TechCapsules

The Samsung Galaxy XR is now available for pre-order in the UK, with a July 8 release date. The headset, which has received updates to enhance its standalone experience, features a Snapdragon XR+ Gen 2 chip, 4K micro-OLED screen, and up to 2.5 hours of battery life. The device will be priced at £1,699 and will be available at various Samsung experience events across the UK. The Galaxy XR is a tethered experience, designed to work in [...]

Google has released Wear OS 7, an update for eligible Pixel Watch models, featuring improved battery life, real-time experiences, and enhanced device integration. The update includes Live Updates, allowing users to receive constant updates without needing to open apps, and improved connectivity with other Google devices. Gemini Intelligence capabilities, such as Create My Widget and multi-step app automation, will be added to select Wear OS 7 devices later this year. The update aims to make smartwatches more [...]

Google is introducing a significant upgrade to its "Android Switch" tool in Android 17, allowing users to copy more data when switching from an iPhone to Android. The tool, used to move data between iPhone and Android, has been improved to include features such as copying iMessage history and homescreen layouts. The upgrade is initially available on Pixel devices, with non-Pixel devices set to receive the update over the coming weeks and months.

Qualcomm has unveiled the Snapdragon Reality Elite Platform, a significant upgrade to its lineup of dedicated SoCs for mixed reality and spatial computing devices. The new platform, designed for premium Android XR devices, boasts improved performance, power efficiency, and on-device AI capabilities. Key features include up to 48 TOPS of AI performance, 60% higher GPU performance, and up to 20% longer battery life. The Snapdragon Reality Elite will power the next wave of Android XR devices, offering [...]

A new leak has revealed details about the OnePlus 16's display, suggesting the company is working on a more immersive design. The phone may feature a 185Hz refresh rate display, one of the highest on a flagship smartphone, and aggressively shrunk bezels measuring just 1mm on all four sides. The OnePlus 16 is also rumored to have a massive 9,000mAh battery, 120W fast charging, and a potential 200MP periscope telephoto camera.

Samsung has released One UI 9 Beta 3 for the Galaxy S26 series, a substantial 1.7GB update available in select markets such as South Korea, the U.K., Poland, and India. The patch includes fixes for device reboots while streaming videos, a white screen issue when taking calls, and background problems. It also addresses issues with the Files app and implements various bug fixes. The update comes with Samsung's June 2026 security patch, keeping testers up-to-date.

Google Vids announced that AI avatars are now available to free users, expanding its Workspace video creation tool to 7 million monthly users. The AI avatars can be "re-scripted" and come with a gallery of high-quality options or custom generation using Nano Banana 2. Free users receive 10 video generations per month, with a global expansion planned for this summer. The feature allows for emotion steering and fine-tuning of avatars, with additional features for paid users including [...]

Google has launched its new Home Speaker, the company's first smart speaker built for the Gemini era, starting at $99.99. The speaker features an underglow light ring, improved audio quality with 360-degree sound, and a larger driver for stronger bass. It is designed to understand natural conversations and complex requests, allowing users to issue multiple commands at once. The speaker will be available for pre-order and will begin shipping on June 25, with four color options available. [...]