News 16 January 2026

New iPhone Fold leak points to Touch ID comeback and 2nm A20 Pro chip
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New iPhone Fold leak points to Touch ID comeback and 2nm A20 Pro chip

Analyst Jeff Pu predicts Apple will launch a foldable iPhone in September 2026 with a 7.8-inch internal display, 5.3-inch cover screen, and Touch ID. Pu expects global smartphone shipments to fall 4% in 2026 but forecasts iPhone shipments will rise 2% to 250 million units. Supply chain sources mention a liquid-metal hinge and more titanium in the chassis. Apple has not confirmed the device.
January 16, 2026
iOS 26.3 Could Finally Encrypt iPhone-to-Android Texts — What Apple’s Beta Reveals
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iOS 26.3 Could Finally Encrypt iPhone-to-Android Texts — What Apple’s Beta Reveals

Apple’s iOS 26.3 beta includes a new carrier setting tied to end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging, but it currently applies only to four French carriers and remains inactive. Apple previously announced plans to add encrypted RCS support in a future update. The change appears in carrier configuration files, suggesting activation may depend on individual carriers. iOS 26.2 remains the latest public release.
January 16, 2026
Pixel Watch leak hints at “Notify when left behind” alerts — and an auto-lock for your phone
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Pixel Watch leak hints at “Notify when left behind” alerts — and an auto-lock for your phone

Google is developing a Pixel Watch feature that notifies users if they leave their paired phone behind, code discovered by Android Authority shows. The update may also lock the phone when the connection drops. There is no confirmed release date, and device compatibility remains unclear. The feature would mirror separation alerts already offered by Apple and Samsung.
January 16, 2026
Starlink in Iran: SpaceX faces its toughest test yet as Tehran tries to jam satellite internet
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Starlink in Iran: SpaceX faces its toughest test yet as Tehran tries to jam satellite internet

Protesters in Iran are using Starlink to bypass a government internet blackout, despite jamming and GPS spoofing by authorities. SpaceX recently made Starlink free for Iranians, and some terminals remain active. France is weighing whether Eutelsat’s OneWeb could offer another connection route. Iran banned Starlink last year, but activists estimate tens of thousands of terminals have been smuggled in.
January 16, 2026
Verizon’s $20 outage credit puts mobile internet reliability back in focus
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Verizon’s $20 outage credit puts mobile internet reliability back in focus

Verizon will issue a $20 credit to customers after a 10-hour outage disrupted calls, texts, and mobile internet in several U.S. regions. The FCC said it will investigate the incident, which led cities to urge residents to use other carriers for emergency calls. Verizon blamed a software issue and denied a cyberattack. Competitors reported normal operations during the disruption.
January 16, 2026
Tiny ‘earthquake-on-a-chip’ phonon laser aims to shrink smartphone wireless hardware
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Tiny ‘earthquake-on-a-chip’ phonon laser aims to shrink smartphone wireless hardware

Researchers in Boulder have demonstrated an electrically driven “phonon laser” on a chip, generating surface acoustic waves at 1 GHz with 0.25 milliwatts output. The device, made from silicon, lithium niobate, and indium gallium arsenide, could shrink radio components in smartphones. Scaling to higher frequencies and mass production remain unresolved.
January 16, 2026
Update your Bluetooth headphones now: Google Fast Pair “WhisperPair” bug risks eavesdropping and tracking
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Update your Bluetooth headphones now: Google Fast Pair “WhisperPair” bug risks eavesdropping and tracking

Researchers at KU Leuven disclosed “WhisperPair” attacks allowing nearby hackers to hijack Fast Pair Bluetooth audio devices from brands including Sony, Google, and JBL. The flaw, tracked as CVE-2025-36911, lets attackers connect without user consent and intercept audio or track location. Fixes require firmware updates, but most users have not installed them. Google said it has seen no real-world exploitation so far.
January 16, 2026
Michigan’s classroom cellphone ban bill is back — and headed to the Senate
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Michigan’s classroom cellphone ban bill is back — and headed to the Senate

The Michigan House passed House Bill 4141, which would require public and charter schools to restrict student smartphone use during class, with exceptions for medical needs and emergencies. The bill excludes private schools and allows districts to set stricter rules. The measure now moves to the Senate, with supporters targeting implementation for the 2026-27 school year. Governor Whitmer has called the issue a priority.
January 16, 2026
Your Next Smartphone Could Cost More in 2026 — The AI Memory Crunch Is Hitting Budget Phones First
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Your Next Smartphone Could Cost More in 2026 — The AI Memory Crunch Is Hitting Budget Phones First

Memory chip shortages are expected to drive smartphone prices up 6% to 8% in 2026, with low-end models hit hardest, analysts say. Nothing CEO Carl Pei reports memory prices have tripled in some cases due to AI data center demand. The Nothing Phone 4a series is set to launch in India before March, featuring faster UFS 3.1 storage. IDC predicts global smartphone shipments will shrink this year as costs rise.
January 16, 2026
Samsung Wallet adds Toyota Digital Car Key support as 2026 RAV4 rollout starts
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Samsung Wallet adds Toyota Digital Car Key support as 2026 RAV4 rollout starts

Samsung Wallet’s Digital Key will work with select 2026 Toyota RAV4 models launching this month in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The feature uses ultra-wideband and near-field communication for locking, unlocking, and starting vehicles with compatible Galaxy phones. Wider availability and support for more Toyota models are expected as 2026 vehicles launch in other regions.
January 16, 2026
China’s Viral “Are You Dead?” App Disappears From China Stores as Solo Living Soars
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China’s Viral “Are You Dead?” App Disappears From China Stores as Solo Living Soars

Apple removed the viral check-in app “Are You Dead?” from its mainland China App Store early Friday after backlash over its blunt name. The app, now rebranded as “Demumu” and charging 8 yuan, reached No. 2 on China’s paid-app chart. Developers said the takedown was abrupt. The app targets people living alone, alerting contacts if users miss daily check-ins.
January 16, 2026
iPhone reboot alert: why Apple’s iOS 26.2 update is suddenly urgent
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iPhone reboot alert: why Apple’s iOS 26.2 update is suddenly urgent

Apple is urging iPhone users to update to iOS 26.2 or iOS 18.7.3 and restart devices after two WebKit flaws were linked to targeted attacks. StatCounter data cited by Tom’s Guide shows only 15.4% of iPhones had adopted iOS 26 as of January 2026. The vulnerabilities affect all browsers on iOS. Apple credited Google’s Threat Analysis Group for reporting one of the issues.
January 16, 2026
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