Some Google Home Speakers downloading massive amounts of data in the background

9to5google.com Oct 20, 2026

Some Google Home Speakers downloading massive amounts of data in the background

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 20, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Google Home speakers are unexpectedly downloading large volumes of data, with some units pulling up to 41 GB in a single day and 132 GB over a month, despite minimal user interaction. One reporter recorded a 17 GB download in 24 hours, including a 9.99 GB spike at 3 a.m. PT, likely tied to failed firmware updates. The issue appears isolated to certain Home speakers, as other Nest and Home devices in the same households show normal usage. Users can monitor device traffic via the Google Home app’s Wi‑Fi tab. Google has confirmed the problem and said a corrective software patch is already being rolled out to stop the excessive background transfers.

💡 Why It Matters

· Unchecked data consumption can quickly exceed broadband caps, leading to unexpected charges for consumers.
· The rollout of a fix demonstrates Google’s responsiveness to device‑level bugs that affect network performance.

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iPhone Duo has a bigger battery than Galaxy Z Fold 8 and…

Apple’s upcoming iPhone Duo, weighing 254 g and 11.3 mm thick when closed, features a 4,883 mAh battery—larger than the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The capacity was confirmed via an EU energy label, a rare disclosure for Apple. While the battery size is not record‑breaking for foldables, it surpasses competitors, reinforcing Apple’s advantage in power and ecosystem integration. Pre‑orders for the Duo are delayed until 2027.

💡 The larger battery gives the Duo a tangible edge in endurance, strengthening Apple’s position against Android foldables and encouraging users to stay within its ecosystem.

9to5google.com · Oct 20

The COROS Pace 4 is a smartwatch for running and clear reasons…

COROS released a special edition Pace 4 smartwatch named after marathon champion Suguru Osako, offering a 19‑day battery life and 41 hours of continuous GPS tracking. The 1.2‑inch AMOLED display sits on a 6000‑series aluminum case, and a yellow action button enables voice commands. The matte gray‑green watch features a silicone band with Osako’s “now or never” motto. Priced at $289, it includes free training plans, race predictor, and virtual pacer, with no subscription fees.

💡 The watch’s extended battery and built‑in coaching tools give runners a reliable, cost‑effective alternative to Wear OS devices that often drain quickly.

9to5mac.com · Oct 20

Apple is launching major new products next week, here’s what’s coming

Apple unveiled HomeView, a new Apple TV, and a HomePod mini, and announced a second event for October 28 dubbed “Pro and tell.” The agenda includes a high‑end MacBook Pro expected to sit above the current lineup, possibly branded without the rumored “Ultra” moniker. An iPad mini will receive a first‑generation OLED screen, the A20 Pro processor from the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, landscape‑oriented front camera, enhanced water resistance and louder speakers. A refreshed iMac will ship with an M6 chip featuring a 12‑core CPU, 12‑core GPU and dual 16‑core Neural Engine, plus new color options. Apple also plans an entry‑level 14‑inch MacBook Pro powered by the same M6 silicon, retaining the existing design while boosting performance and efficiency and for professional creators today.

💡 The OLED iPad mini and M6‑powered Macs give Apple its first true OLED tablet and a unified high‑performance silicon strategy, sharpening its edge in premium hardware.

appleinsider.com · Oct 20

Apple HomeView vs Amazon Echo Show 8: Smart home screens compared

Apple entered the smart‑home display market with the HomeView, a 7‑inch Liquid Retina screen powered by its A18 chip and Siri AI, priced at $299. It competes directly with Amazon’s Echo Show 8, an 8.7‑inch HD touchscreen that costs $199.99. Both devices run Wi‑Fi 6E, Thread and support Matter, but Apple leans on HomeKit and its own sensors while Amazon offers Alexa, Zigbee and a larger speaker array. The HomeView is available as a freestanding unit with a tilting aluminum hinge or a ultra‑slim wall‑mount version weighing just 10.1 oz; the Echo Show 8 lacks a hinge and wall‑mount option, relying on a separate adjustable stand. Audio differs, with Apple delivering spatial Dolby Atmos via dual drivers and a down‑firing woofer, whereas Amazon provides a 2.8‑inch woofer and two full‑range drivers.

💡 Apple’s HomeView brings its tightly integrated ecosystem and premium hardware to a space dominated by Amazon, forcing a direct showdown between Siri‑centric and Alexa‑centric smart homes.

9to5mac.com · Oct 20

iOS 27.2 adds new setting to fix common HomePod annoyance

Apple’s iOS 27.2 update introduces a “Lock Controls” option for HomePod devices, letting users disable the touch‑sensitive top cap. The setting appears in the Home app after both the HomePod and iPhone are updated to version 27.2, and it applies to every HomePod model, including the 2018 first‑generation speaker. When enabled, the speaker will ignore accidental or intentional taps that would normally start playback, while still responding to Intercom, timers, alarms, Check‑In and FaceTime calls. The feature targets owners who experience phantom touches or who need to prevent children or pets from triggering the speaker. The change was confirmed by a leaked HomePod software 27.2 RC and will roll out next week. It also gives families control over smart‑home interactions.

💡 Disabling accidental taps stops unwanted audio, making the HomePod practical for homes with children or pets.

9to5google.com · Oct 20

Wyze’s latest weight scale has a display you can actually see, Google…

Wyze has launched the BodyScan Plus scale, part of its “Wyze Week” promotion, priced at $149. The new model adds a display on the sensor bar, improving readability compared to the original, which placed the screen at the base. It tracks weight, BMI, body fat, muscle mass, water, visceral fat, protein, bone mass, and basal metabolic rate. The scale syncs via built‑in Wi‑Fi to the Wyze app, Google Health, Apple Health, and Android Health Connect, without a subscription or Bluetooth.

💡 By integrating seamless health‑app connectivity and eliminating the need for a phone link, Wyze positions its scale as a fully autonomous, user‑friendly fitness tool that could shift consumer expectations for smart scales.