TCL's cut-price epaper-like phones and tablets are a dream for any comic book fan!

techradar.com Oct 7, 2026

TCL’s cut-price epaper-like phones and tablets are a dream for any comic book fan!

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 7, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

TCL leveraged Amazon’s Big Deal Days to slash prices on its NXTPAPER line, targeting comic‑book enthusiasts and note‑takers. The Note A1 NXTPAPER Paper Tablet dropped 25 percent to $449.99, while the NXTPAPER 11 Plus tablet fell 38 percent to $227.98; both include a free stylus and flip case. The NXTPAPER 70 Pro smartphone was reduced to $259.99, down $70. All devices feature TCL’s paper‑like 4.0 display with 16.7 million colors and a 120 Hz refresh rate, which the reviewer praised for ebook and comic reading. The tablet’s AI tools can convert handwriting and audio into editable text and generate summaries, positioning the hardware as a hybrid reading, drawing, and productivity tool at budget‑friendly prices.

💡 Why It Matters

· By bundling premium e‑ink‑style screens with accessories at deep discounts, TCL makes high‑quality digital reading and note‑taking accessible to a broader consumer base, potentially expanding the niche market for paper‑like mobile devices.

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PlayStation 5 Update Stealth-Drops PS5 Pro Exclusive Feature

Sony Interactive Entertainment has quietly released a server‑side update for the PS5 Pro that introduces a new folder in the Welcome Hub. The folder, titled “PS5 Pro,” contains four exclusive background themes unavailable on the standard PS5. Users who receive the update automatically can access these themes via the Change Background option. The update requires no manual action, though players can trigger it through Settings > System > System Feature Updates if needed. Sony hints at adding more Pro‑only backgrounds in future updates.

💡 The move deepens the PS5 Pro’s differentiation, offering owners a tangible visual perk that reinforces the premium status of the upgraded console.

appleinsider.com · Oct 7

New Apple Home accessories are coming thanks to an unusual partnership with…

Apple is slated to unveil a new Apple Home event on October 13, featuring an Apple TV, an upgraded HomePod mini, and the long‑rumored Apple Home Hub. Bloomberg reports that Apple has partnered with LG to develop a smart deadbolt lock, indoor and outdoor security cameras, and a floodlight camera. These accessories will carry the LG brand, mirroring past Apple collaborations on iPhone peripherals. The partnership signals Apple’s push into a broader smart‑home ecosystem, expanding its hardware lineup beyond the HomePod.

💡 By aligning with LG, Apple taps a proven hardware partner to accelerate its smart‑home rollout, potentially setting a new standard for integrated home security and convenience.

techcrunch.com · Oct 7

Apple is reportedly partnering with LG to launch a smart lock, thermostat,…

Apple is collaborating with LG to develop a new line of smart home devices, including a smart lock, thermostat, and doorbell, all designed to work with Apple’s forthcoming smart home hub slated for launch on October 13. The hub will feature a 6‑inch square display suitable for countertop or wall mounting. The partnership also covers indoor and outdoor security cameras and a floodlight. LG-branded devices are expected to be announced next week, positioning Apple to compete directly with Amazon’s Ring and other smart‑home ecosystems.

💡 Apple’s entry into the smart‑home market signals a strategic shift toward integrated hardware ecosystems, potentially reshaping consumer expectations for seamless device interoperability.

us.headtopics.com · Oct 7

Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Ultra Puts Apple’s MacBook Pro to the Test with…

Microsoft unveiled the Surface Laptop Ultra, a high‑end Windows notebook powered by Nvidia’s RTX Spark system‑on‑chip. The device ships in two configurations: an 18‑core model with 32 GB unified memory and Windows 11 Home, and a 20‑core version paired with up to 128 GB memory and Windows 11 Pro. Both variants feature a 2,000‑nit HDR display and are marketed to rival Apple’s forthcoming M5 Max‑equipped MacBook Pro. Microsoft emphasizes local artificial‑intelligence workloads, claiming the Ultra can run large language models of up to 120 billion parameters on battery power. Leaks suggest the premium 20‑core model will carry a high price tag, expanding Microsoft’s portfolio into the AI‑centric ultra‑premium laptop segment. The laptop also includes a detachable keyboard accessory, Wi‑Fi 7 connectivity, and a 1080p webcam with AI‑enhanced noise reduction capabilities.

💡 By delivering desktop‑class AI performance on a battery‑powered Windows device, Microsoft forces Apple to defend its AI lead in the premium laptop market.

androidcentral.com · Oct 7

The Xiaomi 18 Ultra would’ve had insane cameras, but it looks like…

Rumors circulating on X and Chinese platform Weibo claim Xiaomi has cancelled the planned 18 Ultra flagship, citing an unaffordable price tag as the primary obstacle. The unlaunched device was rumored to sport a groundbreaking triple‑camera system, each sensor rated at 200 megapixels: a 1/1.12‑inch LOFIC main sensor, a 1/1.56‑inch ultra‑wide sensor, and a 200 MP periscope lens for optical zoom. A tipster named Abhishek Yadav suggested a launch price of roughly 9,999 RMB (about $1,499). The phone would also have featured a flat display with ultra‑thin 1 mm bezels. Xiaomi’s recent 18 Pro and Pro Max models already include dual 200 MP cameras, but lack the ultra‑wide 200 MP unit. The cancellation hints the company may postpone an “Ultra” tier until the 19 series.

💡 The scrapped Ultra model underscores how premium pricing can force even tech giants to rethink flagship ambitions, potentially reshaping Xiaomi’s roadmap for future high‑end releases.

techradar.com · Oct 7

Garmin’s new Approach S72 golf watch looks great, but I was hoping…

Garmin unveiled the Approach S72, its latest golf‑focused smartwatch, expanding the brand’s wearable lineup. The S72 builds on the previous S70 with four times the memory and adds new golf‑specific features, including Swing Metrics that track hand speed, backswing length and wrist rotation, and a Driving Range activity profile that logs practice habits as workouts. Beyond golf, the watch incorporates a flashlight, speaker and microphone, and adopts a ComfortFit strap for broader fitness use. While reviewers praised its sleek, lifestyle‑friendly design, some expressed disappointment that Garmin did not release the anticipated MARQ Golfer Gen 3. The device also retains Garmin’s general fitness tracking capabilities, positioning it as both a training companion and everyday timepiece.

💡 The S72 merges detailed swing analytics with everyday smartwatch functions, giving golfers actionable data without needing separate devices.