/micro‑switch triggers, four rumble motors, and up to a 1000 Hz polling rate. The...
Amazon Is Launching a New Fire TV Stick HD But It Won’t Run on Android
Amazon unveiled its slimmest streaming device, the Fire TV Stick HD, priced at $34.99 and optimized for direct USB power. The stick runs on Amazon’s in‑house Vega OS, delivering about 30% faster performance and supporting Wi‑Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, though it...
I Talked to Amazon About the Ember Artline, and the End of "Confusing" Fire TV Branding
Amazon announced its Ember Artline TV, a matte‑finish model that also signals a major branding overhaul. All Amazon‑made televisions will now be sold under the Ember TV name, separating the hardware from the broader Fire TV software ecosystem. The company...
Amazon's Most Interesting TV Ever Is Launching in the UK at Last, Along with a New Fire TV Stick
Amazon has finally introduced its Ember Artline TV to the UK and EU, rebranding the line as Ember TVs that ship with Fire TV OS pre‑installed. The 55‑inch model costs about $1,190 and the 65‑inch version about $1,500, each including...
Global Smartphone Market Declines 4.1% in Q1-2026 as Price Hikes Impact Demand
The global smartphone market fell 4.1% year‑over‑year in Q1 2026, shrinking to 289.7 million units and ending a ten‑quarter growth streak. IDC cites memory shortages, higher component costs and 40‑50% price hikes in emerging markets as primary drivers. Samsung and Apple were...
Aiarty Image Enhancer Enables Fast, Private On-Device AI Image Enhancement for macOS Users
Aiarty Image Enhancer, from Digiarty Software, brings on‑device AI image enhancement to macOS using Apple’s Core ML, CPU, GPU and Neural Engine. The app offers three inference modes—All Units, CPU + GPU, and CPU‑Only—tailored to macOS version and hardware, delivering up to 16K...
As a Dual Gaming Monitor Connoisseur, This Acer 1080p Pick Would Be My Choice for a Second Panel Now that...
The Acer Nitro KG241Y P3bip 24‑inch 1080p gaming monitor has dropped to $89.99 on Newegg, a $40 discount from its original $129.99 price. It packs a 180 Hz refresh rate and a 0.5 ms response time, positioning it as a high‑refresh, low‑latency...
Nothing Makes It Easy to Share Files Between Any Android Phone and a Mac
Nothing’s Warp app bridges the long‑standing gap between Android phones and macOS by pairing an Android client with a Chrome‑based browser extension. The service uploads files to Google Drive and delivers a download link to the target device, supporting images,...
CleanTechnica Exclusive: Slim, Design-Focused Jackery Fridgeguard Leaks Ahead of Launch
Jackery is set to launch the Fridgeguard, a ultra‑slim, design‑centric battery that backs up refrigerators and other critical home appliances. The unit can mount vertically, horizontally, or on a wall, and features a paint‑free, VOC‑free recyclable enclosure. Jackery touts "intelligent...
Corsair Vengeance RGB Custom Lab Cherry Blossom DDR5-6000 C36 2x16GB Review: RAM Customization Made Easy
Corsair’s Custom Lab service now offers a Cherry Blossom‑themed DDR5‑6000 C36 memory kit, emphasizing visual flair over raw speed. The kit runs at 1.4 V with looser 36‑44‑44‑96 timings, placing it near the bottom of performance charts on both Intel and...
Get 64GB of Corsair DDR5 RAM for an Unbelievable $266 in This Newegg Bundle Deal — Ryzen 7 9800X3D Processor,...
Newegg is offering a limited‑time bundle that pairs a Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, MSI X870E Edge Ti Wi‑Fi motherboard, Corsair 3500X mid‑tower case and 64 GB (2 × 32 GB) of Corsair Vengeance DDR5‑6400 RAM for $1,099.99. The package represents a 43% discount, effectively pricing the high‑end...
EXEC: Amazfit Parent Zepp Health Corp. Narrows Q4 Net Loss as Revenues Surge
Zepp Health Corp., the Dutch parent of Amazfit, posted Q4 2025 revenue of $85.2 million, a 43 % year‑over‑year increase that hit the top of its guidance range. Gross margin rose to a record 40.4 %, driven by a premium‑focused product mix and...
Sony and Fnatic Just Announced a Blazing-Fast 720Hz OLED Gaming Monitor with One Bizarre Compromise
Sony and esports powerhouse Fnatic have unveiled the Inzone M10S II, a 27‑inch OLED gaming monitor that can run at an unprecedented 720 Hz refresh rate. The panel offers two modes: 2560×1440 at 540 Hz and 1280×720 at 720 Hz, the latter sacrificing resolution...
Walmart Rolls Out A New Onn Google TV Pro Streaming Player for Just $60
Walmart has begun stocking its new Onn 4K Pro streaming box, priced at $60, in select stores ahead of a formal launch. The device runs Google TV, features a quad‑core Cortex‑A55 CPU, 3 GB RAM, 32 GB storage, Wi‑Fi 6, and supports Dolby...
Memory Crunch Ends up Benefitting Apple in China
Global smartphone shipments fell 6% in Q1, but Omdia’s adjusted view shows a modest 1% rise, reflecting delayed effects of the memory‑price surge driven by AI data centers. In China, the market slipped another 1% as rising DRAM costs forced...
You Can Now Add Dolby Atmos to Any Apple CarPlay Car – No Matter Your Speaker Setup
Pioneer has launched the Sphera, a $1,300 aftermarket head unit that brings Dolby Atmos spatial audio to any Apple CarPlay‑enabled vehicle, regardless of the car’s existing speaker configuration. The unit fits a single‑DIN slot, features a 10.1‑inch floating touchscreen, and...
Honor Launches Yoyo Claw to Position PCs as AI Partners
Honor introduced Yoyo Claw, an on‑device OpenClaw AI agent built into its MagicBook notebook line, after a closed beta that began on March 27. The software ships with five core agents and 23 sub‑agents covering education, work, research, content creation and general...
Sony Expands Gaming Gear Range
Sony announced an expansion of its INZONE gaming line, introducing the ultra‑light INZONE H6 Air headset, new Fnatic‑branded mouse and mousepads, and the Glass Purple edition of INZONE Buds. The H6 Air features an open‑back acoustic design, custom drivers, a...
Dell Pro 24 Plus P2425DE Monitor Review: Compact, Sharp and Well-Connected
Dell’s new Pro 24 Plus P2425DE monitor blends a compact 23.8‑in QHD IPS panel with a sleek matte‑silver chassis, making it ideal for tight workspaces. It offers a 100 Hz refresh rate, 5 ms response time, and bright, color‑accurate output that rivals...
Xiaomi Unveils 4K Dual Hz Monitor with QD Mini LED Technology
Xiaomi introduced a 31.5‑inch 4K monitor that can toggle between 160 Hz at native 4K and 320 Hz in Full HD mode, delivering both high‑detail and high‑speed performance. The display uses a quantum‑dot Mini‑LED backlight with 1,152 dimming zones, achieving 1,600 cd/m² peak brightness...
Samsung Debuts T7 and T9 microSD Cards, Simplifies Storage Branding
Samsung is revamping its removable storage lineup by retiring the EVO Plus, PRO Plus and PRO Ultimate names and launching two new families: the T‑series and the upcoming P‑series. The T7 microSD card, aimed at mainstream users, offers capacities from 128 GB to 1 TB...