Does fast charging shorten smartphone battery life? HTX Studio’s lab tests dig in German tech YouTube channel HTX Studio recently published an in‑depth video investigating how modern fast‑charging systems affect smartphone battery longevity. The creators use a laboratory‑style setup to evaluate whether quicker charging cycles accelerate battery degradation. The video aims to answer a question many users have: is the convenience of fast charging worth the potential long‑term cost to battery health? HTX Studio’s testing approach appears methodical, and the episode covers the test rig, charging profiles and the metrics used to track capacity loss over time. What the video covers Overview of the fast‑charging standards tested and which phones/adapters were used. Details of the test setup (controlled charge/discharge cycles and monitoring tools). How battery health and capacity were measured…

Apple turns satellite communications into a core iPhone focus Over the past three years Apple has steadily expanded satellite features on the iPhone. What began with Emergency SOS via satellite on the iPhone 14 has grown to include Messages via satellite and location sharing — and industry coverage now suggests satellites are a strategic focus for Apple going forward. The initial Emergency SOS feature was aimed at saving lives when cellular networks aren’t available. Since then, Apple has layered on additional capabilities that make satellite connectivity more useful for everyday scenarios, not just emergencies. What Apple has added so far Emergency SOS via satellite — lets users contact emergency services when out of range of cellular networks. Messages via satellite — enables sending and receiving text messages in no‑signal areas.…

tvOS 26.2 beta introduces child profiles and local Apple TV accounts (no Apple ID required) Apple’s tvOS 26.2 beta surfaces notable changes to user management on Apple TV. Developers and beta testers have found two headline features: the addition of child (kids) profiles with tailored restrictions, and the option to create profiles directly on the Apple TV without linking them to an Apple ID. These changes appear aimed at households that share a single TV unit. Child profiles let parents set viewing limits and tailor content access, while local accounts remove the friction of requiring every household member to have an Apple account just to use the TV. What the beta reveals Child profiles: Dedicated kids accounts with age‑appropriate content controls and parental settings to manage what children can watch.…

Daily AI roundup: Anthropic settlement, OpenAI multi‑cloud push, Nvidia investment talks and more Here’s a concise summary of the latest AI headlines (collected from recent coverage across industry outlets) focusing on Anthropic/Claude, OpenAI, Microsoft, Nvidia and other major moves. These items reflect reports and industry chatter from today and should be treated as developing news. Top items Anthropic / Claude: Reports indicate Anthropic reached a large settlement related to litigation over model training practices — figures around $1.5 billion have been cited. This would be a significant legal and financial moment for the company behind Claude. OpenAI: OpenAI is reportedly expanding its multi‑cloud strategy, committing to larger infrastructure usage across AWS, Microsoft and other providers. The company also rolled out a new reasoning model and is experimenting with a browser‑style…

Blue Origin scraps New Glenn launch after weather holds; FAA order complicates next steps Blue Origin called off the second flight of its New Glenn heavy‑lift rocket after multiple weather holds during the launch window and ultimately scrubbing the attempt around 4:13 PM ET. The vehicle was set to carry twin Rocket Lab–built satellites for UC Berkeley’s NASA Escapade mission, which will use a year‑long Earth orbit before heading to Mars in 2027. The timeline for the next launch opportunity is uncertain. The Federal Aviation Administration recently issued an emergency order tied to the government shutdown that restricts commercial launches to nighttime hours (10:00 PM–6:00 AM as of November 10). Blue Origin said it’s reviewing weather windows but did not explicitly reference the FAA order in its statement. What was…

OneXFly Apex arrives: premium Windows handheld with swappable 85Wh battery and optional liquid cooling OneXPlayer has launched an Indiegogo campaign for the OneXFly Apex, a high‑end Windows gaming handheld that starts at $1,399 and tops out at $2,299 for a fully loaded configuration. The device distinguishes itself from mainstream handhelds by offering flagship PC components, an external swappable 85Wh battery, and even an optional liquid cooling module. The Apex is aimed at gamers who want desktop‑class performance on the go. Configurations can include up to an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor and as much as 128GB of RAM. Storage options go up to 4TB internally, with additional expansion possible via a mini SSD slot and a microSD card — meaning users can scale capacity for large game libraries. Key…

AirPods 4 drop to $90 (non‑ANC) in early Black Friday deal — ANC model $150 Apple’s AirPods 4 are on sale ahead of Black Friday, with the non‑ANC model at a record low of $90 (down from $130) and the active‑noise‑cancelling (ANC) version priced at $150 (down from $180). If you want Apple audio features without the higher cost of ANC, the entry model is an excellent value right now. The AirPods 4 use Apple’s H2 audio chip, support Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, and include Voice Isolation for clearer calls. They also feature a redesigned stem and fit for more comfort and security compared with earlier entry AirPods. Non‑ANC vs ANC — what you gain or give up Non‑ANC ($90): Great sound with H2 chip, Personalized Spatial…

Black Friday tech deals to shop now (early picks) Black Friday season has already kicked off with a wide range of early discounts across major tech categories. Below are standout deals we've spotted now — solid options if you're buying gifts or upgrading essential gear before the main sales week. Highlighted deals Apple AirPods 4 — $90 (≈30% off): improved fit and sound at a budget price. Apple AirTags (4‑pack) — $65 (≈34% off): handy for keeping track of keys, bags and more. Google TV Streamer 4K — $75: our top streaming pick with Google TV interface and smart‑home integration. Apple Mac mini (M4) — $499 ($100 off): compact desktop with M4 chip and 16GB RAM in base model. Apple Watch SE 3 — $200 ($50 off): flagship chipset, always‑on…

Proton VPN Black Friday deal: 2 years of VPN Plus for $59.76 (75% off) Proton VPN is running a deep Black Friday discount: two years of its VPN Plus plan is available for $59.76 (about $2.49 per month), a roughly 75% savings over the regular $10/month rate. The promotion unlocks Proton’s top tier features at a steep discount — a smart time to sign up or gift a subscription. Why this deal stands out: Proton VPN Plus expands server access and capabilities compared with the free plan. The Plus tier offers access to around 15,000 servers across 120+ countries, simultaneous protection for up to 15 devices, and advanced features designed for streaming, privacy and speed. Key features of Proton VPN Plus Large server network: ~15,000 servers in 120+ countries for…

MacBook Air (M4, 13-inch) drops to a record-low $749 — is now the time to buy? Amazon has the 13-inch MacBook Air with Apple’s M4 chip at a record-low $749 — about 25% off. The sale applies to multiple color options and represents one of the best prices we've seen for Apple’s lightest laptop. If you want a powerful, portable machine without paying Pro prices, this is a strong contender. The M4 MacBook Air earned top marks in reviews for its snappy performance and excellent battery life — roughly 18 hours on a charge in typical use. The 13-inch model balances a compact footprint with a bright P3 display (up to 500 nits) and a lightweight, sturdy design that’s ideal for students, commuters and anyone who needs a reliable daily…