News 19 January 2026

Johnson Matthey share price steadies after Honeywell deal cut — what investors watch next
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Johnson Matthey share price steadies after Honeywell deal cut — what investors watch next

Johnson Matthey shares stabilized Tuesday after plunging 16.4% on news it cut the sale price of its Catalyst Technologies unit to Honeywell to £1.325 billion. The company now expects to return about £1 billion to shareholders, including an £800 million special dividend. CEO Liam Condon bought 5,226 shares after the selloff. The deal’s long-stop date moved to July 21, pending regulatory approval.
February 24, 2026
Doomscrolling fatigue? Minimalist phones are “finally worth buying” as Mudita, Punkt push privacy-first models
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Doomscrolling fatigue? Minimalist phones are “finally worth buying” as Mudita, Punkt push privacy-first models

Punkt launched the MC03 minimalist phone this month, featuring a privacy-focused design with separate app zones and a $9.99/month subscription for privacy tools after one year. Mudita’s Kompakt, shown at CES, uses an E Ink screen and a physical switch to disable radios and sensors, selling for $369. Both phones promise five years of security updates.
January 19, 2026
Turn Your iPhone Off And On Again? iOS 26.2 Security Warning Triggers Fresh Calls to Update
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Turn Your iPhone Off And On Again? iOS 26.2 Security Warning Triggers Fresh Calls to Update

Apple said two WebKit flaws patched in iOS 26.2 may have been used in highly targeted attacks. Security experts and tech sites are urging users to update and restart their devices, as many have delayed upgrading due to iOS 26’s new design. Apple released the fixes on Dec. 12, 2025, for iPhone 11 and later, and for older models. The bugs have been linked to commercial spyware used in targeted hacking campaigns.
January 19, 2026
Hidden Google Maps gestures: 6 shortcuts that speed up navigation — including one-hand zoom
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Hidden Google Maps gestures: 6 shortcuts that speed up navigation — including one-hand zoom

Android Police and Taiwan’s TechNews published guides on overlooked Google Maps gestures, including one-handed zoom, two-finger rotate, and tilt. Google’s help pages confirm these shortcuts and note a recurring issue: accidental map rotation or tilt can persist until manually reset. Developer docs say some gestures may be disabled in third-party apps. No new features have launched; coverage focuses on existing tools.
January 19, 2026
You’re Underusing Your Phone’s USB‑C Port — The Plug‑In Gadget Trend and South Korea Market Outlook
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You’re Underusing Your Phone’s USB‑C Port — The Plug‑In Gadget Trend and South Korea Market Outlook

New consumer guides highlight USB‑C accessories that let phones power devices like card readers, microphones, and fans. EU rules will require USB‑C charging for laptops by April 2026. A market report projects South Korea’s USB Type‑C sector will hit $0.9 billion in 2026 and $3.7 billion by 2036. USB Power Delivery updates now allow larger devices to run from a single USB‑C cable.
January 19, 2026
Microsoft could make Xbox Cloud Gaming free with ads — a new “1 hour” message just leaked
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Microsoft could make Xbox Cloud Gaming free with ads — a new “1 hour” message just leaked

Xbox Cloud Gaming has begun showing users a “1 hour of ad supported play time per session” warning when launching games. Multiple reports indicate Microsoft is developing a free, ad-supported streaming tier for users who own games but don’t subscribe to Game Pass. Microsoft has not confirmed details or a launch date. The warning does not affect current paid cloud gaming tiers.
January 19, 2026
Ukraine’s first 5G pilot goes live in Lviv as Kyivstar presses ahead amid war

Ukraine’s first 5G pilot goes live in Lviv as Kyivstar presses ahead amid war

Kyivstar launched Ukraine’s first 5G test zone in Lviv on Monday, with plans to expand trials to Kharkiv and Borodianka. The company reported peak download speeds of 2.4 Gbps during pre-launch tests. Kyivstar has over 22.5 million mobile subscribers and 1.2 million fixed-line users. Full nationwide 5G rollout depends on the war’s outcome.
January 19, 2026
Stop ignoring your iPhone Camera Control button — it can launch Instagram, Magnifier and AI search
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Stop ignoring your iPhone Camera Control button — it can launch Instagram, Magnifier and AI search

Apple’s Camera Control on iPhone 16 and newer models can launch apps like Instagram’s camera, activate Magnifier, or trigger Visual Intelligence, which uses ChatGPT, according to TechRadar. Apple’s user guide says Visual Intelligence can identify objects, translate text, or create calendar events from images or screenshots. The control supports custom shortcuts and gesture-based settings. ChatGPT features require user permission and, in some cases, sign-in.
January 19, 2026
IKEA’s $24.99 45W charger and $9.99 magnetic wireless pad top reviewers’ list of 5 phone accessories
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IKEA’s $24.99 45W charger and $9.99 magnetic wireless pad top reviewers’ list of 5 phone accessories

IKEA’s low-cost smartphone accessories drew renewed attention after How-To Geek named five items “actually worth buying,” including a $9.99 magnetic Qi2 wireless charger and a $24.99 dual USB‑C fast charger. The highlighted products range from a $1.49 wall organizer to stands and charging bricks. IKEA says its chargers support Qi2 and USB PD 3.0 standards. Customer reviews for the KRUBBET phone holder top 1,300 on IKEA’s U.S. site.
January 19, 2026
Edge AI is Here: The New On-Device AI Gadgets That Could Make Your Smartphone Feel Old
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Edge AI is Here: The New On-Device AI Gadgets That Could Make Your Smartphone Feel Old

AI inference is moving from cloud servers to local devices for speed, privacy, and cost, according to new industry reports. Consumer hardware launches now emphasize wearables and “screenless” products over phones. Chipmakers say demand is rising but cite limits in power, memory, and standards. Analysts project the global edge AI market could reach $143 billion by 2034.
January 19, 2026
iOS 26 Photos’ “ticket” icon can pull concert set lists and sports scores from your pictures
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iOS 26 Photos’ “ticket” icon can pull concert set lists and sports scores from your pictures

Apple’s Photos app in iOS 26 can now identify concerts and sports events in user photos and display event details, including set lists and scores, alongside images. The app adds a ticket-style button to matched photos and can label Memories with the event name. Concert pages may link to Apple Music playlists and upcoming shows using third-party data. Apple confirmed the feature as part of a broader Photos update.
January 19, 2026
Motorola Moto G Power (2026) review says “why bother” — and teardown flags repair headaches
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Motorola Moto G Power (2026) review says “why bother” — and teardown flags repair headaches

Motorola’s Moto G Power (2026) launched at $299.99 with a 6.8-inch display and high durability ratings, but early reviews criticized its lack of upgrades and dropped features like wireless charging. A teardown found the battery hard to replace, earning a 5/10 repairability score. Motorola is bundling free Moto Tags with some sales. Competing budget phones offer longer update support and easier repairs.
January 19, 2026
Apple’s iPhone Update Squeeze: Why You May Have to Install iOS 26.2 Now
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Apple’s iPhone Update Squeeze: Why You May Have to Install iOS 26.2 Now

Apple’s iOS 18 security update is limited to select older iPhones, while iPhone 11 and newer must update to iOS 26.2 for patches against two zero-day WebKit flaws. As of December, iOS 18.7 and 18.6 still dominated web traffic, with iOS 26.2 at under 2%, according to StatCounter. Apple is also investigating inaccurate iOS version reporting in Safari, which may affect adoption data.
January 19, 2026
Walmart still won’t take Apple Pay in U.S. stores in 2026 — here’s what’s driving it
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Walmart still won’t take Apple Pay in U.S. stores in 2026 — here’s what’s driving it

Walmart continues to block Apple Pay and other NFC tap-to-pay options at its U.S. stores, steering customers to its own Walmart Pay system instead. The company operates over 5,200 U.S. retail units, making its payment policy significant for millions of shoppers. Competitors like Home Depot and Kroger now accept Apple Pay, leaving Walmart as a major holdout. CEO Doug McMillon has said Walmart may support Apple Pay in the future.
January 19, 2026
ED chargesheets Magicwin: Pakistan-linked betting site accused of hawala and crypto laundering
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ED chargesheets Magicwin: Pakistan-linked betting site accused of hawala and crypto laundering

India’s Enforcement Directorate filed a money-laundering prosecution complaint against Magicwin and 13 others, alleging illegal betting, piracy of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 broadcasts, and use of mule accounts and cryptocurrencies. The complaint, filed January 15 in Ahmedabad, names a UK-registered firm with Pakistani directors based in the UAE. Investigators are probing celebrity promotions linked to the platform.
January 19, 2026
Spigen’s MagSafe kickstand wallet hits $33 on Amazon for iPhone 17 and Pixel 10 users
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Spigen’s MagSafe kickstand wallet hits $33 on Amazon for iPhone 17 and Pixel 10 users

Spigen’s Tough Armor Pro (MagFit) magnetic wallet is selling for $33 on Amazon, down from $40, according to 9to5Toys. The wallet snaps onto iPhone 12–17, iPhone Air, and Pixel 9/10 devices with compatible cases, but won’t work with other models. Spigen lists the same wallet for $49.99 on its own site. Apple’s comparable MagSafe wallet is priced at $59 and supports Find My tracking.
January 19, 2026
Huawei beats Apple to retake China smartphone No.1 spot as rising memory costs loom
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Huawei beats Apple to retake China smartphone No.1 spot as rising memory costs loom

Huawei led China’s smartphone market in 2025, shipping 46.8 million units and overtaking Apple and vivo, according to Omdia. Total shipments fell 1% to 282.3 million. Apple topped the fourth quarter with 16.5 million units, while Huawei shipped 11.1 million. Analysts cited domestic chip production and government subsidies as key factors in Huawei’s rebound.
January 19, 2026
Verizon outage fallout: Visible customers get $5 credits as carrier stays quiet on what broke
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Verizon outage fallout: Visible customers get $5 credits as carrier stays quiet on what broke

Verizon restored service after a 10-hour outage last week that affected hundreds of thousands of users. The company is issuing $20 credits to affected customers, while Visible users report an additional $5 credit. Verizon blamed a software issue but has not disclosed the cause or number of impacted accounts. AT&T and T-Mobile reported no disruptions during the incident.
January 19, 2026
Optimum Mobile shakes up international roaming with $35 weekly Travel Pass and new calling plans
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Optimum Mobile shakes up international roaming with $35 weekly Travel Pass and new calling plans

Optimum Mobile launched a $35-per-week Travel Pass for international data and introduced monthly calling plans starting at $5 for Mexico and Canada, and $15 for 181 countries. The new add-ons target both new and existing customers. Unlimited Max plan users now get expanded roaming and calling benefits in Mexico, Canada, and the Dominican Republic. Cable-backed mobile providers captured 39% of U.S. smartphone net additions in Q3 2025.
January 19, 2026
Jio beats China Unicom in 5G users as India’s AirFibre broadband bet grows
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Jio beats China Unicom in 5G users as India’s AirFibre broadband bet grows

Reliance Jio overtook China Unicom to become the world’s third-largest 5G operator, reaching 253 million users by end-2025, GSMA Intelligence said. Reliance’s 5G traffic made up 53% of usage last quarter, while its AirFibre broadband subscribers more than doubled to 11.5 million. Reliance Industries shares fell up to 2.7% after quarterly profit missed estimates. India’s 5G base stations rose to 518,854 by year-end.
January 19, 2026
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