Gear Information of the Week: Samsung’s Trifold Promise, Ikea’s Sonos Cut up, and Hugging Face’s New Robotic
Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked occasion in Brooklyn earlier this week debuted seven new units, from the Galaxy Z Fold7 to the Galaxy Watch8 sequence. However there weren’t any surprises on the finish, regardless of rumors that Samsung would unveil a trifold cellphone. Sensing disappointment, the corporate later confirmed that the cellphone is anticipated to land in 2025.
“I count on we will launch the trifold cellphone inside this 12 months,” TM Roh, head of Samsung’s cell enterprise, informed The Korea Instances. The trifold cellphone, rumored to be referred to as the Galaxy G Fold, would have a standard display on the entrance and two hinges that allow you to open it up as a tablet-sized display.
Huawei first unveiled its trifold, the Mate XT, in China final 12 months, with an eye-watering value of three,499 euros ($4,090~), and Samsung confirmed off an idea model at Cell World Congress 2025. Contemplating it has upped the value of its Galaxy Z Fold7 flagship to $2,000, count on a excessive value. Samsung can also be anticipated to launch its Android XR combined actuality headset within the fall, so the trifold may land alongside it.
Hugging Face Has a New Robotic
AI startup Hugging Face has introduced a brand new coding robotic referred to as Reachy Mini, mere months after buying Pollen Robotics, the corporate behind the Reachy 2 humanoid robotic. The Reachy Mini is open for preorder for $449 (although there is a Lite model for $299), and it is an open supply robotic designed round AI experimentation and coding.
Consider it like a STEM toy or a Raspberry Pi (the truth is, the Robotic is powered by a Raspberry Pi 5 minicomputer)—it’s a must to construct it your self, and there are greater than 15 “robotic behaviors” so you possibly can learn to use it out of the field. Reachy Mini can make use of the newest AI fashions, and you may program it to behave in sure methods. The pinnacle is motorized, and the antennas transfer round, too. It has a digital camera, microphone, and audio system for interacting with its environment.
Reachy Mini homeowners will be capable of add and share these robotic behaviors with the Hugging Face neighborhood, and obtain different ones too. It’s going to ship this fall, although the Reachy Mini Lite, which is not wi-fi, will arrive first, late summer time. We are able to solely hope this cute little robotic will not have the identical destiny because the Jibo.
Apple’s iOS 26 Beta Drama
The general public beta for Apple’s iOS 26, macOS 26, and iPadOS 26 is anticipated to launch subsequent week, however some drama has been brewing after the latest developer beta 3 for iOS 26. The corporate has diminished the transparency of its Liquid Glass design language, making the interface seem extra like frosted glass. That is drawn criticism on-line that Apple has modified it an excessive amount of, although there was loads of backlash and readability issues when Apple debuted the design at WWDC 2025.
In additional Apple information, the corporate is anticipated to debut a brand new Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional later this 12 months, powered by the M4 chipset that is in some MacBooks and iPads. The {hardware} itself will not look any completely different, although Bloomberg experiences there shall be a extra comfy strap. The rumored cheaper model of the Imaginative and prescient Professional continues to be a couple of years away.
Ikea Ditches Sonos and Zigbee for Matter and Spotify
Courtesy of Ikea
It’s a brand new day for sensible dwelling technique at widespread Swedish furnishings purveyor Ikea, as the corporate introduced greater than 20 new Matter sensible lights, sensors, and remotes utilizing the Thread protocol. Which means you possibly can snag a few of Ikea’s reasonably priced wares and use them instantly together with your Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Dwelling, or Samsung SmartThings setup, with out having to buy an Ikea hub. And Ikea’s David Granath informed The Verge there are “extra new product varieties and kind components to come back.” People with Ikea’s Dirigera hub may even be happy to be taught that Ikea is activating the built-in Thread radio and including Matter help. Which means it will possibly function a Matter Controller and a Thread Border Router, enabling it to hook up and management any Matter units in your house. Sadly for some, this alerts the tip for Zigbee help, as Ikea plans to interchange its Zigbee devices with Matter units.
Ikea additionally unveiled two new Bluetooth audio system this week—one that appears like a retro radio and one other that doubles as a lamp. Each have a devoted Spotify Faucet button that means that you can soar straight again into no matter you had been final listening to on Spotify. It’s one other nail within the coffin for Ikea’s partnership with Sonos, as Ikea strives for simplicity, accessibility, and affordability. —Simon Hill
OnePlus Has 5 New Units, however Solely 2 for US
It was 5 plus for OnePlus this week, as the corporate unveiled a slew of recent units. A smaller, 43 mm, model of the Watch 3 that’s much more comfy, however has much less stamina than its bigger sibling, is now obtainable from OnePlus for $300 (a full $100 lower than the 47 mm mannequin). The very reasonably priced wi-fi Buds 4 are additionally touchdown within the US at $130.