EV Battery Cell and Pack Materials Market to Reach $38B by 2030; Ford, BYD, CATL Lead
February 27, 2026, 1:50 AM EST. Research and Markets projects the EV battery cell and pack materials market to grow from about $19.14 billion in 2025 to $21.97 billion in 2026, and to $38.02 billion by 2030, a CAGR near 14.7%. Growth hinges on broader EV adoption, the dominance of lithium-ion chemistry, and a shift toward solid-state tech, higher energy density, and domestic manufacturing. Key drivers include cost reductions, recycling mandates, and incentives to localize supply chains. Major players cited: Ford, BYD, Panasonic, SK Innovation, CATL, and LG Chem. The Asia-Pacific region remained the largest market in 2025. Highlights include CATL's ShenxingLFP 4C fast charging and Volvo's 2024 acquisition of Proterra's battery unit, signaling progress in safety, cost, and battery modules.
Samsung Galaxy XR stands out for seamless Android app compatibility via Google Play Store
February 27, 2026, 1:48 AM EST. Android Central reviewer Nick Sutrich says the Galaxy XR's real edge is seamless Android app compatibility via the Google Play Store. The headset pairs strong hardware with an XR-optimized OS so users can run Android apps without extra steps. In tests, nearly every Android app loaded and performed well, and the device doubles as a PC monitor via apps like Virtual Desktop, helping users stay in the flow instead of juggling devices. Specs underscore the package: Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2, 16GB RAM, 256GB storage, a 3552×3840 display at 90Hz, six cameras for world tracking, and a 2.5-hour battery. The design and ecosystem, plus multi-device compatibility, are what make the Galaxy XR stand out.
Budget MacBook could reshape Apple's laptop lineup
February 27, 2026, 1:46 AM EST. Rumors indicate Apple will unveil a budget MacBook powered by an iPhone chip at its March 4 event. The device would sit below the MacBook Air, potentially prompting Apple to reposition the Air as a mid-range model and widen the gap to the higher-end MacBook Pro line. The Air, currently starting at $999, is criticized for an aging display and chip. A cheaper alternative could boost portability and battery life but use a slower processor. Pro models showcase brighter, higher-resolution displays with mini-LED and ProMotion up to 120 Hz. If confirmed, Apple would rework pricing and specs across the lineup to create space between budget, Air and Pro options.
Burger King tests AI headset to coach politeness with OpenAI-powered Patty
February 27, 2026, 1:44 AM EST. Burger King is expanding its BK Assistant platform, rolling out a voice-enabled AI chatbot named Patty to hundreds of U.S. locations. The system, powered by OpenAI and integrated with employee headsets, can detect whether workers use words such as welcome, please, and thank you during customer interactions. Burger King says the tool is a coaching and operational support system, not a way to score individuals or enforce scripts. Managers would receive real-time insights to improve hospitality and service patterns. The broader platform also handles inventory alerts, menu updates, and order-prep guidance, and can prompt staff about bathroom cleanliness. About 500 restaurants are piloting Patty; full rollout to all U.S. locations is planned by end-2026. The move echoes McDonald's halt of AI drive-thru programs last year.
Burger King tests OpenAI-powered headsets to coach staff and manage operations
February 27, 2026, 1:42 AM EST. Restaurant Brands International is piloting OpenAI-powered headsets in 500 Burger King outlets in the United States. The system, called Patty, speaks to workers and streams data on operations, inventory and customer feedback. If a drink machine runs low on a beverage or a QR-coded report flags a messy bathroom, Patty alerts the store manager. Employees can ask Patty for menu-item guidance or request removal of sold-out items from digital menus. RBI says the venture is aimed at coaching staff, not tracking individuals, and officials say it could raise service levels by monitoring whether staff use greetings such as 'welcome' and 'please' and 'thank you.' The Associated Press queried the capability, and RBI reiterated the coaching intent.
BCIT taps U.S. battery-fire safety tech to train EV technicians amid Canada's EV surge
February 27, 2026, 1:40 AM EST. Electric-vehicle adoption is reshaping technician training in Canada. BCIT says it began incorporating a Connecticut-based battery-safety technology into several automotive courses this year to address safety challenges linked to high-voltage lithium batteries. The initiative aims to prepare technicians for a growing EV fleet in British Columbia and to align local training with the safety practices needed for battery incidents. BCIT officials emphasize practical, hands-on use of the technology as part of existing curricula, reflecting a broader shift toward standardized battery-fire safety training across the province.
BMW, CATL seal MoU to cut EV battery supply-chain carbon emissions
February 27, 2026, 1:38 AM EST. BMW Group Chairman Oliver Zipse and CATL signed a memorandum of understanding to cut carbon in the EV battery supply chain during Zipse's China visit with German Chancellor Merz. The MoU aims to optimize sourcing and manufacturing to lower the carbon footprint of BMW's electric vehicles. BMW has invested over 120 billion yuan in its Shenyang base, built four R&D centers and three software firms as part of a broad China localization push. The agreement reinforces BMW's China strategy and the Neue Klasse is BMW's new-generation BEV-dedicated architecture; its China-made iX3 Long Wheelbase debuts at Auto China 2026 and is tuned for Chinese buyers. CATL said in December 2024 it would supply cylindrical batteries for Neue Klasse from 2026, underscoring low-carbon, mass production.
NASA moves Artemis moon rocket off launch pad for repairs, delaying lunar flight
February 27, 2026, 1:36 AM EST. NASA moved its grounded Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for additional repairs. The 322-foot rocket had spent a month on the pad awaiting liftoff before a series of problems halted progress. Managers ordered the rollback after a helium pressurization fault, following hydrogen fuel leaks that had already delayed the mission. The slow move, about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers), will push Artemis II-the crewed lunar fly-around-into at least April. The delays reflect ongoing checks of the rocket's systems as NASA aims for a back-to-the-Moon schedule with a U.S.-Canadian crew.
IonQ rockets after quarterly beat; raises 2025 revenue guidance
February 27, 2026, 1:28 AM EST. IonQ jumped about 23% after the session as the quantum-computing company beat Q4 targets. It reported a non-GAAP loss per share of $0.20 on revenue of $61.89 million, topping estimates for a $0.23 loss on $40.38 million. Sales rose about 429% year over year, with margins also better than expected. For 2025, IonQ guided revenue to $225 million to $245 million, above consensus near $192.6 million. With a midpoint around the guide, the company trades at roughly 62x forward sales and faces a high-risk, high-reward path tied to growth. The move signals ongoing demand for quantum tech, even as the stock remains volatile amid broader market pressures.
Meta Quest 4 Core Design Revealed in Meta Firmware Leaks
February 27, 2026, 1:26 AM EST. Data miners Luna and Samulis found a low-res render and a stylized outline in Meta firmware, offering a first look at what appears to be a VR headset rather than smart glasses. The device reportedly relies on a separate computing puck to house the processor and battery, reducing headset bulk, and omits the rear head-interface in the leak. eye tracking appears as a new feature, aligning with capabilities in the Apple Vision Pro and the Quest Pro, but not the Quest 3. Some leaks hint at micro OLED display tech instead of the Quest 3's LCD. Analysts caution that internal Reality Labs changes-staff cuts and a Horizon Worlds pivot-temper confidence that these plans are fixed. Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth signaled a shift to let VR be what it is.
NASA lunar probe Lunar Trailblazer failed after launch due to pointing software error, panel finds
February 27, 2026, 1:24 AM EST. NASA's review panel says a software error caused the Lunar Trailblazer's solar panels to face away from the sun, contributing to the mission's loss a day after the February 26, 2025 launch. The $72 million mission, built by Lockheed Martin to map lunar water, never regained contact. The panel flagged 'many erroneous on-board fault management actions' that, with the pointing software issue, doomed the mission. NASA released the findings under a Freedom of Information Act request, noting that failures in complex systems are often cascading. Timothy Cook, a former Terriers project manager, likened it to multi-point failures. Lockheed Martin and NASA said they learned from the loss, while stressing that lower-cost missions carry higher risk. The firms are tightening fault management, flight software, and pre-launch testing.
Apple details F1 streaming features, with Netflix content swap
February 27, 2026, 1:22 AM EST. Apple TV subscribers will have access to all live F1 feeds-races, practice and qualifying-without a separate package, via the TV app on Apple devices and many smart TVs. The video will be 4K HDR with 5.1 audio and, Apple says, less compression than rivals. The TV app supports Multiview for up to four feeds, with one-click presets (for example a Red Bull layout) and fully customizable views. Audio is available in English and Spanish; the primary feed comes from F1 TV, with an option to use the widely used Sky Sports feed. More than 30 extra feeds include a race tracker, driver data, podium channels and 22 driver cameras. Vision Pro users can add a fifth camera view. Separately, Apple and Netflix agreed a deal to swap F1 content, with the latest Drive to Survive season premiering on both services and a non-exclusive Canadian Grand Prix on Netflix.
128 GB RAM SteamOS gaming tablet: Asus ROG Flow Z13-KJP proves fast for AAA titles
February 27, 2026, 1:14 AM EST. ETA Prime finds the Asus ROG Flow Z13-KJP's performance varies by OS, with SteamOS delivering about 12 FPS more on Cyberpunk 2077 than Windows but worse results in Death Stranding, underscoring ongoing driver work by Strix Halo. The device carries a 70 Wh battery and, in WLAN use at 40% brightness, lasts over 6 hours; gaming at 50% brightness nets roughly 5 hours in a light title, but drops to about 1.5 hours or less for AAA titles at 45-70 W. Pricing is steep: the 128 GB RAM model with 1 TB storage is $3,699.99 with March 3 shipping; a 32 GB RAM variant with 1 TB and Ryzen AI Max+ 395 sells for $2,200 and includes Crimson Desert. The tablet remains a high-end, portable gaming option, Windows or SteamOS.
Made-for-VR racer Raceclub hits Quest in Early Access
February 27, 2026, 1:12 AM EST. Mixer Lab's made-for-VR racer Raceclub lands on Meta Quest in Early Access, promising an authentic driving experience. Players pick between two chassis styles: a 12-cylinder car inspired by Formula 1 and a nimble electric model evoking Formula E, where managing regenerative braking and power modes matters. Multiple race modes offer variety while multiplayer is planned for a post-Early Access update. The game is available today in the Horizon Store for $12.99, with a limited-time early-bird price of $9.99.
Burger King's AI chatbot to assist employees with operations and boost friendliness
February 27, 2026, 1:10 AM EST. Burger King rolled out a new AI chatbot to help store employees with day-to-day operations and to boost customer-facing friendliness. The tool guides workers through tasks, answers operational questions, and standardizes responses. The rollout reflects a broader push by quick-service brands to deploy automation amid staffing pressures and rising service expectations. Burger King declined to share rollout size or performance metrics. Analysts say internal chatbots can shorten training and improve consistency, but cautions remain about overreliance on automation in frontline roles and the need to preserve human judgment in service.
Apple asks judge to dismiss investor suit over Siri AI progress and Epic injunction
February 27, 2026, 1:02 AM EST. Apple asked a federal judge on Feb. 26 to dismiss a proposed class action alleging it defrauded shareholders by overstating progress on Siri AI features and misrepresenting its ability to comply with a 2021 injunction in the Epic Games case. The plaintiff says Apple overstated AI progress and misled investors about compliance prospects; Apple says there's no proof it knew the timeline would slip and it did not guarantee injunction compliance. In Epic, a judge said Apple ignored the 2021 order to let developers direct payments outside the App Store; an appeals court rejected that view, while requiring consideration of commissions on external transactions, but not the 27% rate. Siri's AI overhaul has faced delays; March features are now expected in May (iOS 26.5) and September (iOS 27). Separately, Apple asked to dismiss a racketeering suit by Fintiv.
Anthropic CEO rejects Pentagon demands to drop AI safeguards
February 27, 2026, 1:00 AM EST. Anthropic's CEO pushed back on reports that the Pentagon sought to loosen AI safeguards. The company said it would not drop safety rules for its systems, even as discussions about defense collaborations continue. Earlier, a Pentagon spokesman posted on X that the narrative was fake and state propaganda, rejecting claims the DoD aimed to use Anthropic for mass surveillance or fully autonomous weapons. The exchange spotlights tensions over how the government should oversee advanced AI and how tech firms balance safeguards with potential defense work. Analysts say the episode underscores broader debates about AI governance, industry safeguards, and the limits of private involvement in military AI.
AI skills surge, but leadership and human skills become key to progress, ManpowerGroup finds
February 27, 2026, 12:58 AM EST. AI skills are now the hardest to hire for globally, even as demand grows. A ManpowerGroup survey of 39,063 employers across 41 countries shows 72% report difficulties filling roles, only slightly down from last year. Human skills remain top, with 39% seeking communication, collaboration and teamwork; 36% for professionalism and work ethic; and 34% for adaptability and willingness to learn. On the technical side, AI skills have surpassed all others in shortage. Shortages include AI model and application development (20%), AI literacy (19%), and engineering (19%). Analysts say success will depend on leadership-judgment, empathy, decision-making, systems thinking-and on accelerating upskilling and experimentation to align people with machines.
Three Day Rule uses AI-powered matchmaking in new dating app
February 27, 2026, 12:56 AM EST. Three Day Rule, a new matchmaking app, uses an AI-generated algorithm to pair clients. In a February 27, 2026 report, Wired's Molly Higgins shares her experience with NBC News' Ellison Barber, outlining the service's strengths, drawbacks, and what it could mean for the future of dating apps.
Pentagon says it would only use Anthropic AI in legal ways
February 27, 2026, 12:50 AM EST. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said the company 'cannot in good conscience accede' to the Defense Department's push for unrestricted use of its AI. The exchange deepens a public clash as negotiations threaten to end the contract by Friday. The maker of Claude said new contract language did little to prevent its models from being used for mass surveillance or fully autonomous weapons. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the military has no interest in mass surveillance or autonomous weapons. Anthropic's policies already bar these uses. The company remains the last major AI vendor with a Pentagon contract not yet routed into a new U.S. military internal network, a distinction shared with Google, OpenAI and xAI. The stalemate underscores broader limits on commercial AI tech in defense.
Samsung unveils Galaxy S26 series with privacy display, Gemini features at Unpacked
February 27, 2026, 12:46 AM EST. Samsung introduced the Galaxy S26 lineup – Ultra, Plus and standard – at its Unpacked event in San Francisco. The trio shares the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, with the Ultra packing a 6.9-inch QHD+ display, a 5,000 mAh battery and S-Pen support. Camera specs include a 200-megapixel wide and 50-megapixel telephoto lens, with wider apertures (f/1.4 and f/2.9) on both sensors. Prices begin at $899 for the S26, $1,099 for the S26 Plus and $1,200 for the S26 Ultra; some markets will ship with Samsung's Exynos 2600. A privacy display lets users blur or hide parts of the screen, including the login field. Google showed Gemini agentic update and Circle to Search that highlights on-screen items for multi-object recognition. Samsung also partners with Perplexity to preload its app and use its APIs.
Bank of America raises Nvidia target to $300 after earnings; stock slides
February 27, 2026, 12:44 AM EST. Nvidia reported its Q4 earnings after the bell on Feb. 25, delivering revenue of about $68.1 billion, up 20% sequentially and 73% year over year. Yet the stock fell about 5.6% by Feb. 26, as investors weighed valuation and AI cycle sensitivities. CEO Jensen Huang has said AI is not a bubble, even as he noted market reactions hinge on quarterly results. Nvidia said it does not count any China Data Center compute revenue in its outlook; CFO Colette Kress said some H200 products for China were approved but no revenue yet and imports remain uncertain. Bank of America analyst Vivek Arya raised the 2027 non-GAAP EPS to $8.11 and lifted the target to $300 from $275, citing stronger Q1 guidance and a higher multiple. The note reflects added stock compensation and tax changes.
Bay Area teen grows free AI education into international movement
February 27, 2026, 12:42 AM EST. An 18-year-old San Francisco high schooler, Jacob Shaul, founded Mode to Code to provide free technology education. He teaches AI and coding to people across generations, volunteering at Frank Residences and expanding online. What began as a sophomore project grew into an international movement, with online classes in a dozen countries, middle-school after-school coding, and senior programs that help spot cyber scams. Residents praised Shaul's clarity during lessons on deepfakes, saying it makes the topics less intimidating. The facility's executive director notes the program keeps residents connected to the outside world and safer online. Shaul plans to pursue software engineering in college and hopes to carry Mode to Code with him, continuing to broaden access to technology for those who need it most.
AI Hurtles Ahead: Memo Expands on Claude's Tutorial and AI's Shifting Landscape
February 27, 2026, 12:36 AM EST. An investor's addendum to a December memo on AI draws on Claude, Anthropic's model, and a tutorial that outlines how AI has evolved in three months. The piece frames Claude's output as more than a data fetcher: a system that synthesizes information and reasons from it. It describes two lifecycle stages-training, which teaches the model how to think, and deployment-where learned reasoning patterns apply to new situations. The author notes Claude's essay-like clarity, its humor, and its candid acknowledgment of limits, calling it a rare, personal-sounding explanation. The memo promises to recapture Claude's 10,000-word piece while adding the author's own observations and defining new terms for readers. The exercise underscores the journalist-investor tension: curiosity, caution, and the pace of change in the AI landscape.
Apple readies two MacBook Pro revs: M5 Pro/Max next week, M6 with OLED and touchscreen later
February 27, 2026, 12:30 AM EST. Apple plans back-to-back MacBook Pro launches this year. Next week, Tim Cook confirmed two 14-inch and 16-inch models ship with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, preserving the exterior of the October M5 but boosting performance. For buyers who can wait, a later release targets the M6 MacBook Pro with a brand-new design, an OLED touchscreen featuring Dynamic Island, and potential cellular connectivity. The M6 is expected to deliver a larger performance leap, while the previous redesigns drew criticism over ports and a problematic Butterfly keyboard. If you want the strongest current option, the M5 Pro/M5 Max will satisfy; if a new chassis and display tech appeal, waiting for the M6 could pay off.
Woolworths curbs AI assistant Olive after mother rambling
February 27, 2026, 12:24 AM EST. Australian grocer Woolworths has moved to rein in its AI-powered customer-service assistant, Olive, after customers reported it rambling about its mother and engaging in fake banter during calls. Posts on Reddit and X described birthday prompts triggering personal reminiscences about Olive's mother. Woolworths said earlier versions included birthday-related scripting created years ago to personalise chats and that the company has now removed that content. The retailer confirmed the Olive project remains active and noted a January partnership with Google to expand tasks, such as meal planning. AI agents are common but can hallucinate or produce non-existent details, a risk emphasized by experts.
Resident Evil Requiem GeForce RTX 50 Series bundle launches globally
February 27, 2026, 12:20 AM EST. Capcom and NVIDIA unveiled a worldwide Resident Evil Requiem bundle tied to the GeForce RTX 50 Series. Eligible desktops, laptops and graphics cards from participating system builders and retailers qualify for the promotion. After purchase, customers redeem through the NVIDIA app and immediately add Resident Evil Requiem to their Steam library. A Game Ready Driver released ahead of the game's February 27 launch will ensure hardware delivers the title's visuals. The offer covers GeForce RTX 5090, 5080, 5070 Ti and corresponding laptop GPUs, with terms varying by region and availability limited to qualifying partners. Redeemers must meet age restrictions and redeem in the appropriate region; see the bundle homepage for country-specific lists and conditions.
DLSS 4 Adds Path Tracing to Resident Evil Requiem; Toxic Commando Demo This Week; Crimson Desert March 19
February 27, 2026, 12:18 AM EST. GeForce RTX PCs can run path tracing visuals in Resident Evil Requiem, enhanced by DLSS Ray Reconstruction. The PC version is optimized ahead of the February 26 launch at 9 p.m. PT. On RTX 50 Series GPUs, players can enable DLSS 4 with Multi-Frame Generation to boost frame rates at high settings. The game uses a first-person and optional third-person view to deliver tense survival horror with realistic lighting-path tracing draws multiple shadows, reflections and refractions through glass for more natural light. Nvidia also teased a John Carpenter's Toxic Commando demo this week. Separately, Crimson Desert is slated for March 19 release. The rollout underscores Nvidia's push to showcase advanced lighting tech across multiple titles.
Nvidia stock falls after Q4 beat as guidance falls short of Wall Street
February 27, 2026, 12:16 AM EST. Nvidia shares fell more than 5% after the company beat on EPS and revenue for Q4 but disappointed some investors on guidance for the first quarter. The company reported EPS of $1.62 on revenue of $68.1 billion, topping consensus of $1.53 and $65.8 billion. Q1 guidance is $76.44-79.56 billion, above forecasts of $72.8 billion. The data center business drove most of the growth, at $62.3 billion, ahead of estimates $60.2 billion; hyperscalers remained the largest customer group, just over 50% of Data Center revenue. Compute revenue rose 58% YoY; networking up 263% to $11B. Nvidia eyes the GTC 2026 event; Meta deal expands with Blackwell, Rubin, and Grace servers. Analysts weigh AI cycle longevity, with opinions split on 2027-28.
GeForce Game Ready Driver brings path tracing and DLSS 4 to Resident Evil Requiem on RTX GPUs
February 27, 2026, 12:14 AM EST. NVIDIA released a GeForce Game Ready Driver for Resident Evil Requiem, aligning PC visuals with the survival horror's cinematic realism. The update enables path tracing lighting on GeForce RTX GPUs, with DLSS Ray Reconstruction to sharpen shadows, reflections, and glass refractions. On the RTX 50 Series, gamers can enable DLSS 4 with Multi-Frame Generation to push frame rates at high resolutions. The game, which follows Grace Ashcroft and Leon S. Kennedy as they probe strange deaths tied to the 1998 Raccoon City Incident, benefits from improved lighting and immersion. NVIDIA notes the driver is tuned for both first-person and over-the-shoulder third-person modes, offering smoother performance on supported hardware.
An Easier Introduction to CUDA (Updated)
February 27, 2026, 12:12 AM EST. An updated, streamlined primer on CUDA explains how CUDA C++ lets C++ developers use thousands of GPU cores for parallel work. The post frames CUDA as NVIDIA's parallel computing platform and notes its role in accelerating libraries and the AI revolution behind Deep Learning. It covers prerequisites: a CUDA-capable GPU, the free CUDA Toolkit, and options to run locally or in the cloud (Windows, WSL, Linux; AWS, Azure, Google Colab). It walks through a tiny example that sums two arrays on the CPU, with code to compile via g++ and run, validating results. The piece then moves toward running the same work on the GPU, beginning with converting a host function into a kernel. The update promises an even easier introduction.
Hybrid-EP Optimizes MoE Training Communication on NVIDIA Platforms
February 27, 2026, 12:10 AM EST. Hybrid-EP tackles the all-to-all communication challenge in hyperscale mixture-of-experts (MoE) training. The approach, implemented in NVIDIA Megatron and tested on Quantum InfiniBand and Spectrum-X Ethernet, trims EP communication time by exploiting top-k sparsity and dynamic routing. The result reduces load imbalance between hot and cold experts, improving GPU utilization in fine-grained MoE models like DeepSeek-V3, where communication can exceed half of total training time without optimization. NVIDIA Megatron Core enables multidimensional parallelism, FP8 mixed-precision training, offloading, and fine-grained recomputation to fit next-gen hardware. The post outlines how Hybrid-EP integrates with EP and supports scalable, adaptive resource scheduling across platforms, demonstrating gains in real-world model training while noting remaining challenges in load balancing and framework adaptability.
GeForce NOW Reaches 4,500-Title Library as Anniversary Adds 12 New Games
February 27, 2026, 12:08 AM EST. GeForce NOW marked its sixth anniversary with updates to a growing cloud library, now over 4,500 titles. The service adds 12 new games this week and emphasizes access across stores including Steam, Xbox PC Game Pass, Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Connect and GOG.com. Install-to-Play expands cloud access by letting members install Steam games opted in for cloud gaming, effectively doubling launchable titles. The library features curated rows for new releases, RTX-enabled titles and free-to-play picks, with smart syncing so games appear in the cloud catalog without downloads. Ultimate members get priority servers. The celebration runs on Reddit through Feb. 20, with a community screenshot-and-meme giveaway offering prizes such as an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and a Thrustmaster HOTAS ONE. Additional celebrations take place on the GeForce NOW Discord.
Mysterious $50 credits appear on Samsung Accounts ahead of Galaxy Unpacked
February 27, 2026, 12:06 AM EST. Some Samsung Account holders in the U.S. woke up to a mysterious $50 credit on Wednesday, just ahead of the Galaxy Unpacked event. A Reddit post by user ultima40revealed the credit, and others confirmed it; several recipients said they did not sign up for the Reserve program. In one case the money was spent on a 45W PD USB-C charger. Theories cited include an early Reserve payout tied to pre-orders, though the pattern remains unclear and not all Reserve-eligible accounts matched the gift. Samsung's Galaxy S26 lineup is expected to be priced around $899.99 for the base model, $1,099.99 for the S26+, and $1,299.99 for the S26 Ultra, with a March 11 release. Some regions also show larger storage options at new price points.
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Samsung isn’t putting magnets inside Galaxy phones just yet—case-related tradeoffs are still holding things up, according to the company’s R&D chief.
February 27, 2026, 12:00 AM EST. Samsung’s R&D head Won-Joon Choi isn’t sold on putting magnets inside Galaxy phones; he points out it means a thicker device, and with 80 to 90 percent of users opting for protective cases, the compromise doesn’t add up. Magnet-friendly accessories remain a draw, but for now, Samsung prefers using the extra space for a larger battery or keeping the phone slimmer. The company isn’t walking away from magnets entirely—research is ongoing to see how they might fit without tradeoffs, and Choi says they’ll build them in when performance isn’t at risk. In the meantime, Samsung users still get compatibility with external magnet accessories, even as competitors like Apple and Google embed magnets directly. The interview underscores the balancing act defining the next Galaxy lineup.
