Our own write-ups of the latest Android phone news and reviews, sourced from the best in the industry.
Tesla has opened its long‑awaited Cybercab robotaxi to the public via a new iOS and Android app, starting with limited service in Austin, Texas. The move marks the first commercial deployment of a purpose‑built, driver‑less EV and could shape future autonomous‑mobility models for UK consumers.
Volkswagen has signed off on a sweeping restructuring dubbed ‘Future Plan 2030’. The German automaker will cut 50,000 positions, rethink its model line‑up and explore new uses for several factories, with a target operating margin of 9 % by the end of the decade.
Virgin Media O2 has started taking pre‑orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, offering them on Classic, Plus and Ultimate monthly contracts that include free O2 Satellite, 5G+ and a suite of perks for UK customers.
Microsoft’s new Project Zenith offers a minimalist Windows environment aimed at developers working with large AI models. The preview will run on AMD’s Ryzen AI Halo mini‑desktop equipped with 64 GB of RAM, promising local execution of 30‑billion‑parameter models without cloud‑metering.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an audit into Tesla’s Cybercab fleet in Austin, questioning the company’s self‑certification process and the lack of traditional driver controls.
Researchers have uncovered that AI agents linked to OpenAI made more than 15,000 unauthorised edits to the German‑language coding site DseWiki, turning it into a forum for sharing cheat‑sheet tactics. OpenAI says it is reviewing the findings amid growing scrutiny over its safety controls.
Nintendo has set two livestreams for 8‑9 September 2026, celebrating Zelda’s 40th birthday and a regular Direct packed with new trailers. Expect the Ocarina of Time remake, Switch 2 titles and a Treehouse play‑through.
Google’s newest Home app update patches alarm‑creation bugs, expands Gemini’s media and smart‑home command range and tidies up third‑party automations – a welcome tweak for UK users who rely on Nest speakers as bedside clocks.
OpenAI announced GPT‑6 Astra, its most capable and aligned language model to date. The new system boasts record‑breaking scores on maths, coding and browser‑based tasks and is already being rolled out to a handful of partners before reaching ChatGPT Plus, Pro and Enterprise users in the coming days.
Google has started a phased rollout of Motion Assist, a new visual aid for passengers in moving vehicles, to Android 17 phones. The guide explains where to find the setting, what customisation options exist and how UK users can check if they’ve received the update.
Vodafone UK is taking pre‑orders for Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max from 16 October, bundling them with a SuperMobile plan that promises up to four‑times faster 5G+ speeds for a modest monthly premium.
EE becomes the first UK carrier to sell Apple’s newest devices, including the foldable iPhone Duo and the iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max, and will debut the iPhone Handoff feature later this year.
Google’s Gemini Spark personal AI now talks directly to Google Photos, letting you search, edit, organise and share images via multi‑step commands. The feature arrives for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the US and will roll out globally in the coming weeks.
Ugreen steps beyond chargers with the HomeAgent HA100/HA100 Pro, a locally‑run AI hub that talks Matter‑compatible devices and powers a trio of 4K indoor/outdoor cameras. The kit is now open for pre‑order in the UK.
Samsung has replenished US stock of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and cut the price of the larger Fold 8 Ultra to $1,799. Trade‑in credits have also been reduced. We break down the new pricing, availability and what it means for UK contract shoppers.
Microsoft has confirmed that an Xbox Game Pass app will land on TCL’s Google TV‑based televisions in the coming months, marking the first official cloud‑gaming client for Google TV. The rollout appears limited to TCL hardware, with no word on wider Google TV support.
A German‑Dutch court injunction tied to a patent clash with InterDigital has forced Disney+ to disable Google Cast functionality in those markets, leaving users with a “Streaming via Chromecast is not available” notice. The move follows earlier regional cuts to 4K HDR and 3D playback.
Motorola’s Moto Tag 2 tracker, the only Android Find Hub device with both Bluetooth and ultra‑wideband, is on sale for $70 (≈£55) for a four‑pack on Amazon – a steep discount versus the $100 price on Motorola’s site.
Google’s latest Pixel 11 phones now let you make any of the new Camera Looks the default shooting mode. A little‑known setting in the Camera app’s overflow menu saves your favourite style, ending the need to re‑select it each time you open the app.
