Policy intervention where necessary, and it was necessary. The UK government plans to introduce sweeping social media restrictions for individuals under the age of 16. Aimed solely at protecting children from harm online and preventing addiction, the ban targets platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. Before you call this some kind of outreach, let me remind you of a BBC article that states something interesting (of course Big Tech won’t respond).
Zoe Kleinman describes a conversation with her 12-year-old son. “Everyone is really upset – a lot of them have their own YouTube channels,” he says. Interestingly enough, the minimum age to create any kind of ‘channel’ on YouTube and Instagram is 13 – so how come kids under 12 already have a footprint on these social media platforms – and clearly the continued efforts have paid off for this level of distress, in terms of views and followers.
“The tech giants had their chance and failed,” said former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in what has now become one of the last major policy measures he implemented while in office. He’s not wrong, by any stretch of the imagination. I have a child who is almost 9 years old, and the years are rapidly approaching when it will be difficult to reject any allure of social media. It’s entirely a matter of when and not what – if we move towards neglectful parenting (this is definitely not happening) the path will be easier for him, and somewhat more difficult if we set rules for him while watching. That’s the kind of policy intervention I would prefer.
That said, I’d like to point out how Big Tech still wins here (much like the ‘House’, Big Tech never loses). To verify age, users will be asked to upload a mandatory government ID document, possibly a photo ID. This is data, the kind of invaluable data that social media platforms previously did not have access to. signals, more detailed profiling, more AI training and focused advertising. Overall, more profits for Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk.
“Senator, we run ads,” Mark Zuckerberg’s words in 2018 amid the Cambridge Analytica scandal investigation, underpinned Meta’s social media business model.
First, on Wired Knowledge
Ericsson’s 5G data, Apple’s AI agents and the foldable phone market
The best new phones of 2026 so far
We’re at the midpoint of this year, and this might be as good a time as any to take stock of the smartphones launching in the first half of 2026. I would still classify this time as a period of transition, where the impact of component shortages and costs was partially felt (with the worst yet to come), but it is with the phones that have launched now, will we really see the impact of higher prices. So far, smartphone launches haven’t exactly slowed down as much as ticking off product roadmaps, but some of these launches stand out in the crowd. My choice, and you’re free to disagree.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
I have a real soft corner for it, as I feel more comfortable in the Leica photography approach than any of the Ultra phone rivals. This closeness to realism in an era where invasive AI-augmented imaging is more the norm than the exception has my attention. As I reported in an earlier experience with the China specific iteration of the Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/xiaomi-17-ultra-by-leica-edition-rebels-against-ai-overwhamed-photography-101770008367115.html 120x photos with AI off are an absolute joy to look at – this phone, unlike its competitors, you don’t want to You spend on external lenses, and that says a lot.
A new sensor method forms the basis of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s photography experience, making it the first phone with a LOFIC sensor (which is short for Lateral Flow Integration Capacitor). Xiaomi has repeatedly made it clear that the collective Xiaomi and Leica thought process is simple – algorithms cannot compensate for proper optical hardware.
Reading: Xiaomi 17 Ultra reclaims photography realism in the age of algorithmic excess
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
It’s the Ultra phones that are by far the most popular, and with good reason. I note that the Galaxy S26 Ultra is a story of subtle but on-point upgrades, with one key innovation redefining who can’t see your screen – the new privacy display which honestly works better than you initially imagined and keeps the screen completely off to anyone sitting next to you. I’ve often praised Samsung for its thoughtful, non-overwhelming approach to generational phone updates, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra is exactly that. Familiarity in terms of design and aesthetics with its predecessor, software that’s certainly improved but still familiar and a non-intrusive approach to AI.
The weak link will probably be another generation of Samsung using largely the same camera hardware on its flagships. This is highlighted because buyers in India now have a full range of four Ultra phones to choose from, and that definitive benchmark advantage may be tempered by subjectivity. All things considered, a relevant generational progress.
Reading: ‘Shaktimaan sold’: Mukesh Khanna stars in new ad with Samay Raina after saying ‘he should be rotated on a donkey’
motorola razr fold
For the first time when asked, Motorola has got the book-style foldable exactly right. So much so, that it doesn’t even give the impression of a first generation device. This isn’t surprising, given that Motorola has been moving fast – the gorgeous Signature and Edge 70 Pro have particularly caught my attention this year.
A refined build with a focus on aesthetics and ergonomics, powerful specifications underpinned by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip, and enough software as well as utilitarian AI content to worry the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Vivo X Fold 5. Particularly impressive are the cameras, almost on par with current flagships, and bucking the trend where foldable form factors sit a step back due to physical space restrictions dictating the choice of sensor.
Reading: First of all, the Motorola Razr Fold intends to change the foldable hierarchy
Vivo X300 Ultra
It was almost the Vivo Display. But well, with the X300 Ultra in the mix, it was meant to be. Especially since my review, a significant Origin OS update has made big improvements in power consumption, especially battery usage in stand-by mode. Of course, the cameras are the starting point for the X300 Ultra transformation, and the true Zeiss influence is visible from the start.
This is a phone that features an external Telephoto Extender Gen 2 and Telephoto Extender Gen 2 Ultra lens to appeal to the photographer in you. There were two schools of thought about this – a more versatile camera, and a bit cumbersome to carry around. Even without the lens, it’s a great camera in every possible way.
Reading: Vivo X300 Ultra review: A calibration, a new playbook, and questions to consider
oppo find x9 ultra
I’ll admit this without any guilt – it was a sad moment when Oppo decided that the Hasselblad partnership would now bypass OnePlus phones, and stick with Oppo flagships. However, the results are less than perfect. The Find Especially after the first major software update since my review (the exposure issues I noted were addressed).
Every piece of the puzzle comes together perfectly around that camera element and the Hasselblad Master Mode – vegan leather finish option with Armor Shield architecture, and top-notch features. Still, there seems to be a confidence regarding the camera, as Oppo has not launched external lens accessories unlike Vivo.
Reading: The Find X9 Ultra is the strongest statement from Oppo and Hasselblad yet
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Sundar Pichai’s Address, Amazon’s Impact, and Meta Being Meta
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