News 1 February 2026 - 2 February 2026

Sandisk stock price climbs as Western Digital prices $3.17 billion stake sale; SNDK traders watch the close
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Sandisk stock price climbs as Western Digital prices $3.17 billion stake sale; SNDK traders watch the close

Sandisk shares rose 1.7% to $610.80 Thursday morning after Western Digital sold 5.8 million shares at $545 each in a discounted secondary offering. Sandisk will not receive proceeds from the $3.17 billion sale, which is expected to close Feb. 19. Western Digital may sell up to 7.5 million shares total. The offering follows a filing and comes as Western Digital seeks to cut debt.
February 19, 2026
Singapore forms National Space Agency of Singapore (NSAS) to chase the $1.8 trillion space economy forecast for 2035
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Singapore forms National Space Agency of Singapore (NSAS) to chase the $1.8 trillion space economy forecast for 2035

Singapore will launch its National Space Agency (NSAS) on April 1, 2026, under the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The agency will oversee national space capabilities, draft space laws, and manage operations, taking over from the Office for Space Technology & Industry. Singapore currently hosts about 70 space companies and co-owns three Earth observation satellites with ST Engineering.
February 2, 2026
Capgemini puts Capgemini Government Solutions up for sale after ICE row as shares rise
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Capgemini puts Capgemini Government Solutions up for sale after ICE row as shares rise

Capgemini shares rose up to 2% Monday after the company announced plans to sell its U.S. subsidiary, Capgemini Government Solutions, following criticism over a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The unit’s December 2025 deal with ICE involved data-driven “skip tracing.” French lawmakers and unions demanded more transparency and broader action. Capgemini said legal limits on oversight prompted the sale.
February 2, 2026
Memory chip prices could nearly double this quarter as TrendForce lifts DRAM forecast to 95%
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Memory chip prices could nearly double this quarter as TrendForce lifts DRAM forecast to 95%

TrendForce now expects conventional DRAM contract prices to surge 90%-95% in Q1, up from its previous 55%-60% estimate, citing ongoing AI and data center demand. NAND flash contract prices are forecast to rise 55%-60%, while enterprise SSD prices may increase 53%-58%. PC DRAM prices are projected to jump over 100% quarter-on-quarter as shortages worsen.
February 2, 2026
NASA’s Artemis II Countdown Hits Critical Stage With Key Fueling Rehearsal Set for Monday
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NASA’s Artemis II Countdown Hits Critical Stage With Key Fueling Rehearsal Set for Monday

NASA began a full countdown and fueling rehearsal for Artemis II at Kennedy Space Center on Monday, loading super-cold propellants into the moon rocket despite freezing temperatures. The test, required before setting a crewed launch date, simulates a launch day without ignition. Any issues could push the first crewed Artemis mission past its February 8–11 window. Four astronauts are slated to fly around the Moon.
February 2, 2026
Japan pulls rare earth mud from 6,000-metre deep seabed as China export curbs bite
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Japan pulls rare earth mud from 6,000-metre deep seabed as China export curbs bite

A Japanese mission has retrieved rare-earth-rich seabed mud from nearly 6,000 meters deep near Minamitori Island, marking a global first, officials said. The drill ship Chikyu will return to Shimizu port on Feb. 15 for analysis. The operation comes as China tightens export controls, prompting Japanese firms like TDK to seek alternative supply sources. Japan plans full-scale mining trials in 2027 if tests are successful.
February 2, 2026
iPhone battery dying by afternoon? A 2026 audit points to one Wi‑Fi tweak — plus 4 privacy switches
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iPhone battery dying by afternoon? A 2026 audit points to one Wi‑Fi tweak — plus 4 privacy switches

Restricting Background App Refresh to Wi‑Fi only increased mid-afternoon battery life on an iPhone 15 Pro from about 40% to nearly 60%, according to a week-long user test. Apple says iPhone 15 batteries retain 80% capacity after 1,000 cycles, while iPhone 14 and earlier manage 500. Blocking tracking and disabling analytics also affected battery use, reports show.
February 2, 2026
Are annual iPhone, Galaxy and Pixel upgrades about to end? 2026 puts the phone sequel cycle on notice
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Are annual iPhone, Galaxy and Pixel upgrades about to end? 2026 puts the phone sequel cycle on notice

Memory-chip prices are rising as supply tightens, pushing up smartphone costs and dampening demand, according to industry sources. Major brands now offer up to seven years of software support, letting users keep devices longer. Research firms expect global smartphone sales to fall at least 2% in 2026. Analysts say yearly phone launches now bring only minor changes.
February 2, 2026
Apple’s foldable iPhone buzz: “iPhone Flip” talk and 5,500 mAh battery leak collide
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Apple’s foldable iPhone buzz: “iPhone Flip” talk and 5,500 mAh battery leak collide

Apple is reportedly testing a foldable iPhone with a square, clamshell design and a battery over 5,500 mAh, the largest yet in an iPhone. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says the clamshell concept is not guaranteed to launch. Competing foldables from Samsung and Google face battery life challenges. Details remain unconfirmed as Apple explores both “book” and “flip” styles.
February 2, 2026
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leaks tease cleaner sky photos and a bright white look — as price hike talk grows
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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
YouTube TV updates Android icons as ESPN Unlimited access snags linger for Comcast’s Xfinity users
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YouTube TV updates Android icons as ESPN Unlimited access snags linger for Comcast’s Xfinity users

Google has begun rolling out new icons in the YouTube TV Android app, updating navigation and playback controls. The update comes ahead of YouTube TV’s planned launch of genre-based subscription packages in early 2026. Some YouTube TV and Comcast subscribers remain unable to access ESPN’s premium Unlimited tier through the ESPN app, with no clear timeline for a fix. ESPN’s WWE Royal Rumble will stream exclusively for Unlimited subscribers.
February 2, 2026
2nm chip showdown: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, Dimensity 9600 tipped to hit iPhone 18 month as Samsung foundry role debated
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2nm chip showdown: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, Dimensity 9600 tipped to hit iPhone 18 month as Samsung foundry role debated

Flagship Android phones using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and MediaTek’s Dimensity 9600 may launch the same month as Apple’s iPhone 18, according to tech reports. Some sources link Samsung’s 2nm process to a custom Qualcomm chip for the Galaxy S27 Ultra, but others say that shift is unlikely this cycle. Foundry capacity and possible DRAM shortages could affect release timing.
February 2, 2026
X outage: Elon Musk’s platform, formerly Twitter, back after Downdetector flags thousands of U.S. reports
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X outage: Elon Musk’s platform, formerly Twitter, back after Downdetector flags thousands of U.S. reports

Elon Musk’s X, formerly Twitter, went offline Sunday, triggering over 19,000 U.S. outage reports on Downdetector before service mostly returned in about 45 minutes. NetBlocks said the disruption was not caused by nationwide internet filtering. X did not respond to requests for comment. Users reported delays, broken timelines, and login issues during the outage.
February 2, 2026
Apple’s new iPhone privacy switch can blur carrier location tracking — here’s who gets it
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Apple’s new iPhone privacy switch can blur carrier location tracking — here’s who gets it

Apple has added a “Limit Precise Location” setting for select iPhones and iPads, reducing how accurately mobile carriers can track devices. The feature, available with iOS 26.3 or later, works only on certain models and a limited number of carriers, including Boost Mobile in the U.S. The update does not affect emergency calls or app-level permissions.
February 2, 2026
Technology News 02.02.2026
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Technology News 02.02.2026

Crunchyroll raised monthly prices for all paid tiers, with new rates effective immediately for new customers and March 4 for existing ones, after dropping its free tier in December. Google shifted Pixel updates to a flexible schedule, with recent patches landing on varying weekdays and some models moving to quarterly updates. UNT Health Texas TCOM will add AI to its four-year curriculum to enhance clinical training. D-Wave announced a dual-track quantum computing strategy for 2026.
February 2, 2026
India Budget 2026 gives Apple a five-year tax shield for iPhone-making machines
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India Budget 2026 gives Apple a five-year tax shield for iPhone-making machines

India’s 2026/27 budget exempts foreign firms from income tax on machinery supplied to contract manufacturers in bonded export zones for five years. The rule, aimed at easing Apple’s expansion, does not cover domestic sales, which remain subject to import duties. Apple and its suppliers have pushed for clarity amid rising iPhone production. The exemption runs through the 2030-31 tax year.
February 1, 2026
SpaceX asks FCC to approve 1 million solar-powered AI data-center satellites
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SpaceX asks FCC to approve 1 million solar-powered AI data-center satellites

SpaceX has asked the FCC for approval to launch up to 1 million solar-powered satellites as orbital data centers for AI processing. The company says the satellites would use laser links for data transfer, with Ka-band radio as backup. The filing also seeks waivers to speed up regulatory review. The request follows reports of possible merger talks between SpaceX and xAI.
February 1, 2026
Waymo’s $16B raise plan: Alphabet backs $110B valuation as safety scrutiny returns
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Waymo’s $16B raise plan: Alphabet backs $110B valuation as safety scrutiny returns

Waymo is seeking about $16 billion in new funding, which could lift its valuation to nearly $110 billion, with Alphabet expected to provide $13 billion. The fundraising comes as U.S. regulators investigate a Waymo vehicle’s collision with a child in California. Waymo recently expanded airport service in San Francisco and launched fully autonomous rides in Miami.
February 1, 2026
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