Texas cities and counties are keeping Flock Safety surveillance cameras operational after the company paused payments for 90 days in response to Gov. Greg Abbott's state funding freeze. Abbott halted state funding for the AI-powered cameras in late August following an investigation, forcing hundreds to shut down. Local officials suggest the freeze is politically motivated ahead of the November election and express hope Abbott will reinstate funding.
The Pixel 11 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro show minimal design changes from their predecessors, with hardware innovation largely stalled in the smartphone industry. The iPhone 18 Pro's main upgrades are a smaller Dynamic Island and variable aperture camera lens, though real-world photographic improvements are marginal. The Pixel 11 Pro offers more flexible camera controls through its Camera Looks feature and sensor-level adjustments.
Engadget's best of 2026 roundup highlights top-rated devices across categories, including Google's Pixel 11 as best Android phone with its capable 5x telephoto and intelligent software features, Apple's iPhone 18 Pro as best iPhone with improved cameras and thermal management, and the MacBook Neo as best affordable laptop at $600.
Vivo's X Fold 6 is launching globally after its China release in June, featuring a tall, square-ish 8.02-inch display that now feels dated compared to Samsung and Apple's recent shift toward shorter, wider foldables. The phone distinguishes itself with a large 200-megapixel main camera sensor, 50-megapixel telephoto and ultrawide lenses, and a 6,900mAh battery, though its visible crease and IP59 rating are less competitive.