Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo on Sept. 9, marking the company’s first entry into foldable smartphones. The device starts at $1,999 in the U.S. and features a 7.6-inch inner display when unfolded. When closed, it uses a 5.4-inch outer screen for regular phone functions. Preorders will open on Oct. 16, with retail sales beginning on Oct. 23. This launch introduces a new form factor for Apple, complementing its standard iPhone lineup.

The camera system on the iPhone 18 Pro introduces four different aperture options to manage lighting and depth of field. Its main sensor supports f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8, and f/4.0 apertures. The device also includes 48-megapixel Ultra Wide and Telephoto lenses. New Pro controls allow users to modify aperture, shutter speed, and white balance directly within the Camera app. Additionally, users can see a histogram while capturing photos or videos. Apple has also launched Reference Image, a feature users can opt into to verify photo authenticity. When taking a photo in Reference mode, sensor data is signed and saved. This data forms a reference image that can be compared with an edited version in the Photos app. Support for image metadata and the SynthID standard is also being added, with SynthID support arriving through a software update later in 2026.

U.S. battery manufacturing is growing while key materials still come from China. In 2025, China produced over 80% of the world’s battery cells. It also supplied around 85% of cathode active material and more than 90% of anode active material. The International Energy Agency reported these figures in its 2026 global electric vehicle outlook. Chinese manufacturers also provided nearly three-quarters of the global electric vehicle battery deployments in 2025. This industrial reach spans from refined minerals to finished cells and manufacturing equipment. The U.S. has grown its battery manufacturing capacity faster than China in percentage terms. During 2025, U.S. lithium-ion nameplate capacity increased by approximately 50%. Still, the country remains heavily reliant on imports for certain materials. The United States had a 100% net import dependence on natural graphite in 2025. China was among its top graphite suppliers in the past four years, and Chinese processors dominate battery-grade graphite production. China controls the most critical segments of the battery supply chain.

Japan is enhancing its efforts to combat investment scams by implementing a new AI-based tool designed to identify warning signs sooner. The Consumer Affairs Agency announced this initiative on September 1. The system will analyze consumer complaints for language patterns and indicators associated with fraudulent schemes and failing companies. According to the package, AI will complement existing keyword searches and enable earlier alerts, investigations, and enforcement actions when complaint data reveal serious risks.

China’s digital industry posted strong revenue and profit growth in the first half of 2026. The majority of the digital industry’s revenue came from China’s leading regional markets. The top 10 provincial-level regions generated a combined total of 17.21 trillion yuan, an increase of 13.2%. Central China alone reported 2.86 trillion yuan in digital industry revenue, rising 28.3% from the previous year. Digital infrastructure also saw expansion during this period. By the end of June, China had 5.102 million 5G base stations. Over 80,000 private 5G industry networks were active nationwide. Electronics industry value-added output increased by 14.8% year-over-year.

UN child safety push targets AI, disinformation and harmful online platform practices. Department of Global Communications issued the brief ahead of International Youth Day on Aug. 12. It reports that over 82% of individuals aged 15 to 24 are internet users worldwide. This connectivity supports education, civic involvement, and economic access. However, unsafe online environments can impact the mental, emotional, and social growth of young users. The report notes children and teens are still developing skills needed to evaluate online information critically.

Japan successfully launched its H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 7 navigation satellite from the Tanegashima Space Center. The satellite is part of Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, providing positioning, navigation, and timing services. The launch follows a previous failed attempt in December 2025, with the H3 rocket now serving as Japan’s primary launch vehicle.

Under the court’s detailed remedial order, $420 million of the new funds will directly fund mental health treatment services for children across New Mexico. The rest will support public education campaigns, early screening programs, and community prevention efforts over the next five years. The ruling also enforces strict operational requirements for Meta. These include setting default private settings for accounts of users under 18, limiting daily screen time, restricting notification pushes, and improving screening for child sexual abuse material.

OpenAI is broadening the availability of ChatGPT for Free and Go users by making GPT-5.6 Luna the default model. The company announced that unlimited text chats will be available starting next week, with safeguards in place to prevent misuse. Additionally, free users will gain a Think button for questions requiring deeper reasoning. Limitations will still apply to file uploads, image generation, and other features.

World Trade and Tech Day will put inclusive AI policy at the center of global trade talks. Opening the event, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will deliver welcoming remarks. A ministerial dialogue will explore why artificial intelligence has become a key issue in trade policy. The program will feature a keynote speech and a panel with private-sector representatives. Topics will include digital services, intellectual property, technical standards, and the role of developing economies in AI-driven value chains. These sessions will connect technology policies with practical cross-border business needs. The World Trade Report 2025 will serve as a core resource for the gathering. WTO analysis indicates that artificial intelligence could boost global trade by up to 37% by 2040. It also suggests a potential increase of up to 13% in global gross domestic product. These benefits depend on infrastructure, skills, technology adoption, and policy frameworks. The report warns that unequal access might limit participation, especially among lower-income economies. Trade policy takes center stage Several sessions will examine how AI can reduce the costs of international trade. Participants will review tools that help companies process documents, ensure compliance, and analyze supply chains. The agenda will also include digital services and intellectual property considerations. Another session will discuss how technical standards can promote compatibility across markets. These topics highlight AI’s growing role in customs, logistics, finance, and other trade services. The event will also tackle obstacles to wider AI use. Many businesses still lack reliable internet, computing power, skilled workers,