Samsung's $2,899 Tri-Fold Sells Out Instantly While Google Merges Android and Chrome

A $2,899 smartphone sold out in minutes. Samsung's first-ever Galaxy Z TriFold vanished from shelves faster than concert tickets, marking a watershed moment for premium mobile devices. At nearly three grand, this isn't just a phone—it's a statement about how much consumers will pay for cutting-edge technology.

The TriFold differs from Samsung's 7th-generation Galaxy Z Fold7 by expanding to a massive 10-inch display, effectively becoming a proper tablet. While Huawei already sells a similar device in China, Samsung's version represents the first tri-fold phone available in Western markets.

The $3,000 Phone Era Has Arrived

The instant sellout reveals something fascinating about consumer behavior. Despite the eye-watering price tag—equivalent to a decent used car—early adopters didn't hesitate. Samsung now has a waiting list system on its website, with limited units available at select Samsung Experience Stores across New York, Texas, California, and Minnesota.

This isn't just about wealthy tech enthusiasts anymore. The rapid sellout suggests a broader market acceptance of ultra-premium devices, potentially reshaping how manufacturers price their flagship products. When a $2,899 phone becomes a hot commodity, what does that mean for the future of mobile pricing?

Google's Platform Convergence Finally Takes Shape

Google's long-rumored plan to merge Android and ChromeOS got its first public glimpse through a leaked bug report spotted by 9to5Google. The internal project, known as Aluminum OS, shows exactly what you'd expect: Android and ChromeOS literally stitched together.

The leaked interface reveals windowing and browser elements pulled from ChromeOS, while the rest feels distinctly Android-inspired. The taskbar and start screen mirror Android 16's desktop mode, and a brief video shows two Chrome instances running in split-screen before opening the Google Play Store in a separate window.

What's striking is how familiar it all looks. Rather than revolutionary change, Aluminum OS appears to be evolutionary—which might be exactly what Google needs to keep Chromebooks relevant in education markets while expanding Android's reach.

The Anti-AI Browser Revolution

While every major browser races to integrate AI assistants, Vivaldi is taking a defiant stand. CEO Jon von Tetzchner put it bluntly: "While every major browser is racing to cram AI assistants into their products, Vivaldi is dropping a middle finger to that entire approach."

As Google Chrome integrates its Gemini 3 LLM model to handle tasks like booking flights and finding apartments, Vivaldi is doubling down on human-centered tools. "Human intelligence, equipped with genuinely powerful tools, beats artificial algorithmic assistants every single time," Tetzchner argues.

Vivaldi 7.8 introduces improved tab tiling with drag-and-drop functionality, allowing users to arrange multiple web pages side-by-side in a single window. It's a refreshingly analog approach in an increasingly AI-saturated landscape.

Sustainability Meets Innovation

Samsung's latest display innovation uses phytoplankton-based bio-resin in color e-paper screens. The housing contains 45% recycled plastic and 10% phytoplankton-based materials, reducing manufacturing carbon emissions by over 40% compared to conventional petroleum-based plastics.

These displays target retailers currently using paper signage, offering rechargeable USB-C power and 1600 x 1200 resolution in a 4:3 aspect ratio. It's practical sustainability—solving real problems while reducing environmental impact.

Meanwhile, London-based watchmaker Split launched the world's first full-glow chronograph, beating IWC's anticipated Ceralume model to market. After 18 months of development, the £1,800 ($2,480) timepiece infuses Japanese luminous powder directly into strap and case materials, creating an all-over glow effect. Only 250 pieces will be made.

Accessibility Advances in Unexpected Places

Frankfurt Airport is testing Bluetooth Auracast technology to send gate announcements directly to passengers' hearing aids, wireless earbuds, and smartphones. Instead of straining to hear muffled loudspeaker announcements, travelers with supported devices can receive boarding calls, changes, and delays as clear audio streams.

The technology enables multiple people to connect to the same audio stream simultaneously, opening possibilities from shared movie watching to enhanced accessibility in public venues. Frankfurt's trial uses two busy gates and integrates with Sittig Technologies' PAXGuide platform, potentially enabling nationwide rollout without replacing existing systems.