The ASUS Googlebook looks like the anti-dongle laptop we asked for

androidcentral.com Sep 19, 2026

The ASUS Googlebook looks like the anti-dongle laptop we asked for

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 19, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Google’s new premium laptop, the Googlebook, will launch on September 21 and is available for preorder. ASUS, one of five launch partners, has released detailed images of its model, showing a dark‑gray chassis, large touchpad, thin bezels, a dedicated Google “G” key, and a multicolor light bar. The design includes two USB‑C ports, two USB‑A ports, a headphone jack, a fingerprint sensor, and a reasonably tactile keyboard. Active cooling suggests the device targets heavier workloads, though processor specs remain unknown.

💡 Why It Matters

· The Googlebook’s integrated ports and active cooling could redefine the Chromebook market by eliminating the need for dongles and supporting demanding tasks, positioning Google as a serious competitor in the premium laptop segment.

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PlayStation 5 Pro Stock Shortage to Continue Into 2027 – Report

Sony has confirmed that the PlayStation 5 Pro will remain out of stock at major retailers and its online store, PS Direct, beyond the 2026 holiday season. A memo obtained by German outlet Playfront.de indicates the company cites “temporary market supply constraints and high demand” and warns the shortage will persist “through early 2027 at the earliest.” The scarcity coincides with the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI, which both Sony and Rockstar promote as best played on the Pro console. Fans have struggled to secure units since the game’s promotion began.

💡 The prolonged shortage underscores the intense demand for next‑generation gaming hardware and could pressure Sony to accelerate supply chain solutions before the next console cycle.

androidcentral.com · Sep 19

You can get a free year of unlimited wireless when you buy…

Patrick, an eCommerce Editor at Android Central, transitioned from a decade in independent bookstores and freelance writing to full‑time tech journalism in 2020. He joined Android Central in 2022 as Deals and Commerce Writer, now overseeing the site’s eCommerce coverage and major sale events. Patrick focuses on helping consumers avoid buyer’s remorse by simplifying complex tech purchases, such as carrier switches and smart TV buys. His work appears in major outlets including the Chicago Tribune, The Hill, and BestReviews, and he balances his career with outdoor adventures and caring for a polydactyl cat.

💡 Patrick’s expertise bridges the gap between tech complexity and everyday consumer needs, empowering shoppers to make informed decisions without costly mistakes.

appleinsider.com · Sep 19

Protect your iPhone Duo & iPhone 18 Pro lineup with ESR’s latest…

ESR has released a new line of protective accessories for Apple’s high‑end devices, including the iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The flagship product is the Atelier Vegan Leather Magnetic Case, available in four colors, featuring a 180‑degree rotating Flex Stand, a zinc alloy hinge, and a 1,400‑gram MagSafe magnet. The case offers 3‑foot drop protection, anti‑stain vegan leather, and a camera‑protecting ring. Additional items include a matching Apple Watch band and AirPods magnetic case, plus a high‑resistance UltraFit Armorite® Pro screen protector.

💡 By pairing premium materials with functional design, ESR provides a durable, stylish solution that extends the lifespan of Apple’s expensive new models, addressing a growing consumer demand for high‑quality protection.

9to5mac.com · Sep 19

The Quantified Scientist tests the Apple Watch Series 12’s new heart rate…

The Quantified Scientist’s Rob ter Horst evaluated Apple’s new Apple Watch Series 12 heart‑rate sensor against a Polar H10 ECG chest strap. The Series 12 now records heart rate every five seconds, even at rest, offering finer daily insights. In indoor cycling the watch matched the chest strap almost perfectly; during running it achieved a 0.98 correlation, with minor high‑rate deviations; and in weightlifting it scored 0.97, outperforming 85 % of devices tested. Step counting was also accurate, with only slight overcounts.

💡 Apple’s sensor upgrade demonstrates that wrist‑based wearables can rival dedicated ECG devices in everyday fitness contexts, potentially reshaping how consumers monitor health without extra gear.

appleinsider.com · Sep 19

iPhone Duo is Steve Jobs’s intersection of technology and liberal arts, says…

Apple unveiled the foldable iPhone Duo, drawing inspiration from paper notebooks to blend compactness with expanded screen space. CEO John Ternus, industrial designer Molly Anderson, and software lead Steve Lemay explained that the device’s dimensions mirror the A‑series paper system, roughly A5, giving it a passport‑sized closed form. The Duo features a custom torque hinge that holds it flat when opened, and its software integrates lessons from iPad, Macintosh, and previous iPhones. Pre‑orders start October 16, 2026.

💡 The Duo signals Apple’s push into foldable form factors, potentially redefining mobile productivity and setting a new benchmark for seamless hardware‑software integration.

popsci.com · Sep 19

Lost WWI trench lives on in immersive VR installation

Archaeologists uncovered a well‑preserved German stronghold at Dig Hill 80 near Wijtschate, Belgium, in 2015, prompting a rapid rescue excavation before residential development began. The site, part of the ferocious WWI front where an estimated 600,000 soldiers died or were wounded, has been digitized by Virginia Tech’s Applied Research in Immersive Experiences and Simulations (ARIES) team. Using thousands of photographs and excavation records, the researchers created a web‑based virtual reality reconstruction that lets users explore the trench, view artifacts in situ, and navigate the spatial relationships of the battlefield. Project manager Sarah Tucker says the immersive model preserves both material culture and the human stories of the war, aiming to engage scholars and the public alike through immersive educational platforms worldwide.

💡 The digital trench offers a tangible, interactive way to teach the human cost of WWI, while safeguarding fragile archaeological evidence from irreversible loss.