Gear News of the Week: Apple’s AI Wearable and a Phone That Can Boot Android, Linux, and Windows | WIREDSkip to main contentMenuSECURITYPOLITICSTHE BIG STORYBUSINESSSCIENCECULTUREREVIEWSMenuAccountAccountNewslettersBest Office ChairsBone Conduction HeadphonesBest Digital NotebooksBest Motorola PhonesTCL DealDeals DeliveredSecurityPoliticsThe Big StoryBusinessScienceCultureReviewsChevronMoreExpandThe Big InterviewMagazineEventsWIRED InsiderWIRED ConsultingNewslettersPodcastsVideoMerchSearchSearchSign InSign InJulian ChokkattuGearJan 24, 2026 6:00 AMGear News of the Week: Apple’s AI Wearable and a Phone That Can Boot Android, Linux, and WindowsPlus: Asus exits the smartphone market, and Sony partners with TCL on TVs.Courtesy of NexDockCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyAfter delaying its Siri improvements to 2026, Apple's artificial intelligence plans are starting to take shape, at least according to the rumor mill. Bloomberg reports that Apple is turning Siri into a chatbot that will replace the voice assistant's existing interface, akin to OpenAI's ChatGPT.Codenamed Campos, the chatbot will be powered by Google's Gemini models and will be integrated into the iPhone, Mac, and iPad in their respective operating system updates later this fall. We'll likely learn more about Campos at Apple's developer event, WWDC, which usually takes place in June. Apple has been playing catch-up to its peers, especially after its Apple Intelligence rollout with the iPhone 16 fell flat.Accompanying the revamped Siri could be a new AI-powered wearable the size of an AirTag, according to fresh rumors this week from The Information. It'll have multiple cameras, a speaker, and microphones and will feature wireless charging, with a rumored launch in 2027. Apple isn't the first to drum up a wearable pin concept. Humane famously drummed up major hype for its Ai Pin, only for it to crash and burn in less than a year. Apple's hopes of success will fall to the execution of the revamped Siri experience, which is what will primarily drive the pin's capabilities.OpenAI is working on its own AI hardware with former Apple designer Jony Ive, while companies like Meta and Google are focusing on smart glasses with an embedded AI assistant. The Information's report mentions other AI-enabled hardware that Apple is developing, including smart glasses, augmented reality glasses, a security camera, and AirPods with "enhanced" sensors. Apple is also still working on an iPad-like home hub with a swiveling base for smart home control, though this product has been rumored for several years.The NexPhone Runs Three Operating SystemsPhotograph: Julian ChokkattuNex Computer has been making NexDock “lapdocks” for more than a decade—a laptop shell powered by a smartphone, using software like Samsung's DeX that enables an Android desktop mode. But the company's next venture is a smartphone altogether called the NexPhone. I got a chance to see a private demo at CES 2026.This smartphone can run three operating systems: Android, Linux, and Windows. Technically, it dual-boots Android or Windows. When you boot Android, you can use it as a normal Android phone, and you can enable Android's native desktop mode in Android 16. There's also the Linux (Debian) app you can launch, and when you plug it into an external monitor, you can enjoy Linux's desktop environment.If you launch the NexPhone with Windows, the company has a custom mobile user interface of Microsoft's operating system (very reminiscent of Windows Phone Metro UI) to make it easy to use on a phone display. And when plugged into an external monitor, you can enjoy the full Windows 11 desktop experience.The NexPhone is a rugged device powered by a Qualcomm QCM64490 chip with a reportedly long support road map (through 2036), plus 12 GB of RAM, 256 GB of storage, and a 6.58-inch, 120-Hz screen refresh rate. There's a 64-MP camera, wireless charging, and even 5G support. Naturally, this isn't going to compete with the latest Samsungs and iPhones on the hardware front, but those phones don't let you boot three different operating systems. Nex Computers thinks people who don't want to give up their flagship handset may enjoy having it as a secondary or backup phone for work.It costs $549, and you can reserve it now with a refundable $199 deposit. It includes a free USB-C hub, and the company expects to start shipping in the third quarter of 2026.Sony Partners With TCL on Its TV BusinessCourtesy of Best BuySony TVs may soon be synonymous with TCL. This week, Sony and the Chinese electronics giant announced a memorandum to establish a new strategic partnership that would give TCL a 51 percent majority share in Sony’s home entertainment business. The deal, if approved by regulators, would include Sony’s premium Bravia TV brand and other home entertainment products, giving TCL control over everything from product development and design to manufacturing, sales, and logistics.Gear RoundupAll the top gear news of the week in one place. Here's more you may have missed this week:Photograph: Sam KieldsenAre DJI Drones Still Banned?No, the Freecash App Won’t Pay You to Scroll TikTokVolvo’s Electric EX60 SUV Has a 400-Mile Range—and Rethinks the Humble Seat BeltIt’s a stunning, if understandable, move by Sony, one of the most accomplished and trusted TV innovators globally, as the nature of the TV business has evolved over the past decade. TCL (alongside its Chinese rival Hisense) has quickly transitioned from disruptor to market leader in the mid-tier TV segment and beyond, becoming a major global player in TV panel manufacturing and technology development, and a top seller in the US market.“The new company plans to advance its business by leveraging Sony’s high-quality picture and audio technology cultivated over the years,” Sony said in a statement to WIRED. “We consider the two companies to be nearly equal partners,” Sony continued, intending to “create innovative products that meet the expectations of customers around the world and pursue further business growth through operational excellence.” Barring any execution or regulatory setbacks, the new joint venture is expected to be operational by April 2027. —Ryan WaniataAsus Exits the Phone MarketAsus has been churning out smartphones for two decades, but it looks like the company's storied mobile history might be coming to an end. In an interview, Asus chairman Jonney Shih said the company will pause its smartphone business, instead moving resources into PCs and AI-focused products, like smart glasses and robotics.Shih says existing devices will continue to be supported, but there aren't any mobile launches planned for 2026. Calling it a “temporary” pause allows Asus to return to the business in the future, but considering how its ZenFone and ROG gaming smartphones never quite saw successful sales numbers, this may be a permanent move, much like LG's exit in 2021.Photograph: Julian ChokkattuIt's a shame, because that's one less option in the smartphone market. Asus was one of the only companies offering a high-end, powerful phone with a headphone jack, and its gaming phones had two USB-C ports, mappable haptic buttons for mobile games, and unique cooling accessories for extended gameplay.CommentsBack to topTriangleYou Might Also LikeIn your inbox: WIRED's most ambitious, future-defining storiesDoes the “war on protein” exist?Big Story: China’s renewable energy revolution might save the worldThe race to build the DeepSeek of Europe is onWatch our livestream replay: Welcome to the Chinese centuryJulian Chokkattu is a senior reviews editor at WIRED, and has been covering personal technology and reviewing consumer products for a decade. He specializes in smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, and covers augmented and virtual reality devices, office chairs, electric scooters, home office equipment, and more. This is his sixth year ... 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Apple’s AI Wearable and a Phone That Can Boot Android, Linux, and Windows

Apple is attempting to catch up with competitors in the AI space, and its plans are starting to take shape. Bloomberg reports that the company is transitioning Siri into a chatbot, akin to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, dubbed “Campos.” This chatbot will be integrated into the iPhone, Mac, and iPad later this fall, as part of Apple’s Intelligence rollout, following a disappointing initial launch with the iPhone 16. Alongside Campos, rumors suggest a new AI-powered wearable, roughly the size of an AirTag, with multiple cameras, a speaker, and microphones, slated for a 2027 launch. Apple isn't alone in exploring wearable AI; Humane’s Ai Pin failed to gain traction, while companies like Meta and Google are pursuing smart glasses. Apple is also developing smart glasses, augmented reality glasses, a security camera, and enhanced sensors for AirPods. Further efforts include an iPad-like home hub with a swiveling base for smart home control, though this product has been in development for several years. Julian Chokkattu, senior reviews editor at WIRED, highlighted these developments as Apple attempting to regain momentum in the competitive AI landscape.

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