Pocket-lint - News

Netflix is killing off its cheapest ad-free plan

Dave LeClair — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 22:46:59 GMT

Netflix plans seem to fluctuate constantly. A new plan is always coming out, or an existing one is being retired. Unfortunately, today's news revolves around the latter. Netflix has revealed to shareholders that the $11.99 per month ad-free plan will no longer be available to subscribers, forcing them to jump to a much more expensive plan if they wish to continue streaming without ads. This comes hot on the heels of the streaming giant announcing a $5 billion deal to be the exclusive home of WWE's Monday Night Raw, so there could be a connection between increased spending and dropping one of its more affordable plans.

Here's every device Samsung will update with Galaxy AI

Jason Cipriani — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 22:58:58 GMT

Galaxy AI is arguably the headlining feature of the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, and for good reason. With a few taps or swipes, you can have your S24 rewrite a message to change its tone to be more professional before sending it to your boss, or add a bunch of emojis to your message if that's more your style.

Bose launches Ultra Open Earbuds in surprise collab with Kith

Adam Davidson — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 18:01:35 GMT

At a time when noise-cancellation is one of the major features touted by audio manufacturers, Bose is releasing a limited edition set of earbuds that are the polar opposite. The Kith for Bose Ultra Open Earbuds clip to your ears so that your ear canal is unobstructed, ensuring that you can hear everything that's going on around you, even when listening to your headphones.

Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 ban resumes on Jan. 18

Oliver Haslam — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 20:33:37 GMT

It hasn't been a good few weeks for Apple and the Apple Watch, at least in the United States. The company saw its Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 warables banned in the country over Christmas due to a patent infringement case with medical device maker Masimo. Apple had already appealed the ban and a short stay was put in place -- but that all changed today with the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit lifting the stay, which will once again prevent Apple from selling its two best Apple Watches on its home turf.

Samsung teases the Galaxy Ring, its newest fitness device

Oliver Haslam — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 20:01:28 GMT

After months of leaks and rumors it's finally been confirmed -- the Samsung Galaxy Ring is indeed real, but that's about all we know about it right now. The company teased its new fitness tracker and health monitor wearable during the same Unpacked event that also saw the entire Galaxy S24 lineup unveiled.

Samsung Galaxy S24 phones will receive updates until 2031

Jules Wang — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 18:46:08 GMT

For the longest time, Apple has been the standard bearer when it comes to keeping phones up to date. In recent years, it has provided its iPhones with six iOS version updates, besting much of the Android space easily. That's not to say its biggest competitors have been slacking off: Google, OnePlus, and Samsung have all committed their flagship devices to four or more years of OS updates and five or more of security patches. But at its Galaxy S24 event today, Samsung pledged to do even better.

Apple tops Samsung in global phone shipments for first time since 2010

Christina Darby — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 16:43:58 GMT

For the first time since 2010, a company not named Samsung is the smartphone market leader. For the first time, it's also Apple on top. Despite an early report from the International Data Corporation (IDC) revealing global smartphone shipments have declined 3.2% year-over-year to 1.7 billion units in 2023, Apple has taken Samsung's long-stable spot.

The Moto G Play 2024 is a 4G budget phone living in the past

Jules Wang — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 14:00:13 GMT

Motorola had a pretty good 2023. Namely, the Lenovo-owned brand impressed critics with a duo of clamshell foldable Androids in the affordable Razr and excellent Razr+. For a long time, however, the company has leaned on its budget-focused Moto G series for steady sales. So it's no surprise then that Motorola is kicking off its 2024 release schedule with a new Moto G Play.

Apple prepares to sidestep Apple Watch ban by disabling blood oxygen feature

Oliver Haslam — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 20:10:39 GMT

Apple may have found a way to avoid a US Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 ban, but it involves removing a key health feature. That feature, a blood oxygen sensor that can tell Apple Watch users how much oxygen is in their bloodstream, is at the heart of a legal battle surrounding two patents that Apple has been found to have infringed upon.

Apple reportedly won't bring European App Store changes to other markets

Oliver Haslam — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 17:21:20 GMT

If you're using an iPhone in the United States and are looking forward to being able to download apps outside of the App Store, you're going to be left sorely disappointed. That's if a new report by a usually well-connected reporter turns out to be accurate.