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  • Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Surfaces in Dubai Grey Market Ahead of Official Launch

    Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Surfaces in Dubai Grey Market Ahead of Official Launch

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    In a surprising development just days before Samsung’s big event, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has reportedly been sold in Dubai through grey market channels. The phone is scheduled to launch officially at the Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25, 2026. However, one tech YouTuber claims he has already purchased the device.

    Sahil Karoul, known as @KaroulSahil on X, shared videos showing the alleged retail unit of the Galaxy S26 Ultra. According to him, he bought the white variant from a retailer in Dubai for around $3,300. That price is significantly higher than expected official pricing, which clearly suggests early grey market availability.

    It is still not clear how the device reached a store before launch. In most cases, smartphones are shipped to retailers ahead of launch under strict embargo rules. Sales are only allowed after the official announcement.

    Grey market sales usually happen when a retailer gets early stock and decides to sell it unofficially at a premium price. Dubai is known for such early device leaks in the past as well. Over the years, several flagship phones have surfaced there before launch day.

    From the shared videos, the Galaxy S26 Ultra appears to have a flat frame and a more prominent raised camera island compared to the previous model. The periscope lens is now circular instead of rectangular.

    The S Pen is still present. However, just like last year, it reportedly does not support Bluetooth features. When inserted backwards, it oddly protrudes, which has already started online discussions.

    The color shown in the videos looks white, though Samsung may use a different marketing name when it officially launches the device.

    We also got to know about Privacy Display feature. When enabled, the screen becomes unreadable from side angles. It works similar to physical privacy screen protectors but is built into the display. From the demo video, it appears that the entire display darkens from side views. It is not yet confirmed whether users can apply this feature to specific apps or only to the full screen.

    The leaked unit shows impressive benchmark numbers. The device scored around 3.72 million points on AnTuTu v11. On Geekbench 6, it achieved 3648 in single core and 10898 in multi core tests.

    This early appearance could impact the surprise factor of Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event. Many key details are already circulating online.

    Interestingly, Samsung reportedly moved quickly to control the situation. Most of the videos shared by Karoul on X were later taken down. The company may have issued copyright takedown requests to limit further spread of the leaked content.

    This move appears to be an effort to maintain hype and control the narrative ahead of the Galaxy Unpacked event. Big brands usually prefer to reveal new features on their own stage rather than through unofficial leaks. However, once content is posted online, it often spreads quickly across platforms. Even if original videos are removed, screenshots and reposts continue to circulate.

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  • Godsend app alerts you of smart glasses that might be secretly recording you

    Godsend app alerts you of smart glasses that might be secretly recording you

    A new Android app can warn you if someone wearing glasses like the Meta Ray-Bans is close by. 404 Media first spotted the tool, called Nearby Glasses. It works by picking up Bluetooth signals these devices constantly send out, then firing a notification when it finds one.

    Yves Jeanrenaud, a hobbyist developer and sociologist, built it as what he calls “a tiny part of resistance against surveillance tech.” You can download it now from the Play Store or GitHub if you are uneasy about being recorded without knowing it in public.

    How the smart glasses detector works

    Nearby Glasses hunts for Bluetooth advertising frames, the small data packets devices broadcast as part of their routine operation. When it spots a frame from certain manufacturers, it alerts you. Jeanrenaud explained that the app simply checks for those frames and sends a notification when it finds a match.

    To use it, grab the app from the Play Store or GitHub. You might need to adjust settings like enabling foreground service to keep it scanning in the background. Tap “Start Scanning” and a debug log shows you what it detects. If it thinks smart glasses are near, you get a message that reads “Smart Glasses are probably nearby.”

    The false positive problem and its limits

    The app is not flawless, and Jeanrenaud is honest about that. Its Play Store page warns of likely false alarms, especially from VR headsets. In one test, it spotted a Meta Quest 2 and sent a smart glasses alert, with the debug log correctly naming the device.

    The developer keeps expectations grounded. He said this is a tech fix for a social issue blown up by tech, and he does not want people to feel falsely secure. It remains imperfect. Still, you are far less likely to run into someone wearing a VR headset than a pair of smart glasses while out.

    What comes next for fighting smart glasses surveillance

    This tool arrives as glasses grow more powerful. Meta is reportedly developing a facial recognition feature called Name Tag that would let wearers identify people and get information through its AI assistant. That possibility makes a detector like this more timely.

    For now, Nearby Glasses gives you a way to push back, even with its flaws. You can find it on the Play Store or GitHub and start using it today. Just remember the creator’s advice: treat it as one small tool, not a complete shield. The goal is staying aware, not feeling invincible.

  • iQOO 15R With 144Hz AMOLED Display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 and 7600mAh Battery Launched in India

    iQOO 15R With 144Hz AMOLED Display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 and 7600mAh Battery Launched in India

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    iQOO has officially launched the iQOO 15R in India. The smartphone joins the iQOO 15 series and brings flagship level hardware at a competitive price. The starting price is Rs. 44,999. iQOO 15R focuses heavily on performance, gaming, battery life, and display quality. So, it targets power users and mobile gamers.

    The iQOO 15R features a 6.59 inch 1.5K AMOLED flat display with a resolution of 2750 × 1260 pixels. It supports a 144Hz refresh rate. It has 5000 nits of peak brightness, while the minimum brightness drops to 1 nit for comfortable night use. It also supports 4320Hz PWM dimming and offers a DC like dimming option at full brightness. Touch response is also impressive with up to 3200Hz instantaneous touch sampling rate and 300Hz ten finger touch sampling rate. The display supports 1 billion colors and is protected by Schott Shield glass.

    In terms of design, the phone comes in two colors. Dark Knight offers a matte black finish. Triumph Silver comes in white with a unique patterned back and is exclusive to India. The phone is also IP68 and IP69 rated for dust and water resistance, which is still rare in this price segment.

    The iQOO 15R is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor built on a 3nm process. It comes with Adreno 840 GPU. iQOO claims the device scores over 3.5 million points on AnTuTu 11, which puts it in flagship territory. There is also a dedicated Q2 gaming chip that enables 1.5K resolution gaming at 144 FPS simultaneously. That will attract serious mobile gamers.

    The phone supports up to 12GB LPDDR5X Ultra RAM and up to 512GB UFS 4.1 storage.

    For cooling, iQOO has added a large 6500mm IceCore VC cooling system along with dual-layer graphite sheets and a large heat dissipation area. The company claims it can reduce the temperature by up to 15°C in 10 minutes. If this works as advertised, it could solve heating issues during long gaming sessions.

    The device runs Android 16 with OriginOS 6. iQOO promises 4 Android updates and 6 years of security updates. That long-term support is a good sign.

    The iQOO 15R features a 50MP Sony LYT 700V main sensor with OIS. It also includes an 8MP ultra wide camera and a 32MP front camera. The phone supports 4K 60fps video recording on both front and rear cameras. iQOO says it uses NICE algorithms and image enhancement technology to deliver better photos. There are features like Live Photos and AI based effects as well.

    The iQOO 15R supports 5G with multiple bands, Wi Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, and USB Type C. It also features stereo speakers, an in display 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, and an infrared sensor.

    It packs a 7600mAh battery. This is larger than what most flagship phones offer. It uses fourth-generation silicon anode technology and second-generation semi-solid-state battery technology. iQOO claims better durability in extreme temperatures.

    The phone supports 100W fast charging and can charge up to 50 percent in 33 minutes. It also supports PD charging.

    Price and Availability

    The iQOO 15R is priced at:

    • Rs. 44,999 for 8GB + 256GB
    • Rs. 47,999 for 12GB + 256GB
    • Rs. 52,999 for 12GB + 512GB

    The phone will be available via Amazon.in, iQOO.com, and offline stores. Pre bookings start on February 24 at 1PM. Open sale begins on March 3, while pre booked users can get it from March 2.

    Launch offers include a Rs. 4,000 instant discount with HDFC and Axis Bank cards, free iQOO TWS 1e for pre bookings, and 6 month no cost EMI.

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  • Paytm Launches Digital Silver Savings Starting at ₹20

    Paytm Launches Digital Silver Savings Starting at ₹20

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    Paytm has introduced a new savings option called Paytm Silver. It allows users to invest in silver through its mobile app. With this, the company is expanding beyond digital gold and offering another precious metal for small value savings.

    The new feature allows users to start investing in silver with as little as ₹20. The company says the silver is sourced from MMTC PAMP and stored in insured vaults. Users do not physically receive the silver. Instead, the equivalent quantity is stored on their behalf and can be sold anytime through the app at the current market price.

    Once you buy silver from Paytm app, the live price is displayed before payment, and taxes are shown separately. Once purchased, the silver is stored in insured vaults managed by MMTC PAMP. Users can sell their holdings instantly within the app at prevailing market rates. The money is credited back digitally. There are no making charges, which are usually applicable when buying physical silver jewelry or coins.

    Paytm has already seen strong adoption of digital gold on its platform. Many users prefer small and regular investments rather than buying physical gold from stores. Now, the company is applying the same model to silver.

    Silver has traditionally been popular in Indian households, especially during festivals and weddings. However, buying physical silver often involves making charges and storage concerns. Digital silver removes those issues but shifts trust to the platform and storage partner.

    By adding silver, Paytm is clearly targeting users who want to diversify within precious metals without investing large sums at once.

    Silver prices have seen fluctuations in recent years due to global demand, industrial usage, and inflation trends. Apart from jewelry, silver is widely used in electronics, solar panels, and electric vehicles. This gives it both traditional and industrial demand.

    By launching silver savings now, Paytm may be trying to tap into the rising interest in asset-backed investments. Many retail investors are looking for alternatives to fixed deposits and volatile equities. Precious metals often act as a hedge during uncertain economic conditions.

    While digital silver offers convenience, investors should understand the risks. Silver prices can be volatile. Returns are not guaranteed. Also, since the silver is stored digitally, users rely entirely on the platform and its partners for custody and redemption.

    Another important factor is regulation. Digital gold and silver products operate under specific guidelines, but they are not the same as bank deposits or regulated mutual funds. Users should treat them as commodity investments.

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  • Overwatch Rush Announced for iOS and Android

    Overwatch Rush Announced for iOS and Android

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    Blizzard has officially announced Overwatch Rush, a new mobile game set in the Overwatch universe. The game is coming to iOS and Android. There is no release date yet.

    It is important to note that this is not a port of the main Overwatch game. It is a completely new title built only for mobile devices. The game is being developed by a separate Blizzard team that focuses on mobile titles. The main Overwatch team is not involved.

    Overwatch Rush is a top-down hero shooter. The camera sits above the battlefield, and you control your hero from that view. The game is designed for short and fast matches. Blizzard says it focuses on hero based combat and playstyle customization. You can play solo or with a team. Controls are made for touch screens, and the sessions are meant to be quick but still competitive.

    It is being built from the ground up for phones. So the gameplay, controls, and match length are all optimized for mobile.

    Right now, the game is in limited regional testing. Only selected countries can access it. These early tests help improve gameplay balance, performance, and server stability. Test players get access to a limited set of heroes, maps, and core modes.

    Device Requirements

    Before waiting for release, check if your device is supported.

    Android

    Minimum RAM: 3GB

    Supported chipsets include:

    • Snapdragon 480, 675, 720G, 730, 765
    • MediaTek Dimensity 6 series, 7 series, 8 series
    • Helio G9X
    • Exynos 980 and 1380

    A device like the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G meets the minimum requirement.

    iOS

    Minimum RAM: 3GB
    Minimum chipset: A12 or newer

    Supported models include:

    • iPhone SE 2nd Gen
    • iPhone SE 3rd Gen
    • iPhone XS and XS Max
    • iPhone XR
    • iPhone 11 series up to iPhone 17 Pro

    If your iPhone runs on A12 or newer, it should support the game.

    Overwatch Rush will be free to play. It will offer optional in-app purchases. Blizzard says player skill should decide match results. Controller support is not available in the current version.

    More content, including heroes and modes, will be added over time. Blizzard is collecting feedback during testing before announcing a wider release.

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  • Marvel’s Wolverine Launching September 15 for PlayStation 5

    Marvel’s Wolverine Launching September 15 for PlayStation 5

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    Sony Interactive Entertainment and Insomniac Games have confirmed that Marvel’s Wolverine will launch on September 15. The game is coming exclusively to PlayStation 5. This is a brand new story based on Marvel comics. It presents a fresh take on Logan, also known as Wolverine.

    The game follows Logan as he searches for answers about his past. The story focuses on his inner struggle and the mystery surrounding who he used to be.

    Insomniac Games is known for the Marvel’s Spider-Man series. With Wolverine, the studio is taking a darker and more brutal approach. Logan’s journey is intense and personal. The tone is more violent and serious compared to Spider-Man.

    Combat is built around Wolverine’s claws and close-range attacks. Expect fast and fluid action. Fights are designed to feel aggressive and powerful. The game also promises strong accessibility features. This should allow more players to enjoy the experience.

    Wolverine will not be alone in this story. Players will meet known characters from the Marvel universe. Mystique appears during the journey. Omega Red is also part of the game and will likely serve as a major threat. The Reavers, a dangerous enemy faction, will challenge Logan throughout the story. Some characters may support Wolverine, while others will stand in his way.

    The story moves across different locations. Players will explore Madripoor, a well-known island nation in Marvel lore. The adventure also takes Wolverine to the cold regions of Canada and the busy streets of Tokyo. Each location will feature intense combat encounters and cinematic action sequences.

    Marvel’s Wolverine brings a story driven action with brutal combat and strong character focus. It is built only for PlayStation 5, so it is expected to take advantage of the console’s hardware.

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  • Meet As2, a robot dog that runs on batteries not belly rubs

    Meet As2, a robot dog that runs on batteries not belly rubs

    If you’re looking to get a dog but have reservations about all the poop, pee, and chewed shoes that you’ll have to deal with, then how about getting a robot one instead?

    Unitree has brought the idea a step closer with the launch on Tuesday of the impressive-looking As2 quadruped.

    The Chinese robotics giant already has plenty of experience building robot dogs, but the newly unveiled As2 stands out from its other models as a lighter, more agile consumer-grade contraption with a superior runtime of more than 4 hours, a walking range of 8 miles, and a top speed of 11 mph. It even supports large AI models for embodied AI interaction and autonomous decision-making.

    Features include a high-definition front camera, a built in mic and speaker, remote control and intelligent following modes, and a lighting system to aid night walks. It also has an IP54 rating, making it resistant to dust and rain.

    A video (top) accompanying the launch positions the As2 as a companion pet, with clips showing it being taken for a walk and running to its owner. It also shows off the robot’s strength and balance, as the 18-kg machine is able to stay standing and remain steady with a 105-kg human standing on its back.

    The As2 has a few tricks up its sleeve, too, taking it far beyond what a regular dog can do. Like play tennis. It’s true — if you attach the optional seven-axis robotic arm, you can stick a tennis racket in its gripper and have a knockabout.

    It looks like a lot of fun, though if you think you might miss all of the cuteness, slobbering, and quirky behavior that comes with a regular flesh-and-blood mutt, then the As2 probably isn’t for you.

    Unitree has yet to publicly reveal pricing for its new robot dog, asking interested folks to “contact sales.”

  • Apple’s touch-screen MacBook Pro will get the iPhone’s pill-shaped Dynamic Island

    Apple’s touch-screen MacBook Pro will get the iPhone’s pill-shaped Dynamic Island

    Apple is expected to launch redesigned MacBook Pro laptops later this year, and these are expected to bring a massive overhaul in terms of looks and innards. The biggest change is going to be a touch-sensitive panel, one with OLED tech underneath instead of mini-LED panels that you get on the current crop of Pro laptops by Apple. But it seems the pill-shaped cutout from the iPhones — officially known as the Dynamic Island — will also appear on these laptops, as per Bloomberg.

    What’s the big shift?

    “The company’s initial touch Macs, due this fall, will have the Dynamic Island at the center top of the display, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans aren’t public,” reports Bloomberg. Ever since Apple put a notch on the MacBook — both Air and Pro models — fans have complained about the lost screen real estate and how it has remained untouched in terms of functionalities.

    The open-source community, on the other hand, has developed plenty of apps that make the best use of the notch, turning it into a file container, clipboard manager, camera preview engine, mini-calendar, and more. But the aesthetic trade-off is still very much there. On the upcoming MacBook Pro overhaul, Apple is apparently solving two problems in one go viz., get rid of the notch, and put a Dynamic Island in its place that can serve as a hub of activities, similar to what we get on the iPhone.

    At last, some good news

    Currently in development under the codenames code-named K114 and K116, the upcoming 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro will feature a UI that is designed around interactions. And if the user interaction with the Dynamic Island on iPhones is anything to go by, its counterpart on the MacBook Pro will do a lot more, from tracking ongoing activities to serving as a progress timer and more. But Apple is not going all-in with a touch-friendly design of macOS.

    “The idea is to let customers use the touch input as much or as little as they’d like, and blend it with the familiar point-and-click approach,” adds the Bloomberg report. As far as the Dynamic Island itself is concerned, it will be smaller than what you currently see on iPhones. Either way, it’s an exciting turn of events. But it would still take some time getting used to. “There are other questions — how dynamic would this Dynamic Island be? If it frequently changes size like the iPhone version, that might mess with your muscle memory, as buttons are no longer where you expect them to be,” says our previous reporting on the possibility.

  • Death Stranding 2 PC requirements are surprisingly pleasant

    Death Stranding 2 PC requirements are surprisingly pleasant

    Kojima Productions has officially revealed the PC system requirements for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and the good news is that they are far more approachable than many recent big-budget releases. According to Sony’s PlayStation Blog, the PC version launches March 19 and includes a wide range of graphics presets designed to scale from budget systems all the way to high-end rigs.

    At the entry level, the game targets 1080p at 30 frames per second with hardware that many gamers already own. A GTX 1660 or Radeon RX 5500 XT paired with an Intel Core i3-10100 or Ryzen 3 3100 and 16GB of RAM is enough to get started. That alone makes the game feel refreshingly accessible in a landscape where minimum specs often demand much newer GPUs.

    Moving up the preset scales is a predictable process. Medium settings aim for 1080p at 60fps with an RTX 3060 or RX 6600, while the recommended tier targets 1440p at 60fps with an RTX 3070 or RX 6800. The very high preset pushes into 4K at 60fps territory with an RTX 4080 or RX 9070 XT. Every preset requires 16GB of RAM and a 150GB SSD install, which is becoming standard for modern AAA titles.

    Handheld gaming and modern upscaling take center stage

    One of the most interesting additions is a dedicated Portable preset designed specifically for handheld gaming PCs. This mode targets devices such as the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, with full support for modern upscaling and frame-generation technologies, including NVIDIA DLSS 4, AMD FSR 4, and Intel XeSS 2. These tools allow players to push higher resolutions and frame rates without requiring top-tier hardware.

    On top of that, the game includes Guerrilla’s in-house Pico upscaling technology from the Decima engine, which can be used alongside frame generation and works across different graphics cards. Ultrawide support is also included, with cutscenes designed for 21:9 displays and gameplay extending to 32:9 aspect ratios.

    With the PC launch arriving on March 19, these requirements suggest that many players may already have the hardware needed to jump in on day one. If anything, this release feels like a reminder that not every blockbuster needs extreme specs to deliver a next-gen experience.

  • Discord admits it rushed age checks and is rethinking the rollout

    Discord admits it rushed age checks and is rethinking the rollout

    Discord is officially hitting the brakes on its global age-verification rollout after weeks of confusion and backlash from users. In a new blog post, the company admitted it “missed the mark” in explaining its plans and confirmed that the worldwide launch has now been pushed to the second half of 2026. The announcement follows growing concern around facial scans, ID checks, and third-party vendors that would handle the verification process.

    Discord says many users walked away believing the platform would require face scans or government ID from everyone, which it insists was never the plan. According to the company, the goal is not to collect personal identities but to determine whether a user is an adult.

    For users who need verification, Discord relies on third-party partners who only return an age group, not personal details. Additionally, the system is also tied to a growing wave of online safety laws in regions such as the UK, Australia, and Brazil, where platforms are legally required to verify ages for access to certain content.

    What Discord is changing before the new rollout

    Discord is not scrapping age verification, but it is taking more time to rethink how the system works. The company plans to introduce more verification options, including credit card checks, so users can pick a method they are comfortable with. It also promises greater transparency by publicly listing its verification partners and explaining how data is handled. Going forward, any facial age-estimation must happen entirely on-device, meaning biometric data should not leave a user’s phone.

    The platform is also adding a “spoiler channel” feature to reduce the need for strict age-gating in communities that use restricted channels for sensitive discussions rather than adult content. Discord says most users will never encounter verification at all, noting that the system is meant only for people accessing age-restricted spaces or whose age cannot be automatically estimated.

    “Facial scans never leave your device, and Discord and vendors never receive it.”

    Meanwhile people discovered you are using Persona service.

    A service that specifically requires a person’s face or ID scan to be sent to Persona’s databases.

    Caught lying again, Discord? https://t.co/e8HdrYFwaX pic.twitter.com/x2bkynWxdR

    — Perma Banned (@GiveMeBanHammer) February 12, 2026

    Still, skepticism remains. When facial verification first rolled out, users pointed out that the process relied on Persona, which involves submitting a face scan or ID. This concern was amplified by last year’s report (via BleepingComputer) that a third party accessed Discord user data, including names, emails, limited billing details, and some government ID images. Nonetheless, for now, Discord will continue meeting legal requirements in regions where age checks are already mandated while delaying the broader rollout until new safeguards are in place.