News: Mobile News

Microsoft says the Xbox Android app will add direct game purchases and playtime in November

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 02:07:01 +0000

Earlier this week, a US judge ruled and ordered a permanent injunction placed on Google, This action is supposed to force the company to allow third-party app stores on Android devices, starting on November 1. While Google quickly announced it planned to appeal the judge's decision, that apparently is not going to stop one of its biggest rivals, Microsoft, from announcing its own plans to let people purchase and play games on one of its own apps.

This evening, Microsoft Xbox President Sarah Bond posted on her X account that this week's court decision "will allow more choice and flexibility" for Android owners in the US. Therefore, Bond revealed that sometime in November, "players will be able to play and purchase Xbox games directly from the Xbox App on Android."

So far, Microsoft has not offered up any more details of the specifics of this update to the Android Xbox app. Presumably, the games that will be playable directly from the mobile app will support the company's Xbox Cloud Gaming service, which is only available with a subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. We will have to see if Google's court appeal will have any effect on Microsoft's plans for the Xbox Android app.

We are still waiting for Microsoft to launch its promised web-based mobile game store. Bond previously said that the mobile game store would launch in July, but that date came and went with no such release. Microsoft's most recent update on the store simply said it was still in testing, but no new launch date was revealed.

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Everything we know about iPad Mini 7 so far

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 19:11:22 +0000

Apple held its annual product launch event last month to unveil the latest iPhone 16 series, updated Apple Watch devices, and new AirPods. However, a slew of the company's products, including new M4 Macs and iPad Mini 7, are set to be unveiled later this month, with November 1 being the most likely date.

So far, we've heard many speculations about the M4 Macs, with the products even appearing in a Russian retailer for sale. Meanwhile, rumors about the iPad Mini 7 have been fairly light, and the product is relatively overshadowed by M4 Macs. The sixth-generation iPad Mini was launched in September 2021, and the lineup certainly needs a refresh. Here is a roundup of what we know about the iPad Mini 7 prior to its launch later this month.

With the Cupertino firm flaunting Apple Intelligence capabilities, it's safe to assume that the iPad Mini 7 could feature one of the latest A-branded chips to support the AI suite. A17 and A18 chips are the most likely candidates to power the new iPad Mini, with Apple keeping the more powerful M-series chips for the iPad Pro and iPad Air.

Apple is expected to stick with the same 8.3-inch size and LCD technology for iPad Mini 7's display. More importantly, Apple will fix the "jelly scrolling" issue in the upcoming iPad Mini. The jelly scrolling badly impacted the sixth-generation iPad Mini, with some users even claiming that the problem has made their device unusable. Moreover, the display refresh rate could be limited to 60Hz.

The iPad Mini 7 could also feature the same 12MP camera we've already seen in the redesigned 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air. The camera might add support for HDR 4 support. Moreover, the front-facing camera might be relocated to the landscape edge for a better video-calling experience.

For connectivity, you can expect to access Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Cellular models could also adopt eSIM entirely instead of nano-SIM. Even more, the new iPad Mini might add support for Apple Pencil and hit the shelves with new color options. A $499 starting price is also highly expected.

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OnePlus 13 launching this month with 'latest' Snapdragon processor

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 19:09:02 +0000

OnePlus launched the OnePlus 12 in January this year for the global audience, and now the company is all set to bring its successor, the OnePlus 13. Over the past few months, we have seen multiple leaks regarding the phone.

We've seen leaks about the camera module on the OnePlus 13. Then, it was also reported that the OnePlus 13 could rock the same screen size as the OnePlus 12. OnePlus was also claimed to bring the biggest batteries of all flagship phones inside the OnePlus 13.

Now, a fresh report, coming straight from OnePlus China president Li Jie Louis, reveals that the company is all set to announce the OnePlus 13 this month. Of course, the phone will first be announced in China and then will enter the global market at a later date, probably next year.

In a post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, Louis said that the OnePlus 13 will be powered by the latest Snapdragon flagship chip (after translation). The OnePlus executive is likely referring to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor.

image via Weibo

Another Chinese OEM, Xiaomi, is also expected to launch the Xiaomi 15 series with Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (aka Snapdragon 8 Elite) this month. It will be interesting to see which brand introduces their smartphone first.

The executive also confirmed that the OnePlus 13 will launch with OPPO's ColorOS 15 in China. Notably, OnePlus uses OPPO's ColorOS in China in its phones, which is a slightly modified version of OxygenOS skin.

The post also mentions that the phone will come with "unprecedented super performance + super performance scheduling + super smooth animation experience." The same experience is also expected to arrive when the phone launches globally. While the executive did not mention a launch date and broadly said the launch will happen this month, it is expected to happen right after the Snapdragon Summit, which is set for October 21-23.

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Microsoft Surface Duo 2 breathes its last, receives its last software update

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 17:59:27 +0000

Microsoft Surface Duo 2 has received its final software update, marking the end of Microsoft's brief return to the smartphone market. The Surface Duo 2 was launched in October 2021, following a disastrous debut of the Surface Duo, which was announced in September 2019, and launched a year later in October 2020.

The final update for Microsoft Surface Duo 2 update weighs approximately 55MB in size, with the changelog stating, "This update improves the performance and stability of your Surface Duo 2."

While other foldables from companies like Samsung, OPPO, OnePlus, etc., have fared extremely well in the market, Microsoft's take on a book-style smartphone wasn't well-received by tech enthusiasts. The Surface Duo 2 didn't feature an external display and has dual-screen inner displays, with a huge gap in between, ruining the entire experience.

image via Reddit

Microsoft already ended the software update support for the original Surface Duo smartphone last year, and now it was time for the Surface Duo 2.

According to Windows Central, the worst part about the Surface Duo 2 was that it only received a single Android OS update, i.e., from Android 11 to Android 12 (specifically Android 12L, which brought big optimizations).

The Android 12L update was rolled out in October 2022, and since then the Surface Duo 2 hasn't received a single major update in the later two years of its existence.

On the official Microsoft website, the company lists the life cycle for the Surface Duo 2 as ending on October 21.

Unless a miracle is waiting or Microsoft has some wild plans, this latest update is the last update for the Surface Duo 2. This was the second chance Microsoft had in the smartphone market after its Lumia smartphone series. There is no clarity on what the future holds for Microsoft in the smartphone business.

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Google has been ordered by a judge to allow third-party app stores on Android devices

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 02:54:49 +0000

In December 2023, Epic Games won a massive court battle against Google after a three-year legal fight. The jury in the case ruled that Google not only had a monopoly of control over releasing apps for its Android operating system but that it illegally tried to keep that monopoly in place with anti-competitive practices.

Today, CNBC reports that Judge James Donato has issued a permanent injunction against Google that will force them to allow third-party Android app stores for its mobile operating system.

The ruling goes into effect in November. Under the terms of the injunction, Google won't be able to pay app companies or developers to launch apps either exclusively or first on the Google Play Store for the next three years. Google also cannot pay companies, so they don't compete with the Play Store, and it cannot pay device makers to preinstall Google Play on new devices.

Google will have to allow third-party app stores to be made available on the Google Play Store, and those third-party stores will have to have access to all the apps available on the Play Store as well.

Finally, Google and Epic Games will cooperate to form a three-person committee. This group will review issues that are related to Google's compliance with this new ruling. At the time of this writing, neither Epic nor Google has commented on the judge's ruling.

A version of the Epic Games Store is already available worldwide for Android devices, as well as for iOS products in the European Union. This new ruling could also mean that Microsoft could finally launch a native Android version of its long-delayed gaming mobile store. Microsoft has already announced plans to release a web-based version of a gaming-themed mobile store. However, there's no word yet on when that store will actually launch.

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An Android feature now rolling out locks your screen if your phone is swiped

Sat, 05 Oct 2024 17:54:46 +0000

Android users are reporting they now have a suite of theft protection features Google announced in May.

Google is rolling out a new set of features aimed at making it less easy for thieves to access your data. That’s according to Mishaal Rahman, who posted on Reddit that the features are showing up in a new update after seeing that his Xiaomi 14T Pro phone now has Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock, two of three features Google announced in May. Others say they only see the third one, called Remote Lock.

The flashiest of the new features is Theft Detection Lock, which uses AI to lock your screen when it detects “common motion associated with theft,” like someone snatching your phone out of your hand. Meanwhile, Offline Device Lock locks a device’s screen when it’s offline for a while, and Remote Lock lets users lock their phone using only their phone number when they can’t log into Find My Device with their password.

So far, I’m not seeing any of the features on my own Pixel 6. You can see screenshots of the new features’ settings in the overnight Threads post from Rahman.

Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock are supported on any Android device running Android 10 and up, while you’ll need at least Android 5 for Remote Lock. If you don’t have the features yet, you can try updating Google Play Services, though Google tends to roll out new features over time, rather than to everyone at once, so, like me, you may have to wait.

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Take a look at the first supposed Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 phone likely to debut this month

Sat, 05 Oct 2024 07:09:58 +0000

Smartphone enthusiasts are already looking ahead to 2025 for new phone launches. With the baton in its hands, Xiaomi is all set to unveil one of the first major flagship releases of 2025, the Xiaomi 15 Pro.

Notably, the Xiaomi 15 Pro could be the first smartphone to come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor. A recent leak gives us our first look at the phone and also reveals some key specifications about the upcoming flagship phone.

The Xiaomi 15 series will include multiple variants, including the Xiaomi 15, Xiaomi 15 Pro, and the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. However, the recent leak focuses on the Xiaomi 15 Pro. The phone is expected to retain a design language similar to its predecessors but may accommodate a larger battery and display.

The phone could be launched in black, white, and silver colors, with a special titanium edition for those looking for something extra special. The Xiaomi 15 Pro is expected to rock a 6.78-inch quad-curved AMOLED 2K resolution 120Hz refresh rate panel sourced from TCL.

Gallery: Xiaomi 15 Pro

Xiaomi could pair the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor with up to 16GB of RAM and could also offer storage options of up to 1TB. According to the report, the Xiaomi 15 Pro could come with a triple-camera setup with a 50MP primary Light Fusion 900 series, featuring f/1.4 aperture, a 50MP ultrawide lens, and a new 50MP Sony IMX858 5X telemacro camera. For selfies, there will be a 32MP camera. Xiaomi could continue with its collaboration with Leica for camera tuning in its Xiaomi 15 series as well.

It is also anticipated that Xiaomi could offer five years of software updates for the Xiaomi 15 series, one year more than it currently offers for the Xiaomi 14 series. Other notable features that the Xiaomi 15 Pro may feature include an in-display fingerprint scanner, stereo speakers, and an IP68 rating.

The phone could pack a 6,000mAh battery, which could be coupled with 90W wired charging, 80W wireless charging, and 10W wireless charging. The Xiaomi 15 Pro may come with HyperOS 2.0 which offers a suite of AI features.

It is expected that Xiaomi could launch the Xiaomi 15 series this month in China, with a global launch possibly happening early next year.

Source and images: Smartprix

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A new Samsung update is reportedly bricking Galaxy S10, Note 10 and other devices

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 02:35:37 +0000

A new update is always exciting, as it can bring new features or fix previously lingering bugs. However, a new update for the Samsung Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note10 series users is reportedly bricking devices, requiring a complete factory reset to fix the problem.

Samsung offers long-term software update support, which makes the devices last longer. But for some, the new update has become a nightmare, as it prevents affected devices from fully booting and does not give them any option to roll back.

Multiple user reports have confirmed that over the past couple of days, after installing the latest update on their Galaxy S10 series (S10, S10+, S10e, S10 Lite, S10 5G) and Galaxy Note 10 series (Note 10, Note 10+, Note 10 5G) devices are no longer working. The Galaxy S10, Note10 series, Galaxy M51, and Galaxy A90 users were affected by the same issues.

The affected devices no longer work and fail to complete the boot process. While the exact cause of the issue isn't known, it is reported that a faulty SmartThings Framework update may have triggered these problems.

Since the phone isn't given the option to roll back that update, the only way to get the phone working is to perform a factory reset through Android recovery. On your Galaxy S10 series phone, if you wish to boot into the Android recovery menu, you need to turn off the device entirely, then press and hold the Bixby and volume up buttons together, then press the power button and hold it until you see the Samsung logo on the screen.

Once the Samsung logo pops up, release the keys, and the phone will boot into recovery mode. On the other hand, if you have a Galaxy Note10 series phone, you just need to press and hold the volume up and power buttons to boot into recovery mode.

Now, after you have entered recovery mode, you need to use the volume up and down buttons to navigate to "Wipe data/factory reset" and select the option using the Power button. You will be asked to confirm the reset, and after the process is complete, you need to go back to the previous menu and choose "Reboot system now."

Do note that performing a factory reset will wipe out all of your data. So, those who have already created a backup of their data will be able to safeguard their photos, videos, and other content. For now, you are advised not to install a new update on your Galaxy S10, Note10, or other affected phones and disable "Auto update apps."

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MediaTek Dimensity chip could power the base Galaxy S25 model

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 02:34:38 +0000

A month ago, it was reported that the entire Samsung Galaxy S25 series might ship with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor. This rumor came hot on the heels of a previous rumor, where it was expected that some regions could see the Galaxy S25 series be powered by the Exynos 2500 processor.

It was also rumored that Samsung could partner with MediaTek for its Galaxy S25 series in some parts of the world. According to the latest report, it appears that MediaTek could indeed power at least one of the models of the Galaxy S25 series, slated for launch next year.

Reportedly, the vanilla Galaxy S25 model could use a MediaTek Dimensity chipset. Notably, Samsung's recently launched Galaxy Tab S10 series is also powered by the MediaTek chipset. It is being said that Samsung could introduce a MediaTek chipset for its base Galaxy S25 model globally.

The reason behind using a MediaTek chipset on Galaxy S25 series is rumored to be cost. In a recent report, although it was reported flagship processors from Snapdragon and MediaTek could see a price increase, the price difference between the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 SoC and Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor is almost 20%, with the MediaTek chipset costing less.

Samsung could ditch its in-house Exynos 2500 chipset, and could rather go with the MediaTek chipset to keep the dual-chip strategy alive. Exynos processors could be kept away from mainstream flagship phones until they reach their full potential and become competitive with other flagship processors.

Additionally, the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset shares the same fabrication process as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (also rumored to be known as Snapdragon 8 Elite). This could mean that the performance will be more or less similar to each other. The MediaTek Dimensity 9400 processor is expected to feature Arm’s all-new Cortex-X925 (3.6GHz) CPU and Immortalis G925 GPU for an elevated gaming experience.

Another reason for sticking with the MediaTek processor for the standard model is that the smaller model is not as rich in demand as the "Plus" or the "Ultra" model. So, using the same costly chip across the lineup would only incur extra cost.

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Apple pulls another faulty update after reports of bricked Apple Watch

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 16:24:28 +0000

Here is another reminder of why you should not install pre-release software on your primary devices. Apple recently released watchOS 11.1 beta 3 for developers, and the operating system bricked some Apple Watch models. Following the reports, Apple pulled the update, and it is no longer available.

According to MacRumors and some Reddit posts, some users ended up with a completely frozen Apple Watch after installing watchOS 11.1 beta 3. Their smartwatches would work for a minute or two and then stop responding to any input or updating information, including time. While it is possible to restart affected Apple Watch models by pressing the crown and the power button, the problem reoccurs moments after the device turns itself back on.

What makes the situation even more unfortunate is that end users cannot restore Apple Watch software and firmware. Bringing a botched Apple Watch back to life requires taking it to Apple, which then sends it to its repair labs.

The problem with bricked Apple Watch came just a few weeks after Apple pulled the iPadOS 18 update on iPad Pro models with the M4 processors. Weeks later, Apple's latest and greatest iPads are still on iPadOS 17, with no way to get to the newest update. The same thing happened to HomePod Software 18.1 beta 2 after another wave of complaints about bricked HomePods. It is quite surprising to see Apple leaving its flagship tablet without the latest update for such a long time.

Quality control issues are not the only complaints Apple users have these days. The company advertises its Apple Intelligence features everywhere and claims the new iPhone 16 series was built for Apple Intelligence "from the ground up." Still, Apple Intelligence is nowhere to be found. It is coming later this year with iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1.

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Google is making summary cards in Gmail even more useful

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 18:50:53 +0000

Gmail's summary cards provide helpful information about orders and deliveries at the top of an email, and they are supported in the Gmail app for Android, iPhone, and iPad.

Today, Google announced that it is making big improvements to summary cards in Gmail. Google has refreshed the summary cards' UI and now displays new action buttons in addition to the information previously shown. Examples of action buttons include "Get directions," "Invite others," "Track package," "Check in," "Remind me," or "Mark as paid." Also, the new summary cards are dynamic, so you will always have the latest information.

The updated summary cards will be displayed for the following email categories:

Purchases: Track packages, view order details, and easily find what you ordered.
Events: See or add upcoming events to your calendar, invite others, or find directions with ease.
Bills: View and pay bills, get reminded to pay later, or add a due date in Google Tasks.
Travel: Manage reservations, check in for flights, and view important travel details like the hotel's check-out time.

In addition to summary cards in individual emails, Google is announcing the new "Happening soon" section at the top of inboxes. For now, only purchase summary cards are supported in the "Happening soon" section. This new section will display all purchase summary cards in a stack if you have multiple delivery emails. You can expand, dismiss, or click the cards to open the related email.

Google is rolling out the updated purchase summary cards to individual emails on Android and iOS. Event, bill, and travel summary cards and the "Happening soon" feature will be rolled out in the coming months. In the future, you can expect all four card categories in individual emails, the "Happening soon" section, and even Gmail search.

With these new features, users can quickly access key details and take action without having to search through their Gmail inboxes.

Source: Google

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Google Pixel 9a could launch in two new color options

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 07:46:14 +0000

Recently, CAD renders of the Google Pixel 9a were leaked, showcasing the device from all angles. The renders suggested that Google may move away from its iconic rear camera visor module and could introduce the Pixel 9a with a rear dual-camera system flushed to the back panel.

Now, a fresh leak has popped up again, this time giving us purported information about the color options the Google Pixel 9a may be introduced in. Reportedly, the Pixel 9a could continue to be offered in Porcelain and Obsidian colors.

However, next year, Google may ditch the Aloe and Bay colors for Peony and Iris. Notably, the Peony color is speculated to look similar to the base Pixel 9 model, which is also available in Peony color. The Iris color, on the other hand, could have a bluish-purple color tint.

Also, the Pixel 9a is rumored to be a bit taller and wider than the current Pixel 8a smartphone. It is expected to come with dimensions of 154 x 73mm, which is about 2mm taller and 1mm wider than the current model. The Pixel 9a is also anticipated to be thinner measuring at 8.5mm compared to the 8.9mm thickness of Pixel 8a.

As per previous reports, the Pixel 9a is expected to be powered by a Samsung-made Tensor G4 chipset, an upgrade over the Tensor G3 chipset. Moreover, the phone will launch with Android 15 out of the box, something that the recent Pixel 9 series didn't come with (and is still waiting for). For comparison, Chinese smartphone brand VIVO has already pushed a stable Android 15 update for its flagship devices.

The design of the device, as per the renders, suggests that Pixel 9a will take no clues from the Pixel 9 series phones, and will instead adopt a minimalistic design. Speaking of the launch date, the Pixel 8a was launched this year in May. Pixel 9a could continue the tradition and you can expect a similar launch timeline.

Source: Android Headlines

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Leaked Google Pixel 9A renders reveal a visor-free look

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 18:40:48 +0000

Google’s signature Pixel ‘visor’ might be on its way out.

Google’s first leak of the fall is here, with new renders of its upcoming Pixel 9A posted online for the world to see. As with the Pixel 8A leak earlier this year, Android Headlines has yet again acquired images of Google’s next budget A-series release, this time by way of OnLeaks, which was responsible for spoiling the recent Pixel 9 lineup.

The big change coming on the Pixel 9A, according to the leak, is that it won’t feature Google’s now-signature visor look for its camera housing. Instead, it seems like there are two cameras in a pill-shaped module that sits almost flush with the rear of the phone. A camera flash is set to the right, making it look like the rear of an iPhone 7 Plus but magnified. The rest of the body looks similar to other Pixel 9 devices — and current iPhones — with thin-looking bezels around the screen.

Android Headlines notes the 9A might ship with Android 15, and it could be the last Google device to include a Samsung-based Tensor chip, with Google moving on to using TSMC for future processors in 2025. Google usually releases its A-series phones in the springtime, typically during Google I/O, so it might be a while before we get all the details.

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Samsung announces Galaxy S24 FE smartphone with flagship features for $649

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 19:05:55 +0000

Today, as expected, Samsung officially launched the new Galaxy S24 FE smartphone, bringing flagship features to a more affordable price point. The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE's industrial design closely resembles the existing Galaxy S24 smartphone, featuring a flat display, a centered punch-hole front camera, and a vertically aligned triple camera setup on the back.

Unlike the Galaxy S24 series, the new S24 FE is powered by Samsung's own Exynos 2400 processor, which has a larger vapor chamber to maintain peak performance for longer durations. The 4,700mAh battery will deliver great battery life, and Samsung claims that the device will offer up to 28 hours of video playback.

The 6.7-inch FHD+ display with Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology, a 120Hz Adaptive refresh rate (60/120Hz), and Vision Booster delivers a smooth viewing experience in all lighting conditions.

The Galaxy S24 FE's camera setup features a 50MP wide OIS lens, an 8MP telephoto OIS lens with 3x optical zoom, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP selfie camera. This camera setup is powered by Samsung's AI-powered ProVisual Engine to deliver great images. The Nightography feature improves low-light performance, while the Object-Aware Engine recognizes scenes and optimizes colors in Super High Dynamic Range (HDR) for vibrant photos and videos.

Gallery: S24 FE

Samsung has also included all the Galaxy AI features found on the flagship Galaxy S24 series in this new S24 FE smartphone.

SeaYoung Lee, Corporate EVP and Head of the Smartphone Research and Development team at Samsung Electronics said the following regarding the S24 FE:

“We want everyone to enjoy all the benefits of our latest mobile innovations. Galaxy AI opens so many new experiences for users, helping them communicate, and be more creative and productive. The Galaxy S24 FE makes the powerful performance and premium Galaxy AI capabilities of the S24 series available to even more people.”

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE will be available for order starting at $649 on October 3 in Blue, Graphite, Gray, Mint, and Yellow.

With its powerful features and attractive price, the Galaxy S24 FE is poised to be a popular choice for consumers seeking a premium smartphone experience without the premium price tag.

Source: Samsung

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Samsung announces the new MediaTek-powered Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S10+ tablets

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 19:03:08 +0000

Samsung today announced two new tablets: the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and the Galaxy Tab S10+. Samsung has switched to the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ SoC instead of the Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC. Samsung claims the S10 Ultra delivers an 18% increase in CPU performance, a 28% increase in GPU performance, and a 14% increase in NPU performance compared to the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, which was powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra can be configured with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, while the smaller S10 Plus can be configured with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Surprisingly, Samsung has ditched the 10-inch tablet model that was available in the previous S9 generation. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra comes with a 14.6-inch display, while the Galaxy Tab S10+ comes with a 12.4-inch display. Both feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X and advanced anti-reflective technology to offer a great viewing experience. Thanks to the quad-speaker setup and AI-powered Dialogue Boost, you will be able to enjoy a great audio experience on these tablets. Samsung also promises improved durability with an IP68 rating and an enhanced Armor Aluminum build.

Samsung has also created several new AI experiences for these new S10 series tablets:

With PDF Overlay Translation, you can translate PDFs via an on-screen overlay.
The new Handwriting Help feature can clean up untidy handwritten notes.
The popular Sketch to Image feature is now available on the Galaxy Tab S10 tablets, allowing you to convert your hand-drawn sketches into polished images.
The Circle to Search feature will allow you to easily search, translate, and solve physics and math problems on your tablet.
The Galaxy S Pen's Air Command with AI provides instant access to Galaxy AI Assistant features without toggling between menus.
The Galaxy Tab S10 series offers new smart home features, including large screen-optimized features such as 3D Map View.

The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S10+ will be available starting at $999 from October 3rd. These tablets will be available in two colors: Moonstone Gray and Platinum Silver.

Source: Samsung

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Microsoft is reportedly working on a major mobile Copilot app update

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 19:18:27 +0000

Microsoft is reportedly working hard on a revamped version of its Copilot app for iOS [and iPadOS] and Android mobile devices. According to Tom Warren's Notepad newsletter on The Verge, according to his unnamed sources at Microsoft, one of the features of the upcoming Copilot mobile app is that it will actually read news to you as if you were listening to a radio news reporter.

The email newsletter adds that the newsreader feature in the upcoming Copilot mobile revamp will even include music as the AI-based newsreader gives you the headlines.

Other aspects of the upcoming Copilot app revamp, according to Warren, will include the app using a card-based user interface. This is supposed to get users to interact with the app more than the current version. The new UI will also show users a list of topics that could help to cut down the amount of typing needed to interact with the Copilot chatbot.

The interface will be designed to give each user a unique experience, based not only on each user's interest but also their history with chatting with Copilot.

According to the Notepad newsletter, the new Copilot mobile app is already very polished. However, there's no word on when the Copilot app will get this big update for iOS and Android.

Keep in mind that Microsoft has not officially confirmed any plans to launch a new version of the Copilot app. It's possible that the company could decide to make changes to its current Copilot update plans before the app is officially announced and released.

Last week, Microsoft reveals a number of new features for Copilot users, including automated Copilot Agents that can be made in Copilot Studio, a new Copilot Pages experience, and new data protection features for people who use Copilot at work or at school. Earlier this week, Microsoft stated that in October, it would add web search query citations for Copilot answers.

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Microsoft releases Edge 129 for Android and iOS

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 18:43:22 +0000

Last week, Microsoft released Edge 129 on supported desktop platforms (Windows, macOS, and Linux). Now, version 129 is available on mobile devices, namely Android and iOS. Version 129.0.2792.58 fixes bugs, improves performance and brings other under-the-hood changes. Here are the details.

Fixes bugs in Edge 129 for mobile devices include the following:

[iOS] Fix managed bookmarks dismiss under AAD account (without "XXX's Favorites" folder under favorites)

[iOS] Fix downloaded files not properly moved in work profile

[iOS] Fix a bug related to MAM Tunnel cannot be disconnected automatically when change to personal account

[iOS] Fix disableFeatures policy - InPrivate mode disablement bug & support policy auto change (The problem is when set com.microsoft.intune.mam.managedbrowser.disabledFeatures='inprivate', the InPrivate mode can still be accessed, and the corresponding toolbar button remains functional. Expects the policy to support dynamic switching without needing to restart Edge. When InPrivate mode is disabled by the policy, the application should automatically exit InPrivate mode and close all open InPrivate tabs)

There is also a separate list of "enhancements":

[iOS] Improve the transition user experience for account switcher in iPad

[iOS] Improve Web SSO for CMC (copilot.microsoft.com) login in MSA

[Android and iOS] Improve the occurrence of re-sign-in prompts by disallow user interaction for proactive-auth

[Android and iOS] Improve account verification by consider sync and news feed status

[Android and iOS] General enhancements to NTLMSSO policies to make it more useful

Finally, here are general updates in Edge 129:

[iOS] Upgrade Intune MAM SDK to version 19.6.0

[Android] Upgrade Intune MAM SDK to version 10.4.0

[Android and iOS] Upgrade MS OneAuth SDK version 3.3.0

[Android and iOS] Remove native AAD Copilot support

You can download Microsoft Edge for iOS from the App Store (requires iOS or iPadOS 14 and newer). Edge for Android is available in the Google Play Store via this link (requires Android 8.0 and newer).

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Gmail brings blue verification checkmark to Android and iOS [and iPadOS]

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 07:13:27 +0000

It's been a year since Google introduced blue-coloured verification checkmarks for its email service, Gmail. Now, the company is taking the safety feature a couple of notches further and adding it to Gmail apps for Android and iOS.

For the unversed, the blue checkmark helps users verify that the email they received is from a trusted source, not some scamster trying to prey on unsuspecting people on the web. The checkmark is displayed in an email on the right side of the sender's name.

It's part of a Gmail feature called BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification). BIMI also allows senders with a registered trademark to verify their brand logo through a third party before displaying it as a Gmail avatar.

Google said in a blog post announcing the update:

Currently, Gmail on the web will display a verified checkmark for senders who have adopted BIMI with a registered trademark (VMC). Over the next few weeks, users will also see those verified checkmark icons while using the Gmail application on Android and iOS (Apple Mail or other mail applications are not supported). Note that this update is applicable for VMCs only.

Some senders may not have a registered trademark but want to prove their legitimacy to the receiver. For those cases, Gmail now supports a new type of BIMI certificate called Common Mark Certificate (CMC). The certificate allows "a broader range of senders to utilize BIMI, who might not have the registered trademark required for a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC)."

Senders can have their brand avatars displayed in Gmail with a CMC, but it won't carry a blue checkmark like VMC, the search giant added. The blue checkmark has started rolling out for Android and iOS devices and will take about two weeks to reach all users. It will be available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google accounts.

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Delta emulator for iOS now supports online multiplayer for Nintendo DS titles

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 18:23:33 +0000

One of the most popular retro emulators on the App Store, the Delta Emulator, which supports multiple platforms and offers an intuitive user interface, is picking up a new update that brings online multiplayer support to the emulator.

Delta Emulator's developer, Riley Testut, confirmed via The Verge that the beta version will receive online multiple support for Nintendo DS titles. The beta version will be first pushed to the Patreon subscribers but there is currently no public release date. Back in July, Delta Emulator, after initially arriving for iPhones, went official for iPad on the App Store.

The multiplayer support for Nintendo DS games is a significant update because the platform once featured online multiplayer support thanks to third-party Nintendo Wi-Fi connection services, including such as Kaeru, Wimmfi, AltWFC, etc. Unfortunately, the service was shut down in 2014 for both Nintendo DS and Wii, but third-party services did continue to offer the service.

Testut added, "This means all 10 million+ Delta users will be able to connect to other Delta users and users on real devices who are using these 3rd-party Nintendo WFC servers." However, "this also means it is limited to Nintendo DS games for now, but all Nintendo DS games with Nintendo WFC are supported."

According to The Verge, the Delta emulator will harness the Melon DS emulator's support for this online multiplayer support. The best part is that there isn't any shortage of Nintendo DS games with online multiplayer. You get games such as Mario Kart DS, Animal Crossing Wild World, Diddy Kong Racing DS, Clubhouse Games, etc.

Ever since Apple relaxed its App Store policies, there has been a flood of emulators popping up on the app market. You can try out the iDOS 3 emulator, Folium emulator for Nintendo 3DS games, PPSSPP emulator for PlayStation games, RetroArch for playing games from multiple consoles, and much more.

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Finally! Android 15 puts an end to the notification symphony

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 18:21:12 +0000

Many of us have experienced the overwhelming feeling of turning on an Android device after a while, only to be greeted by a symphony of old notifications. If notification sounds are enabled, it can be quite an unwelcome concert. Thankfully, Android is addressing this issue with the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 update.

Starting with Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, notifications that are more than two weeks old will be dismissed automatically. Users will no longer receive alerts for their old notifications. Apart from this new improvement, Google is also working on other enhancements to the notification experience on Android 15. For example, a new feature called "notification cooldown" would gradually reduce the volume of successive notification alerts if they are coming from the same app.

Earlier this month, Google made the Android 15 source code available at the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Android 15 will be available on supported Pixel devices next month, as well as on select devices from Samsung, Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, Motorola, Nothing, OnePlus, Oppo, realme, Sharp, Sony, Tecno, vivo, and Xiaomi in the coming months.

Android 15 will come with several new features and improvements. The new private space feature will allow users to create a separate space with an extra layer of authentication, keeping their sensitive apps secure. The Theft Detection Lock feature uses Google AI to sense if someone snatches a user's phone from their hand and tries to run, bike, or drive away with it. If such theft motion is detected, it will quickly lock down the device to prevent misuse. Google Wallet will soon allow users to add items from a photo for quick access. Google Play Protect will offer live threat detection by using on-device AI to spot apps that might engage in fraud or phishing.

You can learn more about the Android 15 update here.

Source: Android Authority (1), (2)

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WhatsApp Android beta users can now block messages from unknown contacts

Sun, 22 Sep 2024 15:53:17 +0000

WhatsApp Android beta users are receiving a new security feature that will help them keep their inboxes clean. WhatsApp is adding a new option that helps to block unwanted messages from unknown contacts.

The new security feature called "Block unknown account messages" does exactly what it says. It is live for some beta testers who have installed the latest WhatsApp beta version, 2.24.20.16, from the Play Store.

The new WhatsApp security option allows users to block messages from unknown contacts if they continue to send too many messages or spam you in a short period. It helps users protect themselves against spam and potentially harmful communication.

Users can find the new security option under the "Advanced" section inside the Settings menu. Once enabled, WhatsApp will keep an eye on incoming messages from unknown contacts, and if an unknown account sends a lot of spam messages in a short period, WhatsApp will temporarily block those messages.

However, users will continue to receive important messages from unknown contacts.

WhatsApp will also suggest users enable this feature if it detects that a specific contact is sending multiple messages in a short period. It is expected to go live to more users in the future. However, that is not the only feature the messaging platform is working on.

Recently, WhatsApp has been spotted working on different design styles for its "Chat Themes" feature. Besides, WhatsApp is also developing a new option to easily transfer ownership of a community. Users will also soon be able to create a call link directly in group chats.

WhatsApp is also working on a new option that will allow users to mark all unread messages as read by tapping a single button. Apart from features for Android, iOS users are also expected to get AR effects and filters for video calls.

Source and image: WABetaInfo

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Google Calendar now lets you manually add birthdays on Android

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 18:36:26 +0000

Adding birthdays to Google Calendar has always been a complicated process, as the Android app doesn't let users manually add birthdays. Instead of offering a native option, the Google Calendar app syncs information from Google Contacts, requiring users to add birthdays to their contacts to view them in the Google Calendars.

A workaround for this is to create a full-day recurring event, which isn't ideal compared to a native option. Finally, it seems like Google has understood this issue, and is rolling out a new update for the Google Calendar Android app offering the option to manually add birthdays.

On the event page, users will see a new "Birthday" option in the Google Calendar Android app. This new chip is located at the top and joins Event, Tasks, and Out of Office (for workspace accounts). Tapping on the birthday chip gives you the option to manually "Add name" and "Add birth date" with the ability to customize the notifications and set a color for quick identification.

The birthday event itself has a cover image with a cake in the middle and some confetti and is added to the "Birthdays" calendar. Google has noted a few things for those using this Google Calendar API:

For developers, newly created birthday events will be available in the Calendar API with the eventType “birthday.” Both Events.list and Events.watch will support the “birthday” event type filter and return “birthday” events by default. Only a subset of the event properties will be supported for birthday events. To learn more, see our developer guide about working with the birthday event type.

Birthday events do not support all event properties. If you’re using the Calendar API, we recommend reviewing your code so you don’t apply any non-supported properties.

The birthday creation feature for Google Calendar on Android is rolling out for all users over the coming weeks. Google also noted that the feature will "also become available on web and iOS devices in the future."

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Apple could stick with 3nm processors for iPhone 17 and introduce 2nm chips with iPhone 18

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 08:24:14 +0000

We recently witnessed the launch of the iPhone 16 series this month, with the deliveries starting from tomorrow. However, the rumor is already buzzing not only about next year's iPhone 17 models but also about the iPhone 18 series, which will launch in 2026.

The latest information involving both the iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 models comes from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on the social media platform X. According to Kuo, Apple is expected to continue using 3nm chips for the iPhone 17 models next year, and will only introduce 2nm chips with the 2026 iPhone 18 series.

Kuo says:

The processors for 2025 iPhone 17 models will be made by TSMC's N3P process/3-nanometer technology. The processor for 2026 iPhone 18 models is anticipated to use TSMC's 2-nanometer technology. However, due to cost concerns, not all new iPhone 18 models may be equipped with a 2-nanometer processor.

It is speculated that Apple could reserve the 2nm processors for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models, while the company could use 3nm processors inside the standard iPhone 18 models, the reason being cost constraints.

The main difference between 2nm and 3nm processors is that the 2nm chips house more transistors than the 3nm counterparts, allowing them to offer better performance and power, maintaining the processors' size and efficiency. It was earlier rumored that Apple has reserved all of TSMC's 2nm chip capacity for the iPhone 17 series. So, we have to wait and watch, if this reservation applies to just the Pro models or the entire series.

Another rumor suggests that Apple could replace the "Plus" model with the iPhone 17 Slim. The iPhone 17 Slim is expected to introduce the biggest redesign since the iPhone X. Bloomberg's Gurman earlier said that Apple could introduce the new slim iPhone 17 model in the form of an "Air" iPhone, positioned between the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro.

Additionally, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is also tipped to feature 12GB of RAM and upgraded cooling technology. Apple is also expected to bump the specs, and potentially introduce 24MP selfie cameras on all iPhone 17 models. For now, these are leaks and rumors and should be taken with a huge grain of salt.

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Apple pulls iPadOS 18 update as it's bricking healthy M4 iPad Pros

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 07:27:43 +0000

Back in June 2024 at WWDC, Apple announced iPadOS 18. The beta version of the OS was already out then and Neowin did a dedicated piece on it about all the compatible devices.

A couple of days ago, the software was finally available to everyone alongside iOS 18 and watchOS 11. Apple also released a list of its tablets which are compatible with iPadOS 18. It stated:

iPadOS 18 is available for iPad Pro (M4), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later), iPad Air (M2), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (7th generation and later), and iPad mini (5th generation and later).

However, despite being in beta for three months, it looks like a major bug managed to slip through during testing for quality control and assurance as the update is bricking iPad Pro M4 models.

The issue was brought to attention by Apple iPad Pro M4 users who were kept holding on to dead tablets post-update even though their devices were perfectly fit and healthy before proceeding with the iPadOS 18 update. Essentially, the affected tablets do not turn on after the update.

Thankfully, Apple has pulled the update from its servers as it is no longer available for downloading. However, bear in mind that not every iPad Pro (M4) has been bricked after this implying that there is more to the story here and may explain how and why such a major fault managed to slip through without detection during testing.

Via: Reddit (link1, link2)

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iOS 18’s new home screen features are a long-awaited win for flexibility

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 17:10:20 +0000

Wiggle mode gets an update that opens up almost Android-like customization.

iOS 18's home screen color tinting and grid-based app icons in action.

Samuel Axon

Apart from the much-ballyhooed (and delayed) Apple Intelligence, a big change to home screen customization and app icon placement is one of iOS 18’s flagship features, alongside an overhauled Control Center.

With the public launch of iOS 18 this week, we’ll be delving into those flagship features one by one, and I’m starting with the home screen because I have often criticized the iPhone’s home screen experience in the past. iOS 18 promises the biggest update to home screen customization since, well, ever.

Let’s walk through how to use the new features, explore how they work, and try to answer the most important question: does the iPhone finally offer the kind of home screen flexibility that users have been asking for?

How to customize the home and lock screen in iOS 18

First up, let’s talk about how you access the new capabilities.

For the home screen, you still get to the customization options by long-pressing in the open space between the icons on any home screen page. This initiates wiggle mode. In the past, you could simply move apps from here, or you could tap a “+” button in the top-left corner to pick a widget to add.

Now the + button has been replaced by an “Edit” button. Tapping that brings up a drop-down menu with three options: Add Widget, Customize, and Edit Pages. Add Widget does what the + button used to do.

Edit Pages brings up a view of all your home screen pages, allowing you to check or uncheck each to see whether it’s included when you’re swiping around or not. (This is the same screen you got by tapping the dots representing the pages at the bottom of the home screen in wiggle mode before, and you can still get there that way, too.)

Customize, on the other hand, brings up a panel in the lower third of the screen that we didn’t have in this form in iOS 17. It lets you toggle between dark and light modes and change the size of icons from small to large (more on that soon).

To access the new customization options, you start by long-pressing the home screen until you get this wiggle mode...

Samuel Axon
Then you tap the "Edit" button in the top-left corner...

Samuel Axon
...and that brings up this customization panel in the lower part of the screen.

Samuel Axon

Additionally, there are four icons across the middle of the panel: Light, Dark, Automatic, and Tinted. Switching between Light and Dark changes Apple’s built-in icons (and any third-party app icons that have added support for this) to different color schemes, so an icon that was always white before is now just white in the Light setting, but it’s a dark gray in the black. (The Automatic setting switches between these are based on whether the system-wide Light or Dark mode is enabled.)

That’s neat, but things get really crazy with the Tinted option. This will tint every icon on the screen to one color—kind of like you could do with your home screen wallpaper before. These icons tend to resemble the dark mode versions, I’ve found, but the tint is strong. This applies to all icons, not just those of apps that have been programmed to support it.

This is light mode...

Samuel Axon
...and this is dark mode. Notice that some icons changed, but not others; developers need to support this.

Samuel Axon
This is tinted mode, which works whether developers have added support or not. In this case, the color

matches the background, but you can go a different route if you want.

Samuel Axon

There’s also a color picker, so you can grab a color from your wallpaper to apply it to the icons, which is neat.

This uniform splash of color won’t be to everyone’s tastes, but it does breathe some life and uniformity into the chaos that was the old home screen of apps.

The biggest answer to that chaos comes in the form of freely placeable app icons, though.

The dreaded wiggle mode gets a little less dreaded

I’m not a fan of wiggle mode, that situation where all your icons shake and you drag them around your home screen as they displace one another in rows.

It’s visually chaotic, and it’s easy to accidentally create a folder or drop an icon in the wrong place. When widgets are involved, you can break your whole layout as a misstep cascades across pages of apps, bumping icons to pages they’re not supposed to inhabit. I found it persnickety and inefficient.

Whether or not everyone else feels quite as strongly about it, I’ll venture that most of us would like to at least be able to put icons wherever we want on the screen, like you’ve long been able to do with Android or a Windows (or Mac) desktop.

Behold, you can place icons wherever you want on the grid!

Samuel Axon
I tried making a smiley face, but would have needed one more horizontal row. Oh well!

Samuel Axon

You still use the old wiggle mode interface to do this, unfortunately. But because it’s now possible to place an icon on the home screen’s grid without another icon in the space to its left or above it, you can avoid a lot of the pain we had to deal with before.

Dragging an app icon amid other closely positioned app icons on the grid still follows the same rules as old wiggle mode: It will displace whatever’s there and shift things around a bit. You’ll still have to deal with that behavior if you want to have a home page screen that’s dense with icons.

But placing an icon in a spot that’s not already occupied just places it there, without affecting any other icons. You can place all your icons along one edge of the screen or alternate spots or make weird shapes. You can do whatever you want!

Yes, each icon still has to fall into a grid spot, so it’s not totally freeform—but it’s miles ahead of what we had before.

Resizing icons

Don’t get too excited by this header; you can’t resize icons individually, and there’s no slider letting you get precise about it. Rather, there are now two display modes for the home screen, one of which offers larger icon sizes.

The default is exactly the same size as you saw in iOS 17. The new large mode simply eliminates the app name text below each icon and expands the icons to fill in the newly available space. There is still exactly the same number of grid spots as before.

Here's the large icons option, which simply removes the app name text and fills up the space with slightly bigger icons.

Samuel Axon

(Relatedly, you can now resize widgets directly from the home screen without opening the customization panel, which is a nice tweak.)

It’s not a dramatic change, but it does give the home screen a cleaner look. Of course, it can make it harder to identify your apps if you’re not very familiar with the icons—especially in tandem with the next big customization feature, colors.

There are lock screen changes, too

iOS associates lock screens and the home screen in various ways, so it’s worth taking a moment to name the updates to the lock screen, too.

There aren’t a ton, but one of them is a doozy: You can now change the two long-press buttons in the lower-left and lower-right corners of the lock screen. Previously, you had the flashlight icon on the left and the camera one on the right.

You access this through the lock screen customization view (reached by long-pressing on the lock screen). There are now "-" buttons next to each of these two icons. Tapping that removes the icon, leaving a "+" sign in its wake. You can in turn tap the + sign to bring up a scrollable, searchable list of controls you can put here instead of what was there before.

From the lock screen customization view, you can now tap these "-" buttons to remove the existing controls.

Samuel Axon
You can replace those controls with anything from this control picker.

Samuel Axon
Here we have the Wallet and Voice Memo controls instead of flashlight and camera. Looks weird after all

these years, doesn't it?

Samuel Axon

Options include Calculator, Home, Translate, the dark mode toggle, clock functions like timers and alarms, airplane mode, Apple TV remote mode, Silent mode, Shazam, Wallet, and a bunch more, including numerous accessibility features.

It makes sense for Apple to change this now, of all times; the introduction of the Capture button in the new iPhone 16 series of phones makes the Camera icon here pretty pointless—but you can keep the camera icon here if you have an older phone.

Putting it into practice

There are numerous ways you can approach using these features, of course, but I thought of one that makes a lot of sense right off the bat: I put the icons for apps I use the most toward the bottom of the screen, where I can reach them when I’m holding the phone with one hand.

(If you’ve been reading Ars long, you know how I long for the return of the small, one-handed phone.)

I left the top half of each home screen page completely empty. That means that I can just swipe across the bottom of the screen and tap icons in easy reach of my thumb without ever having to stretch or pull my other hand off the Chicago L train pole that I'm holding on the crowded, rocky train.

Here's my one-handed-user-friendly home screen.

Samuel Axon

I picked a wallpaper that put most of the interesting visuals at the top and color-coded the icons to match it. I have to admit that it looks great.

A win for flexibility

With iOS 18, Apple has shipped the most fundamental change to how the home screen works since the iPhone was introduced.

Obviously, Android phones have been able to do this for ages. Apple’s value proposition for iOS is different from Google’s with Android: It’s not about flexibility or customization but simplicity, among other things. But even given that difference in focus, it’s surprising it has taken this long for Apple to allow free placement of icons.

No, wiggle mode isn’t completely gone—but it’s now possible for users to get results closer to what they might want, and the experience is a lot less frustrating.

This allows users to go more nuts than what was possible before, putting more of a burden of responsibility on them to make sure everything works well. For example, applying a unified color scheme while also resizing the icons to larger sizes, thereby eliminating the app name text, leads to a situation where you’d really better know your app icons well, because there’s not much left to distinguish apps with similar icons, whereas you might have used color or the name of the app before.

But since these new customization features are buried a long-press and few taps in, lots of users will be able to just ignore them and use their iPhones like they always have.

That’s the best of both worlds, really. There’s more to talk about in iOS 18, but this change is the one with the most potential impact, and overall, it’s a win.

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