Google’s Fitbit Air is getting a shiny new Metal Mesh band and better automatic tracking

9to5google.com Oct 12, 2026

Google’s Fitbit Air is getting a shiny new Metal Mesh band and better automatic tracking

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 12, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Google has introduced a new Metal Mesh band for the Fitbit Air, available in Polished Silver and Champagne Gold, priced at $69.99. The band aims to complement existing jewelry and elevate the device’s aesthetic. A bundle of the Air with both the Metal Mesh and Performance Loop bands costs $149.99 and is only offered in gold. Alongside the new band, Google announced Health Guardian reports for Premium users and an overhaul of automatic activity tracking, slated for release later this month.

💡 Why It Matters

· The Metal Mesh band expands the Air’s style versatility, positioning it as a more fashion‑conscious fitness tracker.
· The added Health Guardian reports and improved tracking signal Google’s push to deepen health insights and user engagement.

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iPhone hits record Q3 shipment share as global smartphone market plunges 20%,…

Apple’s share of global smartphone shipments surpassed 20% for the first time in a third quarter, reaching 22% in Q3 2026, according to Counterpoint Research. The overall market fell 20% year‑over‑year, the lowest in 14 years, driven by memory shortages and higher prices. Apple’s rise narrowed the gap with Samsung, which held 23%. Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo each saw declines, while the iPhone 18 Pro launched strongly in China and India, offsetting a smaller launch‑month channel fill.

💡 The shift shows Apple’s resilience amid a shrinking market, suggesting its premium strategy can sustain market share even as volume declines. This trend may pressure competitors to rethink pricing and supply strategies.

appleinsider.com · Oct 12

Where Apple focused engineering so the iPhone Duo could have desktop-like performance

Apple engineered the iPhone Duo’s thin form by reconfiguring its thermal architecture. Engineers moved the DRAM from a vertical stack to a side‑by‑side layout, using wafer‑level multichip modules to spread heat. A redesigned vapor chamber—three times larger and paired with a “metal over foam” coupling—provides direct silicon access and structural support. A flexible graphite pipe in the hinge links the chambers, while a nanotube copper plate reinforces the foldable display. These four pillars collectively enhance heat dissipation and device durability.

💡 By rethinking component placement and materials, Apple turns a foldable phone into a thermally robust platform, setting a new standard for thin, high‑performance mobile devices.

appleinsider.com · Oct 12

Endangered indigenous languages are being saved by the iPhone

Apple has supported over 200 languages on the iPhone, a process that began in 2010 and continues with ongoing research and community consultation. The company works with indigenous groups to ensure accurate representation of scripts, including Unicode inclusion, keyboard layouts, and character variations. Recent updates in iOS 27 added Native American languages such as Blackfoot, Comanche, and Northern East Cree, while Cherokee users now benefit from dynamic key options that adapt to typed characters. Apple’s collaboration aims to preserve endangered languages through technology.

💡 By embedding culturally accurate language tools into a globally used device, Apple gives speakers of threatened languages a practical platform for daily communication and cultural expression. This partnership demonstrates how mainstream tech can actively support linguistic diversity and resilience.

ign.com · Oct 12

The Bose QuietComfort Noise Canceling Headphones Retail for $359, But You Can…

Bose’s official eBay store is selling a certified refurbished QuietComfort wireless noise‑canceling headphone in original packaging for $123, a 66% discount from the $359 retail price. The units ship directly from Bose, include a 2‑year Allstate warranty, and are described as having no audible performance defects, though they may show minor cosmetic blemishes. The QuietComfort, Bose’s best‑selling model, offers up to 30 hours of battery life and is praised for audio quality and comfort.

💡 The steep discount makes premium noise‑cancelling audio accessible to a broader audience, potentially shifting consumer expectations for high‑end headphone pricing.

9to5mac.com · Oct 12

Apple’s new ‘Switch to Safari’ campaign details why you should ditch Chrome

Apple launched a “Switch to Safari” campaign to promote its browser over Google Chrome. The initiative includes a dedicated webpage featuring a side‑by‑side comparison chart, highlighting Safari’s superior battery life, privacy safeguards, and performance. Two new YouTube videos showcase Safari’s Distraction Control and Intelligent Tracking Prevention. Apple’s push follows earlier privacy‑focused campaigns and aims to position Safari as the preferred choice for users and organizations seeking enhanced security and efficiency.

💡 By actively contrasting Safari with Chrome, Apple is reshaping browser choice, potentially reducing reliance on a dominant competitor and encouraging broader adoption of its privacy‑centric ecosystem.

androidcentral.com · Oct 12

CMF’s speakers are colorful cartons of fun—you can even 3D print your…

CMF unveiled its first speakers, the Speaker S and Speaker M, on October 12. Both feature a milk‑carton‑inspired design and support Bluetooth 6.0, USB‑C lossless audio, and 18‑hour battery life. The portable Speaker S sells for $59, while the larger Speaker M starts at $109. Users can remove panels and knobs to 3D‑print custom covers, and the company offers STL files for personalization. CMF, now independent from Nothing, positions the speakers as modular, stylish audio solutions.

💡 The launch shows CMF’s strategy to blend nostalgic aesthetics with customizable tech, potentially reshaping how consumers personalize audio gear.