Technology 19 January 2026 - 21 January 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
Honor’s Magic8 RSR “last Porsche Design phone”? Here’s what just triggered the talk
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Honor’s Magic8 RSR “last Porsche Design phone”? Here’s what just triggered the talk

Honor unveiled the Magic8 RSR Porsche Design phone in Zhuhai on Jan. 19, featuring a 200MP telephoto camera and 7,200 mAh battery, with prices from 7,999 yuan. A company engineer called it the “last-generation pinnacle” of the Porsche series, raising questions about the future of the co-branded lineup. The slimmer Magic8 Pro Air was also announced, starting at 4,999 yuan, with sales from Jan. 23.
January 20, 2026
OpenAI’s $20 billion run-rate lands as Apple picks Google Gemini to remake Siri
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OpenAI’s $20 billion run-rate lands as Apple picks Google Gemini to remake Siri

OpenAI’s annualized revenue jumped to over $20 billion in 2025, up from $6 billion the previous year, CFO Sarah Friar said. Apple will use Google’s Gemini models to power a new version of Siri, giving Google access to more than two billion devices. OpenAI will remain a Siri option for complex queries. The Apple-Google deal could draw regulatory scrutiny.
January 20, 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
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