Apple has quietly removed the Walkie-Talkie app from Apple Watch in the first developer beta of watchOS 27, with the app vanishing from both the app list and Control Center. Walkie-Talkie launched with watchOS 5 in 2018 and allowed Apple Watch users to send push-to-talk voice messages to one another over Wi-Fi or cellular using FaceTime infrastructure. Unlike traditional walkie-talkies, it worked over any distance, making it a novel way to communicate without picking up an iPhone.
The FCC's robocall crackdown could force carriers to collect more ID data before activating phone service, raising privacy concerns for prepaid users, abuse survivors, journalists, and anyone relying on burner phones.
Users of older Tablo DVR models have a limited time before their legacy apps are discontinued. This move forces a transition in how long-time cord cutters access their local recordings and highlights the shift toward the newer 4th Gen platform.
Comcast is expanding its 'Outcome 360' advertising platform by integrating credit and debit card transaction data from Affinity Solutions. This allows the company to directly link TV viewing habits to real-world purchasing behavior, raising significant privacy considerations for consumers.
The FCC has given Amazon an extension to a key milestone for its Leo satellite internet deployment.
Microsoft has announced a translucent green 25th-anniversary Xbox Series X and a massive wave of 17 day-one titles for Game Pass. Lon's gaming coverage often highlights console hardware and the value proposition of subscription services.
Code and UI framework changes in the first iOS 27 beta provide the strongest evidence yet of a foldable iPhone or a high-end 'Ultra' model in development. These software shifts suggest Apple is finally preparing its interface for non-traditional smartphone form factors.
You can grab the RetroPad code and .exe from GitHub.
A new wave of so-called Googlebook devices is reportedly on the way, with as many as eight models expected from major brands across Intel and other platforms. If real, this could signal a broader shift in Chromebook or Google-centered laptop strategy and would be worth tracking for hands-on coverage once hardware appears.
Samsung is pushing its Color E-Paper display technology into fashion retail, highlighting lower-power signage and reduced waste versus traditional displays and printed materials. This could be interesting for Lon as a broader display-tech trend, especially if the panels later expand into commercial or consumer applications.
Valve has confirmed that its Steam Machine hardware will launch this summer, though key details like pricing are still missing. This could be a notable gaming hardware story for Lon if the device aims to bridge PC gaming and console-style living room use, especially with Valve branding behind it.
A new report highlights how mass consolidation in the broadcast industry is leading to more frequent blackouts of local ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC affiliates. This trend emphasizes the increasing importance of OTA antennas as a reliable backup for cord cutters facing carriage disputes.
A roundup of the most unconventional PC builds from Computex, showcasing extreme customization and unique form factors. These designs highlight the creative and often bizarre trends in the enthusiast PC market.
Health tech company Ultrahuman suffered a data breach where hackers accessed user wellness data via an internal tool. This highlights growing security concerns for the smart ring and wearable health market.
Microsoft is transitioning its powerful Surface RTX Spark Dev Box into a consumer-available mini PC. This hardware represents a significant push into high-performance compact computing from Microsoft, which is a core interest for Lon's mini PC coverage.
Annual meeting focuses on datacasting, BPS and the viewer experience
Apple has signaled that macOS 26 Tahoe will be the final version for Intel-based Macs, with macOS 27 dropping support entirely. This marks the official end of an era for legacy Mac hardware longevity.
A Cord Cutters News report looks back at Comcast's loss of more than 13 million TV subscribers since its 2008 peak. While not a product launch, it is a strong data point for a broader industry trend Lon frequently covers: the continuing erosion of traditional pay TV and what that means for streaming, broadband bundling, and consumer choice.
While ChatGPT remains the market leader, Anthropic's Claude is seeing a surge in adoption according to recent Comscore data. As AI tools become more integrated into consumer tech and media production, these shifts in the competitive landscape are important to track.