Technology News 26 August 2025 - 7 February 2026

Intel stock drops again — what INTC investors are watching after Nvidia’s Meta deal

Intel stock drops again — what INTC investors are watching after Nvidia’s Meta deal

Intel shares fell 1.9% to $44.62 on Thursday, extending a three-day slide to 4.5% and holding near session lows after hours. The stock now trades about 18% below its January high. Nvidia announced a multiyear deal to supply Meta with AI chips and CPUs, intensifying competition in data centers. Investors await Friday’s U.S. inflation report and a March 4 appearance by Intel’s CFO.
February 20, 2026
Google Pixel owners complain of loud speaker “pops” — and the fix is still unclear

Google Pixel owners complain of loud speaker “pops” — and the fix is still unclear

Google Pixel users from models 7 to 10 report loud “popping” noises from speakers when opening or switching apps, even with the phone muted. The issue appears across multiple generations and persists after hardware replacements, suggesting a software cause. Google has not commented or provided a fix. Tech sites and users continue to document the problem.
February 7, 2026
iOS 26’s ‘Ask Reason for Calling’ Screens Spam Calls on iPhone — Here’s What It Changes

iOS 26’s ‘Ask Reason for Calling’ Screens Spam Calls on iPhone — Here’s What It Changes

Apple’s iOS 26 adds an “Ask Reason for Calling” feature that prompts unknown callers to state their purpose before the phone rings, 9to5Mac reported Friday. Messages now filters unknown senders and suspected spam into separate folders, with options to report junk. New guides detail how to silence or block calls labeled “No Caller ID.”
February 7, 2026
Google data show 40% of Android phones may be exposed — check your security update now

Google data show 40% of Android phones may be exposed — check your security update now

Over 40% of Android devices still run version 12 or earlier, which no longer receive security patches, according to Google's latest report. Android 15 leads with 19.3% adoption, while Android 16 is on just 7.5%. Security experts warn of rising fake app and NFC payment scams targeting unpatched phones. Google ended official support for Android 12 in March 2025.
February 7, 2026
Disney+ viewers in Europe lose Dolby Vision as patent dispute talk spreads

Disney+ viewers in Europe lose Dolby Vision as patent dispute talk spreads

Disney+ has disabled Dolby Vision streaming in several European countries, citing “technical challenges.” Subscribers report streams defaulting to HDR10, with 3D Apple Vision Pro titles also affected. Tech outlets link the disruption to a German patent dispute involving InterDigital, which won a court injunction in November. Disney says 4K UHD and HDR remain available on supported devices.
February 7, 2026
Amazon AWS data center expansion in Europe hits seven-year power grid queues

Amazon AWS data center expansion in Europe hits seven-year power grid queues

Amazon Web Services says delays of up to seven years in connecting to Europe’s power grid are stalling new data center projects. The company told Reuters these waits now rival real estate and construction as the main obstacle to expansion. The EU is considering proposals to speed up grid permits and modernize infrastructure. Italy and Spain face particular backlogs due to speculative project filings.
February 3, 2026
Bumble and Match Cyberattacks Spread to Panera, Crunchbase as ShinyHunters Claims Data Hauls

Bumble and Match Cyberattacks Spread to Panera, Crunchbase as ShinyHunters Claims Data Hauls

Bumble, Match Group, Panera Bread, and Crunchbase were hit by cyberattacks this week, with ShinyHunters leaking files and claiming wider breaches. Bumble and Match said no passwords or messages were exposed; Panera confirmed only contact details were stolen. Security experts warn of a growing voice-phishing campaign targeting corporate single sign-on credentials. Match and Bumble reported brief unauthorized access tied to phishing of contractor accounts.
January 30, 2026
Chrome and Safari users warned: ‘rn’ lookalike links fuel a fresh phishing wave

Chrome and Safari users warned: ‘rn’ lookalike links fuel a fresh phishing wave

Phishing campaigns are using “rn” to mimic the letter “m” in web addresses, targeting users of Chrome and Safari on mobile devices. Netcraft and other security firms have identified fake domains like rnicrosoft.com and rnarriottinternational.com in recent attacks. Experts urge users not to log in via emailed links and to use official apps or manually entered URLs. Attackers exploit small screens and quick decisions to steal credentials.
January 26, 2026
iOS 26.3 Release Date Watch: Apple Readies RCS Texting, Android Transfer and Security Fixes

iOS 26.3 Release Date Watch: Apple Readies RCS Texting, Android Transfer and Security Fixes

Apple is expected to release iOS 26.3 before January ends, preparing encrypted RCS messaging with Android and adding an iPhone-to-Android transfer tool, according to media reports. The update will also expand weather wallpaper options and include additional security fixes. Encrypted RCS will not be fully enabled at launch. Attention is turning to iOS 26.4, expected later in the spring.
January 24, 2026
India’s Smartphone Security Overhaul Sparks Source‑Code Clash With Apple and Samsung as Government Denies “Forced” Disclosure

India’s Smartphone Security Overhaul Sparks Source‑Code Clash With Apple and Samsung as Government Denies “Forced” Disclosure

India is considering draft smartphone security rules that could require handset makers to submit operating-system source code for government review, according to Reuters. Apple, Samsung, and others are pushing back, citing trade secret and security concerns. The government denies any forced source-code handover, calling reports “fake” and saying talks are ongoing. Digital rights groups are demanding more transparency.
January 13, 2026
Samsung One UI 8.5 Update Roundup (Jan. 11, 2026): Galaxy S25 Beta 3, Lock Screen Weather Effects, and More Devices Spotted in Testing

Samsung One UI 8.5 Update Roundup (Jan. 11, 2026): Galaxy S25 Beta 3, Lock Screen Weather Effects, and More Devices Spotted in Testing

Samsung released One UI 8.5 Beta 3 for the Galaxy S25 series on January 5, 2026, with major bug fixes and the January security patch. The update adds animated weather effects to the lock screen. Internal testing has expanded to more Galaxy phones and tablets. The security update addresses 55 vulnerabilities across Samsung devices.
January 11, 2026
India’s Sanchar Saathi U‑Turn: Why the Modi Government Dropped Its Mandatory Cybersecurity App Order

India’s Sanchar Saathi U‑Turn: Why the Modi Government Dropped Its Mandatory Cybersecurity App Order

India’s government on Wednesday revoked an order requiring all new smartphones to come with the Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app pre-installed and undeletable. The move follows backlash from privacy groups, opposition parties, and tech companies. Officials now say the app will remain voluntary and removable. Apple and Samsung had raised concerns about compliance.
December 4, 2025
Mobile Mayhem: Foldable iPhone Rumors, Pixel AI Phones & More – All the Big Smartphone News (Aug 25–26, 2025)

Mobile Mayhem: Foldable iPhone Rumors, Pixel AI Phones & More – All the Big Smartphone News (Aug 25–26, 2025)

Google launched the Pixel 10 series, highlighting new AI features like a “photo coach” and proactive assistant, with prices unchanged at $799 and $1,799. In China, Xiaomi unveiled the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ with a 7,000 mAh battery and ultra-bright display. Reports indicate Apple plans a super-thin iPhone 17 Air for 2025 and a foldable iPhone in 2026.
August 26, 2025