SmartPhones stories

Australia will impose mandatory cybersecurity standards on smart devices from March 2026, forcing stronger passwords and update guarantees.

Emerald and Japan’s DIC are launching a USD $62m Physical AI venture platform targeting sensing, wearables, robotics and automation.

Oppo unveils the slim Watch S with ECG, dual-band GPS and 10-day battery in New Zealand, priced at NZD $399 via online and retail.

Apple has opened submissions for the 2026 Swift Student Challenge, inviting student developers worldwide to submit Swift app playgrounds by 28 February.

Sharp will roll out an expanded consumer audio line-up across Canada from January 2026, adding new speakers, headphones and mini systems.

Tailor Brands now lets founders open business bank accounts as they form US LLCs, promising faster launches and integrated money tools.

Legal Brokers launches iDWallet app in the UK, promising faster biometric ID checks as sectors face tougher anti-money laundering demands.

As classrooms digitise, SonicWall pushes layered cybersecurity to shield K-12 schools from ransomware, phishing and zero-day threats.

More consumers now treat generative AI as an everyday aide and even a companion, using it for routine decisions despite trust concerns.

Be.EV buys Mer’s UK public EV charging network, gaining 1,600 bays and 450 sites to join the UK’s top 10 rapid charge operators.

McAfee warns Australians AI-powered romance scams are surging ahead of Valentine’s Day, with one in seven victims losing an average AUD $780.

Avast rolls out Deepfake Guard for Windows and expands Scam Guardian on mobile, promising real-time protection from AI-powered scams.

Cloaking dominates PropellerAds’ 2025 safety report as stricter checks drive a 35% rise in blocked campaigns and more account suspensions.

Corsair’s Galleon 100 SD fuses a premium mechanical keyboard with a 12-key Stream Deck, dials and RGB for gamers and creators.

Ericsson launches Cradlepoint R2400 5G in-vehicle router with dual-SIM, satellite links and edge compute for mission-critical fleets.

Most households leave router admin passwords unchanged, prompting insurer Everywhen to issue a 10‑step guide to secure home Wi‑Fi.

Cyber experts warn Valentine’s Day brings a surge in romance and shopping scams, urging users to be wary of links, apps and payment requests.

Keeper rolls out SuperShell, a full-screen terminal interface in Keeper Commander for keyboard-first, zero-trust vault and PAM workflows.

Samsung has reclaimed top spot in Canstar Blue’s 2026 smartphone satisfaction rankings, as cost-conscious Australians prioritise value.

Ai+ is expanding beyond phones with NovaPods earbuds and NovaWatch wearables, debuting its connected ecosystem on Flipkart on 24 February.