The iOS 18 update previewed earlier this week has a small but useful addition that lets you share Wi-Fi passwords from iPhone to Android in a few simple steps. While playing around with the iOS 18 developer beta (available on these iPhone models), we found that the freshly-baked Passwords app lets you share passwords as QR codes.

Note: If you plan to install the iOS 18 Developer Beta on your device, it's recommended that you back up all your data and proceed with caution. Pre-release versions of Apple software may contain bugs and unexpected problems that can harm your data or affect the normal working of your device.

Share Wi-Fi passwords from iPhone to Android

1. Open the Passwords app on iOS 18 Developer Beta.
2. Tap on the Wi-Fi category listed on the main page.
3. Go to the Wi-Fi network that you want to share with others. The network you're connected to will have a blue-colored icon.
4. Tap on "Show Network QR Code" to reveal a QR code for that Wi-Fi network.

You can ask an Android or iPhone user to scan this QR code directly to join your Wi-Fi network. Alternatively, you can take a screenshot of the QR code to save it for later access or share it using a messaging app. A similar feature is also coming to Windows 11.

In addition to Wi-Fi networks, the feature also works with personal hotspots you have previously used on your iPhone. Since the Passwords app is available on iPadOS, the feature should work similarly on an iPad.

Keep in mind that the app's features can change over time as further beta versions are released, and the actual implementation in the stable version of iOS 18 may look or work differently.

Password sharing across Apple devices has been around for several years now. The feature, introduced with iOS 11 in 2017, can share Wi-Fi passwords across two Apple devices when they are placed close to each other.

There isn't much for Android in it, but Apple users can rely on the "QR your Wi-Fi" Siri Shortcut to generate shareable QR codes for their Wi-Fi networks. Moreover, users can view their saved Wi-Fi passwords on iOS 16 (or later) and share them manually.

The stable version of iOS 18 will be out later this year with many features, including a dark mode for Home Screen apps, flashlight improvements, Game Mode, T9 dialer, Apple Intelligence, new wallpapers, and more.

Source

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of May): Nearly 2,400 news posts

Apple iPhone joined the dark side several years ago with the release of iOS 13. Now, its maker is bringing the Dark Mode to iPhone's Home Screen and app icons with the iOS 18 update announced at WWDC 2024.

iOS 18 is scheduled for a release during the fall season, sometime around the launch of the upcoming iPhone 16 series. However, its developer beta is already out, and you can install it on a supported iPhone model.

Note: If you plan to install the iOS 18 Developer Beta on your device, it's recommended that you back up all your data and proceed with caution. Pre-release versions of iOS may contain bugs and unexpected problems that can harm your data or affect the normal working of your device.

With that said, let's have a look at how you can enable the Dark Mode for app icons and customize your Home Screen. Although this article is about iOS, you can customize iPadOS 18 in the same way.

Turn on Dark Mode for iOS app icons

1. If you're running iOS 18 developer beta on your device, long-press in the empty part of your Home Screen to enter the so-called "jiggle mode."
2. Tap on the Edit button in the top-left corner > Customize.
3. A menu will appear at the bottom with several theme options, such as Automatic, Dark, and Light.
4. You can choose the 'Dark' option to give a dark effect to the app icons and widgets on the home screen. The Automatic option, when selected, switches from light to dark theme depending on the time of the day.
5. When you select the Dark option, you can tap on the Sun-shaped icon in the top-left corner of the menu to dim your home screen wallpaper.

This is how you can change the visual appearance of your home screen app icons and widgets. Note that the Dark Mode for the home screen only works with Apple-made apps right now, but third-party developers will update their apps once iOS 18 is out.

Change the color of app icons and widgets on iOS 18

If you don't like dark mode for some reason, you can change the color tint of the app icons and widgets on the home screen to whatever you like.

1. Tap and hold in an empty space on the home screen > Edit > Customize.
2. Now, the fourth option you'll find on the menu is Tinted. You can use this option to color the app icons from countless options available.
3. The Tinted option displays two sliders that you can use to select a particular color tint and its intensity. You can also use the color picker in the top-right corner of the theme options menu to choose a color from your wallpaper.
4. The Sun or brightness button in the top-left corner also works with the Tinted option to add a dark effect to the wallpaper.

The Tinted option brings a whole new level of color customization that you can do to your iPhone's Home Screen. A difference here is that the color tint works with non-Apple apps and widgets as well. It seems to go the extra mile as the color you pick using the Tinted option shows up virtually everywhere on the Home Screen, including the App Library.

In other words, if you have added a Photos or Maps widget to your Home Screen or Today View, the color tint will superimpose the images. It is possible that this is happening because the feature is currently under development.

Remove names from app icons on iOS 18

Another thing you can do on the iOS 18 Home Screen is remove the names written below the app icons. To do so, long-press on the Home Screen > Edit > Customize.

Here, you can tap on 'Small' and 'Large' to change the size of the app icons. When you pick the Large option, the app names will be removed, and their icons will get bigger. As of now, the feature doesn't let you remove the app's name and see smaller-sized app icons.

However, if you want to see bigger app icons with their names, you can use the Display Zoom feature in Settings > Display & Brightness.

Re-arrange apps on the iOS 18 Home Screen

The iOS 18 update lets you re-arrange app icons and place them anywhere on your Home Screen. This was not possible with iOS 17, where app icons automatically get pulled to the top of the screen.

This way, you can personalize your icon layout however you like or arrange the icons according to the wallpapers you set. To re-arrange app icons, long-press on the Home Screen until the icons jiggle, and then move them anywhere you want.

This is how you can customize your home screen apps on iOS 18. However, keep in mind that these features can change over time as further beta versions are released and the actual implementation in the stable version of iOS 18 may look or work differently.

Source

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of May): Nearly 2,400 news posts

The iOS 18 update, apart from the host of features, also added a bunch of new wallpapers to the supported Apple iPhones that you can use to decorate your home screen. However, since the iOS 18 update is rolling out in beta, not everyone can get the taste of the new wallpapers unless you are brave enough to download it and deal with the bugs that it could pack with it.

Thankfully, we have our hands on the fresh set of wallpapers that Apple introduced with iOS 18, courtesy of iClarified. The best part is that you don't need to download and install iOS 18 beta on your iPhone to get these wallpapers. Not only iOS users, but even Android users, who fancy having an iPhone wallpaper on their home screen, can download the wallpapers.

Here's a preview of the iOS 18 wallpapers that Apple has introduced. Notably, there are four new abstract wallpapers, pink, yellow, azure, and purple, with each having a light and dark version. Please note that the below wallpapers are of low resolution.

Source

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of May): Nearly 2,400 news posts

Source

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of May): Nearly 2,400 news posts

The biggest feature in iOS 18, the one that affects the most people, was a single item in a comma-stuffed sentence by Apple software boss Craig Federighi: "Support for RCS."

 

As we noted when Apple announced its support for "RCS Universal Profile," a kind of minimum viable cross-device rich messaging, iPhone users getting RCS means SMS chains with Android users "will be slightly less awful." SMS messages will soon have read receipts, higher-quality media sending, and typing indicators, along with better security. And RCS messages can go over Wi-Fi when you don't have a cellular signal. Apple is certainly downplaying a major cross-platform compatibility upgrade, but it's a notable quality-of-life boost.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Apple Intelligence, the new Siri, and the iPhone

iOS 18 is one of the major beneficiaries of Apple's AI rollout, dubbed "Apple Intelligence." Apple Intelligence promises to help iPhone users create and understand language and images, with the proper context from your phone's apps: photos, calendar, email, messages, and more.

 

Some of the suggested AI offerings include:

 

• Auto-prioritizing notifications
• Generating an AI image of people when you wish them a happy birthday.
• Using Maps, Calendar, and an email with a meeting update to figure out if a work meeting change will make Federighi miss his daughter's recital.

 

Many of the models needed to respond to your requests can be run on the device, Apple claims. For queries that need to go to remote servers, Apple relies on "Private Cloud Compute." Apple has built its own servers, running on Apple Silicon, to handle requests that need more computational power. Your phone only sends the data necessary, is never stored, and independent researchers can verify the software on Apple's servers, the company claims.

 

Siri is getting AI-powered upgrades across all platforms, including iOS. Apple says that Siri now understands more context in your questions to it. It will have awareness of what's on your screen, so you could say "Add this address to his contact card" while messaging. You could ask it to "take a light-trail effect photo" from the camera. And "personal context" was repeatedly highlighted, including requests to find things people sent you, add your license number to a form (from an old ID picture), or ask "When is my mom's flight landing?"

The non-AI things coming in iOS 18

On the iPhone itself, iOS 18 icons will change their look when in dark mode, and you can customize the look of compatible icons. Control Center, the pull-down menu in the top-right corner, now has multiple swipe-accessible controls, accessed through a strange-until-you're-used-to-it long continuous swipe from the top. Developers are also getting access to the Control Center, so they can add their own apps' controls. The lock screen will also get more customization, letting you swap out the standard flashlight and camera buttons for other items you prefer.

 

Privacy got some attention, too. Apps can be locked, such that Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode is necessary to open them. Apps can also be hidden and have their data prevented from showing up in notifications, searches, or other streams. New controls also limit the access you may grant to apps for contacts, network, and devices.

 

Messages will have "a huge year," according to Apple. Tapbacks (instant reactions) can now include any emoji on the phone. Messages can be scheduled for later sending, text can be formatted, and there are "text effects" that do things like zoom in on the word "MAJOR" or make "Blown away" explode off the screen. And "Messages via satellite" is now available for phones that have satellite access, with end-to-end encryption.

 

The Mail app gets on-device categorization with Gmail-like labels like "Primary," "Transactions," "Updates," and "Promotions." Mail can also show you all the emails you get from certain businesses, such as receipts and tickets.

 

The Maps app is getting trail routes for US National Parks. Wallet now lets you "Tap to Cash," sending money between phones in close proximity. Journal can now log your state of mind, track your goals, track streaks, and log "other fun stats."

 

Photo libraries are getting navigation upgrades, with screenshots, receipts, and other banal photos automatically filtered out from gallery scrolls. There's some automatic categorization of trips, days, and events. And, keeping with the theme of iOS 18, you can customize and reorder the collections and features Photos shows you when you browse through it.

 

This is a developing story and this post will be updated with new information.

 

Source

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of May): Nearly 2,400 news posts

The annual WWDC keynote is chiefly the venue for Apple to reveal its updates for its operating systems. With big changes expected to be on the way for iOS 18, some users may wonder whether their aging iPhone will be able to run it at all.

On Monday, a leaker known to AppleInsider for accuracy on such matters posted to X that an earlier post from April was "confirmed." That earlier post said that all iPhone models that are compatible with iOS 17 will work with iOS 18.

If true, that means there won't be any iOS 17 devices dropped off the supported device list for iOS 18.

What iPhones will support iOS 18

•     iPhone SE (second generation)
•     iPhone SE (third generation)
•     iPhone XR
•     iPhone XS
•     iPhone XS Max
•     iPhone 11
•     iPhone 11 mini
•     iPhone 11 Pro
•     iPhone 11 Pro Max
•     iPhone 12
•     iPhone 12 mini
•     iPhone 12 Pro
•     iPhone 12 Pro Max
•     iPhone 13
•     iPhone 13 mini
•     iPhone 13 Pro
•     iPhone 13 Pro Max
•     iPhone 14
•     iPhone 14 Plus
•     iPhone 14 Pro
•     iPhone 14 Pro Max
•     iPhone 15
•     iPhone 15 Plus
•     iPhone 15 Pro
•     iPhone 15 Pro Max

Note that iOS 18 running on a device does not mean that all features will be supported. For example, most of the Apple Intelligence features in the device are expected to need an iPhone 15 or newer.

Source

It turns out that iOS 18 might bring that sort of improved privacy security to the iPhone. A report says Apple will let users lock various apps with Face ID. If accurate, the feature will also support Touch ID on older iPhones that can still get iOS 18.

Meta and other companies let you lock chat apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger with Face ID. That prompted me to ask for similar protections for iMessage. These chat apps can contain sensitive information.

If I were to lose my iPhone or have it stolen, I’d like to know that sensitive apps have another layer of protection beyond the Lock Screen. This is similar to the login protection for finance apps, which you can associate with Face ID unlock where available.

The Notes app is another key iPhone app to lock down with Face ID. Considering you can protect independent notes with Face ID or a password, you should be able to lock the entire app.

The ability to add an extra layer of protection to sensitive iPhone apps is even more useful on a shared device like the iPad.

Say you let kids use your iPad for entertainment, you won’t have to worry about them reading messages and notes or deleting any content.

A Face ID authentication scan on iPhone. Image source: José Adorno for BGR

According to MacRumors, Face ID authentication is coming to standalone iPhone apps. The blog mentions “Mail, Messages, Notes, Phone, Photos, Safari, Settings, and more” apps getting support for Face ID.

Multiple sources familiar with the matter have reportedly informed the site about the feature. That’s certainly a great privacy upgrade, and I can’t wait to see it in action.

I will point out one issue. Face ID is associated with the Lock Screen password on the iPhone. Getting back to the iPad example, if your children know the iPad’s password, they’ll be able to unlock the protected apps. If thieves steal your Lock Screen password, they’d also be able to access those apps.

I’m speculating here, but if Face ID scans fail, you’ll need an alternative to get into your apps. That’s usually the Lock Screen password.

A better option would be for Apple to let users pair Face ID with a different password for locking down apps. After all, reports say that iOS 18 is also going to debut a standalone password manager app. That’s another request I’ve had for Apple for years. It would be easy to store that app password in a safe place. That’s where I’m getting at.

On that note, the upcoming password manager app will likely work with Face ID authentication as well.

Finally, I’ll add that macOS 15 should copy these privacy security features. If I can lock down access to iMessage on iPhone with Face ID, I should be able to do the same on macOS with Touch ID.

We’ll get our answers soon enough. Apple will introduce all its software features for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on Monday. Whether iOS 18 will add Face ID support to Apple apps or not, there is a way to use Face ID to lock any iPhone app right now.

Source

Apple relaxed its App Store policies to allow third-party game emulators to be published on its App Store. iGBA Game Boy Emulator was the first to grace the App Store, which was later removed following a violation of some Apple rules.

The Provenance emulator then arrived on the App Store, which lets users play games from different consoles, including NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS, and even Atari, Sega, and PlayStation.

Later, the Delta Emulator was launched for Apple iPhone and iPad, followed by the Gamma emulator, which brought PlayStation 1 games to iOS devices with Bluetooth and wired controller support. RetroArch emulator also arrived on the Apple App Store, which brought the ability to play games from over 50 consoles.

Popular PlayStation portable emulator PPSSPP (short for Playstation Portable Simulator Suitable for Playing Portably) launched for iOS. Recently, the Folium emulator became the first emulator on the Apple App Store to bring Nintendo 3DS games for iPhones and iPads.

However, Apple has rejected the submission of UTM SE because it decided that "PC is not a console." Additionally, UTM has claimed that Apple is blocking the listing of the app on third-party App Stores in the EU.

UTM says that Apple refused its submission as it believes it is a violation of rule 4.7, which covers "mini apps, mini-games, streaming games, chatbots, plug-ins and game emulators." Interestingly, the App Review Guidelines don't annotate rule 4.7 as a part of the Notarization Review Guidelines.

It is unclear what the actual reason was for Apple not accepting the submission of UTM. It could be that the UTM reviewers were incorrect in accessing the application. As per a post on X, UTM will not proceed to contest the ruling, and it says that getting UTM SE's (the version submitted for review which had the Just In Time disabled) approval isn't something worth fighting for.

Source

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of May): Nearly 2,400 news posts

You’ve likely heard that blue light from smartphone screens may be keeping you awake at night. While the sun is our main source of blue light, the rise of LEDs and screen use exposes us to artificial blue light in the evening. Blue light suppresses melatonin, a hormone we naturally produce to help us drop off at night. Therefore, blue light can make it harder to fall asleep. Right? Well, maybe not.

The amount of blue light that smartphone screens emit is relatively tiny, and there is mounting evidence that claims about their impact on sleep are overblown. In a recent review of 11 studies from around the world, published in the journal Sleep Medicine Reviews, as reported by the Times, researchers found no evidence that screen light in the hour before bed makes it tougher to drift off.

Blue Light Panic

“The evidence for smartphone use near bedtime affecting sleep and circadian rhythms isn’t great,” Stuart Peirson, a professor of circadian neuroscience at Oxford University, told WIRED via email.

The oft-cited 2014 study from Harvard that kicked off the blue-light screen panic remains the best evidence for light-emitting devices affecting sleep. It found screen use before bed delayed the onset of sleep by an average of 10 minutes. It’s not much, but any increase in sleep latency (the time it takes to fall asleep) is unwelcome.

Dig deeper, though, and you will find the people in the trial were asked to read for four hours before bedtime on an iPad at maximum screen brightness.

“Sleep and circadian responses to light are dependent upon intensity (the brighter the light, the bigger the response),” says Peirson.

While screens are getting brighter, they are still relatively weak compared to the sun. Even LED bulbs are much brighter than screens. If you are concerned about melatonin suppression, the evidence suggests electrical lighting in the home is more dangerous than screens.

Some argue that screens are a bigger risk because we stare directly at them for hours, but modern smartphones have adaptive brightness to reduce the glare in darkened rooms. Few of us crank our screen brightness to maximum and leave it there.

Causation or Correlation

However, while the blue light from smartphone screens is unlikely to be bright enough to cause significant issues, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to tuck up with a cozy smartphone at bedtime.

“A much greater issue is likely to be the content viewed,” says Peirson. “Reading work emails relating to impending deadlines is clearly going to cause anxiety, and anxiety is strongly related to insomnia.”

We also know that doomscrolling on social media can have negative effects, including less and poorer quality sleep. Getting too engrossed in anything on your phone makes it all too easy to stay up later than you should.

Many people sleep with their phones within reach. Some even allow notifications and messages to disrupt their sleep. If you don’t silence your gadgets at night, they will likely disturb you.

Kids are more sensitive to blue light, so any potential impact could hit them harder, but another clue that blue light may not be the issue is the differing impact of interactive screen versus passive screen use. Chilling out in front of the TV, or even reading on your phone, is more relaxing than playing a video game or messaging in a group chat, even though blue light exposure is the same.

Another issue with the way we use screens is that we tend to stare intently, blinking less frequently, which can cause our eyes to dry out. Whether you call it computer vision syndrome or digital eye strain, most of us have suffered from itchy or red eyes, blurred vision, headaches, or neck or back aches at some point, usually after working on a computer. Experts continue to recommend the "20-20-20" rule: Every 20 minutes, try to look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

Can Blue Light Glasses or Filters Help?

A whole industry has sprung from concerns about blue-light exposure. You can buy blue light-blocking glasses, filters, and special light bulbs, not to mention software options, including dark modes. But do any of them actually help, or is this just more scaremongering designed to sell snake-oil tech?

They may theoretically work, says Peirson, but the evidence is not straightforward. He highlighted this review, which suggests a positive influence on sleep latency for people with sleep disorders, jet lag, and variable shift work. But he says the problem with most studies is that the actual light exposure of the participants is not measured, and the wavelength that these filters block is often poorly described.

Blue light has a shorter wavelength (between 400 and 495 nanometers) than red light (620 to 750 nanometers). But different filters block different wavelengths, making them tricky to compare. Peirson says cutting off longer wavelengths can be more effective at reducing light exposure to our circadian rhythm (our natural sleep/wake cycle), but can also impact visual function, making it harder to see.

This Cochrane Library review examined several studies and found “no clinically meaningful difference” between normal lenses and blue-light filtering lenses. The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the College of Optometrists in the UK say there is no evidence that blue light from screens is damaging our eyes, and neither recommends blue-light-blocking glasses.

This study of blue-light filter applications suggests they don’t improve sleep either, and dark mode may not be as good for your eyes as you think. So what are we supposed to do?

Lights Out

If you are concerned about getting a good night’s sleep, establishing a bedtime routine is crucial. The intervention with the strongest evidence base is cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), according to sleep expert Sophie Bostock. She was part of the team that worked on Sleepio, which cured my insomnia. It’s a six-week course that combines various simple techniques:

1. Wake up at the same time every day.
2. Use a sleep diary to monitor your sleep patterns.
3. Don’t get into bed unless you’re sleepy.
4. Get out of bed when you’re not sleepy.
5. Use cognitive techniques to address the racing mind, such as mindfulness, journaling, and cognitive reframing.

Bostock also says that if you get plenty of natural light during the day, your body clock will be less sensitive to the effects of light at night. A morning walk or coffee in the garden before you start work can help get your circadian clock on track.

While blue light has the potential to harm us, it can also be good for us. One study exposed students to either artificial blue light or warm white light for an hour each morning and found that blue light didn’t just reduce melatonin levels; several students also reported higher alertness, positive mood, and visual comfort.

As with most things in life, balance is key. Ultimately, you should avoid bright light before bed, but the blue light emitted from a dimmed smartphone screen or TV is not worth worrying about.

That said, taking a break from screens at night is probably a good idea, especially for kids. Podcasts and audiobooks are a great way to unwind without screens. And if you must use your smartphone in bed, follow this achingly simple rule: Stick to fun stuff and avoid anything stressful.

Source

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of May): Nearly 2,400 news posts

Source

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of May): Nearly 2,400 news posts

The devices were also compared with the current generation of iPhone 15 devices. Notably, the Pixel 9 and the Pixel 9 Pro are of the same size as the iPhone 15 Pro, whereas the Pixel 9 Pro XL is close to the size of the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The leaked images of the Pixel 9 series also gave us a look at the new camera module that Google has embedded in the new lineup.

Now, images of the benchmark test results have been shared on X by Rozetked, giving us a peek at the Tensor G4 chipset along with its 1+3+4 core configuration. As per the benchmark images, the Tensor G4 consists of an 8-core configuration, which includes one Cortex-X4 at 3.1GHz, three Cortex-A720 at 2.6GHz, and four Cortex-A520 at 1.95GHz.

The Tensor G3 chipset had a 9-core setup, compared to the 8-core setup on the Tensor G4, meaning the latest processor has one less core. However, the Tensor G4 chipset inside the Pixel 9 series is capable of operating at higher frequencies compared to the previous generation Tensor G3 SoC.

The leaked benchmark images show the AnTuTu scores of the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL. The scores range from 1.07 million to 1.17 million, with the Pixel 9 Pro XL scoring the highest. Here is the complete test result of the Pixel 9 series on AnTuTu:

• Pixel 9 (Tokay) – 1.07 million points
• Pixel 9 Pro (Caiman) – 1.14 million points
• Pixel 9 Pro XL (Komodo) – 1.17 million points

The Pixel 8 vanilla model, in comparison, scores around 900,000 points, which means that the Pixel 9 has gained modest performance improvements. These are just early days for the Pixel 9 series, and after more tuning and performance enhancements, we may be able to get the correct benchmark results.

Source

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Sincere thank you for your Feedback and Likes.

Notably, with the WhatsApp beta update version 2.24.12.14 (via WABetaInfo), WhatsApp is introducing a revamped bottom calling bar that shows a bigger profile picture at the center and a simplified yet modern UI for calling options. The redesign follows the update that brought the redesigned top part of the calling screen.

The bottom calling bar makes it easier for the user to control the different functions during a call and makes them easier to use and see. In the newly revamped bottom calling bar, you get the option to switch to video call, turn on the loudspeaker, mute the call, end the call, and also the more options button.

The buttons are housed in semi-transparent background circles inside a rounded rectangle bar. WhatsApp has been continuously working on adding new features to the platform to make it more appealing to users. It is unclear if the feature will arrive for iOS or not.

On the top-left of the calling screen, you get the option to minimize the calling window, and on the top-right, there is an option to add your friends to the ongoing call to make it a group call. The feature is currently rolling out to some beta testers, and it is expected to roll out to more users in the coming days.

Recently, the WhatsApp Android beta also picked up a new "Favorites" filter in the Chats tab. It lets users access important conversations from preferred people and group chats by marking them as favorites. The "Favorites" filters can be found between the pill-shaped buttons of the unread messages and group chat filters.

Source

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Feedback welcome and Likes very much appreciated.

Instead of using an asterisk in your conversations, you can tap and hold a message in the app to correct typos or add missing words. The ability to edit sent messages was reportedly in development at least since December last year and the feature was spotted in beta testing by some users earlier this month. Speaking of messaging, Google will also roll out some new Emoji Kitchen sticker combinations on the Gboard app.

A feature coming soon called Instant Hotspot will do away with the need for typing passwords when connecting an Android tablet or Chromebook to your phone's hotspot. Once enabled, it will let you connect devices with a single tap, Google explained in a blog post.

The feature will be listed under "Cross-device services" in the Settings, where another new feature called Call casting will let you switch between devices in the middle of a Google Meet call.

The company is readying a Favorites widget for the Google Home app to let you manage your most-used smart home devices directly from the home screen. For instance, you can turn off a light or check the room temperature without opening the app. The widget can automatically adjust the number of tiles it displays when you resize it.

The feature is currently available as a public preview and requires you to opt in. You can join the preview by opening the Google Home app > Settings > Public Preview > Join Public Preview. Once you're onboard, a public preview icon will appear across the Google Home mobile app and web version. Note that the Favorites widget only works on devices running Android 12 or later.

Google Home Favorites will also make its way to Wear OS 3+ smartwatches in the form of a tile and complication. The new shortcuts will let you quickly control your smart home devices with a single tap, for instance, unlocking the door or dimming the kitchen lights.

Expanding on the 'Tap to pay' functionality, Google Wallet now supports payments through PayPal for things like groceries, movie tickets, or public transit. The feature is available on Wear OS 3+ smartwatches in the US and Germany, Google said.

Android's digital car key feature now supports select MINI models, allowing users with Android 12 (or later) to unlock, lock, and start their vehicle using their phone and share digital keys with their friends or family. Support for digital car keys is also expanding to select Polestar and Mercedes-Benz models.

Source

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Feedback welcome and Likes very much appreciated.

Since then, Microsoft ditched the Bing Chat branding and decided to go with Copilot for its permanent chatbot AI name in November 2023. However, the Microsoft Launcher app continued to have the Bing icon in the launcher's search feature.

That finally changed today, Windows Central reports that people who signed up to beta test new versions of the Microsoft Launcher app got a new version today, which finally integrated Copilot into the app, fully replacing the older Bing Chat icon.

If you are signed up for the Microsoft Launcher beta, you can download the new version from the Google Play Store. The new version number is v6.240402.2.1139391. Windows Central says the change notes for the new beta version are as follows:

• Effortless Access: Copilot is now just a swipe away, ready to assist you with answers and content creation.
• Creative Power: Generate images and text directly from your mobile feed using simple words.
• Pro Performance: For our Copilot Pro users, enjoy a more responsive and swift interaction.

There's no word yet on when the Copilot features will be available for people who are not signed up for the Microsoft Launcher beta. Of course, Android users have already had access to Copilot with Microsoft's own stand-alone app which has been available in the Google Play Store since December 2023.

Windows Central points out that some of the Copilot Pro features that the stand alone app includes features like Vacation Planner, Cooking Assistant, Fitness Trainer, and Notebook are not currently available in the Microsoft Launcher app.

Source

You're welcome

The current generation of Apple iPads comes with an Apple logo positioned in such a way that it appears upright and vertical when the iPad is used in portrait orientation. However, iPads are often used in landscape orientation, especially with a keyboard attached.

This makes the Apple logo appear on its side, not fitting in with the aesthetics. According to one Apple employee, Apple may change the orientation of the Apple logo to landscape on future iPads. In a direct French translation, Apple employee Anderson, when asked about the landscape Apple logo, said, "I think it could change. We are thinking about it. The iPad has long been a product that is used in portrait mode, but we are using it more and more in landscape mode."

Apple has already moved the front camera to the longer right-side edge of the new iPad Pro and iPad Air models. This makes the front camera appear in the center when the iPad is used in landscape orientation with a keyboard.

Moreover, on the software side as well, Apple has shifted the Apple logo that shows up when you boot an iPad in landscape position instead of vertical position, starting with iPadOS 14.5, but only when a keyboard is connected. Now, according to Apple employees, Apple may be flexible on changing the Apple logo position on the hardware side as well.

Earlier, it was reported that repeat iPad buyers trust their old iPads and don't sell them as often. However, the new iPad Pro, which is currently the Geekbench single-core performance king, has tempted many to consider replacing their old iPads with a shiny new one.

Source: Numerama

Source

You're welcome

In his latest PowerOn newsletter for Bloomberg, noted Apple leaker Mark Gurman goes over some of the reported AI features that may be revealed as part of iOS 18. One of them will reportedly give iPhone owners a way to create custom emojis with generative AI. Gurman says the emojis will be made based on the texts that iPhone owners will make.

Previous unconfirmed reports claim that iOS 18 will have many more generative AI features, including the ability to transcribe and summarize meetings via Notes and Voice Memos. Another story says that AI features will be included in new versions of Safari, Siri, and other Apple apps and services.

Gurman previously reported that Apple's AI functions would run locally on an iPhone. Today's report has Gurman stating that while Apple will keep much of its AI features running on a smartphone, features that need more performance may have to connect to a cloud-based AI service.

In April, unconfirmed reports claimed that Apple was in talks with OpenAI to integrate its ChatGPT chatbot with iOS 18. Today, Gurman reports that an agreement has been made between Apple and OpenAI and that it will be revealed as part of WWDC that ChatGPT will be a part of the iOS 18 update.

However, Gurman also reports that the company is still in talks with Google on adding its Gemini chatbot as part of iOS 18 as well. He stated that while a deal could take place for that to happen, it may not be made in time for a WWDC announcement.

Finally, Gurman claims Apple is considering launching AI features in iOS 18 as a "preview", much like how Siri was branded as a beta when it first launched in 2011.

Source

You're welcome

Later, another set of iPhone 16 series dummy units gave a peek at how Apple may slim down the MagSafe components on the back of the phone. Besides, Apple is rumored to be using color-infused glass on standard iPhone 16 models. In the camera department, Apple is speculated to use a new coating technology to reduce the problem of lens flare.

Recently, we have reported that Apple's display partners will start producing the displays for the iPhone 16 series next month. The iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Pro models are projected to have a higher production volume among the entire lineup.

Now, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the powerhouse, iPhone 16 Pro Max could offer better battery life than its previous year's model. Reportedly, Apple will include battery cells with increased energy density, which will offer either longer battery life with the same size battery as previous models or similar battery life using a smaller battery. Earlier, it was reported that Apple could use bigger batteries in some of the iPhone 16 models.

Kuo added that the energy density (Wh/Kg) on the iPhone 16 Pro Max will increase, which "has the benefit of longer battery life with the same battery size or lower battery size with the same battery life." Moreover, Kuo says that for the first time, Apple will be using a stainless steel battery casing to avoid overheating the battery. He says,

Stainless steel is not as effective as aluminum in dissipating heat, but it is more robust and less susceptible to corrosion. The use of a stainless steel battery case also reduces the difficulty of removing the battery, which will help Apple comply with the European Union's requirements for mobile phone batteries' replaceability in the future.

It is reported that Sunway will be a major supplier of the stainless steel battery cases for the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. Kuo says that if this works, then a stainless steel battery casing could be adopted for the entire iPhone 17 lineup next year.

Source

In fact, the Galaxy Z Flip6 US variant has appeared on the Geekbench listings, not once but twice for GPU and CPU benchmarking tests. There were rumors that Samsung may opt for a twin-chip strategy for the Galaxy Z Flip6 and the Galaxy Z Fold6 due to increased component purchase costs.

This means that this year, we may see the Galaxy Z Flip6 and the Galaxy Z Fold6 in both Exynos and Snapdragon variants. It is reported that Samsung will use the Exynos 2400 SoC this year for its foldables in some regions.

Now, the latest report by The Elec claims that Samsung may bring thicker UTG (ultra-thin glass), reportedly going from 30 microns to 50 microns, to the Galaxy Z Flip6's display, specifically the folding screen. This will not allow for improved surface hardness and a lesser crease in the middle where the screen folds.

The prominent crease that appears in the Galaxy Z Flip phones has been a major flaw from Samsung. Even with multiple iterations of the Galaxy Z Flip phones, Samsung hasn't been quite able to fix the crease or at least make it less prominent.

On the other hand, its rivals such as Motorola and OPPO have already been able to achieve minimal creases in their flip phones. If the claims of the report are true, then the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip6 will have a tougher foldable screen, which is always a major concern for foldable phones.

In last year's Galaxy Z Flip5, the ultra-thin glass's curvature increased from 1.4R to 1.6R, where 1.6R refers to the degree of curvature for a circle with a radius of 1.6mm. The smaller the number, the more the display can be folded without breaking it, however, the degree of crease is inversely proportional to it.

The Korean news outlet also reports that the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip6 could continue with the Galaxy Z Flip5's hinge. However, we may see a change in the hinge with the Galaxy Z Flip7, and the flip phone could offer a new hinge and also a new "UTG structure" that will help reduce the display crease even further.

Source

The next version of Google’s mobile operating system—Android 15—is on the horizon, with a host of new features and improvements. Google promises productivity enhancements, better privacy and security, and smoother performance. There are also upgrades for foldable and larger-screen devices. Android 15 is only available as a beta for select devices right now, with the final release a few months away. But we have been trying it out, and these are our favorite new features so far.

Google officially dropped the dessert naming back with Android 10, but it still uses codenames internally. Android 14 was Upside Down Cake, and this year’s release is Vanilla Ice Cream.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com, full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

How to Download and Install Android 15

Google released the first beta of Android 15 in April, with further releases planned for May, June, and July, ahead of the final public rollout, likely in August or October. These releases enable developers to test the forthcoming version of Google’s mobile operating system, learn about the new features, and prepare their apps or games to work properly. They also give early adopters the chance to get a sneak peek at Android 15.

While the beta releases are more stable than developer previews, you may still encounter some bugs, and you need to jump through a few hoops to install them, so it’s not recommended for everyone. If you are keen to try it, you will need a Google Pixel phone (Pixel 6 or later) or a supported partner device (including select phones from Honor, Nothing, OnePlus, and Xiaomi). You have to sign up for the Android Beta Program. Most folks who sign up for the program will get the beta updates OTA (over-the-air) without wiping their phones, but you won’t be able to quit the beta program without a factory reset. Make sure to back up your Android phone first.

Updates usually pop up automatically, but you can always check whether you have the latest version in Settings > System > System update by tapping Check for update. Want to get off the beta and go back to Android 14? Go to Google's Android Beta page, scroll down to find your device, and hit Opt out. This will wipe all locally saved data, so back up your device first. You'll get an update prompt to go back to the older version.

Folks without a Pixel or supported partner device should watch their phone manufacturer's website, forums, or social media to learn when to expect Android 15.

Top New Android 15 Features

These are our favorite features and improvements so far, but we won’t know for sure what will make the final cut until Android 15 is released. You can learn more at Google’s developer site. And be sure to read our story on all the new features coming to Android and the Android ecosystem—including Wear OS, Android Auto, and Android TV—in this story here.

Private Space

Android 15 includes a new Private Space where you can keep sensitive apps separate from the rest of your phone. Whether you want to safeguard health data or your banking apps, Private Space keeps them safely behind a second layer of authentication, protected with the same password you use to unlock your device or an alternative PIN. When your Private Space is locked, apps are hidden from the recents view, notifications, settings, and other apps. You can wipe your private space completely too.

More Satellite Connectivity

Courtesy of Google

There’s a significant expansion for satellite connectivity in Android 15. Some RCS and SMS apps should now be able to send text messages via satellite (it was previously limited to emergency use). Google has also standardized the pop-ups and other user interface elements to make it clearer when you are connected via satellite.

Partial Screen Recording

Courtesy of Google

Instead of recording or sharing your entire screen, in Android 15, you can share an individual app without revealing the rest of your screen or incoming notifications. Logins and one-time passwords (OTPs) are automatically hidden from remote viewers. This is already available on Pixels, but now Google has baked it into Android.

Malicious App Blocking

Several updates in Android 15 make life tougher for malicious apps. They can no longer hide behind other apps by bringing them to the foreground or overlay themselves invisibly on top. There are also changes designed to prevent the exploitation of intents, which let you start an activity in another app by describing an action you'd like to perform, as they are often misused by malware. This is behind-the-scenes stuff to keep users safer.

App Archiving

Courtesy of Google

If you haven’t used an app or game for a while, you may be prompted to delete it, but what if you think you might use it again in the future? With app archiving in Android 15, you can offload most of the app by archiving it but keep your user settings or save data in games. The auto-archiving feature was announced last year, but Android 15 makes it a systemwide option, so folks can choose to auto-archive apps when storage is running low.

Better PDF Handling

Courtesy of Google

Trying to do anything with PDF files on your Android phone can be a pain, so the news that Google has built several PDF enhancements into Android 15 is welcome. PDFs should load more smoothly, and there is now support for password-protected files, annotations, form editing, and copy selection. Perhaps best of all, you can now search within PDF files.

Enhanced Fraud and Scam Protection

Courtesy of Google

There are several updates in Android 15 aimed squarely at thwarting fraudsters and scammers. Google will employ AI through Play Protect and on devices to scan for and flag suspicious behavior. Messages containing one-time passwords (OTPs), typically used in two-factor authentication, are now hidden from the notifications system, making it harder to intercept them. Restricted settings are also being expanded for side-loaded apps—ones that aren't downloaded through the Google Play Store.

Loudness Control

It can be jarring when you switch from one app to another and the volume suddenly booms. Thankfully, Android 15 introduces support for the CTA-2075 loudness standard. That means it will compare volume between apps, take into account the characteristics of your speakers, headphones, or earbuds, and intelligently adjust the audio to ensure no sudden jumps or drops.

Better Low-Light Camera

There are a couple of significant improvements for the camera app in Android 15. Firstly, Low Light Boost makes for better previews in low-light conditions, so you can frame your nighttime shots better and scan QR codes when light is limited. There are also new camera app options to give you finer control over the flash so you can adjust the intensity for both single flashes and continuous flashlight mode.

Taskbar Options

For Android tablets and folding phones, Google has changed the way the taskbar dock works. Initially, it was permanent, then it was transient, and now you can choose. This is handy for docked tablets where you might want a taskbar to always display, but it’s also nice to have the option to hide it. You can also pin your favorite split-screen app combinations. Android 15 allows apps to display edge-to-edge, so they can make more of the available screen real estate, even if there’s a taskbar or system bar at the bottom.

Better Battery Life

There are always tweaks and improvements to efficiency in Android updates that should have a positive impact on battery life, but with Android 15, Google is placing more checks on foreground services and clamping down on apps that keep running in an active state. Devices with a lot of RAM should also see faster app and camera launch times with lower power draw, thanks to support for larger page sizes.

Good Vibrations

Android 15 enables you to turn keyboard vibrations on or off systemwide, instead of having to dig into the keyboard settings. There’s a new toggle in Settings > Sound and vibration > Vibration and haptics, where you can also use sliders to adjust haptic intensity (this is something that's been available on select Android phones, but is now systemwide). The second beta also introduces rich vibrations, so folks can determine between different types of notifications without looking at the screen.

More Foldable Cover Screen Options

Some of the best folding phones automatically switch whatever action you're performing onto the cover screen when you fold them up, but Google is now integrating that choice into Android 15. If you prefer the cover screen to lock up when you fold, that will be an option too. There’s also more support for apps displaying on smaller cover screens with the more compact flip phone category.

More Health Connect Data

Health Connect started as an app to pull together all your health and fitness data from different devices and apps. It came preinstalled with Android 14, but Android 15 is adding two new data types: skin temperature (collected by wearables like the Oura ring and the Pixel Watch 2) as well as training plans—which can include completion goals for calories burned, distance, duration, repetition, and steps, but also performance goals around as many repetitions as possible (AMRAP), cadence, heart rate, power, perceived rate of exertion, and speed.

Enhanced Theft Protection

Courtesy of Google

Many of the new Android safeguards that Google is rolling out to deter thieves—such as automatic locking when someone snatches your phone, as well as remote lock options—will be coming to devices running Android 10 and up. But the update to factory reset protection, which stops thieves who force a reset of a stolen device from setting it up again without knowing your device or Google account credentials, is only in Android 15.

Source

Source

Now, the latest reports suggest that Google is rolling out the first software update for the Pixel 8a. The update quietly arrived for the Pixel 8a, amidst the flurry of announcements on Google I/O's first day. The update isn't heavy in size and weighs only 190MB, but it brings some expected set of improvements for the device.

Notably, the first Pixel 8a update brings the latest May 2024 security patch. This ensures that your Pixel 8a is protected and secured against the latest vulnerabilities. But what will catch your attention is the addition of a new AI feature to the Pixel 8a.

The update, as per Android Authority, brings a new AI-powered wallpaper generator for the Pixel 8a. The AI wallpaper generator feature was announced at last year's I/O event, and it was exclusive to the Pixel 8 series, i.e., the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro. It uses AI to create a unique set of wallpapers based on user-specified keywords and input.

The AI wallpaper generator, which has been exclusive to the flagship Pixel 8 series, is now available for the youngest sibling in the lineup, the Pixel 8a. Apparently, due to the partnership between Samsung and Google, Google did provide a customized version of the AI wallpaper generator to Samsung for the Galaxy S24 series.

Now, Pixel 8a users can use the feature, input the keywords, and other required information to generate AI-powered wallpapers and decorate their shiny new Pixel 8a. To download the update, head over to System > Software update.

Source

More importantly, your iPhone can now detect third-party Bluetooth trackers and send you a notification if they are moving alongside you so that you can know if someone is trying to track you with non-Apple-made accessories similar to AirTags, regardless of their platform.

The "Pride Radiance" wallpaper in iOS 17.5

What is new in iOS 17.5?

Here are the official release notes:

This update introduces a new Pride Radiance wallpaper for the Lock Screen, Apple News enhancements and other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPhone.

 

Apple News

 

• Offline mode in Apple News+ gives you access to the Today feed and News+ tab, even when you don’t have an internet connection
• Quartiles is a new and original daily word game that is now available in Apple News+
• Scoreboard in News+ Puzzles gives you access to new player data for Crossword, Mini Crossword and Quartiles, including stats and streaks

 

Tracking Notifications

 

• Cross-Platform Tracking Detection delivers notifications to users if a compatible Bluetooth tracker they do not own is moving with them, regardless of what operating system the device is paired with

iOS 17.5 is available on iPhone XS/Xr and newer and 2nd generation iPhone SE and newer. iPadOS 17.5 is compatible with iPad mini 5 and newer, iPad 6 and newer, iPad Air 3 and newer, 10.5-inch iPad Pro and newer, and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation) and newer.

You can update your Apple device by heading to Settings > General > Software update. Are you updating?

Source

Apple's upgraded stylus Pencil Pro is packed with sensors and gestures and there is a new official camera app called Final Cut Camera scheduled for a launch later this year. Not to mention, there was criticism around Apple's iPad Pro ad that made the company come forward and apologize publicly.

However, Apple also pulled the plug on a few things during the 'Let Loose event'. Let's have a look at the stuff that is not available on iPads anymore:

The Home button

Source: Apple

It is typical for Apple, or any other company, to discontinue older generation products when fresh ones arrive on the market. Apple's iPad refresh showed the 9th Generation iPad the way to the exit door this week.

It was a 10.2-inch tablet representing Apple's budget segment since 2021. What makes its departure significant is the 9th Generation iPad was the last model to continue the legacy of the original iPad design and the Home button.

The Home button was first introduced with the original iPhone in 2007 before making its way to the bigger screen, where its job was pretty much the same. It was a circular button with a square icon at the bottom of the device. Apple continued to improve the Home button's design and functionality over the years.

The company made the button more useful by adding Touch ID fingerprint recognition. Users could press the Home button once to go to the Home screen and double-press to open the app switcher, among various features.

However, it found no use on newer iPhones and iPads that replaced Touch ID with Face ID and much of the Home button's functionality with gesture navigation.

With the iPad, Apple started putting nails in the Home button's coffin in 2018 when it introduced the 3rd Generation iPad Pro. Its updated design didn't include any buttons on the front and added curves to the corners of its display.

Apple logo stickers

Apple has started phasing out the iconic stickers it has shipped with its products virtually forever. 9to5Mac, citing a memo supplied to Apple Stores, reports that retail boxes for the new iPad Air and iPad Pro won't include the Apple logo stickers.

The change marks the end of an era. Why? Apple Stickers have been there for over four decades, and their existence dates as early as the launch of Apple II in 1977. Back in the day, Apple used to ship rainbow-colored stickers with "Apple Computer" written at the bottom.

Apple is eliminating the stickers to make its packaging completely plastic-free and reach its environmental goals. For the desperate eyes, however, Apple will allow its store employees to give stickers to the buyers upon request. The stickers may not be available at other retailers such as Amazon or Best Buy, as per the report.

The dinosaur, again

Source: JuanMarcelFrancia/Pixabay

Apple faced backlash when it discontinued the iPhone's 3.5mm headphone jack in 2016. At the time, Apple VP Greg Joswiak defended the controversial decision by comparing the audio jack to a dinosaur.

"The audio connector is more than 100 years old. It had its last big innovation about 50 years ago. You know what that was? They made it smaller. It hasn’t been touched since then. It’s a dinosaur. It’s time to move on,” Joswiak told Buzzfeed News.

While Apple wanted extra room inside the iPhone to add more stuff, many people were unhappy with the decision. Note that 2016 was also the year when Apple introduced its wireless earbuds AirPods.

Apple has done it again with the discontinuation of the 9th Gen iPad, although, it was something waiting to happen sooner or later. None of the current iPad models featured on Apple's website include an audio jack anymore. If you have a wired headphone lying around, the USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter is your workaround.

The Lightning connector

Another piece of hardware you won't find on the current iPad lineup anymore is the Lightning connector, which was the default connector for years, including the 9th Generation iPad. Its removal from the iPad lineup is part of the ongoing process, where Apple is replacing its proprietary connector with USB-C (others are doing it too).

The European Union passed a new regulation forcing Apple to adopt USB-C as the common charging port. Since then, Apple has updated its iPhone 15 lineup with USB-C and several other products such as the AirPods Pro 2.

Lightning's history dates back to 2012 when the iPhone-maker replaced the legacy 30-pin connector with a new reversible one. Although there was an adapter for backward compatibility, Apple faced backlash because the new connector made life harder for people with accessories such as docks, speakers, and more.

Let us know in the comments, what you think about the new iPads.

Source

Source