It has been almost seven years since Samsung launched its first foldable phone, and since then, we have been hearing constant rumors about Apple’s first foldable iPhone. While it was previously believed that the wait might finally end in 2026, the latest rumors suggest we may have to wait a bit longer to see Apple’s first foldable device.

Chinese leaker, Instant Digital, claimed in a Weibo post that Apple is still struggling with the iPhone Fold’s hinge design, which could delay the device’s launch this year. Instant Digital also reported in April that the iPhone Fold had entered trial production, but it appears the device has encountered technical challenges related to the hinge and folding display.

According to the leaker’s information, results regarding hinge reliability and long-term durability consistently fail to meet Apple’s quality control standards. As a result, Apple engineers must come up with a solution, or the device’s production could stall and miss its planned launch window.

The iPhone Fold, or the so-called iPhone Ultra, is said to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover screen. It is also believed to adopt a passport-style design, similar to Huawei’s recent foldables or Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold Wide.

Despite issues with the hinge and display, Instant Digital claims that Apple has achieved a visually crease-free display on its foldable iPhone, along with long-term durability. Previous reports suggested that Apple aims to develop a crease-free screen by any means necessary, potentially making it a key selling point for its first foldable device.

However, there is still no clear information about the severity of the hinge issues affecting the iPhone Fold. It was previously reported that the device will debut in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. A report by DigiTimes also suggests that, despite being behind schedule, the foldable iPhone is still expected to be announced in September.

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Posted Tuesday 19 May 2026 at 7:43 am AEST (my time).

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Although Microsoft's Surface Duo handset launched to much fanfare in 2019, interest in the series waned due to a relatively poor software experience and Redmond's deprioritization of mobile efforts. The lukewarm reception of the Surface Duo 2 eventually led to Microsoft canceling the Surface Duo 3 in 2023. Although we have seen some details about what the Surface Duo 3 could have been through patents, another filing now sheds some light on specific aspects of the handset.

Windows Central has spotted a patent filing, available here, describing a "spring-loaded" hinge mechanism that would have made it easier to open the two displays with one hand. This is a fairly common complaint when it comes to this form factor as you need to use both hands to pry apart the displays. It seems Microsoft intended to solve this problem by having a button on the side which would slightly open the displays when pressed, making it easier to properly open the device.

The designs in the patent showcase two potential positions for this button: on the device's spine and next to the power button. Some details about the technical implementation of this spring-loaded hinge mechanism are described below:

A device, comprising: a first portion and a second portion that are rotatably secured relative to a hinge axis through a range of rotation from an open orientation to a closed orientation; a deployable link that in a first position extends between the first portion and a spring to allow compression of the spring as the first portion and the second portion are rotated toward the closed orientation; and, a trigger that is both configured to transition the deploy able link to a second position that decouples the first and second portions from the compressed spring and to retain the spring compression.

In 2023, we had learned that Microsoft was pivoting to a foldable display device which was reportedly codenamed "Neon". It was slated for a launch window sometime in 2023 or 2024, but we know that those plans eventually fell apart as well. As it currently stands, it seems like Microsoft filed the patent application in 2025 and it was only granted last month. It's unlikely that we'll see the firm implement this hinge mechanism in any tangible form in its existing Surface devices, especially considering that it does not offer this form factor anymore.

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Posted Friday 15 May 2026 at 6:11 pm AEST (my time).

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After years of legal battles, Google has finally agreed to pay compensation to up to 100 million Android users over allegations that it collected data without their consent. Android users in the United States now have a chance to claim their share of the $135 million settlement.

The lawsuit against Google was first filed in 2020, alleging that the Android operating system transferred users’ information to Google over cellular data connections without their permission. According to the complaint, the data transfers occurred in the background without notifying users. The lawsuit also claims Google continued collecting data from Android users even when their devices were idle.

The case, known as Taylor v. Google LLC, covers Android users in the United States who used mobile devices to access the internet through cellular data networks operated by mobile carriers at any point since November 12, 2017. The settlement website is now live for eligible Android users.

To be part of the settlement, you must meet the following qualifications:

• You live in the United States.
• You have used an Android device with a cellular data plan.
• You used the Android device between November 12, 2017, and the date the settlement receives final approval.
• You are not a class member in Csupo v. Google LLC, Santa Clara County Superior Court.

The final approval hearing is scheduled for June 23, 2026. Settlement administrators will send a Notice ID and Confirmation Code to eligible users. Recipients must then visit the settlement website and click “Payment Election” to choose their preferred payment method.

Eligible users who do not submit a preferred payment method may still receive payment, though the risk of not being paid may be higher. The $135 million is the total settlement, but after tax and other related costs are paid, the remaining amount will be distributed among up to 100 million Android users.

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Posted Thursday 14 May 2026 at 7:09 am AEST (my time).

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Sony’s Xperia 1 flagships have looked more or less the same since 2020, but that’s finally changing with the Xperia 1 VIII, which moves to a chunky square camera island. The phone also boasts what should be a substantially improved telephoto camera, along with an AI camera assistant that looks like an improved version of Google’s Camera Coach.

While every previous Xperia 1 phone has had three vertical cameras, and the last six have positioned them in the same top-left corner spot, the 1 VIII mixes things up. The three lenses are now laid out in a square block, together with the flash and a Sony logo, that’s raised from the phone but slopes towards its edge. It’s a little bit iPhone, but more closely resembles the design of some of Motorola’s recent Edge phones, though with an angularity that feels distinct to Sony. It’s the main part of an overdue design refresh, blowing fresh air into Sony’s slick, but now slightly stale, aesthetic. It’s a surprise too, not least because it doesn’t at all match the Xperia 10 VII, which also got a whole new look recently, but adopted a horizontal camera bar instead.

The Xperia 1 VIII is available in four colors: black, silver, red, and a gold that’s exclusive to Sony’s online store. There’s a subtle texturing to the camera island, the frosted glass back, and the aluminum edges, along with a knurled finish on the dedicated camera shutter button. Like previous Sony phones there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack too, plus a microSD slot and a combined IP65/68 resistance rating (this used to be the best around, though has since been bested by a number of IP68/69 phones).

There’s the welcome return of a dedicated shutter button.

Image: Sony

 

The display still has a big bezel, but it fits front-firing stereo speakers.

Image: Sony

 

I’m a fan of moving the logo to the camera and leaving the rest of the phone bare.

Image: Sony

The redesign may be overdue aesthetically, but it probably serves practical purpose too, allowing Sony to fit in a substantially larger sensor for the phone’s telephoto lens. The 1/1.56-inch-type sensor here is almost four times larger than the Xperia 1 VII’s, much bigger than either Apple or Samsung’s best, and close in size to those found in the Vivo X300 Ultra and Xiaomi 17 Ultra. With a relatively fast f/2.8 aperture and 48-megapixel resolution, this 70mm-equivalent lens could be one of the best telephotos around, so long as Sony nails the processing. The only downside is that to fit in the larger sensor, Sony has given up on the continuous optical zoom found on its last four flagships — just as Xiaomi has copied the feature in its own 17 Ultra.

The telephoto is joined by main and ultrawide cameras, both 48-megapixel and essentially unchanged from the previous phone. The camera system as a whole has been improved with a new RAW multi-frame processing pipeline, better bokeh, and updated macro shooting that’s been incorporated into the default camera mode and now supports autofocus too.

The other big camera upgrade is an AI camera assistant. When you’re preparing to take a photo, this will suggest different options for filters, framing, and which lens to use, together with more fine-tuned tweaks like brightening the photo’s subject, but not its background. The suggestions pop up before you take a photo, though Sony says you can turn the feature off entirely if you prefer. It seems much more powerful than the rather basic AI Camera Coach functionality on Google’s Pixel 10 phones, though I suspect many will prefer the fact that Google’s mode must be activated manually, while Sony’s appears to be on by default.

Sony has packed in a few other upgrades too. There are new full-stage stereo speakers, apparently tuned together with Sony Pictures and Sony Music, which are clearer and louder than before. The 5,000mAh battery and 30W charging are unchanged, though Sony says the phone will last an hour longer than before thanks to a few optimizations under the hood. It’s now powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and comes with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage (though only in the online-only gold finish). One big downside is that it will only receive four years of OS updates, and six of security patches, fewer than almost any other comparable flagship.

The Xperia 1 VIII starts from £1,399 / €1,499 (about $1,765) for the standard model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The 16GB / 1TB model is a punchy £1,849 / €1,999 ($2,355). The phone is available to order now in Europe and Asia, but Sony has no plans for a North American launch.

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Posted Wednesday 13 May 2026 at 4:56 pm AEST (my time).

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Google’s I/O conference is next week, and we expect to hear a lot about the company’s AI endeavors. The company says there’s so much to talk about that it’s spilling the Android beans a little early, and yes, a lot of AI is involved. In the coming months, Google will roll out more smartphone AI features under the Gemini Intelligence banner, bringing more automation and customization to your phone.

App automation will be a major element of Android going forward, Google says. Automation for apps is expanding after Google began testing it earlier in 2026 with DoorDash and Uber on Pixel and Samsung phones. It was a very frustrating experience at launch, but Google says it has spent the intervening months fine-tuning the system.

Google promises that Android will be able to handle more complex automations across apps. For example, the robot could find a course syllabus in Gmail and then hop to a shopping app to add the necessary books to your shopping cart. Google also suggests taking a picture of a travel brochure and telling Gemini to book something similar in the Expedia app.

New app automations

This could theoretically reduce busy work, but that’s only true if it works and your task takes advantage of the right apps. Android won’t just automate any old app on your phone. The automation will only work in select apps, mostly limited to food and grocery ordering and ride-hailing. For everything else, there’s Chrome.

The Gemini-powered Auto Browse feature that debuted on desktop Chrome several months ago will launch on Android toward the end of June for all Android 12 and higher devices. This feature uses powerful cloud-based Gemini models to parse webpages and handle multi-step tasks for you.

We were not overly impressed with the speed or accuracy of Auto Browse in desktop Chrome, but simpler, mobile-optimized pages might be a little more usable for the robot. Like the desktop version, you’ll be able to watch the AI navigate the web for you or let it do its thing in the background until your authorization is needed for something sensitive.

Auto Browse on Android

Similarly, the Autofill system in Android is getting an AI automation upgrade. Google says Autofill with Google will soon plug into Gemini’s Personal Intelligence, allowing it to fill in more information when you encounter an online form. It can still handle your name, address, and other established personal details, but it may also be able to add data like your car’s license plate. Google says the feature is opt-in, so you can keep the traditional autofill experience.

Gemini is all ears

Gemini Intelligence is also powering some new convenience features in Android, including those rumored AI-generated widgets. Google calls that “Create My Widget,” but don’t expect miracles here. These widgets appear mostly to be about displaying data from your account or around the web.

AI-generated widgets

For example, Google says you might want a widget that recommends meal plans on a set schedule or sets a countdown to an important event. You can do that with Create My Widget. You can even mix and match the kinds of included data. Android will offer suggested recipes for new AI widgets, but you can also simply enter a prompt describing what you’re looking for. Perhaps you want to see a countdown widget with specific weather metrics—that should be possible with Gemini-powered widgets. No matter how you make them, the widgets are fully Material themed and resizable.

Google is also bringing more AI to voice input with a feature called Rambler, which is integrated with Gboard. Plenty of people already use AI to polish text in emails or other documents before sending them, and this is essentially the same thing for voice input. With Rambler, you can just start talking—or rambling, if you will—and the AI will get the gist of what you say. All the “ums” and “uhs” will go away, and the final result will essentially become a summary of what you said.

Rambler fixes your words on the fly

The company claims that Rambler will understand the context and nuance of what you’re saying, so the end product still sounds like you. There will be a prominent indicator when Rambler is enabled, and Google promises that no audio or text will be retained.

Android in cars

Plugging your Android phone into a car that supports Android Auto will be different soon, too. For starters, Google says Android Auto will now adapt to varying display sizes and shapes. So even if your car has a weird polygon screen, Android should fill it completely.

Credit: Google

What you see on that screen will be different, too. Android Auto is getting a makeover with greater support for Material 3 Expressive themes and a new navigation experience. Yep, Immersive Navigation, which Google announced earlier this year, is almost ready to actually roll out to users. Accessing data from other apps in the car will be easier as well due to the addition of widgets. Google says there will be widgets for contacts, weather, and select third-party apps. For cars with Google built in, the vehicle’s cameras will plug into Maps to provide more accurate lane guidance. Gemini will also be able to answer questions about the vehicle’s status, including warning lights and cargo capacity.

Android Auto media apps have hardly evolved over the years, but 2026 will bring some notable changes. Popular apps like YouTube Music and Spotify are getting design overhauls that make them easier to use in the car. Video playback is also coming to Android Auto for the first time. Naturally, this will only work when you’re parked and using a supported app like YouTube.

Video to audio transition in Android Auto

Google says Android Auto will switch seamlessly to audio-only mode when you start driving, but this requires buy-in from automakers for safety and technical reasons. Video will only be available in supported cars from BMW, Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Škoda, Tata, and Volvo. More vehicles may come later.

What about Android 17?

Google has announced all these new Android features while barely mentioning Android 17, which is slated to launch in June. Almost everything new in Android will arrive via Play Services, app updates, or on specific devices (like Pixel and Samsung Galaxy) through partnerships.

There are a few tidbits for Android 17 itself. Google says flagship Android 17 devices will see some changes to the camera experience, including better video quality in social media apps like Instagram and “screen reaction” overlays in video. There will also be native support for Ultra HDR, native stabilization, and Night Mode in the Instagram Edits app on Android 17 devices.

Only a few of the new features are tied to Android 17.

Credit: Google

On the security front, Google will enhance lost device features to require both a PIN and biometric unlock to better prevent bad actors from using your device. This will disable quick settings and block new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. Android 17 will also get a new option for location access, allowing you to share your precise location with an app only for the current session. A new location indicator, similar to the ones for the camera and microphone, will make it clear when an app is accessing your location.

There’s also Pause Point, which lets you add a 10-second cooldown timer to apps you’ve labeled as distracting. This will be bundled into the existing Digital Wellbeing suite.

Lastly, Google has redesigned its emoji yet again. No, the blobs aren’t coming back. Emoji now have a more detailed 3D appearance, but you’ll see them first on Pixel devices over the summer. Other Android 17 devices will have to wait until “later this year.” Most device makers craft their own emoji, so you may never see Google’s new smileys outside of apps like YouTube and Gmail.

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Posted Wednesday 13 May 2026 at 7:14 am AEST (my time).

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Apple has announced that it has begun rolling out end-to-end encrypted RCS messages in beta for iPhone users running iOS 26.5 with supported carriers and Android users on the latest version of Google Messages. When encrypted, these messages can’t be read while they’re sent between devices.

When messages are encrypted, users will be able to see a new lock icon in their RCS chats. By default, encryption will be switched on automatically and enabled over time for new and existing RCS conversations.

As a bit of background, RCS stands for Rich Communication Services and replaces SMS. While it has been on Android devices for a very long time, it only arrived on iOS in 2024, with Apple clinging onto its own proprietary messaging technologies in iMessage.

It its announcement, Apple said that it has led a cross-industry effort with Google to bring E2E encryption to RCS, making it a more secure and private option when compared to traditional SMS. It also said that iMessage has been built with privacy in mind and remains the best way to communicate between Apple devices.

To use E2E RCS, Apple says you must be on iOS 26.5 and using a support carrier, which you can see a complete list of here. Apple has not said when this feature will graduate from beta, but if you want to start using it you will need to install iOS 26.5 by going to the Settings and checking for device updates.

Let us know in the comments what you think of this development. iPhone users, do you use iMessage or do you prefer to use a different messaging client?

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Posted Tuesday 12 May 2026 at 5:30 pm AEST (my time).

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This week, Google announced that it has begun rolling out its May 2026 software update for supported Pixel devices. The update brings a series of bug fixes focused on charging, display stability, camera performance, and UI responsiveness. According to the release notes, the patch addresses a battery-related issue that caused slow wireless charging speeds when battery levels were between 75% and 80% under certain conditions.

However, it does not appear to address the widely discussed idle battery drain problem that is still affecting Pixel users after recent Android updates. These reports from several frustrated users describe excessive battery drain even when phones are not actively in use, with some users claiming devices lose charge unusually fast overnight or while idle. As such the issue status remains open with "no update yet".

On the positive side, the update does include fixes for several usability problems reported by Pixel owners in recent weeks. Google says it resolved a camera bug that could cause the app to freeze while users recorded video and adjusted zoom levels simultaneously. Additional fixes target display-related glitches, including screen flickering, fuzzy visuals, and frozen or noisy lines appearing on some devices. The company also patched issues affecting keyboard and input interface alignment in certain apps.

The full release notes are given below:

Battery & Charging

• Fix for slow wireless charging speeds when the battery level is between 75% and 80% in certain conditions

Camera

• Fix for an issue where the camera app could freeze while recording video and adjusting the zoom level

Display & Graphics

• Fix for an issue that caused a persistent flickering white dot or visual noise to appear at the top of the display in certain conditions
• Fix for an issue that could intermittently cause the screen to appear fuzzy, frozen, or display noise lines

Framework

• Fix for an issue where the keyboard or input screen could appear frozen or incorrectly positioned in some apps under certain conditions

The company also shared applicable software update versions for corresponding Pixel models:

You can check out the release notes on Google's official announcement here. The issue can be found on the issue tracker website here under ID 502262230.

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Posted Friday 8 May 2026 at 7:12 am AEST (my time).

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Google is killing Google Fit and the Fitbit app, replacing both with a single, unified platform called Google Health. The company announced the overhaul today, combining health tracking, AI coaching, and new hardware into one place while promising some "noticeable upgrades" for existing users.

One of such upgrades is a new layout designed to make your data easier to find. The app is now organized into four tabs: Today, Fitness, Sleep, and Health. The Fitness tab is where you will find your "weekly plan" with workout suggestions, while the Today and Health tabs feature a dashboard that you can customize to show the metrics you care about most.

Google said the app is compatible with hundreds of devices and services through Health Connect, Apple Health, and the Google Health APIs. This integration allows you to see data from different sources in one place, like your Peloton workouts or your meals logged in MyFitnessPal. The company is also bringing back expanded friend leaderboards, letting you compete with others on steps and cardio load.

Of course, there are some AI features built on the Gemini model. The new Google Health Coach interprets your data to provide adaptive fitness plans and sleep insights. You can log information using text, voice, or by snapping a photo of your food or a gym machine's screen. For users in the United States, the AI can even read and summarize uploaded medical records to offer personalized wellness advice.

You won't need to download a new app to get this. The update launches May 19 as an automatic, over-the-air change for everyone currently using the Fitbit app. Later this year, Google will notify Google Fit users and provide a tool to help them migrate their historical data over to the new Google Health platform.

The new Google Health app comes as the company creates a more direct answer to the likes of Whoop and Oura. Dubbed the "Fitbit Air," this screenless fitness band comes with a tiny 5.2-gram sensor pebble, a 7-day battery life, and a fast-charging feature that provides a full day of power in just five minutes.

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The next update to Apple’s operating systems could allow users to choose their preferred AI model for running Apple Intelligence. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to allow third-party chatbots to power its AI features system-wide in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27, all expected for this fall. In addition to running Siri, compatible third-party AI models, called “Extensions,” will also now be able to run other Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools and Image Playground.

According to Gurman, Apple will also allow users to choose different Siri voices for different AI models — Siri responses from one of Apple’s AI models could have one voice, while an instance of Siri running on ChatGPT could use another voice.

Users will be able to “choose from AI model providers that opt in by adding support through their App Store apps.” Once a compatible AI app is installed, users will be able to set it as their preferred AI through the Settings app. Gurman says Apple is already internally testing integrations with Google and Anthropic’s AI models. Google’s models are also the backbone of Apple’s upcoming Siri revamp, but so far ChatGPT has been the only third-party AI model integrated into Apple Intelligence, which may not be the case much longer.

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Posted Wednesday 6 May 2026 at 7:34 am AEST (my time).

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Apple’s September event is still months away, but that hasn’t stopped leakers from offering an early glimpse of what the next-generation iPhones might look like. The latest rumor suggests that the base iPhone 18 could share some components with its stripped-down counterpart, the iPhone 18e.

Chinese leaker Fixed Focus Digital shared this information on Weibo, claiming that the iPhone 18 and 18e use the same manufacturing process and may have some interchangeable components.

However, it remains unclear which components might be shared between the two models. Still, this aligns with previous rumors pointing to a potential downgrade for the iPhone 18, narrowing the hardware gap between it and the e-branded model. Fixed Focus Digital has previously suggested that Apple may scale back the iPhone 18’s display and processor as part of cost-cutting efforts, making it more similar to the iPhone 18e.

The impact of the RAM shortage and rising manufacturing costs has also hit Apple, and the company may have no choice but to downgrade certain aspects of the iPhone 18. However, from a business perspective, making the base iPhone 18 more similar to the iPhone 18e doesn’t seem entirely reasonable.

If recent rumors prove accurate, here’s how the upcoming iPhones could shape up: the base iPhone 18 is expected to launch with 12GB of RAM, as previously reported, and feature the A20 chip. Other anticipated specifications include a dual-rear-camera setup, a ProMotion display, and a 6.3-inch screen with Dynamic Island.

On the other hand, the iPhone 18e might come with 8GB of RAM, a binned version of Apple’s A20 chip, a single rear camera, a 6.1-inch display with a notch, and no ProMotion support.

Fixed Focus Digital also reinforces earlier rumors about changes to Apple’s release cycle, suggesting that September and October could become the company’s “flagship season,” featuring the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone, while the base iPhone 18 and 18e may arrive in spring 2027.

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Posted Wednesday 6 May 2026 at 7:34 am AEST (my time).

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Google’s next round of Pixel phones could be a downgrade compared to the Pixel 10 lineup due to the ongoing RAM shortage. Leaked specs for the Pixel 11 lineup shared by MysticLeaks include a possible starting configuration with only 8GB of RAM, rather than the current 12GB, as Android Headlines reports.

According to MysticLeaks, Google may also add a second configuration for the Pixel 11 Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold with 12GB of RAM, down from the current 16GB in each model. There will be 16GB configurations available for each, but adding a lower-spec model could mean the 16GB version is getting a price hike. However, the silver lining is that the specs from MysticLeaks also include camera upgrades and brighter displays for the Pro models.

The RAM shortage is pushing other phone makers, including Samsung, to raise prices, too. It’s not just phones feeling the RAM squeeze, either; everything from gaming handhelds to Raspberry Pis are experiencing price hikes and spec changes.

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Posted Tuesday 5 May 2026 at 7:16 am AEST (my time).

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Google has updated its AICore support page, providing an explanation for why the system service often balloons to take up gigabytes of your phone's storage.

According to the Mountain View tech giant, the reason why AICore's storage use spikes is that the service temporarily holds two versions of an AI model at once. When the system is updating to a new version of a model like Gemini Nano in the background, it keeps the old one handy for up to three days. This acts as a "fail-safe" that you can revert to if the new update has a bug, preventing a long re-download over a spotty connection. The company states the extra space frees up automatically once the new model is confirmed stable.

AICore was launched alongside Android 14 to serve as a background system service for on-device AI for Android. It is basically like a centralized manager that downloads, updates, and runs foundation models, most notably Google's Gemini Nano.

It also powers AI features across the OS, such as Magic Compose in Google Messages, Summarize in the Voice Recorder, Pixel Screenshots, Pixel Studio, Call Notes, and Smart Replies. While it started on the Pixel 8 Pro, it is now found on newer Pixels, Samsung Galaxy devices like the S24 line, and select phones from OnePlus and Xiaomi.

If you search places like r/Android or r/pixel_phones, you would find users wondering what this mysterious app is and why it is using up so many of their phone's resources. And it is not just storage issues. People are complaining about how AICore continuously runs in the background, consuming memory. On some newer devices like the Pixel 8 Pro, the OS actually locks away a significant portion of RAM exclusively for AICore and the Tensor chip's AI processor. Here is a review a frustrated user left on the AICore Play Store page:

STOP INSTALLING THIS. I have uninstalled it 5 times now and it keeps coming back. It eats up to 10GB of my storage, which I have to clear every single week when I do my weekly uninstall of this app. I don't want it, I don't use any of the AI functions on this app, and I have not given you any permissions to install this app on my paid device.

Perhaps the most egregious fact is that there is no simple "uninstall" button for AICore since it is a core system app. The best you can do is cripple it by navigating to Settings > Apps > See all apps > AICore, hitting "Disable", and then tapping the menu to "Uninstall Updates". This action purges the large downloaded models and stops the service. The only downside with this approach is that local AI features like offline smart replies or Pixel Screenshots will no longer function.

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Posted Tuesday 5 May 2026 at 7:15 am AEST (my time).

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Microsoft will soon end support for Clipchamp on iOS. The retirement will take away an option for editing videos on the go, leaving users to look for alternatives.

I received an email about the retirement of Clipchamp recently. Microsoft also explains the retirement of Clipchamp in a support document:

"We have found most users prefer editing their video projects on our web and desktop applications. In order to deliver high-value features and improvements, we are focusing our efforts on these applications to benefit users."

Clipchamp for iOS will be retired on June 9, 2026. After that cutoff, it will not be possible to export video files through the mobile app. Users will be encouraged to uninstall the app after that date as well.

If you have Clipchamp projects on the iOS version of Clipchamp, you'll need to export them as MP4 files. Alternatively, you can use the Clipchamp web app on a desktop.

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Apple has released new versions of iPadOS and iOS for compatible devices. Version 26.4.2 is now rolling out, bringing unnamed bug fixes and security updates. Apple is not saying what was fixed in today's release. The official changelog only says "This update provides bug fixes and security updates for your iPhone."

You can update your device to iOS or iPadOS 26.4.2 by heading to Settings > General > Software Update. Your iPhone or iPad will check for updates and offer to download and install version 26.4.2. The exact update size depends on your device, but expect to download and install over 500 MB.

According to the official documentation, iOS and iPadOS 26.4.2 fix a bug flagged as CVE-2026-28950 that could lead to notifications "marked for deletion" remaining on the device.

iOS and iPadOS 26.4.2 are available on iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later. However, the security issue also affects devices that do not support iOS / iPadOS 26. For these, Apple also released iOS 18.7.8 and iPadOS 18.7.8. These do not contain new features and only bring fixes for CVE-2026.28950.

Later this year, Apple is expected to ship iOS / iPadOS 26.5 ahead of the iOS 27 announcement at WWDC 2026. Version 26.5. will bring changes to Apple Maps, messaging, and other changes. In June, Apple is hosting its annual developer conference, where it is expected to talk about this year's "27" releases, improved Siri, and more.

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Posted Thursday 23 April 2026 at 7:34 am AEST (my time).

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Your gas price isn't the only thing going up these days; production costs for manufacturers are rising for several reasons. This has created a significant challenge for tech companies trying to maintain their product's price point. As it turns out, Apple is now considering a downgrade for the iPhone 18 to cut costs.

Initial speculation about an alleged downgrade to the iPhone 18 emerged after Fixed Focus Digital reported that the next-generation base iPhone might undergo certain reductions to help Apple manage production costs. The leaker claimed such cost-cutting measures could bring the base iPhone 18 closer to the iPhone 18e in terms of specifications.

The Chinese leaker initially suggested that Apple’s cost-cutting strategy might include changes to the manufacturing process, chip specifications, or memory. Now, more details have surfaced. In a new Weibo post, Fixed Focus Digital claimed that the iPhone 18’s display might also see downgrades. The extent of these changes is still unclear, but they are most likely to affect screen brightness. Another possibility is that Apple could drop ProMotion support and reserve it exclusively for the Pro models.

Fixed Focus Digital said in another post that the iPhone 18 chip (A20) might also undergo certain downgrades. However, it is still unclear what specific changes Apple might make to the A20 chip, though reducing the number of GPU cores could be one possible approach. Apple has proven to be a master of optimization, and this is why products like the MacBook Neo exist today.

Moreover, the leaker claims that EVT (Engineering Verification Test) for the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e is being conducted simultaneously, which could be another sign that Apple plans to narrow the hardware gap between its base iPhone and the cheapest model.

Due to changes in Apple’s release cycle, the base iPhone 18 might hit the shelves toward the end of the year. As a result, Apple still has enough time to reconsider its plans and potentially phase out any intended downgrades. Any changes to the base iPhone 18’s specifications would also likely affect the iPhone 18e.

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Posted Thursday 23 April 2026 at 7:32 am AEST (my time).

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Google has just released the fourth and final beta of Android 17 and with it has begun enforcing strict hardware-level memory limits that will kill apps to preserve system stability. Other big changes include preventing devs from opting out of resizability and orientation constraints on large-screen devices, local network access now being blocked by default and requiring permission for persistent connectivity, and the movement toward quantum-safe security by integrating NIST-standardized cryptographic signatures into hardware.

According to the search giant, the final beta marks a stability schedule before it’s released to the public around June. This beta is an excellent time for developers to ensure their apps are Android 17-ready as there won’t be any big changes going forward.

The company said its big focus in this beta is to make Android more deterministic, where it can dictate resource boundaries, rather than developers. This beta introduces device-specific RAM limits and an anomaly detection service that allows Android to actively monitor and terminate apps that exceed the memory baselines Google has set. This will be good for users because it means developers will have to make any of their bloated apps more efficient, making devices run better.

Another big change for developers is that the opt-out compatibility for tablets and foldables in ending. This will force all apps to support resizability and aspect ratio changes. This will help push Android towards a more unified ecosystem where developers can’t ignore larger-screen devices.

Android 17 will also boost security with Certificate Transparency and local network blocks now being set as the default These changes will ensure developers adopt privacy-preserving pickers and explicitly justify why they need network access, reducing the window for background data collection.

Regarding quantum-safe security, this update integrates the ML-DSA (Module-Lattice-Based Digital Signature Algorithm) into the Android Keystore, providing hardware-level security against future quantum computing threats. This feature provides no benefit right now, but prepares Android for the 2030s when quantum computers should be ready.

You can find out more about this beta on the Google Developers blog.

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Posted Friday 17 April 2026 at 5:49 pm AEST (my time).

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If you still think that it's better to wait for a few months after a product launch to save some cash on electronics, you might be wrong. Samsung has quietly raised the price of some of its 2024 and 2025 devices on its official U.S. website. The list includes Galaxy Z Flip 7 in its 512GB configuration, the Galaxy S25 FE, the niche Galaxy S25 Edge, and almost the entirety of Samsung's tablet portfolio.

The 512GB Galaxy Z Flip 7, which originally debuted at $1,219.99, is now listed at $1,299.99. The Galaxy S25 FE (256GB) jumped from $709.99 to $749.99. But Samsung's tablet segment is where it gets the most brutal.

The base Galaxy Tab S11 saw a $100 bump across the board, while the premium 1TB Tab S11 Ultra ballooned from $1,619.99 to an eye-watering $1,899.99 overnight. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S series was the company's cost-effective answer to people also considering Apple's iPad Pro. But at nearly $1900 now, it is a much harder sell against the M5 iPad Pro, which is currently retailing at less than $1500 on Amazon. Even mid-range legacy models like the Tab S10 FE and Tab S10 Lite weren't spared with a price increase of around $50 to $70.

Here's the full list of devices that are now more expensive:

• Galaxy Tab S11 - from $799.99 to $899.99 (128GB)
• Galaxy Tab S11 - from $859.99 to $999.99 (256GB)
• Galaxy Tab S11 - from $979.99 to $1,199.99 (512GB)
• Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra - from $1,199.99 to $1,299.99 (256GB)
• Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra - from $1,319.99 to $1,499.99 (512GB)
• Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra - from $1,619.99 to $1,899.99 (1TB)
• Galaxy Tab S10 FE - from $499.99 to $549.99 (128GB)
• Galaxy Tab S10 FE - from $569.99 to $669.99 (256GB)
• Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus - from $649.99 to $699.99 (128GB)
• Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus - from $749.99 to $819.99 (256GB)
• Galaxy Tab S10 Lite - from $349.99 to $399.99 (128GB)
• Galaxy Tab S10 Lite - from $419.99 to $489.99 (256GB)
• Galaxy Tab S10 Plus - from $999.99 to $1,099.99 (256GB)
• Galaxy Tab S10 Plus - from $1,119.99 to $1,299.99 (512GB)
• Galaxy Tab A11 Plus - from $249.99 to $299.99 (128GB)
• Galaxy Tab A11 Plus - from $309.99 to $379.99 (256GB)
• Galaxy Tab A11+ 5G - from $279.99 to $329.99

The reason all of this is happening is because of the highly volatile semiconductor market. As AI has boomed over the last few quarters, companies are building more and more data centers. Memory suppliers like SanDisk and SK Hynix reported massive revenue spikes, with SanDisk alone pulling in over $3 billion in Q2 2026.

With this, it's certain that Samsung is definitely willing to risk consumer backlash by raising prices on existing, months-old inventory. The launch price of upcoming devices is almost certainly going to rise, too. Devices such as the Galaxy Fold 8 and Z Flip 8, which are already expensive and are coming later this year, might see the same trend.

via PhoneArena

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Posted Wednesday 15 April 2026 at 7:28 am AEST (my time).

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The Vivaldi web browser development build for Android has just been bumped to version 4004.4 and is now available in the Google Play Store. The big feature introduced in this development build is the introduction of the native PDF reader, allowing you to open PDF files from web pages in Vivaldi’s browser tabs instead of needing to use a separate PDF reader app.

Aside from the native PDF reader, there are a whole host of changes, including Autofill-related improvements. Here is the full changelog:

• [New][PDF] Add support to the native PDF reader (VAB-11423)
• [Autofill] Third party autofill shows popup-error for non login input fields. (VAB-12696)
• [Bookmarks] Wrong bookmark editor opened after saving multiple tabs at once as bookmark (VAB-12758)
• [Daily Image] Move Image Credits into Sheet (VAB-12645)
• [Menu] In-app browser menu displayed near the top of the screen when Address Bar is at the bottom (VAB-12422)
• [Settings] Adding a desktop site exception doesn’t work (VAB-12247)
• [Settings] Autofill can’t be disabled when none of the third-party password managers is set as the default in Android settings (VAB-12755)
• [Settings] Display ‘Vivaldi isn’t your autofill provider’ on the Password Manager page (VAB-12738)
• [Speed-Dial] Artist credit for daily image is invisible in dark mode (VAB-12730)
• [Start page] only showing 7 top sites (VAB-12711)
• [Crash] Play Store crashes (VAB-12734)
• Upgraded to 146.0.7680.189

You can find the Vivaldi Browser Snapshot here on the Google Play Store, or just do a search yourself for Vivaldi Browser Snapshot and it should appear with a black Vivaldi logo. Vivaldi notes that there may be a delay between the announcement and the actual software being available as the Play Store pushes out the updates. If you don’t want to wait, check out the alternative downloads in the announcement.

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Posted Tuesday 14 April 2026 at 5:07 am AEST (my time).

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In the current world scenario, where people have tended to move from smart watches to smart glasses, there was a single dominating player, Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses. Apple has gained a lateral entry with its upcoming smart glasses, to be released in early 2027, with several frame styles and a unique camera design.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gunman, in his newsletter Power On, Apple is to make a debut in the smart glasses category with a display-free smart glass, internally code-named N50, within its Vision Products Group division.

Similar to the Meta Ray-Ban, Apple is developing glasses for everyday use, like capturing photos and videos, syncing with a smartphone, handling phone calls, and hands-free interaction using a voice assistant, among other features. While the former is using MetaAI as a voice assistant, Apple is using a significantly upgraded Siri coming in iOS 27.

While the glasses form a major part of the AI wearables triad, the others are new AirPods and a camera-equipped pendant, each of which is designed to use computer vision to give an idea about the user’s surroundings to Siri and Apple intelligence for features like turn-by-turn map directions and visual reminders.

According to employees working on this project, Apple’s blueprint to outsmart competitors is by tightly integrating glasses with the iPhone, with a superior build. The tech giant also plans to make use of vertical integration in terms of design, unlike Meta, which uses EssilorLuxottica SA for frames.

Some of the design, features, and color options in testing are:

• A large rectangular frame similar to Ray-Ban Wayfarers.
• A slimmer rectangular design, like the one worn by Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook.
• Larger oval or circular frames.
• A smaller, more refined oval or circular option.
• Vertically oriented oval lenses for the camera system.
• Color options include black, ocean blue, and light brown.
• High-end Acetate material is used for a luxurious feel.

Along with this, Apple’s brand, its in-house chips, huge retail presence, and deep iPhone integration may be deciding factors in determining who leads the race to dominate this particular market.

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Posted Monday 13 April 2026 at 1:04 pm AEST (my time).

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Microsoft has announced the complete retirement of Outlook Lite, several months after announcing its plan to retire the app. The Redmond giant said that the Outlook Lite app for Android will be fully retired on May 25, 2026, forcing users to switch to the Microsoft Outlook Mobile app, which better supports all mailbox features and compliance capabilities.

After that date, the Outlook Lite app will still open but mailbox access will be disabled and in-app navigation and functionality won’t work. The retirement shouldn’t affect too many users because Microsoft has purposefully prevented users downloading this app since October 6, 2025. If you do still have it, you should definitely migrate to Outlook Mobile so that you aren’t cut off in late May.

While the mailbox access will be disabled and navigation won’t work, Microsoft notes that user accounts won’t be disabled or deleted. It also said that all existing email, calendar items, and attachments will remain accessible when users sign in to Outlook Mobile.

This change will not require any action on the part of admins, however, it may still be a good idea to let users know that Outlook Lite will be inaccessible soon and guide them on switching to Outlook Mobile from the Google Play Store. Microsoft also suggests updating any affected internal documentation or helpdesk guidance if Outlook Lite is referenced.

Aside from going into the Play Store and finding Outlook Mobile manually, there is also an Upgrade option inside the Outlook Lite app which will send you off to the Play Store to get the latest update. Directing users here could be more straightforward for admins.

To learn more, head over to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center and check under Message ID MC1276508.

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Posted Monday 13 April 2026 at 7:37 am AEST (my time).

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Motorola announced a new mid-range phone yesterday, the 2026 Moto G Stylus. It’s not exactly a game changer unless you demand a stylus with your smartphone. Despite little in the way of upgrades, the new G Stylus will debut at $500, which is $100 more than last year’s version. It’s now clear that higher pricing will be a trend in Moto’s lineup. Without so much as a peep, Motorola has enacted price increases of up to 50 percent on the rest of its 2026 Moto G lineup.

Prior to the G Stylus announcement, Moto had three 2026 G-series phones—the Moto G Play, Moto G, and Moto G Power. They used to sell for $180, $200, and $300, respectively. In the past day, the Moto G Play rose to $250, which is a 38 percent increase. The 2026 Moto G went to $300—a whopping 50 percent price bump. Finally, the top model in Moto’s budget lineup, the Moto G Power, is now $400. That’s a 33 percent jump, putting it close to Samsung’s latest mid-range phones and $100 shy of the new Moto G Stylus.

Seeing a higher price tag on the new Moto G Stylus wasn’t a surprise given current hardware conditions, and the phone does have a few small upgrades. The battery capacity is slightly larger, and the stylus has basic pressure sensitivity support now. However, that hardly justifies a $100 increase over last year’s model, which had the same display and memory. It makes more sense in the context of an across-the-board price increase for Moto’s budget lineup.

We’ve reached out to Motorola to inquire about why these phones have seen such substantial price increases, as well as whether its other phones will be getting more expensive. The reason seems clear, though. AI projects around the world are hoovering up every available memory chip, making all sorts of consumer electronics more expensive. If it has memory or storage inside, it’s probably more expensive today than it was a year ago, and heaven help you if you need to buy tens of gigabytes of RAM for a PC build

With memory prices through the roof, this trend is probably going to continue in 2026, and it’ll hit smartphones particularly hard. As people upgrade less often and demand more from their mobile devices, it has become harder for manufacturers to turn a profit. Those slim profits are now turning into losses. We’ve already seen Google release the Pixel 10a with almost no upgrades over last year’s model, but at least the price remained the same. Asus also decided to just stop making phones in this environment, and there are credible rumors that OnePlus will leave many markets, including the US.

The Moto G series occupies an important place in the smartphone ecosystem. Before the first-gen Moto G launched in 2013, phones that cost $200 were universally terrible. Motorola showed us that didn’t need to be the case. Relatively cheap hardware has kept the dream of a capable low-cost phone alive ever since, but you may have to make tough choices going forward.

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Posted Thursday 9 April 2026 at 5:39 am AEST (my time).

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Microsoft has announced that it is bringing a "modernized" comments experience to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This update is currently rolling out to iPhone users running Version 2.106 (Build 26022013).

The updated Comments pane experience improves the clarity and usability of mobile commenting by making comment threads easier to find, read, and act on. With a more modern, streamlined user interface, you can more quickly understand what needs your attention, respond quickly, and stay engaged in collaboration as you review your files on the go.

To use it, open a document in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint on an iPhone. You can access the new pane by tapping any comment icon already in the file or by navigating to the Review tab. For Word and PowerPoint, Microsoft also added a shortcut directly to the bottom taskbar.

The new comments experience is not the only update Microsoft has brought to its Office apps in the past few months. Before this, the company updated the core applications to version 2.102 with a huge visual refresh that introduced a "Liquid Glass" design language to better match modern iOS aesthetics.

The old solid navigation bar was replaced by a floating "island" containing the Home, Create, and Browse tabs. The Search button also got relocated to the bottom of the screen for easier one-handed use. Microsoft has also been heavily pushing Copilot into its mobile apps for anyone with a license. In Word, for example, Copilot now has the ability to allow it to read and summarize long documents directly on an iPhone.

Despite regular touch-ups, the company has failed to take advantage of iPadOS desktop-class menu bars, keeping the mobile versions far lighter on features than their Mac counterparts. Power users still cannot run VBA macros in Excel or access deep contextual right-click menus, forcing them back to a laptop for heavy work. This gap has led to some speculation that Microsoft is intentionally holding the iPad apps back, probably to protect Surface sales.

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Posted Tuesday 7 April 2026 at 5:30 am AEST (my time).

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If you're a heavy user of the Samsung Messages app on your Galaxy watch, smartphone, or tablet, there's some bad news: Samsung is killing the app by July 2026. After that date, the application will no longer send or receive standard messages, except for emergency service numbers or emergency contacts defined in your device. The company is actively advising users to switch to Google Messages.

In its End of Service announcement, Samsung said an in-app notification will help guide you through the process of making the switch. For those who want to do it manually you will need to open or download Google Messages from the Play Store. When you first open it, a prompt asks to make it your default SMS app. Tapping that button and selecting Google Messages from the list makes the change permanent.

According to the Korean tech giant, killing its own messaging client is about its commitment to "maintain a consistent messaging experience on Android". The company says that by switching to Google Messages, users will enjoy things like powerful security through AI-powered scam detection and spam filtering.

The switch also brings universal RCS messaging, enabling high-quality media sharing and typing indicators with both Android and iOS users. You will also get expressive AI features powered by Gemini for remixing photos and generating smart replies, along with multi-device connectivity for syncing chats between your phone, tablet, or watch.

That said, users on Android 11 or lower will not be affected by this change. Samsung also noted that Galaxy watches launched before the Galaxy Watch4, which run Tizen OS, will no longer be able to view full message conversation histories in the app. These older watches can, however, still send and read new text messages as they arrive.

Samsung Messages has been the stock client on Samsung phones since the early days of the Galaxy line around 2009/2010. The app got a big upgrade with the launch of One UI in 2019, which introduced its now-famous one-handed focus and pitch-black dark mode.

But by 2021, it was already clear that the app might not be around for much longer as Samsung started making Google Messages the default messaging app out of the box, starting with the Galaxy S21 series. Then in July 2024, the company announced it would stop pre-installing Samsung Messages on newer devices in certain regions, starting with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. Several months later, the Galaxy S25 series launched entirely without the Samsung Messages app pre-installed.

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Posted Monday 6 April 2026 at 6:44 am AEST (my time).

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Google has announced that it is extending its 64-bit app requirement, which already existed on mobile for several years, to Wear OS. The search giant said that all new apps and app updates that include native code will need to provide 64-bit versions, in addition to 32-bit versions, when publishing to Google Play. Apps that do not comply will be blocked from uploading new versions to the Play Console.

For the time being, Google says that it won’t be changing its policy on 32-bit apps, so it will continue supporting 32-bit devices, but this change does make one wonder how long that will be the case. Google notes that most Wear OS developers have already made the shift and have 64-bit-compliant apps available. If you’ve not complied yet, Google notes that the effort to comply is small.

Many of the apps developed for Wear OS are written in Kotlin and Java, which are non-native. In these cases, you don’t need to make any code changes to target 64-bit devices. However, a dependency or SDK could be introducing native code, so you need to check for this.

To assess your app, you should use the APK Analyzer in Android Studio to check whether your APK or app bundle contains native code. Developers can also look for .so files within the lib folder. For ARM devices, 32-bit libraries are located in the lib/armeabi-v7a, while the 64-bit equivalent is lib/arm64-v8a. For a complete overview of tips for developers, check out Google’s announcement.

Google says that it is announcing these changes now so that developers have a six-month window to bring their apps into compliance before enforcement begins in September 2026. For additional information, you can check out Google’s in-depth documentation on supporting 64-bit architectures.

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Posted Thursday 2 April 2026 at 5:15 pm AEST (my time).

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Samsung released a new free app today called Hearapy, now available for Android devices through the Google Play store, that it claims can reduce the symptoms of motion sickness using just sound.

The app’s functionality is very straightforward. It plays a low 100Hz sine wave tone through a pair of connected headphones for 60 seconds. This is supposed to stimulate the vestibular system – the parts of the inner ear that are responsible for orientation and maintaining balance. The app allows the duration of the tone to be adjusted between 40 to 120 seconds, but a full minute of listening is supposed to provide relief from motion sickeness symptoms like nausea for up to two hours. It can be repeated as needed.

Samsung says the app was inspired by research conducted by Nagoya University in Japan released last year that found specific sound wavelengths helped to reduce “the staggering and discomfort felt by people that were asked to read a document in a moving vehicle.” It’s not a guaranteed cure, however, and the effectiveness may vary based on the headphones you’re using. Samsung recommends pairing the app with its Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, but while Hearapy works with most headphones or earbuds, they need to be able to reproduce the tone at an 80 to 85-decibel volume level for it to be most effective.

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Posted Wednesday 1 April 2026 at 6:25 am AEST (my time).

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