This is a maintenance-focused release. It includes the monthly Android security patches along with a broad set of bug fixes that address battery drain, display problems, and input reliability. Google says users will receive a notification once the update is available for their device.

What's fixed in the January 2026 Pixel update

One of the most notable fixes targets abnormal battery drain reported under certain conditions. Display-related issues are also addressed, including Always-On Display flickering and visual artifacts when editing HDR photos in Adobe Lightroom on newer Pixel models.

Additional fixes include improved GPU performance in specific scenarios, a solution for touchscreen input randomly stopping, and a UI issue where deleting a Live Universe wallpaper could leave the Wallpaper & style app unusable until reboot.

Audio fixes are included as well, resolving noisy ringback tones during Webex calls on affected devices.

Device-specific availability

Not every fix applies to every Pixel. Some changes are limited to newer models, particularly the Pixel 10 lineup, while others extend back to devices such as the Pixel 7a, Pixel 8 series, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet. Google notes that some fixes may also be region- or carrier-dependent.

Details of the security vulnerabilities addressed in this update have not yet been published. Google says they will be listed in the Pixel Security Bulletin once available.

Users who have paused updates may need to manually check for the January 2026 release in system settings to receive the fixes.

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Posted Wednesday 14 January 2026 at 3:59 am AEST (my time).

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Until now, Apple has been using its own AI model for Siri, but its performance has been subpar compared to the likes of GPT, Gemini, or even Copilot.

Now, Apple and Google have entered into a multi-year collaboration. As part of this partnership, future versions of Siri will use Gemini models.

In addition, Foundation Models will be based on Google's Gemini models and hosted on Google's cloud platform.

"These models will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized Siri coming this year," Google noted in a press release.

"After careful evaluation, Apple determined that Google's AI technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models and is excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for Apple users."

Apple says that Apple Intelligence will run on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute, and the company's long-standing privacy commitment is not being compromised.

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Posted Tuesday 13 January 2026 at 3:50 am AEST (my time).

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It’s January, which means there’s a whole year of rectangular glass slabs ahead of us. But before that happens, I managed to find phones of a different shape lurking around the corners of the CES convention center halls. They weren’t center stage, of course. That was reserved for robots doing laundry badly. But in the margins at tech’s biggest show, I saw some glimmers of hope that the future of phones might not look as same-y as it has for the past half decade — at least, if you know where to look.

Gotta be this green color.

 

Clicks, the company known for its keyboard cases, didn’t just launch a combination MagSafe power bank and slide-out keyboard accessory. It also launched a whole-ass phone. The Communicator leans hard into Clicks’ BlackBerry DNA, with its full keyboard and Curve-esque design. The prototype units I got to play with weren’t functional, but the keyboard keys worked, and boy did they feel nice. The interchangeable back panels are sleek, and I’m personally campaigning for a fuzzy tennis ball optic yellow option.

The swappable back panels are a neat touch.

The Communicator isn’t necessarily trying to put your main smartphone out of a job. Its creators envision it as a companion to your daily driver, something you leave the house with when typing out an email is going to be your focus more than scrolling through a feed of vertical videos. You know, like when you’re running between meetings at a convention for four days. But you don’t have to use it that way; Clicks cofounder and marketing lead Jeff Gadway told me that they’ve been surprised by the number of people expressing interest in the phone as a primary device. And you know what? Those people might be on to something.

You gotta admit this is cool.

 

I need to tip my hat to Ben Sin for putting the MindOne Pro on my radar. It was easy to miss on the show floor; Ikko’s booth was in the farthest reaches of Central Hall past a concession stand selling questionable meatball sandwiches. But find it I did, and once I had it in hand I didn’t want to let this little phone go. It’s a full-featured Android phone with a square format, 4-inch screen, and 50-megapixel rear camera that rotates upward for selfies. The camera even acts as a kickstand if you want to prop the phone up! What a concept. I put the MindOne Pro in my pocket, and after a couple of weeks carrying the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, it felt light as a feather.

I’d never heard of Ikko, which apparently got its start making earbuds. Still, I’m a little wary of a phone maker when I’m unsure of its track record for providing software updates and being good stewards of your personal data. The MindOne Pro actually comes with a second OS installed: a proprietary OS that centers around AI apps. These AI features also come with free global data so you can use them even if you’re away from your home network. The company’s Kickstarter page mentions that you can preorder the phone and have it shipped without the Ikko OS, only Android, which is an appealing option if you’re interested in the small phone aspect and not all the rest. I’m hoping to test it out soon, so stay tuned for more.

Part-time tablet.

 

The TriFold wasn’t even on the main show floor, but its presence at the show loomed almost as large as its 10-inch display. And in fairness, it is a rectangular glass slab. It just unfolds into a much bigger slab. I spent almost all of the time I was allotted with it using it unfolded — rearranging windows in DeX standalone mode, displaying three vertical video feeds side by side, and turning the whole thing sideways and scrolling through our homepage, which is surprisingly awesome. I’m not a tablet guy usually, but the versatility and promise of the TriFold makes me wonder if I could embrace that lifestyle if it meant I could get away with leaving my MacBook at home more often. I intend to test this theory as soon as I can.

There were other unusual phones about and some more familiar-looking shapes, but these three stand out to me as different ways to approach the same problem: Our phones are great, but they don’t quite work for us all the time. What if they weren’t so intrusive? What if they came with a keyboard? What if they were also a tablet that could also be your computer? Wouldn’t that be something? The rectangular slabs are incredible pieces of tech, and most people are probably just fine with that status quo. But for those of us asking for something else, I’m glad there are companies willing to try something shaped a bit differently.

Photography by Allison Johnson / The Verge

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Posted Monday 12 January 2026 at 5:04 am AEST (my time).

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In a support document, Microsoft has noted that Microsoft Lens for Android and iOS is retired as of January 9, 2026. It will no longer be supported after February 9, at which point it will also be removed from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. That said, users will be able to continue scanning documents until March 9, after which they will not be able to create new scans, but still be able to access their previous scans through the last active Microsoft account that they signed in from.

As Microsoft kills off Microsoft Lens in a phased manner, it has recommended customers to use OneDrive for scanning documents moving forward. The cloud sharing service contains an integrated scanner that can be accessed via the "+" icon at the bottom of the app's display. Do note, however, that OneDrive does not support saving scans locally; they will be stored in your cloud repository.

The currently recommended alternative is rather interesting, because last year, Microsoft had suggested using the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, where it would be investing most of its efforts in terms of adding new features. Regardless, it's clear that the Redmond firm believes that Microsoft Lens has served its purpose, and that similar or better capabilities are now available in other first-party services too. That said, keep in mind that while Microsoft Lens will be removed from app stores in March, it will continue to remain accessible on devices where it is already installed.

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Posted Sunday 11 January 2026 at 6:01 pm AEST (my time).

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It's a big leap from the old Settings page, which looked as if Google used it as a dumping ground to add whatever options and controls it has for Google Maps in a long list. Thankfully, that's no longer the case; the updated settings page categorizes Google Maps settings in the following:

• App & display for settings related to themes, map controls, and accessibility
• Navigation for settings related to driving, walking, and public transport
• Your vehicles for settings related to engine type and connected vehicles
• Location & privacy for settings related to Timeline, Maps history, and profile
• Offline maps for download options and updates to existing maps.
• Notifications to manage reminders and recommendations

You can access these options on Google Maps for Android by tapping on the profile picture icon in the top-right corner, then scrolling down and tapping "Settings."

The redesigned Settings page was spotted by 9to5Google, which notes that the user interface now resembles that of the Google app, with settings aligned to the left and an "x" in the top-right corner to close the menus.

While the sub-menus for Your Vehicles, Navigation, and Offline maps are largely unchanged, you might notice differences in others. The new Google Maps changes are rolling out as part of version 25.9 in the stable channel via a server-side update and have not yet become widely available, according to the publication.

The redesigned Settings page is also rolling out to Google Maps for iOS, looking almost the same as its Android sibling. However, it might not be as significant in fixing the clutter as iOS already has a comparatively cleaner user interface.

Image via DepositPhotos.com

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Posted Sunday 11 January 2026 at 5:25 am AEST (my time).

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However, it doesn't seem to be the case with iOS 26, at least according to third-party data from StatCounter. The analytics firm published its worldwide market share numbers for different iOS versions in January 2026, revealing that iOS 26 has a combined market share of about 15%, including iOS 26.1 (10.59%) and iOS 26.2 (4.48%).

It's a sharp decline from last year, when the combined market share for the iOS 18 update was around 63% in January 2025. This was corroborated by Apple's own device usage data for iOS 18, which revealed that the update was running on 67% of all supported devices in the same month.

It has been a typical trend for iOS updates to reach at least three out of four supported iPhones after a few months of release. Moreover, Apple achieves an adoption rate of about 90% around June each year.

But iOS 26 differs from recent updates because of the Liquid Glass design language. It's Apple's biggest design overhaul in years, which has been rolled out across all its operating systems.

Liquid Glass brings a fresh coat of paint with glass-like, translucent UI elements that mimic how glass would behave in real life when placed on top of different materials. Liquid Gass didn't become a fan favorite and received mixed feedback from users, which could be one reason for the reduced adoption. Apple has made improvements to Liquid Glass over incremental updates.

On the other hand, the security-focused iOS 18.7 currently has the highest market share of 33.83%, followed by iOS 18.6 with 24.23%, according to StatCounter. Apple has yet to publish its official data for the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 updates. So, it remains to be seen how much difference will be visible between the third-party and official numbers.

In your free time, you can read about our guide covering 33 small and useful iOS 26 features and our comprehensive roundup of everything Apple released in 2025.

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Posted Saturday 10 January 2026 at 6:07 am AEST (my time).

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Motorola is no stranger to foldables, having revived the Razr as a flip-style foldable phone in 2020. Now that it has a few iterations of modern flip phones under its belt, Moto is embarking on a new challenge: big foldables. The new (and thoroughly leaked) Motorola Razr Fold is a book-style foldable like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Google’s Pixel Fold lines, offering a smartphone-sized external display with a big foldable panel inside.

Motorola is taking the opportunity to reveal the phone at CES, but it’s far from ready for launch. Currently, Motorola is aiming to release the Razr Fold this coming summer for an unknown amount of money—Motorola won’t confirm pricing or really much of anything about the Razr Fold at this time.

What we do know is the device will be about as big as other large foldable phones, featuring a 6.6-inch external display and an 8.1-inch internal one. Moto says the main foldable OLED panel will have a 2K resolution, which means roughly 2,000 pixels tall. Again, this is similar to existing foldables.

The Razr Fold will be compatible with the new Moto Pen Ultra, an active stylus designed with the Fold in mind. This will at least set the Razr Fold apart from the competition. Samsung supported the S Pen stylus on several generations of its Z Fold line, but that ended with 2025’s Galaxy Z Fold 7. Moto will integrate stylus support in its stock apps, but there’s no word on third-party support, which was always the S Pen’s downfall.

We’re still months out from any firm release details, so it’s not surprising that Moto is playing this one close to the chest. One of the few things Moto is willing to talk about is the camera setup, probably because it feels the comparison between the Razr Fold and similar devices will be flattering. And it is… kind of.

The Razr Fold will have a triple 50MP camera system. Some foldable devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 have flagship-level main sensors, but the others are a big step down due to space constraints. Motorola will use a 50MP Sony Lytia sensor for the primary, along with a 50MP ultrawide (with macro) and a 50MP 3x telephoto. The camera module adds a fair bit of chunk to the back panel—it looks to almost double the thickness of the phone in that area, but Moto has not released official measurements to confirm that.

AI-infused software, because of course

Motorola is offering a few hints about how the software on this phone will work, but unsurprisingly, there’s a lot we don’t know. For instance, it’s launching in the summer, so does that mean it will run Android 17? Google changed the release schedule in 2025 to account for the glut of new Android devices that launch each summer.

We are also told the Razr Fold’s software will take advantage of the form factor with “flexible layouts, “adaptive interfaces,” and “multitasking enhancements.” The company declined to elaborate on how any of those will work. Motorola will continue offering AI features like Catch Me Up and Pay Attention, but they’re joined by a new AI experience called Qira, which the company says will be accessible across both Motorola and Lenovo devices.

The idea is that Qira remembers your context from other devices, allowing you to take action across apps, create documents, and get supposedly useful reminders. Qira will launch on Lenovo laptops soon, with Motorola phones in the Edge and Razr family soon after. The new AI platform, which relies on technology from the likes of Microsoft and Perplexity, will be available on the Razr Fold at launch.

We also have no idea what Motorola will charge for this phone. Most book-style foldables retail for around $2,000, and the components that go into these phones are not getting cheaper. In fact, many of them could be getting much more expensive in 2026. When pressed, Motorola refuses to even offer a ballpark estimate of MSRP. We should get more details on the Razr Fold specs and pricing as the summer launch window approaches.

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Posted Wednesday 7 January 2026 at 1:19 pm AEST (my time).

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Chinese leaker Smart Pikachu on Weibo has now shared fresh information about the upcoming iPhone 17e. According to the leaker, Apple is preparing to begin mass production of the iPhone 17e this month. This report aligns with earlier information suggesting that Apple will kick off its 2026 product launch cycle with the iPhone 17e, alongside several refreshed iPad models.

All in all, we can expect the iPhone 17e to launch this spring. Last year’s iPhone 16e was released in late February. Smart Pikachu also said iPhone 17e gets a downclocked A19 chip.

However, the Chinese leaker also suggests that the iPhone 17e may feature Dynamic Island instead of a notch. This change would help Apple narrow the experience gap between its budget-friendly and premium iPhone models.

Another Chinese leaker, Digital Chat Station, echoed this claim in August last year, stating that Apple’s cheapest iPhone could launch with Dynamic Island and A19 chip. That said, these claims should still be taken with a pinch of salt.

The Korean outlet The Elec previously reported that the iPhone 17e would use the same OLED panels as the iPhone 16e, with slimmer bezels being the only difference. Since the iPhone 17e is a budget-friendly model, opting for slimmer bezels rather than Dynamic Island seems more likely, as it would help Apple better differentiate its affordable and premium iPhone lineups.

As for the screen size, the iPhone 17e is expected to feature a 6.1-inch OLED display. Smart Pikachu says Apple is keeping the refresh rate at 60Hz to help keep the price down.

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Posted Wednesday 7 January 2026 at 6:23 am AEST (my time).

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There are two changes in the January 2026 update for Telegram: visuals and AI. Starting with visuals, the messenger went full Liquid Glass on iOS/iPadOS 26, and received a lot of various glass-looking elements, fancy animations, and more. Telegram has already had some Liquid Glass elements before the latest update, and now, there are even more. The new design takes some time to get used to, but it makes the messenger look more at home on iOS 26.

The final part of the update is AI, and even such privacy-focused services like Telegram are not immune to it. With the latest feature update, Telegram can generate summaries of long posts in channels. AI-powered summaries also work in Instant View. Telegram says that the feature is powered by Cocoon, "a decentralized network designed to maximize privacy," and each summary request is encrypted to protect user data.

2025 has been rich in Telegram updates, with the messenger receiving 13 big updates and 75 new features. The Liquid Glass update was supposed to be the 14th update, but it arrived later because, as Telegram puts it, "Apple reviewers take holidays too seriously." Some of the latest additions include passkey support, live stories, music in profiles, checklists, gift auctions, and more. You can read more about the latest Telegram update in a post on the official website here.

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Posted Monday 5 January 2026 at 4:42 am AEST (my time).

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Image: Evan Blass

The Motorola Razr Fold is reportedly coming soon, according to prolific leaker Evan Blass. Details are scant at the moment. All the info we have is based on a single slide from a marketing deck that talks up the Fold’s camera system and displays, and squeezes in a mention of AI for good measure before proclaiming that it will set a “new standard for what’s possible in a foldable device.”

While we don’t have any specs for the Razr Fold, there’s very little we don’t know about the upcoming Motorola Signature, the company’s new non-folding flagship. Originally leaked as the Motorola Edge 70 Ultra, the rebranded Signature will pack three 50-MP camera sensors, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC, and either 12GB or 16GB RAM, depending on the configuration.

While it won’t quite reach iPhone Air levels of svelteness, the Signature will still be plenty thin and light at just 6.99mm and 186g. Add to that a 6.8-inch “Extreme AMOLED” screen, a 5,200mAh battery, 90W TurboPower wired charging, and 50W TurboPower wireless charging, and you’ve got a solid-seeming package. Any questions left unanswered should be resolved when the Motorola Signature officially launches on January 7th.

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Posted Monday 5 January 2026 at 4:41 am AEST (my time).

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"Word on the street is that Apple Fitness+ has big plans for 2026... stay tuned!" Apple said. The cryptic teaser shows people reading a fictional "Apple Fitness+ Times" newspaper, featuring different headlines:

• What's Apple Fitness+ Planning for the New Year?
• Something Big is coming to Apple Fitness+
• The Countdown begins. Apple Fitness+ 2026 is almost here.
• 2026 Plans still under wraps - for now.

The teaser also says that "Experts predict January will be one to watch," suggesting that new Fitness+ updates will arrive as early as next month, with new capabilities in tow for the Apple Watch. It won't be new for Apple as the company released new Apple Fitness+ features in January 2025, followed by 90+ Apple devices, software updates, and other announcements throughout the year.

Fitness+ has been around for five years and saw its largest expansion this month, when it arrived in 28 new markets globally, including Chile, Hong Kong, India, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Taiwan.

As per previous rumors, Apple allegedly wants to "replicate" your doctor with an AI agent. Its revamped Health app and AI agent will combine health data from different Apple devices (such as iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods) to generate personalized health recommendations.

The company also ran an Apple Health Study focusing on how mobile devices can help improve physical and mental health and explore connections across different areas of health. Speaking of AI, Apple's in-house voice assistant Siri, which is due for a major AI overhaul, is expected to get upgraded with iOS 26.4.

However, it's not clear at the moment whether the teaser is directly related to Apple's unreleased AI agent. The company usually unveils major updates for its products and services at the WWDC developer event in June, when it announces new versions of its operating systems. Let's wait and see what's store for Apple Fitness+.

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Posted Thursday 1 January 2026 at 4:15 am AEST (my time).

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SIM cards, the small slips of plastic that have held your mobile subscriber information since time immemorial, are on the verge of extinction. In an effort to save space for other components, device makers are finally dropping the SIM slot, and Google is the latest to move to embedded SIMs with the Pixel 10 series. After long avoiding eSIM, I had no choice but to take the plunge when the time came to review Google’s new phones. And boy, do I regret it.

The journey to eSIM

SIM cards have existed in some form since the ’90s. Back then, they were credit card-sized chunks of plastic that occupied a lot of space inside the clunky phones of the era. They slimmed down over time, going through the miniSIM, microSIM, and finally nanoSIM eras. A modern nanoSIM is about the size of your pinky nail, but space is at a premium inside smartphones. Enter, eSIM.

The eSIM standard was introduced in 2016, slowly gaining support as a secondary option in smartphones. Rather than holding your phone number on a removable card, an eSIM is a programmable, non-removable component soldered to the circuit board. This allows you to store multiple SIMs and swap between them in software, and no one can swipe your SIM card from the phone. They also take up half as much space compared to a removable card, which is why OEMs have begun dropping the physical slot.

Apple was the first major smartphone maker to force the use of eSIM with the release of the iPhone 14, and it makes use of that space. The international iPhone 17 with a SIM card slot has a smaller battery than the eSIM-only version, but the difference is only about 8 percent. Google didn’t make the jump until this year with the Pixel 10 series—the US models are eSIM-only, but they unfortunately don’t have more of anything compared to the international versions.

In advance of the shift, Android got system-level support for downloading and transferring eSIMs. But whatever can go wrong will go wrong, and it’s extremely annoying when eSIM goes wrong.

Please hold for support

There have been times when I swapped between phones on an almost daily basis—such was the nature of reviewing phones back when there were a dozen of them coming out every month. Never once in all those countless device swaps did I have a problem with my SIM card. As such, I managed to avoid contacting carrier support for years at a time.

In the three months since Google forced me to give up my physical SIM card, I’ve only needed to move my eSIM occasionally. Still, my phone number has ended up stuck in limbo on two occasions. Android’s built-in tools work better than they used to, and I can’t say what is responsible for the eSIM corruption. However, carriers bear the responsibility for how annoying this is to fix.

The first time, I was logged in to the mobile app for my carrier (T-Mobile). After a few minutes of back and forth with support, I was able to use the app to authenticate and get a new eSIM pushed to the phone. It was annoying but relatively painless. The second time a SIM transfer went sideways, I was not logged in to the app, and that was a problem.

When a mobile carrier needs to verify your identity for an account change, they all do the same thing: send a text message. And what happens if you don’t have a working SIM? That’s right—nothing. Without access to my account or phone number, I was stuck with no way to download a new eSIM. The only course of action was to go to a physical store to download an electronic SIM card. What should have been 30 seconds of fiddling with a piece of plastic turned into an hour standing around a retail storefront.

Maybe this isn’t a good idea

Many people have had the same phone number for years—even decades at this point. These numbers aren’t just a way for people to get in touch because, stupidly, we have also settled on phone numbers as a means of authentication. Banks, messaging apps, crypto exchanges, this very website’s publishing platform, and even the carriers managing your number rely on SMS multifactor codes. And those codes aren’t even very secure.

So losing access to your phone number doesn’t just lock you out of your phone. Key parts of your digital life can also become inaccessible, and that could happen more often now due to the fungible nature of eSIMs.

Most people won’t need to move their phone number very often, but the risk that your eSIM goes up in smoke when you do is very real. Compare that to a physical SIM card, which will virtually never fail unless you damage the card. Swapping that tiny bit of plastic takes a few seconds, and it never requires you to sit on hold with your carrier’s support agents or drive to a store. In short, a physical SIM is essentially foolproof, and eSIM is not.

Obviously, the solution is not to remove multifactor authentication—your phone number is, unfortunately, too important to be unguarded. However, carriers’ use of SMS to control account access is self-defeating and virtually guarantees people are going to have bad experiences in the era of eSIM. Enshittification has truly come for SIM cards.

If this future is inevitable, there ought to be a better way to confirm account ownership when your eSIM glitches. It doesn’t matter what that is as long as SMS isn’t the default. Google actually gets this right with Fi. You can download an eSIM at any time via the Fi app, and it’s secured with the same settings as your Google account. That’s really as good as it gets for consumer security. Between Google Authenticator, passkeys, and push notifications, it’s pretty hard to get locked out of Google, even if you take advantage of advanced security features.

We gave up the headphone jack. We gave up the microSD card. Is all this worthwhile to boost battery capacity by 8 percent? That’s a tough sell.

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Posted Tuesday 30 December 2025 at 4:27 am AEST (my time).

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For starters, the tech giants will offer an alternative in-app billing system for developers and present user-choice screens for browsers and search engines, prompting Android and iOS users to choose their preferred option. The new MSCA changes are part of the iOS 26.2 update in Apple's case.

Google has long allowed users to install third-party apps on their Android devices; however, some of Google's recent actions were seen as a major blow to app sideloading. MSCA has opened the gates for iOS developers to distribute apps through alternative marketplaces and process app payments outside of Apple In-App Purchase.

This is in line with the EU's Digital Markets Act, which forced Apple to allow app sideloading and third-party app stores in the region. However, both companies stressed that switching to third-party payment systems and marketplaces could introduce security risks, malware, fraud, scams, and privacy issues.

While the Cupertino giant is allowing authorized alternative app marketplaces, the apps published on these portals won't go through the App Review process. Apple has introduced Notarization for iOS apps distributed outside of the App Store to help protect kids from inappropriate content and scams.

This notarization is a baseline review involving automated checks and human review "that applies to all iOS apps and focuses on basic functionality and protecting users from serious threats," Apple said.

The company added that it won't be able process refunds for apps relying on alternative payment processing. A user's App Store history will only show digital purchases and subscriptions made through Apple's in-app purchase platform.

The iPhone-maker has prevented people from losing over $9 billion due to fraudulent transactions over the last five years and has rejected millions of app review submissions that fail to meet guidelines.

However, having tight control over the app ecosystem for one of the biggest smartphones on the market has its consequences. Time and again, Apple and Google face heat from app developers and competition authorities over app payment commissions and alleged monopolies.

That said, Apple will still charge developers a commission for apps on the App Store that use third-party payment systems or external websites. Similar is the case of Google, which will charge a Play Service Fees for external transactions.

Apple will charge a 5% Core Technology Commission (CTC) for apps distributed outside of the App Store "on the sale of digital goods and services, including paid apps." CTC differs slightly from the Core Technology Fee (CTF) that Apple has implemented in the EU.

You can read about Apple's and Google's MSCA changes in detail on their respective blogs.

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Posted Thursday 18 December 2025 at 5:59 pm AEST (my time).

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According to a new report by The Economic Times, citing people familiar with the matter, Apple has begun negotiations with Indian chip manufacturers to shift part of iPhone chip assembly and packaging to India.

The website claims that “exploratory” talks are ongoing between Apple and Indian semiconductor firm CG Semi. The company is reportedly building a semiconductor assembly and testing (OSAT) facility in Sanand, Gujarat.

The report adds that the companies are still at the “very initial stages of discussion,” and that it remains unclear which chips would be packaged at the Sanand facility at this stage, though display chips are seen as the most likely candidates.

CG Semi is not as well-known in the semiconductor market as giants such as TSMC or AMD and has so far remained relatively obscure. The Economic Times described the situation as the “beginning of an uphill climb for CG Semi,” noting that if the deal materializes, the company will first need to meet Apple’s stringent quality standards. Apple is reportedly in talks with several other companies to diversify its supply chain.

iPhone display panels are currently supplied by Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOE, while display driver integrated circuit (DDIC) suppliers include Samsung, Novatek, Himax, and LX Semicon. These companies rely on chip fabrication and packaging facilities located in South Korea, Taiwan, and China.

Assembling and packaging iPhone chips is certainly more complex than assembling iPhone units. It remains to be seen if India's semiconductor firms can win Apple’s confidence.

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Posted Thursday 18 December 2025 at 4:27 am AEST (my time).

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According to the market intelligence firm's revised forecast report, global smartphone shipments in 2026 are expected to shrink by 2.1% due to rising memory costs, with Chinese device makers taking the biggest hit.

Counterpoint said that "this 2.1% decline translates into a 2.6%pt downward revision in our 2026 forecast, with key Chinese OEMs like HONOR, OPPO and vivo seeing the biggest deltas from previous estimates."

While the impact will be felt broadly, the low-end segment (below $200) will be impacted the most. Rising DRAM prices have already pushed the Bill of Materials (BoM) costs for the low-, mid-, and high-end segments by about 25%, 15%, and 10%, respectively. The firm expects the costs to rise further by around 10%-15% through the second quarter of 2026.

Device makers will try to avoid the situation by adjusting their prices and restructuring their portfolios. As a result, the average selling prices (ASPs) in 2026 are expected to increase by 6.9%, up from the 3.9% prediction from September.

Those who don't "have as much wiggle room to manage market share versus profit margins" could resort to different strategies, such as downgrading specifications, reusing old components, and pushing users towards pricier premium smartphones.

The firm's senior analyst, Yang Wang, said that steep price hikes are not sustainable in the low price band, adding that the OEMs will have to trim parts of their portfolios if "cost pass-through isn’t possible."

Counterpoint's stance echoes a recent report from TrendForce, which said that smartphones released in 2026 would feature less RAM due to rising memory costs, leading to a rise in 4GB RAM models and a significant blow to pricier 16GB RAM models.

Apple and Samsung, estimated to own 19% of the global market share each in 2026, are expected to take a fall of around 2% in their shipments. However, they are strong enough to withstand the storm over the next few quarters, according to the firm.

iPhone is already among the priciest smartphones out on the market; it crossed the $900 global average selling price earlier this year. It remains to be seen whether the stickiness of Apple's ecosystem will help the company navigate the rough waters next year.

Image via DepositPhotos.com

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Posted Wednesday 17 December 2025 at 5:18 am AEST (my time).

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High-end devices face significant price pressure, with industry-wide adjustments expected by mid-2026.

The future of smartphones is being heavily impacted by the ongoing DRAM shortages, with smartphone makers reportedly set to reintroduce 4GB smartphones in the future... as well as the return of the microSD card slot for (hopefully slightly cheaper) storage expansion.

In a new report from TrendForce, memory prices are projected to rise "sharply again" in Q1 2026, exerting "significant cost pressure on global end-device manufacturers".

Smartphone and notebook makers are compelled to increase their product prices and reduce, yes, reduce specifications.

TrendForce notes that memory is increasingly accounting for a larger share of the BOM (bill of material) costs in consumer devices like smartphones and PCs, where we've seen giants like Dell tell its staff that huge price increases on their laptops and desktop PCs are coming... and they aren't, and won't be, the only ones.

Apple has massive profitability, and the memory components in the total BOM for the iPhone are expected to "significantly increase" in Q1 2026, so much so that it could see Apple completely reevaluate its pricing strategies for

new iPhones and consider either removing, or removing price cuts on older iPhones.

On the Android side of things, smartphone makers aiming at the mid-to-low-end segments, where RAM is a crucial marketing differentiator and a significant part of the BOM, rising DRAM costs will push them to raise the launch prices of new smartphones in 2026. Not only that, but these companies will also need to change the pricing or lifecycle of existing models in order to minimize losses.

On the high-end and mid-range smartphones, DRAM capacities are expected to be cut down to minimum standards, which will slow down upgrade cycles. The most affected smartphones will be the lower-end handsets, where base models are expected to see a return of 4GB in 2026.

TrendForce also noted that rising memory costs will force notebook makers to adjust their product portfolios, procurement strategies, and regional sales strategies.

High-end ultra-thin notebooks that have mobile DRAM soldered directly onto the motherboard can't reduce costs by lowering specifications or replacing modes, with these models having stricter design limitations, making this segment the most prone to experiencing early, and "significant price pressure".

On the consumer notebook side of things, demand "remains quite responsive" to shifts in specifications and pricing, reports TrendForce, but they note that current stock levels of finished goods and inexpensive memory "help safeguard short-term profits". While prices might stay stable for now, medium- and long-term adjustments, such as lowering specification or raising prices are "inevitable".

TrendForce says that more significant price fluctuations in the PC market are coming by Q2 2026... which is right in time for Computex 2026.

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While you might be busy downloading iOS 26.2, what better time is there to talk about the iOS 26 features overall? The Liquid Glass design language and other major features steal the limelight, but there are several small and useful iOS 26 features you should know about.

Here's a roundup of numerous such features and changes you can find on iOS 26:

Note: These features are not arranged in any order of preference.

1. Swipe from anywhere on the screen to go back

For years, you have swiped from the left edge of the screen to go back to the previous page or menu on iOS. Apple has made things a bit easier, and now you can swipe left to right anywhere on the screen to go back, such as in the Settings app. However, this gesture may not work everywhere.

2. The alarm button of your dreams

Apple is done with the tiny Stop button for alarms. iOS 26 comes with revamped Stop and Snooze buttons that are big enough to see from your dreams. The Stop button also features a Lock Screen-style slider that makes it a bit harder to cancel the alarm during those sleepy mornings.

3. Set Snooze duration

You can also set the snooze duration for each alarm in the Alarms section. The snooze window can range from one to 15 minutes, depending on your preference. You can set the snooze duration while creating a new alarm or tapping an existing one.

4. Use AirPods to take pictures

Maybe your phone is mounted on a tripod, or you're on a solo trip with no one else to take photos. If you own a pair of AirPods, iOS 26 turns your wireless earbuds into a camera remote to take images and record videos from a distance.

The feature works with AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods 4. You can go to Settings > Tap on your AirPods name > Camera Remote, and choose whether you want to use "Press Once" or "Press and Hold" the AirPods stem to trigger the shutter button.

5. Restore your iPhone without a Mac or PC

iPhone is getting more independent of Mac and PC with each iOS update. It can already store everything in the cloud, and with iOS 26, Apple has added a new feature that lets you restore your iPhone using another iPhone or iPad running iOS 18/iPadOS 18 or later version.

According to a support document, when your device (in recovery mode and connected to a power source) is placed near another device (unlocked and connected to Wi-Fi), you should see a "Restore Nearby [device]" message. Follow the steps to pair the devices and finish the restore process.

This feature is supported on the following devices, including iPads:

• iPhone 17 series, iPhone Air, iPhone 16 series, iPhone 16e, iPhone 15 Pro models
• iPad Pro M5/M4 models
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch 6th/5th generations, iPad Pro 11-inch 4th/3rd generations
• iPad Air M3/M2 models, iPad Air 5th generation, iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad (A16)

6. Pinned Music in Apple Music

If your Apple Music library is stuffed with too many songs and albums, you can pin your favorite music to the top of the screen for quick access. This is similar to pinning your favorite contacts to the top of the Phone app.

You can also choose what happens to a pinned item when you tap it. You can configure it to open a playlist page, start songs in shuffle, or play them in order. Top and hold a playlist/artist page/album, then select the Pin Playlist/Pin Artist/Pin Album from the drop-down menu.

7. Lyrics Translation in Apple Music

Apple Music now offers Lyrics Translation for songs that are not in your native language. You can understand what the lyrics mean and how the words are pronounced. You'll find the Translations and Pronunciation button after you open the lyrics for a song in Apple Music.

Depending on the song, you can see the translated lyrics, see their phonetic pronunciation, and find an option to hide the original lyrics. The Lyrics Translation feature currently supports a limited number of song translations in the following language pairs: English to Chinese (Simplified), English to Japanese, English to Korean, Spanish to English, Korean to English, and Korean to Japanese.

Meanwhile, pronunciation support is available for select songs in the following scripts: Japanese to Romanized, Korean to Romanized, Punjabi to Romanized, Hindi to Romanized, Korean to Katakana, Cantonese to Jyutping, Chinese (Simplified) to Pinyin, and Chinese (Traditional) to Pinyin.

8. Lens cleaning hints

On iOS 26, iPhone can detect a dirty camera lens and display a message asking you to clean it to get the clearest possible photo. You can disable Lens Cleaning Hints by going to Settings > Camera, then turning off the toggle labeled "Lens Cleaning."

9. Estimated Time to Charge

After you connect a charger, the Lock Screen starts showing the estimated time to charge the battery to 80% capacity. You can get a better idea about the charging estimates by going to Settings > Battery. Here, you'll see a progress bar showing the estimated time to fast-charge to 80%, then trickle-charge to full capacity.

10. Convert 2D images into their 3D self

A party trick Apple has baked into iOS 26 is Spatial Scenes, a new feature that converts your regular 2D photos into their 3D versions. It gives you the feeling that you can look around the subject in the image and tilt your phone in different directions to change the perspective.

You can read our detailed guide on how to use Spatial Scenes on iOS 26.

11. Take screenshots in HDR

Apple has updated iPhone screenshots in iOS 26 to support HDR (High Dynamic Range), allowing the device to capture the full dynamic range of the content being displayed on the screen. You can read our detailed guide on using HDR Screenshots on iOS 26.

12. Customizable folder icons

In the Files app, you can add emojis and custom icons to your folders and make them easier to identify by picking different colors. All the changes you make to the folders are synced across your Mac and iPad.

13. Select specific parts of a message

A minor feature in the Messages app lets you select portions of the text from a single message bubble instead of the entire thing. This makes it easier to copy and share snippets of text from a long message. To use the feature, long-press a message in the Messages app, then tap on "Select."

14. Natural language search in Maps

When using Apple Maps, you can search for places by asking questions in natural language instead of entering keywords. For instance, you can ask Apple Maps to "find restaurants with Chinese food" in plain English.

Read our detailed guide to learn about other new iOS 26 features in Apple Maps.

15. Automatic Tint

iOS 26's redesigned look offers more tinting options for home screen icons and widgets. But iOS 26 can also automatically match the tint color of your apps and widgets to the color of your attached Apple MagSafe case.

To use the feature, long-press in the empty area on the Home Screen > Customize > Tinted.

The feature currently works with select colors of FineWoven, Leather, and Silicone cases. Moreover, iOS 26 can also match the tint to your iPhone's color if you don't have a compatible case.

16. Clear icons and widgets

The Home Screen now includes a new "Clear" customization option that makes all apps and widgets appear translucent, with no color tint. It adds a glass-like effect to the home screen, reflecting Apple's new Liquid Glass design language.

17. View event details right in Photos

The Info panel (aka the "i" button) in the Photos app can now analyze images to show more information, such as event details for concerts, sports, and other events.

18. Add to Home Screen

Safari has got a lot to offer with iOS 26. You can turn regular web pages into web apps by pinning them to your Home Screens. A page turned into a web app opens in full-screen mode without the Safari UI and appears in the App Switcher.

To use the feature, open a web page, tap the Share button, then tap "Add to Home Screen." You can type a custom name and choose whether you want to open it as a web app or as a regular page in Safari.

19. SharePlay on Phone calls

Apple's SharePlay feature is now supported in the Phone app on iOS 26. Already available on FaceTime, you can start screen-sharing sessions on a phone call and use applications that work with SharePlay.

Read our detailed guide on about 10 new features in the Phone app.

20. Easier pairing with DualSense controllers

You can connect a Sony DualSense controller to your iPhone automatically by plugging it into the USB-C port. iOS 26 also lets you pair multiple Apple devices with your DualSense or DualSense Edge controller, and you can switch between them through the controller or Bluetooth settings.

21. Accessibility Nutrition Labels

You can find out what accessibility features an app offers before downloading it to your devices. Apple has added Accessibility Nutrition Labels for apps and games on the App Store. These labels highlight accessibility features such as Voice Control, VoiceOver, Larger Text, Reduced Motion, and more.

22. Decentralized AirPlay experience

Apple has made some tweaks to how AirPlay works with HomePod speakers. When you AirPlay music to your HomePod, other iPhone users in your family can see what's playing, control the music, and switch which HomePod speaker is playing it.

23. Graph in three dimensions

If you use your iPhone to solve math problems, Calculator and Notes now support 3D graphs in Math Notes. You can create three-dimensional graphs by writing an equation starting with "z=."

24. Adaptive Toolbar in the Notes app

Apple has added several new "Adaptive" features to iOS 26, and the Adaptive Toolbar in the Notes app is one of them. It's a Liquid Glass-inspired upgrade from the static toolbar we see in iOS 18, where you can slide to reveal more controls that change depending on what you're editing.

25. Maintain multiple Journals

The Journal app was introduced last year, and Apple finally did it justice by bringing it to bigger screens. However, a small but useful addition to the Journal app is the ability to create multiple journals to write about different aspects of your life while keeping them separate.

26. Adaptive Power

Adaptive Power is a new built-in mechanism designed to save your battery life on those busy days, of course, using machine learning. Available on iPhone 15 Pro and later models, your device's ultimate goal is to stay afloat until you can make it to a charger.

You can know more about Adaptive Power in our detailed post.

27. Enhance Dialogue, Custom Speed Settings

If you find it hard to figure out what people are saying in a podcast, the Podcasts app now has a feature called Enhance Dialogue. As the name says, it uses machine learning and real-time audio processing to isolate voices from background noise and make them sound clearer.

After you open a podcast episode, tap on "1x" or the Speed & Audio Adjustments button, then tap on Enhance Dialogue. Here, you can also change the playback speed of the show. You can choose to enable or disable Enhance Dialogue and set different playback speeds for each show.

28. Password history

Since iOS 18, all your passwords are stored in a separate app called Passwords. Apple has updated the Passwords app to show a timeline of changes you have made to each account. This includes a history of previous passwords and passwords generated by the app. You'll find an option called "View History" when you open the credentials page for a website or app.

29. Time Zone Support

You can add time zones to your reminders after installing iOS 26. You can do so for new reminders or set a universal time zone for the entire Reminder app. Read our detailed guide on iOS 26 Reminders app features to know about adding time zones and other features.

30. Centralized Blocked List in Settings

There are times when we have no choice but to block people or those annoying marketing calls. In iOS 26, Apple has added a new unified blocked contacts list you can use to restrict people across the Phone app, Messages, FaceTime, and Mail.

To access it or add new names, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Blocked Contacts.

31. Severe Weather Alerts for Significant Locations

You can get severe weather alerts on your device for locations your iPhone thinks are important based on your preferred routes. You'll have to press a few buttons to turn on this feature on your device.

1. First, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap System Services.
3. Tap Significant Locations & Routes, then turn on the namesake toggle on the screen.
4. Go to Settings > Apps > Weather. Here, tap Location and select "Always."
5. Return to the previous screen and turn on Suggested Locations.
6. Now, open the Weather app > tap on the List icon in the bottom right corner > tap on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
7. Go to Notifications and turn on Severe Weather under Suggested Locations. Here, the Weather app might automatically show a prompt screen to enable the feature.

32. Operate your iPhone using your head

Apple added the Eye Tracking feature to iOS 18 last year. The latest software update lets you operate an iPhone using your head movements. You can read our detailed guide on how head tracking works on iOS 26 and how to use it.

33. Check your Sleep Score

If you have an Apple Watch, one of the useful additions Apple has made this year is the Sleep Score, a number that helps you understand your sleep quality and how to make it more restorative. Apple breaks down the 100-point sleep score into duration (50 points), consistency (30 points), and interruptions (20 points).

With iOS 26.2 and watchOS 26.2, Apple classifies the sleep score into the following updated categories: Very Low (0-40), Low (41-60), OK (61-80), High (81-95), and Very High (96+).

So, these are some of the small and useful changes you can find in the iOS 26 update. Overall, the latest iOS update is about major visual changes in the form of Liquid Glass, which are among the biggest Apple has pushed in years.

However, iOS 26 is also about refining several existing apps and features. We have tried to cover these changes over the months through a series of articles around the Phone app, Camera app, Reminders app, Apple Maps, and other areas of iOS 26.

If you haven't got the update on your device yet, read about the 10 things you should do before installing iOS 26 and what the visual changes you'll immediately notice.

What do you think about iOS 26? Tell us in the comments.

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Posted Sunday 14 December 2025 at 11:42 am AEST (my time).

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This could happen with the smartphones expected to be released in 2026. Memory prices are soaring, and OEMs might be forced to water down device specifications to stay in the price war, according to leaker Lanzuk (@yeux1122) on Naver.

The claims are echoed by a recent report from the market intelligence firm, TrendForce, which said that "memory prices are projected to rise sharply again in the first quarter of 2026, exerting significant cost pressure on global end-device manufacturers."

The leaker said that smartphones with 16GB RAM might get closer to the point of extinction, and that 4GB RAM models are expected to increase significantly. In fact, there could be smartphones that are pricier even after being fitted with less RAM than their current counterparts.

Smartphones with 12GB RAM could be reduced by 40% and replaced by 6GB/8GB models. Meanwhile, 8GB models could see a 50% reduction and get replaced by 4GB/6GB models.

Price hikes are crucial in making or breaking a smartphone brand. We have recently learnt that Samsung is looking to continue using the same camera hardware for next year's Galaxy S26 to compete with Apple's price freeze on the base iPhone 17.

The memory market has reached this situation mainly because of the AI boom in recent years. Businesses and enterprises want more High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) for the AI data centers and servers. On the other hand, memory manufacturers are drifting away from consumer RAM as they see more incentive and profits in enterprise products.

Manufacturers don't have enough production capacity to cater to both consumer and enterprise markets. As a result, they are preferring HBMs over consumer DRAMs, driving prices through the roof.

The memory price surge is also affecting the laptop market. According to another TrendForce report, leading PC brands such as Dell and Lenovo have begun notifying customers of upcoming price hikes. Dell is expected to raise its prices by 15-20%, with the increase potentially taking effect as early as mid-December.

Micron announced earlier this month that it's exiting the consumer market and shutting down the popular storage and memory products brand Crucial. The price mess might spill into the second half of 2026, leading to price hikes if needed.

HP CEO Enrique Lores reportedly noted that RAM chips could eat between 15% and 18% of a typical PC's cost. With the memory chips taking up a larger share of the Bill of Materials (BOM) costs, Apple is expected to rethink its pricing strategy for newer models and consider reducing price cuts on older versions.

Image via DepositPhotos.com

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Posted Sunday 14 December 2025 at 3:17 am AEST (my time).

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Today, Apple officially released iOS 26.2 for iPhone 11 and newer devices, which includes new Lock Screen customizations for you to adjust the opacity level, as well as the ability to use AirDrop with people who aren’t in your contacts by sharing a one-time code with them instead. There are also new updates going out for macOS, iPadOS, visionOS, and watchOS.

On updated iPhones, the Reminders app now has an “urgent” option that will set an alarm for a task’s due time, while Apple Music added support for offline lyrics to go with downloaded songs, and a new Favorite Songs playlist inside top Picks. Live translation on AirPods is also finally coming to users in the EU after a delay over regulatory concerns earlier this year. There’s also support for Enhanced Safety Alerts in the US, which Apple says “can inform you about imminent threats such as floods, natural disasters, and other emergencies, with rich information like a map of affected areas and links to additional safety guidance.”

Podcasts with links

Image: Apple

 

iOS 26.2 also includes the Apple Podcasts update announced last month that automatically generates chapters for podcasts in English (when the creator doesn’t supply chapters themselves). Apple Podcasts also now has timed links, which appear at specified times in podcast episodes, such as when a host mentions another podcast.

The Vision Pro has fewer new additions in visionOS 26.2, with Travel Mode support extending to cars and buses now too, support for hand-drawn content with devices like the Logitech Music in compatible apps, and support for tables in Freeform so you can manage virtual reality spreadsheets. If you have an Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD device, then tvOS 26.2 is available now too, with support for creating profiles without an Apple account, and a new age-restricted mode that will stick to the ratings limits set for that account.

Apple also released iPadOS 26.2 today, which brings back the drag-and-drop multi-tasking feature that was originally removed in iPadOS 26 when Apple updated the iPad’s windowing system. Now that it’s back, you can once again move around apps in your multi-tasking setup with the old drag-and-drop gestures. Along with that, iPadOS 26.2 also includes many of the same updates that were in iOS 26.2, including the new features in Apple Podcasts, urgent reminders, and the improved lockscreen customization options for Liquid Glass.

Finally, on Apple Watch, the most notable changes on watchOS 26.2 are the same Enhanced Safety Alerts feature added to iOS, and tweaks for the way scores are classified in Sleep Score.

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Posted Saturday 13 December 2025 at 5:25 pm AEST (my time).

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Apple is conflicted and as ever with such warnings, it’s hard to separate security from marketing — albeit privacy experts also flag Chrome’s credentials versus Safari (1,2). But Google is now fighting back. iPhone is the battleground, and the world’s most popular browser is targeting Apple’s users with its latest AI upgrade.

Per 9to5Google, “after teasing in September, Chrome for iOS is now more widely rolling out a built-in Gemini experience. Once available, the icon at the left of the address bar changes from the Google Lens camera to a page icon badged by the Gemini spark. The ‘Page tools’ sheet that slides up has two options: ‘Search screen’ and ‘Ask Gemini’.”

Safari versus Chrome
Apple

This is rolling out slowly. “Important,” Google says, “Gemini in Chrome is not available to all users at this time. We’re gradually releasing Gemini in Chrome, so it might not be available to you just yet.” For now, it’s U.S., English language iPhones only.

Gemini data harvesting
Surfshark

“We’re seeing it more widely available with Chrome 143 for iOS,” 9to5Google says. Given Apple’s privacy warnings, you should also note that the Gemini update doesn’t work in Chrome’s Incognito mode and Surfshark warns that “Gemini in Chrome collects the most user data among all browser-integrated AIs.”

This Chrome upgrade is critical for Google and Apple. While Gemini was the 10th most popular free iPhone app this year, ChatGPT was 1st. But Google’s strategy is to stitch Gemini through its multiple platforms in a way no one can match. And nothing is bigger for Google than Chrome, the world’s most dominant browser across all platforms.

Chrome is a potential trojan horse on iPhone, a front window for Google’s new AI-fueled ecosystem. And with Apple infamously lagging on the AI front, Safari needs a plan before Google’s hybrid AI browser starts eroding Safari’s market share. 

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Google is building on its Android safety features and announced a new addition called Emergency Live Video. As the name suggests, the feature lets you share a live feed of your surroundings with emergency services using your phone's camera.

A dispatcher can request your phone to share live video during an emergency call or text. Once you allow it, your Android phone will start the live stream, allowing the dispatcher to assess the situation quickly. The feature can help dispatchers to guide people through life-saving steps, such as CPR, while they wait for help.

"We designed the feature to be simple and secure, with no setup required. During an emergency call or text, if the responder determines that seeing the scene would be helpful and it’s safe to do so, they can send a request to your device," Google said describing the feature.

The search giant added that Emergency Live Video is encrypted by default, and you can cut off the live stream at any moment by tapping the "Stop Sharing" button. The safety feature has started rolling out in the US, as well as, some regions in Germany and Mexico.

Google notes that over 80% of emergency calls come from mobile devices. The latest safety measure builds on other features, such as Emergency Location Services, which allow first responders to determine the caller's location. Pixel smartphones and smartwatches can alert emergency services when the user ends up in a car crash or takes a fall.

While there is no word on when the feature will roll out to other countries, Google said it's working with public safety organizations globally to expand it. You'll need an Android device running Android 8 (or later) with Google Play services to support the feature.

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Posted Thursday 11 December 2025 at 5:37 pm AEST (my time).

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It's now being reported that the rumored upgrade won't happen, and Samsung will fit camera modules similar to this year's S25 standard model. One of the motivations behind the rumored move is to cut production costs, according to a new report.

For reference, the standard Galaxy S25 comes with a 50MP Wide-angle, 12MP Ultra Wide, and 10MP Telephoto camera on the back. The standard Galaxy S26 is expected to have a 50 MP Wide, 12 MP Ultra Wide, and 10 MP Telephoto camera, according to The Elec, citing camera module partners and related part suppliers working with Samsung Electronics.

An industry insider told the publication that Samsung's plan to add a larger rear camera to the S26 standard and subsequently raise the price was halted after Apple froze the price of the standard iPhone 17.

iPhone 17 launched this year with the same $799 price tag as iPhone 16, but doubled the base storage to 256GB and switched to an LTPO display.

Samsung now plans to reuse the camera module from the S25 while replacing some parts, such as the actuator. The image sensor accounts for the largest share of the camera module's cost. However, if Samsung keeps the pixel configuration the same, it will likely use the same sensor and keep the manufacturing costs low, an insider said.

It's said that Samsung will delay the production of the standard and 'Plus' models of the S26 series until early next year to rework the internals. Meanwhile, S26 Ultra is expected to enter mass production this month.

The South Korean giant is shying away from the "Edge" model after it failed to meet expectations, making way back for the "Plus" model in the S26 lineup, possibly in a new orange color. It was reported that the Galaxy S26 and S26+ will be powered by Snapdragon and Exynos 2600 chips, depending on the region, and Samsung might host its Unpacked event sooner.

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Posted Thursday 11 December 2025 at 3:02 am AEST (my time).

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One UI 8 introduced AI-powered Photo Assist features that allowed users to edit photos using AI. One UI 8.5 enhances this experience by letting users generate new image variations continuously, without interruption. Users can continue editing without saving each iteration; once finished, they can review all versions in the edit history and choose their favorites.

Another notable addition in One UI 8.5 is the improved Quick Share, which can recognize people in photos and proactively suggest sharing them directly with those contacts.

One UI 8.5 also introduces Audio Broadcast, enabling seamless communication with nearby LE Audio-supported devices using Auracast. Previously, Auracast supported only media audio. With this update, users can now broadcast their voice using the Galaxy phone’s built-in microphone—useful for events and group activities.

The enhanced Theft Protection feature now automatically locks the screen if there are multiple failed attempts to verify the user’s identity via fingerprint, PIN, or password.

The One UI 8.5 beta program is currently available for Galaxy S25 series users in Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the UK, and the U.S. Interested users can join the beta program through the Samsung Members app on their Galaxy smartphones.

Recently, Samsung leaker Tarun Vats shared the complete One UI 8.5 changelog on X, you can check it out below.

Galaxy AI:

• Continuous image generation: Keep creating without stopping. Photo Assist now lets you generate AI images using different Photo assist features without saving each iteration. When you’re done, you can review all your creations in your history and pick your favorites.

Bixby:

• Smarter device control: Talk to Bixby in your own words. Bixby is now better at finding the setting or feature you need, even if you don’t use exact commands or feature names. Just say what you need and let Bixby do the rest.
• Ask anything, anytime: Whether you need a quick answer or detailed information, just ask Bixby for an instant response. There’s no need to spend time on multiple searches or switching between apps.
• Conversation history: Looking back at past conversations with Bixby is easier than ever. You can now access your conversation history from the side panel in the Bixby app.

Connectivity:

• Storage share: Access your files anywhere. Files from your other Samsung phones, tablets, and PCs are available in the My Files app on your phone. You can also access your phone’s tiles on other Samsung devices, even your TV.
• Quickly connect to Smart View devices: Connect to your favorite display faster. You can now add a shortcut on your home screen to instantly mirror your phone’s screen to a TV or other display device.
• Enhanced Auracast features: It’s easier than ever to listen to and broadcast sound with Auracast. Options for both broadcasting and listening are now located in the Audio broadcast menu in Settings.
• Voice broadcasts: Broadcast your voice to people around you with Auracast. In addition to media sound, you can now broadcast your voice using your phone’s built-in microphone.

Battery and Power:

• Revamped battery info: See your battery use more clearly. The redesigned Battery settings screen makes it easier to check remaining time, charging status, and daily usage over the past week.
• Improved Power saving: Use Power saving to make your battery last longer without charging. Choose Standard for moderate savings and customizable limits, or choose Maximum to tum off all non-essential features and make your battery last as long as possible.

Accessibility:

• Easily control Bluetooth hearing aids: Access settings for your Bluetooth hearing aids directly from the Accessibility shortcut. A pop-up will appear that lets you change your hearing program, turn Ambient sound on or off, and more.
• Control magnification with mouse or keyboard: Keep what you need magnified in view with these new options. You can make the magnified area follow the cursor as you type or move when you change focus using the keyboard. When using a mouse, you can make the magnified area shift as you move the pointer to the edge of the screen.
• Dwell action and Corner actions: The Auto action after pointer stops feature has been divided into 2 features. Dwell action lets you set custom actions when your mouse stops moving for a certain amount of time. Corner actions let you set a different action for each corner of the screen.

Even more improvements:

• More customizable quick panel: Arrange your quick settings just the way you like them. You can now add, remove, reorder, and reorganize controls in the quick panel.
• Early alerts for reminders: Get alerts before reminders are due to make sure you don’t forget important tasks. You can choose how far in advance to get an alert for each reminder.
• Partial screen recording: Include only what you need in your screen recordings. You can now select only the part of the screen that you want to record.
• Calculator nudges: Save time on calculations. Numbers and formulas copied to your clipboard will be suggested when you open Calculator so you can enter them with a quick tap.
• Keep window sizes in DeX: DeX now remembers your app window sizes and positions. When you open an app again, it appears just as you left it.

Clock:

• Weather alarm background: Wake up to an alarm that gets you ready for the day’s weather. Your alarm screen can now show the current weather conditions as a background when it rings.
• Time zone converter: Compare time zones at a glance. The new slider in the Clock app makes it easy to check the time difference between places around the world.

Samsung Health:

• Enhanced weekly reports: See a fuller picture of your health each week. Weekly reports now include data from your medication tracker and mindfulness sessions.
• Upgraded Sharing Experience: Share your workouts your way. Mix and match your exercise stats with photos from your workout to create the perfect social media post.
• Start meditations from your watch: Find calm right from your wrist. You can now start favorite or recommended meditations directly on your Galaxy Watch without picking up your phone.
• Antioxidant measurements from your watch: Check your antioxidant levels anytime. Measure directly from your Galaxy Watch even if it’s not connected to your phone. Works with Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch Ultra.

Security and privacy:

• Theft protection: Keep your phone and data safe in case it is lost or stolen. Turn on Failed authentication lock to automatically lock the screen in case there are too many failed attempts to verify your identity using your fingerprints, PIN, pattern, or password. Identity check also protects even more settings before.
• Turn off Auto blocker temporarily: If you need to temporarily disable Auto blocker’s security protection, a new option lets you turn it on automatically 30 minutes later, so you don’t forget.

Quick Share:

• Avoid unwanted sharing requests: You can now set Quick Share to only receive files from other devices signed in to your Samsung account or Google account.
• Photo sharing suggestions: Share photos with the right people faster. When you share pictures that include friends or family, Quick Share can recognize who’s in them and suggest sharing directly with those people.

Home and Lock screens:

• Automatic Lock screen layout: Wallpapers with pictures of people or pets now fit perfectly every time. When you choose a photo for your Lock screen, the layout adjusts automatically so the clock and widgets don’t cover important parts of the picture.
• More customizable clock fonts: Personalize your Lock screen clock. You can now adjust the thickness of more font styles to match your preferred look.

Weather:

• Enhanced weather widget: Quickly check upcoming precipitation in the Weather widget on your Home screen. The widget now shows a graph if precipitation is expected in the next few hours.
• Pollen index: Check how much pollen is in the air to help manage your allergies. You can check pollen levels for trees, grass, and ragweed.

Overall, One UI 8.5 appears to be a refinement-focused update that enhances practical daily usability for Galaxy users. Check the official announcement here on Samsung's website.

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Posted Tuesday 9 December 2025 at 6:29 pm AEST (my time).

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According to Smart Pikachu on Weibo, Apple may introduce under-display Face ID to the iPhone 18 lineup by developing a new type of micro-transparent glass.

The leaker did not specify which 2026 iPhone models will receive under-display Face ID. Still, based on previous rumors, it is most likely to appear on the Pro and Pro Max variants, as the feature involves significant technical and engineering challenges.

While exact details remain unclear, MacRumors notes that this is similar to existing industry techniques that use micro-perforated or nano-patterned glass to selectively enhance IR transmission.

The leaker also added that Apple has asked its supply chain partners to accelerate production, which could be another indication that we might finally see under-display Face ID on the iPhone 18 Pro series.

Yet, we should take such claims with a pinch of salt, as there have been conflicting rumors about whether the iPhone 18 Pro will feature under-display Face ID. In May, The Information reported that Apple plans to move Face ID under the screen on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, while adding a small hole in the top-left corner of the display for the selfie camera.

Analyst Ross Young also stated on X that some iPhone models launching in 2026 will feature under-screen Face ID, though Apple will still retain a smaller notch. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman likewise reported that Apple plans to use a smaller Dynamic Island on its 2026 iPhone models.

If the rumors about Apple changing its iPhone release cycle are to be believed, we should expect the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max to drop in September 2026, alongside the company’s first foldable iPhone.

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Posted Tuesday 9 December 2025 at 3:43 am AEST (my time).

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Chinese leaker Instant Digital claims that Apple plans to launch its first foldable iPhone as an eSIM-only device, removing the physical SIM tray altogether. That said, this isn’t the first time we’ve heard reports suggesting that the iPhone Fold may follow the same path as the iPhone Air.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman previously reported that next year’s iPhone Fold will be a “super-thin” device, essentially resembling two titanium iPhone Air units placed side by side. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo echoed the same statement earlier in January.

Removing the SIM tray could help Apple make the device thinner and lighter, which is basically the same goal the company is expected to pursue for future iPhones. However, the move also comes with drawbacks, including limited global eSIM support and a more complicated experience when switching to a new device.

This could be a significant challenge for Apple in mainland China, where the company is expected to sell most of its foldable iPhones. Yet, many consumers there still prefer using physical SIM cards. After Apple launched the iPhone Air in China, it had to partner with China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom to enable eSIM support. Customers still need to visit their local carrier’s store to activate the eSIM on their device.

According to previous reports, the iPhone Fold is expected to debut in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. If it sounds a bit weird, that’s because Apple wants to overhaul its release strategy and shift to a biannual iPhone launch cycle in 2026.

What are your thoughts on an eSIM-only iPhone Fold? Would this influence your decision to buy one? Share your opinion in the comments below.

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Posted Saturday 6 December 2025 at 3:25 am AEST (my time).

News posts... 2023: 5,800+ | 2024: 5,700+ | 2025 (till end of November): 5,412

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