Most major phone makers, including Apple, Google and Samsung, have phased out the 3.5mm headphone jack in favor of USB-C for wired audio, charging and data transfer. Apple made the switch starting with the iPhone 7 in 2016, followed by Google in 2017 and Samsung in 2019, with Apple finally adopting USB-C for the iPhone 15 due to EU regulation. Sony remains an exception, still including a 3.5mm jack on its upcoming Xperia 1 VIII.
The 41mm LTE version of Google's Pixel Watch 4 is now selling for $329.99, a $120 discount from its usual price and the lowest price recorded since launch. The smartwatch runs Wear OS with Fitbit health tracking and supports cellular connectivity for calls without a paired phone nearby.
Beyond the usual OS and security update settings, Android devices include a distinct, less visible menu for updating individual system services like Google Play services. Depending on the manufacturer, these services may need to be updated separately from the main software update screen, and how they appear can vary between brands such as Google Pixel and others.
Signal is moving toward letting users register accounts without providing a phone number, using zero-knowledge proof cryptography to verify accounts without exposing identifying data. The technology mirrors methods Signal already uses for donation badges and group membership, where proofs confirm status without revealing which specific badge or group is involved.
Apple has launched its first foldable phone as the iPhone Duo rather than the rumored iPhone Ultra, positioning it as a premium but not top-tier device that lacks a telephoto camera and has a smaller battery than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The compact, palm-size Duo starts at $1,999 and will be available October 23, competing more closely with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 than its flagship Z Fold 8 Ultra, which starts at $2,100 and is already on sale with Samsung's best camera and battery specs.
Apple has released the iPhone Duo, its first foldable phone, featuring a passport-style hinge and large displays, priced at over $2,000. Unlike Samsung, which has iterated on foldables for seven years mostly among tech enthusiasts, Apple's mainstream user base means early feedback could shape how folding phones evolve industry-wide.
Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro at its recent event, starting at $1,199 and adding a variable aperture camera and a faster A20 Pro chip. The comparison to the iPhone 14 Pro, released four years earlier, shows major shifts including the switch from Lightning to USB-C, a brighter display capable of 3,000 nits versus 1,000 nits, and an upgraded Dynamic Island that can display three activities simultaneously.
Smartphones pick up significant grime through constant handling, with studies showing they can carry far more bacteria than a toilet seat. Despite this, cleaning experts caution against using Windex, compressed air, hydrogen peroxide or bleach on phone screens, since these substances can permanently damage the display's protective coating.
Wireless carriers increasingly promote installment financing that spreads a phone's cost over 24 to 36 months, sometimes bundling in taxes and activation fees so nothing is due upfront. However, these deals often come tied to bill credits or trade-in credits that require staying on a specific plan or carrier, and switching providers or plans midway can void remaining credits or trigger full remaining balance payments.
Apple's newest Pro-series iPhones bring a variable-aperture main camera, a new chip, improved battery life, and a black color option, but starting prices rose by $100 across the lineup, including older models. Alongside them, Apple released AirPods 5 with better active noise cancellation and stem-based volume controls on the pricier version, starting at $129.
Blogger Nicolas Lellouche discovered a hidden display option on the iPhone Duo called 'Shift Left Edge,' which adds a black border to the outer screen's left side, effectively doubling the bezel there. Apple's own description says the feature shifts content away from cases that partially cover that edge of the outer display.
Apple unveiled a new folding iPhone at an event led by John Ternus, marking his first major product showcase in his new leadership role. The device signals Apple's entry into the foldable phone category, a segment rivals have explored for years.
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