TechCapsules

A leak attributed to Instant Digital on Weibo claims Apple will discontinue the Action Button on upcoming iPhone models, likely beginning with the 20th‑anniversary iPhone slated for release in the second half of next year. The report says the function will be merged into the existing camera button, where a tap opens the camera and a long press triggers the Action Button’s shortcut capabilities. The Action Button, introduced on the Apple Watch Ultra in 2022 and added [...]

Apple reports that over 100,000 apps have been built for the iPhone Duo, with thousands of new optimizations added daily. The company highlighted workshops in 19 cities that attracted developers to update their apps for the device’s twin screens. Susan Prescott, VP of Worldwide Developer Relations, praised the rapid adoption and noted that Google’s Maps app has been quickly updated to use both displays. The updates aim to eliminate the initial lack of Duo‑ready apps and improve [...]

Apple released the iOS 27.3 beta, adding a redesigned Health app with Insights, Longevity, and Browse tabs, a new Gym Strength feature for Apple Fitness+, and Reachability for iPhone Duo. The update expands Siri AI across many apps, introduces App Intents for developers, and adds new language support. iPhone Duo receives StandBy enhancements, a narrower keyboard, and Shared Albums in Photos. Apple plans a public release in December, aligning the beta with its typical December rollout schedule.

Vivo is reportedly advancing a wide‑foldable smartphone that could launch in 2027, according to tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo. The device would break from the current trend of large inner screens by using a display under 6.5 inches, making it notably more compact than Samsung’s 7.6‑inch Galaxy Z Fold 8 or Apple’s iPhone Duo. DCS said most hardware components have been finalized, suggesting the design is near production. Industry observers note the move could differentiate Vivo in [...]

Motorola unveiled its Signature 27, a $1,600 non‑foldable flagship slated for a North American release, marking the company’s first premium handset in the region in years. Analysts note the price reflects rising component costs, raising questions about market viability. At the same time, Apple is set to launch its HomeView smart display next week, intensifying competition in the home‑assistant space. Google currently has no comparable modern display, prompting the Pixelated podcast hosts to debate whether a refreshed [...]

Samsung is set to launch the Galaxy A38, a mid‑range handset that will house a 6,000 mAh battery, according to GalaxyClub. The capacity represents a 20 percent increase over the 5,000 mAh cells that have powered recent Galaxy A series models and also exceeds the battery size of the current flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra by the same margin. While competitors such as Honor have already introduced phones with 10,000 mAh packs, the upgrade marks Samsung’s first major step toward larger batteries [...]

OnePlus will roll out ColorOS 17 on six additional devices this month, including the OnePlus Open foldable, as the company fully transitions from OxygenOS to Oppo’s software brand. The update schedule, posted by ColorOS Global on X, lists the OnePlus 12R, OnePlus 11, and OnePlus Pad 2 among the 13 devices slated for December and early 2027. The change reflects the long‑standing integration of OnePlus and Oppo software teams, with updates now synchronized across both brands. Users are urged to [...]

Samsung has begun rolling out the Android 17‑based One UI 9 update to US‑locked Galaxy XCover 7 Pro devices. The firmware, identified as G766USQUADZJ7, follows a South Korean launch and adds Quick Settings customization, a location‑privacy indicator, upgraded Samsung Notes, new Samsung DeX features, and a dedicated Warranty and Care section in Settings. The rugged phone, originally shipped with One UI 7 on Android 15, now receives its second major OS upgrade. Unlocked models will receive the update later, but Samsung promises [...]