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Global Devices news gathered by Explorineer every day, rewritten as plain-language explainers.
A German tech publication has published a top-10 ranking of KVM switches based on its own tests. The switches let users connect a mouse, keyboard, and monitor to several computers without re-plugging cables.
Terrence O'Brien, The Verge's weekend editor, reviews Scott Walker's 2006 album The Drift as one of the most genuinely terrifying Spooky Season records. He describes its dark lyrics on death, disease, and tragedy and its unsettling experimental soundscape. The review argues the album is challenging but rewarding, and that it makes the skin crawl rather than offering shivers.
A YouTuber reproduced a cracked screen on Apple's iPhone Duo during durability testing, then took the phone apart to look for the cause. He believes a thinner link in the complex hinge snapped at a small notch and that the hinge may have caught on the support plate.
Viettel Sơn La says building mobile infrastructure in the province's mountainous areas costs about 100% more than in the lowlands, due to rugged terrain, scattered populations and limited transport, power and transmission. The company plans 246 new BTS base stations in 2026 and aims to cover 100% of signal dead zones in the province this month, and has asked the Ministry of Science and Technology to allow use of the public telecom fund.
A columnist tests Relaxonic Cover, a speed-rest eye mask developed by MENTAGRAPHA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan Tobacco, which uses a heater and ultrasonic sound to help users rest. The product raised about 4.7 million yen on Makuake against a 500,000 yen goal and is sold on Amazon for 27,500 yen.
The world's cheapest smartphones are disappearing as AI data centers absorb memory chips and push component prices up. IDC says the average smartphone price is set to rise from $450 last year to an expected $581 this year.
A German tech publication has published a top 10 ranking of smartwatches with ECG functions. The article says atrial fibrillation often goes unnoticed, and that ECG-equipped smartwatches can provide indications of heart rhythm disorders.
A Verge reviewer argues that a long-rumored touchscreen MacBook, reportedly due for announcement soon, should learn from the Lenovo Yoga 9n. The Yoga is a 16-inch 2-in-1 convertible with a stylus that works on both the screen and the trackpad. The reviewer says he hopes Apple adds stylus support, trackpad compatibility, and magnetic attachment, and that it avoids a basic 2-in-1 design.
The $400 Boox Palma 2 Pro is a smartphone-sized E Ink e-reader that runs Android and supports Google Play. After two months of testing, the reviewer says its size, front-lit screen, and low brightness made it a more comfortable alternative to reading on an iPhone, especially in bed at night.
The Ecovacs X12S Omnicyclone offers 27,000 Pa of suction and uses a bagless docking station. The review examines whether its premium price is justified.
The c't Fotografie 6/2026 issue, promoted through a heise offer, focuses on self-portraits as a versatile and underrated photography genre. Leipzig photographer Katja Heinemann describes how she uses self-portraits to explore emotions and process personal experiences, starting with a smartphone and now working with a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV.
Apple has unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone, about seven years after Samsung and other manufacturers. The episode of the c't uplink podcast discusses the iPhone Duo, foldable phones from established brands, and other conventional flagship models.
Apple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, lacks Face ID facial recognition and instead uses a fingerprint sensor on the power button, similar to rivals such as Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and Oppo Find N6. The unlock method also differs, as users must press and hold to reach the home screen rather than lightly tap once as on Android phones.
A German tech guide ranks the top 10 wireless security cameras, highlighting features such as 4K resolution, dual lenses, battery power, Wi-Fi connectivity, and solar panel charging. The article presents the best models available.
The Verge's David Pierce and Nilay Patel debate whether the iPhone Duo deserved its 7/10 review score and how the device might evolve. They discuss criticism of its outer screen and whether it would fare better as an iPad. The episode also covers a PHP security flaw and AI-driven shopping.
heise+ has published a workshop on using Apple Calendar on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The guide covers account setup, recurring events, sharing, calendars on your own NAS, and more. Only a preview of the article is available without a heise+ subscription.
An arcade claw machine has been spotted displaying an Android Recovery Console instead of a playable game, a glitch The Register reader Scott photographed at a venue next to a roller rink. The screen shows the "release-keys" text and a prompt for removable storage on a blue background resembling a blue screen of death.
Oura has filed a new patent infringement lawsuit against Ultrahuman in a Texas federal court, seeking to block U.S. sales of the Ring Pro. The complaint alleges the ring infringes two Oura patents covering its design and internal components, and it also names manufacturer SVTronics as a defendant. Ultrahuman says it will vigorously defend the ring, which remains available to U.S. customers.