Best Buy is offering a $200 promotion for customers preordering the Samsung Galaxy S26 series, including the standard, Plus, and Ultra models. This deal typically combines instant rebates with Best Buy gift cards, significantly lowering the initial investment for early adopters of Samsung's latest flagship. The Galaxy S26 lineup is deeply integrated with the next generation of Galaxy AI, featuring advanced generative tools for photo editing, real-time communication, and automated productivity. To maximize savings, shoppers can utilize enhanced trade-in values for eligible older devices. This preorder window provides a limited-time opportunity to secure cutting-edge hardware and AI-driven software features before the general retail launch. The promotion makes the premium smartphone series more accessible while offering additional store credit for accessories.

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to introduce a new ‘Privacy Display’ feature designed to stop shoulder-surfing by making on-screen content visible only when viewed head-on. Using an upgraded Dynamic AMOLED screen and eye-tracking or position-sensing technology, the phone would narrow the viewing angle so people beside you see a dim or blurred image instead of readable content. The feature appears aimed at protecting emails, messages, banking apps, and other sensitive information in public spaces like planes, trains, and cafes. It is expected to be optional, with users able to toggle it on or off depending on context, much like existing privacy screen protectors but integrated at the software and display-driver level for more seamless, intelligent control.

Samsung’s January 2026 Galaxy Unpacked event in San Jose focused on the Galaxy S26 line and new Galaxy AI features. The S26 and S26+ keep triple‑camera setups, while the S26 Ultra introduces a 200MP main camera with improved zoom and low‑light performance, a brighter, tougher display, and faster on‑device processing tailored for AI tasks. Galaxy AI adds live call translation, generative photo editing, and smarter Note and transcription tools, many processed on‑device for privacy. Samsung also expanded Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Watch integration with AI‑enhanced health and productivity features, while emphasizing longer software support and tighter ecosystem connectivity across phones, tablets, and PCs. Pre‑orders, regional availability, and trade‑in incentives were detailed, positioning the S26 series as Samsung’s flagship showcase for AI‑driven mobile experiences in 2026.

Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra is set to introduce a revolutionary "Privacy Display" designed to protect user data from visual hacking. This technology utilizes advanced light-control hardware to narrow viewing angles, ensuring that screen content is only visible to the person directly in front of the device. Integrated AI-driven eye-tracking software further enhances security by detecting when unauthorized individuals are looking at the screen, immediately triggering a blur effect on sensitive notifications. Additionally, users can customize "Privacy Zones" that automatically activate these features in high-traffic public areas. The system also supports intelligent content masking, allowing users to hide specific data within apps without compromising the overall user experience. These features combine hardware innovation and artificial intelligence to offer a comprehensive solution for mobile privacy in the digital age.

Samsung is reportedly integrating a feature into the upcoming Galaxy S26 series that will automatically tag images modified or generated by artificial intelligence. This initiative aims to enhance digital transparency and distinguish synthetic media from authentic captures, directly addressing growing concerns over deepfakes and manipulated content. By incorporating standardized metadata or visible watermarks, Samsung joins other tech giants like Google and OpenAI in promoting ethical AI usage and industry-wide accountability. This development reflects a broader shift toward responsible AI integration as image manipulation tools become increasingly sophisticated and accessible to the public. The feature is expected to be a core component of the Galaxy S26’s ecosystem, building upon the company's existing Galaxy AI suite to provide users with clearer context regarding the origin of their visual media.

Mental health professionals caution against using chatbots and generative AI as a replacement for therapy, despite their growing popularity for emotional support. AI tools can offer convenience, low cost and judgment-free conversations, but they lack essential human skills like empathy, nuanced understanding, ethical judgment and the ability to respond safely in crises. Experts warn that AI responses may be inaccurate, generic or even harmful, and data privacy is a serious concern because conversations can be stored, analyzed or used to train models. While AI can supplement care by helping with tasks like psychoeducation, tracking mood or practicing skills between sessions, it should not be relied on for diagnosis, complex trauma, suicidal ideation or emergency situations. Users are urged to treat AI as a limited tool, not a therapist, and to seek licensed human support for real mental health care.

Samsung is reportedly developing a sophisticated "Privacy Display" for the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra, designed to eliminate the risk of "shoulder surfing" in public spaces. This technology functions as an integrated, electronically switchable layer that narrows the screen's viewing angles, ensuring that only the person directly in front of the device can see the content. Unlike traditional physical privacy filters, this solution can be toggled via software settings, offering high-resolution clarity when needed and instant privacy in crowded environments. The feature likely leverages the device's front-facing sensors and AI-driven gaze detection to identify when unauthorized observers are looking at the screen. Such an advancement highlights Samsung's focus on hardware-level security and user privacy for its future flagship smartphones. By integrating this capability directly into the display panel, Samsung aims to provide a seamless and high-tech alternative to third-party accessories, setting a potential new standard for mobile professional use.

Intel has transitioned its customer support operations to a sophisticated network of AI agents powered by Microsoft Copilot, marking a significant shift in the semiconductor industry. This new system replaces many traditional human support roles to provide faster, more accurate technical assistance to global customers and developers. By leveraging extensive technical documentation and real-time data, these AI agents can answer complex queries about Intel's products and services instantly. The initiative aims to streamline the support process, reduce wait times, and allow human workers to focus on more complex, creative tasks. This move underscores a growing trend of major tech companies integrating generative AI into core business functions to enhance productivity and scalability while maintaining high standards of technical accuracy.

Riley Walz, a developer renowned for his satirical and creative web projects, has been hired by OpenAI to join its Applied AI team. Known as the "Jester of Silicon Valley," Walz gained notoriety for viral experiments such as a fake airport check-in at Burbank, "The Waiting Room" website, and "Biker Buddy," a project documenting police cars parked in bike lanes. His hiring signals a shift or expansion in OpenAI's talent acquisition, bringing in a "creative technologist" known for unconventional thinking and public engagement rather than traditional academic research. Walz's work often critiques or plays with technology's role in society, and his transition to one of the world's leading AI companies suggests a desire to infuse more creative and perhaps provocative perspectives into the development and application of artificial intelligence models.

Samsung Display has debuted an innovative screen technology designed to safeguard user privacy in public settings. This new feature allows the display to selectively mask apps and notifications by narrowing viewing angles or blurring specific UI elements when sensitive information is displayed. Utilizing sophisticated light-control layers and sensor-based detection—often powered by computer vision algorithms—the display can identify when an unauthorized person is looking over the user's shoulder and automatically obscure the content from side views. The technology aims to prevent visual hacking without significantly impacting the viewing experience for the primary user. This advancement highlights a shift toward hardware-integrated privacy solutions in mobile devices, allowing for dynamic protection that adapts to the user's environment while maintaining high-quality display performance. The demonstration illustrates how future smartphones could offer robust security against prying eyes in crowded environments.

Alphabet is moving Intrinsic, its robotics software subsidiary, into Google to consolidate AI and robotics efforts and streamline resources. Intrinsic, created out of X in 2021, focuses on software tools that make industrial robots easier to program and use. By integrating the team into Google, Alphabet aims to more tightly couple Intrinsic’s robotics stack with Google’s AI, cloud, and developer ecosystems, while reducing duplication across units. Some projects and staff will be reshuffled or wound down during the transition. The move reflects Alphabet’s broader strategy of folding experimental or semi-independent units back into Google to improve focus, efficiency, and commercial impact, particularly in AI-powered automation and enterprise solutions.

YouTube offers two main paid subscription tiers: Premium and the selectively available Premium Lite. The standard Premium plan provides a comprehensive experience including ad-free viewing, background playback, and offline downloads, alongside a full YouTube Music subscription. In contrast, Premium Lite is a more affordable, stripped-back alternative currently being tested in specific regions like Australia and parts of Europe; it focuses primarily on reducing advertisements but excludes background play and music benefits. While Premium Lite appeals to budget-conscious users who only want to minimize ad interruptions, the standard Premium tier offers significantly more utility for mobile power users. Furthermore, standard Premium subscribers often receive exclusive access to experimental tools, such as AI-powered 'Jump Ahead' features, making it the superior choice for those wanting the platform's latest technological enhancements.

T-Mobile is offering the Samsung Galaxy S25 and S26 Ultra series through aggressive trade-in promotions and specific subscriber requirements. To qualify for a free device, customers generally need to be on premium plans such as Go5G Next or Go5G Plus and provide a qualifying trade-in device in good condition. The promotional value is applied as monthly bill credits over a 24-month period. These flagship devices feature advanced hardware, including the latest Snapdragon processors and sophisticated camera systems, heavily integrated with "Galaxy AI" for enhanced photo editing, real-time communication, and productivity. This offer aims to incentivize carrier switching and plan upgrades while showcasing Samsung’s latest AI-driven mobile innovations. Pre-order bonuses often include complimentary storage upgrades and discounts on ecosystem accessories like the Galaxy Watch or Buds.

AT&T is offering a substantial promotional deal that allows customers to obtain the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra for free or at a significant discount through a specific trade-in program. To qualify for the full credit, users must trade in any Galaxy S, Note, or Z series device—regardless of its age or physical condition—and subscribe to an eligible unlimited wireless plan. The promotional savings are typically applied as monthly bill credits over a 36-month installment agreement. This offer is part of a broader push to encourage upgrades to Samsung's latest flagship hardware, which boasts improved processing power and deeply integrated Galaxy AI features. By lowering the barrier to entry for high-end smartphones, AT&T and Samsung aim to capture a larger market share of consumers seeking the latest innovations in mobile technology and artificial intelligence.

Samsung's latest wireless earbuds, the Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro, are now available for preorder with an incentive for early buyers at Best Buy. Customers who preorder either model will receive a complimentary $30 Best Buy gift card. The Galaxy Buds4 Pro, priced at $249.99, features a redesigned stem-based architecture with silicone tips for improved active noise cancellation and high-quality audio. The standard Buds4, costing $179.99, offers an open-ear design for users who prefer more ambient awareness. Both models are heavily integrated with Galaxy AI technology, supporting advanced features such as real-time Interpreter mode for translations and responsive voice controls. This promotion provides extra value for consumers looking to upgrade to Samsung's latest wearable audio technology.

Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra is reportedly set to feature significantly enhanced cooling technology to address thermal management challenges. The device will likely utilize a much larger vapor chamber and advanced heat-dissipation materials, allowing its high-performance processor to maintain peak speeds without throttling. This hardware upgrade is crucial for demanding tasks such as mobile gaming, 8K video recording, and the intensive processing required for on-device AI features. By preventing overheating, the S26 Ultra aims to provide a more stable user experience and potentially extend overall battery life. This shift indicates Samsung's commitment to maximizing the potential of next-generation mobile silicon, ensuring that the flagship can handle the increasing thermal loads of modern applications while maintaining efficiency.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to focus heavily on artificial intelligence to enhance its camera performance rather than strictly hardware-level sensor upgrades. While the 200-megapixel main sensor and secondary lenses might see minimal physical changes, Samsung is reportedly integrating advanced AI algorithms to improve low-light photography, computational zoom, and image clarity. This follows the industry trend where software processing compensates for physical limitations. Leaks suggest that the S26 series will leverage next-generation processors to handle complex AI tasks locally, enabling real-time video enhancements and smarter object recognition. By prioritizing AI integration, Samsung aims to maintain its lead in the smartphone photography market while managing hardware complexity and production costs through software-led innovation.

Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series is being widely praised for its advanced Galaxy AI features, which many reviewers say feel significantly ahead of rival phones. The article highlights how Samsung integrates AI into everyday tasks like photo editing, translation, call assistance, and productivity tools, making them practical rather than gimmicky. Users and critics note the balance between on-device and cloud-based processing for speed and privacy, plus tight integration with Samsung’s ecosystem of apps and services. Compared with competitors’ AI offerings, Galaxy AI is described as more mature, reliable, and better thought out, helping the S26 phones stand out in a crowded premium smartphone market and positioning Samsung as a front-runner in mobile AI innovation.

Memory costs for HP personal computers have surged to represent 35 percent of the total bill of materials, a significant increase from historical norms. CEO Enrique Lores attributed this shift largely to the industry-wide transition toward AI-capable PCs, which require substantially more RAM to support local processing and modern software requirements. With 16GB now serving as the practical minimum for many new models, the increased demand for high-performance memory modules is putting significant pressure on the company’s profit margins. This trend reflects a broader industry challenge where the move toward on-device artificial intelligence is inflating hardware production costs. HP is navigating this landscape by focusing on premium AI hardware segments while balancing the volatility of the component market to maintain its competitive edge in the evolving PC sector.

The 2026 Lexus RZ 550e offers a significant power boost and more refined driving dynamics than its predecessors, cementing its place as a comfortable, luxury-focused electric crossover. Its interior remains a standout feature, prioritizing high-quality materials and a quiet cabin that aligns with Lexus’s premium reputation. However, the vehicle continues to face challenges regarding its total range and DC fast-charging performance, which lag behind industry leaders like Tesla and the Hyundai Motor Group. Despite upgrades to the software interface and driver-assist technologies, the overall digital experience still requires refinement to feel truly cutting-edge. It remains a pleasant, well-built choice for those prioritizing comfort over technical specs, though it lacks the competitive edge needed to lead the mid-size luxury EV market in efficiency and charging speed.