Spotify’s New iPad and Android Tablet App Finally Gets a Proper Redesign
Spotify launched a redesigned app for iPad and Android tablets on Thursday, adding side-by-side browsing, a
New Chrome Privacy Reports Raise Fingerprinting Fears as Edge, Firefox and Brave Offer Built-In Defenses
Google Chrome faced renewed privacy criticism Friday after reports highlighted its lack of built-in defenses against browser fingerprinting, a technique that can track users through device details. Chrome holds 66.7% of the
Google Rolls Out Chrome 147 Stable as Chrome 148 Beta Brings Web Serial, SharedWorker to Android
Google released Chrome 147 for desktop and Android, expanding Local Network Access checks and adding Web Printing API for Isolated Web Apps.
Why Qube Holdings Shares Still Trail Macquarie’s A$11.7 Billion Buyout Offer
Qube Holdings shares closed about 5% below the dividend-adjusted value of Macquarie Asset Management’s A$11.7 billion takeover offer, reflecting uncertainty as key
ANZ Share Price Falls After RBA Hike as Broker Warnings Put Bank Rally on Edge
ANZ Group Holdings shares fell 1.07% to A$37.13 on Wednesday, underperforming rivals after the bank raised mortgage rates following the Reserve Bank
NatWest Share Price Today: Stock Slips After £500 Million Note Call Ahead of Ex-Dividend Date
NatWest Group shares slipped 0.12% to 580.92 pence after the bank announced it will redeem £500 million of notes on March 28,
Reckitt Benckiser Share Price Jumps After Morgan Stanley Upgrade as Investors Revisit Selloff
Reckitt Benckiser shares rose 2.4% to 5,484 pence Monday after Morgan Stanley upgraded the stock and set a 6,300-pence target. The gain follows a sharp drop earlier this month after the company withheld margin guidance and warned of earnings headwinds. Reckitt is running a £1 billion buyback and completed the $4.8 billion sale of Essential Home, retaining a 30% stake. FTSE 100 closed up 0.6%.
Grab doubles Indonesia Eid bonus budget to Rp110 billion as new payout rule takes hold
Grab Indonesia will double its 2026 Eid bonus budget for drivers to up to 110 billion rupiah ($6.3 million), covering over 400,000
AXT (AXTI) stock slips premarket after a 44% two-day surge — export permits and Nvidia’s outlook in focus
AXT Inc shares fell 2.4% to $39.99 in premarket trading Thursday after a 44% rally over two days. The company, which makes
Android users are replacing Google apps with Fossify — here’s what they gain (and lose)
An Android Police writer reported fully replacing Google’s clock, calculator, keyboard, calendar, and contacts apps with Fossify alternatives. Fossify’s repositories showed updates
iPhone Face ID Not Working in 2026? Try Apple’s “Alternate Appearance” Fix — Plus the Latest iOS 26.2.1 & Face ID News (Jan 13, 2026)
Apple’s Face ID can fail after iOS updates or changes in appearance, such as new glasses or hairstyles. Apple recommends using the
Netflix’s Big Mobile App Redesign Adds Vertical Video Feed and AI Recommendations
Netflix will launch a redesigned mobile app by late April, adding a vertical video feed and expanding generative AI use in recommendations and creator tools. The update comes as Netflix pushes into advertising, live events, and video podcasts. First-quarter revenue rose 16% to $12.25 billion, but shares dropped over 10% Friday after a weaker outlook and news that co-founder Reed Hastings will leave the board in June.
Microsoft Finally Moves 2TB FAT32 Support Closer to Windows 11 Release as Xbox Mode Expands
Microsoft on Friday added a 2TB FAT32 formatting option and Xbox mode to Windows 11 Release Preview builds 26100.8313 and 26200.8313. The same Xbox mode feature appeared in a new Canary build, expanding access to testers. The rollout is gradual and availability will vary. Microsoft first tested the 2TB FAT32 formatter in August 2024.
Spotify’s New iPad and Android Tablet App Finally Gets a Proper Redesign
Spotify launched a redesigned app for iPad and Android tablets on Thursday, adding side-by-side browsing, a collapsible sidebar, and a larger video switch button. The update follows recent expansions in video and audiobook features. Spotify said the new layout is available on iOS and Android tablets, but some foldable devices may not get it immediately. Shares were up 0.2% at $532.40 in New York trading Friday.
Samsung Touts Galaxy S26 Real-Time Audio Eraser but Won’t Confirm S25, S24 Rollout
Samsung has expanded Audio Eraser on the Galaxy S26 to filter voices, music, and background noise during live video playback, not just after recording. The company has not confirmed if the same version will reach older models such as the S25 or S24. The tool now appears in the Quick panel and works with third-party apps, but support varies by device and app.
Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S Price Hike Starts April 19 as AI Memory Crunch Hits VR
Meta Platforms will raise U.S. prices for its Quest 3 and Quest 3S VR headsets starting April 19, citing increased memory-chip costs. The 512GB Quest 3 will jump $100 to $599.99, while Quest 3S models rise $50. Refurbished units will also cost more; accessories remain unchanged. Meta shares rose 1.1% Friday morning.
New Chrome Privacy Reports Raise Fingerprinting Fears as Edge, Firefox and Brave Offer Built-In Defenses
Google Chrome faced renewed privacy criticism Friday after reports highlighted its lack of built-in defenses against browser fingerprinting, a technique that can track users through device details. Chrome holds 66.7% of the global browser market, according to Statcounter. Rivals like Firefox and Brave offer default fingerprinting protections. Google maintains Chrome is “secure by default” but does not block fingerprinting by default.
DJI’s New Osmo Pocket 4 Shoots 4K/240fps, but U.S. Launch Is on Hold
DJI’s Osmo Pocket 4 handheld camera will not launch in the U.S. due to pending FCC authorization, a company spokesperson said. The device features 4K/240fps video, upgraded tracking, and 107GB internal storage. Pre-orders opened internationally, with shipping set for April 22. DJI is challenging U.S. import restrictions in court, but no U.S. release date has been set.
TCL 2026 TV Lineup Lands With QM8L, QM7L and $8,000 RM9L as Mini LED Fight Heats Up
TCL launched two new SQD-Mini LED TVs in the U.S., the QM8L and QM7L, with prices starting at $1,199.99, and opened pre-orders for its first RGB-Mini LED model, the RM9L, priced up to $29,999.99 for 115 inches. The QM8L is available now, while the QM7L and RM9L are on pre-order. UK models launched a day earlier, starting at 379 pounds. TCL executives said the QM8L may match the RM9L’s picture quality at half the price.
Apple iOS 27 Leak Points to 4 New Apple Intelligence Features and Liquid Glass Tweaks
Apple’s iOS 27 will focus on incremental Apple Intelligence features and minor Liquid Glass interface tweaks, according to code leaks and reports from MacRumors and 9to5Mac. New tools may include nutrition label scanning for Health, automatic contact entry, digital passes in Wallet, and smarter Safari tab naming. Major redesigns are not expected. Most features may require iPhone 15 Pro or newer.
iPhone Loyalty Hits Record High as 2026 Survey Shows Android Users Nearly 4x More Likely to Switch
A SellCell survey found 96.4% of U.S. iPhone owners plan to stick with Apple for their next phone, up from 91.9% in 2021. Only 3.6% said they would switch, compared to 13.6% of Android users. The survey, conducted among over 5,000 adults, comes as global smartphone shipments fell 6% in Q1, with Apple leading the market at 21% share. Apple reports fiscal Q2 results April 30.
Apple MacBook Air Drops Below $1,000 as Amazon Cuts New M5 Prices, Pro Hits $1,580
Amazon and other U.S. retailers dropped the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air to $949 and the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro with 1TB storage to $1,580, just over a month after launch. Some sellers also cut the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air to $1,099. The discounts erase the new Air’s $100 premium over last year’s model at some outlets. Apple’s March MacBook refresh added more storage to base models but kept prices higher.
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro May Finally Turn Red as Dark Cherry Leak Reveals 2026 Colors
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max may debut in a muted “Dark Cherry” finish, with a smaller Dynamic Island and minimal design changes, according to supply chain leaks cited by Macworld and MacRumors. Bloomberg reported Apple’s first foldable iPhone could launch alongside these models in September, though timing remains uncertain. Reuters said iPhone shipments in China rose 20% in Q1 despite a shrinking market.
Technology News 17.04.2026
LIVETechnology news rolling coverageStarted: April 17, 2026, 12:00 AM EDTUpdated: April 17, 2026, 10:16 PM EDT Australia's astronomy leadership in question as ESO membership ends April 17, 2026, 9:42 PM EDT. Australia faces questions about its status as a global **astronomy** hub after the government decided not to renew its 10-year membership with the **European Southern Observatory (ESO)**. The move shifts focus to the **Horizon** program, criticized for not covering large research infrastructure like telescopes, and follows a decade-long partnership that granted Australian scientists access to ESO facilities and bidding on technology projects. Critics warn long-term innovation and leadership opportunities
OpenAI Codex Update Turns the Mac App Into a Desktop AI Agent With Browser, Memory and More
OpenAI on Thursday released a major Codex update allowing its desktop app to control Mac software with its own cursor, add an in-app browser, generate images, and automate tasks. The rollout begins today for Codex desktop users signed in with ChatGPT. Over 3 million developers use Codex weekly, according to OpenAI. Some features remain unavailable in the EU and UK at launch.
Android Ultra Phones Face a New 2026 Squeeze as Memory Prices Soar and TSMC Capacity Tightens
Global smartphone shipments dropped 4.1% in Q1, ending a 10-quarter growth streak, as record memory prices and tight advanced chip supply forced brands to cut output and raise prices, IDC said. Samsung and Apple were the only top-five vendors to grow, helped by premium models. Some Chinese brands may delay or trim “Ultra” phones, but no company has confirmed such moves. TSMC reported “very tight” capacity as AI chip demand surged.
Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra Tipped for UFS 5.0 as Exynos 2700 Leak Signals Early 2nm Push
Samsung’s Galaxy S27 Ultra may debut with UFS 5.0 storage, offering up to 10.8 GB/s speeds, according to reports citing industry sources. A Geekbench listing showed an Exynos 2700 chip with 2,603 single-core and 10,350 multi-core scores, but analysts say these numbers reflect early validation. Samsung is pushing to use more of its own Exynos chips as memory costs rise and competition with Qualcomm and TSMC intensifies.
Walmart Onn 4K Pro Google TV Leak Reveals Gemini, Matter and $59.88 Price
Walmart’s updated Onn 4K Pro Google TV box has appeared in stores and online listings before its official launch, now priced at $59.88 and adding Gemini and Matter-over-Thread support. The new model drops the rear USB-A port to USB 2.0 but keeps 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, while adding Wi-Fi 6, Dolby Vision, and always-listening microphones. A new Onn 4K stick has also surfaced at $19.88.
Amazon Ember Artline TV Price, Release Date: $899 Samsung Frame Rival Opens U.S. Preorders
Amazon began U.S. and Canada preorders for its Ember Artline TV, designed to hang like framed art, with shipments starting April 22 and prices from $899.99. The 55-inch Artline costs more than Samsung’s comparable Frame model. Amazon includes over 2,000 artworks at no extra charge. Early reviews noted screen glare and a 60Hz refresh rate.
Apple AirPods Max 2 Reviews Praise Noise Cancellation, but AirPods Pro 3 Looks Like the Better Buy
Apple’s AirPods Max 2 is drawing praise for improved noise cancellation and sound, but reviews question if it’s worth upgrading from the original at $549. AirPods Pro 3, launched at $249, is now ranked as Apple’s top audio product, with reviewers citing stronger noise reduction and more features. Sony’s rival earbuds cost more, while its over-ear headphones undercut Apple’s price.
Samsung Widens One UI 8.5 Beta to Galaxy A54, A55 and S25 as Quick Share Adds AirDrop-Style Transfers
Samsung expanded One UI 8.5 beta testing to older Galaxy A54 and A55 phones in India and released a ninth beta for Galaxy S25 users in the U.S. The S25 build adds Apple-device transfers; A54 and A55 packages are 2.73GB and 2.19GB. Samsung confirmed Quick Share Apple transfers for select betas, but AirDrop support remains limited to the S26 series. U.S. users must switch to Google Messages before Samsung Messages ends in July 2026.
Vivo X300 Ultra Global Launch Starts in Europe at €1,999 With 400mm Lens and Pro Video Tools
Vivo opened European pre-orders for its X300 Ultra camera phone at €1,999, listing Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Switzerland, with sales starting April 24. The device features Zeiss optics, a 200-megapixel main camera, and pro video tools, including 4K/120fps recording. Launch offers include a free Pro Video Rig Kit. Omdia reports rising smartphone prices in China amid higher component costs.
Microsoft hikes Surface PC prices as RAM crunch wipes out sub-$1,000 models
Microsoft raised prices on all current-generation Surface PCs in its U.S. online store, with no models now under $1,000. The 12-inch Surface Pro starts at $1,049.99 and the 15-inch Surface Laptop at $1,599.99. Microsoft cited higher memory and component costs. Analysts expect memory shortages to drive up PC prices and eliminate sub-$500 laptops by 2028.
DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Vlogging Camera Launches With 4K/240fps, 107GB Storage and No U.S. Release Yet
DJI unveiled the Osmo Pocket 4, featuring 4K/240fps video, a 1-inch sensor, and 107GB built-in storage, but said U.S. sales are delayed pending authorization. Pre-orders opened in Europe and the UK, with shipping set for April 22 and prices from £429 to £549.
Microsoft Targets Apple’s MacBook Neo With Free Xbox Controller, 365 Offer for Students
Microsoft launched a U.S. college deal offering a year of Microsoft 365 Premium, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and a custom Xbox controller with select Windows 11 PCs, aiming to counter Apple’s $599 MacBook Neo push. The promotion runs April 15–June 30 for verified college students. Apple’s MacBook Neo shipments rose 12.7% in Q1, driven by education buyers. Rising component costs may soon push entry-level PC prices higher.
YouTube finally lets users turn off Shorts with a zero-minute feed limit
YouTube has launched a setting allowing users to set a daily Shorts feed limit of zero minutes, effectively hiding the feature in its app. The option, previously unavailable, is now live for all parents and rolling out to adult accounts, according to a company spokesperson. For children and teens managed through Family Center, hitting the limit blocks further viewing until the next day. Adults can dismiss reminders and continue watching.