Technology 31 January 2026 - 2 February 2026

Apple’s MacBook Air M5 Is Already $150 Off — Why the New Laptop Deal Matters
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Apple’s MacBook Air M5 Is Already $150 Off — Why the New Laptop Deal Matters

Amazon has cut prices on Apple’s new MacBook Air M5 by up to $150 just weeks after launch, with a 15-inch model at $1,149, down from $1,299. The discounts bring the M5 Air close to last year’s M4 clearance pricing, with a 15-inch M4 at $1,099. Some M5 configurations are seeing reductions of up to 12%. MacRumors noted fewer deals on the M5 Air compared to the previous weekend.
April 18, 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
Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, mobbed in Taiwan, tells TSMC he needs “a lot of wafers” for AI chips
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Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, mobbed in Taiwan, tells TSMC he needs “a lot of wafers” for AI chips

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang pressed Taiwan’s chipmakers, including TSMC, to boost production as AI demand strains supply chains. Huang cited memory chip shortages as a key bottleneck and called the situation “challenging.” TSMC said capital spending could rise up to 37% this year to meet demand. Huang’s Taiwan trip included a dinner with top tech executives.
February 1, 2026
Meta’s Reality Labs lost $19 billion in 2025 — what it means for Mark Zuckerberg’s metaverse reset
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Meta’s Reality Labs lost $19 billion in 2025 — what it means for Mark Zuckerberg’s metaverse reset

Meta’s Reality Labs posted a $19.2 billion operating loss for 2025, with fourth-quarter losses at $6.0 billion on $955 million in revenue. Meta expects Reality Labs’ losses in 2026 to remain at similar levels. The division cut about 10% of staff, with up to 1,000 jobs affected. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said most investment is now going toward glasses and wearables.
February 1, 2026
Garmin Connect iOS bug fix rolls out after watches stop syncing — but not everyone is back online
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Garmin Connect iOS bug fix rolls out after watches stop syncing — but not everyone is back online

Garmin released iOS app version 5.21.1 to fix watch-to-phone syncing issues affecting Fenix 8, Venu 4, and Forerunner 970 users. Some devices still fail to connect after the update, with users reporting missing watches in the app and lost features like Garmin Pay. Garmin advises re-pairing devices, which deletes wallet data. Android users are unaffected.
February 1, 2026
Android users are replacing Google apps with Fossify — here’s what they gain (and lose)
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Android users are replacing Google apps with Fossify — here’s what they gain (and lose)

An Android Police writer reported fully replacing Google’s clock, calculator, keyboard, calendar, and contacts apps with Fossify alternatives. Fossify’s repositories showed updates to several core apps on Feb. 1. The writer cited Google’s increased integration of its Gemini AI as a reason for switching. Fossify apps have surpassed 100,000 downloads on Google Play.
February 1, 2026
RedMagic 11 Air goes on sale Feb 11 — early reviews weigh the €499, 207g fan‑cooled gaming phone
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RedMagic 11 Air goes on sale Feb 11 — early reviews weigh the €499, 207g fan‑cooled gaming phone

REDMAGIC will launch its RedMagic 11 Air gaming phone in Europe on Feb. 11, starting at €499. €1 “Early Bird” vouchers offering €30 off and early access go live Feb. 5. The device features a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, 7,000 mAh battery, and 24,000-RPM fan. Reviews praise performance but note heat issues, loud cooling, and lack of wireless charging.
February 1, 2026
Google’s NotebookLM adds Video Overviews on Android and iOS — turning your sources into AI videos
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Google’s NotebookLM adds Video Overviews on Android and iOS — turning your sources into AI videos

Google has begun rolling out Video Overviews to NotebookLM’s Android and iOS apps, allowing users to generate AI-narrated slide videos from their own documents, according to multiple tech sites. Some users report the feature is not yet available on all devices. The update also adds new controls for infographics and slides, and introduces an “Ultra” plan with higher content limits. Google warns the videos may contain errors or glitches.
February 1, 2026
Average smartphone price tops $400 for the first time as premium phones lift revenue
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Average smartphone price tops $400 for the first time as premium phones lift revenue

Global smartphone revenue reached a record $135 billion in Q4 2025 as the average selling price topped $402 for the first time, according to Counterpoint Research. Shipments rose just 4%, but premium models drove higher prices. Apple captured 57% of industry revenue, while Samsung’s shipments climbed 17% but its average price fell. Analysts warn rising memory chip costs could squeeze margins in 2026.
February 1, 2026
Apple just changed Mac shopping online — the iPhone-style checkout now applies to Macs
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Apple just changed Mac shopping online — the iPhone-style checkout now applies to Macs

Apple has replaced preset Mac configurations on its online store with a step-by-step customization process. Shoppers now select each component individually for MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. The MacBook Pro page does not yet offer M5 Pro or M5 Max chips. The change aligns Mac ordering with Apple’s iPhone and iPad online sales approach.
February 1, 2026
Android fingerprint unlock “downgrade” claim reignites the Face ID fight
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Android fingerprint unlock “downgrade” claim reignites the Face ID fight

A PhoneArena editor criticized Android phones for relying on fingerprint unlock, calling it a downgrade from Apple’s 3D face scanning. He argued manufacturers could offer both fingerprint and 3D face unlock but rarely do. Google’s Pixel 8 now uses Face Unlock for payments and app sign-ins, though Google warns it may be less secure in some conditions. Most Android devices still use less secure 2D face unlock.
February 1, 2026
Leak claims foldable iPhone will pack record 5,500mAh battery — and it may force Samsung’s hand
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Leak claims foldable iPhone will pack record 5,500mAh battery — and it may force Samsung’s hand

A leak reported by PhoneArena claims Apple’s first foldable iPhone will feature a 5,500 mAh battery, larger than those in previous iPhones and current Samsung foldables. Nikkei Asia says Apple will prioritize premium models in 2026, delaying the standard iPhone 18 to 2027 due to rising component costs. Honor is also rumored to be developing a larger foldable device to replace its Magic Vs series. Apple has not commented.
February 1, 2026
Technology News 01.02.2026
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Technology News 01.02.2026

Apple released iOS 26.2.1, enabling AirTag2 support and bug fixes for eligible iPhones. AirTag2, announced Jan. 26, offers up to 50% greater range and a louder chirp, priced at $29 each or $99 for four. Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy S26 Ultra in San Francisco on Feb. 25, with leaks pointing to camera and battery upgrades. Apple is also exploring more paid software bundles following the Creator Studio launch.
February 1, 2026
Google dodges $2.36 billion disgorgement bid in privacy class action, but $425 million verdict stands
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Google dodges $2.36 billion disgorgement bid in privacy class action, but $425 million verdict stands

A U.S. judge in San Francisco denied a request to force Google to surrender $2.36 billion in alleged profits and rejected a broad injunction in a privacy class action. The court also refused Google’s bid to decertify the class, leaving a $425 million jury award intact. Google said it will appeal. The case centers on Google’s data collection after users disabled a privacy setting.
January 31, 2026
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