This Week in Tech: Batteries, Apple’s Struggles, and SteamOS Expands

Hey tech enthusiasts! Welcome to this week’s edition of In Other Tech, where we explore some of the most intriguing stories from the tech world. There’s a lot to dive into, from cutting-edge battery research to Apple’s recent struggles and some exciting moves in handheld gaming. Let’s get started!

Let’s kick things off with something that could revolutionize the tech industry—batteries. We’ve all relied on lithium-ion batteries for years, powering our phones, laptops, and electric vehicles. But now, sodium-ion batteries are starting to make headlines. They’re cheaper, more sustainable, and have shown promise in catching up to lithium in terms of performance.

The catch? According to a study in Native Energy published this week, we’re still several years away from seeing sodium-ion batteries become a cost-effective alternative. Researchers say it will take multiple breakthroughs and favorable market conditions for this tech to truly compete. So, while it’s exciting to think about cheaper and more environmentally friendly batteries, it’s definitely a ‘watch this space’ kind of story.

Next, we have Apple—and this time, it’s not one of their big wins. The tech giant is struggling in China, the world’s second-largest smartphone market. In fact, Apple recently lost its top spot there. According to data from Canalys, they claimed just 15% of the Chinese market, a stark contrast to their commanding 57.39% share in the U.S. as of September 2024.

So, what’s happening? Many Chinese consumers are turning to local competitors like Huawei and Xiaomi. These brands are offering competitive pricing and cutting-edge features designed specifically for the local market. Add geopolitical tensions to the mix, and it’s no wonder Apple is finding it hard to keep up.

But don’t count Apple out just yet. They’ve faced challenges before, and if anyone can pivot and adapt, it’s Apple. Still, this situation highlights the importance of not just global innovation, but local adaptation.

Now, onto something exciting for gamers. At CES 2025, Valve announced a major update for SteamOS. It’s expanding beyond the Steam Deck and will now be available on other handhelds, starting with Lenovo’s new Legion Go S. But that’s not all—Valve also revealed a beta version of SteamOS designed to improve the experience on a wider range of devices. Gamers can even download and test it themselves, which could make SteamOS the go-to platform for portable PC gaming.

Let’s talk about the Legion Go S. It’s Lenovo’s follow-up to their 2023 handheld, the Legion Go, and it’s a lighter, more portable option with some impressive upgrades under the hood. This handheld boasts an 8-inch 1200p LCD panel with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It also supports up to 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a 1TB SSD—serious power for a handheld gaming device.

Lenovo seems to be positioning the Legion Go S as a premium alternative to the Steam Deck, and with SteamOS compatibility, it’s poised to hit the sweet spot for gamers who want high performance and portability. This could be a game-changer for handheld gaming.

That wraps up this week’s tech highlights! From the promise (and challenges) of sodium-ion batteries to Apple’s ongoing struggles in China and the exciting developments in handheld gaming, there’s a lot happening in the tech world right now.

Which story stood out to you the most? Are you optimistic about new battery tech, concerned about Apple’s ability to adapt, or hyped for SteamOS and the Legion Go S? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts.