The iPhone 18 Pro Max could pack a nearly 12% larger battery than its predecessor, potentially delivering another big boost in battery life.
(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
The Big Bang Theory's Bernadette as a demon is something I didn't think I'd ever see in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe — but, now that I have, it somehow makes complete sense.
Last week's episode saw us meet her in a wizarding world but, in this week's entry we're swapping the magical action for something a little more One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest-coded.
But who, if anyone, really is crazy? And when does Stuart Fails to Save the Universe episode 4 arrive on HBO Max?
For US viewers, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe episode 4 will drop on Thursday, August 13 at 6pm PT/ 9pm ET.
Internationally, you're looking out for these timings:
New episodes of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will make landfall every Thursday in the US and on Fridays everywhere else. Here are the all-important dates you need to know about:
Apple is bracing for a sharp rise in the cost of building its upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models, with bill-of-materials (BOM) expenses for the 256 GB version projected to climb about 38% year-over-year, according to the latest smartphone industry research from TrendForce.
The primary driver is soaring memory prices due to RAMageddon. Memory’s share of total BOM cost for recent 256 GB iPhone Pro models has already jumped from roughly 10% a year ago to about 34% in the third quarter of 2026 and is expected to exceed 40% in the first half of 2027. This marks a major shift: the application processor and display, long the biggest cost components, are being overtaken by memory.
TrendForce estimates the BOM cost of the 256 GB iPhone 18 Pro, due in the third quarter of 2026, will be approximately 38% higher than its 2025 predecessor. If memory prices keep rising, the increase could grow even larger in 2027.
Faced with these higher costs, Apple is expected to absorb part of the increase by accepting lower gross margins rather than fully passing the burden to consumers. The company may follow a strategy similar to recent MacBook launches, softening retail price hikes to protect shipment volumes and market share. Apple could also raise prices on older iPhone models at the same time as the new launch to help offset the memory-driven cost pressure.
The research notes that if even Apple, with its industry-leading profitability, feels this squeeze, Android smartphone makers will face even tighter margins. Many will need to pass on a larger share of the cost increases, leading to steeper retail price rises than those anticipated for the iPhone. Entry-level and mid-range devices, where margins are already thin, will be hit hardest. With memory prices having risen five- to sevenfold since early 2025, some brands may have little choice but to implement substantial price increases or discontinue lines that have fallen into negative gross margins.
As a result, TrendForce expects global smartphone production to remain under downward pressure from the second half of 2026 through 2027 as elevated memory costs continue to weigh on demand.
MacDailyNews Take: RAMageddon won’t last forever — new capacity should ease pressures eventually — but it’s exposing fundamental differences in business models. In a world of rising component costs, customer loyalty isn’t just nice-to-have marketing fluff. It’s a competitive superpower.
Apple isn’t totally immune, but its customers are, by far, the least likely to blink.
See also: Apple customers won’t blink at RAMageddon price increases – but Dell, Lenovo, and Samsung’s will -June 25, 2026
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Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max is set to deliver a meaningful jump in battery capacity, according to a new leak reported by MacRumors
An alleged photo of a battery pack intended for the Chinese model of the iPhone 18 Pro Max lists a capacity of 5,391 mAh. That figure represents a nearly 12% increase over the 4,823 mAh battery found in the equivalent Chinese-market iPhone 17 Pro Max. The image, which shows a unit that includes a SIM card tray, was shared on the Korean platform Naver and is said to have originated on the Chinese social media site Weibo.
The same 5,391 mAh capacity previously appeared in a regulatory filing last month, lending additional weight to the claim.
For the U.S. version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max — which lacks a physical SIM tray and therefore has more internal space — the leak points to an even higher capacity of 5,567 mAh. That would mark a nearly 10% year-over-year increase from the 5,088 mAh battery in the U.S. iPhone 17 Pro Max.
By contrast, the smaller iPhone 18 Pro is not expected to see significant battery gains. The U.S. model is reportedly set to use a 4,288 mAh battery, representing less than a 1% increase over the 4,252 mAh unit in the current iPhone 17 Pro. Earlier rumors that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will be thicker than its Pro sibling may help explain the disparity in capacity increases.
Regional differences in battery size stem from Apple’s decision to retain physical SIM trays in certain markets while making U.S. (and some other) models eSIM-only. The extra space freed by removing the tray allows for slightly larger batteries in those configurations. Since the iPhone 17 generation, the list of eSIM-only markets has expanded beyond the United States to include Canada, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and several other countries and territories.
If the leaked figures prove accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro Max should offer noticeably improved battery life when it arrives later this year. As always with unconfirmed rumors, official confirmation will have to wait until Apple’s formal announcement.
MacDailyNews Take: Sold! (Oh, wait, we have to see what the foldable offers first!)
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- Announced in November 2025
- It will be the show's final season
- Expected to premiere in 2028
- Filming could begin in early 2027
- No trailer or other footage available yet
- Many of the show's cast will return
- Some actors won't reprise their roles
- Plot will pick up after the season 3 finale
- Other story details teased in its source material
- No plans for a surprise fifth season
House of the Dragon season 4 has plenty riding on it. With the high-fantasy show's next chapter set to be its final installment, it'll have to deliver a fittingly fiery conclusion to the Targaryen Civil War, and wrap numerous other subplots and character arcs before its final credits sequence rolls.
All of that, and the final season's 2028 launch, feel a long way off at this stage — but that doesn't mean we can't look forward to its eventual release. So, if you want to know more about its possible cast, expected storylines, and more besides, this guide to the Game of Thrones prequel's next chapter is geared towards you.
Hop on, dragonrider, and let's take flight together.
HBO hasn't revealed next season's official launch date yet. However, as part of a multi-show renewal announcement that confirmed House of the Dragon season 4 was in development, the US TV network's boss Casey Bloys said it would premiere sometime in 2028.
Of course, plans can change, but word is that the cameras will start rolling in early 2027. Should that be the case, I'll be more confident that House of the Dragon season 4 will make its HBO Max debut in 2028.
Unsurprisingly, no — and we won't see one for a long time yet. Once a trailer for House of the Dragon season 4 is unveiled, I'll update this section.
Full spoilers follow for House of the Dragon season 3, and Fire and Blood, aka the book the show is based on.
Here's who I expect to see in House of the Dragon season 4:
Three big names were taken off the proverbial chess board in last season's finale, meaning they won't return for chapter 4.
James Norton's Ormund Hightower and Tommy Flanagan's Roderick Dustin were both gravely injured as part of their Tumbleton duel. The pair were then burned alive by Ulf and his dragon Silverwing in the final throes of said conflict.
Meanwhile, Phia Saban's Helaena committed suicide by throwing herself from a window in Maegar's Holdfast as a way out of being Rhaenyra's perennial prisoner. This trio, then, won't be back for another round.
There are bound to be a few returning faces, including Jamie Kenna's Ser Alfred Broome, while individuals like Ser Marston Waters and an unhinged, so-called prophet known simply as The Shepherd, who are yet to appear in House of the Dragon, might also show up.
In Fire and Blood, Broome and Waters play integral roles in the Fall of Dragonstone and/or other late-game events. Meanwhile, The Shepherd is responsible for instigating the Storming of the Dragonpit, a hugely significant event that was teased as part of Helaena's dream sequence in season 3 episode 7. I have a wild theory about the identity of The Shepherd, though, which you can read more about in my season 3 ending explained article in this guide's plot section.
That all said, House of the Dragon has taken some creative liberties with its source material, so there's no guarantee that this triumvirate will be part of proceedings. Hopefully, it won't be too long until HBO confirms season 4's full cast roster, and we can say with certainty that they, plus other returnees and newcomers, will take part.
Full spoilers follow for House of the Dragon season 3. Fire and Blood spoilers are also discussed.
Season 4's story synopsis hasn't been revealed yet, but we've got a good idea of what'll happen next
My House of the Dragon season 3 ending explained piece contains some clues about where things will go from here. Meanwhile, those who've read Fire and Blood will definitely know what's in store for Rhaenyra, Aegon II, and everyone else moving forward.
I'm about to dig into some aspects of the latter, so this is your one and only warning: potentially big spoilers immediately follow for House of the Dragon season 4. Skip to the next section if you don't want any major story beats ruined ahead of time.
Still here? You'll already know — or want to know — that there are many more deadly events yet to be played out in the Dance of the Dragons.
Indeed, the Fall of Dragonstone and Storming of the Dragonpit notwithstanding, we should also see live-action depictions of the Battle Above the Gods Eye, the Second Battle of Tumbleton, and the final showdown between Rhaenyra and Aegon II.
Other moments, such as the Moon of the Three Kings, Battle of the Kingsroad, the False Dawn, and Hour of the Wolf could also be adapted. However, House of the Dragon season 4 already has plenty of destructive and life-threatening ground to cover, so I'd be surprised if the latter pair are shown in any great capacity, if at all.
That said, the series could end on an unexpected note. Asked by Business Insider about how he planned on concluding things, Condal replied: "We've talked about this being kind of a World War II movie: There are plenty of World War II movies that exist where you tell the story within this greater war, but the curtain drops at some point in the story, and it's not necessarily with Japan's surrender or Hitler dying in the bunker — these big kind of endpoints where you could say World War II truly ended. You're telling the story within the story.
"So, in no way to comment at all on how we're planning on ending this, but I think that was the trick," he continued. "Because Fire & Blood is a decades-spanning history, the question is really more 'Where do you drop the curtain on this particular story?. We're telling the story of the Dance of the Dragons... at what point do you drop the curtain on this, [in a way] that feels satisfying and like you've told a complete story, but also that leaves certain things open-ended? [By] telling the audience, intentionally, that history marches on."
Before things come to an end, there are many subplots and character arcs to tie up. Those include — but aren't limited to — Rhaenyra potentially losing more allies in Baela, Addam, and Corlys; Aegon and Aemond teaming up to tackle Daeron and Rhaenyra; Alyn having to deal with taking the life of the High Septon under Rhaenyra's orders; and Hugh reckoning with Cat's death, and how that'll impact his loyalty to Rhaenyra.
Furthermore, there will be Alicent learning of Helaena's death and Aegon II's return, Mysaria's possible role in instigating a rebellion against Rhanyera, and Ulf being a dragon-wielding wildcard whose no longer loyal to Team Black or Team Green — and that's just dealing with some of the show's expansive ensemble.
Of course, the biggest question of all is: will House of the Dragon be able to give closure to everyone in the eight, 60-minute-long episodes that remain before its final curtain call? That remains to be seen. But, with other popular shows recently failing to stick the landing from a finale standpoint, Condal and company will hope House of the Dragon doesn't become the latest one to under-deliver for its fanbase.
Right now, no. Speaking to Deadline in January, HBO boss Casey Bloys replied "yes, that is the idea" when asked if the show will end with season 4. In a separate chat with Deadline this June, showrunner Ryan Condal also said "I think I have said what I have to say about Westeros" — the implication being that, once House of the Dragon's fourth season has ended, it won't return for another outing.
There's always the prospect of HBO replacing Condal with someone else if it felt that a fifth season was necessary, but it would be bizarre to see another individual helm a single season of it. It would be even weirder if House of the Dragon's story continued after season 4, because the show was only intended to cover the Targaryen Civil War as it's outlined in Fire and Blood.
There's plenty more ground to cover with House Targaryen and Westeros more generally post-The Dance of the Dragons. Those stories are arguably best told in separate Thrones spin-offs, though, rather than being the foundations on which to build a fifth season. In short: don't expect to see House of the Dragon season 5 once the show reaches what's expected to be its natural end with its fourth and final installment.
Apple is intensifying preparations for its annual September product launch event while incoming CEO John Ternus assembles his leadership team and new details emerge about a discarded element of the company’s recently launched device-leasing program called “Apple Upgrade.”
The company is readying for what is described as its biggest event of the year, expected in the first half of September. Retail employees in the U.S. are participating in a lottery for roles supporting the in-person media gathering at Apple Park, including organizing lines, checking in guests, providing directions, greeting attendees, and assisting security. The event is widely anticipated to feature the latest iPhone models, including Pro variants and Apple’s first foldable iPhone, among other hardware.
At the same time, John Ternus is preparing to assume the CEO role on September 1, succeeding Tim Cook, who will become executive chairman. As part of early management moves, Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman reports, Ternus has brought back Laura Legros, a former vice president of hardware engineering who retired in 2022. Legros previously worked under Ternus and will return as a vice president reporting directly to him. In the new role, she is expected to work cross-functionally, helping coordinate product delivery, development schedules, and alignment across engineering teams — serving as a bridge between different parts of the organization. The hire marks a rare instance of Apple recalling a retired executive and reflects Ternus beginning to put his stamp on the leadership ranks ahead of the transition.
Separately, fresh details have emerged about a scrapped “white-glove” concept for Apple Upgrade, the leasing program that launched in late July and replaced the prior iPhone Upgrade Program and standard financing options. Apple had considered shipping replacement devices already preloaded with a customer’s data and settings restored from an iCloud backup, so the new hardware would arrive ready to use. The technical challenges were not the primary barrier. Instead, privacy and security concerns — along with the optics of the company accessing and restoring personal backups onto devices in its facilities — led the company to abandon the idea. The launched version of Apple Upgrade does not include any such pre-setup feature.
These developments underscore Apple’s focus on a high-stakes product cycle and organizational shifts as Ternus prepares to lead the company into its next phase.
MacDailyNews Take: We’re glad that Apple Upgrade feature was scrapped! Now, we hope for Ternus’ sake that there are enough people left at Apple who remember how the company ran under Steve Jobs so that the company can quickly get back into that mindset. Churning out iterations of Jobs era products for fifteen years fueled a lot of brain drain and Cook era sclerotic thinking at the company over the last decade and a half. Fingers crossed!
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When the iPhone Ultra launches alongside the iPhone 18 Pro Max this fall, Apple will face an awkward marketing dilemma.
(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
Igeekphone News August 8, 2026 — Motorola has officially introduced the Moto G Max in India, adding another battery-focused model to its G-series smartphone lineup. The new handset combines Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 platform with a large 7,000mAh battery, a 120Hz display, stereo speakers, and a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.
Interestingly, the Indian Moto G Max is not identical to the model launched in Brazil earlier this year. While both phones share the same name, Motorola has apparently based the Indian version on a different existing device, resulting in significant differences in hardware.
Motorola launched a Moto G Max in the Brazilian market in June 2026. However, that version was essentially a rebranded version of the Moto G87, featuring a MediaTek Dimensity 6400 chipset.
The newly announced Indian model follows a different design and hardware platform. It is reportedly based on the Moto G57 Power, while replacing its processor with Qualcomm’s newer Snapdragon 6s Gen 4.
This regional differentiation highlights Motorola’s strategy of adapting its G-series portfolio to different markets rather than offering exactly the same configuration worldwide.
At the heart of the Indian Moto G Max is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 chipset. The platform is paired with LPDDR5X memory and UFS 3.1 storage, giving the phone a relatively modern memory and storage configuration for its segment.
Motorola is positioning the device around a combination of everyday performance and long battery life. The chipset should be capable of handling common tasks such as social media, streaming, web browsing, multitasking, and casual gaming without targeting the flagship performance segment.
The actual memory and storage capacities available in India will be important factors in determining the phone’s overall value.
Battery life is one of the biggest highlights of the Moto G Max.
The smartphone packs a 7,000mAh battery, and Motorola claims that a full charge can provide up to three days of battery life under suitable usage conditions.
A battery of this size should give the Moto G Max an advantage over many mainstream smartphones, particularly for users who spend significant amounts of time watching videos, browsing the web, using social media, or traveling without convenient access to a charger.
The actual endurance will naturally depend on factors such as screen brightness, network conditions, refresh rate, applications, and usage patterns.
The Moto G Max features a 6.72-inch display with an FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.
The higher refresh rate should provide smoother scrolling and animations compared with conventional 60Hz panels. Motorola also lists a peak brightness of up to 1,050 nits, which should help improve outdoor visibility in bright conditions.
Combined with the large screen size, the display makes the Moto G Max particularly suited to multimedia consumption and everyday productivity.
Photography is handled by a multi-camera setup on the rear.
The phone reportedly features a 50-megapixel main camera alongside an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera. The ultra-wide sensor provides a broader field of view for landscapes, architecture, group photos, and other situations where fitting more of a scene into the frame is useful.
For selfies and video calls, the device comes with a 32-megapixel front-facing camera.
While megapixel counts alone do not determine image quality, the combination gives the Moto G Max a reasonably versatile camera setup for a mid-range smartphone.
Motorola has also equipped the Moto G Max with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support.
The combination is designed to provide a more immersive audio experience when watching movies, streaming music, or playing games without headphones.
Perhaps more notably, Motorola has retained a 3.5mm headphone jack.
The company appears to be highlighting the connector as an unusual feature in its promotional messaging, referring to it as “alien technology.” With many modern smartphones moving toward USB-C and wireless audio, the inclusion of a traditional headphone port could appeal to users who still prefer wired earphones and headphones.
The Moto G Max also carries an IP64 rating, providing protection against dust and resistance to water splashes.
This does not make the smartphone waterproof or suitable for underwater use, but it should provide additional protection against everyday exposure to dust and light splashes.
| Feature | Moto G Max (India) |
|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 |
| Display | 6.72-inch FHD+ |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz |
| Peak brightness | Up to 1,050 nits |
| Battery | 7,000mAh |
| Claimed endurance | Up to 3 days |
| Rear main camera | 50MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 8MP |
| Front camera | 32MP |
| Memory | LPDDR5X |
| Storage | UFS 3.1 |
| Speakers | Stereo speakers |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos |
| Headphone jack | 3.5mm |
| Durability | IP64 |
| Market | India |
One of the most interesting aspects of this launch is Motorola’s use of the Moto G Max name for different hardware configurations.
The Brazilian version launched in June was reportedly based on the Moto G87 and used a MediaTek Dimensity 6400 chipset. The Indian model, meanwhile, is based on the Moto G57 Power platform and switches to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6s Gen 4.
For international consumers, this means the Moto G Max name should not necessarily be treated as a guarantee of identical specifications across markets.
The Indian Moto G Max is shaping up as a practical mid-range smartphone focused heavily on endurance and everyday usability. Its 7,000mAh battery, 120Hz FHD+ display, Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 chipset, stereo speakers, IP64 protection, and 3.5mm headphone jack give it a feature set aimed at consumers who prioritize battery life and traditional smartphone functionality.
The three-day battery claim is likely to be the phone’s biggest selling point, while the return—or rather continued inclusion—of a 3.5mm headphone jack could make it particularly appealing to wired-audio users.
However, international buyers should pay close attention to regional specifications. Motorola’s decision to use different hardware under the Moto G Max name in Brazil and India means that the Indian model should be evaluated separately rather than assumed to be identical to its Brazilian counterpart.
The post Motorola Moto G Max Debuts in India With Snapdragon 6s Gen 4, 7,000mAh Battery and 3.5mm Headphone Jack appeared first on IGeeKphone China Phone, Tablet PC, VR, RC Drone News, Reviews.
Rumors point to steep iPhone 18 Pro price hikes this September. Here’s why non-Pro buyers should shop now (and Pro buyers should think twice).
(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
An iPhone 18 Pro DRAM shortage reportedly leaves $1 billion worth of Apple chips stuck at TSMC, threatening tight supply at launch.
(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
Apple and its suppliers are scrambling to secure enough DRAM (mobile memory chips) ahead of the expected September 2026 launches of the iPhone 18 series and the foldable iPhone Ultra, according to semiconductor analyst Tim Culpan’s exclusive reporting for Culpium.
With under six weeks to the anticipated debut, assemblers are rushing shipments of DRAM. Apple primarily sources from Micron, with additional supply from SK Hynix and Samsung. Severe shortages due to RAMageddon have left processor wafers sitting idle, awaiting packaging—creating pressure to avoid launch shortages.
The issue stems from Apple’s A20 Pro chips (built on TSMC’s 2nm process), which use Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) packaging that integrates the processor and DRAM at the wafer level. This means DRAM must be available for packaging; unfinished dies cannot simply be stockpiled and completed later. Reports indicate TSMC is holding roughly $1 billion worth of unpackaged Apple processors delayed by the missing memory.
DRAM has been tight for months, driven in large part by memory makers prioritizing higher-margin chips for AI data centers over consumer devices. This has already affected other Apple products (such as certain Macs) with longer wait times. Apple and its partners (including assemblers like Foxconn) expect to meet initial launch demand, but retail stock could deplete quickly and online preorder wait times may stretch afterward. The foldable iPhone Ultra, with its more complex design and lower planned volumes (historically projected in the low millions for the second half of the year in related analyst notes), is viewed as particularly vulnerable to limited availability.
Culpan’s sources indicate Apple plans roughly 200 million combined units across the iPhone 18, 18 Pro, and Ultra over the product cycle, with the Ultra representing under 10%.
This memory constraint adds to broader industry dynamics of rising memory costs and competing demand from AI infrastructure, which have already influenced pricing discussions and production priorities for Apple hardware.
MacDailyNews Take: Buyers interested in the new Pro models or the Ultra at launch would be advised to pre-order very, very promptly!
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Apple is preparing for its biggest product event of the year by opening a lottery that gives U.S. retail employees a chance to help staff the in-person unveiling, according to Bloomberg News’ Mark Gurman.
“With Apple Inc. gearing up for its biggest product launch of the year, the company is opening a lottery for U.S. retail employees who want to help staff the in-person unveiling,” Gurman reported.
The lottery allows retail employees to apply to work the event, where they’ll help organize lines, check in guests, greet attendees, offer directions and support the security teams, according to a memo that was seen by Bloomberg News.
In the memo, Apple said it was “excited to offer U.S. store team members the opportunity to participate in the Event Support Experience Program.” Apple has relied on retail employees to help staff major product launches for years.
The launch event will take place during the first half of September, the company told staff, without providing a more specific date. Historically, Apple’s iPhone presentations have taken place on the second Tuesday or Wednesday of that month. Since Labor Day in the U.S. falls on Monday, Sept. 7th, a Wednesday event appears slightly more likely, as it would preserve the workday travel window Apple has historically provided for attendees.
Workers who participated in either this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference or last year’s iPhone launch aren’t eligible for the upcoming program. Interested employees must apply by Aug. 8th, and Apple will notify those selected by Aug. 17th, according to the memo.
MacDailyNews Take: This year’s September event carries added significance. It will be the first major product unveiling under Chief Executive Officer John Ternus, who is set to take over from Tim Cook on Sept. 1st. The company is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone — rumored to be called “iPhone Ultra” – as well as the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, new Apple Watch models (Series 12 and Ultra 4), and, perhaps, new AirPods and Apple Home products.
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Igeekphone August 2, 2026 – OPPO has officially confirmed that the OPPO A7 Pro Max will debut at 14:30 (China time) on August 4, while revealing several of the smartphone’s key features ahead of its launch. Positioned as a battery-focused mid-range device, the A7 Pro Max combines practical everyday functions with AI-powered security and connectivity features.
Ahead of the official unveiling, OPPO showcased a number of features designed to improve daily usability and enhance device security. These include:
These additions demonstrate OPPO’s growing emphasis on integrating AI capabilities into practical, real-world applications rather than focusing solely on performance improvements.
One of the biggest highlights of the OPPO A7 Pro Max is its 10,000mAh battery, making it one of the largest battery capacities available in a mainstream smartphone.
According to OPPO, battery testing conducted by the China Quality Certification Center (CQC) indicates that the battery maintains more than 95% of its rated usable capacity, suggesting high energy efficiency and reliable long-term performance.
The enormous battery is expected to provide extended usage for gaming, streaming, navigation, and productivity while reducing charging frequency.
The OPPO A7 Pro Max will be available in three finishes:
The color palette combines vibrant and understated options, catering to a wide range of user preferences.
For photography, the smartphone features:
The combination of high-resolution sensors and an ultra-wide camera is expected to deliver versatile shooting capabilities for landscapes, group photos, and everyday photography.
The OPPO A7 Pro Max ships with ColorOS 16, featuring extensive software optimization focused on long-term smoothness.
According to OPPO Labs:
These optimizations aim to deliver consistent performance over several years of daily use.
Although OPPO has yet to officially confirm the processor, previous reports indicate that the A7 Pro Max is expected to be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 mobile platform. The chipset is likely to offer improved power efficiency, AI capabilities, and 5G connectivity while complementing the phone’s exceptionally large battery.
OPPO A7 Pro Max appears to prioritize endurance and practicality over flagship-level specifications. With its 10,000mAh battery, AI-powered fraud protection, full-featured NFC, infrared remote control, 50MP imaging system, and optimized ColorOS 16 experience, the device is positioned as an attractive option for users seeking long battery life and reliable everyday functionality.
More details, including global availability, pricing, and complete hardware specifications, are expected to be announced during OPPO’s official launch event on August 4, 2026.
The post OPPO A7 Pro Max Confirmed to Launch on August 4 with 10,000mAh Battery, NFC, and Infrared Remote Control appeared first on IGeeKphone China Phone, Tablet PC, VR, RC Drone News, Reviews.
Depois de semanas de teasers, a Xiaomi mostrou finalmente os seus primeiros veículos elétricos de autonomia estendida (EREV), construídos sobre uma nova plataforma, pensada de raiz para maximizar o espaço interior. Os preços de pré-venda arrancam nos 259.900 yuans (cerca de 33 mil euros), bem abaixo da concorrência.
The post Novos SUV híbridos da Xiaomi reconfiguram habitáculo para ganhar mais espaço e desafiam concorrência appeared first on Tek Notícias.
Apple admits its supply chain faces challenges, and the result could be lengthy wait times for this fall’s iPhone 18 and other new hardware.
(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
HBO Max Shorts is a new video feed being tested on iPhone in the U.S. The hook? The videos being shown are vertical.
(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
Spoilers for Stuart Fails to Save the Universe episode 1 ahead.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe episode 1 has arrived, and is now available to stream worldwide on HBO Max.
In short, our "starting" versions of Stuart (Kevin Sussman), Denise (Lauren Lapkus), Kripke (John Ross Bowie) and Bert (Brian Posehn) live in a reality akin to The Walking Dead, complete with Mad Max-style apocalyptic outposts and wasps that are the size of cars.
Stuart accidentally triggered this multiverse Armageddon after breaking a device supposedly built by Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki).
Shortly after Kripke, that universe's leader, is confronted by the rest of the group, we meet our first secret TBBT cameo: Raj (Kunal Nayyar). He's basically become a doomsday prepper, working on plans on a blackboard for how to get the device working and get the hell outta dodge.
But just as quickly as we've met him, Raj is killed while the others safely teleport to... well, hopefully somewhere better. It's a bold move, and one that has shocked fans if social media is anything to go by.
However, we've been so caught up in Raj's death that we haven't considered one major detail... it hasn't really happened at all.
Did you forget? This is just one version of Raj in one universe, meaning there's still an infinite number of Raj's out there to be found.
As none of the versions of the characters we're meeting are actually the ones seen in TBBT, original Raj is safely in California doing some science equations in peace (probably).
This doesn't even rule out Raj appearing again later on in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. Now that we know he's a confirmed cameo for the HBO Max spinoff, it would be silly not to use him again where possible. With the overarching narrative so difficult to predict, the possibilities are endless.
If nothing else, this now means that we're likely to see other TBBT cast members cameo in other episodes, and whether they're killed off or not. However, who these cameos might be is anybody's guess.
What we do know for episodes 2-10 is pretty minimal, but the below preview gives us the faintest idea of what to expect. Strap in, is all I'm saying.
Apple is pushing suppliers for a 20% price cut on iPhone 18 Pro Max OLED panels, even as materials and memory chip costs climb.
(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
In an exclusive conversation with The Deep View ahead of WWDC 2026 in June, Doug Brooks, senior product manager of Apple silicon, discussed how Apple’s long-term investments in neural processing, unified memory, power-efficient computing, and hardware-software integration have positioned its devices for the AI era.
He also explained why Macs have become a favorite platform among AI developers, why Mac minis and Mac Studios are emerging as the preferred AI agent machines, and how Apple sees the future of on-device AI across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
[…]
“We build a chip knowing exactly what systems it’s going to go into. The chip can influence the system design, and the system design can influence the chip requirements. They’re married together very tightly. I’d actually go a step further and include software in that equation. As we enable new capabilities in the chip, we want to make sure those capabilities are exposed all the way through the software stack so developers can benefit and customers can benefit. Because if those transistors go unused, what’s the point? It’s not about adding something and hoping somebody finds a use for it. We want those capabilities available to solve real problems. I think that’s what allows us to build better systems and ultimately better products.”
It seems like a lot of it is just that developers like macOS.
Previously:
Update (2026-07-10): See also: Hacker News.
According to Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman in his most recent Power On newsletter, Apple is making one of the biggest changes yet to its Apple Silicon roadmap for Macs. The company is prioritizing on-device AI performance and graphics capabilities over its traditional generational cadence, leading to a skipped generation of high-end chips and a faster push toward the M7 family.
Apple’s New Chip Roadmap: M6 (Base Only), Then Straight to M7
Apple plans to release a base M6 chip as early as late 2026 for entry-level Macs. This includes testing in a refreshed 14-inch MacBook Pro (internally codenamed J804). Key improvements expected in the M6 include:
• Memory bandwidth rising to around 200 GB/s (up from 153 GB/s on the M5)
• Enhanced GPU performance with up to 12 cores
• A stronger neural engine for better AI workloads
In a notable departure from past strategy, Apple will skip M6 Pro, M6 Max, and M6 Ultra variants entirely. This marks the first time the company has bypassed higher-end versions of a new chip generation.
Instead, Apple is fast-tracking the M7 series to deliver major advancements in on-device AI processing and graphics performance sooner. According to Gurman’s reporting:
• Base M7 — Expected in the first half of 2027
• M7 Pro and M7 Max — Targeted for late 2027
• M7 Ultra — Slated for 2028 (with support for up to 1.5 TB of memory in high-end configurations)
The M7 lineup (with codenames like Delos for the base and Andros for the higher variants) represents Apple’s effort to meet surging demand for AI features and more graphics-intensive software by accelerating technologies originally planned for later generations.
Gurman also notes that M8 chips are already in active development, with high-end variants expected around 2028 on an advanced manufacturing process.
First-Ever Touch MacBook Pro Coming Soon
Gurman’s newsletter also covers Apple’s long-rumored touchscreen MacBook Pro models (14-inch and 16-inch, codenamed K114 and K116). These represent the biggest hardware overhaul of the high-end MacBook Pro lineup since the transition away from Intel chips.
Key details:
• Expected launch window: Late 2026 or early 2027
• Initial models will use current-generation M5 Pro and M5 Max chips (aligning with the decision to skip high-end M6 variants)
• First MacBooks to feature OLED displays
• Adoption of an iPhone-style Dynamic Island interface (with a hole-punch camera cutout replacing the current notch)
• Touch support designed as a “bonus” feature rather than a primary input method — macOS updates will allow seamless switching between touch and traditional trackpad/keyboard use, with adaptive UI elements
Later follow-up models are expected to transition to the new M7 chips once available. The redesigned laptops are also described as potentially thinner and lighter, with reinforced components to handle touch input without screen bounce.
Why the Change? AI Is Reshaping Apple’s Priorities
Gurman explains that this unusual strategy shift allows Apple to focus engineering resources on the more significant architectural leap in the M7 generation. By skipping incremental high-end M6 chips, the company can deliver stronger on-device AI capabilities and graphics performance to its most powerful Macs faster.
This aligns with broader industry trends and Apple’s ongoing push into AI across its ecosystem (including new Apple Pencil models also mentioned in the newsletter).
MacDailyNews Take: M6, we hardly knew ya!
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