Technology 19 January 2026 - 20 January 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
iPhone 18 Pro leaks flip again: Dynamic Island may shrink, not disappear, as under-screen Face ID talk grows
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iPhone 18 Pro leaks flip again: Dynamic Island may shrink, not disappear, as under-screen Face ID talk grows

A Weibo leaker denied rumors that the iPhone 18 Pro will move its selfie camera to the top-left corner, calling it a translation error. Korean outlet ETNews reports Apple is pressing suppliers for LTPO+ OLED panels and under-display infrared tech for 2026 Pro models. Samsung and LG are expected to supply panels, while BOE faces quality issues. Rumors of a smaller Dynamic Island persist as Apple aims to hide more Face ID components.
January 20, 2026
iOS 27 rumors tease a Siri makeover, AI Health+ coach and even 5G satellite internet
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iOS 27 rumors tease a Siri makeover, AI Health+ coach and even 5G satellite internet

Apple’s upcoming iOS 27 could introduce 5G satellite internet support, enhanced Siri features, and new “Apple Intelligence” AI tools, according to MacRumors. Reports from 9to5Mac and Bloomberg say Apple is focusing on stability and performance, with iOS 27 also expected to support the company’s first foldable iPhone. The first beta is likely to appear at WWDC in June, with a public release in September.
January 19, 2026
Hidden iOS 26 Photos trick: Apple’s “ticket” icon pulls concert set lists and sports scores
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Hidden iOS 26 Photos trick: Apple’s “ticket” icon pulls concert set lists and sports scores

Apple’s iOS 26 Photos app now detects concert and sports photos, displaying a ticket icon that links to event details, playlists, and upcoming shows. The feature appears in the Info view and pulls data from sources like Bandsintown and Ticketmaster. Apple says some features depend on region and device. No immediate trading impact, as U.S. markets are closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
January 19, 2026
iOS 26.3 could finally bring encrypted iPhone-to-Android texting — here’s what to know
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iOS 26.3 could finally bring encrypted iPhone-to-Android texting — here’s what to know

Beta builds of iOS 26.3 suggest Apple is preparing to support a newer RCS standard that could bring end-to-end encrypted messaging between iPhones and Android devices, reports say. The update is expected by early February, but Apple has not confirmed final features. iOS 26 runs on iPhone 11 and newer, with Apple Intelligence features limited to the iPhone 15 Pro line and later. Carrier and regional support for RCS will vary.
January 19, 2026
Nothing CEO’s 30% smartphone price warning looks real as memory costs jump again in 2026
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Nothing CEO’s 30% smartphone price warning looks real as memory costs jump again in 2026

DDR4 contract memory prices are set to rise up to 50% in Q1 2026, with NAND flash contracts up as much as 38%, TrendForce reported. Some suppliers have paused price quotes, and brands like Nothing warn of possible 30% device price hikes or lower specs. Micron will acquire Powerchip’s P5 fab in Taiwan for $1.8 billion, aiming to boost DRAM output from 2027. Samsung is sticking to its DDR4 end-of-life schedule.
January 19, 2026
OnePlus 15 vs Oppo Reno15 Pro Mini: Price gap and camera bet split premium phone buyers
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OnePlus 15 vs Oppo Reno15 Pro Mini: Price gap and camera bet split premium phone buyers

The OnePlus 15, priced at ₹72,999, outpaces the Oppo Reno15 Pro Mini in processor, battery, and display, according to a Sportskeeda comparison. Oppo counters with a 200MP main camera and a lower ₹59,999 price. The OnePlus 15 uses a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and a 165Hz LTPO display; the Reno15 Pro Mini features a MediaTek Dimensity 8450 and a 6,200mAh battery.
January 19, 2026
Apple beats Samsung in 2025 global smartphone race as a memory crunch clouds 2026
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Apple beats Samsung in 2025 global smartphone race as a memory crunch clouds 2026

Apple narrowly led global smartphone shipments in 2025, shipping 247.8 million units for a 19.7% market share, just ahead of Samsung’s 241.2 million and 19.1%, according to IDC. Holiday demand lifted volumes despite parts shortages and higher costs. Analysts warn 2026 may see memory shortages and price drops hit low- and mid-tier phones hardest. Chipmakers are ramping up DRAM production to address tightening supply.
January 19, 2026
Google AI Overview Says 2027 Isn’t Next Year — and It’s Raising Fresh Questions on Search Accuracy
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Google AI Overview Says 2027 Isn’t Next Year — and It’s Raising Fresh Questions on Search Accuracy

Google’s AI Overview in Search has been giving wrong answers about the current year, pointing some users to 2028 as “next year” instead of 2027, according to Futurism and Reddit reports. The glitch has persisted for over a week. Google previously acknowledged “odd, inaccurate or unhelpful” AI Overviews and said it made technical fixes in May. The company faces a lawsuit from Penske Media over its use of AI-generated summaries.
January 19, 2026
Wi-Fi 7 upgrade race: Intel tests and 6GHz spectrum push corporate refresh plans
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Wi-Fi 7 upgrade race: Intel tests and 6GHz spectrum push corporate refresh plans

Wi-Fi 7 modules are entering the market as companies accelerate upgrades, driven by demand for more reliable wireless performance, a South African networking executive said Monday. Intel reports lab tests show Wi-Fi 7 clients outperform Wi-Fi 6 devices, even on older routers, with the largest gains on 6 GHz bands. Early adopters see up to 19% faster speeds at distance without full infrastructure replacement.
January 19, 2026
Doomscrolling fatigue? Minimalist phones are “finally worth buying” as Mudita, Punkt push privacy-first models
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Doomscrolling fatigue? Minimalist phones are “finally worth buying” as Mudita, Punkt push privacy-first models

Punkt launched the MC03 minimalist phone this month, featuring a privacy-focused design with separate app zones and a $9.99/month subscription for privacy tools after one year. Mudita’s Kompakt, shown at CES, uses an E Ink screen and a physical switch to disable radios and sensors, selling for $369. Both phones promise five years of security updates.
January 19, 2026
Turn Your iPhone Off And On Again? iOS 26.2 Security Warning Triggers Fresh Calls to Update
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Turn Your iPhone Off And On Again? iOS 26.2 Security Warning Triggers Fresh Calls to Update

Apple said two WebKit flaws patched in iOS 26.2 may have been used in highly targeted attacks. Security experts and tech sites are urging users to update and restart their devices, as many have delayed upgrading due to iOS 26’s new design. Apple released the fixes on Dec. 12, 2025, for iPhone 11 and later, and for older models. The bugs have been linked to commercial spyware used in targeted hacking campaigns.
January 19, 2026
Hidden Google Maps gestures: 6 shortcuts that speed up navigation — including one-hand zoom
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Hidden Google Maps gestures: 6 shortcuts that speed up navigation — including one-hand zoom

Android Police and Taiwan’s TechNews published guides on overlooked Google Maps gestures, including one-handed zoom, two-finger rotate, and tilt. Google’s help pages confirm these shortcuts and note a recurring issue: accidental map rotation or tilt can persist until manually reset. Developer docs say some gestures may be disabled in third-party apps. No new features have launched; coverage focuses on existing tools.
January 19, 2026
You’re Underusing Your Phone’s USB‑C Port — The Plug‑In Gadget Trend and South Korea Market Outlook
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You’re Underusing Your Phone’s USB‑C Port — The Plug‑In Gadget Trend and South Korea Market Outlook

New consumer guides highlight USB‑C accessories that let phones power devices like card readers, microphones, and fans. EU rules will require USB‑C charging for laptops by April 2026. A market report projects South Korea’s USB Type‑C sector will hit $0.9 billion in 2026 and $3.7 billion by 2036. USB Power Delivery updates now allow larger devices to run from a single USB‑C cable.
January 19, 2026
Microsoft could make Xbox Cloud Gaming free with ads — a new “1 hour” message just leaked
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Microsoft could make Xbox Cloud Gaming free with ads — a new “1 hour” message just leaked

Xbox Cloud Gaming has begun showing users a “1 hour of ad supported play time per session” warning when launching games. Multiple reports indicate Microsoft is developing a free, ad-supported streaming tier for users who own games but don’t subscribe to Game Pass. Microsoft has not confirmed details or a launch date. The warning does not affect current paid cloud gaming tiers.
January 19, 2026
Stop ignoring your iPhone Camera Control button — it can launch Instagram, Magnifier and AI search
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Stop ignoring your iPhone Camera Control button — it can launch Instagram, Magnifier and AI search

Apple’s Camera Control on iPhone 16 and newer models can launch apps like Instagram’s camera, activate Magnifier, or trigger Visual Intelligence, which uses ChatGPT, according to TechRadar. Apple’s user guide says Visual Intelligence can identify objects, translate text, or create calendar events from images or screenshots. The control supports custom shortcuts and gesture-based settings. ChatGPT features require user permission and, in some cases, sign-in.
January 19, 2026
IKEA’s $24.99 45W charger and $9.99 magnetic wireless pad top reviewers’ list of 5 phone accessories
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IKEA’s $24.99 45W charger and $9.99 magnetic wireless pad top reviewers’ list of 5 phone accessories

IKEA’s low-cost smartphone accessories drew renewed attention after How-To Geek named five items “actually worth buying,” including a $9.99 magnetic Qi2 wireless charger and a $24.99 dual USB‑C fast charger. The highlighted products range from a $1.49 wall organizer to stands and charging bricks. IKEA says its chargers support Qi2 and USB PD 3.0 standards. Customer reviews for the KRUBBET phone holder top 1,300 on IKEA’s U.S. site.
January 19, 2026
Edge AI is Here: The New On-Device AI Gadgets That Could Make Your Smartphone Feel Old
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Edge AI is Here: The New On-Device AI Gadgets That Could Make Your Smartphone Feel Old

AI inference is moving from cloud servers to local devices for speed, privacy, and cost, according to new industry reports. Consumer hardware launches now emphasize wearables and “screenless” products over phones. Chipmakers say demand is rising but cite limits in power, memory, and standards. Analysts project the global edge AI market could reach $143 billion by 2034.
January 19, 2026
iOS 26 Photos’ “ticket” icon can pull concert set lists and sports scores from your pictures
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iOS 26 Photos’ “ticket” icon can pull concert set lists and sports scores from your pictures

Apple’s Photos app in iOS 26 can now identify concerts and sports events in user photos and display event details, including set lists and scores, alongside images. The app adds a ticket-style button to matched photos and can label Memories with the event name. Concert pages may link to Apple Music playlists and upcoming shows using third-party data. Apple confirmed the feature as part of a broader Photos update.
January 19, 2026
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