3 – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Tech Archive

Archives for February 2026

Thomas Ricker
Thomas Ricker
Google Maps could soon be usable in the home of Samsung.

South Korea has long restricted the export of mapping data over national security concerns leaving Google Maps, launched there in 2008, to flounder against local rivals Naver and Kakao. The Transport Ministry said the revision is being made in the interest of promoting tourism.

Thomas Ricker
Thomas Ricker
Samsung expands satellite support.

The new Galaxy S26 series supports satellite-based messaging and data services — including emergency assistance — offered by Samsung’s telco partners in North America, parts of Europe, and Japan. “Select Galaxy smartphones” are also eligible for the wider coverage.

Allison Johnson
Allison Johnson
The Clicks Communicator will come in more localized layouts.

The phone-away-from-phone that Clicks announced at CES will come in a handful of different keyboard layouts, the company says. In addition to the QWERTY version, it’ll be offered in AZERTY (French), QWERTZ (German), Korean, and Arabic.

Clicks has also extended the window for early reservations until March 15th, which brings the price down to $399 if you’re willing to put down some (or all) of that cost now. But as for a firm launch date this year? We’re still waiting on that.

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Variations of the Clicks Communicator phone.
More ways to keep clicking.
Image: Clicks
Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
The second Android 17 beta is out now for Google Pixel.

Google is testing the second Android 17 beta on compatible Pixel devices in line with its accelerated release timeline. The release notes say it adds desktop window-like app bubbles so users “can organize, move between, and move bubbles to and from anchored points on the screen,” although testers report they haven’t seen them working yet.

There are also cross-device app handoffs, which can work with a web app even if it isn’t installed on the second device.

Screenshot showing Google Calendar opened in a small window over Gmail on an Android device.
Google Calendar opened in an “app bubble” window on Android 17.
Image: Google
Stevie Bonifield
Stevie Bonifield
Google Translate is using Gemini AI to offer alternative translations based on context.

In December, Google Translate started using Gemini AI to improve translations for colloquial phrases and idioms that might not make sense in other languages, and now the Translate app also offers alternative phrasings on iOS or Android.

Users can also ask the AI for more context with new “Understand” and “Ask” buttons.

A screenshot of Google Translate with a new “show alternatives” button.
Image: Google
Stevie Bonifield
Stevie Bonifield
Two new compact PCs for using Windows from the cloud.

The Asus NUC 16 and Dell Pro Desktop for Windows 365, both arriving in Q3 2026, are the latest “Cloud PCs” from Microsoft, following the Windows 365 Link from 2024. They’re designed for businesses accessing Windows from the cloud with added security features like a “small, locked-down operating system” called Windows CPC.