Innovation 28 January 2026 - 18 February 2026

ENDEDLive coverage has endedEnded: February 19, 2026, 12:00 AM EST Pixel 9a adds Auto Frame AI cropping to Google Photos for better photo composition February 18, 2026, 11:58 PM EST. Google's Auto Frame uses AI to crop and resize photos for better composition on Pixel phones, including the Pixel 9a. The feature, first introduced with the Pixel 9 series, appears inside Google Photos' Crop tool rather than as a primary edit option. Auto Frame detects the subject and adjusts framing-centering the subject, shifting aspect ratios, or, in some cases, expanding the image with generative AI to create a wider look.

ENDEDLive coverage has endedEnded: February 18, 2026, 12:06 AM EST Apple unveils AirTag 2 with longer range, louder speaker; price unchanged February 17, 2026, 11:56 PM EST. Apple has refreshed its item tracker with the AirTag 2, adding a longer range for finding items and a louder speaker. The update, announced in a company press release, keeps the same prices: $29 for a single AirTag and $99 for a four-pack. Apple did not specify exact range figures, but described the new model as easier to locate when nearby. The AirTag 2 is available now through Apple's online store, with no

ENDEDLive coverage has endedEnded: February 15, 2026, 12:00 AM EST SpaceX weighs dual-class shares for IPO, Bloomberg reports February 14, 2026, 11:40 PM EST. SpaceX is considering a dual-class share structure for its planned IPO this year, Bloomberg News reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The structure would create two or more classes of stock with different voting rights, typically rewarding founders or early investors with greater influence. The company is also adding directors to its board to oversee the IPO and broaden Elon Musk's space ambitions beyond rockets and satellites. Deliberations are ongoing and terms could change. SpaceX

ENDEDLive coverage has endedEnded: February 14, 2026, 12:10 AM EST Google System Updates February 2026: Play Services, Play Store and device setup tweaks February 13, 2026, 11:52 PM EST. Google's monthly System Release Notes outline updates across Android devices, Wear OS, Google TV, Auto and PCs. Some changes affect end users; others target developers. The February slate includes several notable entries. Private Compute Services B.22 on phones is labeled maintenance. Google Play services v26.05 adds controls for transit data display on maps for Auto, Phone and Wear, plus new Device Connectivity features and expanded ID Pass support in Wallet. Google

ENDEDLive coverage has endedEnded: February 13, 2026, 12:06 AM EST SpaceX and xAI merge; Moon base, space datacenters and IPO plan February 12, 2026, 11:58 PM EST. SpaceX and xAI announced a merger forming a new company that will pursue an IPO, according to Musk Industries. The plan includes space-based datacenters and a Moon base rather than Mars. SpaceX's revenue is said to come largely from Starlink, a satellite broadband service with a growing subscriber base. The firm is said to achieve cost advantages in launching payloads via Starship, enabling rapid scale of space logistics and telecom capacity. Analysts note

ENDEDLive coverage has endedEnded: February 9, 2026, 12:02 AM EST Four reasons to buy foldable smartphones in 2026 February 8, 2026, 11:46 PM EST. The piece argues that foldable smartphones offer a bridge between phones and tablets in 2026. It notes most vertical-fold models carry about a 7.6-inch display, boosting reading, document work and eye comfort. It says a larger screen enhances viewing, productivity and mobile gaming with high-resolution, smooth panels. It also highlights that multitasking and productivity improve as devices gain real estate and new chipsets enable split-screen use. It cautions that price remains a hurdle for many buyers.

Angi Inc. will lay off 350 employees this quarter, citing AI-driven efficiency and projected annual savings of $70–$80 million. Valve says memory and storage shortages have delayed final shipping dates and pricing for Steam Frame and Steam Machine. The Premium Edition of Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips is now shipping to U.S. and Canadian customers.

T-Mobile is offering two unadvertised plans with lower prices for existing customers, according to The Mobile Report. The “Experience More with Appreciation Savings” plan cuts line costs by $10–$20 compared to standard rates but reduces trade-in value. A second “Loyalty Plan” exists, though details are limited. Eligibility varies and plans are not widely promoted.

Russian-state hackers exploited Microsoft Office flaw CVE-2026-21509 to breach diplomatic and transport networks in at least nine countries, using fileless attacks and compromised government accounts, Trellix says. The campaign, linked to APT28 and Fancy Bear, delivered 29 phishing lures over 72 hours. Alphabet plans $175–$185 billion in AI infrastructure spending for 2026, more than double 2025, as Google Cloud backlog hits $240 billion.

Apple released iOS 26.2.1, enabling AirTag2 support and bug fixes for eligible iPhones. AirTag2, announced Jan. 26, offers up to 50% greater range and a louder chirp, priced at $29 each or $99 for four. Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy S26 Ultra in San Francisco on Feb. 25, with leaks pointing to camera and battery upgrades. Apple is also exploring more paid software bundles following the Creator Studio launch.

SpaceX posted about $8 billion in EBITDA on $15-16 billion in revenue last year, according to sources. Oracle may cut up to 30,000 jobs to fund AI data-center expansion as US banks pull back. Western game publishers face a downturn, with Xbox sales and Ubisoft struggling, and GAME closing. MIT researchers unveiled a chip-based cooling method that cools trapped-ion quantum computers far below standard limits.

A federal jury convicted former Google engineer Linwei Ding of stealing AI trade secrets for Chinese companies. Publishers including The Guardian and The New York Times are blocking the Internet Archive’s bot over fears of AI scraping. The FCC approved new rules allowing certain unlicensed devices to use the 6 GHz Wi-Fi band outdoors with geofenced variable power controls. Microsoft says Windows 11 has reached 1 billion users, faster than Windows 10.