2026 Dell XPS 13 reviewed: oddly placed

pickr.com.au Sep 29, 2026

2026 Dell XPS 13 reviewed: oddly placed

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 29, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

The 2026 Dell XPS 13 was reviewed on September 29, 2026 by veteran journalist Leigh Stark, who has nearly two decades of experience and regular appearances on ABC, 2GB and 3AW. Stark describes the new XPS 13 as “oddly placed” in the market, noting that while it does not directly rival Apple’s MacBook Neo, it comes close to offering a comparable alternative. The review highlights the laptop’s interesting design and feature set, but points out that it fails to perfect the formula that would make it a true competitor. The article, classified as an 11‑minute read, repeats the core assessment several times, emphasizing the device’s proximity to premium ultrabooks without fully matching their performance or appeal.

💡 Why It Matters

· Dell’s attempt to edge closer to Apple’s premium line reveals how fiercely manufacturers are vying for the high‑end ultrabook segment, forcing rapid innovation and tighter design standards.

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Omdia: IFP/Touch Displays Lead Growth as Global Public Display Market Surpasses $1.73M…

Omdia’s Public Displays Market Tracker reports that global public display and signage TV shipments reached 1.73 million units in 2Q26, up from 1.61 million the previous quarter. IFP/touch displays drove growth, rising 13.7% QoQ and 0.7% YoY, with North America leading at 68.0% and Latin America at 13.3%. Indonesia’s planned rollout of interactive panels in schools is expected to boost shipments to 250,000 in 3Q26 and 330,000 in 4Q26, driving a 46.0% YoY increase for Asia & Oceania. Competition from all‑in‑one LED displays and AI‑enabled signage is intensifying, while the 2026 FIFA World Cup spurred ProAV investments in North and Latin America.

💡 The surge in IFP/touch displays signals a shift toward interactive learning and engagement, especially in emerging markets like Indonesia. This trend could reshape public‑space technology budgets and accelerate AI‑driven content delivery worldwide.

9to5google.com · Sep 29

Android 17 QPR2 enables Pixel 11 Pro HiLight for messages

Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6.1 adds message notification support to HiLight on the Pixel 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL, and 11 Pro Fold. After updating, users can enable “Messages from favorites” in Settings > System > HiLight, which highlights incoming messages from selected contacts. The feature currently works with Google Messages and is expected to support WhatsApp once calls are enabled. HiLight blinks twice when a message arrives. The beta includes the September 2026 security patch and is available to users on the current stable build.

💡 The new HiLight capability gives Pixel 11 users instant visual alerts for priority messages, improving notification management without relying on the phone’s main screen.

appleinsider.com · Sep 29

Apple & American Academy of Pediatrics team up for new Screen Time…

Apple announced expanded parental controls at WWDC, partnering with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to launch an online guide titled “Building Healthy Digital Habits: A Guide for Families.” The guide offers parents tools to set boundaries on iPhone and iPad use, block inappropriate content, and promote healthier browsing habits. Apple’s new features include content filtering, time limits, and family discussions prompts, all integrated into iOS and iPadOS. The collaboration aims to help families manage children’s screen time and foster responsible digital behavior.

💡 By embedding pediatric expertise into device settings, Apple empowers parents to proactively shape their children’s online experiences, potentially reducing exposure to harmful content and encouraging balanced tech use.

engadget.com · Sep 29

Nothing’s flagship $399 Headphone 1 Pro actually have some professional features

Nothing unveiled its flagship Headphone 1 Pro, a $399 model that introduces studio‑grade features such as a physical EQ toggle, LDAC, 24‑bit high‑res audio, and a 10‑mic ANC system. The headphones come in white and black, include a hardcase, and boast a flat equalizer designed with Metropolis Studios to aid precise mixing. They support Auracast transmitter/receiver, offer 32‑hour ANC and 68‑hour standby, and feature softer ear cushions and a wider headband for comfort. The Pro is available on Nothing’s website, Amazon, and Best Buy, with BTS member V as a brand ambassador.

💡 By adding a true flat‑EQ switch and professional‑grade audio codecs, Nothing targets studio users, a niche often overlooked by consumer‑oriented headphone makers. This move signals a shift toward catering to audio professionals while maintaining a consumer‑friendly price point.

androidcentral.com · Sep 29

Fairphone’s Fairbuds 2 arrive October 14 with seven replaceable parts

Fairphone will launch its second-generation wireless earbuds, the Fairbuds 2, on October 14. The new model will cost €119 in Europe and $119 in the U.S., $30 less than the original. It retains the seven modular, replaceable parts that allow users to swap batteries, earbuds, or the charging case. The earbuds now support Sony’s LDAC codec, improving audio quality over the first generation’s SBC and AAC. Leaked images suggest a stem design, though control functionality remains unconfirmed.

💡 By adding high‑resolution audio and a lower price while keeping modularity, Fairphone challenges the trade‑off between sustainability and mainstream features. This move could pressure other brands to integrate repairability without sacrificing performance.

macworld.com · Sep 29

The iPhone Duo’s toughest competition isn’t another Android foldable

Apple’s first foldable, the iPhone Duo, is slated for a late‑October launch, entering a mature market dominated by Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Google’s Pixel Pro Fold. The Duo promises a 7.6‑inch foldable phone that doubles as a tablet, but it runs iOS, not iPadOS, limiting multitasking to two apps and offering only four docked apps. It supports the Apple Pencil via USB‑C, yet lacks the Pro stylus’s advanced features. Compared to buying an iPhone 18 Pro and an iPad mini separately, the Duo offers less storage, a single battery life of 31 hours, and fewer processing cores.

💡 The Duo’s limited software and hardware capabilities reveal Apple’s cautious approach to foldables, potentially ceding the premium segment to rivals that already deliver richer multitasking and accessory ecosystems.