What is new in iOS 16.3?

Here is the official changelog provided by Apple:

• New Unity wallpaper honors Black history and culture in celebration of Black History Month

  

   

• Security Keys for Apple ID allow users to strengthen the security of their account by requiring a physical security key as part of the two factor authentication sign in process on new devices
• Support for HomePod (2nd generation)
• Emergency SOS calls now require holding the side button with the up or down volume button and then releasing in order to prevent inadvertent emergency calls
• Fixes an issue in Freeform where some drawing strokes created with Apple Pencil or your finger may not appear on shared boards
• Addresses an issue where the wallpaper may appear black on the Lock Screen
• Fixes an issue where horizontal lines may temporarily appear while waking up iPhone 14 Pro Max
• Fixes an issue where the Home Lock Screen widget does not accurately display Home app status
• Addresses an issue where Siri may not respond properly to music requests
• Resolves issues where Siri requests in CarPlay may not be understood correctly

iOS 16.3 supports the following iPhones:

• 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 16.3 by heading to Settings > General > Software Update. If you are new to iOS 16, check out what is new in iOS 16.0, 16.1, and 16.2.

iOS 16.3 is out with HomePod 2 support, FIDO keys, new wallpaper, more

iPadOS 15 drops support for newer iPads in 15.7.3 security update

Twitter will stop forcing you onto its ‘For You’ timeline

According to Samsung, packing 200 million 0.6-micrometer pixels in a 1/1.3" sensor enables higher-resolution photos with more details while retaining the physical size of a camera module. Customers can enjoy better images without camera bumps getting bigger.

Like other high-resolution sensors, the ISOCELL HP2 can combine pixels to provide optimal performance depending on available light. For example, the sensor can switch to 50MP 1.2-micrometer mode or 12.5MP 2.4-micrometer mode to gather more light and work better in low-light scenarios.

Phones with the ISOCELL HP2 sensor will also perform better in brightly lit environments thanks to Samsung's new Dual Vertical Transfer Gate technology. D-VTG adds a second transfer gate in the pixel to boost its full-well capacity (the amount of charge each pixel can hold before saturating and spreading the charge to the neighboring pixels and causing blooming) by more than 33%. Samsung says the increased full-well capacity reduces overexposure and enhances colour reproduction.

Samsung's latest camera sensor also offers improved auto-focus in low-light scenarios. Cameras with the ISOCELL HP2 can use all 200 million pixels grouped by four to focus quickly and reliably.

Samsung is already mass-producing the ISOCELL HP2, so expect the sensor to appear in the 2023 flagship smartphones, such as the upcoming Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Samsung announces new 200MP ISOCELL HP2 sensor for next-gen flagship smartphones

Netflix for iPhone gets a new interface

The image that you see above is the new interface for the Netflix app on the iPhone. For comparison, here's a screenshot from the previous version of the app. It was not bad per se, the design is actually similar to that of the Android app.

The new interface of the Netflix app for iOS no longer has a black navigation bar. The info button that appeared next to a movie or TV show has been removed. The top of the home screen now displays your profile name, e.g. "For John", to indicate that it is showing recommended content for the current user based on your usage (previously watched content).

The tabs at the top of the screen have a slightly different design, with a rounded rectangle borders. There is more to it than this. Selecting a movie or TV show displays some details about it, this function replaces the Info button. Netflix's Coming Soon tab is now called What's New, and displays recommendations for your profile.

According to the lead developer of the UI, Janum Trivedi, (who recently quit the company), the Netflix app for iPhone has a billboard layout with a lighting effect that users can notice when they move their phone. You may want to check this video that Trivedi shared on Twitter. 9to5Mac notes that this parallax effect is produced with the help of the accelerometer sensor on the iPhone.

Trivedi further mentioned that the app generates a wallpaper gradient based on the art (media card) that is displayed on the screen. The video demo also highlights how the card transition animations work, and they are interruptible, i.e. you can dismiss them mid-way.

Other improvements in the Netflix app for iOS includes new fluid animation effects. For example, when the app is launched, it displays a large card for a movie or show, as opposed to a nearly-full screen promo that the old version had. The animation that renders when you switch profiles is also different. Speaking of which, you can now access the profile section or the search function from any screen in the app. That should help with navigation, and content discovery. The update also adds support for haptic feedback in the app.

The new UI is available in version 15.14.0 of the app. Download Netflix for iPhone and iPad from the App Store.

Netflix is working on providing a similar visual upgrade to its app for Apple TV. It is not clear if the Android app will get the new UI, but one can hope. Netflix has recently been working on ending password sharing on its platform. First, it introduced Netflix Homes in some markets, hoping to make people buy subscriptions if they wanted to share their account with others. It was soon followed by a way to migrate shared profiles to a new account, and an option that lets you remove other users from your account. It even launched an ad-supported tier, called Netflix Basic, in some Countries.

Do you like the new Netflix interface? Yay, or nay?

Netflix app for iOS gets a redesigned interface and new animations

According to the developer, most people interested in the project want three notable things addressed before they pull the trigger on installing Windows 11 on the first or second-gen Surface Duo. Those things include the ability to boot Windows without an extra device, dual-boot Android and Windows, and lock back the bootloader. All three items will be available to customers once Gustave finishes the necessary updates and documentation.

Users will be able to select Android or Windows on boot by having the device closed or open upon turning it on. This month's update will also bring other features and restore previously broken apps, such as McDonald's, Netflix, and banking applications.

Speaking of other Surface Duo news, a new report recently emerged with details about the next generation of Microsoft's Android smartphone. Rumors claim Microsoft has scrapped its plans to release another dual-screen smartphone in favor of a more "traditional" one with a single foldable display. Besides, Microsoft is reportedly working on a conventional slab-like phone under the Surface brand.

Those wanting to snag the Surface Duo should act fast and get the device for $314.99 while the supply last. Unfortunately, the Surface Duo 2 is nowhere to be found, including on Microsoft's website.

Our stories may contain affiliate links for products/apps where Neowin is paid an affiliate fee if you complete a purchase via those links.

You will soon be able to dual-boot Windows and Android on Surface Duo

Google’s Android clock app now lets you record your own annoying alarm sound

After constantly teasing the device on its social media accounts, Oppo has finally launched in India the A78 5G, a new mid-range smartphone.

The A78 5G sports a Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset, a typical choice for smartphone brands that want to offer 5G at an affordable price. The device also comes with 128GB of internal memory, 8GB of RAM that can be expanded up to 16GB via virtual memory, and a microSD card slot.

What's more, the device has a 6.56-inch display with a 720 x 1612 resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. The screen also supports up to 600 nits of brightness, 96% NTSC colour gamut, and 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut.

The Oppo A78 5G even packs a dual rear camera setup with its 50MP main camera and a 2MP depth shooter. An 8MP selfie camera is also present. Other key features include dual stereo speakers, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, IPX4 water resistance, and a 5,000mAh battery that Oppo claims can be charged from 0 to 100% in 67 minutes through the included 33W SuperVOOC charger. The device ships with colourOS 13 based on Android 13.

The Oppo A78 5G will be available this January 18 and cost Rs 18,999 or about $232. It can now be pre-ordered through Oppo's website and Amazon India. colours available include Glowing Black and Glowing Blue.

Oppo launches the A78 5G in India, a smartphone with a Dimensity 700 SoC

One of the new features that arrived alongside the iPhone 14 handsets in September 2022 was a feature that Apple calls “Emergency SOS via satellite”—and the name tells you pretty much all you need to know.

Apple says it's intended for “exceptional circumstances when no other means of reaching the emergency services are available.” When you're in trouble and you can't get a Wi-Fi signal or a lock on a cell tower, your iPhone 14 will make contact with a satellite and send out your plea for help that way.

Be warned, though, this isn't a backup internet connection for personal use. The satellite connection is slow and limited, and it's really only suitable for transmitting key information about your situation: where you are, what condition you're in, and what you need help with.

To use the Emergency SOS via satellite function, you need an iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, or an iPhone 14 Pro Max. Apple hasn't discussed long-term pricing yet, but it has made the service free for two years when you buy a compatible device.

How Emergency SOS via Satellite Works

The service sends key information to emergency responders.

Courtesy of Apple

Emergency SOS via satellite becomes available only when you're in an area without any Wi-Fi or cellular coverage—otherwise it's expected that you can get in touch with emergency services or your trusted contacts in the normal way. Ideally, you need a clear view of the sky and the horizon, as obstructions like foliage and mountains can slow or even block your satellite connection.

Even in perfect conditions with the best satellite lock, messages can take 15 seconds to send. That might seem primitive, but there's a lot of impressive technology here—not least the way that Apple has fitted satellite connectivity into something as svelte as the iPhone 14. (Check out the size of a regular satellite phone to see what we mean.)

As you would want in a stressful emergency situation, your phone will guide you through everything you need to do, and that includes moving the iPhone to stay locked to a satellite. (This can be done even when the handset itself is locked.) The feature works in combination with the other safety options on the iPhone, so you can send emergency responders information from the Medical ID section of the Health app, for example.

Reports suggest that the Emergency SOS with satellite feature is already saving lives. After a car with two passengers went off the road in Los Angeles, an iPhone 14 in the vehicle registered the accident (via the Crash Detection feature that was also introduced with the 2022 models) and contacted emergency services automatically over a satellite connection, as there was no Wi-Fi or mobile data available.

How to Use Emergency SOS via Satellite

Let's hope you never have to use Emergency SOS via satellite, but it's wise to lay a bit of groundwork just in case. Head to the Health app on your iPhone and tap Summary, then your profile picture (top right), then Medical ID, and Edit. You can fill in details about your medical conditions, medications, allergies, and so on. If necessary, you can send this information as part of your Emergency SOS via satellite communications.

You're also able to designate emergency contacts who can be reached through a satellite connection as well as first responders. In addition, it's a good idea to make sure you're sharing your location with these people through the Find My app on your phone—your whereabouts can then be automatically transmitted out into the wider world if you get in trouble.

To use Emergency SOS via satellite, you first need to try and make a 911 call. If no networks are available, then the Emergency Text via Satellite option appears on screen. Tap this, then Report Emergency, and you'll be prompted to answer a few questions about what's happened and what sort of assistance you need. (This might cover how many people are with you and details of any injuries that have been incurred, for example.) You also get to choose which optional information gets sent, like your Medical ID records.

With that done, just follow the instructions on the screen of your iPhone. You'll be guided to get a lock on a passing satellite, and to keep that lock (which may require you to shift your position slightly). The emergency services may request further information from you via text messages, and they should keep you updated on the response.

How to Use the iPhone 14’s Emergency Satellite SOS

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Ok, enough alliteration. Let’s get down to the facts, shall we? The Pixel 7 is supposed to be Google’s superior product in terms of mobile devices. But customers have been having problems with both the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro since launch. The latest issue that people have reported is that the presumably pixel-perfect Pixel has trouble providing picture-perfect video calls. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the issue presents itself most prominently while users are communicating via Google Meet. However, users report that other apps are also affected. 

With such a premium phone, you’d expect that the cameras at least work as well as other devices do. However, when it comes to the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, what you have instead is a blurry, grainy, distorted, and sometimes even smeared picture. Like a Salvador Dali painting, but on your family and friends’ faces. Lovely. 

Just in case people were overexaggerating, a Redditor in possession of a Pixel 7 Pro, iPad Pro, and Pixel 3XL, took screenshots of a Google Meet call on each of the phones. The Redditor found that the dated Pixel 3XL was capable of delivering much clearer video quality than the current Pixel 7 Pro. This is quite a significant issue as people spending $1000 dollars on a Pixel 7 Pro likely believe that they’re firmly out of the poor video quality demographic. Alas, not. 

The media speculates that particular apps are able to optimize video feedback much more efficiently for certain devices. However, when both the app in question and the culprit phone are made by the same company, Google, that argument seems a little lackluster. Surely Google would ensure there’s some sort of parity, a deeper connection, if you will, between its products? What should work better on Google Pixel phones than other Google apps?

We’ve been hearing about this issue since October, and we sincerely hope that Google does something to rectify the situation soon. However, in the interim, we strongly suggest Google Pixels customers use alternative apps for video calls. Or, better yet, buy a less exorbitant phone with better video feedback quality. I know, I know; I’d buy a Pixel, too, if they were sold in the boondocks where I live. There’s just something about the design, interface, and animated widgets that sets this phone apart from others. We’ll keep you updated on the progression of the situation.

Source

What Did iOS 16 Bring?

iOS 16 and iOS 14 were two major updates from Apple that brought about many changes. Users received redesigned widgets on their home screens. The app library was changed, and new features in Safari & Maps and a redesigned lock screen were some of the changes users enjoyed.

Not Too Many Changes

According to industry expert Mark Gurman, Apple has been working on a Virtual Reality (VR) headset. This headset will be integrated with Augmented Reality (AR) and run on xrOS. Apple's experts have been working on this for years, putting the development of iOS 17 on the back burner.

iOS 17 is expected to be launched with iPhone 15 and will have very few changes compared to its predecessor. With the scheduled release date for iOS 17 set for June 2023, only time will tell if there will be any changes in this OS or will all the changes be implemented with iOS 18.

2023 Is the Year for AR

As per Gurman, 2023 is set to be a big year for Apple in terms of AR. They are currently working on two projects (one with the VR  headset and the other is an AR lens). These new ventures will revolutionize the VR & AR market, and Apple is taking a big chance here by temporarily shifting focus away from iOS.

Without Major Changes, iOS 17 Is Expected To Be Disappointing

Microsoft is rolling out a noteworthy new feature for SwiftKey Keyboard on Android via an app update on Google Play Store. Taking the app to version 8.10.30.11, the update enables users to change the app language from Android system settings. However, only Android 13 users will get this privilege and not anyone running an older version of the operating system.

Besides a new way to change the app language, the latest version of SwiftKey also has a fix for issues in the accessibility description for radio buttons for theme selection. That's all that is new in the latest version of Microsoft SwiftKey. You can still read the full official changelog of the latest SwiftKey Keyboard update on Android if there is a need.

• Fixed accessibility description for radio buttons for theme selection
• SwiftKey main app language can now be set via Android 13 system settings

You can download the Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard app on your Android phone from Google Play Store. You can also click on this link that will redirect you to the SwiftKey download page.

Latest SwiftKey version on Android gives a new way to change your app language

This revelation is far from the previous rumors claiming that the next Duo will have a 360-degree hinge, allowing the device to be folded to make the internal screens external. According to Windows Central’s Zac Bowden, the next Duo will have a 180-degree hinge, though it will get an additional screen to make the external display possible. And although the flawless, gapless screen now makes the name “Duo” questionable for this new device, sources said that the handheld is still treated as the third-generation of Duo internally.

The report added that the change in the display of the next Duo came after the “original” finalized plan for Surface Duo 3 was discarded. In the scrapped design described, Duo 3 sounded nothing significantly different from the present Duos. It was supposed to get bigger edge-to-edge screens and other improvements and was set to ship by the end of 2023. However, the team shifted the plan to pursue a “true” foldable design, which changed everything. This includes the shipping window for the device, which sources said is still unclear.

On the other hand, while this is big news for Duo fans everywhere, the screen concept is nothing new. As Bowden notes in the report, the next Duo can be compared to the present foldable devices currently available in the market: the Vivo X Fold and Honor Magic Vs. Despite this, Microsoft seems determined to make its Android hardware products stand out from its competitors. In the report, sources added that there is an internal software effort called “Perfect Together” aimed at creating an ecosystem that will produce a smoother link between Windows computers and Microsoft Android devices similar to Apple’s iPhone and Mac.

Apparently, the plan to make this Apple-like ecosystem between PCs and phones could be hard to achieve with limited options for the latter. With this, the report added that Microsoft is also working on expanding its Android products in different form factors, including a conventional slab design. This is nothing huge since there are already a lot of one-screen smartphone choices out there, but the report said it would be Microsoft’s new strategy to uplift the name of Duos and make them an “enthusiast product.”

What are your thoughts about this? Will this new design help boost the charm of the next Surface Duo? Most of all, will this new ‘strategy’ work for Microsoft’s Android efforts?

Third-generation Duo: no gaps in screen, external display, and looks nothing like ‘Duo’

Apple is reportedly making an all-in-one cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth chip

I can’t be the only one who appreciates how similar the logo is.

Image: Motorola

The Lenovo ThinkPhone by Motorola is a ThinkPad owner’s dream

The design for the Android Auto experience has been revamped with increased focus on improved navigation, communication, and playing audio content. This is done by relocating Maps closer to the driver's seat, a Material You-based media card to show album art, a quick launcher to start recent apps, and split screen layouts that are compatible with different screen sizes.

In terms of new features, we have smart suggestions from Google Assistant about missed call reminders, faster access to music, and quick arrival time sharing. Additionally, you can leverage shortcuts to quickly call your favorite contacts and respond to messages. And it's surprising that this has not been supported since launch, but Android Auto finally has a seekable progress bar for skipping parts of music and podcasts. Owners of the latest Pixel and Samsung phones will also be pleased to know that they can make WhatsApp calls, with the capability slated to arrive for more devices in the future.

Moreover, digital key sharing is coming to Samsung and Xiaomi handsets and more car brands soon. Right now, they are only supported on BMWs across Pixel and iPhone devices.

Google also talked about some improvements from its partner ecosystem, summarized below:

• High-quality maps and navigation
  • The Waze app is now available on select Renault vehicles and is headed to more cars with Google built-in.
  • Google’s new HD map is now available in select new cars with Google built-in, starting with the Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3. The HD map delivers precise road details like lane markers, signs and road barriers to support automakers' assisted and autonomous driving technology for safer, more hands-free driving on select roadways.

 

• More entertainment
  • While you’re waiting for curbside pickup or charging your EV, the car screen is a great place to catch up on shows or movies. With Tubi and MGM+ already available on Google Play, we’ll soon be offering YouTube and more.

 

• Expanded choices
  • With the recently announced 2023 Accord Touring model, Honda joins a growing list of brands offering cars with Google built-in that includes Volvo Cars, Polestar, Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac and Renault. Expect even more choices from brands like Ford and Lincoln later in 2023 as well.

All of the aforementioned features have started rolling out today, unless explicitly mentioned otherwise.

Source

 

Android Automotive, Google's operating system for cars, has historically been pretty niche, and only a handful of high-profile cars like the Polestar 2 have used it. Now, though, Android Automotive is going mainstream, and we're starting to see some of the biggest car manufacturers roll out Google's operating system across entire lineups.

 

Today, we're looking at the 2022 GMC Yukon, but really, this is General Motors' Android Automotive system, and you'll see it rolled out across most of GM's lineup in the future. The same basic setup powers the Hummer EV1, and with all of the parts-sharing that goes on at GM, expect to see this system pop up in Chevys, GMCs, Cadillacs, and Buicks. With Ford and Honda jumping into the Android Automotive ecosystem in the near future, Google's car OS will soon be everywhere.

 

Let's get the usual disclaimer out of the way: This article is not about Android Auto, Google's tethered phone app and competitor to Apple's CarPlay. Android Automotive, fully spelled out (it's sometimes branded as "Google Built-In"), means the car is one big Android device. A computer runs the car's infotainment system, and that computer runs Android. Even if you have an iPhone in your pocket, that won't change the OS your car runs (it does support CarPlay, though). For most models, buying General Motors will mean buying an Android Car. You'll see an on-screen message pop up during setup saying, "By using this car, you agree to Google's terms of service."

 

This is one of the first screens the car shows from a fresh reset. If you don't want to agree to Google's terms of service, call an Uber.

 

You don't get much in the way of privacy options. You'd probably never block apps like Google Maps from using your location.

 

The idea here makes some sort of sense. Consumers want their car infotainment system to look and work more like a smartphone does, so why not just load the vehicle with a smartphone OS? Then you can get all the smooth-scrolling, touchscreen-based swipe navigation that people have come to expect from a modern computer. Android Automotive is a Google-blessed OS, and like phone companies, manufacturers like Ford, GM, and Volvo sign deals with Google to license the OS and a slew of Google apps. This car has onboard Google Maps, probably the biggest killer app in the automotive industry. You also get Google Assistant voice commands and the Google Play Store for cars, allowing easy access to apps like Spotify and other media players.

The hardware: Four screens, three operating systems

Reviewing a car computer is a strange proposition because the hardware is always so old. Car development takes around five years, and when the cars finally get to market, the computer hardware isn't that exciting. The hardware for our Android Car system—which is internally called "General Motors Infotainment 3.7," or "gminfo37"—is a 5-year-old Intel Atom A3960 SoC with an Intel HD Graphics 500 GPU, 6GB of RAM, and 64GB of flash storage.

 

This is not uniquely a GM problem, and the same CPU exists in the Polestar 2—though that system has only 4GB of RAM—so we'll classify both cars as "first-generation Android Automotive hardware." The age of the hardware is notable, though. Android Automotive doesn't let you sideload apps into a production car, but look up Atom A3960 Geekbench scores, and you'll see that the computer in this $78,000 vehicle is barely faster than a $35 Raspberry Pi 4. The GMC Yukon and Polestar 2 both feature one of the slowest CPUs you can buy today in any form factor.

 

I'm sure the Atom A3960 went through a lengthy certification process to ensure it can survive the heat and vibration of a tough car environment, but it's disappointing to see GMC shipping what are basically budget PC parts from 2016. Even if the five-year hardware delay is unavoidable, the company could have started with mid-range or high-end 2016 Intel hardware rather than cheap Atom parts.

 

Android Automotive goes mainstream: A review of GM’s new infotainment system

The Lenovo Tab Extreme will let you overcome your iPad envy.

The screen floats above the keyboard. You can also spot the dual USB-C ports in this picture.

The back. The keyboard connects to the pogo pins for power and sticks on with magnets.

The screen. Those are some pretty slim bezels. I'm sure that's a good thing for a tablet you need to hold.

Lenovo Tab Extreme takes on the iPad Pro, complete with Magic Keyboard clone

Weather app image courtesy: Apple

Apple shuts down Dark Sky for iOS permanently

The default weather app in iOS relied on Yahoo! Weather as the source for weather related data until iOS 8 was released in 2014, when it switched providers to The Weather Channel. Apple acquired Dark Sky in March 2020, and discontinued the Android and Wear OS apps in August 2020. This also lead to the end of the weather forecasts and maps that were available on Dark Sky's website. The only good news from this was that the weather provider's API continued to be supported, which meant that other apps could use it. That's changing soon, though.

An announcement on the app's website says that the Dark Sky iOS app is no longer available (from December 31st, 2022). The Dark Sky API will reach end of support on March 31, 2023, so any app that relies on it will have to switch to a different weather data provider.

So why did Apple shut down Dark Sky for iOS? The Cupertino company wanted to integrate the app's functionalities in its own app, with the WeatherKit API. It is implemented in the Apple Weather app for iOS 16, iPadOS 16 and macOS 13 Ventura.

Apple's Weather app isn't half bad, I use the widget everyday on my MacBook, and occasionally on my iPad. The app's animations are nice, and the temperature readings are fairly accurate. However, the forecast information that it shows can be a bit of a wild hit-and-miss. This really depends on your location. I have seen days when the app predicted a good chance of precipitation, while in reality it would actually be quite sunny, or vice-versa. Of course, you can't blame the app for inaccurate forecasts since it pulls the data from a dedicated weather provider, which is usually a third-party service. You can read about it on Apple's website. That's the problem with Apple Weather, you can't change the provider to a different source. The only option is to ditch the app completely, and use something else.

The reason why Dark Sky was so popular was because of its accuracy, especially in the U.S. It was well known for its down-to-the-minute precipitation forecasts and alerts, so you would get a notification a few minutes before it started to rain.  It's easy to see why users could be upset that Dark Sky has been sunsetted.

If you want an app that is similar to Dark Sky, take a look at Carrot Weather. It has a free ad-supported version for Android and iOS, and also supports Apple Watch complications. Some features are locked behind the premium subscription. Oh, and watch out for the ad banners, they can be weird and funny. It is worth noting that the Android version of Carrot Weather has not been updated in 2 years, but it works fine.

For users who prefer a web app, a developer (via Hacker News) has created a website called Merry Sky, it resembles Dark Sky. It's quite good, and uses the Pirate Weather API as its source.

Did you use Dark Sky? Which app are you switching to?

Apple shuts down the Dark Sky weather app for iOS permanently

At Tom’s Guide, we’re constantly on the lookout for new features that will help us to get the most out of Apple’s iPhone. After all, they are regarded as being some of the best phones around and, as each new version of the iOS is launched, we delve deeper and deeper to see what’s hidden within. We're never usually disappointed either, as it seems every time we look for a new hack or hidden feature, there's one to be found.

As 2022 draws to a close, we've rounded up 11 of our favorite iPhone hacks that we've covered in the last year, which we think will help turn you into an iPhone power user. These hacks range from minor tweaks, to major features and clever workarounds. They'll all help you get the most out of your iPhone, whether you're using it for karaoke or photo editing, whether you've dropped your phone down the toilet or suddenly regret sending that angry text to your boss. 

Here are 11 iPhone hidden features to turn you into a power user.

11 iPhone hidden features to turn you into a power user

Just a quick note before we start: some of the features we're covering below arrived with iOS 16 or later. As such, to use all of the hacks we discuss, you'll want to make sure your iPhone is fully up to date. If you haven't already, check out our guide on how to update an iPhone, where we walk you through getting everything up to date.

1. Use Apple Music Sing for portable karaoke

Arriving as part of the iOS 16.2 update just in time for Christmas and the New Year celebrations, a new feature in the Apple Music app — Apple Music Sing — goes beyond simply displaying a song's lyrics. It allows you to turn down the volume of the vocals so that you can hear yourself singing over the top, giving you an amazing karaoke experience. What's more, it works with tens of millions of songs. All you need to do is pick a song, tap the tune that is playing and select the Lyrics icon in the bottom-left corner. Then tap and hold the Apple Sing icon and adjust the vocal volume. 

Read our full guide on how to use Apple Music Sing karaoke on your iPhone and iPad.

(Image credit: Future)

2. Lift a subject out of a photo using Visual Look Up

There was a time when we could spend ages in Photoshop carefully cutting out the subject of a photograph and removing the background. Not any more. We now have a fabulous new tool in Visual Look Up that lets you select an image — maybe one stored in your camera roll or in Safari or Quick Look — and simply tap and hold on the subject. You will then be able to tap the Share button and either select Share or choose Copy. In either case, only the subject will be shared or copied and it should have been neatly cut away from the background. 

Read our full guide on how to lift a subject out of a photo using iOS 16 Visual Look Up.

(Image credit: Future)

3. Stop spam texts on iPhone

Do you need to pick up a parcel and pay the cost of postage? Have you suddenly won a prize for a competition you didn't enter? Chances are, the answer to both is "no", but those spam texts can be very persistent. While you can block a sender's number, it's more effective to turn on the spam filter for Messages which certainly makes iPhone usage more pleasurable for us. Open Settings and tap Messages, then scroll down to Message Filtering and tap the Filter Unknown Senders toggle to on.

Now you can open Messages and select Known Senders. Problem solved. 

Read our full guide on how to stop spam texts on iPhone.

(Image credit: Future)

4. Identify any plant with your iPhone camera

Whether you're trying to identify a beautiful perennial this winter, or a colorful annual once the weather warms again, you can thanks to Visual Look Up (the same set of tools that lets you lift images from the background). With Visual Look Up's identification feature, you can identify the species of flowers and plants without spending ages trying to describe them using the Google search engine. All you need to do is open the Camera app, take a photo of a plant and then view the image in the Photos app. When you swipe up from the bottom of the image, you can tap Look Up and check the results for a match. 

Read our full guide on how to identify any plant on iPhone. You can also use the feature to identify any dog breed on iPhone.

(Image credit: Future)

5. Delete multiple contacts to save time

As many of you will have found, it hasn't historically been easy to delete multiple contacts on iPhone, but the introduction of iOS 16 has made life a bit simpler. So long as your contacts are in a batch (in other words, they're next to each other in a list), you can open the Contacts app (or launch the Phone app and tap Contacts). Then use two fingers to tap one contact and drag up or down to highlight any adjacent ones you wish to remove. When you let go, you can long press this block and tap Delete Contacts. Sure it's not the most elegant solution but it was a hack that came in handy for us. 

Read our full guide on how to delete multiple contacts on iPhone.

(Image credit: Future)

6. Clear your iPhone's RAM to speed it up

Don't forget that your iPhone is a pocket computer and, as such, you will need to do a little admin work on the device every now and then to ensure it remains in tip-top shape. Of course, there is a limit: your iPhone is ageing and, over time, its performance will dip. But if you clear your phone's Random Access Memory (RAM), then you will free up more space for the storage of short term data and that can make everything run a little quicker. The trick is to create a virtual Home button, access a secret power user shutdown menu and hold down on the virtual Home button. 

It's a little complicated, so you'll want to read our full guide on how to clear RAM on iPhone.

(Image credit: Future)

7. Eject water from your iPhone's speakers

Dropped your phone down the toilet? Not a problem, right? It's water resistant, after all. Wrong. Water resistance is only designed for short term exposure to water. You can still cause damage to a water resistant phone by not ensuring it is fully dried after a dip. An important thing to do is to vibrate the speakers to ensure any trapped water within those is expelled, as you'd do on an Apple Watch. You can do this with a simple shortcut. Just visit Shortcuts Gallery(opens in new tab) in Safari, select Get Shortcut and tap Add Shortcut. You can now say, “Hey Siri, water eject” and tap Begin Water Ejection. 

Read our full guide on how to eject water from an iPhone using a Siri Shortcut.

(Image credit: Future)

8. Customize how notifications appear

With iOS 16, notifications moved to the bottom of the lock screen and, instead of appearing as a list, they are now stacked on top of one another. You don't have to keep it this way and can change this to your liking. You can revert back to the classical list format if you wish or you can stack your notifications to only see how many you have — the idea being you need to tap to see what they are. To do this, launch the Settings app and tap Notifications then select one of the modes to use from the section at the top of the screen. 

Read our full guide on how to change the way iPhone notifications are displayed in iOS 16.

(Image credit: Future)

9. Unsend a text message you regret

We've all done it, haven't we? Sent a text to someone and then instantly regretted it. Is your boss really going to find out what you think? Argh! With iOS 16, you don't need to worry, because there's now an “unsend” option that remains active for two minutes. Once you've sent a text, tap and hold the message then select Undo Send. So ok, the recipient will be told that you've removed the text and they may wonder why, but this is a feature that could just save you a heap of embarrassment (or your job!). 

Read our full guide on how to unsend a text message in iOS 16 Messages.

(Image credit: Future)

10. Undo edits like a pro in iOS Photos

Before iOS 16, undoing a single edit wasn't possible. You would need to manually undo a change, tap Cancel to discard changes made since the last save or go nuclear and select Revert to remove every change you'd make so that you could start over.

But now, when you tap Edit on a photo and make a change, you only need to tap the back arrow to undo the change. You can also, if you wish, tap the forward arrow to redo the change. Ultimately, though, you're going to be saving a heap of time and a lot of frustration. 

Read our full guide on how to quickly undo edits in iOS Photos.

(Image credit: Future)

11. Copy and paste edits like a pro in iOS Photos

Photographers have also been raving over another iOS 16 addition: the ability to copy and paste image edits in Photos. You're able to make an adjustment to one image and then apply it to an entire batch if you wish. Once you have found an image you want to work with, tap Edit. Make your adjustments and after you tap Done, select the three-dots icon and tap Copy Edits. When you are making changes to another image, tap the three-dots icon again and tap Paste Edits. This is a feature found on professional editing software to speed up production workflows, so it's definitely worth getting to grips with this one and seeing how it works if you're a keen iPhone photographer.

Read our full guide on how to copy and paste edits in iOS Photos.

(Image credit: Future)

And there you have it. You can now do even more with your iPhone than you may have imagined. But the fun doesn't stop there. Keeping coming back to Tom's Guide and you learn much more about your device, such as how to remove the wallpaper from your iPhone 14 Pro's always on display, how to measure someone's height instantly, how to turn off background app refresh and save battery, and how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone.

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For all Android users, Google has added a new Highlights tab to its contact management service - Google Contacts. With this change, the Contacts app has become a three-tab app that includes the Contacts tab, the Highlights tab, and Fix & Manage tab. Moreover, these three tabs make up the items of the main list view.

Located at the bottom of the Contacts app screen, the Highlights tab accommodates comfortably between the Contacts tab and the Fix & manage tab. Upon switching to it, you’ll also find a dedicated section for Favorites and Recent.

As the name suggests, Favorites lets you mark some of the frequently used contacts as important by looking for them using the search bar and then adding them to favorites from the top-right corner.

On the other hand, Recent includes contacts that can be put into two separate tab lists, namely Viewed recently and Added recently. Both give access to your most recent contacts so that you can find them quickly rather than having to scroll through the entire list of contacts.

Also, if you are not aware, you can use the Google Contacts app to back up your contacts and sync them across all your devices. This helps you keep your contacts organized and up to date.

Source: 9to5Google.

Google Contacts adds a new Highlights tab for Android users

According to the famed leaker Ice universe, Samsung is planning to hold its Galaxy Unpacked event on February 1. Previous reports already suggested that the alleged Galaxy S23 series will debut at the Unpacked event instead of CES 2023. There is not enough clarity over whether Unpacked 2023 will be an in-person event given that the COVID-19 situation is not that intense, except, of course, in China.

Galaxy S22, the predecessor of S23, was also launched in February at an Unpacked event this year. Usually, Samsung makes its major hardware announcements at Unpacked events, so it will not be surprising to see the S23 series debuting at Galaxy Unpacked 2023. However, it will be interesting to see what else Samsung announces alongside the S23 at the event.

As for the Galaxy S23 series rumors, it is likely to include Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra. All of them are expected to pack the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and ditch the Exynos chipset entirely. Rumor also has it that the 'Ultra' model will have a 200MP primary rear camera, which can help users take sharper photos than the Galaxy S22 Ultra. Accompanying it will be a 12MP ultrawide and dual 10MP telephoto shooters. The S23 will likely have 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage.

Are you planning to replace your existing flagship phone with a new one? If yes, are you considering switching to the upcoming Galaxy S23? Let us know in the comments.

Here is when Samsung will launch the Galaxy S23 series

There's potentially some good news about the Samsung Galaxy S23 models Samsung is planning to release next year, though you might not have noticed amid the clamor about a potential release date delay for the new flagships. But could it also mean there's a chance you could be paying less than expected for at least one of the new models?

Price drops on phones are always welcome developments. But at a time when costs on seemingly everything are on the rise, a lower-cost Galaxy flagship would be a particularly promising bit of news.

But we're getting ahead of ourselves. First, let's digest the rumor, which comes from a tweet by a leaker called The Galox(opens in new tab) who's proven to be reasonably accurate with past claims. In the tweet, the leaker claims a delay in the Galaxy S23 rollout, as Samsung executives have yet to settle on pricing for the upcoming phones.

"Deciding on a price for the devices is delaying this release," The Galox writes. "If it was up to me, $799, $899 & $1199 would be the prices."

Now that's hardly a definitive claim about price cuts, I'll grant you. If anything, Samsung's internal debate could be about whether it needs to raise prices because of rising component costs. We won't know for certain until that rumored February release — or perhaps earlier if a more concrete rumor surfaces between now and then.

But the speculation about a potential drop in pricing got me thinking — it really would make sense for Samsung to drop the Galaxy S23 Plus' price if the phone maker can swing it.

Why a Galaxy S23 Plus price drop makes sense

Consider the landscape for the best Android phones. Samsung dominates the market quite comfortably, both with its midrange models and flagship handsets. One way in which rival phone makers have tried to compete is on price, offering phones that are comparable in features to the Galaxy S series while costing less — a lot less in some cases.

The OnePlus 10 Pro really wowed us when it came out earlier this year, thanks to vastly improved cameras, excellent battery life and an eye-catching design. It also debuted with an $899 starting price, which is $100 less than the Galaxy S22 Plus costs. (The OnePlus 10 Pro's price has since dropped even further, especially with the launch of the OnePlus 11 now slated for February.)

That's not the only phone to come in at $100 less than the Galaxy S22 Plus, though. The Pixel 7 Pro also starts at $899, and you get great cameras — better cameras than the S22 Plus, in fact — along with a Tensor processor that delivers some unique software experiences, thanks to its speedy use of machine learning.

The Pixel 7 Pro (left) matches a lot of features found on more expensive phones like the Galaxy 22 Ultra (right). (Image credit: Future)

It's debatable how much attention Samsung pays to Android phone makers that command a fraction of its market share. But I'm willing to bet that Samsung does pay a lot of attention of Apple, the other big player in the smartphone world, at least when it comes to the U.S.

Price tags are features, too

Like Samsung, Apple has a $999 phone — the iPhone 14 Pro. And that phone saw some big changes from its predecessor, including a more robust main camera and a Dynamic Island feature that replaces the iPhone's notch. Shoppers have reportedly responded, with the Pro models of Apple's iPhone 14 family said to generate the most attention and sales. (Apple, of course, does not break out sales by models, so we're forced to rely on reports for that.)

Unlike the iPhone 14 Pro, though, the Galaxy S23 Plus is not expected to be a big departure from its predecessor. Use the latest rumors to make a Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S22 comparison, and you'll find both the standard and Plus models aren't do for major revisions. We're expecting a new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset in those phones, and it's possible the front camera could get a boost to 12MP. Other potential Galaxy S23 changes include satellite connectivity for emergency messaging and an improved fingerprint reader — welcome additions, sure, but hardly the big updates that the Galaxy S23 Ultra is supposed to be getting.

I wonder if those Samsung executives reportedly debating pricing have looked at Apple's $999 iPhone 14 Pro, which delivers many new capabilities, and their own upcoming Galaxy S23 Plus, which brings comparatively fewer changes, and concluded that the S23 Plus suffers from that comparison. If so, maybe The Galox's dream of an $899 Galaxy S23 Plus model isn't so far-fetched at all.

Alleged dummy units for the Galaxy S23 lineup (Image credit: SlashLeaks)

My thinking here is that Samsung would stick with $799 as the starting price for its entry-level Galaxy S23 — it's hard to go much lower on price without bumping into the upper end of the midrange Galaxy A models. But dropping the price of the Galaxy S23 Plus gives Samsung a hook for generating interest in that phone even if the new additions are relatively modest. That would also free up Samsung to charge top dollar for the Galaxy S23 Ultra, since it's likely to deliver more premium features for an audience willing to pay up for that particular model.

Galaxy S23 Plus price: Outlook

I don't claim any special insight into Samsung's thinking here. For all I know, the internal debate among executives is whether they can get away with a price hike. (My guess? Probably not, without alienating some would-be buyers.) All I'm arguing here is that a lower cost Galaxy S23 Plus makes a lot of sense, especially if Samsung wants to upsell shoppers who might otherwise pay less for an entry-level Galaxy.

It should be a while before Galaxy S23 prices come in to focus. But I hope that Samsung remembers that phone prices don't always have to move in an upward direction. In this case, going against the grain could help the Galaxy S23 Plus stand out from the crowd.

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If there's one thing that we learned from the launch of the iPhone 14, it's that Apple is creating more space between the regular iPhones and the Pro lineup.

As you'll see in our iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro comparison, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max have lots of features the standard iPhones lack. We're talking about everything from the Dynamic Island and always-on display to the new 48MP main camera on the iPhone 14 Pro. 

I'm telling you right now that the iPhone 15 is going to have to be a lot more "Pro" for people to care — and for it to not feel like a consolation prize. Here are 5 upgrades iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus need to stand out. 

USB-C

(Image credit: Ivan Shenets | Shutterstock)

The good news is that Apple is rumored to offer USB-C across the lineup for the iPhone 15 series, as it needs to comply with a EU rule mandating the charging standard by the end of 2024. Apple has already said it is switching to USB-C, even though it has not given the exact timetable. Our money is on the iPhone 15 series in 2023.

There is one wrinkle, though. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max/Ultra are tipped to offer faster transfer speeds than the regular iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. As long as they all offer speedier charging speeds — an area where Apple has fallen behind Android phones — I'll be happy. 

Faster refresh rate (seriously)

 (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Yes, I know Apple calls its panel ProMotion on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro Max, but that doesn't mean iPhone 15 owners should have to live with a slower refreshing panel. I'm sorry, but in 2023, the 60Hz phone display found on the standard iPhone is not going to cut it. 

I'm sorry, but in 2023 a 60Hz phone display is not going to cut it.

The iPhone 15 could find a middle ground and offer a 90Hz display, which would make for smoother scrolling and animations. Heck, the Pixel 7 sports a 90Hz display for just $599, or $200 less than the iPhone 14. Or Apple could offer a 120Hz panel that isn't dynamic, where it can't scale all the way down to 1Hz. But I doubt that would happen. 

Telephoto zoom

(Image credit: @jonjuhan/Twitter)

Before you write off this idea as too Pro, please hear me out. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Ultra are tipped to get an upgrade to a new periscope zoom camera, which could offer an optical zoom in the 5x to 6x range. This would allow the Pro phones to close the gap with the Pixel 7 Pro and Galaxy S23 Ultra. 

So where would that leave the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus? I would very much like Apple to hand down the telephoto zoom on the current iPhone 14 Pros to the iPhone 15 lineup. So you'd get a 3x optical zoom and 15x digital zoom. 

The regular Galaxy S22 packs a telephoto lens for $799 with 3x zoom and 30x digital zoom. So why can't the iPhone 15? Even if this doesn't happen, it's nice that the iPhone 15 is rumored to get the same 48MP main sensor(opens in new tab) as the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. 

Dynamic Island

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Here's one rumor that could very well come true. The regular iPhone 15 is tipped to feature the same Dynamic Island(opens in new tab) as the iPhone 14 Pro series. This replacement for the notch delivers real-time alerts and Live activities on the fly,

which is pretty clever. And Apple has opened up this feature to developers, so you can get things like sports scores on the go.

I'm pretty confident the Dynamic Island will trickle down to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus so Apple can make the most of this feature and more developers get on board with optimizing their apps to take full advantage. 

Longer battery life

After testing all four models of the iPhone 14 for battery life(opens in new tab) , it was clear that the regular iPhone 14 was bringing up the rear. It lasted for a decent-but-not-great 9 hours and 28 minutes. That beat the Galaxy S22 (8:02) and Pixel 7 (7:14), but the iPhone 14 Pro turned in a longer 10:13.

Assuming that the iPhone 15 gets the hand-me-down A16 Bionic chip from the iPhone 14 Pro series, it should be able to last longer on a charge. The iPhone 14 Plus lasted a very good 11:57, but that was still a ways behind the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which endured for 13:39 and made our best phone battery life list. 

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New extensions in Firefox for Android

• Firefox Relay
• Tampermonkey
• Read Aloud
• AdNauseum
• ClearURLs

Firefox Relay

Firefox Relay is an email alias service from Mozilla, that lets you mask your real email address when you submit it to a website. When a mail arrives in your Firefox Relay inbox, it sends a notification to your real email. This is very useful if you want to subscribe to newsletters without exposing your actual mail ID. It supports mails up to 10MB in size, including attachments.

Tampermonkey

Script extensions like Tampermonkey are a great way to customize the appearance and functionality of a website, all you need to do is subscribe to a specific list, and let the add-on do the rest. Tampermonkey is not open source, it used to be until version 2.9. I'm not sure why Mozilla had to choose it over Violentmonkey and Greasemonkey, perhaps they choose the add-on that is more popular.

Read Aloud : A Text to Speech Voice Reader

I mentioned Read Aloud as one of the best text to speech extensions for Chrome. Visit a website, access the add-on's UI and listen to the web page instead of reading it. It also supports reading selected text, has a few voice options, and over 40 languages to choose from. It even works offline.

AdNauseam

AdNauseum is a fork of uBlock Origin, with some extra features. In a nutshell, it blocks ads just like the original add-on, but also silently simulates clicks on every ad that it blocked to confuse the trackers. The idea is to prevent user's from being profiled by sites. The concept seems interesting, though I'm not sure how it is better than just blocking ads.

ClearURLs

The ClearURLs add-on that removes tracking elements from links, to help protect your privacy. This is a great way to prevent trackers in search results and affiliate links from following you around the web. If you have uBlockOrigin, you don't need to use the ClearURLs extension, as the former supports removeparam, to remove query parameters from URLS.

You can subscribe to one of the following lists: ClearURLs for uBo, or the Actually Legitimate URL Shortener Tool. Or you may simply enable AdGuard's URL Tracking Protection from uBlock Origin's filter lists page.

All five extensions are now available in the latest version of Firefox for Android Nightly. You can download it from the Google Play Store, GitHub, or Mozilla's servers. More extensions are welcome, but users would appreciate it more if Firefox allowed them to install whatever they want. Of course, you can do that by creating a custom add-on collection in Firefox for Android Nighly and the Beta channels.

Mozilla's announcement says that it will bring other add-ons to Firefox for Android in the future. The developers are currently focusing on implementing Manifest V3 support for the WebExtensions API on desktop, and will begin working on the mobile version of the same in 2023. The blog post also explains that MV3 will offer the ability to split extension into their own processes, which in turn will support better handling of process restarts. This seems to refer to how Android closes apps in the background to optimize the user experience, Manifest V3 may help the browser handle those better.

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