9to5Google reports, via unnamed sources, that the Pixel 7a will be priced at $499. That's a fairly large $50 increase compared to the Pixel 6a's launch price in 2022. The same article says that the Pixel 7a will go on sale in stores on May 11, the day after Google I/O.

So why the price increase? The main reason may be that the Pixel 7a will have some improved hardware specs compared to the 6a model. While that phone had a 12.2MP main rear camera and a 12MP ultra-wide rear sensor, 9to5Google reports the 7a will get a much bigger 64MP main rear sensor, along with a 13MP ultra-wide camera. It will also have a display with a 90Hz refresh rate, compared to the 60Hz rate on the 6a's screen. Finally, the Pixel 7a will be the first in the "a" series to support wireless charging, which is not available on the Pixel 6a.

All of that, plus the second-generation Google Tensor chip, is likely why the Pixel 7a will be more expensive out of the gate. We will almost certainly learn more when Google I/O is held in just a few weeks. We may also finally get a launch date, and some hardware specs, for the Pixel Tablet that was announced at last year's conference. We may also get an official reveal for the long-rumored Pixel Fold foldable smartphone.

Source: 9to5Google

Google will reportedly launch the Pixel 7a with a higher price than the Pixel 6a

Step 1: Turn on Nearby Share on your Android smartphone

To ensure that you can use Nearby Share on your Windows laptop with your phone or other Android device, it's recommended to check whether the feature is compatible with your device. While Google provides Nearby Share as a feature within the Files by Google app, which is pre-installed on many Android phones, you can still receive files without having the app installed (more on this later).

There are two ways to determine if the feature is enabled.

If you have the Files app already installed, follow these steps:

• Launch the Files app and locate the three-line icon in the top left corner of the screen.
• Tap on the icon to reveal a drop-down menu.
• From the menu, select "Settings" and then "Nearby Share."
• If Nearby Share isn't already enabled, toggle the switch to turn it on.

If you don't have the Files app installed on your Android device but still wish to use Nearby Share to receive files, you can follow these steps:

• Open your Android phone's Settings.
• Scroll down and select "Connected Devices."
• From the list of options, choose "Connection preferences" and then select "Nearby Share."
• Alternatively, you can choose "Google" from the Connected Devices menu, then select "Devices & sharing" and finally "Nearby Share."
• Toggle on the Nearby Share option if it's not already enabled.

If you plan to use Nearby Share regularly, there's a handy feature that allows you to quickly enable or disable it via a button on your phone's Quick Settings menu. To access this feature, swipe down from the top of your phone's screen to open the Quick Settings menu.

If you don't see the Nearby Share button in your Quick Settings, you may need to customize your Quick Settings menu. To do this:

• Swipe down twice from the top of your screen to access the full Quick Settings menu.
• Tap the pencil icon in the corner of the screen to enter edit mode.
• Find the Nearby Share button and hold it down to move it to your active Quick Settings menu by dragging it up to the desired location.

Step 2: Do the settings

Although the app is currently in its beta stage, it's available to the public, and from our experience, it appears to work quite effectively.

To begin using Nearby Share on your Windows PC, you need to download the beta version of the app from the website provided. After downloading the file, open it to start the installation process. Once installed, a pop-up window will appear, offering you the option to sign in with your Google account or to use the app without one. If you choose the latter, you can skip the sign-in process.

The next step is to set up Nearby Share by giving your PC a name and choosing who can share files with you. You can make this choice under the "Receiving" section of the setup window. By default, the device visibility will be set to "No one," which means that your device won't be visible to others. To share files, you need to select a different option.

To do this, click on the "Device visibility" dropdown menu and choose from the available options: everyone, your contacts, your devices, or no one. Note that if you select "Contacts" or "Your devices," you'll need to sign in to your Google account. If you choose "Everyone," you'll have the option to allow everyone to share files with you all the time or just for a few minutes.

After signing in to your Google account, you'll be asked to verify your identity on your phone by pressing the volume down button. Once you've done this, you can return to your PC and open the Nearby Share app. If you've chosen to share files with your contacts or your devices, a message will appear under "Receiving" to let you know that you can now receive requests from them.

Finally, once you're happy with your settings, select "Done" to complete the setup process.

Now that it’s been set up, Nearby Share is ready to go. The app will show an animated blue geometric image to show it’s ready to receive and an open space where you can drop (or select) folders or files you want to share with others.

Step 3: Start using Nearby Share

Sharing files between an Android phone and a Windows PC is now easier than ever. To send a file from an Android phone, follow these simple steps:

• Open the Files app on your Android phone and select the file you wish to share.
• Tap on the "Share" icon to access the sharing options.
• The selected file will now display a "Nearby" button below it. Tap on this button.
• A Nearby Share window will pop up, displaying one or more shareable devices, including your Windows PC. Choose the device you wish to share the file with.
• Once you've selected the device, a checkmark will appear to indicate that the file has been shared successfully. You'll find the file in your PC's Downloads folder.

To send a file from your PC to your Android phone, follow these simple steps:

• Open the Nearby Share app on your PC and select the file you wish to send.
• The app will display a list of nearby devices, including your phone. If you don't see your phone listed, make sure Nearby Share is enabled on your phone and that it's within range of your PC.
• Choose the device you want to send the file to by clicking on its name.
• Wait a few seconds for the file transfer to complete. You'll receive a notification once the file has been successfully sent.
• On your Android phone, you'll receive a notification that a file has been received. The file will be saved in your Downloads folder.

Nearby Share offers a quick and easy way to transfer files between Android devices and Windows PCs, without the need for cables or other external hardware. Whether you're sharing photos, documents, or music files, Nearby Share makes the process seamless and effortless. With its intuitive interface and convenient features, it's no wonder why more and more users are turning to Nearby Share as their go-to file-sharing tool. So why not give it a try and experience the benefits of this innovative app for yourself?

How to use Nearby Share on Windows?

The report from Bloomberg, citing unnamed sources, says that the new feature will be Apple's attempt to comply with the approval of the European Union's Digital Markets Act that was passed in 2022. That law requires devices like the iPhone to allow for third-party installation of apps. The law adds that those devices must comply by March 2024. This will obviously be a huge sea change for iPhone owners, who have only been able to download apps via Apple's app store.

Bloomberg also claims that Apple will still officially announce its long-in-development mixed reality headset at WWDC 2023, Recent unconfirmed reports claim the headset has had production delays, but Bloomberg claims it will still get a big reveal at the conference, although it might not go on sale until the end of 2023.

The report says that we could also see some new MacBook notebook models debut at WWDC and that the next watchOS update could see some major interface changes for owners of the Apple Watch when it is shown off at the conference.

Apple may announce support for sideloading apps on iPhones via iOS 17 as part of WWDC 2023

 

Every month, you pay a bill for cell phone service. Somehow, that access needs to make it to your device. The SIM card, or "subscriber identity module," connects your phone with your phone bill.

 

While you might expect authentication to happen over a network with a simple username and password, cell phones predate the Internet, so SIM cards can seem a little old-fashioned. Still, the industry is trying to modernize itself while maintaining backward compatibility with older devices, and that has led to the rise of many different SIM card formats. The newest is iSIM, the latest advancement in a never-ending quest to save space in your smartphone.

Ye olde physical SIM card

Physical SIM cards have been around forever. They're the hunks of plastic you get from your phone carrier and slide into your cell phone. A small gold chip printed on the card—much like those on credit cards—makes electrical contact with the slot in your phone. Even these physical cards have their own standards and have shrunk over time; there's Mini SIM, Micro SIM, and Nano SIM, which all use the same chip with differing amounts of plastic around it.

 

Going back even further, there was a credit card-sized "Standard SIM" without any of the diminutive prefixes. If you want to understand why SIM cards work the way they do, it's worth looking at how these smart cards previously operated. Many of the earliest cell phones in the 1980s were fixed car phones or 12-pound luggable devices with shoulder straps and lead acid batteries. (The first cell phone, the Motorola DynaTac, was a lot smaller, but it had a half-hour battery life. Practical phones needed to be much bigger.)

 

Since phones were less portable at that time, you could take your "smart card" with you instead (they didn't use the "SIM" standard yet). The card contained your billing information and address book so you could just slot it into any phone and make a call. It used a credit card form factor because you used it a lot like a credit card—you might be expected to insert it into multiple phones each day to pay for phone service. (If you've ever noticed how a SIM card chip and a chipped credit card look the same, they are based on the same standard, ISO/IEC 7816.) The card slots in early phones were also very easy to access, making frequent card swaps as easy as using a credit card terminal. You could rent a car, stick your credit-card-sized SIM into the car phone, and off you went.

iSIM vs eSIM vs SIM: The constantly shrinking ways carriers ID your phone

A Bloomberg report noted that the Cupertino-based company will build the groundwork for such functionality with iOS 17. Reporter Mark Gurman said in his newsletter that Apple is overhauling its software for sideloading and we might see some announcement related to that at the upcoming Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June.

Last year, another Bloomberg report hinted towards Apple’s new approach towards sideloading, owing to a change in regulation in Europe. EU’s Digital Market Act (DMA) will come into effect in 2024. The act forces big tech companies to allow alternative app stores on their platforms, so developers have a choice when it comes to app distribution and users have the choice of downloading apps from different sources.

It’s unclear if Apple is planning to allow sideloading with iOS 17 or if Apple is just making some changes at the operating system level to enable this possibility at some point down the road. The company didn’t immediately comment on the story.

Historically, Apple execs including Tim Cook and Craig Federighi have staunchly opposed sideloading citing privacy and security reasons.

Bloomberg’s latest report noted that Apple will also announce updates to iOS, macOS, and tvOS. While these operating systems will have some incremental updates, watchOS might get a big design overhaul.

Naturally, all eyes will be on Apple’s rumored unveiling of its first XR headset, which will focus on developers at launch. Along with this, the company is also expected to release a new operating system and a software development kit that will provide developers with the building blocks for making apps for this headset.

Source

The report from the New York Times, based on internal messages from Google, claims that the company reacted with "panic" to this news. The main reason is that Google gets $3 billion annually from Samsung to be its default search engine. The report adds that Google assumed Microsoft's work on adding AI features like Bing Chat to its Bing search engine was the big reason why it was considering a switch.

The talks between Samsung and Microsoft, and between Samsung and Google, have reportedly not been completed, so it's still possible Samsung will stick with Google for its search needs in the end. However, the mere thought of losing Samsung has reportedly spurred Google into developing and adding more AI search features.

The story says that Google is reportedly working on a new project with the code name Magi, that will add AI features to its existing search engine. Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai hinted that its search service would soon add conversational AI in an interview with the Wall Street Journal earlier in April.

Today's New York Times story states:

Magi would keep ads in the mix of search results. Search queries that could lead to a financial transaction, such as buying shoes or booking a flight, for example, would still feature ads on their results pages.

The story says that Google may officially reveal Magi to the general public in May. That's also when the company will hold its annual Google i/O developers conference on May 10. It will initially add these new AI features to about one million US users and could expand to 30 million users by the end of 2023, according to the story.

The story also mentions some other AI products in development at Google. That includes its own AI art generator called GIFI, a way for people to learn different languages called Tivoli Tutor, and Searchalong which will add a chatbot working alongside Chrome.

Source

It does include two interesting new features though, that are both beneficial to users of the mobile browser.

Firefox for Android is updated via Google Play for most users. There is no option to speed up the installation of the update. Firefox users who have installed the mobile browser from another source may get the update from that source.

Select Menu > Settings > About Firefox to display the current version of the browser.

Firefox 112 for Android

Mozilla implemented two main changes in Firefox for Android. The first adds the pull-to-refresh gesture to the mobile browser. To use it, users need to swipe down on a page to initiate a reload of it.

Most mobile browsers support the gesture, and Mozilla has now enabled it in Firefox for Android. The traditional reload option, selecting Menu  > Reload, remains available.

The gesture improves the reload option for some users of the browser. Instead of having to open Menu and selecting reload, Firefox users may now use the pull gesture to do so.

The second feature addition improves handling of webpages that try to redirect requests to mobile applications. Sites try to get users to use their apps, if available, and not their websites.

Apps give organizations more control. Less users may block ads in apps and tracking is not as restricted as it may be in browsers. Browser makers like Mozilla, on the other hand, have an interest in keeping users in the browser, and not losing them to an application.

Sites may still display the option to launch its app or redirect users directly to their applications. Firefox will, however, displays a prompt to interrupt the process. Users may allow the redirection to the app or cancel it. It is a useful feature that blocks an annoying habit of more and more websites on the Internet.

Mozilla's implementation is not as powerful as that of the Brave browser. Brave enabled a new filter list in the mobile version recently, which blocks the open in app prompts outright. Firefox users who use uBlock Origin may also enable it in the browser. It is called Fanboy's Annoyance list, and can be enabled in the dashboard. Once enabled, prompts are hidden automatically in the browser for supported websites.

Firefox 112 for Android fixes several issues next to the two feature additions. It fixes an issue that prevented 10-bit videos from playing, and another video playback issue, which caused full screen YouTube videos to switch to portrait mode when the quality or speed was changed by the user.

Source

Kuo writes in his blog that reverting from the new solid-state button design will negatively impact Apple's exclusive Controller IC supplier Cirrus Logic and Taptic Engine supplier AAC Technologies. That's because investors had predicted that the new design would increase profits and revenues for the suppliers. However, Luxshare ICT, which is another Taptic Engine supplier for solid-state buttons, may not be affected as much given its bigger operating scale.

Making hardware changes and switching back to regular physical buttons is still possible as iPhone 15 Pro is in EVT (Engineering Validation and Testing) development stage, according to Kuo. He added that it should have "a limited impact on the mass production schedule and shipments for Pro models."

The iPhone 15 series is due for release in the second half of 2023. Among various features, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to have the thinnest bezels of all phones and a thinner camera bump. It was also demonstrated that the newer models may not be compatible with older iPhone 14 cases and Apple is expected to replace iPhone's Lightning port with USB-C.

Source: Ming-Chi Kuo (Medium)

Apple to ditch solid-state buttons on iPhone 15 Pro models, says analyst

A recent Brave Browser for Android update eliminates the annoying open in app prompts of many popular websites. Brave 1.50 for Android, which is available already, is using a new filter lists to do so. The browser includes content blocking capabilities and supports filter lists, which users may enable or disable manually as well.

Announced back in February 2023, Brave users on Android will no longer get prompts on many popular sites, when they use a mobile browser to access the content. Some sites display these prompts on every page load, others limit it.

Brave for Android suppresses the prompts on many sites automatically. The feature landed in Brave 1.50 for Android, and users may want to make sure that they run this version or a higher one.

To check, if the feature is enabled, do the following:

1. Select Menu > Settings in Brave Browser for Android.
2. Activate Brave Shields & privacy on the page that opens.
3. Scroll down until you find Block 'Switch to App' notices.

You may turn the setting on or off right then and there. The change takes effect immediately. You do find Brave's other recent addition, the blocking of cookie consent notices, there as well.

Tip: load brave://adblock on desktop or mobile to add more filter lists that Brave supports to the content blocker. There, you find Fanboy's Mobile Notifications List, which powers the blocking functionality in Brave. The page lists several dozen other lists, which users may enable.

Closing Words

Open in App prompts can be highly annoying, especially for users who follow a link just to access a single page of content on the target website. Using a browser may improve privacy and reduce the number of displayed ads at the same time. Browsers do give users more control over their data, as they may delete browsing data at any time, regardless of visited sites.

Source

5G technology is important because it has the potential to transform practically every industry and revolutionize the way machines interact and function. This newest generation of telecom networks offers significant advantages over its predecessors, including ultra-fast response times and ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC).

5G technology improves connection speed and enhances cellular capabilities, providing up to 10 to 50 times faster speeds than previous generations of cellular networks. However, the real promise of 5G lies in its ability to support innovative applications, such as autonomous vehicles that can interact with the road and other vehicles, and manufacturing facilities maintained by hundreds of connected robots.

In addition to the manufacturing and automotive industries, other sectors such as healthcare, entertainment, and education stand to benefit from 5G technology. With its low-latency communication and high data transfer speeds, 5G can enable remote surgeries, virtual reality entertainment, and personalized education, among other things.

Moreover, 5G is poised to transform real-time location services (RTLS), allowing for improved accuracy and lower infrastructure costs. The technology also offers significant potential for cloud robotics, enabling sophisticated robots to adapt in real-time and interact with systems intelligence in the cloud. You may expect the 5G technology to show its influence on American jobs in the near future.

How is 5G different from 4G?

5G technology is the newest generation of telecom networks and is significantly different from its predecessor, 4G. While 4G focused mainly on enhancing cellular capabilities such as providing improved broadband power, boosting mobile capacity, and data rates, 5G goes beyond this and is set to revolutionize the world of connected things.

The key advantage of 5G technology is its ultra-fast response time, or latency, which is up to 250 times faster than humans. This low-latency communication (URLLC) is what really sets 5G apart from previous cellular generations. It enables innovative applications, such as autonomous vehicles that can interact with the road and other vehicles, and manufacturing facilities maintained by hundreds of connected robots.

Another significant difference between 4G and 5G is the infrastructure required to support it. 5G requires a complete overhaul of existing base stations, as well as the construction of smaller and cooler towers and the laying of networks of fibre optic cables that connect them. While this poses challenges, the potential for 5G-powered innovation to transform our world far outweighs its obstacles.

What will 5G technology bring to our lives?

In celebration of the dumb phone, a rare sanity-saving gadget

"Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices," FBI officials announced in a tweet.

"Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead," the FBI officials said.

The free public charging stations have multiplied in recent years as operators of airports, including Denver International Airport, increase services to accommodate growing numbers of people in transit.

Hotel operators and shopping center managers also have installed the charging portals, and FBI officials warned these too could lead to the installation of unwanted surveillance software and malware onto computers and smartphones.

Source

A Report suggests that Google is working on an updated version of Find My Device, which works even when the phone is turned off. The feature has certain hardware requirements, and this makes it a feature for future devices more so than for existing devices.

Apple has created a powerful Find My Device feature that enables Apple customers to track company devices, including iPhones, iPads and Macs, even when the device is turned off or when they are not connected to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Interestingly enough, Samsung has also created a solution, called Smart Things Find, which helps customers locate devices even if they are offline.  While that is not the same as finding a device that is turned off, it is more advanced than stock Android's current Find My device functionality.

Google, the leak suggests, is working on "building a huge network of Android devices" to assist with the feature, making use of features such as UWB, Ultra-Wideband, a radio technology.

Android 14, this year's release of the Android operating system, will include a new feature, hardware.google.bluetooth.power_off_finder, which adds the functionality to the operating system. This allows communication with the Bluetooth chip, even if the Android device itself is turned off at the time. The functionality is similar to that of Apple's iPhone.

The feature will work on Android devices that come with a Bluetooth chip that remains functionality even if the device itself is powered down. As for device support, most Android devices do not support the Bluetooth technology right now. Considering that Google is working on the feature, future Pixel devices will likely support it.

Now You: what is your take on this feature?

Report: Google is working on Find My Device feature for turned-off phones

According to the new policy, starting in early 2024, Google Play users will have better control over their data since every store listing will display links in the "Data deletion" area, allowing them to ask for their accounts and/or data to be deleted.

Developers who provide an in-app account deletion experience will also have to offer a web-based option since Google wants to allow users to delete their data without reinstalling each app.

"As the new policy states, when you fulfill a request to delete an account, you must also delete the data associated with that account," Google explained.

"The feature also gives developers a way to provide more choice: users who may not want to delete their account entirely can choose to delete other data only where applicable (such as activity history, images, or videos). 

"For developers that need to retain certain data for legitimate reasons such as security, fraud prevention, or regulatory compliance, you must clearly disclose those data retention practices."

New account deletion option (Google)

 

The new Play Store rule will be going into full effect next year, with the developers first being required to share more details on their data deletion practices by December 7.

Starting in early 2024, users will be able to see the submitted data deletion information in the apps' store listings, including refreshed data deletion badges in the new Data deletion area, as well as the Data safety section.

Those who do not file the required deletion practice info in time will no longer be able to publish new apps or release app updates.

While developers can ask for an extension via the Play Console until May 31, 2024, after this date, non-compliant apps may face removal from Google Play.

Google's announcement follows a similar move made by Apple, which, starting June 2022, has been requiring developers of apps with an account creation option to also provide the users with a way to delete their accounts from within the apps.

Source

In case you missed it, the Cupertino company will release reveal iOS 17 at WWDC 23 on June 5th. While beta testers may gain early access to the latest iteration of the operating system, the stable version of iOS 17 will only be rolled out in September this year, when Apple unveils the iPhone 15 line up.

The news was first reported by Macrumours, and comes from a source who has a reliable track record for reporting about iOS updates.

Rumored list of iPhones and iPads that won't get the iOS 17 update

• iPhone 8
• iPhone 8 Plus
• iPhone X
• iPad (5th gen)
• 9.7-inch iPad Pro (1st gen)
• 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st gen)

Removing support for older phones isn't particularly new, each year Apple does the same when it ditches a handful of legacy devices. For reference, When iOS 16 was released, Apple ended support for the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone SE (1st gen), and the iPod touch (7th gen).  Coming back to the list of devices that won't be updated to iOS 17, some people may view this as a forced upgrade, but is it? The oldest one in the list is the 12.9-inch iPad Pro 1st gen, which was announced in 2015. The next oldest device is the 9.7-inch iPad Pro 1st gen from 2016. All the other devices, i.e., the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X and the iPad (5th gen) were launched in 2017. Now, that list doesn't look particularly bad, does it?

Aside from the larger iPads which were supported for 8 and 7 years respectively, the other iPhones and iPad received 6 years of iOS upgrades. I'd say that is actually pretty impressive if we take Android OS upgrades into account, which usually range from 2 to 3 years, except for Samsung's Galaxy S series phones which will get 4 major Android OS upgrades. Even Google's record isn't exactly stellar, as it only provides OS updates for 3 years, and security updates for a total of 5 years.

Just because Apple won't provide the iOS 17 update doesn't necessarily mean the end of life for a device. The company occasionally releases security updates for old devices to keep users safe from vulnerabilities. The most recent example would be the iOS 12.5.7 update that was released in January 2023 for the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, and iPod touch (6th gen). The update patched a remote code execution issue that hackers could have exploited to run malicious code on a user's device.

It is also worth noting that all iPhones and iPads that have a chipset from A5 to A11 have a major bootrom security vulnerability that has been called "checkm8". The iPhone 8, 8 Plus and X are equipped with an A11 chipset, the iPad 5th gen has an A9 chip and the other 2 iPads have an A9X chipset. The risk cannot be patched via a software update, since it is a ROM (Read-only memory) vulnerability. The exploit is quite commonly used to jailbreak iOS and iPadOS devices.

So, it looks like my iPad 5th gen won't get the iOS 17. Do you have a device that won't get the update?

Rumor: These iPhones and iPads may not get the iOS 17 update

Additionally, users can now receive push notifications for Safari and enjoy an updated podcast interface. One particularly noteworthy feature is the enhanced call quality, which ensures crystal-clear conversations during phone calls.

The key to this improved call quality is the Voice Isolation feature for cellular calls, which is now available after updating to the latest iOS 16.4 version. Previously, this feature was limited to VoIP calls made via apps like FaceTime and WhatsApp.

Comparable to active noise cancellation found in some earbuds, the Voice Isolation feature filters out ambient noise picked up by the iPhone's microphone during a call, ensuring that only the speaker's voice is transmitted to the other end of the line. With this new feature, iPhone users can look forward to clearer and more uninterrupted conversations.

To take advantage of the Voice Isolation feature, it is necessary to own an iPhone SE (2020) or a more recent model. In this article, we provide a guide on how to activate this useful feature in the new iOS 16.4 update.

How to activate Voice Isolation on iPhone with iOS 16.4?

It is important to note that the Voice Isolation feature cannot be directly toggled on from the iPhone's Settings menu.

The feature will then be enabled for the current call and will also be automatically activated for future calls, eliminating the need to repeat the process each time.

Fortunately, the steps are simple and straightforward, making it easy for iPhone users to take advantage of this new and useful feature.

Wide Spectrum

Along with the Voice Isolation feature, Apple also introduced Wide Spectrum audio for FaceTime. This feature is designed to capture a wide range of sounds, including ambient noises and background music, making it ideal for when users want to share the entire audio experience of their surroundings with the person on the other end of the call.

While Wide Spectrum audio is currently not available for regular phone calls, the mention in iOS 16.4 that the feature is "currently unavailable" suggests that it may be expanded to the Phone app in the future.

If you ever do decide you want to disable Voice Isolation once activated, follow the same steps again, but switch your call quality back to Standard in the Mic Mode menu.

Make crystal-clear phone calls with iPhone's new feature

Motorola still makes flagship phones: Meet the Edge 40 Pro

Google brings “Nearby Share” to Windows, making it easy to transfer files

The capabilities of smartphones are seemingly endless -- and yet peoples' use of their devices often remains limited to areas they already know about. A smartphone can do so much more than just surf the web, make video calls, play music, stream video, and send texts.

One big problem is that there are now so many features packed into a smartphone that finding them, remembering them, and using them is a genuine challenge. Some of those hidden smartphone features can help improve your productivity and make everyday tasks easier. If there's something you need to get done, there's a pretty good chance your smartphone can help you do it.

To bring your smartphone use to the next level, we've rounded up some smartphone features that you might not know about, but which are sure to make everyday tasks easier.

1. Scan documents

If you have ever had to sign a physical document and then submit it digitally afterwards, you know how much of a hassle it can be to print out, scan, and then email the document. The good news is that you no longer have to turn to your clunky scanner. With both iPhones and Android devices, you can use the smartphone to scan a document and export it.

On iPhones, all you have to do is open your Notes app, click the camera icon, and then hit the "scan documents" button, and you're set. On an Android device, the process is even more seamless. All you have to do is open your camera app, hover it over the document, and tap "scan document" for Pixel phones, or the yellow "T" icon for Samsung devices.

2. Start your car

Before you get your hopes up, your ability to use your phone as a key or car-starter will depend entirely on the model, make, and year of your car.

Thankfully, a lot of cars have this type of functionality. Two reasons why you might want to take advantage of this feature include the ability to remotely start your car from the comfort of your own home or setting the car temperature just the way you like it before you get in.

If you're interested in this feature, look up your car on the web and see if there's an app that can help. For example, Ford has an app called FordPass, which allows Ford car owners to unlock and lock cars, remotely start the car, and even schedule remote starts from the app. Android devices have a feature called digital key on select smartphones, which works in tandem with your car manufacturer's app or the manufacturer's email to make your phone a digital key.

3. Help you change channels

There are few things more frustrating than getting ready to watch a show, sitting on the couch, settling down with your blanket and snacks, and then realizing you can't find the remote. Once this realization hits, you have to dig to find the remote, only to find out that the batteries are flat.

To spare you this trouble, many TVs are capable of syncing to your smartphone to turn your device into a remote.

If you have an iPhone, you can use it to control compatible TVs including Roku or Fire TVs, or an Apple TV 4K. It's as easy as being logged on to the same network as the TV, going to the screen-share option, and then hitting the remote icon. If you want to use your iPhone as a remote control, we have a handy how-to.

Android smartphones have the same capability with Android TVs. All you have to do is open the Google TV app, tap the remote icon on the bottom right, and then scan devices and choose your device to complete pairing, according to Android. In addition, Android has TV remote apps for Roku and Fire TVs, and even third-party remote apps for Apple TV.

4. Measure stuff

Don't have a tape measure? No problem. You can take measurements of anything you need to on your phone using your smartphone's camera and AR technology. All you have to do is drop a point at the beginning of the object you're measuring and pin another point at the end to get the exact measurement.

iPhones come with the Apple Measure app preloaded, but if you're an Android user, don't fret. You can simply use Measure Up, Google's tool that lets you do what the Apple Measure app does, but on your phone's browser instead of via an app.

5. Take photos for you

Have you ever wanted to take a picture, but had no one to take it for you? The scenery is beautiful and your outfit is perfect, but you can't spot anyone around -- so your photo opportunity is ruined. Sure there is your phone's timer, but that can be near useless because you have to set everything up for just one photo to be taken. Thankfully, Lens Buddy is an app made to solve that problem.

With Lens Buddy, you can fully customize the timer, including the speed and intervals of the pictures, so you can get the perfect shot. Instead of having to set up a ten second timer for your phone only to snap one photo, you can set a timer that takes many photos over a customized interval (ex: every three seconds) for as long as you'd like. With Lens Buddy, you have a lot of options to pick from from one session instead of just one. The app is only available on iOS. However, there are camera-timer alternatives in the Google Play Store, such as Selfer, which does the same thing.

6. Monitor your heart rate

Despite the plethora of smartwatches and fitness trackers on the market, it is possible to monitor your heart rate with just your smartphone.

Heart-rate monitoring apps use your back camera and flash to determine how much blood is pumping through your skin, and get your heart rate through a practice called photoplethysmography. To get your results within seconds, all you have to do is place your finger over the camera and flash.

These mobile heart-rate monitoring apps do not come with your phone as standard, but can be downloaded in your smartphone's app store. To figure out which one to download, I recommend going to the app store and downloading a free app with the most positive reviews. There are many perks to regularly tracking your heart rate, including being more in-tune with you body. I personally used one of these apps to monitor my irregular heart rate and, ultimately, got my heart condition diagnosed.

7. Hold your medical insurance card

If you own a smartphone, you are likely familiar with the concept of a digital wallet. With a digital wallet, you can add cards, boarding passes, tickets, and more to your smartphone for easy access when paying or entering certain events.

But did you know that you can also add your health insurance card? I love this feature because my pesky health insurance card always gets stuck to other cards in my wallet just when you need it.

For your convenience, many insurance providers, including Cigna and Aetna, allow for mobile access to your insurance card. All you have to do is download the app for your insurance provider and sign in. There, both iPhone and Android users will find your mobile health insurance card, which you can then present at any healthcare provider. If you are an iPhone user, you get the added perk of adding it to your Apple Wallet.

Bonus feature

Just as a reminder for those of you who might have forgotten: as well as working as a compass, flashlight, TV remote, and thousands of other functions that you can download as apps, your smartphone can also... make calls. Yes, really!

Source

It was a brick-sized cellphone that was probably a no-match to the modern do-it-all smartphones. Motorola eventually released the DynaTAC 8000X almost a decade later in 1983. It was the first commercial handheld mobile phone that came with a hefty price tag of $3,995 (around $11,500 in 2023). The device weighed 2.5 lbs and took 10 hours to charge from zero to full and delivered a talk time of just 30 minutes. However, that was the time when most of the world had to rely on landline phones that offered limited mobility.

Interestingly, this wasn't the first time a wireless phone call was made as attempts at cutting the wires date back to the early 1900s. Back in 1926, a wireless telephone service was offered to first-class passengers in German trains running on the Berlin-Hamburg route.

Then came the car phones a couple of decades later when Bell Labs demonstrated the first mobile phone call on June 17, 1946, in St. Louis. Its car telephone was a bulky setup usually fitted in the trunk and required a lot of power to run. Also, the original equipment was as heavy as 80 lbs (36 kg).

While the terms mobile phone and cell phone are used interchangeably, modern cell phones are based on cellular networks, where cells (or cell towers) are placed at different locations to provide uninterrupted coverage to end-user devices. Meanwhile, the older car telephones utilized the MTS (Mobile Telephone Service) developed by Bells Labs which required human operators to assist the call routing process. These were limited to big cities and highway corridors.

The world witnessed the first handheld cell phone call 50 years ago today

ShrimpApplePro, a credible Apple leaker who is known for leaking many features in the past, said that Apple is developing OLED panels for iPad Pro. There are four prototypes, and the screen sizes are reportedly 11-inch and 14-inch. It won't be the same with the company's current flexible OLED displays for iPhones. Apple wants to use a rigid OLED prototype in the upcoming iPad Pro models.

Apple is teaming up with Samsung

The rigid panel is used in some of the top smartphones, like the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 7. However, some users say that the rigid OLED displays have "poor viewing angles." To prevent such issues, Apple's plan is to team up with Samsung to implement hybrid OLED technology. The new display technology will probably cause an increase in price, but it will offer a longer lifespan and better viewing angles.

OLED displays are known for making content like TV shows or movies look more realistic, as it controls each pixel individually. It offers a brighter display and works better when there is high dynamic range lightning. They are also more efficient compared to mini-LED displays, which means that the upcoming iPad Pro might offer better battery life or better performance using the same amount of energy. 

Recent rumors showed that Apple is looking to almost double the prices of the new iPad Pro with an OLED display. People estimate the 11-inch model is set to hit the shelves at $1,500 and the 14-inch model to cost $1,800. However, Apple still hasn't made any official announcements, and the final call is still not set. Apple's new OLED call sounds promising for the future, but the new prices might raise concerns, considering the company's price policies.

OLED revolution: Apple's vision for next-gen iPad Pro

What is new in iOS 16.4?

Here are the changes waiting for users in the latest feature update for iOS:

This update introduces 21 new emoji and includes other enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPhone.

• New emoji: iOS now features 21 new emoji, such as animals, hand gestures, and objects.
• Voice Isolation for cellular calls: Your iPhone can now prioritize your voice and block ambient noise during cellular calls, delivering a better experience for the person talking with you.
• Notifications for web apps are now available on the Home Screen.
• The duplicate detection feature is now available for photos and videos in iCloud Shared Photo Library.
• Maps in the Weather app now support VoiceOver.
• Your iPhone can now dim the brightness when a video contains bright flashes or strobe effects.
• The update fixes a bug when Ask to Buy requests from children fail to appear on a parent's or caregiver's device.
• The update fixes a bug when Matter-compatible thermostats stop responding when paired to Apple Home.
• The update optimizes Crash Detection on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models.

What iPhones support iOS 16.4?

All iPhones that support iOS 16 can download version 16.4. Here is the full list of compatible models:

• iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
• iPhone X
• iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR
• iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE 2020, SE 2022
• iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max

You can download iOS 16.4 in Settings > General > Software Update.

iOS 16.4 is out with new emojis, voice isolation for cellular calls, and more

What is new in iPadOS 16.4?

• Apple Pencil Hover Tilt and Azimuth Support allow previewing your mark at any angle before you make it in Notes and other supported applications on the 4th gen iPad Pro 11-inch and 6th gen iPad Pro 12.9-inch.

• New emoji: iPadOS now features 21 new emoji, such as animals, hand gestures, and objects.

• Notifications for web apps are now available on the Home Screen.

• The duplicate detection feature is now available for photos and videos in iCloud Shared Photo Library.

• Maps in the Weather app now support VoiceOver.

• Your iPad can dim brightness when a video contains bright flashes or strobe effects.

• The update fixes Apple Pencil responsiveness issues when drawing or writing in the Notes app.

• The update fixes a bug when Ask to Buy requests from children fail to appear on a parent's or caregiver's device.

• The update fixes a bug when Matter-compatible thermostats stop responding when paired to Apple Home.

What iPad models support iPadOS 16.4?

All iPads running iPadOS 16 can download version 16.4. Here is the list of supported models:

• iPad Pro (all models)
• iPad Air 3 and newer
• iPad 5th gen and newer
• iPad mini 5 and newer

You can install iPadOS 16.4 by heading to Settings > General > Software Update.

iPadOS 16.4 is out with Apple Pencil hover tilt and azimuth support, new emoji, more

Here are the new features in DuoWOA drivers version 2303.83:

• Windows 10 18362/18363 is bootable again (more details below in fixed issues). Currently, it is only bootable using UEFI variants with Secure Boot disabled. This should help users get the value needed to configure calling functionality. Please note calling functionality may work but because of broken audio speaker support currently, you will not ear anything at all through the phone. Including with external audio sources.
• Battery Charging is now an optional component. The reasoning behind this is including it from clean installations is going to lead to a broken install in 100% of all cases. Further more, having this functionality currently will lead to unstability during sleep that will cause the device to randomly reboot.

• USB Host is not forced anymore, this means OTG dongles requiring external power from the device will once again be misdetected. The reasoning behind this is the "fix" for this particular issue broke more than it helped with.

• Introduces the USB NCM Function driver, allowing a shared network connection via USB FN from Surface Duo to the computer it is connected to. This is part of an ongoing work designed to enable local deployment of applications from Visual Studio to the device. This is not yet finished.

   

And here is the list of fixed bugs:

• Addresses an issue where Microphones were not functional anymore with recent driver updates
• Addresses an issue where clean installations would often result in a bugcheck (BAD_IMAGE_BOUNDS_CHECK)
• Addresses an issue where plug detection was hardcoded to inserted, leading to issues with usb.
• Addresses an issue where Windows 10 18362/18363 was not bootable anymore
• Addresses an issue where the sensor driver would not expose the goemagnetic sensor correctly
• Addresses an issue where the Surface Display Configuration service would fail to start on downlevel versions of Windows
• Addresses an issue where the Audio driver would not work correctly anymore under Windows 10 18362/18363
• Addresses an issue where the sTPM driver would not function correctly under Windows 10 18362/18363 and would prevent a successful boot of the operating system. TPM still remains broken under that operating system and will get fully fixed, at a later time.
• Addresses an issue where the USB FN/Gadget configuration was outdated for modern versions of Windows
• Addresses an issue where the device would fail during sleep, eventually leading to a spontaneous reboot due to an issue in CPU Core 0 sleep power management
• Addresses an issue where the device would fail during sleep, eventually leading to a spontaneous reboot due to an issue with battery management
• Addresses an issue where the reported driver stack version was not correct for the past few releases
• Addresses multiple issues preventing correct handling of USB TypeC PHY notification events from the device PMIC. In other words a few USB C detection issues should now be resolved in this release.
• Addresses an issue where the display name of the SAR device driver was malformed.
• Addresses an issue where DRP USB role was not available anymore
• Addresses an issue where a few UMDF drivers, notably, the AT&T remote shutdown device, the Connection Security Manager, the Surface Firmware updater were not loading correctly anymore under Windows 10

Installing Windows 10 or 11 on the original Surface Duo remains a complicated and highly technical process, so proceed with caution and read the provided guides carefully (find them at the GitHub link below). Besides, there are several notable limitations and known issues, such as unstable battery charging, broken audio, wonky brightness controls, and many more. You can find the list of confirmed bugs on GitHub.

New Surface Duo with Windows drivers bring Windows 10 support and tons of improvements

What is new in watchOS 9.4?

Here is the complete changelog:

• Wake-up alarms are no longer silenced with the cover-to-mute gesture. Apple has introduced this change to prevent accidental alarm cancelations during sleep.
• Cycle Tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates and cycle deviation alerts is now supported in Moldova and Ukraine.
• AFib History is now available in Ukraine, Moldova, Colombia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

What Apple Watch models support watchOS 9.4?

All Apple Watch variants compatible with the previous watchOS 9 releases can download and install version 9.4. Here is the list of supported models:

• Apple Watch Series 4
• Apple Watch Series 5
• Apple Watch SE
• Apple Watch Series 6
• Apple Watch Series 7
• Apple Watch Series 8
• Apple Watch SE 2nd gen
• Apple Watch Ultra

Note that installing the latest Apple Watch update requires iPhone 8 and newer with iOS 16 or later. You can check out what is new in iOS 16.4 in our dedicated coverage.

To install watchOS 9.4, head to the Watch app > General > Software Update. Installing watchOS 9.4 requires a minimum of 50% battery charge and placing the watch on its charger.

watchOS 9.4 is out with improved alarms, cycle tracking, and AFib History in new regions