Chinese tech companies are making major moves into the mirrorless camera market, with new products and potential acquisitions shaking up the industry, while other tech news includes Firefox’s new AI controls, Apple device leaks, and notable updates from Asus, Samsung, Google, and Elon Musk’s companies. The roundup also covers regulatory developments, Alphabet’s record revenues, and a positive review of the Insta360 Link 2 Pro webcam.
This week’s tech roundup highlights a major shift in the camera industry, with Chinese companies making significant moves into the mirrorless camera market. Insta360’s CEO teased a new camera with a large articulating screen and an F1.8 lens, likely featuring a 20-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor. DJI is rumored to be launching a video-focused cinema camera, and there’s speculation that Chinese firms like Insta360 or Xiaomi may acquire Leica, the iconic German camera brand. Additionally, Vivo is reportedly developing a gimbal camera to rival DJI’s Osmo Pocket, and a Kickstarter campaign aims to bring modular smartphone zoom lenses from OPPO and Vivo to the iPhone.
Firefox made headlines by introducing new AI controls in its browser, allowing users to toggle AI features on or off, including a kill switch for all AI functionalities. This move comes in response to user backlash over Mozilla’s plans to integrate more AI into Firefox. While some users want AI features disabled by default, the new controls offer a balanced approach, letting users decide which features to keep. The update covers useful tools like page translation and image alt text generation, aiming to give users more control without sacrificing functionality.
Apple rumors are heating up, with leaks suggesting the upcoming iPhone Fold will feature a massive 5,500 mAh battery, promising impressive battery life. The next MacBook series is expected to get a major redesign, replacing the notch with a hole-punch camera and upgrading to an OLED display, likely produced by Samsung. Support for new M5 chips has also been spotted, indicating that more powerful MacBook models are on the horizon. These developments suggest Apple fans have plenty to look forward to in the coming months.
In other tech news, the Asus ProArt mouse was released, clearly positioned as a competitor to Logitech’s MX Master series. Leaks surfaced for upcoming flagship earbuds from Sony and Samsung, with Samsung moving away from its previous AirPods-inspired design. Google’s Pixel 10A was quietly announced, though it appears to be a minor update. Samsung’s new Exynos 2600 chip shows promising benchmark results, nearly matching its Snapdragon rival. Meanwhile, Elon Musk merged SpaceX with XAI and X, possibly to strengthen his companies’ regulatory position, and a new batch of Epstein files revealed troubling connections with major tech figures.
The roundup concludes with a mix of regulatory and industry news: Sunrise Wind, an offshore wind project, was cleared to resume construction; Russian satellites have been caught intercepting EU communications; and China announced a ban on retractable car door handles after safety concerns. Alphabet (Google’s parent company) reported record revenues and massive capital expenditures, reflecting the growing scale of AI investments. The host also reviewed the Insta360 Link 2 Pro webcam, praising its image quality, low-light performance, and advanced features like dual native ISO and AI-powered noise reduction, recommending it for anyone needing a high-quality webcam.