US lawmakers have launched a bipartisan inquiry into OnePlus over potential security risks related to data transmission to China, while concerns arise about reduced competition in the US smartphone market. Meanwhile, Linux desktop usage in the US surpasses 5%, Samsung prepares to launch its high-priced Galaxy GFold 7 trifold phone, and several tech companies announce new products, layoffs, and legal actions, alongside innovations like Cloudflare’s Paper Crawl and Nintendo’s USB-C restrictions.
This week, US lawmakers have initiated a bipartisan inquiry into the Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus, urging the US Commerce Department to investigate potential security risks. The concern centers around allegations that OnePlus devices may collect and transmit extensive user data, including sensitive personal information, to servers in China without explicit user consent. However, no concrete evidence has been publicly presented, and the accusations appear to be based largely on the company’s Chinese origin. The investigation is still in its early stages, and while addressing genuine security issues is important, there is concern that targeting OnePlus could further reduce competition in the already limited US smartphone market.
In other news, Linux desktop usage in the US has surpassed 5% for the first time, signaling a slow but steady rise in adoption. This growth is attributed to factors such as the rise of Steam OS, geopolitical tensions, and dissatisfaction with Microsoft’s Windows 10 end-of-life campaign. Many users are resisting upgrading to Windows 11 due to hardware requirements like TPM chips, leading some to consider switching to Linux instead. Microsoft has responded by extending its security update program for Windows 10 to regular consumers, offering options like syncing PCs with Microsoft, redeeming reward points, or paying a fee for continued support, but the momentum for Linux adoption continues to build.
Leaks have revealed details about Samsung’s upcoming trifold phone, tentatively called the Galaxy GFold 7. The device features a unique design with an outer display on the middle panel and two side panels that fold inward, differing from Huawei’s trifold approach. The phone is expected to launch soon, possibly teased at Samsung’s upcoming Unpacked event, with production starting in September and a release in Q4 2025. Specifications include a 10-inch OLED inner display and a 200-megapixel primary camera. However, the phone may be priced around $3,000 and could be limited to markets in Korea and China.
On the product front, Nothing has launched its Phone 3 with a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, a matrix dot-style rear display, and a silicon carbon anode battery, marking one of the first non-Chinese phones with this technology. The phone is priced at $799 and will be available in the US. Additionally, Honor introduced the Magic V5, currently the thinnest foldable phone, boasting flagship specs. Meanwhile, Microsoft announced layoffs of up to 9,000 employees and canceled its mobile game Warcraft Rumble. Proton has filed a lawsuit against Apple over App Store policies, and Spotify is enhancing its Discovery Weekly playlists with genre personalization.
Finally, Cloudflare introduced Paper Crawl, a tool allowing website owners to charge or block AI crawlers by default, potentially reshaping how AI accesses online content. An investigation revealed Nintendo deliberately broke USB-C authentication to block third-party docks and VR connections, though some workarounds have emerged. The video also highlighted a Prime Day deal on the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 action camera, praised for its design, underwater performance, and advanced features like 8K video and AI image processing, with discounts available until mid-July.