News and Updates from Gadget Hacks: Page 2

Google's latest encounter with EU regulators isn't just another tech fine story; it's a $3.5 billion wake-up call that could reshape the entire digital advertising landscape. The European Commission hit Google with a €2.95 billion penalty for abusing its dominant position in the advertising technology industry, marking the fourth antitrust fine for the tech giant. The move follows a formal investigation that opened in June 2021, which examined whether Google violated competition rules by...

Google's regulatory reckoning has finally arrived—and it's expensive. The tech giant is facing a historic $3.5 billion fine from European authorities for breaking antitrust laws, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. With courts finding Google liable for maintaining monopoly power and global antitrust enforcement fines hitting $6.7 billion in 2024—more than double 2023's total—we're witnessing a fundamental shift in how regulators approach Big Tech monopolies.

The tech world has entered that familiar pre-launch quiet period, you know, when the rumor mill slows to a whisper and everyone starts counting down the days. With the iPhone 17 event just around the corner, the calm feels different this time. A German carrier leak hints that Apple will host its annual fall event on September 9, following the company's traditional timing. Meanwhile, recent data shows nearly 70% of users plan to upgrade to iPhone 17, making this potentially Apple's most...

Remember that hill just outside town where you always push a little harder? Or that flat stretch where you try to beat your buddy's time from last month? The Apple Watch just became your perfect training partner for those moments. Strava has rolled out its most significant Apple Watch update yet, and it's bringing something runners and cyclists have been requesting for years, Live Segments directly on your wrist. Finally.

The latest leaked renders of Samsung's Galaxy S26 Edge tell a neat little engineering story. Android Authority highlights measurements that show the tightrope walk of modern phone design. The S26 Edge is slimmer at its thinnest point, measuring 158.4 x 75.7 x 5.5mm compared to the S25 Edge's 158.2 x 75.6 x 5.8mm. Here is the kicker: the camera bump grows. Total thickness hits 10.8mm including the bump, up from the S25 Edge's 10mm.

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

When Google dropped its latest AI image editing feature, something unexpected happened. Millions of people suddenly started caring about AI image generation. The tool everyone calls "Nano Banana" did what countless AI products tried and failed to do: it actually got regular people excited about artificial intelligence.

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Apple's been keeping us on our toes lately, and the buzz around AirPods Pro 3 is reaching fever pitch. After three years without a major update, Apple's AirPods Pro 3 are expected to debut at the September 9, 2025 "Awe Dropping" event. What's got everyone talking is not just the usual audio upgrades, it is the potential health features that could change how we think about earbuds.

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

The tech industry is facing unprecedented antitrust scrutiny, with regulators worldwide launching investigations, imposing massive fines, and even floating breakups of major technology companies. Yet in Silicon Valley, the chatter says we might already be past the crest. That shift lines up with political developments that point to a more balanced regulatory environment in 2025. At the same time, the rapid rise of generative AI has pushed agencies to zero in on new M&A and alliances in the AI...

When Apple Arcade launched in 2019 with roughly 70 premium mobile games that had no ads, no in-app purchases, and no sex or violence, it felt like a bold statement about the future of mobile gaming. Apple was betting that players were tired of predatory monetization schemes and would pay for a premium experience. The service became part of Apple's ecosystem strategy that has become the gold standard for other tech companies, promising seamless gaming across iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple TV....

You know how sometimes a single partnership can shift an entire industry? That is exactly what is happening with YouTube’s NFL deal, and it is wild to watch in real time. When the platform secured the NFL Sunday Ticket contract worth $2 billion annually over seven years, they were not just buying rights, they were buying the future of how we watch football.

When a federal jury in San Francisco delivered its verdict on September 3, 2025, it sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley. Google was ordered to pay $425 million for continuing to track users even after they opted out of data collection. This isn't just another fine, it's a landmark case that affects 98 million users and 174 million devices across the United States. The decision lays bare how tech giants handle our most personal data when privacy promises don't match reality.

With Apple's September 9 "Awe dropping" event just days away, the anticipation surrounding the iPhone 17 lineup has reached fever pitch. Apple executives have reportedly been calling this new generation the "most ambitious in the product's history," and the latest reports from TrendForce are painting a picture of changes that could reset expectations for what a phone can be.

If you've been holding off on upgrading your iPhone, the iPhone 17 Pro lineup might just change your mind. It could be Apple's biggest performance leap in years. About time, right?

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

When Google released NotebookLM in 2023 through Google Labs as an experimental AI writing tool, most people probably thought it was just another research assistant that would quietly fade away. But here's what's interesting—what started as a simple document analysis tool has evolved into something genuinely compelling, especially since early September when the team added the ability to generate podcast-like conversations between two AI voices from your uploaded documents.

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Apple's AirPods Pro 3 are shaping up to be the most significant health-focused earbuds yet, with leaked reports suggesting a September 2025 launch alongside the iPhone 17. The buzz around these next-generation earbuds isn't just about better sound quality—it's about Apple's bold leap into making your daily audio companion a comprehensive health monitoring device.

PowerToys has been quietly transforming into something much bigger than a simple collection of Windows utilities. What started as a nostalgic callback to the Windows 95 era has evolved into Microsoft's rapid-deployment testing ground for features that address fundamental Windows limitations. This evolution from novelty tools to essential productivity enhancements reflects Microsoft's new approach to filling operating system gaps without waiting for major release cycles.

Just days before Samsung's expected Galaxy Unpacked event, trusted leaker Evan Blass has essentially blown the lid off what was supposed to be Samsung's big tablet reveal. We're talking comprehensive marketing materials, detailed specs, and even pricing information for the entire Galaxy Tab S11 lineup. It's one of those leaks that's so thorough, you almost wonder if Samsung's marketing team accidentally hit "publish" on their press materials a week early.

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Google is quietly rolling out one of its most significant updates to Play Games profiles in years, and the details we've uncovered through recent APK teardowns reveal just how ambitious this revamp really is. Google is developing an avatar generator for Play Games profiles, allowing users to create custom avatars by selecting character, background, and art style. This isn't just another minor tweak—it's a complete reimagining of how gamers express themselves within the Android ecosystem, with...

Apple's Vision Pro made waves when it launched, but let's be honest—the $3,499 price tag and hefty design left many potential users watching from the sidelines. Now, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is painting a picture of Apple's next move: a significantly lighter and more affordable Vision Air headset arriving in 2027. According to Kuo's analysis, Apple still "views head-mounted devices as the next major trend in consumer electronics," and the Vision Air represents their strategy to bring...

YouTube's biggest star is making another bold business move. MrBeast reportedly plans to launch a phone company, joining a growing trend of celebrity cell service brands that are reshaping the mobile industry. This isn't just another celebrity endorsement deal—it's part of a calculated expansion that could redefine how we think about mobile technology and fan engagement.

The world of charging has just gotten a major upgrade, and if you're juggling multiple Apple devices, this could be the game-changer you didn't know you needed. Picture this: one cable handling your MacBook Pro, iPhone, and Apple Watch simultaneously, delivering a whopping 240W of power. The USB-IF officially launched certification for 240W USB-C cables, marking a significant leap from the previous 100W standard. This advancement was made possible by EPR (Extended Power Range) technology, which...

Apple's timing for its 2026 foldable iPhone entry couldn't be better positioned. JPMorgan forecasts the device will launch in September 2026 as part of the iPhone 18 lineup, priced at $1,999. This strategic delay allows Apple to leverage what Samsung describes as an "inflection point" where foldables are becoming mainstream. The foldable market is projected to reach $118.87 billion by 2030, and Apple's calculated patience positions them perfectly to capture this explosive growth at the optimal...

Reviewed by Corey Noles