Mobile 31 January 2026 - 28 March 2026

Samsung Expands One UI 8.5 Beta to Galaxy S24, S25 FE and Foldables as Linux Terminal Upgrades Emerge

Samsung Expands One UI 8.5 Beta to Galaxy S24, S25 FE and Foldables as Linux Terminal Upgrades Emerge

Samsung has expanded its One UI 8.5 beta to older Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy S24 line and Galaxy Tab S11, in markets such as India, South Korea, Britain, and the US. The beta, first launched in December, features a redesigned Bixby and updates to Photo Assist and Quick Share. Samsung said more devices will be added in April, but has not announced a stable release date. Early builds may include bugs and performance issues.
March 28, 2026
Android 17 Beta 3 Restores Single-Tap Wi‑Fi Toggle as Google Pushes Desktop-Like Multitasking

Android 17 Beta 3 Restores Single-Tap Wi‑Fi Toggle as Google Pushes Desktop-Like Multitasking

Google released Android 17 Beta 3 to select Pixel devices on March 26, restoring one-tap Wi‑Fi switching and enabling all apps to run in floating bubbles. The update reaches platform stability, locking the API surface for developers. Users also see split Wi‑Fi and mobile data tiles, a redesigned screen-recording toolbar, and fixes for app restarts and charging issues. A “Priority Charging” mode was found in code but is not yet available.
March 28, 2026
Amazon’s Secret ‘Transformer’ Smartphone Aims to Reinvent Mobile With AI as AMZN Stock Climbs

Amazon’s Secret ‘Transformer’ Smartphone Aims to Reinvent Mobile With AI as AMZN Stock Climbs

Amazon shares climbed 3.2% to $211.85 Monday after reports it is developing an AI-focused smartphone codenamed “Transformer.” The device, led by former Microsoft executive J Allard’s ZeroOne group, could sync with Alexa and expand Amazon’s services but may still be shelved. Amazon declined to comment. The move comes as the company defends a $200 billion AI infrastructure plan and faces a shrinking smartphone market.
March 23, 2026
Samsung Galaxy S26 Finally Gets AirDrop Support via Quick Share, Making iPhone File Sharing Easier

Samsung Galaxy S26 Finally Gets AirDrop Support via Quick Share, Making iPhone File Sharing Easier

Samsung Electronics began rolling out AirDrop compatibility to Galaxy S26 phones via Quick Share in South Korea on Monday, with other regions to follow. The feature allows direct file transfers to nearby iPhones and requires users to enable specific settings on both devices. Samsung said support will expand to more Galaxy models and markets, including the U.S. and Europe, starting Wednesday.
March 23, 2026
Apple iOS 26.4 Release Nears: New Features Include AI Playlists, Video Podcasts, No New Siri

Apple iOS 26.4 Release Nears: New Features Include AI Playlists, Video Podcasts, No New Siri

Apple seeded the iOS 26.4 release candidate on March 18, signaling an imminent public launch. The update brings new Apple Music and podcast features, including Playlist Playground and video podcasts, and is required for AirPods Max 2, which goes on sale March 25. Apple has not confirmed a release date. Some features and Apple Intelligence will depend on device, region, and language.
March 23, 2026
Apple releases iOS 26.4 beta 4 as new emoji arrive and encrypted RCS slips

Apple releases iOS 26.4 beta 4 as new emoji arrive and encrypted RCS slips

Apple released iOS 26.4 beta 4 on March 9, making it available to both developers and public testers, along with matching beta 4 updates for iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. The build adds new emoji and renames an accessibility setting, but removes the test version of end-to-end encrypted RCS. Beta 4 is the first to support iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air. Apple previously said encrypted RCS would ship in a later update.
March 11, 2026
Infinix Note Edge review flags slim 5G phone with 6,500mAh battery and 4,500‑nit screen

Infinix Note Edge review flags slim 5G phone with 6,500mAh battery and 4,500‑nit screen

Infinix’s Note Edge drew early notice after a review highlighted its 7.2mm slim body paired with a 6,500mAh battery, calling the combination rare in midrange 5G phones. The device features a 6.78-inch 3D-curved AMOLED display rated at 4,500 nits and runs on a Dimensity 7100 5G chipset. Infinix targets emerging markets, with pricing starting around $200 depending on region.
February 10, 2026
Samsung rolls out One UI 8.5 Beta 4 to Galaxy S25 with “Direct Voicemail” feature

Samsung rolls out One UI 8.5 Beta 4 to Galaxy S25 with “Direct Voicemail” feature

Samsung has released the fourth One UI 8.5 beta for Galaxy S25 phones, adding a “Direct Voicemail” feature with live transcription and a February 2026 security patch. The 1.5GB update is rolling out in South Korea, India, Germany, Britain, and the U.S. Most changes focus on bug fixes and stability as Samsung prepares for a stable release with the upcoming Galaxy S26.
February 10, 2026
Rivian’s Apple Watch app for R1 EVs nears launch with digital key, climate and charging controls

Rivian’s Apple Watch app for R1 EVs nears launch with digital key, climate and charging controls

Rivian is developing an Apple Watch app to let drivers lock, unlock, adjust climate, and set charging targets from their wrist, with support for R1 models dating back to 2021. The app will require Rivian’s iOS app version 3.9, which is not yet available. The same update is expected to add clearer cold-weather range prompts and drive-mode tweaks.
February 10, 2026
iOS 27 may focus on bug fixes over features as Apple readies chatbot Siri

iOS 27 may focus on bug fixes over features as Apple readies chatbot Siri

Apple’s iOS 27 will focus on performance improvements and bug fixes, with few new features, according to Bloomberg. A chatbot-style Siri powered by Google’s Gemini AI remains the main update. The Liquid Glass design will stay, though Apple plans refinements after user complaints. Developer beta of iOS 26.4 is expected the week of Feb. 23, with WWDC likely in early June.
February 10, 2026
Samsung mulls variable‑aperture camera comeback as iPhone 18 Pro upgrade report stirs Galaxy plans

Samsung mulls variable‑aperture camera comeback as iPhone 18 Pro upgrade report stirs Galaxy plans

Samsung has asked camera module suppliers, including Samsung Electro-Mechanics and MCNEX, to develop variable-aperture parts for future Galaxy phones, ETNews reported Tuesday. The technology is in early testing and not yet approved for production. Apple is expected to add variable aperture to iPhone 18 Pro models later this year. Samsung last used the feature in the Galaxy S10 before dropping it over cost and thickness concerns.
February 10, 2026
Rugged HMD Terra M Goes Live in Europe as HMD Secure Targets Frontline Teams

Rugged HMD Terra M Goes Live in Europe as HMD Secure Targets Frontline Teams

HMD Secure launched its rugged Terra M handset in select European markets on Feb. 10, targeting frontline workers and critical services. The device features push-to-talk, fleet controls, and remote management, with IP68/IP69K and MIL-STD-810H ratings. HMD did not disclose pricing or specify which countries are included. Connectivity and management services are provided through partners.
February 10, 2026
Google’s February 2026 Android system update adds Wallet ID Pass support and tightens Play Store rules

Google’s February 2026 Android system update adds Wallet ID Pass support and tightens Play Store rules

Google posted February release notes for Android system services, adding transit display controls to Maps and expanding passport support for Wallet’s ID Pass. Play Store v50.1 drops content publication for outdated Engage SDK versions. Updates ship through Google’s system services channel, not full OS upgrades. Google did not specify which new passports or markets are supported for ID Pass.
February 10, 2026
Nokia foldable 5G for ₹1,599? Viral “2026” posts spread as HMD listings stay quiet

Nokia foldable 5G for ₹1,599? Viral “2026” posts spread as HMD listings stay quiet

Posts on Indian tech site mycampusstore.in this week promoted unannounced Nokia-branded phones with high-end specs and low prices, citing leaks. HMD Global, the official Nokia phone licensee, has not listed these models on its channels. The site’s claims include a “Nokia 2026 Foldable 5G” and “Nokia Evolve Pro 2026,” but no official confirmation has been issued.
February 9, 2026
Trump Mobile’s T1 Phone ‘Made in USA’ pitch fades as reports point to overseas build

Trump Mobile’s T1 Phone ‘Made in USA’ pitch fades as reports point to overseas build

Trump Mobile’s T1 smartphone will be mostly manufactured overseas, with only limited final assembly in Miami, company executives told The Verge. The device’s specs and design have changed, the launch date has slipped again, and prices for new buyers will rise above the $499 “introductory” rate. U.S. “Made in USA” rules prevent the company from making that claim due to the phone’s foreign sourcing.
February 9, 2026
The hidden 20Wh rule behind smartphone batteries: why iPhone and Galaxy still play it safe as China goes bigger

The hidden 20Wh rule behind smartphone batteries: why iPhone and Galaxy still play it safe as China goes bigger

Chinese smartphone makers are increasing battery capacities beyond 5,000mAh, while Apple and Samsung remain near that mark, partly due to shipping rules for lithium batteries. U.S. regulations set a 20Wh limit per cell for streamlined transport, with stricter handling above that. Some Android brands use silicon-carbon anodes and 100W+ charging. Larger batteries can add weight and reduce space for other components.
February 9, 2026
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leaks tease cleaner sky photos and a bright white look — as price hike talk grows

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leaks tease cleaner sky photos and a bright white look — as price hike talk grows

Samsung is considering raising Galaxy S26 prices due to higher memory chip costs and a weaker won, with executives confirming price impacts are likely. New leaks show the S26 Ultra will get improved camera processing, a pure white color option, and a flatter display. Renders reveal a 6.9-inch screen, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, and a 200MP main camera. Six color choices are expected, but some camera details remain unconfirmed.
February 2, 2026
Should you restart your iPhone and Android every week? The NSA reboot advice resurfaces

Should you restart your iPhone and Android every week? The NSA reboot advice resurfaces

The NSA continues to advise iPhone and Android users to reboot their phones weekly to help disrupt certain memory-based malware, according to renewed reports Friday. Security experts say a restart can flush out some spyware, though persistent threats may survive. Apple recently flagged sophisticated attacks exploiting WebKit flaws but notes its latest iOS update lists no new vulnerabilities. The NSA guidance does not call for factory resets.
January 31, 2026
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