Mark Spoonauer
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Content Director for Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag. Global EIC of Tom's Guide. Father of two, occasional runner, enjoys sarcasm.
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Articles by Mark Spoonauer
$2,000 for black bars: The worst thing about the iPhone Duo isn't made by Apple
I like to think I'm a patient person, but now that we're two weeks after the iPhone Duo release date, I'm starting to wonder what the heck is going on with the app situation. It's not like the iPhone Duo doesn't have other issues, whether it's “Crackgate,” the weighty design, or the lack of a telephoto zoom. But my biggest issue right now has nothing to do with Apple or the hardware.
I swapped my iPhone 17 Pro Max for the iPhone Duo for 2 weeks: The good, the bad and the baffling
7 hours ago Make Claude work smarter for you with this online training deal. TL;DR: Stop underutilizing Claude and unlock its full potential with some help from the Claude AI Professional E-Degree, on sale now for just $19.99 (reg. $159). Learning to use AI efficiently is becoming increasingly important, whether …
Should you buy the touchscreen MacBook Pro? 10 things you need to know
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Should you buy the touchscreen MacBook Pro? 10 things you need to know
The new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display has been a long time coming. And while it's generating a lot of buzz, there's also a lot of skepticism around Apple's first touchscreen laptop. And understandably so. Apple has famously dissed the very idea of touch laptops on multiple occasions over the years. But now the company believes the time is right.
I just went hands on with the touchscreen MacBook Pro OLED — and it's jaw-dropping
I'll be honest. I'm not a fan of the name. "MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display" is a mouthful. But this laptop, starting at $2,899, definitely made my jaw drop. Apple has created a truly stunning screen with this laptop, and I know because I've already compared it against one of the best Windows laptops with a tandem OLED display. It's colorful, super bright and looks great even off-axis.
iPad mini 8 hands-on: I like it even more than iPhone Duo
The new iPad mini 8 has a chip on its shoulder. It's almost like it's saying to the iPhone Duo, "Anything you can do, I can do better." The iPad mini 8 (from $699) has a bigger display than the Duo (8.5 vs 7.6 inches); it supports the latest Apple Pencil Pro (that magnetically attaches to the side); and you get the same A20 Pro chip for serious power.
I saw the MacBook Pro OLED next to the best Windows laptop with tandem OLED — it's not even close
It's one thing for Apple to say the new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR has the best display on any laptop, and it's another for it to put its money where it's mouth is. During a briefing and demo the company showed us how the new MacBook Pro stacks up to a premium Windows laptop with a tandem OLED display in the Yoga Pro 9i Aura Edition , which retails for $3,399 and is currently on sale for $2,699. Apple put this machine up against the new 16-inch MacBook Pro with PROLED, which starts at $3,399.
I just went hands on with the touchscreen MacBook Pro OLED — and it's jaw-dropping
iOS 27 5 hours ago iOS 27.2 just upgraded Apple Photos in two ways, here’s what’s new 9to5Mac - Ryan Christoffel • 5h Apple Photos got a lot of new features in iOS 27 last month, but this week’s release of iOS 27.2 brought even more improvements. Here’s what’s new. Shared Albums are among my favorite features in the Photos app.
iPhone Duo live Q&A: I spent a week with Apple's foldable and can answer all your questions
Apple's first foldable is finally here, and we just published our full iPhone Duo review . I've been living with the Duo for a week, using it as my everyday phone, so I have lots to share in terms of pros and cons. And I'm sure you have lots of questions, too, whether you've pre-ordered one already or you're on the fence about whether this device is worth $2,000. I want to help answer any and all questions you have. You might be wondering things like: Is the crease visible, and if so, how much?
The real reason why iPhone Duo will beat all Android foldable phones
Did you hear about the new Xiaomi 18 Fold ? Maybe not, but this foldable phone is getting a lot of attention on YouTube for “beating” the upcoming iPhone Duo at its own game. Here's just some of the ways it wins.
Android president on Apple iPhone Duo: 'Android is usually where you see the future first'
Even before the iPhone Duo launched, Android and Samsung fans were ribbing Apple for being so late to the foldable phone party. After all, the first Galaxy Fold launched in 2019. Right after the Apple September event, Samsung tweeted “Let us know when you're done reheating our leftovers.” Now that we're edging closer to the iPhone Duo pre-order date of Oct 16, I thought it would be interesting to get the reaction of Sameer Samat, who is the president of Android Ecosystem at Google.
I've been testing the iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone 18 Pro — your 10 biggest questions answered
I've been testing the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max for our review and much more, and I know there's a lot of questions people want answered before they decide whether to upgrade. Is the A20 Pro performance leap big enough? How good is the battery life? Which model is better for you?
iPhone 18 Pro exclusive: Apple CEO John Ternus on the new variable aperture camera
Sure, the foldable iPhone Duo is getting all of the buzz, but you shouldn't overlook the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max — especially if you want the highest quality cameras. Not only does the iPhone Duo lack the telephoto zoom lens on the iPhone 18 Pros; it also doesn't get the brand new variable aperture main camera. There are laser-cut blades in the lens of the 48MP main cameras on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max that move to let in more or less light depending on the conditions. The goal?
iPhone Duo hands-on: Apple nailed it — and just put everyone else on notice
At the risk of sounding cliche, there's something magical about using the iPhone Duo . The way it seamlessly transitions from phone to tablet and back again. The fact that you can't even feel the crease — though it is visible. And the way the software reacts based on the angle of the device. Apple has taken several years to release its first foldable phone , but based on my hands-on impressions its patience has paid off.
iPhone Ultra exclusive: Gurman on price, release date rumors and 'day one' weapon against Android
The iPhone Ultra is finally expected to launch at the Apple event on Sept. 9, and no one has been following this device more closely than Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In fact, he started reporting on Apple's early work around a foldable iPhone over five years ago. Now that the iPhone Ultra is almost here, I wanted to pick Gurman's brain about everything he knows about the new foldable, from the target audience and where the iPhone Ultra is supposed to excel to the design and trade-offs.
Gurman on price, release date rumors and 'day one' weapon against Android
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iPhone Ultra — 11 things you need to know about the foldable iPhone ahead of the Apple Event
Gadgets Now This Google TV projector is so bright, it lets you to watch movies outside in broad daylight Android Authority - Tushar Mehta • 58m The Nebula X1S from Anker's Soundcore is a 4K laser projector with 6,000 ANSI lumens brightness. Follow us on Google DiscoverAdd us as preferred source Compared to TVs, projectors offer greater flexibility for taking your entertainment device wherever you go.
3 big reasons I'd buy iPhone 18 Pro Max over iPhone 18 Pro this year
IPhone 18 Pro Max render. There could be some pretty big iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 18 Pro differences when the new iPhones debut at the Apple Event in September — and I’m not talking screen size. Other than display and battery, the iPhone Pro and Pro Max have mostly enjoyed parity over the past several years. But there have been some notable exceptions where the Max got the shiny new upgrades first.
iPhone Ultra trade-offs: The biggest things you’re not getting versus iPhone 18 Pro
IPhone Fold design . Given that the foldable iPhone is expected to cost anywhere between $2,000 and $2,500, there is some legitimate debate going on right now as to whether it will really be worth the premium. And at least based on the reports and rumors thus far, the so-called iPhone Ultra could have some serious drawbacks compared to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. People shopping for a foldable phone compared to a traditional flagship slab are accustomed to making trade-offs.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: 7 biggest upgrades Apple is planning next month
Apple iPhone 18 Pro and the A20 Pro chip. It doesn’t look like there will be many substantial design changes — leave that for the foldable iPhone Ultra — but there are several notable upgrades and tweaks that could compel you to get the new iPhone. From the design and chip to the battery and more, here are 7 biggest iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max changes you need to know. Variable aperture camera (Image credit: Macworld) This iPhone 18 Pro rumor seems like a lock given how many times it has come up.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: 7 biggest upgrades Apple is planning next month
The iPhone 18 Pro launch is likely just a few weeks away, with the Apple September event tipped to take place on Sept. 9. So we have a pretty full picture of what to expect from the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max when they're unveiled. It doesn't look like there will be many substantial design changes — leave that for the foldable iPhone Ultra — but there are several notable upgrades and tweaks that could compel you to get the new iPhone.
I’ve been living with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for 3 weeks — and I was wrong
Galaxy Z Fold 8. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in testing phones for over 20 years, it’s that there’s a difference between reviewing a device and living with it. And now that I’ve spent three weeks with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, I can say that my opinion has changed and that I was right about some things — and wrong about some others. The cameras are good enough! (Image credit: Tom's Guide) First, let’s talk about the cameras.
iPhone Ultra or iPhone Fold? Sudden questions emerge over foldable iPhone
IPhone Fold design . Now that we’re getting closer to the Apple September event and the launch of Apple’s first foldable iPhone there’s a sudden debate over what Apple may call the device. For several months, the Apple rumorsphere had settled on the iPhone Fold moniker, but since this spring the name iPhone Ultra started to gain a lot more traction. Now Creative Strategies analyst Max Weinbach has thrown cold water on the “Ultra” name.
I tried the Pixel 11 Pro Fold and it's more 'Ultra' than Samsung's foldable (for $200 less)
I went hands on with the new Pixel 11 Pro Fold and came away pretty impressed with its upgrades — with the exception of the gimmicky HiLight. Here’s how it stacks up.
After 10 years of Pixels, why is Google still making phones?
To do that, Google leaned heavily into computational photography before anyone else, elevating image quality via sophisticated processing as opposed to just hardware. And the first Pixel also paved the way for AI as a hallmark feature in phones, with Google Assistant being built directly into the OS. But now that we’re a decade in, what does Google have to show for its efforts? A fairly low No. 10 in global market share, according to IDC.
After 10 years of Pixels, why is Google still making phones?
It's kind of hard to believe that the Google Pixel 11 series is about to launch. Yes, it's been 10 years since the introduction of the first Pixel phone, which was the first truly “made by Google” device. (Yes, there were Nexus phones before that, but that was through partners like HTC.) The original Google Pixel had a 5-inch OLED display, 4GB of RAM and an 8MP camera running Android 7.1 Nougat. But it wasn't about the specs.
iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro pre-order date just tipped — here's when you can get yours
Renders of the potential iPhone foldable device. Apple's September event could be the biggest for the company in years as it readies to launch its first foldable phone. And now we have a very good idea of when the event will take place — and when pre-orders could begin. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the Apple event will see an avalanche of new products, from the iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro to the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4.
I tested the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra vs Galaxy S26 Ultra for 2 weeks — here’s the one I’d buy
Galaxy Fold 8 Ultra vs Galaxy S26 Ultra: Specs Compared Traditional Slab / Glass-and-Metal Sandwich 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X • 120Hz adaptive refresh rate 8.0-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Inner) • 120Hz adaptive refresh rate • Anti-reflective coating 6.5-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X Folded: 158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9 mm Unfolded: 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.1 mm 12 GB (256GB/512GB) / 16 GB (1TB) 12 GB (256GB/512GB) / 16 GB (1TB) 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB (UFS 4.0) Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Qualcomm...
I tested the Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Fold 8 Ultra to see if the lack of a telephoto zoom is a dealbreaker
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. One of the biggest complaints people have about the $1,899 Galaxy Z Fold 8 (myself included) is that it doesn't have a dedicated telephoto zoom lens. You're stuck with just a wide and ultrawide camera. There's just a digital zoom that goes up to 10x. Meanwhile, the $2,099 Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra packs a 3x telephoto lens with a max digital zoom of 30x. So does having a dedicated optical zoom camera make that big a difference?
iPhone Ultra vs Galaxy Z Fold 8 — here's 3 big ways Apple could win
Concept art for a foldable iPhone and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 shown in hand. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is getting pretty positive review, and it looks like this wide format device is the shape of foldable phones to come. That includes the iPhone Ultra, which is expected to launch this fall. Based on the iPhone Ultra (aka iPhone Fold) rumors thus far, it looks like Apple’s device is going to be slightly heavier and thicker but sport a very similar passport-style design.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs Fold 8 Ultra camera test: Is the telephoto zoom worth the extra $200?
One of the biggest complaints people have about the $1,899 Galaxy Z Fold 8 (myself included) is that it doesn't have a dedicated telephoto zoom lens. You're stuck with just a wide and ultrawide camera. There's just a digital zoom that goes up to 10x. Meanwhile, the $2,099 Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra packs a 3x telephoto lens with a max digital zoom of 30x. So does having a dedicated optical zoom camera make that big a difference?
3 big ways the iPhone Ultra could beat the Galaxy Z Fold 8
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is getting pretty positive review, and it looks like this wide format device is the shape of foldable phones to come. That includes the iPhone Ultra, which is expected to launch this fall. Based on the iPhone Ultra (aka iPhone Fold) rumors thus far, it looks like Apple's device is going to be slightly heavier and thicker but sport a very similar passport-style design.
‘We don’t want to overwhelm the consumer with AI’: why Samsung is taking a different approach with Galaxy Z Fold 8 launch
Samsung executive vice president Jay Kim on the left and a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 in hand on the right. In case you hadn’t noticed, AI is having a bit of a backlash moment. More and more people are opposed to data center construction where they live, for example, and a lot of consumers (especially Gen Z) are questioning the need for generative AI overall. Samsung seems to be tuned in to this sentiment with the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 review: Wide for the win
But Samsung has definitely made some trade-offs, like no telephoto zoom lens. But now that I’ve been living with the Fold 8, this feels like the future of foldables — and not just because Apple is reportedly making one just like this. Galaxy Z Fold 8 review: Release date and price The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is just 7 ounces and easy to slip into a pocket. (Image credit: Future) The Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a release date of August 7th and is available to pre-order now.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 review: Wide for the win
2 hours ago NEW YORK — A school district in a rural corner of upstate New York is hitting pause on plans to deploy an AI-powered, humanoid robot in the classroom after state education officials, teachers and local residents raised concerns, including the maker's ties to a company that produces hyper realistic …
I took the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra vs Fold 7 outside — and the difference is so drastic people think I faked the results
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra next to Fold 7 outside. I don't post to TikTok very often, but I was so floored by what I saw when testing the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra outside I had to post something. @mspoonyg ♬ Thank You for Sunshine - House Duduk Music As you can see in the above clip, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 maintains wide viewing angles and doesn't suffer from nearly as many reflections as the Fold 7 when showing a photo of a magenta zinnia flower.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 interview: Samsung on silicon carbon batteries, the (possible) S Pen return and the iPhone Ultra threat
“If our big market player is coming into the market… then it proves that what I have been thinking and envisioning — and how much effort that we put it in — is actually the right direction,” Kim said. Samsung is so bullish that it’s broadening its portfolio to three foldable phones this year: the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and the brand new Galaxy Z Fold 8, complete with a squat and wide design that looks a lot like what Apple is reportedly cooking up.
I just went hands-on with the new Samsung smart glasses — here’s why I’d pick them over Meta
Samsung Smart Glasses launching this fall from Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. Can Samsung make smart glasses you’ll actually want to wear? I just got my first up-close look at the designs coming this fall in collaboration with Google, Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. These glasses are shockingly light given all the tech stuffed inside, and Samsung promises longer battery life than the Meta Ray-Ban glasses and instant access to Google’s robust app ecosystem.
I went hands-on with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 — wide, weird and I want it
You get a super compact and light design that’s nearly identical to a passport with super wide front and main displays. This is a foldable that’s tailor-made for consuming content. The Fold 8 also has many of the same innovations inside the pricier Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, including Flex Titanium for minimizing the crease, a high capacity silicon carbon battery and an anti-glare coating. You have to make some trade-offs for the $1,899 price, including no telephoto zoom and the lack of a Flex mode.
No, the Fold 8 doesn't have an S Pen — but Samsung is ‘exploring’ its return for future Folds
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and S Pen. The last time we saw a Galaxy Z Fold with S Pen support it was the Galaxy Z Fold 6. But Samsung ditched the digitizer on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in order to make the device as thin as possible. The bad news is that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra don’t bring the S Pen back. Samsung is clearly still prioritizing thinness while also rolling out new innovations like Flex Titanium to make the new foldables close to crease-free.
Exclusive: Inside Google’s plan to win over your face with AI glasses — and avoid Meta's privacy missteps
As you might expect, Gemini is the headline feature. Having a smart assistant as your literal eyes has the potential to help you get a lot done on the go without having to constantly whip out your phone. But Juston Payne, who leads the product management team for XR at Google, also knows that the smart glasses category is fraught with controversy, especially over how to handle recording in public and user privacy.
Exclusive: Google's plan to win over your face with AI glasses — and avoid the privacy backlash
Mark Spoonauer This is very much not Google Glass 2.0. Google is entering the AI smartglasses arena this fall to go up against Meta (and whatever Apple is cooking), and it's partnering with Samsung, Warby Parker and Gentle Monster to make “Intelligent Eyewear” powered by Android XR. As you might expect, Gemini is the headline feature. Having a smart assistant as your literal eyes has the potential to help you get a lot done on the go without having to constantly whip out your phone.
Exclusive: Google’s plan to win over your face with AI glasses — and avoid the privacy backlash
; ; ; Continue reading ; ; ; Continue reading I finally got to try XREAL’s Project Aura glasses and this feels like one o ...See more
I've seen the Galaxy Z Fold 8's crease-free 'Flex Titanium' display — and Apple should be nervous
Galaxy Z Fold 7 next to Samsung Flex Titanium Display for Galaxy Z Fold 8. Samsung has actually done it. After seven years of making foldables, it has found a way to make a foldable display nearly crease-free while also making it more durable — and somehow even thinner. And I almost didn’t believe my eyes at first. This breakthrough, coming to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series, is made possible because of a new technology called Flex Titanium.
I just saw the future of phones inside Samsung Display with 2 jaw-dropping ‘slidable’ concepts
Samsung foldable and slidable display technology. Right now the best foldable phones are considered leading edge when it comes to phone design, but that might not be the case for long. I was one of the first people in the world to go inside Samsung Display’s headquarters in South Korea, and I got a sneak peek at new concepts that take things in boldly weird new directions. Samsung Display showed us two so-called “slidable” designs. The first looks like a compact slab phone, dubbed the Flex Slidable.
I tested the BeatBot iSkim solar-powered robot — and now I’m ready to throw away my skimmer
BeatBot iSkim skimmer shown in the pool. I have a confession to make. I really, really don’t mind skimming my pool. I just like being in it and around it, and will basically make any excuse to spend more time there, even if it’s work. So when I had the opportunity to test out the BeatBot iSkim, I was actually kind of nervous.
iPhone 18 Pro launch date just tipped in new Gurman report — and we have a fresh look at the design
IPhone 18 Pro dummy models colors . In case you haven't been following the latest rumors, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are both expected to launch this fall, but the regular iPhone 18 is tipped to be unveiled in the spring of 2027 alongside the iPhone Air 2. The bad news is that the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could cost significantly more.
I saw the new Siri AI in action at WWDC — and those 'Siri is stupid' jokes could soon be obsolete
Siri AI. Even before ChatGPT went mainstream Siri has been the butt of jokes for not being very smart. And it’s been justified. Trying anything beyond the basics — playing music, getting the weather, setting timers — has been an exercise in futility. That (hopefully) changes with Siri AI, which is coming to iPhones, iPads and Macs with iOS 27.
Apple WWDC 2026 recap: Siri AI, iOS 27, Apple Intelligence, and all the biggest announcements
At the same time, the company ensured that Apple Intelligence was also a critical part of its announcement. Users will have access to powerful tools, like the ability to make complex photo edits by simply describing them. In a heart felt moment at the end, Apple CEO Tim Cook took the time to thank fans for the years of support. "I truly believe that the best is still ahead, and Apple is creating the best products in the world to deliver experiences that enrich people's lives," explained Cook.
Apple's Craig Federighi on Siri AI: 'We see Siri not as a separate chatbot, an unintegrated place you go and chitchat, but rather as an integral but conversational tool'
Craig Federighi at WWDC 2026. About a year ago, I spoke with Apple's Craig Federighi after the WWDC 2025 keynote to discuss the Siri delay, and at the time, the senior vice president of software engineering seemed adamant that Apple was not interested in building a chatbot. "Apple didn't want to send users off into some chat experience in order to get things done," Federighi told me. "We were very clear this wasn't about us building a chatbot.
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