#smartphones

#smartphones

As a nation of committed trivia buffs, it was unsurprising that we leapt on news of a quizmaster in Manchester who outed a team for cheating. Just where, we asked, is the special place in hell reserved for those quizzers who take a sneaky look at their phones under the table? According to the BBC, a massive whodunnit ensued after the landlord at the Barking Dog in Urmston revealed that the cheats were whispering questions into their smartphones, but refused to name and shame them.

"Our users are very young," Pei said on Alex Heath's Access podcast this week. "It's pretty much impossible to be popular among everybody in the world at the very beginning, so we got to pick a lane." Pei said the company has found that its products resonate best with younger consumers who are motivated by a desire to "be different" and find their "own identity" in the devices they choose.

Apple delivered its best results ever in a July quarter, while Samsung achieved its strongest July-quarter growth on record. Demand for Apple's new iPhone 17 lineup was robust, with pre-orders surpassing those of the previous generation. At the same time, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 outperformed all earlier foldable models, creating renewed momentum for the foldables segment.

Customers who wish to upgrade their smartphones can enjoy discounts of up to 45 percent on the latest models. The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G, with a launch price of Rs. 34,999, will be available at an effective sale price of Rs. 24,999. This translates into savings of Rs. 10,000. Similarly, the affordable Redmi A4 5G price will drop from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 7,499 during the Xiaomi Diwali sale.

The Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which covers California and most of the Western U.S., just delivered good news for digital privacy: abandoning a phone doesn't abandon your Fourth Amendment rights in the phone's contents. In United States v. Hunt, the court made clear that no longer having control of a device is not the same thing as surrendering the privacy of the information it contains.

With our ever-present smartphones linked to everything from banking to kids activity schedules, switching off can seem impossible. But there is a way to step back. With summer over, it may be hard to even begin thinking about holidays. But the next time a few days off do swing around, can I make a recommendation?

In November 1980, I was 13 and making my way to Firhill from East Kilbride alone, arriving at the game to discover there was no manager in the dugout. It seemed very strange but, as I went on my own and was too shy to speak to anyone while I was there, it wasn't until the next day that I found out via the Sunday Mail that Bertie Auld had resigned and gone to Hibs.

Two of the most popular smartphone lineups got their latest additions this week as Google unveiled the Pixel 10 series, while Xiaomi gave us the first three members of the Redmi Note 15 family. Understandably, the trending chart is barely recognizable, with an influx of new names. The Redmi Note 15 Pro+ ended up on top, while the Pixel 10 Pro got the silver medal.

Pine64 is discontinuing its higher-end PinePhone Pro smartphone while continuing to sell the lower-end PinePhone for an estimated two more years.

The Doogee S200 Ultra features a 6.72" FullHD+ 120Hz LCD front display and a 1.32" 60Hz AMOLED rear display for notifications and music control.

The AirPods Max have been lauded for their great sound, effective noise cancellation, and spatial audio, providing an immersive experience for listeners.

Apple devices, including iPhones and iPads, perform optimally between 32-95 degrees Fahrenheit (0-35 degrees Celsius). Extreme heat can permanently reduce battery life.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is equipped with a 200MP main sensor that surpasses the iPhone 16 Pro Max's 48MP lens, especially in terms of zoom capabilities.

Huawei's Mate 80 RS is anticipated to feature dual-layer OLED tech, similar to its predecessor, offering increased brightness and longevity.

The Phone 3 is a statement phone that broadcasts your own individuality. It's not for everyone, only a person who's tired of the status quo.

The Galaxy S25 FE is expected to be introduced on September 19, one week earlier than its predecessor, the S24 FE, which was unveiled on September 26.

T-Mobile's T-Satellite service is now available across most outdoor areas in the US, providing connectivity when out of reach of cell towers.

If you're currently using a handset that's severely damaged or defected in a way that prevents it from completing your daily tasks, then it's time to buy a new phone right now.