Technology 20 January 2026 - 21 January 2026

Apple Fitness+ finally launches in Japan with Japanese dubbing, ¥980 price and free trials
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Apple Fitness+ finally launches in Japan with Japanese dubbing, ¥980 price and free trials

Apple launched its Fitness+ subscription service in Japan, offering guided workouts with Japanese subtitles and digitally dubbed audio for ¥980 per month or ¥7,800 per year. New users receive a one-month free trial, with up to three months free on select device purchases. Partner deals include Anytime Fitness memberships and promotions with au and UQ mobile. The service supports Family Sharing for up to five users.
January 21, 2026
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leak dumps Qi2 magnetic power bank details and six colors ahead of February launch
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Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leak dumps Qi2 magnetic power bank details and six colors ahead of February launch

Leaked images show Samsung’s EB-U2500 magnetic Qi2 power bank, built for the upcoming Galaxy S26 series, with 5,000mAh capacity and 15W wireless charging. The S26 Ultra is rumored to launch in six colors, including Sky Blue and Cobalt Violet. Reports point to a Feb. 25 launch and early March sales, but Samsung has not confirmed details.
January 21, 2026
Nova Launcher bought again: Instabridge says it will keep the Android favorite alive — but ads are already showing up
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Nova Launcher bought again: Instabridge says it will keep the Android favorite alive — but ads are already showing up

Instabridge has acquired Nova Launcher and is considering ads in the free version, while Nova Launcher Prime will remain ad-free. Users and tech sites report ad tracking code and new ad permissions in the latest update, with some already seeing ads in the app drawer. Instabridge says Nova is not shutting down and is exploring paid tiers. The app now lists Instabridge as developer on Google Play.
January 21, 2026
Apple TV Down? App Store, iTunes and Music glitch as Apple services stumble for hours
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Apple TV Down? App Store, iTunes and Music glitch as Apple services stumble for hours

Apple restored App Store and Apple TV services late Tuesday after an outage disrupted downloads, purchases, and streaming for some users. Developer tools, iMessage, iCloud Mail, and Apple Maps Traffic were also affected. Apple resolved the issues by about 11:04 p.m. ET but did not specify a cause. All services were operating normally early Wednesday, according to Apple’s status page.
January 21, 2026
China’s Viral “Are You Dead?” App Is Spreading Fast — and It’s Exposing a Solo-Living Anxiety
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China’s Viral “Are You Dead?” App Is Spreading Fast — and It’s Exposing a Solo-Living Anxiety

A Chinese app known as “Are You Dead Yet?” requires users to tap a button daily or it alerts an emergency contact after two missed days. The app’s viral growth follows a high-profile solitary death in Shanghai and rising concern over people living alone, with single-person households topping 100 million in 2024. Developers plan to rebrand the app globally after backlash over its blunt name.
January 21, 2026
Technology News 21.01.2026
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Technology News 21.01.2026

Microsoft unveiled Rho-alpha, its first robotics model from the Phi series, capable of translating natural language into robot control signals for bimanual tasks. Rho-alpha is being tested on dual-arm and humanoid platforms, with early access applications open and a release planned via Microsoft Foundry. A study of over 20,000 US adults found daily personal use of AI chatbots linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety symptoms. Researchers reported a dose-response effect and warned AI is
January 21, 2026
RedMagic 11 Air goes global on Jan 29 as slim gaming phone targets buyers outside China
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RedMagic 11 Air goes global on Jan 29 as slim gaming phone targets buyers outside China

RedMagic will launch its 11 Air gaming smartphone globally on Jan. 29 after a Jan. 20 debut in China, where it sells for 3,699 yuan ($530) and up. The device features a 6.8-inch 144Hz display, Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, 7,000mAh battery, and a 24,000-rpm cooling fan. Asus has halted new phone development, casting doubt on its ROG Phone series. International pricing and carrier details for the 11 Air remain unannounced.
January 21, 2026
Android 17 is coming: Google’s latest Android updates offer fresh clues
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Android 17 is coming: Google’s latest Android updates offer fresh clues

Google updated its system-services release notes on Jan. 19, detailing new Play services and Play Store features delivered outside major Android upgrades. Leaks indicate Android 17 may introduce a split notification shade and separate toggles for Wi‑Fi and mobile data, but Google has not confirmed these changes. The company will now publish Android source code twice yearly.
January 21, 2026
Sergey Brin says Google hires “tons” without degrees as AI shakes Silicon Valley hiring
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Sergey Brin says Google hires “tons” without degrees as AI shakes Silicon Valley hiring

Google co-founder Sergey Brin said the company has hired “tons” of employees without bachelor’s degrees, reflecting a drop in degree requirements from 93% of job listings in 2017 to 77% in 2022, according to Burning Glass. Tech firms including Microsoft and Apple are also moving away from mandatory degrees. Brin urged students not to abandon computer science despite AI advances. JPMorgan and Palantir executives echoed doubts about traditional credentials.
January 20, 2026
iPhone 18 Pro leak: Under-screen Face ID could shrink the Dynamic Island — and suppliers are lining up
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iPhone 18 Pro leak: Under-screen Face ID could shrink the Dynamic Island — and suppliers are lining up

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly feature under-screen Face ID and a smaller screen cutout, according to South Korean industry sources and supply-chain leaks. New “LTPO+” OLED panels with under-display infrared sensors are being developed by Samsung Display and LG Display for Apple. Leaks disagree on whether a smaller Dynamic Island, a single camera hole, or a shifted sensor will remain visible.
January 20, 2026
Don’t Miss the Northern Lights: Google Pixel and Android Camera Tricks to Capture the Aurora
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Don’t Miss the Northern Lights: Google Pixel and Android Camera Tricks to Capture the Aurora

A severe G4 geomagnetic storm struck Earth late Jan. 19 after a coronal mass ejection, NOAA reported, with auroras possibly visible across much of Canada and the northern U.S. Forecasters warned of an S4 solar radiation storm, the strongest since 2003, threatening satellites and polar flights. Android users were advised to use long-exposure camera modes to capture the aurora. Alerts went to airlines, NASA, and grid operators.
January 20, 2026
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leak: Price may hold, but perks could shrink as “Ultraviolet” color tips emerge
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Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leak: Price may hold, but perks could shrink as “Ultraviolet” color tips emerge

Samsung is considering cutting pre-order incentives for the Galaxy S26 Ultra to keep its U.S. launch price near $1,399 as memory costs surge, Korean media report. Industry sources say AI server demand is driving up RAM prices, squeezing smartphone makers’ margins. Leaks show four launch colors, with a purple “Ultraviolet” as the main marketing focus. Samsung has not confirmed the rumored Feb. 25 launch date.
January 20, 2026
Google’s “high-friction” Android sideloading update is coming — here’s what changes
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Google’s “high-friction” Android sideloading update is coming — here’s what changes

Google will require extra steps for sideloading apps on Android, calling it an “Accountability Layer” rather than a ban. New Play Store text strings show an “Install without verifying” option with added warnings and online checks. The rollout is expected to start later this year in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, according to Android Authority. The change also affects Google TV and Android TV devices.
January 20, 2026
Realme P4 Power 5G’s 10,001mAh battery heads to India on Jan 29 as price leak surfaces
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Realme P4 Power 5G’s 10,001mAh battery heads to India on Jan 29 as price leak surfaces

Realme will launch the P4 Power 5G in India on January 29, featuring a 10,001mAh battery and up to 32.5 hours of video playback per charge. The phone will sell via Flipkart and Realme’s online store. A leaked retail box lists an MRP of 37,999 rupees for the 12GB/256GB model, though official pricing is unconfirmed. Realme says the design was created with students from Pearl Academy.
January 20, 2026
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