GoKawiil
Tech News
Chinese phone maker realme has released a Harry Potter-themed version of its realme 16 Pro smartphone, created in collaboration with Warner Bros. The device sold out quickly after launch, prompting realme to release a second batch on its website, and the company is also selling Harry Potter-branded Buds T500 Pro earbuds.
The Department of Education posted an X image on October 27 showing students approaching a Hogwarts-like castle with a blonde girl in the foreground, captioned 'There's Magic in Learning!' and 'Make Education Great Again.' Online commentators, including Bulwark reporter Will Sommer, said the imagery matched the 'Malfoid' meme—a right-wing fan fiction trope built around a gender-swapped, blood-purity-obsessed version of Draco Malfoy.
Realme has released a Harry Potter-themed version of its 16 Pro 5G phone, made in collaboration with Warner Bros. The special edition keeps the standard model's core hardware but adds Hogwarts-inspired exterior styling, a trunk-shaped box, a themed phone case, SIM-ejector tool, postcards, a Hogwarts acceptance letter, bookmarks and other collectible extras.
Google has rolled out its latest Pixel feature drop, giving Pixel 6 and newer users home screen widgets for quick calls or texts to VIP contacts, plus new scam detection warnings built into the Gboard keyboard for chat apps. The update also brings Harry Potter-themed customization packs and two free months of Audible, tied to the release of a new full-cast audiobook series, alongside gesture improvements for the Pixel Watch line.
Microsoft's Bing Wallpaper app, which normally rotates nature and landscape photos, recently displayed a promotional image for a Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts 11-film collection instead. Users on Reddit, Thurrott.com and Microsoft Learn forums expressed surprise and frustration, with some mistaking the ad for adware and others objecting due to JK Rowling's political controversies.
A long-time Bing Wallpaper user reported that the desktop app displayed a full-screen advertisement for a Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts box set instead of the usual daily wallpaper image. The user said this was the first time they had encountered such an ad after years of regular use, and initially suspected their system had been infected with adware.