Best iPhone Accessories — Boost Battery, Photography & ProtectionThe right add-on can make a good iPhone experience even better. Whether you want longer battery life, improved mobile photography or extra protection from daily wear and tear, the best accessories add real value without getting in your way.Top accessory typesMagSafe chargers — Fast, convenient wireless charging: MagSafe chargers on AmazonWireless earbuds — For calls and music: Wireless earbuds for iPhonePortable power banks — Backup power on the go: Portable power banksProtective cases & screen protectors — Keep your screen crack-free and phone safeStands & mounts — Improve FaceTime setups and in-car useWe’ve tested a wide range of products to help narrow down the choices. Whether you’re using the latest iPhone or an older model, the right accessories can make everyday use…

Apple Crossbody Strap: New iPhone 17 Accessory Reportedly in Production Apple is reportedly developing a new "Crossbody Strap" designed for the iPhone 17 and its matching TechWoven cases. According to multiple leaks and supply-chain sources, production has already begun, indicating the strap could be available immediately when Apple unveils the iPhone 17 in September. What we know Design: A magnetic attachment system with a flexible metal core running the length of the strap, allowing hook-free connection to special lanyard points on the new cases. Materials: Likely woven nylon (similar to Apple Watch Sport Loop) with possible silicone variants for a softer feel. Compatibility: Mainly designed for iPhone 17 TechWoven cases; may also work with other accessories in some cases. Availability: Production reportedly started, so availability is expected at launch or…

Amazon: “Second Chance Deal Days” — reports and what we know Several outlets reported that Amazon Germany will host a dedicated sales event for returned and refurbished items called “Second Chance Deal Days” from 3–9 September. The event is said to offer discounted prices on millions of products across categories such as electronics, home, fitness and toys. Important: I could not find an official Amazon press release confirming a standalone “Second Chance Deal Days” event for early September. Amazon consistently features Warehouse and Renewed items during its major sales (for example, Prime Big Deal Days in October), and dedicated promotions for returned/refurbished stock are often integrated into larger events. What to watch Check Amazon’s official news pages for confirmation and details (example: Prime Big Deal Days announcement): aboutamazon.eu — Prime…

TfL launches 'HeadphonesOn' campaign to reduce smartphone noise on London public transport Transport for London (TfL) has launched a new public information campaign, "HeadphonesOn", asking passengers on buses, the Tube and other public transport to use headphones when listening to music or taking calls. TfL surveyed 1,000 customers and reports that 70% said loud music or conversations over speakers disturb their journeys. The campaign — part of TfL’s wider #TravelKind initiative — uses posters and social media to encourage considerate behaviour and improve the experience for all travellers. Key points Campaign name: HeadphonesOn Survey: 1,000 customers; 70% affected by loud phone/music Measures: Posters across the network and social messaging Goal: Reduce noise disturbance and make journeys more pleasant Read the official TfL press release for full details: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2025/august/new-tfl-campaign-encourages-customers-to-use-headphones-on-public-transport Source: Transport…

Xcode 26 Beta 7: GPT‑5 and Claude Sonnet 4 Integration Apple has released Xcode 26 beta 7, which expands the IDE's "Coding Intelligence" capabilities by allowing developers to integrate external large language models directly in Xcode. The update adds support for OpenAI's GPT‑5 and Anthropic's Claude Sonnet 4, letting developers use these models for code generation, assistance, and other AI-driven workflows. Key points Direct integration of OpenAI GPT‑5 and Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4 into Xcode's Coding Intelligence features. Developers can connect paid Anthropic accounts via the Intelligence settings panel and choose GPT‑5 variants optimized for speed or reasoning. Option to use hosted APIs (OpenAI/Anthropic) or local models on Apple silicon for on-device AI assistance. Where to find more Official Apple release notes: Apple Developer — Xcode 26 beta 7 release…

iOS 26: What to Expect — Compatibility, Features & Release Window iOS 26: What to Expect — Compatibility, Features & Release Window Apple’s iPhone 17 event is set for Tuesday, September 9, and if history repeats itself, iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 could arrive about one week later — around Tuesday, September 16. The new OS versions bring significant upgrades across iPhone and iPad, including a refreshed UI, improved Phone app, live translation via AirPods, and collaborative features in Messages. Key Features Liquid Glass design: A polished new look for app icons, floating buttons, dark-mode refinements, and a cohesive design across Apple's platforms. Phone app redesign: Scroll contacts, recent calls and voicemails on one screen, plus Hold Assist to notify you when an agent answers. Live Translate: Real-time translation for…

Meta brings AI-powered NPCs to Horizon Worlds Meta has announced that developers will soon be able to create AI-powered, voice-enabled NPCs for Horizon Worlds using the Worlds Desktop Editor. These NPCs can hold lifelike conversations, have customizable appearances, backstories, and behavioral instructions that govern how they respond to players. Key details Developers can create embodied, conversational NPCs via the Worlds Desktop Editor. NPCs support voice chat and can be customized with appearance, backstory, and response behavior. Meta’s rollout is coming "very soon"; some examples are already available in worlds like Bobber Bay Fishing and Profit or Perish. Reporting indicates Meta may be using Llama 4 for underlying generative AI capabilities. Why it matters This update lets creators move beyond scripted NPCs to dynamic characters that respond to specific player interactions.…

Microsoft launches MAI‑Voice‑1 and MAI‑1‑preview — two in‑house AI models Microsoft has announced two AI models trained entirely in‑house: MAI‑Voice‑1, its first natural speech generation model, and MAI‑1‑preview, a text foundation model trained end‑to‑end. The company is already using MAI‑Voice‑1 in Copilot Daily and Podcasts, while MAI‑1‑preview is available for public testing on LMArena and will be previewed in select Copilot scenarios in the coming weeks. Key facts MAI‑Voice‑1: First natural speech model from Microsoft. Engineered for efficiency — reported to generate quality audio on a single GPU. Currently used in Copilot Daily and Podcasts. MAI‑1‑preview: Text foundation model trained end‑to‑end. Reportedly trained on ~15,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs and is being publicly tested on LMArena. Training focus: Microsoft emphasizes efficiency and data curation — minimizing wasted compute and selecting high‑value…

Kobo eReaders Replace Pocket with Instapaper — What You Need to Know Rakuten has replaced the Pocket read-it-later integration on Kobo eReaders with Instapaper. The new integration is available globally via a firmware update and brings most of the same capabilities Pocket offered: access to saved articles, offline downloads, and basic library management (like, delete, archive). Key points What changed: Instapaper replaces Pocket as the native read-it-later service on all supported Kobo eReaders. Availability: Global rollout via firmware update; supported on the full Kobo lineup, including devices such as the Kobo Libra Colour and Kobo Elipsa 2E. Features: Link your Instapaper account on the device to access your saved articles, download articles for offline reading, and like, delete, or archive items. Migration: Former Pocket users can import saved articles into…

How to Choose the Best Smartphone in 2025 — Key Tips & OnePlus 13 Highlight You might already have an idea which smartphone to buy, but 2025 offers more solid choices than ever. This guide breaks down the main things to consider so you can pick the right phone for your needs. Android or iOS? Apple’s ecosystem makes data sharing and handoffs seamless across iPhone, iPad and Mac, but it keeps you tied to Apple services. Android offers a wider range of hardware (Google, Samsung, Sony, OnePlus, etc.) but typically shorter software update windows and lower trade-in values. Consider what ecosystem your other devices use before switching. Cameras Most phones take excellent photos in good light. If you need long optical zoom or top low-light performance, expect to pay more.…