Patrick, the eCommerce Editor at Android Central, transitioned from independent bookstore work and freelance writing to full‑time tech journalism in 2020. He joined Android Central in 2022 as the Deals and Commerce Writer, now overseeing eCommerce coverage and major sale events. Patrick specializes in simplifying complex tech purchases, aiming to reduce buyer’s remorse. His background spans writing for the Chicago Tribune, The Hill, BestReviews, and OddityMall, and he enjoys outdoor activities and caring for a polydactyl cat.

An overseas report indicates the Galaxy Z Fold 8 experienced a 10% sales lift after Apple unveiled its foldable iPhone Duo. Samsung’s Fold 8, already breaking pre‑order records, benefited from price differentials and immediate availability, especially in South Korea where the Duo costs a million won more and lacks a 1 TB option. The report notes consumers “waiting and seeing” before deciding, with the Fold 8’s quicker release and lower entry price tipping the scale.

Apple launched iOS 27, adding several non‑AI enhancements. The Music app’s AutoMix now features smoother transitions, while Photos’ iCloud Shared Albums support full‑resolution sharing. Users can set independent alarm volume in Clock, and new extra‑large widgets appear on the Home Screen. The Lock Screen now allows moving the clock and swiping away the Now Playing widget. Additional updates include video‑frame saving, an improved Apple Pay flow, expanded landscape support, a redesigned Find My app, clipboard paste shortcuts, and a [...]

Apple’s iconic glass cube on Fifth Avenue was temporarily closed and reopened at 8 a.m. Eastern on September 18, 2026, illuminated in burgundy, silver and “glacier” – the three of four colorways for the newly released iPhone 18 Pro. The change coincided with the arrival of the first pre‑orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, which are now shipping to Apple Stores worldwide, including heavily queued locations such as Kuala Lumpur. Apple senior vice president John Ternus confirmed the visual update in [...]

Apple deployed 14 iPhone 18 Pro units around Dodger Stadium to record the final “Friday Night Baseball” game between the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers. The new phones, featuring variable aperture and a private 5G link via T‑Mobile, captured footage from the pitch clock, backstop, foul pole, and both bullpens, as well as batting practice and player introductions. Apple will stream the event in immersive video on Vision Pro and Apple TV+ at 10:15 p.m. ET, building on its 2025 [...]

Analysts have underestimated demand for Apple’s new iPhone Duo, the first all‑Pro model released this September, as the company skips a non‑Pro variant for the year. The Duo, priced higher than previous Pro models, is expected to capture early‑order enthusiasts, while the standard iPhone 18 is slated for a later launch. This shift disrupts the traditional preorder pattern, where Pro models dominate until holiday sales, and may extend sell‑out periods for the Duo. Apple’s strategy reflects its [...]

Apple has unveiled the iPhone 18E, slated for a March 2026 launch, targeting the entry‑level market with a blend of high‑performance hardware and affordability. The device features 9 GB of RAM, a new A20 chip, and 256 GB of storage, marking a significant upgrade over its predecessor. The extra memory enhances multitasking, on‑device AI, and privacy, while the A20 chip delivers power and efficiency for gaming, video editing, and AR. Apple’s AI‑driven features, including real‑time translation and advanced photo editing, aim [...]

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro arrives as a largely incremental upgrade, yet it packs notable enhancements that could sway users of older models. The device features a slightly larger 6.3‑inch display with virtually invisible bezels, a reduced Dynamic Island that now supports three Live Activities, and a peak brightness boost to 3,000 nits on the Pro Max. Apple also introduces Ceramic Shield 2, which the reviewer says has resisted scratches on a year‑old iPhone 17 Pro Max. Camera upgrades dominate the refresh: both ultra‑wide and telephoto [...]

Asus launched a new Vivobook laptop range in India, offering models such as the S16, S14, 14 Flip, S14 Flip, and 16. The lineup includes Snapdragon‑powered variants (S14 and S16) featuring Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X processor and a 45 TOPS NPU for AI capabilities. Prices start at Rs 89,990, with some models available from September 17 and Snapdragon versions arriving later. The devices boast all‑metal construction, MIL‑STD‑810H durability, up to 30 hours of battery life, Type‑C fast charging, and Microsoft Office Home 2024 [...]

ASUS refreshed its Vivobook lineup in India with new models featuring Intel, Qualcomm, and AMD processors, launching on September 17, 2026. The range includes the Vivobook S14, S16, 14 Flip, S14 Flip, and 16, with prices starting at Rs 89,990 for the AMD‑powered 16‑inch model. The S14 and S16 boast all‑metal designs, 16:10 FHD+ IPS displays, and up to 17 TOPS of AI processing, while the Flip variants add 360‑degree OLED touchscreens, stylus support, and up to 38‑hour [...]

Microsoft has scheduled a dedicated Surface event for October 7, confirming the date and venue for its next hardware showcase. The announcement, made via a brief press release and a teaser video, indicates that the company will unveil its upcoming lineup of Surface devices, likely including refreshed models of the Surface Pro, Surface Laptop, and possibly a new Surface Studio variant. Industry analysts expect the event to highlight Microsoft’s push to integrate AI features across its hardware, aligning [...]

At IFA 2026, Microsoft’s partners unveiled a broad lineup of Windows PCs, ranging from everyday models to premium designs, gaming rigs, commercial workstations, and developer-focused machines. The showcase highlighted new AI‑enabled features, such as the OpenClaw Windows App for local model execution and Project Zenith devices that provide high‑memory, high‑bandwidth environments for coding. Acer introduced the Vero 16, a sustainability‑focused laptop built with recycled aluminum and PCR plastic, while other partners expanded repairability and performance options across price [...]

Amazon has reduced the price of the 2026 Apple MacBook Air featuring the M5 chip to $1,199, marking a 30-day low for the device. This discount applies to the 13-inch model in Silver or Midnight, which includes a 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage. The sale represents a $100 reduction from the standard retail price. Customers can also access savings on higher-end configurations, with discounts reaching up to $150. Models with 1TB [...]

A detailed leak from MacObserver reveals the full specifications of Lenovo’s upcoming Googlebook 15, a premium Chromebook slated for release. The model features a 15‑inch OLED display, up to 32 GB of RAM, a haptic trackpad, and a fingerprint sensor. Notably, the report mentions “Google facial authentication,” suggesting a camera‑based face unlock similar to Apple’s Face ID, though implementation details remain unclear. The laptop’s spec sheet positions it as a high‑end device, comparable to Lenovo’s ThinkPad X9 15 [...]

XMG has refreshed its 16‑inch Apex 16 and Pro 16 VE gaming laptops with the 2026 Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 GPU, boosting VRAM from 8 GB to 12 GB. The Apex 16 (M26) retains its 16‑core Ryzen 9 9955HX or 8945HX options and up to 96 GB DDR5 RAM, but adds a third fan for RAM cooling, extra ventilation, and a lighter 2.35 kg chassis with a 99.8 Wh battery. It ships with a 300 Hz IPS panel (2560×1600, 500 nits, full sRGB and DCI‑P3 coverage); the mini‑LED option remains [...]

Acer Inc. is cautiously maintaining inventories of key components, including solid-state drives, DRAM chips, CPUs, panels, and batteries, to mitigate the impact of rising prices. Although demand growth for these components is slowing and supply is increasing, predicting a return to healthy supply-demand dynamics remains difficult due to suppliers’ opaque capacity expansion plans. Acer sources most memory chips from Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron. To address surging memory prices, Acer’s product design strategy allows consumers to select [...]

Snap’s SPECS AR glasses, priced at $2,195, launch as a standalone wearable that merges dual waveguide displays with a 51° field of view and a 90 Hz refresh rate. They feature hand tracking, built‑in cellular connectivity, and AI‑driven functions such as real‑time voice translation and navigation guidance. The 132–136 g frames support custom diopter inserts and include speakers, microphones, and magnetic charging. However, the device’s 3–4 hour battery life and larger form factor signal its current role as a [...]

Snap Inc. unveiled its first‑generation smart glasses, called Specs, at a Los Angeles event on Wednesday. Priced at £2,000, the device integrates a full computer and augmented‑reality lenses directly into the frames, allowing text and graphics to appear in the wearer’s line of sight without a tethered smartphone. Weighing 132 g (136 g for the larger size) and featuring an internal battery, the glasses are lighter than competing headsets such as Apple’s Vision Pro or Samsung’s Galaxy XR, yet bulkier [...]

Reviewers have begun evaluating Apple’s September‑release wearables, the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, noting notable health‑sensor upgrades and extended battery life. Both models incorporate the new S11 chip, more frequent heart‑rate and HRV measurements, and redesigned health sensors that deliver readings within two beats per minute of chest‑strap monitors. The Series 12 starts at $399, adds features such as Readiness, Sound Recognition, Live Rewind, and Siri Recap—most of which rely on Apple’s contested Audio Intelligence—but many [...]

Apple unveiled the Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, keeping their familiar looks while introducing a new Health Sensing System that captures heart‑rate data every five seconds, regardless of activity. The Series 12 offers updated finishes—aluminum (Dark Bronze, Light Gold, Black, Space Gray), titanium (Radiant Gold, Natural) and ceramic (Night Blue, Pearl White)—and a slightly wider case with a 2% smaller display area. The Ultra 4 retains its titanium finishes (Natural, Black) and shares the same advanced sensing hardware. Both models [...]

Lumus, the Israeli augmented‑reality optics maker, announced a strategic partnership with China‑based Crystal‑Optech to secure components for its next‑generation AR displays. Under the agreement, Crystal‑Optech will manufacture high‑precision waveguides and diffractive elements in its Shenzhen facility, while Lumus will provide optical designs and quality‑control protocols. The collaboration aims to reduce lead times, diversify sourcing away from European suppliers, and support Lumus’s planned expansion of production capacity for its “Lightfield” glasses slated for launch in 2025. Both companies [...]

Meta is reportedly preparing a version of its upcoming AI‑enabled smart glasses that omits built‑in cameras, offering a privacy‑focused alternative to the standard model. The glasses will retain Ray‑Ban‑style frames, support phone calls, and integrate Meta’s conversational AI chatbot, but will lack the video‑capture hardware that has drawn criticism from privacy advocates. Sources familiar with the product roadmap say the camera‑free option aims to address concerns that wearers could inadvertently record bystanders, a controversy that has intensified [...]

Meta has announced a new smart glasses model, Luna, that omits built‑in cameras to address privacy concerns. The device will feature six microphones and a side button to activate Meta’s AI chatbot and Muse, its consumer agent. Luna is slated for a potential reveal at Meta Connect in Menlo Park next week. The move follows backlash over the company’s camera‑equipped glasses, which critics labeled “pervert glasses.” Meta’s Reality Labs continues to post significant losses, underscoring the financial [...]

Apple’s watchOS 27 introduces a new Siri app that, for the first time, preserves chat history across devices. The feature allows users to reference prior queries and resume conversations without restarting, improving natural interaction. While the iPhone, iPad, and Mac versions support seamless thread continuation, the Apple Watch version displays chat threads but lacks a direct UI to continue them. Users can still append to a thread by invoking Siri via the Digital Crown or voice command while [...]

Valve unveiled the Steam Frame, a high‑end mixed‑reality headset priced at USD 1,059 for the 256 GB model and USD 1,299 for the 1 TB version. The device runs SteamOS, allowing it to launch supported VR titles independently, stream demanding PC games wirelessly, and display standard Steam games on a virtual screen. Powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM, it features dual 2160 × 2160 LCD panels, a 72 Hz base refresh rate with experimental modes up to 144 Hz, and a [...]

Snap Inc. released its Snap Specs, a pair of large AR glasses featuring waveguide lenses, hand‑tracking, and a built‑in cellular case. The device supports prescription lenses, offers 3D gaming, web browsing, and mixed‑reality collaboration, and includes AI‑driven translation and navigation. Battery life is projected at 8–10 hours, and the glasses are priced around $1,200. Snap positions the Specs against Meta, Apple, and Google, emphasizing its unique AI capabilities and a focus on immersive, social experiences. Availability begins [...]

Snap’s SPECS AR glasses, priced at $2,195, launch as a standalone wearable that merges dual waveguide displays with a 51° field of view and a 90 Hz refresh rate. They feature hand tracking, built‑in cellular connectivity, and AI‑driven functions such as real‑time voice translation and navigation guidance. The 132–136 g frames support custom diopter inserts and include speakers, microphones, and magnetic charging. However, the device’s 3–4 hour battery life and larger form factor signal its current role as a [...]

Snap Inc. unveiled details of its upcoming Specs augmented‑reality glasses, pricing the consumer model at $2,195 (approximately AU $3,000). The company announced a partnership with Verizon Communications that will let shoppers preview the device in select Verizon retail locations and place orders ahead of the planned late‑2026 launch. Snap’s CEO Evan Spiegel presented the product at a keynote in Beverly Hills, emphasizing a new ergonomic design intended to make “wearing a computer on your face” more comfortable. The announcement [...]

Snap Inc. unveiled its first‑generation smart glasses, called Specs, at a Los Angeles event on Wednesday. Priced at £2,000, the device integrates a full computer and augmented‑reality lenses directly into the frames, allowing text and graphics to appear in the wearer’s line of sight without a tethered smartphone. Weighing 132 g (136 g for the larger size) and featuring an internal battery, the glasses are lighter than competing headsets such as Apple’s Vision Pro or Samsung’s Galaxy XR, yet bulkier [...]

Snap unveiled its Specs line of smart glasses at a high‑profile launch, drawing crowds eager to see the next AR leap. The devices are noticeably larger and heavier than typical eyewear, yet early testers reported acceptable weight distribution across the ears, suggesting the bulk does not impede daily wear. Snap’s executives emphasized the Specs as a standalone face‑computer, independent of smartphones, aiming to balance high‑performance hardware with user comfort. The event highlighted design challenges and sparked debate [...]

Snap announced its upcoming Specs augmented‑reality glasses, priced at US$2,195 for the base model and US$2,395 for a version with a cellular‑enabled carrying case. The company revealed a partnership with Verizon that will let shoppers try the devices in select stores and purchase dedicated wireless data plans, enabling fully untethered operation beyond Wi‑Fi. Snap’s CEO Evan Spiegel said the product aims to make computing feel “more human” and to demonstrate a new vision for the next two [...]

Snap Inc. unveiled its first AR glasses, priced at $2,200, after five years of development. The author of the piece spent a day wearing the sleek, rectangular frames, noting the micro‑displays that overlay text, emojis and navigation cues onto the wearer’s field of view. Battery life lasted roughly three hours of mixed use before the device entered a low‑power mode. Voice commands triggered Snap’s Lens Studio apps, while the camera captured short video snippets that automatically synced [...]

Rockstar Games has announced that the official soundtrack for the highly anticipated title Grand Theft Auto VI will be issued on vinyl, catering to collectors and audiophiles who prefer physical media. The double‑LP set features 30 tracks spanning the game’s diverse in‑game radio stations, including original compositions and licensed songs curated for the Los Santos setting. Press releases indicate the vinyl will be pressed on 180‑gram black vinyl, include a full tracklist booklet with artwork, and be available for [...]

Rockstar Games unveiled six tracks from the 34‑song original soundtrack for Grand Theft Auto VI, available for streaming now on major platforms. The revealed songs feature a diverse lineup, including Yung Lean with Future and Metro Boomin, Travis Scott produced by Guy‑Manuel de Homem‑Christo, a collaboration among CA7RIEL, Paco Amoroso, PinkPantheress, Fred again.. and Etienne de Crécy, Morgan Wallen, Rauw Alejandro, and Keith Richards. The full album, titled “Grand Theft Auto 6: The Album,” will drop on 19 November alongside the game’s launch for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, and [...]

Apple’s fifth‑generation AirPods, announced with on‑bud volume controls, have sparked criticism for pricing a basic feature that many inexpensive earbuds already provide. In a recent podcast episode, the host highlighted the disparity, noting that dozens of Amazon‑listed wireless earbuds under $20 include volume buttons, while Apple reserves the function for its premium model. Colleagues on the show dismissed the utility of the controls, but the host argued that volume adjustment is a fundamental expectation for any earbud. [...]

Harish Jonnalagadda, Android Central’s Senior Editor, has spent over a decade covering Android and Chinese phone brands. Beginning his tech journey with Windows XP tweaks, he transitioned from PC hardware reviews at VR‑Zone to mobile journalism after adopting the Nexus 4. Since joining Android Central in 2014, he oversees coverage of Chinese manufacturers, audio gear, networking hardware, and storage servers, drawing on his engineering background to provide in‑depth product evaluations. Outside work, he enjoys sci‑fi reading and [...]

Apple launched the AirPods 5 with a wireless charging case alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, offering a compact design, improved IP57 water resistance, and a new algorithm that boosts active noise cancellation by 50 %. Both base and high‑end models share identical audio quality, while the premium version adds capacitive volume controls and wireless charging compatibility. The earbuds maintain a neutral sound profile, excel in transparency mode, and provide comparable ANC to the Pro 3, though the Pro still edges out in [...]

Nothing confirmed the Malaysian launch of its Phone (4b) smartphone and Ear (3a) earbuds, with pre‑orders now open on the company’s website, Shopee, Lazada and TikTok Shop. Official sales begin 20 September 2026 at Nothing retail stores and selected outlets nationwide. The Phone (4b) is marketed as an entry‑level model, featuring a unibody design, the signature Glyph Bar, IP64 protection, a Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 processor, a 5,200 mAh battery with 33 W fast charging and 7.5 W reverse charging, and a 50 MP main camera with OIS plus [...]

Farwave, a new indie audio application for iOS 18 and later, introduces a unique 3D globe interface for exploring global radio stations. Users can rotate the virtual planet to select specific regions or utilize a random selection feature. Beyond live radio, the app organizes podcasts and local music files on separate visual planets, supporting RSS feeds, playback queues, adjustable speeds, and offline downloads. While the base app is free on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, [...]

JBL released the Live 680NC headphones on March 12, 2026, priced at $159.95 ($129.99 in the UK, AU$199.95). The mid‑range pair feature 40 mm drivers, adaptive ANC, Ambient Aware, personalized EQ, spatial audio, and Auracast support. Battery life is exceptionally long, but the headphones lack a charging cable and exert pressure on the top of the head during extended use. Sound is warm with a bass‑heavy profile and a slightly rolled‑off high end, while spatial audio feels underwhelming. The 680NC offers [...]

Code discovered within the iOS 27 release candidate reveals that Apple is introducing a dedicated animation for attaching Hermès MagSafe wallets to iPhones. Unlike the standard animation for Apple’s own MagSafe accessories, this new feature displays the Hermès logo upon connection. Leaked images shared by user pdfu on X indicate that Apple is preparing additional Hermès MagSafe wallet designs featuring various colors, leather, and patterned materials. These new accessories will also include Find My support for tracking. [...]

Wokyis has launched the G5 and G7, new retro-style docks designed for the Mac mini and Mac Studio. These devices combine nostalgic aesthetics with high-performance connectivity, featuring Thunderbolt 5 support in the flagship G7 model. The docks include a 7-inch flip-up IPS display, an NVMe SSD enclosure supporting up to 8TB of storage, and extensive port selections including USB-C and card readers. The G7 offers 80 Gbps speeds, enabling external storage performance comparable to internal drives. Physical [...]

A curated list of top fast charging accessories for the iPhone 18 Pro highlights various options for different user needs. The selection includes a compact 45W charger with an adjustable display for $29.99, which offers near-maximum speeds. For peak performance, Apple’s 60W adapter charges the device to 50% in 15 minutes for $34.99. The Anker Nano 70W provides versatile multi-device charging for laptops and phones at $39.99. For desk setups, the ESR CryoBoost 3-in-1 stand supports 25W [...]

LTTStore introduced “TrueSpec” USB‑C cables that feature etched labels on both ends, clearly indicating power, data, and display capabilities. The move addresses long‑standing confusion over which cables support high‑wattage charging, 40 Gbps data transfer, or video output, as many cables look identical. TrueSpec cables adhere strictly to USB‑C specifications, offer thick rubber sheathing for durability, and are priced from about $22 for USB‑C to $17 for USB‑A. The product fills a niche that has been largely ignored by [...]

Apple unveiled a $129 folio case equipped with a built‑in kickstand designed specifically for the iPhone Duo, the company’s dual‑screen smartphone. The accessory features a leather‑like exterior, magnetic closure, and a sturdy aluminum hinge that allows the device to prop up in landscape mode for hands‑free video viewing or video calls. Apple’s product page lists the case as compatible only with the iPhone Duo’s unique dimensions and dual‑screen hinge, and it includes a detachable magnetic cover for [...]

Corsair has officially launched the TC80, a new entry-level gaming chair priced at $199.99 in the United States and £169.99 in the United Kingdom. Despite its budget positioning, the chair features a design similar to cheaper, unbranded alternatives found at major retailers. The TC80 includes fixed armrests, a strapped head cushion, and a recline range of 90 to 115 degrees. Corsair states the product underwent durability testing across more than 30 categories to ensure high build quality [...]

Nintendo announced Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo for its upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, slated for release in 2027. The figures will unlock classic masks from the 1998 Nintendo 64 title. They are part of a broader 40th‑anniversary celebration that includes a new Switch 2 edition, concerts, a Link & Epona Lego set, and a Mineru's Construct figure launching September 17, 2026. The amiibo are expected to arrive a few months after [...]

Microsoft has launched the Designed for Xbox Cozy Collection, a curated lineup of gaming peripherals aimed at players who enjoy side quests and relaxed adventures. The collection features products from 8BitDo, SteelSeries, and KontrolFreek, unified by a whimsical, nature-inspired aesthetic. Key items include the 8BitDo Retro 87 Mechanical Keyboard and Retro R8 Mouse in Forest Wonder, featuring tactile switches and RGB lighting. The 8BitDo Ultimate 3 Controller in Mossy Lagoon offers improved grip and multi-platform connectivity. Audio [...]