TechCapsules

ESR launched its Xtend line of chargers last month, featuring built-in retractable cables that are longer than most competitors. The flagship 45W wall charger offers a 3.1‑foot cable, USB‑C passthrough, and supports up to 60W dynamic charging with Apple’s Adaptive Voltage Scaling, delivering the fastest charge rates for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Available in black, white and burgundy, the unit retails for $49.99 but is currently discounted to $35.99 on Amazon, with the burgundy version at [...]

In mid‑October, looters during French riots in Lille received a notification that the iPhones they stole were disabled, tracked, and would alert authorities. The message, translated into French, warned that the devices were bricked and monitored. The incident highlighted the vulnerability of Apple products to anti‑theft measures during widespread unrest. The event followed other Apple‑related thefts, including a high‑profile hack involving Jared Kushner’s iPhone and a warehouse heist in India.

Google released the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, a near‑identical successor to last year’s model with a lighter chassis, brighter 3,600‑nit display, improved wireless charging, and a new 48‑MP main sensor. The device weighs 19 g less, is 5 mm thinner when unfolded, and features a glass‑ceramic cover and glass‑fiber composite back for enhanced durability. The foldable retains a visible crease and a single‑handed hinge design, while its camera performance lags behind the Pixel 11 Pro XL.

A review highlights the PopSocket Low‑Pro as a practical, low‑profile kickstand for the newly released iPhone Duo. The accessory, designed for all iPhones, attaches magnetically and includes a flip‑out ring that stabilizes the folded phone on tables. The reviewer notes it mitigates the Duo’s weight‑drift issue on standard MagSafe stands, offers minimal bulk, and is available on Amazon for $36‑$40. The piece also mentions the product’s color options and price variations.

Motorola is gearing up to launch the Signature 27, its most ambitious flagship in years, positioning the brand as a potential successor to OnePlus in the U.S. market. The device will feature a high‑end Snapdragon processor, premium camera hardware and rumors of a large‑capacity battery, matching the specifications of Chinese competitors such as Oppo and Honor. While OnePlus once offered comparable specs at a lower price, early pricing leaks suggest the Signature 27 will be priced higher, potentially limiting [...]

Over a five‑day vacation, tech reporter Alex Miller tested Apple’s $2,000 iPhone Duo alongside his iPhone 17 Pro Max, initially bringing the latter as a safety net. Early frustrations included broken apps, unfamiliar Touch ID gestures, and a cramped outer screen that forced extra scrolling. Despite these issues, the Duo proved surprisingly durable, surviving multiple drops on concrete, tile and wood without cracking, and fitting comfortably in both front and back pockets even with a case. Software hiccups were limited to the Google Search [...]

Nothing OS 5.0, based on Android 17, is now rolling out to the Nothing Phone 3a, 3a Pro, 4a, and 4a Pro worldwide. The update arrives in staged batches, so users may see the notification over the next few days or manually check via system settings. Key features include a new Glyph app, split‑mode Quick Settings, bulk icon management, three new widgets, a translucent theme, lock‑screen customization, a refreshed camera UI, dual‑view video, and an AI‑processing status [...]

Apple’s newly released iPhone Duo impressed a tech journalist who spent half an hour with the fold‑able device at an Apple Store. The reviewer praised the inner display’s nano‑textured surface, describing it as “paper‑like” and far superior to the glossy outer screen, and suggested the texture be offered on other iPhones. The Duo’s split‑screen gesture was quickly mastered, allowing two apps to snap side‑by‑side for tasks such as dragging a photo into a note. While the reviewer, [...]