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Samsung has announced that its latest SmartTag 3 trackers will be compatible not only with iPhones but also with a broader selection of Android smartphones running Android 12 and above. Previously limited to Galaxy models, the new trackers are now accessible to more users across different device brands. Confirmation from Samsung indicates that support extends beyond Galaxy phones, opening the product to a larger audience.
Google confirmed in a reviewer's guide that Googlebooks need a paired phone running Android 17 to access key cross-device features, including task continuity, shared file and storage access, phone app streaming, and synced notifications. Google also noted some apps, such as those with DRM video or sensitive content, won't support app streaming regardless of OS version.
A CNET writer highlights smart home products discounted during Amazon's October Prime Day sale, including a Tapo two-pack smart plug with energy monitoring priced around $10-$15, and the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen). The recommendations are based on the writer's own long-term testing of devices for cost savings, convenience and privacy features.
Modern Windows, Mac and Linux PCs now handle audio processing through integrated motherboard chips, commonly Realtek components, rather than separate sound cards. High-quality lossless audio, including 24-bit/192kHz Dolby Atmos streams, can be transmitted over USB 3.x, DisplayPort, Wi-Fi or HDMI without the bandwidth constraints that once necessitated dedicated hardware.
An Android Authority reviewer spent two weeks testing the Motorola Edge 70, an ultra-slim smartphone, after initial skepticism about the form factor's trade-offs. The reviewer reports it avoided the compromises seen in Samsung's Galaxy S25 Edge, which launched with a 3,900mAh battery, 25W charging, only two rear cameras lacking a telephoto lens, and a $1,099 price tag.
A comparison of Apple's foldable iPhone Duo and the iPad Mini highlights major price and spec differences. The Duo starts at $2,000 for 256GB and reaches $3,200 for 2TB, while the iPad Mini ranges from $600 to $900. The Duo has a faster A20 Pro chip, more RAM, a stronger dual-camera setup, and 120Hz ProMotion displays, but the Mini has a larger single screen, more robust multitasking software, and broader Apple Pencil support.
A tech guide lists ten practical second uses for retired Android phones, noting that even older devices retain working cameras, GPS, displays, speakers, sensors and Wi-Fi. Suggested uses include turning the phone into a kitchen display, hiking GPS unit, or retro gaming handheld. The guide recommends backing up data and performing a factory reset before repurposing a device.
Apple confirmed that a small number of iPhone 18 Pro Max devices on AT&T's network are losing cellular service, showing 'SOS' instead of a signal. The company released iOS 27.0.1 and a carrier settings update to prevent the issue from occurring, but says devices that already lost service will need a hardware replacement through Apple Support, AT&T, or in-store visits.
Reports indicate Apple is developing AI-driven features that would let devices continuously see and hear their surroundings, processing data without necessarily storing the raw video or audio. The approach is framed as a privacy-conscious alternative to traditional surveillance, since footage would not be retained long-term.
The ARMSX3 PS3 emulator for Android has released version 1.0.6, adding support for CHD disc images, a compressed format that reduces file sizes compared to standard ISOs. The developers cite examples like Demon's Souls shrinking from 8.76GB to 6.25GB, and Bleach Soul Resurrection dropping from 4GB to 1.8GB. The update also includes improved frame generation and fewer stutters in games using the PS3's job system.
Nothing is accepting applications through October 5 for its Community Review Program, which gives selected fans early hands-on access to unreleased hardware or software. Participants receive a device to test, provide direct feedback to Nothing's team, and must return the product once the review period ends.
AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon have signed a formal joint venture agreement, converting the preliminary deal they announced in May into an active partnership focused on eliminating mobile coverage gaps across the US. The venture will pool spectrum resources and pursue shared technical standards, particularly around direct-to-device satellite connectivity, while each carrier continues operating independently. Wireless industry veteran Paul Roth has been named interim CEO as the venture searches for a permanent leader and board representatives from each company oversee the project.