Intel Just Put Its 18A Bet Into Cheaper Laptops. Here’s Why It Matters
Intel launched its Core Series 3 mobile processors, built on its 18A process in the U.S.,
Samsung Galaxy S27 Leak: The Big Speed Upgrade You May Not Get
Samsung may equip only the Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra with new UFS 5.0 storage, leaving cheaper S27 models on older technology, according to SamMobile and Gadgets360. Kioxia began shipping UFS
New Chrome Privacy Reports Raise Fingerprinting Fears as Edge, Firefox and Brave Offer Built-In Defenses
Google Chrome faced renewed privacy criticism Friday after reports highlighted its lack of built-in defenses against browser fingerprinting, a technique that can
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro May Finally Turn Red as Dark Cherry Leak Reveals 2026 Colors
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max may debut in a muted “Dark Cherry” finish, with a smaller Dynamic Island and minimal
Samsung Widens One UI 8.5 Beta to Galaxy A54, A55 and S25 as Quick Share Adds AirDrop-Style Transfers
Samsung expanded One UI 8.5 beta testing to older Galaxy A54 and A55 phones in India and released a ninth beta for
Microsoft Patches BlueHammer Windows Zero-Day Flaw in Defender After Public Leak
Microsoft patched CVE-2026-33825, a Microsoft Defender privilege-escalation flaw linked to the BlueHammer exploit, in its April Patch Tuesday update. The bug allowed
Samsung Expands One UI 8.5 Beta to More Galaxy Phones as Galaxy S24 Gets Second Build
Samsung on April 9 expanded its One UI 8.5 beta, based on Android 16, to more Galaxy models, including the S23 series, Z Fold5, Z Flip5, S23 FE, and A36 5G. The company also shipped a second beta to the S24 series in India and South Korea. The A36 5G beta is limited to India, while Fold5 and Flip5 support is restricted to Korea and the U.S. The S24’s second beta update includes new camera filters, bug fixes, and April security patches.
Google Rolls Out Chrome 147 Stable as Chrome 148 Beta Brings Web Serial, SharedWorker to Android
Google released Chrome 147 for desktop and Android, expanding Local Network Access checks and adding Web Printing API for Isolated Web Apps.
Reckitt Benckiser Share Price Jumps After Morgan Stanley Upgrade as Investors Revisit Selloff
Reckitt Benckiser shares rose 2.4% to 5,484 pence Monday after Morgan Stanley upgraded the stock and set a 6,300-pence target. The gain
Apple iPhone 17 Drives Record 2025 Shipments as IDC Warns of Smartphone Slowdown in 2026
Apple is on track to ship over 247 million iPhones in 2025, a record, according to IDC. The iPhone 17 surge has
Breaking the Universe’s Speed Limit: The Quest for Faster-Than-Light Communication
The speed of light in vacuum is 299,792 km/s, and relativity forbids information from exceeding it. In 2023, UK researchers proposed “Hyperwave”
Apple’s MacBook Air M5 Is Already $150 Off — Why the New Laptop Deal Matters
Amazon has cut prices on Apple’s new MacBook Air M5 by up to $150 just weeks after launch, with a 15-inch model at $1,149, down from $1,299. The discounts bring the M5 Air close to last year’s M4 clearance pricing, with a 15-inch M4 at $1,099. Some M5 configurations are seeing reductions of up to 12%. MacRumors noted fewer deals on the M5 Air compared to the previous weekend.
Intel Just Put Its 18A Bet Into Cheaper Laptops. Here’s Why It Matters
Intel launched its Core Series 3 mobile processors, built on its 18A process in the U.S., for lower-cost laptops and edge devices, with systems available from April 16. The top Core 7 360 chip features six CPU cores, two Xe graphics cores, and a 17 TOPS NPU. Microsoft’s Copilot+ PCs require at least 40 TOPS, above the Core Series 3’s maximum. Over 70 device designs are expected this year.
Blackmagic Camera 3.3 Turns Apple Watch Into an iPhone Filming Remote
Blackmagic Design released Blackmagic Camera for iOS 3.3, adding Apple Watch monitoring and camera control for iPhones. The update also brings tighter integration with ATEM Mini switchers and ProDock, plus new camera control features. A separate Android 3.3 update adds live streaming to Facebook, Instagram, Castr, BoxCast, and Bilibili.
Samsung Galaxy S27 Leak: The Big Speed Upgrade You May Not Get
Samsung may equip only the Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra with new UFS 5.0 storage, leaving cheaper S27 models on older technology, according to SamMobile and Gadgets360. Kioxia began shipping UFS 5.0 samples in February, offering up to 10.8 GB/s speeds. Reports also point to a new Exynos 2700 chip, with Geekbench scores close to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Samsung cited rising costs and production hurdles for the limited rollout.
AirPods Max 2 Just Sparked A $549 Headphone Fight With Sony
Apple’s first-generation AirPods Max dropped to £399.99 at Amazon UK after the AirPods Max 2 launch. The new model lists at $549 in the U.S., while Sony’s WH-1000XM6 is $429.99. Sony and Bose remain key competitors in premium noise-canceling headphones. Reviewers note Apple’s improvements focus on features and integration rather than design changes.
Apple’s iPhone Keyboard Bug: How One Missing Accent Can Lock Users Out
Apple is developing a fix for an iPhone bug that blocks users from entering passcodes containing the Czech háček character after a recent iOS update, The Register reported. The glitch can lock users out of their devices, forcing a reset and data loss. Apple has not confirmed when a fix will be released.
iPhone 18 Pro Release Date Leak Points to Dark Cherry Color, Camera Upgrade and Foldable iPhone Debut
Apple is expected to stagger its next iPhone launch, with iPhone 18 Pro models likely in September and standard models delayed into 2027, according to supply-chain reports. A new “Dark Cherry” Pro finish, minor design tweaks, and a camera upgrade are anticipated. iPhone shipments in China rose 20% last quarter, while the overall market declined. Apple’s first foldable phone is also slated for a September debut.
Microsoft Defender Zero-Day Attacks Hit Windows as Two Flaws Remain Unpatched
Hackers exploited three Microsoft Defender flaws—BlueHammer, RedSun, and UnDefend—in at least one real-world attack, Huntress reported. Microsoft patched BlueHammer (CVE-2026-33825) this week, but RedSun and UnDefend remain unpatched. Attackers staged the exploit tools after breaching a system via a FortiGate VPN. The identities of the attackers and the targeted organization have not been disclosed.
Valve’s Steam Machine Price Problem Just Got Real After a $950 DIY Rival
Valve’s Steam Machine remains without an official price as controller shipments arrive in the U.S. and a $950 custom build draws comparisons. Component shortages have delayed pricing and launch details, though Valve says its Steam Machine, Frame VR headset, and new controller are still planned for 2026. Import records show Valve is stockpiling controllers, but no launch date is confirmed.
Amazon’s New Fire TV Stick HD Signals the End of Android — and Sideloading — on Fire TV Sticks
Amazon will launch its new Fire TV Stick HD on April 29, running Vega OS instead of Android-based Fire OS. The switch blocks sideloading, restricting users to apps from the Amazon Appstore. The device is slimmer, supports Wi-Fi 6, and will ship in over a dozen countries. Amazon has not commented on future plans for the Fire TV lineup.
Google Gemini Mac App Launches As AI Assistants Fight For Your Desktop
Google launched a native Gemini app for Mac, letting users access its AI assistant directly from the desktop and share on-screen content for tailored responses. The app, built in under 100 days using Swift, supports window sharing, Dock access, and image and video creation. OpenAI and Anthropic already offer similar Mac apps with broader features. Gemini requires users to grant system-level permissions for full functionality.
Dyson HushJet Mini Cool vs Shark ChillPill: $100 Fan Sells Out As Portable Cooling Fight Heats Up
Dyson’s $99.99 HushJet Mini Cool portable fan sold out on the company’s U.S. website just over a week after launch, with “Notify me” prompts replacing purchase options. Early reviews compare it to SharkNinja’s $149.99 ChillPill, which adds mist and a cooling plate. Dyson’s fan weighs 212 grams, offers five speeds, and runs up to six hours on low. Noise and battery life remain key concerns in initial tests.
Technology News 18.04.2026
LIVETechnology news rolling coverageStarted: April 18, 2026, 12:00 AM EDTUpdated: April 18, 2026, 7:21 PM EDT Capcom's Pragmata debuts to near-perfect Steam reviews as a new IP April 18, 2026, 7:18 PM EDT. Capcom rolled out Pragmata, a new action-SF IP, on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2. On **Steam**, the title posted a peak of 67,242 concurrent players and gathered more than 5,000 user reviews, delivering an **Extremely Positive** 96% approval. The standard edition is priced at **€59.99**, about €10 cheaper than Capcom's recent launches. The game blends shooting and real-time hacking in a space setting
Netflix’s Big Mobile App Redesign Adds Vertical Video Feed and AI Recommendations
Netflix will launch a redesigned mobile app by late April, adding a vertical video feed and expanding generative AI use in recommendations and creator tools. The update comes as Netflix pushes into advertising, live events, and video podcasts. First-quarter revenue rose 16% to $12.25 billion, but shares dropped over 10% Friday after a weaker outlook and news that co-founder Reed Hastings will leave the board in June.
Microsoft Finally Moves 2TB FAT32 Support Closer to Windows 11 Release as Xbox Mode Expands
Microsoft on Friday added a 2TB FAT32 formatting option and Xbox mode to Windows 11 Release Preview builds 26100.8313 and 26200.8313. The same Xbox mode feature appeared in a new Canary build, expanding access to testers. The rollout is gradual and availability will vary. Microsoft first tested the 2TB FAT32 formatter in August 2024.
Spotify’s New iPad and Android Tablet App Finally Gets a Proper Redesign
Spotify launched a redesigned app for iPad and Android tablets on Thursday, adding side-by-side browsing, a collapsible sidebar, and a larger video switch button. The update follows recent expansions in video and audiobook features. Spotify said the new layout is available on iOS and Android tablets, but some foldable devices may not get it immediately. Shares were up 0.2% at $532.40 in New York trading Friday.
Samsung Touts Galaxy S26 Real-Time Audio Eraser but Won’t Confirm S25, S24 Rollout
Samsung has expanded Audio Eraser on the Galaxy S26 to filter voices, music, and background noise during live video playback, not just after recording. The company has not confirmed if the same version will reach older models such as the S25 or S24. The tool now appears in the Quick panel and works with third-party apps, but support varies by device and app.
Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S Price Hike Starts April 19 as AI Memory Crunch Hits VR
Meta Platforms will raise U.S. prices for its Quest 3 and Quest 3S VR headsets starting April 19, citing increased memory-chip costs. The 512GB Quest 3 will jump $100 to $599.99, while Quest 3S models rise $50. Refurbished units will also cost more; accessories remain unchanged. Meta shares rose 1.1% Friday morning.
New Chrome Privacy Reports Raise Fingerprinting Fears as Edge, Firefox and Brave Offer Built-In Defenses
Google Chrome faced renewed privacy criticism Friday after reports highlighted its lack of built-in defenses against browser fingerprinting, a technique that can track users through device details. Chrome holds 66.7% of the global browser market, according to Statcounter. Rivals like Firefox and Brave offer default fingerprinting protections. Google maintains Chrome is “secure by default” but does not block fingerprinting by default.
DJI’s New Osmo Pocket 4 Shoots 4K/240fps, but U.S. Launch Is on Hold
DJI’s Osmo Pocket 4 handheld camera will not launch in the U.S. due to pending FCC authorization, a company spokesperson said. The device features 4K/240fps video, upgraded tracking, and 107GB internal storage. Pre-orders opened internationally, with shipping set for April 22. DJI is challenging U.S. import restrictions in court, but no U.S. release date has been set.
TCL 2026 TV Lineup Lands With QM8L, QM7L and $8,000 RM9L as Mini LED Fight Heats Up
TCL launched two new SQD-Mini LED TVs in the U.S., the QM8L and QM7L, with prices starting at $1,199.99, and opened pre-orders for its first RGB-Mini LED model, the RM9L, priced up to $29,999.99 for 115 inches. The QM8L is available now, while the QM7L and RM9L are on pre-order. UK models launched a day earlier, starting at 379 pounds. TCL executives said the QM8L may match the RM9L’s picture quality at half the price.
Apple iOS 27 Leak Points to 4 New Apple Intelligence Features and Liquid Glass Tweaks
Apple’s iOS 27 will focus on incremental Apple Intelligence features and minor Liquid Glass interface tweaks, according to code leaks and reports from MacRumors and 9to5Mac. New tools may include nutrition label scanning for Health, automatic contact entry, digital passes in Wallet, and smarter Safari tab naming. Major redesigns are not expected. Most features may require iPhone 15 Pro or newer.
iPhone Loyalty Hits Record High as 2026 Survey Shows Android Users Nearly 4x More Likely to Switch
A SellCell survey found 96.4% of U.S. iPhone owners plan to stick with Apple for their next phone, up from 91.9% in 2021. Only 3.6% said they would switch, compared to 13.6% of Android users. The survey, conducted among over 5,000 adults, comes as global smartphone shipments fell 6% in Q1, with Apple leading the market at 21% share. Apple reports fiscal Q2 results April 30.
Apple MacBook Air Drops Below $1,000 as Amazon Cuts New M5 Prices, Pro Hits $1,580
Amazon and other U.S. retailers dropped the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air to $949 and the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro with 1TB storage to $1,580, just over a month after launch. Some sellers also cut the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air to $1,099. The discounts erase the new Air’s $100 premium over last year’s model at some outlets. Apple’s March MacBook refresh added more storage to base models but kept prices higher.
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro May Finally Turn Red as Dark Cherry Leak Reveals 2026 Colors
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max may debut in a muted “Dark Cherry” finish, with a smaller Dynamic Island and minimal design changes, according to supply chain leaks cited by Macworld and MacRumors. Bloomberg reported Apple’s first foldable iPhone could launch alongside these models in September, though timing remains uncertain. Reuters said iPhone shipments in China rose 20% in Q1 despite a shrinking market.