GoKawiilAcer teases first Googlebook laptop ahead of Google's September 15 event
Acer showed a brief glimpse of its upcoming Googlebook at IFA 2026, confirming the device is
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Acer's new Vero 16 laptop emphasizes tool-free repairs and upgrades
Acer unveiled the Vero 16, a laptop designed for easy repair with removable port covers, a detachable hinge, and a tool-free bottom latch, plus an internal component map etched on its case. The device features a MIL-STD-810H certified low-carbon aluminum chassis, user-replaceable battery and SSD, and support for processor upgrades across at least two generations. It launches early next year in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, with pricing and a US release date still unannounced.
Samsung expands One UI 9 beta to Galaxy S24 series with Android 17
Samsung has begun rolling out the first One UI 9 beta build, based on Android 17, to the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra. The update, confirmed live in the US, India, and South Korea via the Samsung Members app, weighs around 3.6GB and includes a security patch dated August 2026 along with new personalization and productivity features.
Oukitel unveils WP600 gaming rugged phone and WP70 Ultra with 16,000mAh battery
Oukitel is debuting two rugged smartphones ahead of IFA 2026: the WP600, a gaming-focused device with a Dimensity 8300 chip, dual-fan cooling, RGB lighting and a 10,000mAh battery, and the WP70 Ultra, which the company calls the slimmest rugged phone with a 16,000mAh silicon-carbon battery despite still measuring 16.4mm thick. Both phones carry heavy-duty durability certifications like IP68/IP69K and MIL-STD-810H, continuing Oukitel's focus on tough builds and oversized batteries.
Ford picks Apple Maps as native navigation for its Fathom EV platform
Ford VP Alan Clarke explained that after evaluating Apple, Google, and other mapping providers, the company chose Apple Maps for native integration in its upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle Platform, including the Fathom model. He cited Apple's flexibility, improved map quality, and close collaboration on EV-specific needs like range estimation and battery preconditioning as deciding factors.
Razer launches $100 Prio controller that folds pocket-size for phones
Razer introduced the Prio, a $100 USB-C mobile game controller that weighs about 101 grams and folds down to roughly wallet size, unlike its bulkier Kishi line. When unfolded, it attaches to large phones such as the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S26 Ultra, offering dual thumbsticks, a D-pad, face buttons and shoulder triggers for both iPhone and Android devices.
Gurman details iPhone Ultra: MagSafe confirmed, dual displays, drag-and-drop multitasking
Ahead of Apple's September event, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman shared new details on the upcoming iPhone Ultra foldable in a Tom's Guide interview, confirming MagSafe support, a 5.5-inch cover display paired with a 7.8-inch inner screen, and Apple's latest Pro chip and modem. He also described a durable liquid metal hinge designed to minimize the crease, plus iOS 27 multitasking features including drag-and-drop between apps.
HDMI Licensing Group Urges Buyers to Skip Price, Check Cable Certification Labels
HDMI cables are now standardized into three official bandwidth tiers: Premium High Speed (18Gbps), Ultra High Speed (48Gbps) and the new Ultra96 (up to 96Gbps), per rules from the HDMI Licensing Administrator that ban using version numbers alone in marketing. Most 4K streaming only needs the 18Gbps tier, while 4K/120Hz gaming requires Ultra High Speed, and Ultra96 is reserved for extreme formats like uncompressed 4K/240Hz or 8K/60Hz. Buyers are advised to check the certification label and QR code on packaging rather than relying on price or brand name.
Sonos Demos Beam Ultra Soundbar and Ace Ultra Headphones in Hands-On Preview
Sonos let journalists test its new Beam Ultra soundbar and Ace Ultra headphones in several setups, including standalone, paired with wireless Play speakers as surrounds, and streaming soundbar audio directly to the headphones. During a movie clip demo, the Beam Ultra delivered clear, well-balanced sound with surprising bass despite no subwoofer, while adding the Play speakers as rear surrounds noticeably improved immersion through Sonos's new Fabric technology, which lets devices sense their placement and surroundings.
Best Buy cuts Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 to $749.99 for Labor Day
Best Buy is offering the Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 laptop for $749.99, down from its original $1,199.99 price, as part of a week-long Labor Day sale. The discounted model includes a Core 7 Ultra 256V processor, 16GB of LPDDR5X memory, 512GB SSD, and a 1920x1200 IPS touchscreen with a 60Hz refresh rate.
Sonos rebrands its software platform as 'Sonos 27,' adds four features
Sonos launched its Ace Ultra headphones and Beam Ultra soundbar today, and alongside them officially named its existing software platform 'Sonos 27.' The update brings four new capabilities arriving this fall: portable surround speaker pairing, seamless headphone-to-speaker audio handoff, a conversational voice assistant called Sonos 27voice, and Sonos MCP for connecting third-party AI assistants to the system.
Sonos debuts $699 Beam Ultra soundbar with Dolby Atmos upward-firing drivers
Sonos showcased its new $699 Beam Ultra soundbar and $449 Ace Ultra headphones at an open house event, alongside upcoming app updates. A private demo revealed the Beam Ultra's improved bass, vocal clarity, and Dolby Atmos performance using side- and top-firing drivers, plus the ability to wirelessly pair Play portable speakers as rear channels.