GoKawiil
Tech News
Shoppers looking to save money on smartphones often encounter listings labeled 'pre-owned,' 'used,' or 'refurbished,' terms that sound similar but carry different meanings. A refurbished phone has typically been inspected, cleaned, tested, and repaired with replacement parts as needed, while a pre-owned phone is usually sold as-is without such processing.
A Galaxy S25 FE owner reported overheating and rapid battery drain and initially assumed Samsung's One UI software was to blame. Investigation revealed the actual cause was a third-party app running on the device, not the operating system itself.
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.
Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo, a foldable phone launching October 23 starting at $1,999, whose hardware resembles rivals like Samsung's Z Fold 8. What sets it apart is a version of iOS and apps specifically reworked for the folding screen, including repositioned app icons and smoother transitions between the cover and inner displays.
In the latest episode of 9to5Mac Overtime, hosts Jeff Benjamin and Fernando Silva shared their initial reactions to the iPhone Duo, described as Apple's first foldable smartphone. The podcast episode is sponsored by Bitwarden, which is promoting a free virtual security summit on September 17.
A tech commentary piece pushes back on comparisons between Apple's rumored foldable iPhone Duo and the Apple Vision Pro, arguing the two products face very different market conditions. The Duo starts at $1,999, well under the Vision Pro's now $3,699 price tag, and functions as a pocketable phone-tablet hybrid rather than a stationary headset with limited daily utility.
A survey of 1,517 US adults by data removal service Incogni found that people who say they have 'nothing to hide' are more likely to spy on others' phone or laptop screens in public than those who admit to having something to hide. The survey also found generational differences, with Gen Z most likely to peek at others' screens, and revealed that many respondents who dismiss their own privacy concerns still snoop through partners' or family members' devices without permission.
A 2009 demo video of Microsoft's abandoned Courier prototype is drawing renewed attention for its resemblance to Apple's rumored iPhone Duo foldable design. The Courier featured dual screens with an integrated interface allowing users to drag content like photos between panels, a concept Microsoft shelved less than a year after unveiling it.
A tech commentator argues that corporate AI adoption remains stuck because the technology still exposes its rough edges to users, unlike the iPhone, which succeeded by unifying existing technologies into one polished experience. The piece draws a parallel between Steve Jobs' 2007 iPhone unveiling and the current state of enterprise AI, suggesting the sector awaits a similar moment of integration and simplicity.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max introduce a mechanical variable aperture ranging from f/1.48 to f/4, alongside new manual controls for shutter speed, white balance, and focus built directly into the native camera app. These capabilities previously required third-party apps like Halide, but are now integrated natively.
Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo, its debut foldable smartphone, at its September event in Cupertino, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. The device features a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner screen, a titanium frame, Ceramic Shield glass, and IP68 water resistance. Preorders begin October 16, with sales starting October 23 in Star White and Night Sky colors for $1,999.
Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro models launch $100 more expensive than last year, mirroring similar $100 increases from Google's Pixel 11, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Motorola's Razr lineup, and Sony's Xperia 10 VIII. Apple also raised prices on its older iPhone models still for sale, closing off any workaround for budget-conscious buyers.