Browsing: Technology

Apple introduced the iPhone Duo on Sept. 9, marking its first foldable iPhone. The device starts at $1,999 in the U.S. and opens to a 7.6-inch inner display. When closed, it uses a 5.4-inch outer screen for standard phone tasks. Apple will open preorders on Oct. 16, with retail availability starting Oct. 23. The launch gives Apple a new iPhone form factor alongside its conventional smartphone lineup.

Apple has introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, both featuring significant upgrades in camera technology, performance, and battery life. The new devices showcase a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera with a variable aperture, marking a first for the iPhone lineup. Powered by the new A20 Pro chip and equipped with a revamped thermal system, these models are available for preorders starting September 12, with in-store sales beginning September 18 across more than 65 countries and regions.

U.S. battery manufacturing is growing while key materials still come from China. In 2025, China was responsible for over 80% of global battery cell production, while also accounting for about 85% of cathode active material and more than 90% of anode active material. These figures are reported in the International Energy Agency’s 2026 global electric vehicle outlook. Chinese manufacturers supplied nearly three-quarters of worldwide electric vehicle batteries in 2025, with their industrial capacity spanning from refined minerals to finished cells and manufacturing equipment. The U.S. has seen a faster percentage growth in battery manufacturing capacity than China. During 2025, U.S. lithium-ion nameplate capacity increased by approximately 50%. Despite this progress, the country remains highly reliant on imports for critical materials. In 2025, the U.S. recorded 100% net import dependence for natural graphite. China ranked among its main graphite suppliers over the previous four years, and Chinese processors maintain a dominant role in producing battery-grade graphite. China holds the most vital segments of the battery supply chain Federal investments are now targeting these upstream vulnerabilities along with battery assembly. On Aug. 20, the U.S. Department of Energy announced $500 million allocated for seven projects. These initiatives focus on critical mineral processing, domestic battery manufacturing, and recycling within the United States. One project aims to refine material recovered from used lithium-ion batteries and manufacturing scrap, while others emphasize processing domestically sourced materials and developing alternative battery chemistries

Japan expands AI-powered checks to detect investment fraud through consumer complaint data. The AI system will analyze roughly 900,000 consultation records annually within Japan’s national consumer complaint database, PIO-NET. It will compare incoming complaints to historical contexts and key phrases from previous cases, seeking solicitation tactics, business models, and early signals of collapse. Additionally, it can identify recurring patterns among multiple operators, even if a complaint does not explicitly mention confirmed financial losses.

During the first half of 2026, China’s digital industry brought in a total revenue of 20.71 trillion yuan, reflecting a 13.6% increase compared to the same period last year. The sector’s net profit reached 1.79 trillion yuan, which is 19.3% higher than the previous year’s figures. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology noted that revenue growth in the industry accelerated by 4.1 percentage points from the same timeframe in 2025. Meanwhile, profit margins improved to 8.6%, up 0.7 percentage point.

The United Nations urges the digital industry to accelerate efforts in safeguarding children and adolescents from escalating online information hazards. A recent UN issue brief highlights key concerns such as disinformation, hate speech, harassment, algorithmic manipulation, and artificial intelligence. It also underscores dangers associated with data collection, behavioral advertising, and digital systems engineered to capture attention. These warnings come amid a context where young users increasingly depend on online environments for learning, communication, information sharing, and civic engagement.

UN child safety push targets AI, disinformation and harmful online platform practices. Ahead of International Youth Day on Aug. 12, the Department of Global Communications issued the brief. According to the report, over 82% of individuals aged 15 to 24 are internet users globally. Such access fosters educational opportunities, civic involvement, and economic inclusion. Nonetheless, harmful online environments can negatively influence the cognitive, emotional, and social growth of young users. The document also highlights that children and teenagers are still developing critical skills for evaluating online information. The UN categorizes these threats into three groups: technology, distribution channels, and harmful content. Risks related to technology include misuse of digital tools and AI. Distribution issues involve algorithms, digital inequality, and limited access to independent journalism. Content-related dangers encompass disinformation, online harassment, and hate speech. The report notes these issues often overlap because technology influences how information is disseminated and which content gains prominence across digital platforms. Scrutiny intensifies on digital platforms’ approach to child safety A key focus of the brief is on how leading technology firms design their digital offerings and generate revenue. It indicates that attention-driven systems can promote practices that exploit psychological vulnerabilities among young users. Data collection and behavioral advertising further enable highly tailored marketing strategies. The report underscores concerns about exposure to extreme content and features that foster compulsive use. It urges tech companies and AI creators to embed child rights and safety considerations into their product and service development processes. Various governments worldwide are exploring

On Tuesday, Japan successfully launched its H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 7 navigation satellite. The launch, designated Flight No. 9, took place at 4:23:31 a.m. Japan time from the Tanegashima Space Center. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, verified the separation of the satellite approximately 29 minutes and four seconds post-liftoff. According to the agency, the rocket adhered to its planned trajectory and successfully placed QZS-7 into its designated orbit.

This recent monetary order adds to a separate $375 million jury award handed down in March 2026 during the initial phase of the state’s legal proceedings. That earlier case saw jurors determine that Meta breached New Mexico consumer protection laws by falsely advertising safety features aimed at younger users. When combined, the two rulings mean Meta is liable for a total of $942 million in New Mexico, stemming from the state’s enforcement case led by Attorney General Raúl Torrez, with the latest order specifically allocated to teen mental health initiatives. The court’s detailed remedial order allocates $420 million of the new funds directly to clinical mental health services for children throughout New Mexico. The rest will support public education campaigns, early screening programs, and community prevention efforts over the next five years. Additionally, the court’s decision enforces strict operational directives requiring Meta to set accounts belonging to users under 18 to private by default, limit daily usage, restrict notifications, and enhance screening mechanisms for child sexual abuse material. Meta Must Pay $567 Million for Teen Mental Health Support in New Mexico This enforcement action in Mexico stands among the largest penalties imposed on a major tech company related to child safety practices. Attorney General Torrez filed the lawsuit after investigations revealed that Meta’s algorithmic recommendation systems systematically exposed minor accounts to predatory contact and explicit content. While the court mandated extensive product modifications, Judge Biedscheid chose not to require mandatory identity verification for users under 13, citing protections under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.

OpenAI is expanding ChatGPT access for Free and Go users with GPT-5.6 Luna as the default model. The company said unlimited text chats will become available next week, subject to safeguards against abuse. Free users will also gain a Think button for questions that need deeper reasoning. Limits will remain for file uploads, image generation and other tools. OpenAI announced the changes on August 6 as part of a broader update to ChatGPT.