Tech
Surprise Change Means Next iPhone Critical Update Is Almost Here
The next major iPhone update is iOS 26.2 and it’s almost here. On Monday, Dec. 8, Apple released new versions of the software, suggesting that the general release could be just hours away. Here’s what’s known.
Apple had previously confirmed that the next update would be coming in December, and that means it must be imminent, before the company winds down for the holidays.
Last week, the release candidate software was released, on Wednesday, Dec. 3, so it seemed likely that the general release would be next, which would mean that those analysts who had predicted the software was delayed would be proved wrong.
So the new development came as a surprise: a second release candidate, for developers and public beta testers was released.
While there’s usually a full week between release candidate and general release, that is unlikely to apply here — though a same day general release hasn’t happened.
It means that the release date of week commencing Dec. 8 predicted previously still stands. The most likely release dates now seem to be Tuesday, Dec. 9 or Wednesday, Dec. 10.
A second release candidate suggests that some bugs were found in last week’s edition and assuming nothing serious comes to light, then the full release is likely to follow swiftly.
There are plenty of new features in iOS 26.2, from tweaks to the Liquid Glass effect on the lock screen to updates to Apple News, offline lyrics in Apple Music and live translation for AirPods in the European Union.
Add to that refinements to the Passwords app, an alarm setting when an urgent Reminder is due, updates to Podcasts and the ability to choose a different voice assistant for users in Japan, and it becomes clear that there’s a lot going on.
This will be the second major update to iOS 26, so it’s likely to offer decent stability — early reactions to the beta versions suggest that will be the case.
It also looks likely that there won’t be an iOS 18 update alongside, meaning those who want to keep their phones secure will need to move to iOS 26 at last.
Tech
Samsung May Stop Producing These SSDs Next Year
Samsung may be preparing to step away from SATA SSD production. According to multiple industry reports, the company is planning a long-term exit from SATA SSD manufacturing starting next year.
YouTuber Moore’s Law Is Dead (MLID) says several sources have told him Samsung will end SATA SSD production entirely after it fulfills existing contracts.
SATA SSDs can feel like older technology as more new laptops and desktops rely on faster NVMe storage. High-end systems have also moved to SAS (Serial Attached SCSI).
Still, SATA SSDs remain common in 2025. They continue to see demand in budget PCs, external storage, and upgrades for older machines. Retail channels also continue to sell SATA SSDs in large numbers.
Samsung is one of the largest suppliers of finished consumer SSDs. MLID says Samsung-made SSDs make up a significant portion of top-selling products on major online retailers, with roughly one-fifth of those listings still using the SATA interface.
If Samsung removes that supply, the impact may extend beyond one product category. The report suggests the move could tighten availability across the broader SSD market, including NVMe drives.
The report lands as memory pricing faces pressure. Samsung has reportedly raised DDR5 memory prices by as much as 60% recently. Micron has also decided to halt its consumer memory business to focus on supplying memory for high-powered AI chips.
The reports suggest end consumers are likely to feel the effects the most.
For now, Samsung has not made anything official. But if the company does exit SATA SSDs, the report suggests SATA drives could become more expensive and harder to find than many expect.
Tech
Pakistan Tops Global Searches for Explicit Content
Pakistan continues to rank at the top globally in searches related to indecent content, despite no longer leading in actual viewership, Director General Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Dr. Muqarram Ali said while addressing a cybersecurity seminar at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).
He said that following PTA’s actions, including large-scale blocking of indecent websites, a clear impact has been observed, and Pakistan is no longer at the top in terms of viewing such content. He added that Pakistan had previously ranked highest in viewership, but sustained enforcement measures have moved the country down from that position.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Muqarram Ali said the PTA is actively working on online child protection and has blocked around 1.3 million indecent websites. He stated that the authority only blocks immoral and unethical material and does not act proactively to shut down websites on its own.
He further said that the PTA often receives contradictory court orders, with one court directing the blocking of a platform while another ordering that it should not be blocked. He added that the authority is bound to follow the prescribed legal and administrative system in such cases.
Referring to the temporary blocking of Wikipedia, the PTA chief said the move triggered an international reaction, after which an inter-ministerial committee was formed to review the issue. He said that the PTA blocks websites strictly on government directives, noting that similar instructions were also issued during previous governments.
Highlighting cyber security developments, Dr. Muqarram Ali said Pakistan has emerged among the top countries in cyber security preparedness. He claimed that during the Pak-India conflict in May, Pakistan won the cyber war and that not a single Pakistani website was taken offline. He also clarified that the PTA does not collect mobile taxes, stating that this responsibility lies with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
Tech
Apple’s Edge Light Adds A Virtual Ring Light To Your Mac Video Calls: Here’s How To Use It
Apple released a new MacOS update recently. It brings the Edge Light feature to all Apple silicon-powered Macs. Here’s how you can use it on your next video call.
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