Here’s why Apple scrapped its shorter Apple Pencil designed for iPhone Duo: report

9to5mac.com Sep 20, 2026

Here’s why Apple scrapped its shorter Apple Pencil designed for iPhone Duo: report

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 20, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Apple abandoned a dedicated Apple Pencil for the upcoming iPhone Duo after encountering technical issues, opting instead to rely on the existing USB‑C Apple Pencil. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman had earlier reported that a smaller, hinge‑mounted stylus was planned, but problems in pre‑production forced the redesign. At the Duo launch Apple announced Pencil compatibility but noted that support would not be available at release because the device was not originally engineered for the USB‑C model. Engineers must create new software and conduct extensive internal testing before enabling the feature, with a target date late 2026. Apple’s statement suggests the delay is due to integration challenges rather than a permanent cancellation, leaving the possibility of a future accessory launch for consumers worldwide.

💡 Why It Matters

· The setback highlights how tightly Apple’s hardware and software timelines must align, delaying stylus‑based workflows on its flagship phone.
· Creators and app developers will have to wait years before iPhone‑native pen input becomes viable.

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iPhone 18 Pro Max in US uses Qualcomm modem instead of Apple…

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max sold in the United States continues to use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X80 5G modem and SDR875 RF transceiver, while the global version and the smaller iPhone 18 Pro already ship with Apple’s in‑house C2 modem. TechInsights confirmed the discrepancy in a teardown, noting that the U.S. model includes a new in‑house mmWave antenna module. Apple attributes the difference to a 2023 contract obligating it to purchase Qualcomm modems through 2026. The C2 modem offers faster upload speeds and 15 % lower power consumption compared to the C1X.

💡 The staggered rollout underscores how contractual obligations can delay the adoption of in‑house technology, affecting U.S. customers’ access to Apple’s latest modem performance.

appleinsider.com · Sep 20

Apple Home Hub will be the intelligent center of your home

Apple announced its forthcoming Home Hub, a smart display positioned as the household’s AI center, during a keynote by new CEO John Ternus. The device, dubbed J490, will run a Siri‑focused OS and feature facial recognition to personalize content, integrating device controls, video calls, and media playback. Mark Gurman reports the hub is in employee testing, with a square design resembling a HomePod mini and a magnetic wall‑mount option. No release date is confirmed, though speculation points to a fall launch.

💡 The Home Hub signals Apple’s push to extend its personal‑hub strategy beyond the iPhone, potentially redefining home automation and setting a new benchmark for integrated AI assistants.

gizmochina.com · Sep 20

Xiaomi 18 Pro series launches September 23, five key specs confirmed

Xiaomi announced that its 18 Pro series will be unveiled at an autumn product launch event on September 23, 19:00 China time. The lineup includes the Xiaomi 18 Pro and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, which share a common 2nm GAA‑process flagship chipset—identified by analysts as Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6—alongside identical camera and display hardware. Both models feature a Leica‑branded dual‑200 MP camera system, with a main sensor and a periscope telephoto sensor, and a new Super Pixel display employing an M11 light‑emitting system and green‑light material for higher brightness and lower power draw. The primary distinction is battery capacity: a 7,000 mAh unit in the 18 Pro and an 8,500 mAh unit in the 18 Pro Max, both using Xiaomi’s GSR VIII silicon‑enhanced cells. The launch coincides with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit, suggesting further technical details may emerge.

💡 By pairing a cutting‑edge 2nm chipset with a high‑resolution Leica camera suite, Xiaomi aims to set a new performance‑and‑imaging benchmark for Android flagships ahead of the 2026 holiday season.

androidcentral.com · Sep 20

The Nimble SHAREPOWER power bank splits a 10,000mAh battery in half so…

Android Central senior editor Namerah Saud Fatmi reviewed Nimble’s new SHAREPOWER power bank, a 10,000 mAh unit that physically separates into two independent 5,000 mAh modules. Each half features its own USB‑C input and output ports, allowing users to charge one device while handing the other half to a companion. The design includes magnetic connectors that lock the halves together for combined capacity or detach for simultaneous charging of multiple phones. Nimble markets the device as a “share‑first” solution for travelers and groups, emphasizing its lightweight aluminum shell and built‑in safety circuitry. The power bank supports 18 W fast‑charging via USB‑C and includes a traditional USB‑A port for legacy devices. Priced at $79, it launches globally this week and includes a one‑year warranty today.

💡 Enabling two people to draw power from a single pack transforms charging from a solitary task into a shared experience, a novel angle in a market of mostly single‑user accessories.

windowscentral.com · Sep 20

Microsoft has two weeks to make a Surface event that isn’t an…

Sean Endicott writes for Windows Central, covering Windows 11, Surface devices, Microsoft 365, AI, and related apps. Since 2017 he has produced over a thousand pieces, ranging from breaking news to opinion and weekly “Windows Wrap” columns that synthesize major PC‑industry stories. His reporting tracks Microsoft’s software updates, hardware launches, and the firm’s expanding AI and services strategy. Endicott holds a First‑Class degree in Broadcast Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and began his career in journalism and media production, later moving into live‑production environments. Outside technology, he coaches youth American football in Nottingham, England, earning the 2024 BAFCA Youth Coach of the Year award. The profile underscores his dual expertise in tech reporting and community sports mentorship, and continues to influence industry dialogue.

💡 His extensive reporting provides the PC community with a trusted lens on Microsoft’s rapid AI integration, helping stakeholders gauge product relevance.

9to5google.com · Sep 20

The camera is my favorite part of smart glasses, but it just…

Smart‑glasses enthusiasts have long praised built‑in cameras for hands‑free photo and video capture, but recent privacy scandals are turning that feature into a liability. Writer Ben Schoon recounts how Meta’s Ray‑Ban Stories, once marketed for AI‑enhanced point‑of‑view footage, lost appeal after leaks revealed human moderators viewing uncensored recordings and rumors of facial‑recognition plans. A two‑year‑long backlash culminated in Meta finally disabling a privacy‑LED hack in July, but the damage to consumer trust is evident. Competing brands such as L’atitude, Samsung and Google now face a “perv glasses” stigma as they prepare camera‑equipped XR models. Some manufacturers, like Realities, are opting for camera‑free designs, highlighting a market split between functionality and privacy concerns as users weigh convenience against personal security concerns.

💡 The lingering distrust sparked by Meta’s mishandling could stall adoption of camera‑enabled wearables, forcing manufacturers to redesign or abandon a core selling point.