Technology 16 January 2026 - 17 January 2026

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra just got cheaper on Amazon — deals push prices near $1,020
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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra just got cheaper on Amazon — deals push prices near $1,020

Amazon is cutting prices on Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra, with the 256GB Titanium Silver Blue model now $1,023.45, down from $1,299.99. Discounts of 20% or more appear on some colors and configurations, including the 512GB version at $1,079.99. Analysts warn chip shortages could make such deals scarce later in 2026. All discounts apply to unlocked models, with prices varying by storage and color.
January 17, 2026
Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 adds tap-to-resize widgets as Google rolls more Pixel fixes
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Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 adds tap-to-resize widgets as Google rolls more Pixel fixes

Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 adds plus and minus buttons for resizing widgets on Pixel devices, replacing drag handles. The update, released Jan. 14, targets crashes, battery drain, sluggish Wi‑Fi, and charging issues. January security patches address two critical vulnerabilities, including one in Bluetooth. The beta covers Pixel 6 through Pixel 10, foldables, and tablets.
January 17, 2026
RFK Jr. reopens cellphone radiation debate as HHS orders new federal study
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RFK Jr. reopens cellphone radiation debate as HHS orders new federal study

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will launch a new study on cellphone radiation after pressure from Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an agency spokesman said. The FDA has removed older webpages stating phones are not dangerous as the department reviews health research on electromagnetic radiation. Federal health agencies still say there is no proven link between cellphone use and cancer.
January 17, 2026
Oppo, Vivo plot September flagship surprise with MediaTek Dimensity 9600 as Xiaomi widens the fight
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Oppo, Vivo plot September flagship surprise with MediaTek Dimensity 9600 as Xiaomi widens the fight

Oppo and Vivo may move their flagship smartphone launches to September 2026 to match MediaTek’s accelerated Dimensity 9600 chip release, according to industry reports. This would put their new devices in direct competition with Apple’s iPhone and Xiaomi’s flagship launches during the crowded autumn season. Xiaomi is also promoting new smart audio glasses, recently reviewed for their audio features and battery life.
January 17, 2026
Technology News 17.01.2026
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Technology News 17.01.2026

Iran’s internet blackout entered a 36th hour Thursday, erasing about 90% of traffic and disabling domestic mobile networks, according to digital-rights experts. NASA’s Artemis II mission rolled to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center ahead of a planned February 6 crewed lunar-orbit launch. Apple’s iOS 26 became the default for most iPhones; older models remain on iOS 18.7.3. MediaTek’s unannounced Dimensity 9600 is expected in upcoming Oppo and Vivo flagships.
January 17, 2026
New iPhone Fold leak points to Touch ID comeback and 2nm A20 Pro chip
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New iPhone Fold leak points to Touch ID comeback and 2nm A20 Pro chip

Analyst Jeff Pu predicts Apple will launch a foldable iPhone in September 2026 with a 7.8-inch internal display, 5.3-inch cover screen, and Touch ID. Pu expects global smartphone shipments to fall 4% in 2026 but forecasts iPhone shipments will rise 2% to 250 million units. Supply chain sources mention a liquid-metal hinge and more titanium in the chassis. Apple has not confirmed the device.
January 16, 2026
iOS 26.3 Could Finally Encrypt iPhone-to-Android Texts — What Apple’s Beta Reveals
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iOS 26.3 Could Finally Encrypt iPhone-to-Android Texts — What Apple’s Beta Reveals

Apple’s iOS 26.3 beta includes a new carrier setting tied to end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging, but it currently applies only to four French carriers and remains inactive. Apple previously announced plans to add encrypted RCS support in a future update. The change appears in carrier configuration files, suggesting activation may depend on individual carriers. iOS 26.2 remains the latest public release.
January 16, 2026
Pixel Watch leak hints at “Notify when left behind” alerts — and an auto-lock for your phone
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Pixel Watch leak hints at “Notify when left behind” alerts — and an auto-lock for your phone

Google is developing a Pixel Watch feature that notifies users if they leave their paired phone behind, code discovered by Android Authority shows. The update may also lock the phone when the connection drops. There is no confirmed release date, and device compatibility remains unclear. The feature would mirror separation alerts already offered by Apple and Samsung.
January 16, 2026
Starlink in Iran: SpaceX faces its toughest test yet as Tehran tries to jam satellite internet
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Starlink in Iran: SpaceX faces its toughest test yet as Tehran tries to jam satellite internet

Protesters in Iran are using Starlink to bypass a government internet blackout, despite jamming and GPS spoofing by authorities. SpaceX recently made Starlink free for Iranians, and some terminals remain active. France is weighing whether Eutelsat’s OneWeb could offer another connection route. Iran banned Starlink last year, but activists estimate tens of thousands of terminals have been smuggled in.
January 16, 2026
Verizon’s $20 outage credit puts mobile internet reliability back in focus
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Verizon’s $20 outage credit puts mobile internet reliability back in focus

Verizon will issue a $20 credit to customers after a 10-hour outage disrupted calls, texts, and mobile internet in several U.S. regions. The FCC said it will investigate the incident, which led cities to urge residents to use other carriers for emergency calls. Verizon blamed a software issue and denied a cyberattack. Competitors reported normal operations during the disruption.
January 16, 2026
Tiny ‘earthquake-on-a-chip’ phonon laser aims to shrink smartphone wireless hardware
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Tiny ‘earthquake-on-a-chip’ phonon laser aims to shrink smartphone wireless hardware

Researchers in Boulder have demonstrated an electrically driven “phonon laser” on a chip, generating surface acoustic waves at 1 GHz with 0.25 milliwatts output. The device, made from silicon, lithium niobate, and indium gallium arsenide, could shrink radio components in smartphones. Scaling to higher frequencies and mass production remain unresolved.
January 16, 2026
Update your Bluetooth headphones now: Google Fast Pair “WhisperPair” bug risks eavesdropping and tracking
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Update your Bluetooth headphones now: Google Fast Pair “WhisperPair” bug risks eavesdropping and tracking

Researchers at KU Leuven disclosed “WhisperPair” attacks allowing nearby hackers to hijack Fast Pair Bluetooth audio devices from brands including Sony, Google, and JBL. The flaw, tracked as CVE-2025-36911, lets attackers connect without user consent and intercept audio or track location. Fixes require firmware updates, but most users have not installed them. Google said it has seen no real-world exploitation so far.
January 16, 2026
Michigan’s classroom cellphone ban bill is back — and headed to the Senate
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Michigan’s classroom cellphone ban bill is back — and headed to the Senate

The Michigan House passed House Bill 4141, which would require public and charter schools to restrict student smartphone use during class, with exceptions for medical needs and emergencies. The bill excludes private schools and allows districts to set stricter rules. The measure now moves to the Senate, with supporters targeting implementation for the 2026-27 school year. Governor Whitmer has called the issue a priority.
January 16, 2026
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