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Yet another report suggests satellite 5G support might be a key upgrade for upcoming iPhone models. This time, Weibo leaker Fixed Focus Digital, who is known for revealing the iPhone 16e brand before its release, says iPhone models with the C2 modem will support 5G New Radio for Non-Terrestrial Networks (NR-NTN). With that, an iPhone would be able to connect straight to a satellite instead of just traditional ground cell towers, to take advantage of 5G capabilities.

While much still needs to be discussed, as Apple is not the only one working to make that technology mainstream, Fixed Focus Digital says this might be “a pivotal starting point for mobile phone manufacturers to enable satellite internet connectivity.”

With the iPhone 14, Apple started offering satellite features, which now include SOS Emergency Calls and Texts, the ability to be found through Find My when there’s no Wi-Fi or 5G signal, and roadside assistance. So far, this service has been free, even though the company said it would only be offered for two years without cost. However, as we move to the middle of the iPhone 17 lifecycle (more than three years since the iPhone 14 introduction), the company continues to offer everything for free and is still slowly expanding the service to more regions.

A variety of new iPhones could get this feature

José Adorno/BGR

If the rumor turns out to be accurate, Apple could bring 5G satellite connectivity to all iPhone 18 models, iPhone Air 2, and the upcoming iPhone Fold. At this moment, Apple works with Globalstar, a Starlink rival, to provide its satellite functionalities. Still, a report from The Information suggests Apple might join forces with Elon Musk’s SpaceX as Starlink uses the same radio technology that Apple has on its iPhones.

Even though a recent Reuters report suggested SpaceX might release its own phone with 5G satellite capabilities, it’s more likely that Musk might find in Apple a potential partner to promote this new era of connectivity. Then, if Apple indeed goes down that path, it would make sense if the company charged a subscription for the service, as more than paywalling a feature that could save someone’s life, it would bring 5G connectivity even in places where cellular signal doesn’t reach.

Besides that, the iPhone 18 generation is expected to get mild improvements, as no design changes have been rumored so far, and Apple will start testing the grounds with its new foldable phone. With the regular iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2 expected for early 2027, the company is reportedly focusing on a “Pro” September launch, and nothing screams Pro like a feature no one else in the market has yet.

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Europe’s data protection supervisors have warned that proposals by the European Commission to reform privacy law by narrowing the definition of personal data could erode privacy rights for European Union (EU) citizens.

The regulators said in a joint response with the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) that the proposed changes raise “significant concerns” and could adversely affect the level of protection for individuals’ personal data.

The warning comes as the European Commission presses ahead with proposals to reform a raft of EU data protection laws through a “Digital Omnibus” regulation which it says will simplify compliance for businesses and boost EU competitiveness.

The EDPB and national European Data Protection Supervisors warned in a joint opinion that some of the proposed measures could damage privacy rights of individuals, create legal uncertainty and make data protection law more difficult to apply.

The contested proposals include changes to the definition of personal data that would weaken privacy rights by allowing organisations to treat personal data as non-personal data if they processed it in a way that did not identify individuals.

Proposals ‘go beyond’ European law

Although the proposals had been welcomed by many data protection practitioners as a way to simplify compliance with data protection and privacy regulations, the regulators have sounded a warning bell.

They “strongly urge” legislators not to adopt the proposed changes to personal data, arguing that they “go far beyond a targeted or technical amendment” and far beyond EU case law by “significantly narrowing the concept of personal data”.

The regulators also raise concerns about proposals that could water down individuals’ rights not to be subject to automatic decision-making by artificial intelligence (AI) or software through a proposed “exhaustive list” of cases where automatic decision-making would be allowed.

Another proposal, which would allow the European Commission new powers to determine whether pseudonymised data should no longer be classed as personal data, has also sparked calls for clarification.

The regulators warn that proposals to restrict the right of people to make subject access requests to people motivated by “data protection” concerns is not compatible with EU law.

If implemented, this proposal is likely to exclude access requests made by journalists, academics or policymakers, for non-data protection purposes, such as journalistic or academic research.

They also call for the commission to fine-tune proposals that would allow organisations to use special categories of data – including data on political opinions, religious beliefs, trade union membership, health and sexual orientation – when they are used in an “incidental” and “residual” way to train AI systems.              

Reporting data breaches simplified

The EDPB and the data protection supervisors support many of the EU’s proposals, including plans to make reporting data breaches less painful for companies.

The European Commission proposes raising the threshold of risk before companies need to make a notification and extending the deadline to file a notification from 72 to 96 hours.

“This change is not expected to substantially affect the level of protection for data subjects but would significantly reduce the administrative burden for controllers, given that they would only have to notify data breaches that are likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of data subjects,” they said.

Another proposal to offer alternative ways for people to consent to cookies to avoid “consent fatigue” and a “proliferation of cookie banners” – for example, by consenting to cookies once on a particular computer – has also been welcomed.

However, the regulators remain concerned about the proposed changes to the definition of personal data.

European Data Protection supervisor Wojciech Wiewiórowski said: “These changes are not in line with the court’s case law and would significantly narrow the concept of personal data.”

Anu Talus, chair of the European Data Protection Board, said any changes to EU Data protection law must bring legal certainty while maintaining a high level of protection of individual rights and freedoms.

“We strongly urge the co-legislators not to adopt the proposed changes to the definition of personal data,” she added. “These changes are not in line with the court’s case law and would significantly narrow the concept of personal data.”

Isabelle Roccia, managing director for Europe for IAPP, a professional association with 90,000 members, said that privacy and data protection professionals were in favour of the EU’s proposals.

“The commission proposal to narrow the scope of personal data definition was welcomed by many practitioners as a sign of pragmatism in the interpretation of the GDPR,” she said. “If adopted, it would have consequential impact in easing many friction points across contractual obligations and data transfer rules among others.

“With this joint opinion, EDPS and EDPB are signalling that they want to preserve the conservative and data-subject-first approach they have established in the past decade,” added Roccia.

She said that business leaders would also welcome legal certainty around the legal basis for when developers can use “legitimate interest” to process personal data to train AI models.

Commission proposals benefit US big tech 

Campaign group Noyb said that the “Digital Omnibus” proposed sweeping changes to the GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive that were disguised as simplification measures.

The group claims the changes would not help EU businesses that have to complete “useless” paperwork to comply with data protection laws, but would mainly be useful to big US tech companies.

Max Schrems, privacy lawyer and honorary chair of Noyb, said “the independent authorities have called out key changes for what they are: neither ‘technical change’ nor ‘simplification’, but limitations of the right to data protection for EU residents”.

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Having led the UK’s leading broadband provider through a decade of “unprecedented investment and transformation”, Clive Selley is to step down as chief executive officer of Openreach at the end of March 2026, to be replaced by current deputy CEO Katie Milligan.

A wholly owned and independent subsidiary of the BT Group, Openreach said that its infrastructure is already becoming the backbone of Britain’s digital economy, supporting everything from smart farming and sustainable transport to remote working and virtual healthcare.

Employing around 27,000 people, it is aiming to make its full-fibre network available to as many as 30 million premises in all corners of the UK by the end of the decade and has invested £15bn to build a new infrastructure to 25 million homes and businesses by the end of 2026. For the year up to the end of March 2025, Openreach reported revenues of £6.157bn.

Openreach claims to be building its new network to connect customers faster and further than any other provider in the UK, reaching an average of 85,000 new premises every week. In total, more than 3,500 UK towns, cities, boroughs, villages and hamlets have so far been included in the build programme, with others being reached through publicly funded partnerships.

The operator describes its build-out project as one of the largest and fastest broadband infrastructure programmes in Europe, with engineers claimed to be now reaching more than a million new homes every three months. It has so far included around 33,000 medical facilities and more than 25,000 colleges, schools and universities, helping to “transform” access to critical services.

The firm’s wholesale broadband network – the UK’s largest – supports more than 680 service providers including BT, SKY, TalkTalk, Vodafone and Zen to provide broadband, TV, phone, data and mobile services to their customers.

Milligan has been with Openreach since 2009 and, before becoming deputy CEO, was the company’s chief commercial officer, driving its commercial strategy and leading customer relationships. She is said to have played a pivotal role in accelerating the adoption of full fibre broadband nationwide, as well as strengthening relationships with Openreach’s partners, customers and stakeholders.

Commenting on his decision to step down, Selley said that it has been an honour to deliver on a mission to connect the UK building what he said was a new digital platform for growth and prosperity across the country. “Openreach is a remarkable business with amazing, talented people – and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together,” he said.  

“I’m also delighted that Katie will now be taking the reins. She knows our business inside-out, she has the right set of skills and experience for this role, and she’s passionate about delivering for our people, our customers and the nation. There is nobody I’d trust more to take care of the future and Openreach has a strong future under her leadership.”

BT Group chief executive Allison Kirkby added: “Openreach is a critical national asset – the digital backbone of the UK – and a key driver of BT Group’s long-term value. Clive’s contribution at the helm of Openreach has been exceptional. His leadership – particularly the scale, pace and quality of the full fibre broadband build – has set new standards for our industry.”

“We are deeply grateful for the commitment, expertise and integrity he has brought to the role. Clive’s lasting legacy is a world-class digital infrastructure that will serve the UK for generations to come.”

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A popular topic of conversation of late has been the existence of an artificial intelligence (AI) bubble and the likelihood that it will burst with great detriment to the IT industry as a whole. Yet, and perhaps surprisingly, the impact of a bursting bubble on digital twins might not be as problematic as one might think.

Ready adoption and fast diffusion of AI might warrant the tremendous investment flows of past years and could create revenue and profit streams quickly. We might as well be standing on the precipice of a bubble popping that will lead to sweeping valuation corrections. But digital twins stand to benefit from advancing AI either way. That said, the timeline of AI-enabled applications of digital twins might move, however.

Since the start of 2023, AI-related company valuations have ballooned. OpenAI is often attributed with starting the AI frenzy when releasing ChatGPT at the end of 2022. The company was valued at $29bn in 2023 and reached $500bn in October 2025, with observers wondering if the company can pull off a $1tn initial public offering soon.

AI chip leader Nvidia’s stock, meanwhile, multiplied by 13 between the beginning of 2023 and the end of October 2025, making it the first $5tn company ever. Even companies that are related but not at the centre of AI developments have increased substantially in value, with the stock price of Microsoft and Alphabet more than doubling and tripling, respectively, during that time period.

AI encompasses many different types of technologies and has many use cases, so it should be seen as an enabling technology rather than a sole application or a market per se. AI will play a major role across most application areas, but to varying degrees. Much like the way the internet shaped past decades – and will continue to shape coming decades – AI will transform industries for good in the long term. Potential potholes on the path that create setbacks are only par for the course.

Looking back to gaze ahead

It is worthwhile recalling the dot com era from the end of the last century to judge AI’s current hype. The Nasdaq Composite index – a stock index that skews toward information-technology companies – peaked at more than 5,100 points in March 2000 and then rapidly declined to a final low of barely above 1,100 points in October 2002. It took more than 12 years to move beyond 5,000 points again.

The January 2000 Super Bowl event marked the height of the bubble, with 14 in-game ads by dot com companies – only one of which is still active as an independent company today. Now, many analysts see the signs of an immense AI bubble accumulating.

Likely, a crash is in the making. Similarly to 2000, a bursting bubble does not mean AI will go away, as internet-enabled companies and business models did not vanish. On the contrary, AI will flourish as the internet did. In fact, many infrastructure elements, such as datacentres, will become affordable for general use after lofty valuations come down.

During the late 1990s, the construction of fibre communication networks was perceived as a promising business opportunity. The business never became as profitable as expected, but the initial excitement created an infrastructure of dark fibre – unused but readily available communication lines – that supports today’s business models as a commodity that can be readily leveraged.

AI as an enabling technology will boost capabilities and accelerate the use of advanced digital twins. In particular, digital twins that have to work with difficult-to-capture data and not-completely-understood real-world dynamics will benefit tremendously. Digital twins of machinery can rely on a solid understanding of physics and measurable data that sensors can capture cost-effectively.

Factory environments have many known equipment dynamics and interactions – even workers’ likely movement patterns can be plugged into simulations. But urban digital twins attempt to capture the dynamics and behaviours of relevant elements across entire cities. They are not only subject to less understood dynamics, but also phenomena that are difficult – often impossible – to measure. AI can make available data usable and create additional data of unmeasurable phenomena.

AI in digital twins also allows the use of scenarios to better prepare for sudden events that can affect the entire system in unexpected ways. For example, city managers might use it to develop strategies for unusual weather events, pandemic-like occurrences, or localised industrial accidents with ripple effects across the urban landscape.

Digital twins and AI to plan for tomorrow’s cities

Digital twins of urban environments are difficult to design, implement and maintain, but the potential commercial and societal impact such digital twins can have promises to be substantial. Because of the number of parameters, intersecting dynamics and range of conceivable scenarios, the benefits AI can provide in understanding urban environments are considerable. AI and digital twins reinforce each other.

Digital twins of urban environments are difficult to design, implement and maintain, but the potential commercial and societal impact such digital twins can have promises to be substantial

AI can speed up the building of digital twins by supporting code development for virtual environments. Such applications accelerate overall design development and allow design details to be embedded more easily. For clients and users, AI reduces costs, enables faster implementation of digital twins, and allows for quick and inexpensive changes and alterations as requirements change or new needs arise. In addition, AI can improve the interface experience between virtual environments, as well as simulations of operations and users.

Ari Lightman, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, explains: “Generative AI would be used to look at the entire simulation and turn it into a summary for humans. It could tell me things I might be missing and summarise things in a way I can understand.”

AI doesn’t only benefit digital twins, but digital twins also support AI’s capabilities. Scott Likens, emerging technology leader at PwC, points out: “We’re using digital twins to generate information for large language models…. We see an opportunity to have the digital twins generate the missing pieces of data we need, and it’s more in line with the environment because it’s based on actual data.”

Nvidia serves the market of smart cities as city planners and managers “are turning to digital twins and AI agents for urban planning scenario analysis and data-driven operational decisions”. The company is providing a range of solutions to enable users to create photo-realistic, simulation-ready digital twins of urban environments to optimise city operations.

A partnership of Japanese companies is developing the digital entertainment city Namba in Osaka, Japan. The aim is to “create the world’s first smart city that integrates artificial intelligence, extended reality and decentralised physical infrastructure networks [a blockchain-based approach to manage decentralised networks] on a city-wide scale”. The group intends to offer services beyond entertainment and tourism. Namba is a neighbourhood within Osaka, thereby limiting the claim to city-wide application of the concept.

The silver lining of AI over-investment

The existence of an AI investment bubble is increasingly perceived as a foregone conclusion. AI companies and technology suppliers are now even investing in each other’s operations, adding to lofty valuations. There are obvious indications of a bubble, but positive effects can emerge from the current investment excitement. Whatever the outcome, applications for digital twins will see their timeline solidify as the immediate future of AI plays out.

Over-investment in fibre during the dot com years ended up creating dark fibre – overbuilt fibre cables for data transmission. This infrastructure has served as a ready and inexpensive resource ever since. For AI, investment in datacentres is comparable to the fibre investment from 30 years ago

If use of AI applications proves to be an all-encompassing and rapidly growing market opportunity, the immense investment of the past couple of years will be retroactively viewed as forward-looking wisdom that locked in favourable competitive positions and profits for years to come. More likely, though, investors have outrun their headlights, and expectations of adoption and diffusion of AI applications over the next few years are overrated.

If so, there will be a shock to the system, like the burst of the dot com bubble at the beginning of the century when the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped by almost 80% within 30 months. Initial warnings existed – the former chairman of the Federal Reserve used the phrase “irrational exuberance” when discussing the development of the stock market in December 1996. Warnings of an exuberant AI bubble are common today.

Bursting investment bubbles hurt investors and bring down many companies. Indeed, 25 years ago, a slew of dot com companies vanished. But related over-investment in infrastructure can make assets suddenly affordable, opening up new opportunities. Such affordability changes cost structures that enable business models that could not have become successful at previous valuations. Infrastructure overhang – infrastructure built for rapid growth that does not materialise in the short run – leads to commodification of infrastructure elements, which can democratise a technology for incumbents and startups alike.

The over-investment in fibre during the dot com years ended up creating dark fibre – overbuilt fibre cables for data transmission. This infrastructure has served as a ready and inexpensive resource ever since. For AI, investment in datacentres is comparable to the fibre investment from 30 years ago. Morgan Stanley analysts forecast datacentre spending globally of up to almost $3tn between now and 2028. The amount is staggering, and it is difficult to imagine use cases and adoption rates that will provide the required return on investment for any business model. But as initial investors see their investments decrease or vanish, new players can snap up or use related infrastructures at bargain prices.

Alkesh Shah, a tech analyst at the Bank of America, explains the underlying reason for such recurring dynamics: “You always over-estimate how fast the change will happen. And you underestimate the magnitude of the change.”

The impact digital twins will have on the marketplace will follow a similar dichotomy between today’s expectations of rate of change and tomorrow’s impact of such change. Digital twins require many technological bits and pieces to come together. And AI will play an important role in digital twins, if not tomorrow, then the day after tomorrow.

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The UK government is launching a call for evidence on how technology, changing market dynamics and regulation are shaping investment in mobile networks.

The call for evidence was introduced as an important step in securing a “comprehensive” view of how the UK mobile market was changing, and identifying what more can be done to support investment, innovation and competition for the benefit of consumers and business. It will look to assess the impact of factors affecting investment in high-quality connectivity by 2030, identify actions to support the sector to achieve government objectives over the next decade, and assess how the regulatory framework can be improved to support investment, innovation and competition.

As part of this, the government is announcing an action plan based on four key principles: drive investment in comprehensive, high-quality connectivity by 2030; deliver for consumers; support innovation and growth across the economy; and provide secure and resilient connectivity.

Introducing the call, Liz Lloyd, parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and minister for digital economy, said that in an era of rapid technological transformation, new technologies and wireless services were critical to day-to-day lives, the economy and society in general.

Lloyd added that digital infrastructure is the core enabler of this transformation, and that it was crucial the UK’s telecommunications networks were ready for the future. She stressed that mobile and other digital networks, such as fibre networks, will drive growth and innovation across the country, deliver modern public services, increasingly underpin critical national infrastructure, and be essential for ensuring people everywhere were digitally included.

To that end, she said, its ambition remains for all populated areas to have access to higher-quality standalone 5G by 2030, and the immediate challenge was to secure investment to deliver this ambition by 2030, driving digital inclusion and ensuring business could depend on the connectivity that underpins modern life.  

“Our coverage ambition goes hand in hand with affordability of access so that everyone can carry out essential online activities and, aligned with the government’s tech adoption agenda, supports take-up of premium 5G-enabled services across the economy,” said Lloyd.

Looking forward, Lloyd said the government must also anticipate how the mobile market – and technologies that underpin it – will evolve, and what this means for its objectives over the next decade, shaping a framework that supports innovation, investment and the needs of future users.

In its action plan, the minister referenced the digital inclusion action plan, in which access to secure and reliable connectivity was seen as the foundation to ensuring that people everywhere can get online. That said, delivering these benefits was dependent on substantial investment in mobile networks.

To date, the UK mobile network operators have been investing heavily in the country’s mobile networks, averaging £2bn annually between 2020 and 2024. In particular, as a result of the merger between the two component parties, VodafoneThree has committed to investing £11bn in creating its merged network, while competitors BTEE and Virgin Media O2 have also planned to invest in upgrading their networks. For example, BTEE has an ambition to deliver standalone 5G to 99% of the population by the end of 2030.

Lloyd assured that the UK government would support industry to deliver this investment, including through removing barriers to deployment and ensuring digital connectivity is appropriately considered and built into new infrastructure projects from the outset. However, she warned that the UK mobile sector stands at a critical inflection point of rapid market changes, coupled with persistent investment challenges.

Lloyd said governments and regulators across the globe are considering how their telecoms policies and regulatory frameworks can best drive innovation and investment in this new era. That, she emphasised, is why it is necessary to act immediately to understand the challenges, safeguard the UK’s international competitiveness, and deliver the high-quality, nationwide connectivity the UK relies on.

The call to action and the four-point plan were designed to realise the potential of the mobile sector, and the UK government said it recognised that doing so would require concerted and coordinated action across government and industry, to deliver the coverage needed in this decade and shape the mobile market for the future.

The government said that, in creating its call to evidence, it welcomed responses from across the ecosystem, including mobile operators, infrastructure providers, technology companies, local authorities, public sector bodies, civil society organisations, academia and investors.The call will run until 11:59pm on 21 April 2026.

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One of the key trends of the comms market over the past year has been the rapid spread of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), particularly around their usage within the internet of things (IoT). Now, research from satellite communications Viasat has found that providing ubiquitous direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity – such as from satellites – will enable the deployment of “game-changing” technologies across critical industries such as agriculture, mining and energy.

The great connectivity convergence: NTN in industrial IoT study surveyed 600 IoT decision-makers from five major industries (agriculture, energy, transport and logistics, mining and utilities). It asked professionals about new D2D IoT devices, which enable organisations to track, monitor and control operations by sharing data over satellite and cellular without the need for existing, dedicated satellite terminals.

Among the topline findings was that D2D is all set for mass adoption in industrial IoT within 18 months, with rising urgency among decision-makers to adopt D2D IoT devices in their organisations (91% of respondents).

Furthermore, the majority (90%) of those surveyed agreed that D2D will accelerate the roll-out of IoT globally. Current terrestrial IoT users are particularly keen to tap into the technology, with almost a third (32%) planning to adopt D2D within the next six months. However, while intent is high, most respondents (81%) said adoption in IoT would only be feasible after the next one-to-two years.

Across all IoT decision-makers surveyed, over a quarter intend to adopt D2D within six months, over two-thirds within 12 months, and the vast majority (91%) within 18 months. On top of this, 89% of organisations said they would consider replacing their current IoT connectivity with D2D within the next two-to-three years.

Respondents reported high confidence that new applications can have significant benefits, with respondents reporting D2D could provide an advantage due to its smaller form factor (61%), ability to support large scale deployments (59%), and in deployments in areas without cellular coverage (55%).

The survey highlighted that most beneficial use cases provided through D2D include crop storage monitoring in agriculture (33%), automated haulage vehicles in mining (36%), vehicular tracking and route optimisation in transport (43%), water infrastructure monitoring in utilities (43%), and wellhead monitoring in energy (33%).

Within the context of their existing IoT roll-out, 78% of respondents said their organisations’ progress has increased over the past 12 months. Organisations are also increasingly integrating satellite into their deployments. More than half of organisations (55%) reported using satellite in their IoT estates, a rise from the 41% reported in the study taken a year ago.

Assessing the trends revealed in the latest study, Andy Kessler, vice-president of enterprise at Viasat, noted that organisations were rightly excited by the potential for standards-based D2D and are planning to deploy new technology quickly and at scale.

“The excitement makes sense because we know new devices can lower the barrier to entry for organisations by reducing the cost, complexity and physical size of IoT terminal,” he said. “But while companies rightly want to move fast, the change represents a major shift. It’s our job to work with our partner ecosystem and customers to help them access the safety, efficiency and sustainability benefits satellite-enabled IoT can bring.”

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With its flagship MWC exhibition about to open its doors in a matter of weeks, global mobile trade body the GSMA has announced a raft of technology partners for the CircuitX project for which it is a joint partner, and which aims to provide a practical blueprint for how interoperable connectivity can scale across smart venues and live events.

Established in March 2025, CircuitX comprises a three-year initiative designed to champion mobile technology across motorsports and transform the circuit experience with connectivity.

It is led by the GSMA’s innovation hub, GSMA Foundry; Fira Circuit, a company formed and managed by Fira de Barcelona to transform the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya into a centre for innovation and next-generation motorsport experiences; and Mobile World Capital, a public-private foundation that promotes the digital development of society.

CircuitX’s project will cover five core areas to highlight where mobile connectivity can support innovation across motorsport and large-scale events. This includes travel and navigation including real-time journey management and traffic optimisation; security and safety with enhanced emergency communication and crowd monitoring; fan movement based on smart venue navigation and crowd flow management; fan experience comprising personalised content, live data and immersive experiences; and race telemetry, with secure, efficient data transmission for teams and fans. 

“CircuitX is more than a showcase; it’s a blueprint for the future of connected experiences,” said GSMA CEO John Hoffman. “By integrating mobile technology into motorsport and entertainment, GSMA and its partners aim to set new standards for safety, efficiency and fan engagement. This reinforces the pivotal role of mobile connectivity as a catalyst for ongoing innovation.”

A showcase demonstration at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and MWC26 Barcelona, set for 1 March, is set to feature participation from leading motor racing teams and technology collaborators to showcase tele-driven vehicles, in-race telemetry, live broadcast, drone safety and security measures, as well as immersive augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences for fans.

The showcase will feature leading partners showcasing what is described as advanced mobile technology and connectivity services, supported by Al Kamel, Semtech & Domo Broadcast Systems, Barcelona Drone Center, Elmo, Ericsson, Into Reality, MatSing, NTT Data, Prospeed, Telefónica and Formula E.

Formula E’s participation will encompass sustainability-driven racing innovations, integrating connectivity for enhanced telemetry and fan engagement. The Gen3 EVO Formula E race car demonstrates its capabilities on the track, able to accelerate from 0 to 60mph in just 1.82 seconds.

Joining the initiative as the official connectivity partner, Telefónica will provide 5G network coverage at both locations. IT services provider Al Kamel will show how ultra-low latency networks transform race operations, from instant incident detection and dynamic race strategies, and will also offer what it said was a glimpse into the future of precision motorsport management supported by Semtech and Domo Broadcast Systems.

Barcelona Drone Center will showcase its devices that see use in crowd monitoring, emergency response and perimeter security, using advanced Unmanned Aircraft System technology and regulatory expertise. These are regarded as critical for modern smart venues.

Ericsson will bring its private 5G technology to deliver a secure, high-performance network tailored to the device mobility demands of motorsport environments – essential for telemetry, video streaming and safety-critical systems, while Elmo will demonstrate real-time teledriving of vehicles over public 5G networks, including stable remote operation at higher driving speeds, enabled by network quality APIs that ensure low latency, reliability and service continuity for safety-critical vehicle control.

NTT Data will show AI-enabled applications, including services that enhance operations and safety, as well as mobile applications that leverage live data and AI-driven insights to deliver a digital-first fan experience both on- and off-site.

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A couple of months after Apple started testing iOS 26.3, the company is finally releasing it alongside iPadOS 26.3, macOS Tahoe 26.3, watchOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, and visionOS 26.3. Unlike previous software updates, this one is more focused on bug fixes and general stability. Still, iOS 26.3 adds a new iOS-Android transfer feature, improved privacy settings, and three exclusive European functions that Americans won’t be getting.

The lack of several new features could be explained by the fact that Apple is readying a major iOS 26.4 update, which is rumored to have a super-powered Siri enhanced by Google’s Gemini AI, new emojis, and more. That said, while iOS 26.3 might not feel groundbreaking for most of us, it’s an important step towards iOS 26.4, which is expected to be released around April.

For example, iOS 26.3 is splitting Weather and Astronomy wallpapers in two different sections. While it’s unclear why Apple decided to make that move, it shows how little the system has changed. Here’s everything you need to know about the top iOS 26.3 features that just arrived for iPhone users.

Easier iOS-Android data transfer

José Adorno/BGR

So far, Apple and Google have relied on its Move to iOS and Android Switch apps to help users transfer data between operating systems. Now, both companies are making the process more straightforward by releasing a new standard for transferring data. With iOS 26.3, iPhone users can place their phone side-by-side with an Android phone to start the process (and vice-versa).

Right now, Apple and Google allow users to transfer photos, messages, notes, apps, passwords, mail accounts, phone number, voice memos, and WhatsApp content. In the future, the two companies might offer additional features that could be transfer between one system to the other, such as health data and Bluetooth-paired devices, which continue to be tied to their original software.

Both devices need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi and have Bluetooth enabled. Once the new device senses the other, there will be a QR code displayed so users can initiate the transfer.

Hide your location setting

José Adorno/BGR

Probably the most interesting feature of the iOS 26.3 cycle is a new privacy setting that lets you hide your exact location. Unfortunately, this feature is still limited to devices with Apple’s own 5G modems, including the iPhone 16e and iPhone Air, though that list will expand once the upcoming iPhone 17e and iPhone 18 devices are released. The 17e is expected to feature Apple’s C1X chip, but all iPhone 18 models should get Apple’s future C2 modem.

This extra privacy layer makes it harder for cell service providers to know precisely where a user is at any give time. Instead of providing your exact address, this feature could only identify your approximate neighborhood; without interfering with apps that intentionally share your exact location, such as the Find My app.

The only “issue” so far is that hiding your location is not only limited to a few devices, but also a few mobile carriers, including Telekom in Germany, EE and BT in the United Kingdom, Boost Mobile in the U.S., and AIS and True in Thailand. If you have a compatible phone and carrier, just go to the Settings app > Cellular > Cellular Data Options, and you’ll find it there.

Exclusive European features

José Adorno/BGR

If you’re in Europe and you also have a European Apple Account, you’re getting four new additional features with iOS 26.3. The first one is that Apple will need to offer an AirPods-like smooth pairing for third-party headphones. While an app might be required for additional features, accessory makers will be able to use a similar system that Apple has for AirPods, so you just have to approach the new earbuds to your phone to get a fast-pair.

The second update gives developers the ability to use NFC capabilities in their apps, so instead of relying on the Apple Wallet, a bank could let you use a digital card to make payments using NFC from inside their app. Lastly, Apple is allowing other devices to better communicate with an iPhone, so data transfers like AirDrop, AirPlay, or Continuity Camera can be implemented to other devices, instead of being exclusive to Apple devices. While implementation from developers might take a while, iOS 26.3 finally unlocks those perks to them. 

Besides those features, Apple tested the ability to reply to messages using a third-party smartwatch. By choosing Apple’s new Notification Forwarding feature, users could react to notifications using a smartwatch that’s not an Apple Watch. However, with the release of iOS 26.3, this function remained in beta. Apple has up until June 1st to implement this change.

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A report in early November claimed Samsung would unveil the Galaxy S26 series on February 25 in San Francisco. The same date appeared in Samsung marketing materials that leaked in late January. But the announcement that many Galaxy S fans have been waiting for has arrived. Samsung on Wednesday confirmed that the Galaxy S26 Unpacked launch event will be held on February 25 in San Francisco, opening up a registration page where consumers can sign up ahead of the preorder process for early savings. The Unpacked press conference will be streamed live, just like other major Galaxy S launch media events. The livestream starts at 10:00 a.m. PST (1:00 p.m. EST).

But Galaxy S fans looking forward to the first Unpacked event of the year won’t have to wait two more weeks to see the innovations Samsung has prepared for the Galaxy S26 series. WinFuture’s Roland Quandt, who routinely leaks Samsung secrets before major product launches, has obtained the full specs for the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra, sharing them in a detailed report. The hardware details are similar to previous leaks and won’t surprise those Galaxy S owners who keep tabs on all Samsung rumors. However, they may upset those Samsung fans who wished for bigger upgrades from the Galaxy S26 series. If Quandt’s information is accurate, the Galaxy S26 series will offer minimal upgrades over its predecessor. If that’s not enough, Galaxy S26 prices may be somewhat higher, a claim Quandt also made a few days ago.

Galaxy S26 series specs

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According to the report, the three Galaxy S26 phones should feature similar designs to last year’s models. The OLED screens are similar, at 6.3, 6.7, and 6.9 inches, featuring adaptive refresh rates (1-120 Hz) and Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass. All phones should start with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The standard model and the Plus also offer 512GB storage, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra is the only handset listed in a 16GB version, which is paired with 1TB of storage. The 128GB storage tier that was available for Galaxy S25 phones should not be available for the Galaxy S26 series. The base and Plus models will reportedly feature Samsung’s 2nm Exynos 2600 chip, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra will come with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip.

The battery sizes are unchanged for the Plus and Ultra (at 4,900 mAh and 5,000 mAh, respectively), but the base Galaxy S26 model features a 4,300 mAh battery, 300 mAh larger than its predecessor. Charging speeds are listed at 25W, 45W, and 60W. The three phones may not have magnets on the back, but a recent report claimed the Galaxy S26 series will support MagSafe-like Qi2 charging via magnetic cases. WinFuture notes that Qi2 charging speeds should reach 15W for the smaller handsets and 25W for the Ultra.

The report indicates that the camera upgrades are largely absent for the smaller models. The rear cameras will reportedly offer 50-megapixel wide, 12-megapixel ultra-wide, and 10-megapixel telephoto (3x optical zoom) lenses. The Galaxy S26 Ultra should have four sensors with similar resolution to the Galaxy S25 Ultra: 200-megapixel wide, 50-megapixel ultra-wide, 50-megapixel periscope lens (5x optical zoom), and 10-megapixel telephoto lens (3x optical zoom). This year’s Ultra might also feature larger apertures, which could improve low-light photography.

The Galaxy S26 prices

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WinFuture also lists the purported price structure for Europe. The 256GB Galaxy S26 may cost €999 ($1,189), similar to the Galaxy S25’s €959 ($1,153) price tag. The 256GB Galaxy S26 Plus would be priced at €1,269 ($1,510), compared to €1,149 ($1,367) for the Galaxy S25 Plus. This may be a mistake from WinFuture. The 512GB Galaxy S25 Plus cost €1,269 last year. Finally, the 256GB Galaxy S26 Ultra should cost €1,469 ($1,748), almost matching the 256GB Galaxy S25 Ultra’s €1,449 ($1,724) price. It’s important to remember that European prices include tax. The direct conversions to U.S. dollars will not give you the official U.S. Galaxy S26 price structure, assuming Quandt’s figures are accurate.

However, some Galaxy S fans may not appreciate these prices. The removal of the 128GB storage option will not sit well with buyers looking for the cheapest possible Galaxy S flagship. They’ll have to spend more money than they may have expected. Reserving the Galaxy S26 of your choice before the Unpacked event will help you score $30 in Samsung Credit. Preorders may bring additional perks to early buyers that could make the higher starting price tags more tolerable. While those deals have not leaked, WinFuture did mention the purported color options for the three phones: white, blue, black, and purple.

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3D printing has become more and more accessible over the years, and 3D printers are more reliable than ever. Entry-level 3D printers typically cost less than $100, and the printing process itself is pretty straightforward once you have a design file loaded. You can even tap into some of the best sites for 3D printing to access printing projects and open-source models. All of this, combined with the fact that there are a lot of handy 3D printing accessories on the market, makes adding some 3D printing projects to your agenda worthwhile. With the right projects on hand, you can even look at 3D printing as a way to save yourself some money.

While consumer-level 3D printers are as reliable as ever, they do have their limitations. They can’t print metal objects, for example, and they’re limited to printing objects that can fit within the printer’s build volume. But there’s still a lot you can do with a 3D printer, and we’ve devised some projects that can help you tap into that idea of saving some money on objects around the house. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast who wants to add some accessories to your lineup of devices or a do-it-yourselfer looking for a creative project to take on, the 3D printing projects below will allow you to do so with some extra money in your pocket.

Smartphone and tablet stands

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Anyone with a smartphone or tablet is likely to have a glance at such a device regularly throughout the day. A desktop or table-top stand for these devices is a great way to keep an eye on notifications and other necessary distractions. These can even be used to keep your mobile device upright during video chats with friends, family, and colleagues. A couple of issues with these stands, however, are that cheap models tend to be just that. They don’t always offer much build quality, and while more expensive stands can offer nice features like charging capabilities, they are also often out of the price range of everyday mobile device users.

A quality smartphone stand can range from $10 to $25, and tablet stands can cost even more. But if you’re just looking for something basic to keep your mobile device upright on your desk while you work, you can 3D print a custom stand for what amounts to just pennies in filament cost. You can download or create designs that include simple angled stands, as well as adjustable models with multiple viewing angles. Because the material cost is so low with a 3D printer, you can experiment with different designs until you find something that perfectly suits your desktop setup.

Toys

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Not only can children’s toys be expensive, but they also break constantly, and kids outgrow them quickly. In the event of something breaking, it can be difficult to track down a single replacement part, particularly for toys like action figures and board games. And in regard to costs, even simple generic toys like building blocks and toy vehicles can cost $25 or more. The good news is that many toys that can be found on shelves these days can also be made with a 3D printer.

In fact, 3D printing new toys can be a nearly free project of its own. Free design files are available for popular toy categories all across the internet. Everything from sandbox toys like buckets and shovels to action figures of animals, ghosts, and dinosaurs is among them. Even designs for toys like drones can be downloaded and implemented at no cost. A single spool of 3D printing filament can produce dozens of small toys, and with a little creativity, replacement parts for broken toys you already have around the house.

Drawer organizers

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If you found 3D printing projects that revolve around toys and tech accessories of interest, you may also be interested in a way to keep such items organized. As tech enthusiasts know, cables, adapters, earbuds, and other accessories can pile up, scatter around, and become clutter quickly. The same can be said about toys, as anyone with children can likely attest. But generic drawer organizers don’t always provide the proper space for such items, and storage containers can take up more space than a drawer allows for.

But with a 3D printer, you can print your own custom drawer organizers that are designed to fit a specific space and store specific items. There are hundreds of downloadable organizer designs available across the internet, and many of them focus specifically on drawer organization. You can even design your own modular drawer organizers that stack on top of one another in order to fully optimize different drawers. This is also something you could apply to items far beyond tech and toys, as kitchen drawers, art drawers, and utility drawers always have their share of loose items that need organizing.

Kitchen items

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A lot of tools for use around the kitchen come in plastic options, which makes them ideal candidates for 3D printing projects. Small items will be easy for a smaller 3D printer, and they include things like bottle openers, forks, spoons, and butter knives, as well as small storage containers for liquids and baking ingredients. Those with a larger 3D printer can consider things like spatulas, soup ladles, juicers, even plates and bowls. These items can range in price from a couple of dollars to well over $40, depending on the level of quality you’re looking at.

But if you don’t need the latest designs from the most stylish lifestyle brands, 3D printing items that can come in handy around the kitchen will leave you with plenty of money in your pocket. Beyond cooking utensils, you can also find 3D printing designs for various racks and storage bins for those utensils. These storage solutions can be designed to attach to walls or the inside of cabinet doors, to fit awkward cabinet spaces, or to stack vertically and maximize counter space.

Auto parts

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Even though the auto industry is using 3D printing for car parts, you aren’t going to be able to 3D print mechanical parts with a consumer-level 3D printer. What you can do with such a device, however, is keep different parts of your interior up to date and accessorized. If you have an older vehicle, some of the interior plastic or vinyl components may have deteriorated over time. With some experience and know-how, things like knobs, dials, and even stereo buttons can be 3D printed and installed. This can offer substantial savings, as anything purchased from a dealer or manufacturer can be more than most will want to spend on such parts.

But you can also improve upon your vehicle’s existing interior, whether it’s older or straight off the lot. If you utilize your smartphone to interact with your vehicle’s stereo and display, clips to keep the cables organized can be 3D printed. So can smartphone holders if you’re able to find or create the right design for it. Customized cup holders tailored for different bottles and coffee cup sizes can also be 3D printed. In fact, there is a wide variety of auto accessories that a 3D printer can save you money on, and it won’t take much more than a few minutes browsing the inventory of auto parts stores to start getting creative with it.

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