You can get an unlocked Google Pixel 11 for as little as $99 at Best Buy (sort of) — here's how

androidcentral.com Aug 19, 2026

You can get an unlocked Google Pixel 11 for as little as $99 at Best Buy (sort of) — here’s how

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 19, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Patrick, the eCommerce Editor at Android Central, transitioned from a decade in independent bookstores and freelance writing to full‑time tech journalism in 2020. His work, featured in outlets such as the Chicago Tribune and The Hill, focuses on consumer savings and demystifying tech purchases. Since joining Android Central in 2022, he leads eCommerce coverage, breaking down complex topics like carrier switches and smart TV buys into clear, actionable advice. Outside work, he hikes the Rockies, visits breweries, and cares for a polydactyl cat.

💡 Why It Matters

· By translating technical jargon into plain language, Patrick empowers shoppers to make confident, cost‑effective tech decisions.
· His expertise bridges the gap between industry complexity and everyday consumer needs.

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Firefox Smart Window adds AI web search, automatic tab groups, and more

Mozilla has expanded its beta Smart Window feature in Firefox, adding AI-driven tab grouping, duplicate tab detection, and a partnership with Exa for real‑time web search that displays source links without leaving the window. Users can now query natural language prompts to preview browsing history and receive visual previews of pages. Upcoming updates promise to surface recent browsing journeys, auto‑populate forms, and maintain user control over shared tabs. The feature is currently available in English for U.S. and Canadian users.

💡 By keeping search, tab management, and content previews within a single pane, Mozilla reduces friction in multitasking, potentially reshaping how users navigate and organize online research.

gamesradar.com · Aug 19

CRTs be damned, the Intec Time Breaker Lightgun for PS1/PS2 brings Guncon…

The Intec Time Breaker Lightgun, compatible with both PS1 and PS2, has been released to bring classic Guncon-style shooters like Time Crisis 2 back to modern living rooms. The device connects via the console’s controller port and supports standard lightgun gameplay, allowing players to experience arcade‑style shooting on contemporary TVs. Intec markets the gun as a retro‑gaming accessory that restores the tactile, on‑screen aiming experience that many console shooters lacked.

💡 By reintroducing a physical lightgun to current consoles, Intec offers a tangible bridge between nostalgic arcade mechanics and today’s home‑gaming setups, appealing to collectors and new players alike.

9to5mac.com · Aug 19

Otterbox and Astropad think iPhone 17 Pro cases will fit iPhone 18…

Otterbox and Astropad claim iPhone 18 Pro cases will fit the iPhone 17 Pro, sparking speculation about unchanged dimensions. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman posted a photo of an Otterbox case on sale at Best Buy, noting compatibility with both models, while Astropad’s Matt Ronge reports suppliers confirm the same. Leaked images suggest the 18 Pro is roughly 2 mm thicker than its predecessor, but not all leakers agree. Apple sometimes shares early specs with case makers, yet accessory makers have previously misjudged dimensions.

💡 If the 18 Pro keeps the same size, consumers could avoid costly case upgrades, altering accessory sales dynamics. This could shift how third‑party manufacturers plan product releases around Apple’s launch cycle.

ng.shotoe.com · Aug 19

iOS 18.2 Brings Major Upgrade to Apple Intelligence. How to …

Apple unveiled iOS 18.2, the first major update to its Apple Intelligence suite, adding ChatGPT‑powered Siri responses, a generative‑AI Writing Tools feature, and Genmoji, which lets users design custom emoji. The release also introduces Image Playground, a text‑to‑image generator, and Visual Intelligence, a camera‑based visual search tool comparable to Google Lens, available exclusively on the iPhone 16. Compatibility extends to iPhone XS and newer for iOS 18, but only devices that support Apple Intelligence—iPhone 16, iPad models with M1 chips or later, and Macs with M1 or newer—receive the new AI capabilities. Apple advises users to back up data, update to iOS 18.1.1 first, ensure sufficient battery charge, and connect to Wi‑Fi before installing the 18.2 update.

💡 The upgrade finally delivers the AI functionality Apple promised, turning iPhones into on‑device conversational and visual assistants and setting a new baseline for mobile AI interaction.

androidcentral.com · Aug 19

Samsung just made dealing with device repairs way easier on Galaxy phones

Samsung introduced a Warranty and Care hub in One UI 9, consolidating warranty status, diagnostics, repair options, and support into a single interface for Galaxy devices. The hub debuted on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Z Fold 8, and Z Flip 8, displaying remaining warranty periods, Samsung Care+ eligibility, and coverage for other linked Galaxy products. Its Diagnostics tool can test battery health, charging, sensors, touchscreen and connectivity, while Bixby provides AI‑driven troubleshooting without leaving Settings. Users can request repairs from authorized service centers, access remote support, and compare estimated costs with Care+ pricing directly from the hub. Samsung plans to roll the feature out to the upcoming Galaxy S26 series and older flagships as One UI 9 expands.

💡 By centralizing warranty and repair workflows, Samsung eliminates the fragmented, often opaque process that has long frustrated Galaxy owners, streamlining service access and reducing support friction.

appleinsider.com · Aug 19

There is a good reason to praise AirPods with cameras, and not…

Apple’s upcoming AirPods Pro will incorporate tiny cameras that capture non‑visible‑spectrum data for Apple Intelligence, not conventional visual video. An internal leak confirmed the feature, and a demo showed the earbuds identifying a book via voice prompt. The cameras are designed to avoid storing full‑resolution images, addressing privacy concerns that have sparked social‑media backlash. Apple frames the technology as an accessibility tool, enabling vision‑impaired users to receive spoken descriptions of nearby objects without needing separate, expensive assistive devices. By leveraging the mass‑market scale of AirPods, Apple aims to make such functionality affordable, contrasting with niche, costly solutions like specialized hearing aids or autism‑support robots. The rollout is slated for the fall, alongside other Apple product announcements.

💡 It could democratize high‑tech assistive features, giving millions of vision‑impaired users a low‑cost, integrated solution that previously required pricey, specialized equipment.