GoKawiil
Tech News
Apple has pushed new beta firmware, build 9B5042a, to AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 5, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2. This compares to the current public release, build 9A348, with AirPods 5 currently running 9A350. The update's specific changes have not been disclosed, and users can opt into beta testing through the AirPods settings on iPhone.
A developer known as ntfargo has published a new PS5 jailbreak called Relapse, covering firmware versions 7.00 through 13.60. The exploit uses a browser-based WebKit stage combined with a kernel-level flaw to gain read/write access, and is delivered either via a local Python server or a hosted webpage. The release credits a large group of contributors and includes a disclaimer limiting its stated use to educational and security research purposes.
Samsung's support pages now list stable One UI 9 builds for the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra on T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, and US Cellular, carrying build S94xUSQU4BZID with a September 5, 2026 security patch. Unlocked Galaxy S26 Ultra units are also beginning to receive the update via a smaller download, and Samsung has published a full changelog covering Galaxy AI, Samsung Health, privacy, Bixby, accessibility, and DeX features.
Apple released a new AirPods firmware update (build 9A350) alongside iOS 27 that adds a custom equalizer feature. Users can now adjust lows, mids, and highs for their AirPods sound via the Settings app, with the option to preview changes using an Apple Music track. The feature works on any AirPods with an H2 chip, including AirPods Pro 2, Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2.
A faulty test firmware update pushed by Samsung to some smart refrigerator models in South Korea left units frozen mid-update, disabling features like auto-open doors, interior lighting and temperature control. The malfunction struck days before the Chuseok holiday, when many households had stocked up on food, and repair technicians were reportedly unable to reach some customers until October 1 or 7 due to the holiday schedule.
A firmware update pushed through Samsung's SmartThings platform this week caused some Bespoke AI four-door refrigerators, mostly 2024-and-later models, to lose power and stop cooling. Owners in Korea reported their fridges went offline mid-update, with displays stuck on an update-checking message, forcing many to throw out spoiled food. Samsung has not responded to questions about the scope of the issue or a fix.
A faulty firmware update caused Samsung's roughly $4,000 Bespoke AI 4-Door refrigerators to shut down across South Korea, according to Star News Korea. Affected units displayed an error message and stopped cooling even after being unplugged and restarted, and the failure hit just before the Chuseok holiday, forcing some owners to discard food. Samsung reportedly told customers the earliest repair appointment was October 1.
Raspberry Pi has confirmed its firmware locks boards to their factory RAM configuration, preventing users from swapping in replacement memory chips even to fix failed components. The restriction surfaced after a user couldn't get a Compute Module 5 to recognize a new 4GB chip, with company engineer PhilE explaining the firmware checks additional memory attributes beyond just capacity. Raspberry Pi says the policy exists to stop resellers from installing unauthorized higher-capacity chips and passing modified boards off as factory models.
Raspberry Pi confirmed that its firmware locks boards to their factory-installed RAM capacity, preventing users from swapping in higher-capacity chips. Engineer and forum moderator PhilE said the restriction, rolled out in firmware updates since late 2024, exists to stop resellers from installing larger RAM chips of dubious quality and passing boards off as higher-spec devices. He told users attempting DIY RAM upgrades or repairs that the effort is futile because the firmware also checks other device attributes beyond chip size.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro Max ships with a battery-firmware lock that caps capacity below the 20Wh threshold that triggers international shipping restrictions on single-cell batteries. Once a customer activates the phone for the first time, the lock lifts automatically, restoring the battery to its full rated capacity of roughly 21-22Wh depending on the model. A 'Prepare to Ship' setting can reimpose the cap, limiting charging to 80 percent over 14 days, for anyone sending the device in for repair or resale.
Apple confirmed the iPhone 18 Pro Max packs a single-cell battery exceeding 20 watt-hours, triggering extra international shipping regulations for large batteries. To comply, Apple built firmware that caps the battery below 20 Wh during manufacturing and transit, only unlocking full capacity once a user activates the phone. A new 'Prepare to Ship' toggle in Settings lets owners discharge the battery back below that threshold before repairs, trade-ins, resale, or gifting.
Nintendo disclosed a security flaw affecting original Switch consoles that exploits the QR codes used by the Send to Smartphone feature and Super Mario Kart: Home Circuit's wireless pairing. If someone scans the QR code before the owner does, they can connect to the console and run unauthorized code or steal stored account data. Nintendo fixed the issue, tracked as CVE-2026-82079, in firmware update 23.0.0 released September 9.