Google Home now lets you preview Nest Doorbell ringtones, just in time for the holidays

9to5google.com Oct 1, 2026

Google Home now lets you preview Nest Doorbell ringtones, just in time for the holidays

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 1, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Google has added a ringtone‑preview feature to the Google Home app for Nest Doorbell users. The update lets owners tap a play button next to each standard or limited‑time holiday chime and hear the sound before assigning it, eliminating the need to stand at the door to test tones. The preview option appears in the Doorbell theme menu under Doorbell camera settings and works for both classic and seasonal selections, such as the currently available Oktoberfest theme. Although other holiday sounds will return later in the year, they are not yet active; the Oktoberfest chime will disappear on October 9. The change aims to simplify customization ahead of the upcoming holiday season. Personalization is now a single tap away for all.

💡 Why It Matters

· By letting users audition doorbell tones in‑app, Google removes a physical friction point, turning a security device into a quick‑customizable home accessory.

Read full article on 9to5google.com

Code hints continue to reveal features of Apple’s upcoming Home Hub

A code sleuth named pdfu has revealed that Apple’s forthcoming Home Hub tablet will incorporate a “Photo Face” feature, mirroring the StandBy face on the iPhone Duo. The Home Hub, slated for an October 13 unveiling, will allow users to set up a Photo Face using iCloud Photos, selecting from shuffled images, memory slideshows, or shared albums. The discovery suggests Apple is integrating ecosystem-wide features and may keep additional configurations hidden until the device’s public reveal.

💡 The integration of Photo Face across devices signals Apple’s push toward a unified, context‑aware home experience, potentially redefining how users interact with their personal media in everyday environments.

androidcentral.com · Oct 1

Samsung’s new Galaxy Tab S12 tablets are thinner, faster and more expensive

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12 Plus, both powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500 chipset. The Ultra sports a 14.6‑inch 120 Hz AMOLED display and a 5.1 mm thickness, while the Plus offers a 12.6‑inch panel. Each tablet includes an 11,600‑mAh (Ultra) or 10,600‑mAh (Plus) battery, 45 W charging, and an in‑display fingerprint sensor. Prices start at $1,400 for the Ultra and $1,200 for the Plus, with availability from October 7.

💡 Samsung’s new tablets push the limits of thinness and battery endurance, challenging competitors to match its blend of performance and portability. The inclusion of preloaded Adobe Photoshop and AI features signals a shift toward professional‑grade mobile workflows.

taipeitimes.com · Oct 1

Apple’s iPhone Duo sales predicted to hit 6m units

Apple is projected to sell roughly 6 million iPhone Duo units in 2024, according to Counterpoint Research, marking the first forecast for the company’s debut foldable phone. The Duo, priced at $1,999 and launching this month, sits at the top of Apple’s lineup and is expected to boost overall foldable shipments, which IDC predicts will rise 13 percent to 22.9 million units. Without Apple’s entry, the segment would have contracted. At the same time, Apple’s new iPhone 18 Pro series has driven a 12 percent surge in early sales in China, helping the firm capture 33 percent of the market despite a 17 percent decline for domestic rivals. Higher component costs are prompting price hikes across the industry, narrowing rivals’ cost advantage and reinforcing the iPhone’s premium positioning.

💡 Apple’s Duo could be the catalyst that reverses a shrinking foldable market, proving premium pricing can still drive volume in a niche segment.

windowscentral.com · Oct 1

Why Logitech’s new Zone Vibe Pro headset caught my eye

Sean Endicott writes for Windows Central, focusing on Windows 11, Surface devices, Microsoft 365, AI, and apps. Since 2017, he has produced over a thousand articles covering breaking news, analysis, features, and opinion across Microsoft’s software and hardware ecosystem, including updates, launches, and the company’s expanding AI services. He also authors the weekly “Windows Wrap” column, curating the most significant stories of the week and contextualizing them within the broader PC landscape. Prior to his role, Endicott earned a First Class degree in Broadcast Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and worked in journalism and media production, gaining experience in live broadcast environments. Outside technology, he is an American football coach in Nottingham, named BAFCA Youth Coach of the Year in 2024.

💡 His blend of deep Microsoft coverage and broadcast expertise gives readers a uniquely informed view of rapid PC ecosystem changes.

appleinsider.com · Oct 1

Orico Thunderbolt 5 Desktop Workstation – excellent price for a storage dock

Orico’s new Thunderbolt 5 Desktop Workstation docks a Mac for about $330, delivering 80 Gbps data, up to 140 W power delivery and a built‑in M.2 NVMe slot that supports PCIe 5.0 drives up to 8 TB. The aluminum‑alloy unit weighs 0.85 lb and offers two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports, HDMI, DisplayPort, three USB‑A 10 Gbps ports, a USB‑C 10 Gbps port, 2.5 GbE Ethernet, SD/TF card readers and a 3.5 mm combo jack. It can drive up to five external monitors, though actual limits depend on the host Mac’s silicon. In testing the dock reached 5.2 GB/s read speeds and supplied enough power for a 16‑inch MacBook Pro, but its surface temperature climbed to roughly 111 °F, raising concerns about long‑term thermal stability.

💡 By bundling high‑speed internal storage with full Thunderbolt 5 connectivity at a sub‑$350 price, Orico makes a performance‑grade dock accessible to a broader range of Mac users, potentially reshaping the value proposition of premium docking solutions.

us.headtopics.com · Oct 1

Neon Genesis Evangelion Evolves to XR with Cross Reflections Game Preview

Pixelity unveiled Evangelion: Cross Reflections, an extended‑reality (XR) game that immerses players in the world of the 1990s anime Neon Genesis Evangelion. The title, demonstrated at a hands‑on preview in San Francisco, places users in first‑person scenarios across iconic locations such as Tokyo‑3 and NERV’s command hub, allowing combat against Angels and Evangelions. Set between episodes 1 and 11 of the original series, the narrative introduces new characters while interacting with Shinji, Rei, Asuka and others, aiming to be accessible to newcomers yet rewarding for longtime fans. Pixelity emphasizes a hybrid XR experience that blends virtual elements with the real world to heighten presence. After the showcase, the launch window shifted to 2027.

💡 By marrying a cult anime with cutting‑edge XR, the game could redefine fan engagement, turning passive viewership into active, embodied storytelling.