Is it safe to say that the foldable wars are finally on? After Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo, more eyes are looking towards foldables, and Apple’s foldable isn’t even out yet. Despite still being in the iPhone Duo’s preorder phase, Samsung has already laid a bold claim over the market. According to the South Korean brand, demand for the Galaxy Z Fold8 family has increased since the debut of the Duo.

As reported by Forbes, Richard Chang, Corporate Vice President for the Mobile Division, said, “Customer demand for the Galaxy Z Fold8 family has increased 16 percent since launch, and with a 300 percent increase in active Google searches for Samsung foldables in the last month alone.”

To be fair, Chang did not attribute the recent spike to Apple. However, the timing is more than just a coincidence. A few weeks ago, Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo, the company’s first foray into the foldable market. Almost immediately, the Duo turned heads for its novel approach to its foldable interface. Unlike its competitors, it transitions seamlessly when folding between the two modes.

However, Apple’s efforts might not be enough, at least not before the Duo actually launches. Samsung is still on an upward trend, thanks to the more convenient passport-style form factor of the Galaxy Z Fold8. Still, regardless of which side of the fence you’re on, it’s a win for consumers that the two biggest names in the smartphone space are finally feuding over foldable supremacy. We might be in for a golden age of foldables in the next few years.

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The NBA is experimenting with the use of smart basketballs and official wrist wearables ahead of its 2026-2027 regular season — two technologies which NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has mentioned can potentially be used officially in games as early as next season.

Per the Associated Press, select preseason games have included a smart basketball that has a Bluetooth sensor, manufactured with the league’s official provider Wilson. This can collect data for future use in real-time officiating decisions.

In a later interview with CNBC, Silver detailed that the smart chip integrated into the basketball weighs “roughly a gram” and does not affect the players’ feel or perception of the ball — at least in their tests.

“We A/B tested the ball with the chip, without the chip, and nobody could tell the difference, so that’s a good sign,” Silver said.

Both the official wearables and the smart basketballs underwent pilot testing during the summer league. The G-League also participated in the testing.

The NBA mentioned information from the Wilson-developed connected balls will be “for research only” for now. As such, the technology will not be used throughout the regular season and playoffs through mid-2027.

But Silver already sees the practical applications of the smart basketball, including determining out-of-bounds and goal-tending calls.

These can be based on whether the ball changed its arc, spin, or direction, as well as whether a finger touched it or not.

As such, the league could adapt its use as early as the 2027-2028 season.

Furthermore, the information the chip can provide can also be processed by players, as in the case of shooters observing which spin is most optimal for accuracy.

Wilson has not shied away from innovations, having introduced an airless basketball in the past.

Apple has announced the new Apple Home Collection, a new lineup of smart home accessories in collaboration with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric.

The collection includes indoor and outdoor cameras, thermostats, temperature sensors, and a video doorbell and door lock.

They are simple to set up starting with one tap with iPhone, and everything is managed through the Apple Home app. Each product features a clean, minimal aesthetic and premium materials.

Works with Apple Home and Matter certification have allowed a wide array of third-party accessories to connect with Apple’s smart home ecosystem for years.

The Apple Home Collection takes this even further. Working closely with the two parties, Apple has created an integrated Apple Home experience across the new product lineup.

Moreover, like all Apple Home accessories, the new collection is designed for privacy. Home app data is encrypted end-to-end.

Home monitoring

• LG Video Doorbell: dual cameras to capture separate views of visitors, packages; users can switch between front and bottom cameras
• LG Floodlight Cam: powerful perimeter monitoring with adaptive dual floodlights that activate automatically when motion is detected
• LG Outdoor Cam: offers low-light color night vision and can be easily angled
• LG Indoor Cam: automatically tilts upward and downward to adjust view when users check in on the home

Home Access

Meanwhile, LG’s Smart Deadbolt Lock brings a new level of convenience to home access.

Using Ultra Wideband technology, the lock can tell how close a user is and when they’re approaching the door.

As a user with a home key on a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch walks up, the door unlocks automatically, with no tapping required.

For flexibility, users can also tap to unlock with an iPhone or Apple Watch, use an integrated PIN pad, or rely on a hidden backup key slot.

The lock can sense if the door has been opened, closed, or tampered with, alerting users if it’s open even while locked.

Guest access can also be shared directly through the Home app, making it simple to grant a dog walker, house sitter, or visiting family member their own way in.

Home Climate

Furthermore, two new Smart Thermostats are available — one from LG Electronics and one from Schneider Electric. Users can choose the product that best fits their home’s broader energy ecosystem.

Using on-device intelligence from iPhone, Adaptive Temperature in the Home app automatically adjusts the thermostats based on whether someone is at home, winding down at night, or away, ensuring the home is always at the right temperature without any manual scheduling.

Pricing, availability

The Apple Home Collection will be available starting in December at apple.com/store, in the Apple Store app, and at Apple Store locations, with select accessories available starting early 2027.