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Tech News
Meta continues to pour significant capital into artificial intelligence development and infrastructure, according to a roundup of recent tech coverage. The same coverage also touches on a budget EV's road trip performance, Demis Hassabis's AI ambitions, and a review of an iPhone accessory.
Multiple iPhone Duo buyers are reporting that the device's inner foldable screen cracks along the hinge's center line, leaving a horizontal band of white, glowing pixels. About ten similar cases have surfaced on Reddit since the device launched Friday, with some units failing during initial setup. Apple Store customers have generally received replacements, while some carrier buyers say they were denied help or blamed for the damage.
Using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto can drain phone batteries and cause overheating because the device simultaneously runs normal phone functions and powers a tablet-like dashboard display, including a constantly updating map. The guidance recommends using a wired connection when possible, while cautioning that constant charging can itself generate heat, and suggests setting charge limits in phone settings or keeping the device in a cool, shaded spot in the car.
Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo is reaching customers, but many apps display with awkward unused space because they haven't been adapted to its unusual screen ratios, including a wide front display and a 4:3 inner screen. CNET reviewers note this mirrors what happened with Samsung's original Galaxy Fold in 2019, where app layouts took time to catch up to the new format.
Belkin has released two new semi solid state battery banks: a 10,000mAh USB-C model priced at $89.95, and a 5,000mAh MagSafe model with 15W Qi2 charging priced at $69.99. Both use aluminum builds and are notably lighter than comparable batteries, with the 10K unit weighing 220g versus the 240-300g typical of older models.
Flipcorder is a new iOS app that mimics an old camcorder, saving all recorded footage to a single virtual tape capable of holding up to 30 minutes, captured in 20-second increments. It supports VHS and MiniDV-style filters as well as high-quality video, and is optimized for the iPhone Duo's dual displays. The app costs a one-time $4.99 on the App Store and requires iOS 26 or later.
Tech reviewer Zach Nelson subjected Apple's $2,000 foldable iPhone Duo to scratch tests, dirt, chainmail and bending in a durability video posted to his JerryRigEverything channel. The cover screen's Ceramic Shield 2 glass held up well, but the inner screen scratched easily and cracked when the device was bent backward with its main screen open.
A writer who picked up Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo at the Fifth Avenue store describes using it for a day, noting trade-offs like Touch ID instead of Face ID, an under-display FaceTime camera, and limited app optimization. They argue these shortcomings are less disruptive than expected, and say app support has already improved since launch as developers update their software for consumers rather than early reviewers.
Apple's new foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, starts at $2,000 and lets users fold the device into a tent-like stand. A columnist reports that while many mainstream iOS apps still render poorly on the Duo's unfolding screen, some developers have begun building apps specifically optimized for its foldable design.
Apple has released the MacBook Neo, a low-cost laptop priced at $700 that uses a repurposed iPhone processor rather than an M-series chip found in other current Macs. The launch comes shortly before the MacBook Air's price rose by $200 to $1,300, reportedly due to tariffs and rising memory costs.
Reports note that closing background apps on an iPhone does not meaningfully extend battery life, contrary to common belief. Instead, settings such as disabling Background App Refresh and restricting apps' location access to only when in use are presented as more effective ways to conserve power.
CNET explains that a common cause of iPhone and Android charging failures isn't damaged cables or ports but a buildup of dust, lint and debris inside the charging port itself. Over months or years, this debris compacts into a solid blockage that prevents the charging cable from fully connecting. The outlet notes this issue affects both Lightning ports on older iPhones and USB-C ports on newer iPhones and Android devices like the Pixel 11 Pro and Galaxy S26 Ultra.