News 20 January 2026 - 21 January 2026

Android 17 is coming: Google’s latest Android updates offer fresh clues
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Android 17 is coming: Google’s latest Android updates offer fresh clues

Google updated its system-services release notes on Jan. 19, detailing new Play services and Play Store features delivered outside major Android upgrades. Leaks indicate Android 17 may introduce a split notification shade and separate toggles for Wi‑Fi and mobile data, but Google has not confirmed these changes. The company will now publish Android source code twice yearly.
January 21, 2026
Sergey Brin says Google hires “tons” without degrees as AI shakes Silicon Valley hiring
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Sergey Brin says Google hires “tons” without degrees as AI shakes Silicon Valley hiring

Google co-founder Sergey Brin said the company has hired “tons” of employees without bachelor’s degrees, reflecting a drop in degree requirements from 93% of job listings in 2017 to 77% in 2022, according to Burning Glass. Tech firms including Microsoft and Apple are also moving away from mandatory degrees. Brin urged students not to abandon computer science despite AI advances. JPMorgan and Palantir executives echoed doubts about traditional credentials.
January 20, 2026
Severe solar storm alert: NASA tracks CME as NOAA upgrades G4 geomagnetic storm
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Severe solar storm alert: NASA tracks CME as NOAA upgrades G4 geomagnetic storm

A severe G4 geomagnetic storm struck early Tuesday after a coronal mass ejection from a Jan. 18 X-class solar flare, NOAA said. A rare S4 solar radiation storm is also underway, raising risks for polar flights, satellites, and astronauts. The geomagnetic storm first reached G4 on Monday afternoon and peaked again overnight. NASA reported gaps in SOHO data but confirmed the event with other instruments.
January 20, 2026
Google’s ‘high-friction’ Android sideloading is coming — what it means for Play Store users
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Google’s ‘high-friction’ Android sideloading is coming — what it means for Play Store users

Google will require stricter identity verification for Android app sideloading starting March 2026, with new warnings for unverified developers and possible internet checks. The changes, aimed at curbing scams, roll out first in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand in September 2026, expanding globally through 2027. Google says the process will add friction but not block sideloading.
January 20, 2026
SpaceX IPO watch: New report says a listing could jolt space-tech funding in 2026
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SpaceX IPO watch: New report says a listing could jolt space-tech funding in 2026

Seraphim Space said private investment in space technology reached $12.4 billion in the 12 months ending 2025, with a surge in defense satellite spending. The firm predicts funding will rise further in 2026, driven by anticipation of a possible SpaceX IPO. U.S. companies took about 60% of 2025’s SpaceTech funding. SpaceX’s IPO timing remains uncertain, according to its CFO.
January 20, 2026
Northern Lights Could Reach Farther South Tonight After NOAA Flags Severe Solar Storm
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Northern Lights Could Reach Farther South Tonight After NOAA Flags Severe Solar Storm

Severe G4 geomagnetic storm levels were recorded early Tuesday after a coronal mass ejection struck Earth, NOAA said. A rare severe solar radiation storm was also underway, raising risks for polar flights and satellites. Agencies in the U.K. and Australia reported similar conditions and warned of possible G5 intervals. NOAA notified airlines, NASA, and grid operators as the situation developed.
January 20, 2026
Comet 3I/ATLAS suddenly looks “fully active” — and astronomers say the window is closing
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Comet 3I/ATLAS suddenly looks “fully active” — and astronomers say the window is closing

NASA’s SPHEREx telescope recorded a surge in gas and dust from interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS after its close solar approach. The comet, only the third confirmed interstellar object in the solar system, will reach opposition on Jan. 22, offering extended nighttime viewing. Researchers detected water and carbon monoxide emissions about 20 times higher than earlier readings. 3I/ATLAS is already leaving the solar system.
January 20, 2026
ISS-grown bacteria-killing viruses return to Earth and hit E. coli harder, study finds
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ISS-grown bacteria-killing viruses return to Earth and hit E. coli harder, study finds

Bacteriophages evolved aboard the International Space Station became more effective at killing certain UTI-causing E. coli strains once returned to Earth, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison reported. Microgravity delayed early infections and led to unique mutations in both the viruses and bacteria. Scientists say scaling up such space-based experiments remains difficult.
January 20, 2026
iPhone 18 Pro leak: Under-screen Face ID could shrink the Dynamic Island — and suppliers are lining up
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iPhone 18 Pro leak: Under-screen Face ID could shrink the Dynamic Island — and suppliers are lining up

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly feature under-screen Face ID and a smaller screen cutout, according to South Korean industry sources and supply-chain leaks. New “LTPO+” OLED panels with under-display infrared sensors are being developed by Samsung Display and LG Display for Apple. Leaks disagree on whether a smaller Dynamic Island, a single camera hole, or a shifted sensor will remain visible.
January 20, 2026
Don’t Miss the Northern Lights: Google Pixel and Android Camera Tricks to Capture the Aurora
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Don’t Miss the Northern Lights: Google Pixel and Android Camera Tricks to Capture the Aurora

A severe G4 geomagnetic storm struck Earth late Jan. 19 after a coronal mass ejection, NOAA reported, with auroras possibly visible across much of Canada and the northern U.S. Forecasters warned of an S4 solar radiation storm, the strongest since 2003, threatening satellites and polar flights. Android users were advised to use long-exposure camera modes to capture the aurora. Alerts went to airlines, NASA, and grid operators.
January 20, 2026
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leak: Price may hold, but perks could shrink as “Ultraviolet” color tips emerge
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Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leak: Price may hold, but perks could shrink as “Ultraviolet” color tips emerge

Samsung is considering cutting pre-order incentives for the Galaxy S26 Ultra to keep its U.S. launch price near $1,399 as memory costs surge, Korean media report. Industry sources say AI server demand is driving up RAM prices, squeezing smartphone makers’ margins. Leaks show four launch colors, with a purple “Ultraviolet” as the main marketing focus. Samsung has not confirmed the rumored Feb. 25 launch date.
January 20, 2026
Google’s “high-friction” Android sideloading update is coming — here’s what changes
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Google’s “high-friction” Android sideloading update is coming — here’s what changes

Google will require extra steps for sideloading apps on Android, calling it an “Accountability Layer” rather than a ban. New Play Store text strings show an “Install without verifying” option with added warnings and online checks. The rollout is expected to start later this year in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, according to Android Authority. The change also affects Google TV and Android TV devices.
January 20, 2026
Realme P4 Power 5G’s 10,001mAh battery heads to India on Jan 29 as price leak surfaces
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Realme P4 Power 5G’s 10,001mAh battery heads to India on Jan 29 as price leak surfaces

Realme will launch the P4 Power 5G in India on January 29, featuring a 10,001mAh battery and up to 32.5 hours of video playback per charge. The phone will sell via Flipkart and Realme’s online store. A leaked retail box lists an MRP of 37,999 rupees for the 12GB/256GB model, though official pricing is unconfirmed. Realme says the design was created with students from Pearl Academy.
January 20, 2026
Honor’s Magic8 RSR “last Porsche Design phone”? Here’s what just triggered the talk
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Honor’s Magic8 RSR “last Porsche Design phone”? Here’s what just triggered the talk

Honor unveiled the Magic8 RSR Porsche Design phone in Zhuhai on Jan. 19, featuring a 200MP telephoto camera and 7,200 mAh battery, with prices from 7,999 yuan. A company engineer called it the “last-generation pinnacle” of the Porsche series, raising questions about the future of the co-branded lineup. The slimmer Magic8 Pro Air was also announced, starting at 4,999 yuan, with sales from Jan. 23.
January 20, 2026
OpenAI’s $20 billion run-rate lands as Apple picks Google Gemini to remake Siri
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OpenAI’s $20 billion run-rate lands as Apple picks Google Gemini to remake Siri

OpenAI’s annualized revenue jumped to over $20 billion in 2025, up from $6 billion the previous year, CFO Sarah Friar said. Apple will use Google’s Gemini models to power a new version of Siri, giving Google access to more than two billion devices. OpenAI will remain a Siri option for complex queries. The Apple-Google deal could draw regulatory scrutiny.
January 20, 2026
iPhone 18 Pro leaks flip again: Dynamic Island may shrink, not disappear, as under-screen Face ID talk grows
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iPhone 18 Pro leaks flip again: Dynamic Island may shrink, not disappear, as under-screen Face ID talk grows

A Weibo leaker denied rumors that the iPhone 18 Pro will move its selfie camera to the top-left corner, calling it a translation error. Korean outlet ETNews reports Apple is pressing suppliers for LTPO+ OLED panels and under-display infrared tech for 2026 Pro models. Samsung and LG are expected to supply panels, while BOE faces quality issues. Rumors of a smaller Dynamic Island persist as Apple aims to hide more Face ID components.
January 20, 2026
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