Technology News 13.03.2026
LIVETechnology news rolling coverageStarted: March 13, 2026, 12:00 AM EDTUpdated: March 13, 2026, 4:00 AM EDT
Honor’s ‘Robot Phone’ Concept Puts a Wall‑E‑Like AI Camera in Your Pocket
Honor unveiled a “Robot Phone” concept featuring a fold-out, gimbal-mounted camera arm that swivels autonomously. The device, teased in a CGI video, shows the camera moving and reacting with lifelike motions. Honor calls it an AI “emotional companion” and plans a full reveal at Mobile World Congress 2026. The project is part of a $10 billion AI investment strategy.
Apple’s iOS 26.1 Public Beta 3 Drops – Hidden AI Tools & Colorful New Icons Revealed
Apple released iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.1 Public Beta 3 to testers on Oct. 14, a day after the developer build. The update adds new language support for Apple Intelligence and AirPods Live Translate, introduces a “Local Capture” call recording setting, and revamps the Apple TV app icon. iOS 26.1 Beta 3 also hints at third-party AI model integration and notification forwarding to non-Apple smartwatches.
Unbelievable Motorola Razr Deals Slash Foldable Phone Prices to All-Time Lows
Motorola’s Razr Ultra (2025) is $300 off, now $999 at Amazon and Best Buy. The Razr (2024) is half-price at $350, while the Razr+ (2024) bundle offers $700 in total savings. Counterpoint Research says Motorola’s global foldable share doubled to 28% year-over-year, driven by aggressive pricing.
Android Auto’s Latest Update CRIPPLES Quick Controls Feature – Drivers FURIOUS
Android Auto version 15.2, released in late September–October 2025, broke the Quick Controls widget on vehicles with vertical displays, leaving the taskbar stuck on the side and shortcuts missing. The bug does not affect horizontal screens. Google has acknowledged the issue and says a fix is in progress. No permanent workaround is available yet.
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold Explodes in Durability Test — Google’s “Most Durable” Foldable on Fire
YouTuber Zack “JerryRigEverything” Nelson’s October 2025 stress test showed Google’s new Pixel 10 Pro Fold snapping and catching fire at the hinge’s antenna line, triggering a fire alarm. The phone, launched October 9 with the Pixel 10 series, features a Tensor G5 chip, 8-inch internal OLED, and is the first foldable with IP68 water/dust resistance. NotebookCheck called it “the weakest foldable” Nelson has tested.
Xiaomi’s 7,500 mAh Battery Shocker: iPhone 17 Pro Max Nearly Matches Xiaomi 17 Pro Max in Test
Xiaomi’s 17 Pro Max, equipped with a 7,500 mAh battery, lasted just five minutes longer than Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max in a battery drain test, despite the iPhone’s battery being about 36% smaller. Both phones shut down after roughly 13.5 hours of heavy use. The Xiaomi is lighter than the iPhone and priced lower, starting at $820 in China compared to the iPhone’s $999 US launch price.
Nvidia’s Tiny $4K Spark PC Puts a 1-PetaFLOP AI Supercomputer on Your Desk
Nvidia’s DGX Spark, billed as the world’s smallest AI supercomputer, is now shipping for $3,999 after delays and a price hike. The desktop device delivers 1 petaFLOP of AI performance with 128GB unified memory, powered by the new Grace-Blackwell Superchip. Major PC makers are launching their own Spark-based systems. Early adopters include universities, startups, and robotics labs.
Google’s Gemini AI Takes Over Your Calendar – No More Back‑and‑Forth on Meeting Times
Google launched a “Help me schedule” feature in Gmail on October 14, using Gemini AI to suggest meeting times based on email context and Google Calendar availability. The tool supports only one-on-one meetings and is rolling out to Google Workspace customers and paid AI subscribers. Regular free Gmail users do not have access. Most eligible users will see the feature by early November 2025.
Apple Teases M5 MacBook Pro – M5-Powered iPad Pro and Vision Pro Also Expected Soon
Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak teased a new MacBook Pro with an M5 chip in a video posted Monday. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports Apple will announce multiple M5-powered devices this week, including a 14-inch MacBook Pro, new iPad Pro models, and an updated Vision Pro headset, via press releases rather than a live event. Early leaks show the M5 chip delivers a 12% CPU and 36% GPU boost over the M4.
Vivo X300 Pro’s 200MP Zeiss Camera & Snap-On Lens Aim to Replace Your DSLR – Vivo X300 Series Launch Shakes Up Mobile Photography
Vivo launched the X300 and X300 Pro in China, featuring MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chips and Zeiss co-engineered cameras. The X300 Pro debuts a 200 MP Zeiss APO periscope lens and a 50 MP Sony main sensor, while both models support a Zeiss snap-on telephoto converter. The Pro packs a 6,510 mAh battery, 90 W fast charging, and stays under 8 mm thick. Prices start at ¥4,399 (about $620).
DJI Mini 5 Pro vs Mini 4 Pro: Huge Upgrades in a Tiny Drone (But There’s a Catch)
DJI’s new Mini 5 Pro debuts a 1-inch sensor in a sub-250g drone, capturing 4K video at 120fps and outperforming the Mini 4 Pro in low-light tests. Actual units weigh slightly over 249g, disqualifying them from registration exemptions in the US, UK, and Canada. DJI has not released the Mini 5 Pro in the US due to customs issues, forcing buyers to import at higher prices or seek rebranded alternatives.
Windows 10 Support Ends Today – Millions of PCs at Risk, What You Need to Know
Microsoft will end all support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, affecting around 500 million PCs worldwide. Security experts warn users will face increased risks from unpatched vulnerabilities. Microsoft offers a one-year Extended Security Updates program, but no further extensions are planned. PC shipments rose 9.4% in Q3 2025 as users upgrade to Windows 11 or buy new devices.
Is Your Child’s Screen Time a Hidden Crisis? The Alarming New Reality of Kids and Smartphones
About 90% of U.S. children under 12 watch TV and 61–68% use smartphones or tablets, though most parents say kids should be at least 12 before getting a phone. A global survey links early smartphone use to worse mental health, but a recent Oxford-led study found no evidence that daily screen exposure harms cognitive development. Official guidelines urge strict limits, and public debate over children’s phone use is intensifying.
Apple’s Foldable iPhone Hinge ‘Hack’ Means Big Savings – But It’s Still Likely a $2,000 Phone
Apple’s foldable iPhone is expected to launch in late 2026 with a titanium-aluminum frame and a 7.7-inch inner display. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports hinge costs will drop to $70–80 per unit after Foxconn and Shin Zu Shing formed a joint venture. The device will use Touch ID instead of Face ID and run iOS 27, optimized for foldables. Price is rumored to start around $2,000.
Vivo X300 Pro Launch: 200MP Zoom Phone with 17-Stop HDR & 1600mm Super Zoom Revealed
Vivo unveiled the X300 and X300 Pro in China on Oct. 13, 2025, debuting MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500 chip and Zeiss-tuned cameras. The X300 Pro features a 50 MP Sony LYT‑828 main sensor, 200 MP Samsung periscope telephoto, and supports a detachable tele-extender lens kit. Batteries measure 6,040 mAh (X300) and 6,510 mAh (Pro). Prices start at ¥4,399 (~$620) in China; global rollout details pending.
Google’s Pixel Update Nightmares: Pixel 10 App Crashes & Pixel 6 Update Mystery
Google Pixel 10 and 10 Pro phones suffered widespread app crashes after the October 2025 security update, with users reporting apps freezing or failing to load. The issue was traced to a conflict with Google Play Services. Google released a server-side fix by mid-October, resolving the bug. Pixel 6 and 6 Pro devices did not receive the October update but remain supported through 2026.
Samsung Galaxy Tri-Fold Phone LEAKED: 3 Batteries, 10-inch Display & Global Launch Hinted
Samsung plans to launch its Galaxy Z TriFold, a tri-folding phone-tablet, globally by late 2025, with debuts in China, South Korea, and the UAE. Patents show two hinges, three panels, and three battery cells totaling over 5,000 mAh. Leaks point to a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, 16 GB RAM, a 10-inch foldable screen, and a 200 MP main camera. Pricing is expected to be high, with limited initial availability.
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra Rumors: Stealing Apple’s ‘Cosmic Orange’ Colorway?
A leaked image showing a bright orange Galaxy S26 Ultra, nearly matching Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro “Cosmic Orange,” appeared on Reddit and tech sites. Industry sources, including Ice Universe, say the image is AI-edited and not an official Samsung photo. Samsung is expected to unveil the S26 series in early 2026. Rumored specs include a 200MP camera, 5,500mAh battery, and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5 chip.
Sora-AI Sensation Sparks Fake Apps, Hollywood Furor & Deepfake Drama
OpenAI’s Sora app hit 1 million downloads and topped the App Store within days of its October 2025 launch, but scammers quickly released fake “Sora” apps, netting $160,000 and 300,000 installs before Apple removed most clones. Hollywood studios, agencies, and unions demanded OpenAI halt use of actors’ likenesses without consent, while privacy experts warned of deepfake abuse and loss of trust in video authenticity.
Your Driver’s License Is Going Digital: 10 States Now Accept IDs in Google & Apple Wallets
North Dakota launched its Mobile ID program on Sept. 30, 2025, letting residents add state IDs to Apple, Google, or Samsung Wallet for use at 250+ TSA checkpoints and select businesses. Google Wallet now supports IDs from 10 states; Apple Wallet covers at least 10 states and Puerto Rico. Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering a bill to allow digital licenses. All mobile and physical IDs must meet REAL ID standards for U.S. flights after May 7, 2025.