It's STILL a terrible time to buy a Surface, but it's not just Microsoft's fault

windowscentral.com Jun 17, 2026

It’s STILL a terrible time to buy a Surface, but it’s not just Microsoft’s fault

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jun 17, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Microsoft has released updated Surface devices, including the Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 8, featuring Snapdragon X2 chips. However, these new devices come with increased prices, with the Surface Pro 12 starting at $1,499 and the Surface Laptop 8 at $1,599, a $500 and $600 increase from their predecessors. This is part of a broader trend of laptop manufacturers raising prices due to the ongoing component shortage. As a result, affordable laptops with good build quality and design have become a more attractive option for everyday users.

💡 Why It Matters

· The component shortage has disrupted the laptop market, making it difficult for consumers to justify the high prices of premium devices like the Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 8.
· As a result, budget laptops with modern specs and good build quality, such as the Dell XPS 13 and the MacBook Neo, have become a more appealing choice for those who don't need the latest and greatest features.

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AI is hurting Apple in more ways than one: it may force…

Outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook has warned that the company's products, including the iPhone, may become more expensive due to a global shortage of memory chips caused by AI's insatiable demand for hardware. Cook described the situation as "unsustainable" and stated that price increases are "unavoidable," despite efforts to absorb the fourfold increase in chip costs since last year. The company is expected to launch its next iPhone in September, potentially allowing it to announce increased prices.

💡 Apple's struggle to cope with the memory chip shortage highlights the unintended consequences of AI's rapid growth, which is now putting pressure on the company's profit margins. As AI continues to drive demand for hardware, consumers may face higher prices for Apple products, forcing the company to reevaluate its AI strategy and pricing strategy.

techopedia.com · Jun 18

Snap Bets Its Specs AR Glasses Can Move Computing Beyond the Phone

Snap has announced its new Specs smart glasses, a wearable computer with augmented reality capabilities, available for preorder at $2,195. The device is expected to ship this fall in the US, UK, and France. Specs aim to move computing beyond phones and computers, with a fully standalone device featuring a 51-degree field of view, hand tracking, and contextual AI assistance. The high price point makes it unlikely to become a mass-market gadget, but it showcases Snap's determination to lead in the post-smartphone device race. CEO Evan Spiegel calls Specs the beginning of a new era in computing, putting computing into the world.

💡 By creating a device that fills the gap between AI glasses and headsets, Snap may establish an early lead in the emerging market for augmented reality devices. Occupying the middle ground between ease of wear and immersive experience could create a significant opportunity for the company.

appleinsider.com · Jun 18

How to update an iPad through the Mac’s Finder when Software Update…

A Mac can update an iPad using the same iPadOS software Apple delivers through Software Update, helping recover failed installs and fix update problems. Updating through Settings is the easiest way, but Finder offers a reliable recovery path when software failures occur. To use Finder, a Mac running macOS Catalina or later and a data transfer cable are required. It's also recommended to back up the iPad before installing a major software update. Finder can reinstall iPadOS without requiring a full device restore, making it a useful troubleshooting tool when the standard update process stops working. The process involves connecting the iPad to the Mac, unlocking it, and selecting the update option in Finder.

💡 Finder provides a safety net for iPad users who experience update failures, allowing them to recover their device without losing data. It offers an alternative update method when the iPad's built-in update process is stuck or unresponsive.

9to5google.com · Jun 17

Samsung Galaxy XR pre-orders open in UK, available July 8

The Samsung Galaxy XR is now available for pre-order in the UK, with a July 8 release date. The headset, which has received updates to enhance its standalone experience, features a Snapdragon XR+ Gen 2 chip, 4K micro-OLED screen, and up to 2.5 hours of battery life. The device will be priced at £1,699 and will be available at various Samsung experience events across the UK. The Galaxy XR is a tethered experience, designed to work in conjunction with Windows PCs and potentially MacOS in the future.

💡 The Galaxy XR's high price point and limited appeal may indicate a shift in consumer demand for standalone AR headsets, forcing Samsung to reevaluate its strategy in the emerging market. The device's pricing and performance may also set a precedent for future AR products, influencing the direction of the industry.

appleinsider.com · Jun 17

‘Widow’s Bay’ playlist lasts nearly 10 times longer than the show

Apple Music has released a massive playlist inspired by the Apple TV+ series "Widow's Bay." The "Patricia's Sunset Cocktails Playlist" features 811 songs with a total runtime of 60 hours and 32 minutes, making it nearly 10 times longer than the show's first season. The playlist spans decades of music, including pop, rock, dance, and new wave, and is available on the US version of Apple Music.

💡 The sheer scale of the playlist highlights Apple Music's commitment to immersive experiences, blurring the lines between music and television. By creating a playlist that outlasts the show it's inspired by, Apple Music is redefining the way audiences engage with content.

neowin.net · Jun 17

Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon Reality Elite chip brings on-device AI to Android XR…

Qualcomm has unveiled the Snapdragon Reality Elite Platform, a significant upgrade to its lineup of dedicated SoCs for mixed reality and spatial computing devices. The new platform, designed for premium Android XR devices, boasts improved performance, power efficiency, and on-device AI capabilities. Key features include up to 48 TOPS of AI performance, 60% higher GPU performance, and up to 20% longer battery life. The Snapdragon Reality Elite will power the next wave of Android XR devices, offering enhanced visuals, head and hand tracking, and see-through features.

💡 The Snapdragon Reality Elite's on-device AI capabilities will enable new spatial AI experiences, improving the overall user experience and blurring the lines between the digital and physical worlds. By running large language models and vision models directly on the device, Qualcomm's new platform is poised to revolutionize the mixed reality industry, making it more immersive and interactive.