Technology News 14.03.2026
LIVETechnology news rolling coverageStarted: March 14, 2026, 12:00 AM EDTUpdated: March 14, 2026, 5:34 AM EDT
Snapdragon X2 Elite vs Apple M5: Early Windows laptop benchmarks show surprise wins — and some red flags
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite outperformed Apple’s M5 in early multi-core and real-world benchmarks, including Cinebench and Blender, according to tests on pre-production Asus laptops. Apple’s M5 kept a single-core lead and outpaced the X2 Elite in gaming stability, while battery life remains untested. Reviewers used early firmware and drivers, with first X2 Elite laptops expected in February and March.
Technology News 10.02.2026
ENDEDLive coverage has endedEnded: February 11, 2026, 12:06 AM EST Gotion High-tech, BASF join forces on solid-state battery R&D February 10, 2026, 11:50 PM EST. Gotion High-tech and BASF signed a strategic cooperation memorandum to jointly develop next-generation solid-state battery technology, focusing on high-performance materials across core components and clearing commercialization bottlenecks. The deal extends a 13-year partnership between the firms. Gotion operates a 0.2 GWh pilot line for its Gemstone all-solid-state battery, reporting a yield above 90% and an energy density of 300 Wh/kg. Gemstone was unveiled May 17, 2024, and small-scale production and vehicle testing are planned for
Apollo nears $3.4 billion loan to fund Nvidia chips for Elon Musk’s xAI
Apollo Global Management is nearing a $3.4 billion loan to fund Nvidia chips that would be leased to Elon Musk’s xAI, The Information reported Monday. Valor Equity Partners is arranging the deal, which could close this week. The loan follows a similar $3.5 billion financing in November. Apollo shares rose about 1%, while Nvidia gained 3.8% in U.S. trading Monday.
EU threatens Meta with quick WhatsApp action over rival AI chatbots
EU antitrust regulators sent formal charges to Meta over WhatsApp policies blocking third-party AI assistants and are considering interim measures to keep access open during the investigation. Meta disputes WhatsApp’s role as a key gateway and says users can access other chatbots elsewhere. The probe centers on Meta’s move to restrict WhatsApp Business API access to its own AI assistant.
AI Symptom Checks Get a Reality Check: Study Finds ChatGPT and Rivals No Better Than Web Search
A UK trial of 1,298 adults found AI chatbots did not help users make better health decisions than web search or other usual sources. The AI models performed well alone but lost accuracy when used by real people. Researchers warned that small changes in symptom descriptions could trigger unsafe advice. The study appears in Nature Medicine.
Europe’s AI-chip catch-up starts in Leuven with €2.5 billion NanoIC pilot line
Imec opened the €2.5 billion NanoIC pilot line in Leuven on Monday to develop chips beyond 2 nanometres. The EU and national governments are providing €1.4 billion, with the rest from ASML and industry partners. ASML’s High-NA EUV lithography tool will arrive in March for near-industrial testing. The facility covers 2,000 square metres.
Vivo’s compact X300s leak hints at dual 200MP cameras as X300 Pro takes on iPhone 17 Pro video
Vivo is preparing to launch the X300s after selling 1.29 million X300-series phones, Brinkwire reported. Moneycontrol said tipster sources expect X300 Ultra and X300 Max models after China’s Spring Festival. Android Authority found the X300 Pro outperformed Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro in some portrait video tests, but not in low light.
iOS 27 leak hints Apple will keep WWDC 2026 “muted” — betting on bug fixes and a chatbot Siri
Apple’s iOS 27 will focus on bug fixes, performance improvements, and minor design tweaks, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported Sunday. A more personalized Siri with a chatbot interface is expected as the main upgrade. Gurman said the first iOS 26.4 developer beta, including parts of the new Siri, is due the week of Feb. 23. Apple has not announced WWDC 2026 dates.
Nokia foldable 5G for ₹1,599? Viral “2026” posts spread as HMD listings stay quiet
Posts on Indian tech site mycampusstore.in this week promoted unannounced Nokia-branded phones with high-end specs and low prices, citing leaks. HMD Global, the official Nokia phone licensee, has not listed these models on its channels. The site’s claims include a “Nokia 2026 Foldable 5G” and “Nokia Evolve Pro 2026,” but no official confirmation has been issued.
Android’s ‘Extend Unlock’ productivity trick is making the rounds again — and it can leave phones exposed
Android Police highlighted “Extend Unlock,” a setting that keeps Android phones unlocked near trusted places or Bluetooth devices, as a top productivity tool. Google warns the feature may keep devices open for hours, increasing risk if a phone is lost or stolen. The setting has drawn renewed attention as security prompts multiply and users seek faster access for work and payments.
Trump Mobile’s T1 Phone ‘Made in USA’ pitch fades as reports point to overseas build
Trump Mobile’s T1 smartphone will be mostly manufactured overseas, with only limited final assembly in Miami, company executives told The Verge. The device’s specs and design have changed, the launch date has slipped again, and prices for new buyers will rise above the $499 “introductory” rate. U.S. “Made in USA” rules prevent the company from making that claim due to the phone’s foreign sourcing.
iOS 26.4 Beta Release Date Revealed as Apple’s iOS 26.3 iPhone Update Nears
Apple is expected to release iOS 26.3 as soon as Monday, Feb. 9, with iOS 26.4’s first developer beta set for the week of Feb. 23. iOS 26.4 will introduce long-delayed Siri and Apple Intelligence upgrades, plus new emoji. iOS 26.3 adds a location privacy setting, iPhone-to-Android transfer tool, and EU-specific features tied to the Digital Markets Act.
The hidden 20Wh rule behind smartphone batteries: why iPhone and Galaxy still play it safe as China goes bigger
Chinese smartphone makers are increasing battery capacities beyond 5,000mAh, while Apple and Samsung remain near that mark, partly due to shipping rules for lithium batteries. U.S. regulations set a 20Wh limit per cell for streamlined transport, with stricter handling above that. Some Android brands use silicon-carbon anodes and 100W+ charging. Larger batteries can add weight and reduce space for other components.
Technology News 09.02.2026
ENDEDLive coverage has endedEnded: February 10, 2026, 12:02 AM EST LG Energy Solution to gain full ownership of NextStar Energy as Stellantis exits Windsor battery plant February 9, 2026, 11:54 PM EST. LG Energy Solution will acquire full ownership of NextStar Energy, with Stellantis selling its 49% stake in Windsor, Ontario. The deal, still subject to approvals, keeps Stellantis as a customer, continuing to source batteries from the plant. NextStar Energy, launched in 2022 as a Stellantis-LG joint venture, became Canada's first large-scale EV battery facility. More than CAD 5 billion has been invested, the site employs 1,300+ people and
Bitcoin hit $55,000 on Bithumb after a $44 billion promo slip-up — and Apple may bring ChatGPT to CarPlay
Bithumb recovered 99.7% of $40 billion in bitcoin mistakenly credited to users during a promotion, after a sharp 17% selloff on its exchange. South Korean regulators signaled increased scrutiny of crypto exchange controls following the incident. Apple is preparing to allow third-party AI voice assistants in CarPlay, moving beyond Siri-only voice control.
Apple set to open CarPlay to ChatGPT-style voice bots — but Siri keeps the button
Apple plans to let third-party voice-controlled AI chatbot apps run in CarPlay, Bloomberg reported Friday. Siri will remain the default voice assistant; users must open chatbot apps manually to use them. OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google are among firms expected to bring their chatbots to the platform. Apple declined to comment.
Technology News 08.02.2026
ENDEDLive coverage has endedEnded: February 9, 2026, 12:02 AM EST Four reasons to buy foldable smartphones in 2026 February 8, 2026, 11:46 PM EST. The piece argues that foldable smartphones offer a bridge between phones and tablets in 2026. It notes most vertical-fold models carry about a 7.6-inch display, boosting reading, document work and eye comfort. It says a larger screen enhances viewing, productivity and mobile gaming with high-resolution, smooth panels. It also highlights that multitasking and productivity improve as devices gain real estate and new chipsets enable split-screen use. It cautions that price remains a hurdle for many buyers.
Anthropic’s $20B-plus funding round could close next week at $350B valuation, report says
Anthropic is nearing a funding round that could raise over $20 billion, valuing the AI firm at about $350 billion, Bloomberg reported Friday. Amazon disclosed a $14.8 billion stake in Anthropic and valued its convertible notes at $45.8 billion in its latest SEC filing. Anthropic and OpenAI have not yet turned a profit. Reuters has not confirmed the Bloomberg report, and Anthropic declined to comment.
SpaceX delays Starship Mars push, targets March 2027 moon landing first, WSJ says
SpaceX told investors it plans to attempt an uncrewed moon landing in March 2027, delaying its previously scheduled Mars mission, according to the Wall Street Journal. The shift comes as NASA relies on SpaceX’s Starship for its Artemis III lunar mission in 2028.
Intel and Vista jump into $350M+ SambaNova raise as AI chip fight widens
Vista Equity Partners is leading a Series E funding round of over $350 million for AI chip startup SambaNova, with Intel set to invest about $100 million, sources said. The round is oversubscribed and may reach $150 million from Intel. SambaNova sells inference chips for AI workloads. Final terms are still being negotiated.