Consumer Tech News and Headlines
Consumer Tech News and Headlines
Consumer Tech Pulse
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EMAIL DIGESTS
Daily
Every morning
Weekly
Tuesday recap
ATSC President Madeleine Noland told RBR+TVBR that ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) is now live in the United States, South Korea, parts of the Caribbean and Brazil, where a hybrid broadcast model is used. While adoption has been uneven—some markets lagging and others facing steep upgrade costs—advertising spend and retransmission‑consent revenue are under pressure. Noland highlighted new ATSC 3.0 dongles and set‑top boxes designed to simplify consumer transition. She aims to convert skeptics by showcasing the broader non‑broadcast benefits of the standard.
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...
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...
Apple is reportedly developing three AI‑focused wearables—a pair of smart glasses, a pendant‑style device, and AI‑enabled AirPods—centered around Siri and linked to the iPhone. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says production could begin this year, with a possible market launch as early...
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...
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...
CES 2026 placed the front door at the center of the smart‑home conversation, unveiling a wave of new lock technologies that blend biometrics, power‑generation and protocol upgrades. The Z‑Wave Alliance introduced the User Credential Command Class, enabling fingerprint‑based unlocking and...
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...
Obsidian released Avowed on PS5 bundled with the 2.00 Anniversary Update, introducing New Game Plus, photo mode, additional races, character presets, and extensive difficulty sliders. The console version mirrors Xbox's three display modes—performance, quality, and balanced—with frame‑rate unlocks, but still exhibits...
Daniel Rubino argues that the real problem isn’t Xbox or PlayStation hardware but the artificial technical split between consoles and PCs. Developers must maintain separate codebases, certification processes, and patch pipelines, which inflates costs and delays releases, especially for indie...
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...
VIDAA, now rebranded as V, is set to launch its V Index measurement platform in Q2, blending traditional linear TV data with streaming‑app viewership. The solution will initially roll out across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, leveraging the company’s...
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim received a 1.2 patch for Nintendo Switch 2, introducing a new 60 Hz mode that lets players toggle between visual fidelity and performance. A 30 Hz visual mode locks frame rate for smoother gameplay, while performance tweaks reduce FPS...
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...
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....
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...
Samsung is reportedly forced to raise the Galaxy S26’s launch price as soaring RAM and memory costs strain its margins. Even its in‑house Exynos processors can no longer be sourced cheaper than competing chips, limiting Samsung’s ability to absorb expenses. The...
Thermaltake unveiled the TGM‑V49CDQ, a 49‑inch super‑ultrawide 32:9 gaming monitor featuring a Dual QHD 5120×1440 VA panel. The display delivers a 240 Hz refresh rate, 1 ms GTG response, and supports both G‑Sync Compatible and FreeSync Premium for tear‑free gameplay. Connectivity is...
Phison CEO Khein‑Seng Pua warned that the ongoing DRAM and NAND flash shortage will disproportionately affect low‑cost consumer devices, where razor‑thin margins leave little room for price spikes. He highlighted an 8 GB eMMC component whose price surged from roughly $1.32...
AMD’s Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) is a BIOS toggle that lifts the power‑delivery limits of Ryzen CPUs, allowing them to sustain higher boost clocks for longer periods. Enabling PBO on a Ryzen 7 7700 delivered consistent 7‑10% multi‑core gains on rendering, compiling...
NZXT unveiled two new compact components—the H2 Flow Mini‑ITX case and the C850 SFX 850‑watt power supply—aimed at its pre‑built gaming rigs. Both products promise high‑performance builds in a smaller footprint, matching the capabilities of larger tower systems. The case...
Gozney has introduced the Arc Lite, a compact gas‑powered pizza oven that fits balconies and small gardens while cooking 12‑inch pizzas at up to 500 °C. The new model retains the brand’s insulated body and signature lateral rolling flame, but weighs...
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...
Consent‑O‑Matic, a free browser extension from Aarhus University, automatically rejects unwanted cookie‑consent banners on Chrome, Firefox and Safari. It groups pop‑ups into five categories, lets users set preferences once, and then applies them silently across sites. The open‑source rule generator...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
Atari has revived the Intellivision brand with the new Intellivision Sprint, a dedicated retro console that bundles 45 classic titles. The device connects via HDMI, includes two wireless controllers, and uses physical overlays to accommodate each game’s unique control scheme....
EVA AI organized a two‑day pop‑up at Manhattan’s Same Same Wine Bar where singles dined alone with headphones, chatting with AI companions on their phones. Attendees could bring personal AI partners or speed‑date among the app’s 100 pre‑built characters. The...
The Cyberintelligence Institute (CII) has released CYROS, a free smartphone app that warns users of emerging cyber threats such as ransomware, phishing, and digital sabotage. The platform aggregates alerts from Germany's Federal Office for Information Security, consumer‑protection groups, and security...
Valve is rolling out a new beta feature that lets Steam reviewers attach their PC hardware specifications to each review. The specs are automatically gathered from Steam’s existing hardware survey, making it easy for users to provide context without manual...
Ring announced it is canceling its planned partnership with Flock Safety after a Super Bowl ad sparked privacy concerns. The collaboration, which would have integrated Flock’s AI‑driven “Search Party” tool into Ring cameras, never went live and no footage was...
Nintendo confirmed that its new Virtual Boy headset, available in full‑size and cardboard versions, can run the four Switch titles that feature VR modes – Super Mario Odyssey, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,...
Feral Interactive has released the full‑console Tomb Raider on Android and iOS at $19.99, marking the first time the franchise’s complete experience is available on mobile. The port brings the Yamatai island adventure, complete with survival mechanics, crafting, and puzzle‑platforming, to...
Birmingham Airport has launched BABS, an AI‑powered virtual assistant developed with Hello Lamp Post, as part of its Connected Personal Experiences (CPE) rollout. Passengers can access BABS via smartphones or digital kiosks for instant answers on check‑in, gate locations, dining...
A Super Bowl ad introduced Ring’s AI‑driven “Search Party” feature, sparking backlash over neighborhood camera activation and potential ICE collaboration. The ad follows Ring’s partnership with license‑plate scanner Flock Safety, heightening privacy concerns. Meanwhile, Google Nest released delayed footage of...
