Foldables are about to get huge

Key Points:

• Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo saw demand far exceed supply, with delivery dates pushed back to January 2027, despite its $2,000 price tag, signaling strong consumer interest in premium foldable smartphones.
• Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 sales increased by 16% in the UK since launch, and Google searches for Samsung foldables surged 300%, indicating growing market traction for foldable devices ahead of Apple's entry.
• The foldable smartphone market remains niche at 2% of total smartphones, but Apple's Duo is projected to capture 25% of this segment by 2026, potentially accelerating mainstream adoption of book-style foldables.
• Google is rolling out new shopping features like Universal Cart and enhancing AI tools, while also expanding earthquake alerts and improving Android updates, illustrating ongoing innovation across its product ecosystem.
• Industry insiders express mixed feelings about AI's impact on technology and society, with some highlighting its benefits and others concerned about its effects on human cognition and job security.