The iPhone Duo is Apple’s first foldable iPhone and starts at $1,999 in the US. The iPhone Duo features a 5.4-inch outer screen for regular use when folded, while opening the device reveals a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR display optimized for larger apps and multitasking. Both screens support ProMotion and Always-On capabilities, with outdoor brightness reaching 3,000 nits. The device’s enclosure is crafted from Grade 5 titanium, with a hinge made from over 100 components, and it carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
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Apple has unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max with enhancements in camera technology, battery capacity, and processing capabilities. Both models are equipped with the new A20 Pro chip and feature a redesigned vapor chamber to ensure consistent performance. Additionally, Apple introduced a more compact Dynamic Island and new camera controls aimed at professional users. Preorders will commence on September 12, with sales beginning on September 18 across over 65 countries and regions.
The iPhone 18 Pro combines new camera controls, longer battery life and Apple’s A20 Pro chip. The most notable camera upgrade is a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera with a variable aperture, utilizing six internal blades that enable the lens to shift between four aperture settings. Users can modify aperture, shutter speed, and white balance directly within the Camera app. The A20 Pro chip, built on a 2-nanometer process, combines a six-core CPU with a seven-core GPU, which Apple states can operate up to 40% faster than the A19 Pro. Battery capacity is also improved, especially on models that operate exclusively with eSIM. iOS 27 integrates Siri AI with new Pro features.
The U.S. Department of Energy has allocated new funds toward addressing the vulnerable segments of the supply chain domestically. In August 2026, it announced $500 million for seven projects focusing on critical minerals, batteries, and recycling, including domestic processing, recovering materials from used batteries, and exploring alternative anode materials. The department stated that this funding aims to build up U.S. capacity across various stages of battery production. Washington has also increased tariffs on Chinese battery components and materials. The tariffs on lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles rose to 25% in 2024, with non-electric vehicle lithium-ion batteries facing the same rate in 2026. Natural graphite imported from China is also subjected to a 25% tariff in 2026. These measures impact products used in electric vehicles, consumer batteries, and grid storage, where demand for lithium-ion technology remains high. Supply chain links highlight ongoing Chinese influence Ford Motor Co. exemplifies the lingering connection between U.S. manufacturing and Chinese expertise in battery technology.
Japan is broadening its efforts to combat investment scams by deploying artificial intelligence to spot early warning indicators in consumer complaints. The Consumer Affairs Agency announced this initiative on September 1 as part of a comprehensive anti-fraud strategy. The new system will scrutinize complaint language, solicitation techniques, and similarities with past cases to help detect harmful schemes and troubled companies sooner, leveraging data already gathered from consumers nationwide.
In the first half of 2026, China’s digital industry generated 20.71 trillion yuan in revenue, reflecting a 13.6% increase from the same period last year, while total profit rose by 19.3% to 1.79 trillion yuan. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology indicated an industry profit margin of 8.6%, which is 0.7 percentage points higher than a year earlier, encompassing key segments of China’s rapidly expanding digital economy. China expanded 5G and computing capacity as digital industry revenue continued to grow.
Online child safety grows urgent as AI and digital information risks expand globally. 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 worldwide. While digital connectivity can broaden opportunities for learning, civic engagement, and economic involvement, young users may also be exposed to harmful content before they develop sufficient judgment skills. The brief states that online risks can impact cognitive, emotional, and social growth. These risks are categorized into three main areas: technology-related threats, distribution risks, and content risks. Threats include the misuse of artificial intelligence and other digital tools; distribution issues involve algorithms and unequal access to trustworthy information; and content risks encompass disinformation, harassment, and hate speech. The UN notes that these issues often intertwine because digital systems influence what users see and how content spreads, with younger audiences potentially facing multiple hazards simultaneously when platforms combine automated suggestions, data collection, and personalized content. Focus Shifts Toward Platform Design.
Japan successfully launched its H3 rocket on Tuesday, carrying the Michibiki No. 7 navigation satellite into space. The launch, designated H3 Flight No. 9, took place from the Tanegashima Space Center at 4:23:31 a.m. Japan time. JAXA confirmed that the rocket maintained its planned trajectory throughout the entire mission. The satellite separated approximately 29 minutes after liftoff and entered its intended orbit. Michibiki No. 7 expands Japan’s QZSS satellite navigation network.
This enforcement action in Mexico stands as one of the largest financial penalties imposed on a major tech firm concerning child safety measures. 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. Although the court mandated significant product modifications, Judge Biedscheid declined to require mandatory identity verification for users under 13, citing protections under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
OpenAI is expanding access to ChatGPT by offering Free and Go members unlimited text interactions with GPT-5.6 Luna. The company announced this update will start next week and will be subject to safeguards against misuse. During the current rollout, GPT-5.6 Luna will also become the default model for these accounts. Additionally, free users will see a Think button that enables the system to dedicate more time to complex questions before responding.