News
Nothing Phone (4a) Pro Offers Bold Design for $499
Nothing has announced its newest mid-range phone for the US, the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro. Like most Nothing phones, it has a unique look, although this model is mostly unibody metal with the transparent features limited to the large camera plateau. For this model, the "Glyph" arrangement of customizable notification LEDs is implemented as a circle with a matrix of 137 white LEDs. The Phone (4a) Pro sports a 6.83-inch AMOLED display with 1.5K resolution, 144 Hz refresh rate, and peak brightness of 5000 nits (HDR), protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i. It has a 5080 mAh battery and 50W fast charging. The main camera is 50 megapixel with a Sony sensor and OIS. It's accompanied by a 3.5x optical zoom periscope telephoto camera, also 50 megapixel with OIS. There's also an 8 megapixel wide-angle camera, and the front camera is 32 megapixel. The Phone (4a) Pro has decent support for AT&T's 4G/5G network and excellent support for T-Mobile's 4G/5G network. It's powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip, paired with 8 GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 128 GB storage. That version will sell for $499, available unlocked from Nothing's web site. A step-up variant with 12/256 GB will also be available for $599. Nothing promises three years of full OS updates and six total years of security updates. It will come in black, silver, or pink. The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro will ship March 27 in most markets, with pre-orders opening up March 13. Nothing also announced a non-Pro Phone (4a) today, but that model will not be coming to the US.
Google Lays Out Details, Timeline for New App Store Rules and Fees
Following its settlement with Epic Games, Google has announced the details and timeline of how its new (and improved) app store fees and rules will work. Google will now charge a Google Play Billing Fee of 5% (in the US, UK, and Europe) that is separate from the "Service Fee". Developers will also be able to offer non-Google billing options to avoid the Billing Fee, both within their app and externally. Even so, the total fees Google will collect will drop by 16–42% for many developers, especially larger ones. The standard Service Fee for in-app purchases will drop from 30% to 20%. For developers who participate in the Google Play Games Level Up program or the new Apps Experience Program, the Service Fee will be only 15%, although only for "new installs" after the new rules go into effect later this year. These two programs are designed to "incentivize building great software experiences across Android form factors associated with clear quality benchmarks and enhanced user benefits". The Service Fee for recurring subscriptions will be 10%. Google also continues to offer even lower rates for the first $1M in annual earnings, effectively giving smaller developers a discount. For those developers, total fees might not change as much, but they won't increase. Most of these changes will go into effect in the US, UK, and Europe by June 30, adding Australia and the two new app-quality programs by Sept. 30. Other countries will follow, with full global rollout by Sept 30, 2027. Google is also introducing a Registered App Store program. To qualify, a third-party app store must "meet certain quality and safety benchmarks". Such stores will then enjoy a "a more simplified installation flow" when downloaded/sideloaded from a web site. Google will launch Registered App Stores "with a version of a major Android release by the end of the year", although it will initially be enabled only outside the US, then brought to the US at a later date.
Android's New Update Brings New Find My Features
Google is starting to release a new quarterly update to Android 16. This update introduces several new features, but the two biggest are related to location sharing. The first is the ability to share your phone's location with someone else directly in the Messages app. The location continues to update for any specified period of time, or whenever you choose to stop. The second is the ability to share the location of a tracking tag with an airline (or other entity), to help find lost luggage. A new "Share item location" option in the Find My hub will generate a unique web address that can be shared with most major airlines on their lost-luggage forms. The update is known as Android 16 QPR3 (QPR = Quarterly Platform Release) and, according to Google, has started rolling out. Newer Google Pixel devices will get the update first, and now other manufacturers can prepare their own updates.
Aliro 1.0 Standardizes Digital Door Keys
The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) has announced the formal launch of Aliro 1.0, a new industry standard for digital door keys. Similar to digital car keys, the technology allows your phone or watch to unlock a smart door lock. Digital keys are stored in the device's native Wallet app, so no third-party apps are required. Samsung, Google, and Apple have all agreed to support the standard, as have many lock companies. The standard is designed not only for residential settings, but also offices, campuses, hotels, and more. It does not require Internet connectivity, so it can work even in underground parking garages and elevators. It supports multiple access modes: NFC for tap-to-unlock, as well as UWB + Bluetooth for complete hands-free access (walk toward door to unlock). A third mode relies only on Bluetooth but is "user-initiated", meaning the user must interact with their phone or watch to unlock. A future version of Aliro will support key sharing. The CSA is the same organization behind the Matter smart-home standard.
iPhone 17e Brings Multiple Upgrades
Apple this week is launching the iPhone 17e, a replacement for last year's iPhone 16e. Apple previously offered an "iPhone SE", refreshed every few years, but has now switched to annual release cycle for its more-affordable iPhone model. Apple is keeping the $599 price while upgrading many of the specs. The chip is upgraded to an A19 chip like the iPhone 17 (though with four GPU cores instead of five). The base level of storage is also doubled to 256 GB. The wireless charging is also upgraded to the newer MagSafe/Qi2 standard at up to 15W. The 5G cellular modem is updated to Apple's new C1X chip, which Apple claims is up to 2x faster than last year's C1. Like the 16e, the iPhone 17e sports a 48 megapixel camera, satellite service, IP68 dust and water rating, and Face ID biometric security. The iPhone 17e will be available in black, white, and soft pink, shipping next Wednesday, March 11th.
Motorola Reveals More Razr Fold Details
After "previewing" the Razr Fold two months ago at CES, Motorola has now revealed full details of its forthcoming book-style flagship foldable phone. Motorola claims that several of the specs are "industry-leading", including 6200 nits peak brightness for the large inner display. It's also the first smartphone with Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3 protecting the outer display. Motorola says its tests show "75% better drop performance". The Razr Fold is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip and a 6,000 mAh battery. It supports fast charging at up to 80 watts. The phone will also sport an IP49 rating for dust and water resistance. The phone is still slated for US release "this summer", and pricing has yet to be announced.
Qualcomm Intros New Wearable and Modem Chips
Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset for high-end wearable devices, as well as the X105 5G cellular modem and FastConnect 8800 Wi-Fi / Bluetooth modem. The Snapdragon Wear Elite is designed for smartwatches, pins, pendants, and other wearables, as well as more stationary "hub" devices. It supports six-radio connectivity, including 5G RedCap, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NB-NTN satellite, UWB, and GNSS (GPS). Its Hexagon NPU supports on-device AI models with up to 2 billion parameters. It also has an eNPU for always-on AI. Qualcomm claims it is the fastest wearable platform on the market. The company names Google, Motorola and, Samsung as partners "supporting the platform". The X105 5G modem-RF chipset sports a new RF transceiver that uses 30% less power and is 15% smaller. It also introduces 5G over NTN, for satellite connectivity that includes voice, data, and more, not just basic messaging. Qualcomm says it is also the first chipset to support quad-band GNSS (GPS, etc.). Although Qualcomm doesn't expect to create any actual 6G hardware before 2028, the company says the X105 "lays the groundwork for 6G development". Finally, the FastConnect 8800 chipset supports the very newest local-area radio standards, including Wi-Fi 8, Bluetooth 7, UWB, and Thread. It also supports newer features of those standards, such as Bluetooth Channel Sounding and Wi-Fi Ranging. A new 4x4 Wi-Fi radio configuration enables peaks speeds of up to 11.6 Gbps, and gigabit speeds at up to the 3x the range. Qualcomm typically introduces dedicated modem chips like these with the most advanced features, then later integrates those modems into new Snapdragon processor chips for phones and similar devices.
Google Reveals Key New Features of Android 17
Google has released the second beta version of Android 17 for developers. In doing so, it has revealed a list of new features that users can expect in the new OS. The first is Bubbles, which is a full multi-window capability, like a desktop OS. Although most useful on large-screen devices like foldables and tablets, it will work on regular phones as well. "Users can create an app bubble ... by long-pressing an app icon on the launcher." Also new is a Contacts Picker, which gives apps a more privacy-oriented way to gather specific contact data. It works similarly to the Photo Picker introduced in Android 13, in that it puts the OS in-between apps and contacts data, so that only minimum necessary contact data is shared with the app, instead of the app being given unrestricted access to all contacts data. A new "Handoff" API will enable cross-device app handoff, where users can start a task in an app on one device (such as an Android phone) and seamlessly continue the same task on another device (like an Android tablet). The API supports both native app-to-app handoffs, and app-to-web handoffs as a fallback. Android 17 will also support two new ranging technologies: UWB DL-TDOA for indoor navigation, and the Proximity Detection feature of the newest Wi-Fi standards. Another new privacy-enhancing API is the EyeDropper, which lets apps gather a color sample from any visible pixel without needing to "see" other apps. Finally, Android 17 introduces new restrictions on messaging APIs, intended to keep third-party apps from maliciously accessing one-time passcodes (OTP).
Google Beta-Testing Agentic AI in Android
Google is beginning to roll out an "agentic" version of Google Gemini AI for Android, meaning you can ask Gemini to perform multi-step tasks on its own on your phone. Gemini will carry out these steps in a "virtual window" in the background, with a live notification showing progress on the task over time (with the option to stop at any time). The feature is strictly limited to select apps and devices for now, and is only in "beta" testing status. The feature is launching first on the Google Pixel 10 series and Samsung Galaxy S26 series. Initially, it is designed to work only with "select apps in the food, grocery and rideshare categories". As an example, you could ask Gemini to "reorder your last meal on DoorDash".
Samsung's S26 Series Saves the Big Upgrades for the Top-End Ultra Model
Samsung has announced its Galaxy S26 series of flagship phones for 2026. The company has seemingly reverted to its traditional arrangement of models: S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra, with no mention (yet) of a thinner "Edge" model. All models sport updated specs, including the custom Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset. The S26 base model also has a larger battery (4,300 mAh, up from 4,000) but at the expense of mmWave 5G support. Samsung has saved its biggest upgrades for the top-end S26 Ultra. This includes a first-of-its-kind Privacy Display. This feature limits visibility of on-screen content from side angles. But unlike traditional privacy films, it can be switched on and off dynamically, and works in both portrait and landscape orientations. Furthermore, it can be controlled on a pixel level, so it can obscure only your notifications (that might contain one-time codes), for example. The Ultra model also has main and telephoto cameras with wider apertures, enhancing photo quality. The Ultra also supports the new APV video codec, enabling "visually lossless video quality that stays true even after repeated editing." The S26 Ultra also sports Samsung's 60-watt "Super Fast Charging 3.0", which can reach "up to 75% charge in just 30 minutes." Most other specs of the lineup are similar to last year's models. While the Ultra still starts at $1,300, the S26 and S26+ are now $100 more expensive, at $900 and $1,100, respectively. (This increase comes as the whole industry faces skyrocketing memory prices due to the boom in AI datacenter construction.) The S26 series will come in Cobalt Violet, White, Black, and Sky Blue. Samsung.com will also exclusively offer the Pink Gold and Silver Shadow colors. The Galaxy S26 series will ship March 11th.
Samsung Previews New AI Features Ahead of Flagship Phone Launch
Samsung has announced several new AI features of its next flagship phones, which are expected to be announced this Wednesday. First "a new Galaxy camera experience" that will let users "turn a photo from day to night" and "restore missing parts of objects in images". It will also introduce new AI functions for capturing better low-light photos, and new ways to combine multiple photos into one. Samsung is also adding Perplexity as a new option for an AI agent users can ask questions of and give instructions to. Perplexity will be able to access Samsung Notes, Clock, Gallery, Reminder and Calendar, as well as "select third-party apps". Samsung's new flagship phones — presumably the Galaxy S26 lineup — will be announced this Wednesday during an event that starts at 1pm ET. Samsung is offering a variety of credits and discounts for those who "reserve" in advance of the event and/or pre-order a device.
Google Adds Satellite SOS to its Affordable Pixel Phone
Google has announced the Pixel 10a, its $499 phone for 2026. The most significant upgrade over the Pixel 9a is the addition of satellite connectivity for emergency situations. This Satellite SOS feature was first introduced with the higher-end models of the Pixel 9 series. It works similarly to Apple's Emergency SOS via satellite feature, where it requires specific hardware in the phone to work, connects to existing satellite networks, and often requires a process of aiming the phone at a specific point in the sky. The Pixel 10a has a handful of other upgrades, including faster charging, 11% brighter display, Gorilla Glass 7i cover glass on that display, and some new AI features like Auto Best Take, which combines faces from several frames of a group shot to "find the perfect shot." The 10a also has "the most recycled material of any A-series Pixel yet, including for the first time recycled cobalt, copper, gold and tungsten." Most other specs are similar to last year's Pixel 9a, including a 6.3-inch display, 48 megapixel main camera, 13 megapixel wide-angle camera, Google Tensor G4 chip, IP68 water and dust resistance, and seven years of software updates. The Pixel 10a will be available for $499 starting March 5. It comes in four colors: Fog, Obsidian, Berry, and Lavender.
Google Releases First Beta Version of Android 17
Google has released the very first beta version of Android 17, intended only for developers at this time. Google continues to refine its Android version release cycle; now, instead of specific, monthly "Developer Preview" and public beta versions, Google has a continuous "Canary channel" where those who opt in will get new features and APIs "as soon as they pass internal testing". Google will still be aiming to reach the "Platform Stability" milestone in March, to be followed by "several months" before the final Android 17 release. Google is also still planning a more minor Android update for the latter part of the year.
T-Mobile Announces Live Audio Language Translation as a Network Feature
T-Mobile will soon allow its mobile network customers to access live audio language translation during any voice call by simply pressing *87* during the call. The AI-powered feature can translate over 50 different languages and auto-detects the language(s) being spoken. The person(s) on the other end does not need to be a T-Mobile customer and could even be a landline. As a purely network-based feature, it works with any phone and does not require any software on the phone. The feature will be available to T-Mobile customers roaming internationally in "select countries on partner networks with VoLTE enabled." Current T-Mobile customers can register now for a chance to beta-test the feature "this spring". The beta test will be free, but "commercial launch later this year" may carry a fee.
NASA to Allow Astronauts to Bring Smartphones to Space
NASA is making a new exception to its policies regarding the technology astronauts are allowed to bring and use on space missions. Astronauts will now be allowed to bring smartphones, primarily for camera functions. Previously, astronauts were limited to a short list of approved devices that has gone through extensive testing and/or modification, including a special, cumbersome Nikon DSLR camera. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced the new policy on social media, saying "We are giving our crews the tools to capture special moments for their families and share inspiring images and video with the world." The first missions with the new policy include the upcoming Artemis II mission to the moon, and the Crew-12 rotation to the International Space Station.
AT&T Launches New Samsung Phone for Kids
AT&T is launching a new version of the Samsung Galaxy A16 with software fully tailored for use by kids, including comprehensive parental controls. The "AT&T amiGO Jr. Phone" joins an existing watch and tablet in AT&T's amiGO lineup. AT&T is also updating its amiGO watch with a more durable version. All amiGO devices support location sharing, geo-fencing, screen-time limits, approved contacts, app and settings control, and schedules for "school time", etc. The app for parents is available on both Android and iOS. The AT&T amiGO Jr. Phone is available now for $210, or $3/month.
US Version of TikTok off to Bumpy Start; Competitors Surge
The US version of the TikTok app is now officially controlled by a US-based joint venture instead of Chinese company ByteDance. This completes a long-delayed deal that was required by a US law passed in 2024. Users must agree to new legal terms to continue using the app, and those terms allow TikTok to collect and use more personal data than before, including precise location data. The service has also seen an uptick in glitches and errors, although TikTok blames a power outage at a data center. The deal brings US control over the service amid concerns of Chinese influence. However, some users have complained of being unable to upload anti-ICE content, sparking accusations of new censorship. The company denies this, saying the glitches are random. TikTok's new owners include Oracle, whose founder Larry Ellison is a major supporter of President Trump. Two alternative services have surged in popularity in recent days: Skylight is an open-source app built on the same AT protocol as BlueSky. Meanwhile, UpScrolled is an indie app alternative from an Australian developer.
Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold Comes to US This week for $2900
Samsung's new top-end, double-hinged foldable phone will go on sale in the US this Friday for $2,899 from samsung.com. It comes in black, with 512 GB of storage.
Apple Intros Improved AirTag
Apple has introduced a new version of its popular AirTag Bluetooth location-tracking device. The new model has the same form factor, but has a new UWB (Ultra Wide-Band) radio chip that enables nearby Precision Finding (showing both distance and direction) with up to 50% more range. The speaker design is also upgraded to be 50% louder, which Apple says can be heard from twice as far away. Pricing remains the same at $29 each or $99 for a four-pack. The new version is available online today, and later this week in stores. The smooth disc of a device can be placed in a pocket, bag, or glovebox, but has no built-in lanyard hole. Apple sells an official keychain holder separately for $35.
Iridium Begins Testing its own Satellite Service for Phones
Iridium has successfully tested its new "Iridium NTN Direct" service, which will provide global direct-to-device (D2D) satellite service — including two-way messaging — for cell phones, among other devices. Iridium's service operates similarly to those currently offered for Apple, Google, and some Samsung phones, in that it requires specific support built into the phone. Iridium's service is fully standards-based, implementing the NB-IoT protocol defined by the 3GPP. Iridium's service will be the only such service to operate fully globally, including polar regions. Iridium originally partnered with Qualcomm for its Snapdragon Satellite service, but pivoted to a standards-based service when that failed to gain traction. Iridium's pivot to 5G standards is made possible by its advanced "software-defined satellites", which allowed this new capability to be added to its existing satellites via software update. Iridium will continue to test the service with partners, aiming to launch the service commercially before the end of 2026.
Verizon Offers $20 Credit for Outage
Verizon is offering a $20 credit to consumer customers affected by its recent, extended wireless network outage. The credit is not automatic, however; customers must manually request the credit. Verizon suggests that customer do this via the myVerizon app. However, Engadget reports that Verizon will also take the credit request by phone or web chat. Customers should be receiving a text message about the credit. Verizon is also reaching to its business customers about a separate credit. Verizon has yet to explain the exact cause of the outage, which lasted for ten hours last wednesday.
iOS 26.2 Fixes Major Security Flaws
All iPhone and iPad users should update their system software immediately, to fix a range of potential security issues. These includes two issues with WebKit (the core web browser software used by both Safari and most apps) that Apple says "may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals".
Google Links its AI to Your Gmail and Photos for "Personal Intelligence"
Google has introduced "Personal Intelligence" for Gemini. This new feature gives Google's Gemini AI tool access to your emails in Gmail and/or your photos in Google Photo to deliver more personalized results. This strictly opt-in (for now) feature can also link YouTube and Google Search, and works across platforms. Personal Intelligence doesn't let Google train its AI model on your personal data; instead it lets a pre-trained model access your data upon request. Personal Intelligence can be turned off at any time, and you can choose which apps to connect. It will explain where it sourced data for personalized results so you can verify yourself. It also has "guardrails" for sensitive topics like health.
Verizon Wireless Data and Voice Down
Verizon's wireless network started experiencing "an issue" starting around noon eastern today. Verizon acknowledged on social media that voice and data (but perhaps not texting) were affected.
FCC Waives 60-Day Phone Unlocking Rule for Verizon
The FCC today waived a long-standing rule that required Verizon — and only Verizon — to unlock its phones 60 days after purchase. The rule was a condition attached to the unique nationwide license for the C block of the 700 MHz band. Verizon paid nearly $5 billion for this license in 2008, and these frequencies (band 13) became the cornerstone of its 4G network. The FCC re-affirmed this rule as a condition of Verizon buying TracFone in 2021. Verizon claims that TracFone saw fraud increase 55% after adopting Verizon's 60-day policy. Verizon will now adopt unlocking policies in line with other carriers. Specifically, as a member of the CTIA industry group, Verizon will follow unlocking policies outlined in the CTIA's Consumer Code for Wireless Service. This generally means when a postpaid device is fully paid off, or after one year for a prepaid device. The FCC will no longer enforce a phone-unlocking policy.
Apple to Base Apple Intelligence on Google's AI
Apple and Google have released a statement confirming that "the next generation of Apple Foundation Models will be based on Google's Gemini models and cloud technology. These models will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized Siri coming this year." Apple clarified that privacy features of Apple Intelligence, and Apple's privacy promises, will remain unchanged, including on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute where necessary. After struggling to deliver competitive AI features for several years, and delaying key Apple Intelligence features several times, Apple now says that it "determined that Google's Al technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models".
Ikea Launches Cheaper Phone Chargers
Ikea has launched a new fast phone charger that it sells for just $4. The "Sjöss 20W 1-port USB charger" offers 20 watts over USB-C PD. It joins an existing 30W version in the lineup that sells for $8. Ikea also just launched a $10 Qi2 magnetic wireless charger, which can be used together with a Sjöss charger. The "Västmärke" wireless charger has a unique, donut-shaped silicone ring that can be used for cord storage or like a "pop-socket" for better grip of an attached phone.
Moto Tag 2 Lasts 500+ Days
Motorola has announced the Moto Tag 2, its newest location-tracking device for Google's Find Hub network. The tag supports both Bluetooth 6.0 Channel Sounding and Ultra Wideband (UWB) for quick item finding with precise distance and direction information. The device has an IP68 rating for dust and water. It gets over 500 days of battery life from its user-replaceable standard CR2032 coin battery. The tag also has a 77dB speaker and a button, which can be used to make your phone play a sound so you can find it (even when it's on silent), or as a remote shutter for your phone's camera. The device is ~32mm in diameter and 8mm thick. Pricing and release date have yet to be announced.
Motorola Previews razr fold
Motorola has taken the wraps (mostly) off its newest and most ambitious foldable phone to date: the "razr fold". The device has a 6.6-inch outer display, but unfolds to reveal an 8.1-inch flexible inner display. Those measurements are just slightly larger than the displays on Samsung's competing Galaxy Z Fold7. The phone isn't coming to market until this "summer", so Motorola isn't releasing full specifications, just a handful of details. Like that it will have three rear cameras and all will be 50 megapixel, including a Sony Lytia sensor on the main camera and a 3x periscope telephoto camera. The external selfie camera will be 32 megapixel and the inner camera, 20 megapixel. It will support Dolby Vision video capture. It will also support a new moto pen ultra stylus, which has both pressure sensitivity and tilt detection. Color options will be: Pantone Blackened Blue and Pantone Lily White. Further details will announced closer to launch.
Motorola Teases Book-Style Foldable
Motorola has posted a teaser on its official US Instagram account showing a new phone that folds like a book, similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series, with the tagline "The future unfolded". The post is promoting a major press conference that Motorola and Lenovo will hold tomorrow at the CES trade show. The implication, of course, is that Motorola will announce this new foldable phone tomorrow. Few details can be gleaned from the short video clip, although it does show a large square camera bump with four "lenses", a centered camera hole on the outer display, and a camera hole in the corner of the large inner display. The press conference starts at 5pm PT at The Sphere in Las Vegas and will be streamed online. Until now, Motorola has only sold clamshell-style foldable phones under its "razr" brand. Its current lineup of includes the 2025 razr, razr+, and razr ultra.
Eufy's new Tracker Card has Wireless Charging
Anker brand Eufy has launched the new SmartTrack Card E40, a Bluetooth tracking card. It's just 1.7mm thick, making it suitable for putting in a wallet, etc. It works with both the Apple and Google Bluetooth tracking networks (Find My / Find Hub). It lasts up to five months on a single charge and supports Qi wireless charging. It also features a loud (100dB) alert speaker to assist locating a lost item when nearby. It will ship later this quarter for $35. It will be available individually or in packs of up to four.
Anker's Tiny New iPhone Charger has a Display
Anker has launched a new "Nano" smart charger for iPhones with a "smart display" and controls for a "tailored" charge. This tiny charger can charge at up to 45 watts, providing 50% more power while being 47% smaller compared to an Apple 30-watt charger. It has unique plug prongs that fold 180º. It will be available January 20 for $40.
Punkt Updates its Privacy-Focused Smartphone
Swiss phone maker Punkt has announced a new version of its privacy-centered 5G smartphone. The Punkt MC03 is an update to the Punkt MC02, with updated specs like a 120 MHz AMOLED (full-color) display, MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and an IP68 rating for dust and water. Like the MC02, it runs AphyOS (based on Android Open Source) and offers both a curated set of privacy-first apps (now referred to as "Vault"), plus the ability to run third-party Android apps with extra privacy options (now appearing in a separate section called "Wild Web"). New with the MC03, core apps like email, calendar, and cloud storage are provided by Proton. AphyOS continues to require a $10/month subscription for full functionality, which Punkt explains as replacing the money that other phone OSes make from selling your data. A one-year subscription is included. Discounts are available for purchasing several years in advance. The Punkt MC03 will be available in North America this spring for $699.
Clicks Launches New Ways to Add a Physical Keyboard to Your Life
Clicks — the company previously known for its keyboard cases — has announced two entirely new types of products: The Clicks Power Keyboard is a magnetic wireless charging power bank that snaps to the back of your phone but also has a slide-out physical QWERTY keyboard. Attached to a phone, it can be used in portrait or landscape orientation, and has multiple slide positions for phones of different sizes. It works with both iPhones and Android phones. It can also be used by itself as a small Bluetooth keyboard for a tablet, TV, or VR headset. Its battery is rated 2,150 mAh. The Clicks Communicator is a full-on Android 16 smartphone that can be used as a primary phone, or as a companion device to a traditional smartphone. It's designed to discourage "doom-scrolling" by having a smaller, 4.03-inch display. It has a notification light on the side that can light up in different colors for different contacts and/or apps. The physical keyboard is touch-sensitive for scrolling, and has a fingerprint sensor built into the space bar. It also has a 3.5mm headset jack. Its features are otherwise robust, with 5G (including good support for US networks), a 50 megapixel main camera (with OIS) and 24 megapixel front camera, 4,000 mAh battery, Qi2 wireless charging, NFC, Wi-Fi 6, and 256 GB of storage that's also expandable. The Power Keyboard will run $109, or $79 for those who pre-order soon. It ships this spring. The Communicator has a full price of $499, or $399 for those who "reserve" one before February 27. Those who pay in full when they reserve will receive two free back covers (worth $100 total). The Communicator will ship "later this year".
Samsung Stays The Course with its Entry-Level Model
Samsung has announced its newest entry-level phone for the US, the Galaxy A17 5G. It replaces the Galaxy A16 5G while changing essentially none of the hardware specs or features. The primary change is the body, which is now more durable thanks to Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on the front, and a "glass fiber reinforced polymer" on the back. These material changes also make the phone lighter and slightly slimmer. The software has also been updated, to Android 16, and Samsung promises six years of software updates. It will be available in black, blue, and gray. It goes on sale January 7 for $200. It will be offered by AT&T, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, and Verizon. It will also be available from samsung.com, where customers "can receive up to 30% off Galaxy Buds3 FE or up to 10% off Galaxy Watch7."
Europe Forces Apple to Open up More of iOS
Apple will add new interoperability between iPhones (and iPads) and non-Apple devices in two key areas starting with iOS 26.3, in response to Europe's Digital Markets Act. In Europe only, iOS 26.3 will allow third-party devices like smartwatches to receive notifications and react to them. Pairing Bluetooth devices like earbuds will also potentially get easier with Proximity Pairing, where you can simply bring two devices near each other to pair them. These features were previously proprietary to Apple devices like the Apple Watch and AirPods, and, for now, will remain that way in the rest of the world. The features do require work on the part of device makers in order to be supported. Developers can start that work now with beta versions of iOS 26.3, while the features are expected to be "fully available in Europe" in 2026.
OnePlus 15R Boasts Huge 7,400 mAh Battery
OnePlus has revealed full details of the OnePlus 15R, the company's more-affordable cousin to the recently-launched OnePlus 15. Where the 15 led the market at launch with a huge 7,300 mAh battery, the new 15R one-ups that with a 7,400 mAh battery. It also can fast-charge at up to 55 watts, or even 80 watts with a special OnePlus "dual ports" charger. Compared to the 13R it replaces, the 15R also has upgraded waterproofing and durability with an IP69K rating and Gorilla Glass 7i. The front camera also sees a step up to 32 megapixel and auto-focus, the processor is the brand-new Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, and the display is now capable of up to 165 Hz refresh (only in certain compatible games). Unfortunately, the 15R lacks the telephoto camera found on the 13R and 15. Other specs include 12 GB RAM, 50 megapixel main camera with OIS, Wi-Fi 7, infrared emitter, and good support for most 5G and 4G networks in the US. The OnePlus 15R will be available January 15 for $700 with 256 GB storage and a choice of black or mint green colors. A 512 GB version will also be available, in black only, for $800.
Motorola Refreshes moto g power for 2026
Motorola has revealed a new version of its moto g power, the company's $300 Android phone for the US. The new 2026 model is very similar to last year's model, with just a handful of changes. The battery size has increased from 5,000 to 5,200 mAh, at the expense of wireless charging. The display glass has been upgraded to Corning Gorilla Glass 7i for added protection. Finally, the front camera has been upgraded from 16 megapixel to a 32 megapixel sensor (pixel-binned to output 8 megapixel photos.) Other specs and features are unchanged, including a 6.8-inch FHD+ display with 120 Hz refresh, MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip, 8 / 128 GB memory, and a 50 megapixel main camera sensor (again, pixel-binned to output 12.5 megapixel images.) It also has as IP68/IP69 rating for water, military ratings for durability, expandable storage, headset jack, NFC, and a fingerprint reader. It will be offered in two Pantone colors: Pure Cashmere (beige) and Evening Blue. It will be available starting January 8, from Verizon and unlocked. Later, it will come to Cricket, Tracfone, Visible, Total, Straight Talk, Simple Mobile, and AT&T.
Google Brings Live Video Sharing to 911 Calls on Android
Google has launched a new feature of Android that makes it easy to share live video with an emergency dispatcher during an emergency phone call or text. Emergency Live Video on Android is a new feature that can be initiated by the dispatcher. "During an emergency call or text, a dispatcher can send a request to your phone to share live video. With a single tap, you can start securely streaming from your camera, allowing responders to quickly assess the situation and get you the right help in the moment." The feature requires no setup and works with a single tap. It is also optional (you can decline the request) and you can end video sharing at any time with a single tap. "The feature is rolling out today across the U.S., as well as select regions of Germany and Mexico, and is supported on Android phones running Android 8+ with Google Play services."
Mophie Debuts new Travel Charger Lineup
Mophie has introduced a new lineup of "Speedport" USB-C chargers that make use of compact, efficient GaN technology. The lineup sports a clean, minimalist design and folding power prongs. The range spans a variety of wattages and price points. The external plastics are made from 75% post-consumer recycled materials. The most affordable is the Speedport 20 (shown), offering a single USB-C port and 20W of power for $15. The Speedport 35 (not shown) steps up to 35W and sells for $25. The Speedport 45 (shown) offers two USB-C ports and 45W of shared power for $40. Also available are the Speedport 70, 100, and 140, with the 140W model offering three USB-C ports. All six of those models are available now. Coming "soon" will be the Speedport Plus 67 (shown, middle), which has two USB-C ports plus a built-in retractable USB-C cable on the bottom. It will offer 67W of shared power for $60.
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