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List of Samsung Smartphones Ceasing Updates in 2026

Samsung keeps introducing exciting new features to its Galaxy series while simultaneously winding down software support for older models as they complete their update cycle.

The technology leader boasts one of the largest Android device assortments worldwide, meaning its end-of-support choices affect a large user audience. In 2026, a wide array of Samsung devices, including flagships, foldable devices, mid-range products, and the cherished Note series, are either already excluded from the update schedule or approaching their last patches. This article addresses both groups: Devices that lost support in late 2025 and will be fully retired this year, along with those currently receiving quarterly updates but anticipated to leave Samsung’s update program by the end of 2026.

Galaxy S21 Series (S21, S21+, S21 Ultra)

The Galaxy S21 series launched in January 2021 as Samsung’s flagship platform, supported by a then-novel guarantee: Four generations of Android upgrades and five years of security maintenance. It was marketed as a long-term asset, hardware that would remain relevant for a significant time.

The S21 series received its final major OS upgrade, Android 15-based One UI 7.0, in early 2025. Before that, it transitioned smoothly through Android 12 (One UI 4) in November 2021, Android 13 (One UI 5) in November 2022, and Android 14 (One UI 5) in December 2023. By January 2026, the last planned security patch had been released. As of February

Celebrating Apple 50: Crafting Something Remarkable

**Honoring Apple’s Heritage: The Call to Innovate**

This article is a segment of 9to5mac’s collection commemorating Apple’s 50th anniversary.

As Apple achieves this pivotal milestone, numerous individuals contemplate the company’s substantial influence on technology and culture. Yet, the most appropriate homage to Apple and its visionary, Steve Jobs, is to transform that motivation into innovation. Steve Jobs famously held that creating something remarkable is a compelling way to show gratitude for humanity.

During the iPhone X launch in 2017, Apple began with a recording of Jobs emphasizing the significance of creativity and the act of creation. This notion is reflected in the Steve Jobs Archive, which recently released a book entitled *Make Something Wonderful*, urging individuals to pursue their finest work.

In Jobs’ own words, “There’s lots of ways to be, as a person… But one of the ways that I believe people express their appreciation to the rest of humanity is to make something wonderful and put it out there.” This belief highlights the core of creativity as a pathway to connect, even when the creator and the audience are unknown to one another.

Apple’s influence goes beyond the goods they produce; they have notably impacted the arts. The resources Apple offers empower creators in diverse fields—music, film, illustration, and publishing—allowing them to leave their distinctive marks on the world.

Today, as we celebrate Apple, we encourage you to immerse yourself in your creative endeavors. Whether it’s composing a song, crafting a painting, producing a film, designing an app, or penning a poem, take a moment to create. Share your creations with us in the comments or on social media, tagging @9to5mac. We are excited to witness the incredible things you develop using Apple products, whether it’s a film edited with Final Cut, artwork created with an Apple Pencil, music recorded in GarageBand, or a narrative written in Pages.

Bringing something original into the world is a valuable pursuit, and it has always been the mission of Apple’s devices to promote self-expression through art and technology. Let’s pay tribute to Apple’s legacy by embracing our creativity and sharing it with the world.

Recognizing the Impact of Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak on Apple’s 50th Anniversary

**Honoring Apple: A Personal Odyssey Through Innovation and Motivation**

This narrative is part of 9to5Mac’s collection commemorating Apple’s 50th anniversary.

Apple Inc. transcends the definition of a technology firm; it embodies a groundbreaking concept that originated in a garage 50 years ago. For countless individuals, myself included, Apple has profoundly impacted our lives, shaping our perceptions of technology and imagination.

My initial introduction to Apple’s enchantment happened when my father showed me Photoshop on his PowerBook G3 Pismo. This transformative moment sparked my enthusiasm for technology and design. Being raised in a household that embraced Apple products, I was immersed in the vivid hues of iMacs and the cutting-edge styles of iBooks. Some of my most cherished memories involve receiving my first iPod from my grandmother, acquiring the original iPhone with my dad, and guiding my grandfather on how to use his iPad. Each encounter enhanced my bond with the brand and its offerings.

The thrill of unboxing my first iPod in 2005 signified a pivotal moment in my life. I was enthralled by the opportunities that Apple devices provided. I saved diligently to purchase my own iPhone and iPad, working summers mowing lawns. A highlight of my journey was meeting Steve Wozniak in high school, a moment that reinforced my conviction in the delight and whimsy that technology can offer. My fondness for Apple is clear in my collection of retro advertisements, literature, and the many white boxes that populate my shelves.

While the brand itself holds great significance, the influence of Steve Jobs on my existence is invaluable. As a child, I admired him, decorating my walls with his images and imitating his presentations in front of the family iMac. His remarks during a 1994 interview, asserting that “everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you,” struck a chord within me. They fueled my ambition to chase my dreams tenaciously, fostering a belief that I could accomplish anything with perseverance.

Although I never had the opportunity to express my gratitude to Jobs directly, I endeavor to honor his legacy by embodying the principles that transformed Apple into a groundbreaking entity in technology. As we mark 50 years of ingenuity, I reflect on the contributions of everyone who played a role in creating products that have significantly influenced my life.

Here’s to the visionaries, the innovators, and the dreamers who have molded Apple into something far more than just a computer company. May we perpetually remain hungry and foolish, eager to embrace the next 50 years of imagination and motivation.

China’s third-largest chip foundry files for Hong Kong listing, with a groundbreaking $5 billion fab taking center stage.

Nexchip Semiconductor filed for a listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Tuesday, joining a stampede of Chinese chip companies turning to the city’s capital markets as Beijing pours resources into building a domestic semiconductor supply chain that can withstand American export controls. The Hefei-based foundry, China’s third largest behind SMIC and Hua Hong […]

This story continues at The Next Web

Aim of the Opening on the Upper Part of Your Pixel 9

Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL are praised for their swift performance, remarkable cameras, and numerous excellent features, but it’s important not to overlook the Pixel 9 that preceded them. Whether you currently possess a Pixel 9 or have the chance to acquire one at a reduced cost, we believe that Google’s prior-generation phone remains an outstanding device.

If you’ve ever spotted that small hole at the top of the Pixel 9, you aren’t the only one. That’s not a sensor or a recessed button — it’s actually one of three microphones on the device. With the exception of the Pixel 9A, every other Pixel 9 model is equipped with a microphone at the bottom, a rear-facing microphone near the camera lenses, and this additional, top-mounted microphone.

Although Google has yet to officially clarify the purpose of the top mic, discussions among Reddit users and Pixel 9 owners suggest that it is mainly utilized for noise reduction. Similar to active noise canceling technology in headphones and earbuds, the Pixel 9’s top microphone collects ambient sounds around you. It then analyzes what it hears in comparison to the data from the other two mics and employs noise-isolating technology to minimize the intensity of background noise during your phone and video calls.

The Google Pixel 9 employs a triple-microphone array for recording, enhancing, and amplifying audio

AI Can Automate Your Stream Deck Buttons

If you’re tired of controlling Stream Deck devices by manually pushing buttons, then good news: Elgato will now let you delegate that task to a chatbot instead. The Stream Deck 7.4 software update released today introduces Model Context Protocol (MCP) support, allowing AI assistants like Claude, ChatGPT, and Nvidia G-Assist to find and activate Stream […]

How Enveloping Car Keys in Aluminum Foil May Deter Theft, Based on Scientific Studies

aluminum foil to prevent the RFID signal from being transmitted.

These relay attacks can occur because the key fobs of numerous contemporary vehicles are perpetually emitting RFID signals to activate the car’s keyless functionality. Consequently, automobile robbers no longer need to break into a vehicle or bypass its ignition system. Although some auto manufacturers have transitioned to digital keys, which permit you to keep your car keys on your Android device or iPhone, relay theft continues to pose a significant issue. Even if the aluminum foil method might appear rudimentary, there is valid science supporting it, and encasing the key fob in foil can inhibit the signal and assist in safeguarding your vehicle from theft. Nevertheless, there are certain limitations.

Employing aluminum foil as a shield against electromagnetic signals

Important Announcement: Price Hikes for Legacy AT&T Unlimited Plans

**AT&T’s Old Plan Price Increases: Key Information**

Mobile service providers are well-known for their pricing tactics, and AT&T fits this mold. Recently, the company unveiled substantial price hikes for customers utilizing its old unlimited plans, set to take effect in April 2026. This adjustment is part of AT&T’s larger initiative to motivate users to migrate to newer unlimited options.

### Grasping Old Plans

AT&T characterizes an old plan as any plan that was in effect prior to July 24, 2025. These plans, commonly viewed as more advantageous due to their costs and benefits, are now being phased out. The company has revealed that the monthly fees for these discontinued unlimited wireless plans will rise, with single line plans experiencing a $10 hike and multiple line plans increasing by $20.

### Extra Features

To help ease the impact of the price rise, AT&T has indicated that customers will gain an extra 20GB of hotspot data each month. This newly introduced feature might appeal to certain users, but it does not alleviate the financial burden of the heightened monthly fees.

### Varied Implementation

Reports suggest that the execution of these price alterations is not uniform. Some customers have noted different increases depending on their specific plans. For example, individuals on retired Mobile Share plans might face increases of $5 for plans with under 6GB of data and $10 for those with over 6GB. This variation can create confusion among subscribers attempting to grasp their new billing figures.

### Exploring Options

Given these modifications, it is essential for AT&T customers to assess their alternatives. Seeking better deals within AT&T’s services or looking into competitor networks could result in more favorable pricing and features. As always, it’s wise to compare plans to make sure you are obtaining the best value for your requirements.

### Final Thoughts

AT&T’s move to raise prices on old plans underscores the ongoing trend in the mobile sector, where carriers aim to shift customers to newer, frequently pricier plans. As these modifications unfold, customers should remain informed and proactive in managing their mobile service choices.