This will be a benefit to those who are looking for a less demanding Outlook client, particularly if they are a business who utilise lower end devices, however, it is not yet confirmed exactly which features will be included and which will be cut from this stripped down version. The expectation will be that the core features, such as Mail and Calendar access, will be included with this version as a bare minimum.

Microsoft already have one Lite offering with Skype, and this brings them alongside numerous companies who have already created versions of their apps with a more stripped back experience that is less demanding on devices, such as Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Firefox and Google themselves with their Go branding.

The roadmap states that the app will be made available later this month internationally on the Google Play store.

Microsoft confirms that Outlook Lite is coming to Android

iFixit and Google launch official Pixel parts store

Gurman also shared several other important pieces of information about the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro handsets. A revamped rock screen is one of the most talked-about features in iOS, and the upcoming “Pro” models will also have it, which will consist of widgets displaying weather, calendars, stocks, activities, and other data. The screen brightness and frame rate will be lowered to ensure a better life. The revamped lock screen will also allow users to keep sensitive data from appearing on the lock screen. They will work works hand-in-hand with AOD.

Moreover, iPhone 14 Pro will have a much-improved camera system. Apple will use a 48 MP rear camera for the first time. The front-facing camera is also expected to be significantly better than previous models. The processing power is also likely to be better, courtesy of Apple’s faster A16 chip, something the iPhone 14 non-Pro models will not get, as reported by Gurman. A redesigned notch with a pill-shaped cutout for Face ID and a hole punch for the camera is another noteworthy change that Apple is set to introduce in iPhone 14 Pro.

The non-Pro models will be a lot less exciting this year, as per Gurman. The regular iPhone 14 will get the same A15 chip from last year, which powers the iPhone 13 models. Also, due to poor demand, Apple will finally kill the 5.4-inch mini-size models and replace them with 6.7-inch ones.

This year’s iPhone launch event could take place in September, though the exact dates are unknown. The event will tell us whether these leaks are true. In the meantime, keep reading MSPU to know all the latest updates about the upcoming iPhone 14 series.

Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro will reportedly have these new features

After sunsetting Google Hangouts for Workspace users in February, Google’s now beginning the process of migrating free, personal Hangouts users to Chat. In an announcement posted to its blog, Google says people who still use the Hangouts mobile app will see a prompt to move to Chat.

As for users who use Hangouts in Gmail on the web, Google says it won’t start prompting users to make the switch to Chat until July. Hangouts will remain usable on its desktop site until November, and Google says it will warn users “at least one month” in advance before it starts pointing the Hangouts site to Chat.

Image: Google

Confusingly, Google Chat isn’t the same thing as GChat (or Google Talk), which Google discontinued for good earlier this month. (Hangouts was originally supposed to be the successor to GChat, but here we are.) The company first hinted at its plans to transition users from Hangouts to Chat in 2018 and made the feature free for all users in 2020.

If you’re still using Hangouts, Google should automatically transfer your existing conversations to Chat. The company also gives you the option of using its Takeout service to download a copy of your Hangouts data before it’s officially discontinued come November.

To entice users into making the switch to Chat, Google says it’s rolling out a few new features, including the ability to make direct calls, create in-line threads in Spaces (the rebrand of Rooms), as well as share and view multiple images.

Google Hangouts is shutting down in November

Google has announced five new major features coming to its browser on iOS. They focus on making Chrome on iPhone and iPad faster, safer, and more personalized.

According to a post on the official Google blog, the next update for Chrome on iOS will include the following features:

• Enhanced Safe Browsing. This is a feature Google plans to bring from the desktop version of its browser to mobile devices. It provides improved security by keeping users safe from phishing, malware, and other web-related threats. Chrome will warn its customers about potentially harmful websites or login/password leaks.
• Improved auto-fill. Like Microsoft Authenticator and Edge, Chrome users will be able to utilize the browser as the default password provider on websites and third-party apps. No more storing passwords in the standard Notes app.
• A better home page. Google says improvements to the home page will make it easier to discover relevant content, access recent tabs, and open bookmarks, reading list, history, or the frequently visited websites.
• Enhanced translation. Google Chrome on iOS will utilize on-device machine learning for better website translation. The upcoming update will improve language identification so that the browser can detect the needed language more accurately and figure out whether it needs to translate it.
• Chrome Actions. Here is another feature that will come straight from desktop Chrome to iOS. The browser will let its users use natural language commands to get things done faster, such as "clear browsing data," "open incognito tab," or "set Chrome as the default browser." A similar feature recently appeared in Microsoft Edge on desktop.

Google promises to add "even more innovation" to Chrome on iOS in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, you can check out what is new in Chrome 103 that Google released earlier this week.

Chrome for iOS will autofill passwords in other apps

Apple will no longer let you use an iPad as a home hub to control HomeKit accessories starting with iOS 16, MacRumors reports. Text apparently found in iOS 16’s second developer beta by MacRumors contributing writer Steve Moser spells out the change.

“A home hub is required to take advantage of features like receiving accessory notifications and allowing other people to control your home,” text in the Home app reportedly reads. “You will not be able to view shared homes until those homes are also upgraded to the latest HomeKit. iPad will no longer be supported as a home hub.”

If the change goes into effect as the found text suggests, it means you’ll need to use a HomePod, HomePod mini, or Apple TV as your home hub when you upgrade to iOS 16. Apple didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment. But as MacRumors points out, the company’s iOS 16 preview webpage says that “only Apple TV and HomePod are supported as home hubs,” which to me indicates that Apple is indeed planning to remove support for iPads.

While the change might be disappointing, there is some good news on the smart home front for iOS 16. The update will include an all-new Home app with features like a new categories section and a redesigned home tab. And a later iOS 16 update will add support for Matter, the new smart home connectivity standard with broad industry support that’s set to arrive sometime this fall. That upcoming Matter support may provide a clue as to why Apple is dropping iPad home hub support: while no iPads support Thread, a smart home networking protocol used by Matter, the Apple TV 4K and the HomePod mini do.

iPads might lose their smart home hub abilities in iOS 16

Xiaomi is no stranger to Windows computers. The Chinese manufacturer has a solid portfolio of Windows laptops with different price tags and capabilities, and now there is one more somewhat exotic option. Xiaomi has announced the Xiaomi Book S, a 2-in-1 hybrid tablet with Windows 11 and an ARM processor.

The Xiaomi Book S follows the well-established formula of hybrid tablets Microsoft first introduced with its Surface Pro devices. It is a 12.4-inch tablet with a 16:10 screen, 2560 x 1600 pixels resolution, and a modest 60Hz refresh rate. The manufacturer says the display reaches a peak brightness of 500 nits and supports an active stylus.

What makes the Xiaomi Book S stand out in a crowd of hybrid Windows tablets is the CPU choice. Xiaomi decided to ditch traditional Intel chips in favor of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2. It is not the newest nor fastest processor from Qualcomm (it was actually announced in September 2020), but it still offers decent performance and allows reducing the final price.

An older processor is not the only corner Xiaomi had to cut to lower the price to €699. The manufacturer also ditched the cellular modem, leaving Wi-Fi the only connectivity option available for potential buyers. Hence, the Xiaomi Book S falls out of the "Always Connected PC" device category.

On the upside, for €699, buyers get the tablet and a keyboard, so there is no need to spend more money on additional accessories unless you want the Xiaomi Smart Pen stylus, which is sold separately.

Would you consider a hybrid Windows tablet with a last-gen ARM processor for a lower price? Share your thoughts about the Xiaomi Book S in the comments.

Xiaomi announces its first ARM-based Windows tablet

Justin Gutmann says Apple "throttled" the performance of older iPhone handsets after users installed upgrades that they were told would improve the performance of their device.

He claims Apple never told users that the update could slow their device and that the tool was introduced to mask the inability of older iPhone batteries to cope with the demands of newer operating systems.

Apple said in a statement that "we have never -- and would never -- do anything to intentionally shorten the life of any Apple product, or degrade the user experience to drive customer upgrades.

"Our goal has always been to create products that our customers love, and making iPhones last as long as possible is an important part of that," it added.

Gutmann's claim with the Competition Appeal Tribunal seeks damages for 25 million iPhone users to the tune of £768 million.

The complaint revolves around a power management tool included in a 2017 software update, which slowed down older iPhone models and prevented abrupt shutdowns as they struggled with the overhead of a new operating system.

Gutmann says Apple never told users that the update could slow a user's device and claims the tool was introduced to prevent costly repairs or recalls.

"Instead of doing the honourable and legal thing by their customers and offering a free replacement, repair service or compensation, Apple instead misled people by concealing a tool in software updates that slowed their devices by up to 58 percent," said Gutmann.

"I'm launching this case so that millions of iPhone users across the UK will receive redress for the harm suffered by Apple's actions".

Apple apologised at the time and said it would replace batteries at cut price and would allow users to turn off the power management tool manually.

It has faced legal action in several countries over the issue and agreed to pay up to $500 million to owners of older models in the United States in 2020.

French authorities fined the group 25 million euros in the same year for failing to warn that updates could slow down older models.

The claim seeks compensation for owners of the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, SE, 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus and iPhone X models.

Source

Thunderbird product and business development manager Ryan Lee Sipes confirmed in May 2022 that Thunderbird would become available for Android soon. The release would fill a gap, as Thunderbird has been available for desktop operating systems only up until now. The Android version enables Thunderbird users to sync data between desktop versions and their mobile Android devices.

The development of an Android email client from the ground up was one of the options that the team discussed, but it would have been a large project that would have required considerable effort and resources. The idea to collaborate with an existing open source email project for Android was born in 2018, when Sipes started talking to Christian Ketterer, the K-9 Mail project maintainer, about potential collaborations.

K-9 Mail "aligns perfectly with Thunderbird's values of using open standards, respecting the user, and enabling power users with unmatched customization" according to Sipes.  Ketterer has joined the Thunderbird team already, "bringing along his expertise and experience with mobile platforms", and the K-9 Mail application.

Thunderbird will "devote financial and development resources to improving K-9 Mail", including an improved account setup, something which Thunderbird received already in a recent update, improved folder management, support for message filters, and the option to sync data between desktop and mobile clients. The team expects to introduce synchronization support in the Summer of 2023.

K-9 Mail will turn into Thunderbird for Android eventually, but this won't happen overnight. The client will undergo visual changes to align it closely with Thunderbird.

K-9 Mail remains available, but users who have installed it will experience transformations in the coming months and years to align the email application closely with Thunderbird's brand and feature set.

The latest interface update has seen mixed reviews. Some users who use multiple email accounts in the application stated that they find it less intuitive to use. Others like its open source nature and that development is financed by donations.

Closing Words

Joining forces with an existing application and developer makes sense on lots of levels. K-9 Mail is already available and it will take less time to make it look and feel like Thunderbird. Creating an app from ground up would take more resources and more time, and users would probably be unhappy if the initial version would lack certain expected features.

The lead developer and team need to take user criticism seriously, as the 3.1 out of 5 stars rating is not the greatest. There is a good chance that several Many of theses will be addressed, thanks to additional development resources becoming available.

Now you: what is your take on the decision?

K-9 Mail app will become Thunderbird's Android email client

I haven’t been to an ATM in probably five years. Even before the pandemic, I avoided filthy lucre(Opens in a new window), the operative word being "filthy." Online banking—especially using apps to occasionally deal with a check deposit and mobile payment services for everything from food orders to parking to paying the dog sitter on Rover(Opens in a new window)—has become my norm. It's so easy, I assumed the rest of the world was right there with me. A new report indicates I’m dead wrong.

The insights come from an April survey of 1,117 people in the US conducted by the risk-assessment automation site ThirdPartyTrust. Respondents were pretty evenly split on gender, with household incomes from $20,000 to over $100,001; the majority were full-time workers, along with a mix of part-time workers, the unemployed, and “other.”

Plenty of survey respondents are still hitting the automatic teller—78%. The majority (49%) go as rarely as once every other month. Only 11% said they visited often (one or two times per week).

(Image: ThirdPartyTrust)

But the bigger takeaway is that most of the respondents prefer to bank through a phone app (70%) or online (80%). And a full 69% realize they can deposit checks with a mobile app; no need to visit a bank in person.

(Image: ThirdPartyTrust)

Almost one in five said they never visit a bank branch.

Nineteen percent say the COVID-19 pandemic put them off cash for good (because money is, to be honest, gross). Obviously, even more people might want to go cashless, but it's not really an option. That’s because there are still many businesses that accept only cash payments. Fifty-eight percent of respondents say they’ve encountered such a business (compared with 44% who have run into businesses that shun cash entirely).

(Image: ThirdPartyTrust)

Only 27% said they’d prefer a cash-only establishment. Most look to see that a place will take multiple forms of payment before they even go in; 52% said they've left a business when they discovered it was cash-only.

Still, people are nervous without cash on hand; 76% had currency in their wallets while they were being surveyed, even though most don’t use it that often.

(Image: ThirdPartyTrust)

Using cash is certainly not most people's preference. Ninety percent of those surveyed have used a mobile payment service app. PayPayl, Venmo, and Zelle are the favorites; PCMag’s top choice, Google Pay, is the least used. Fifty-nine percent prefer using apps for convenience, financial tracking, speed, and security. And, of course, many say they like it because it means not carrying cash (31%) or a wallet (15%).

(Image: ThirdPartyTrust)

For more insights into how people are paying for things and why, check out the full report at ThirdPartyTrust.

Source

That said, Stage Manager is not coming to all Apple hardware even if they support the latest versions of the company's operating system. When it comes to iPadOS, only M1 iPads support Stage Manager while older models are out of luck, despite supporting iPadOS 16. Although this has led to some backlash from people using older devices, Apple has now provided some clarification behind this move.

In a statement to tech reporter Rene Ritchie, Apple had the following to say:

Stage Manager is a fully integrated experience that provides all-new windowing experience that is incredibly fast and responsive and allow users to run 8 apps simultaneously across iPad and an external display with up to 6K resolution. Delivering this experience with the immediacy users expect from iPad’s touch-first experience requires large internal memory, incredibly fast storage, and flexible external display I/O, all of which are delivered by iPads with the M1 chip.

So basically, it all comes down to performance. Apple believes that its M1 chip in iPads is capable of handling the graphical prowess of Stage Manager while older hardware is not.

The reasoning does make some sense on paper, though. As an example, the current iPad Pro comes with the vastly superior M1 chip and up to 16GB of RAM, but 2020's model sports Apple's Bionic SoC and 6GB of RAM. Apple isn't saying that it's impossible to run Stage Manager on the latter hardware, it's just saying that it won't result in a good experience.

Source: Rene Ritchie (Twitter)

Here is why Stage Manager in iPadOS 16 is only coming to M1 iPads

According to the details revealed by the latest leak, the OnePlus 10/10T was supposed to be powered by Dimensity 9000 processor, but new sources have revealed that it might feature the latest Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset. The smartphone will offer Android 12-based on OxygenOS 12 out of the box.

The new OnePlus 10/10T looks different than all the company’s previous models, though it looks similar to the OnePlus 10 Pro. However, the camera module on the back side takes up the entire space of the upper portion and has the Hasselblad logo on it. The leaked renders also suggest that it will feature a quad-camera setup, consisting of a 50MP primary camera with OIS, a 16MP ultrawide camera, and a 2MP macro camera. It will probably lack the iconic alert slider which the OnePlus 10 Pro has.

OnePlus 10/10T will feature a 32MP front-facing camera, which can record up to 4K 60fps and 1080p 30fps videos. The 6.7-inch AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate is another important piece of information about the handset.

OnePlus 10/10T will pack a 4,800mAh battery, equipped with 150W fast charging. Furthermore, it will have an in-display fingerprint reader and stereo speakers, similar to the OnePlus 10 Pro models.

According to the rumors, the new OnePlus handset will launch sometime in July in India and other markets.

Do our readers excited about the upcoming OnePlus 10/10T handset? You can sound off in the comments and let us know.

OnePlus 10/10T renders and specifications have leaked

Google Maps' latest feature lets you check the quality of air around you.

Turn on the new air quality layer in the iOS or Android app to monitor the air quality index (AQI) and decide whether to enjoy the great outdoors or stay inside with the windows closed.

The function was teased last year as one of more than 100 AI-powered improvements—including a weather layer that highlights current and forecasted temperatures and conditions. Now rolling out to global markets, folks can check the AQI by tapping the layers icon and selecting "Air Quality" (green circle with three wavy white lines).

As XDA Developers reports, the map automatically zooms out to show an overview of air quality across a broad geographic area; pinch the screen or use the plus and minus buttons to get more localized results.

Nearby monitoring stations appear as small bubbles, highlighting the score and corresponding color-coded dot—from dark green (best) to dark red (worst). Click a bubble to reveal additional information like guidance for outdoor activities and when the number was last updated.

Data is gathered from government monitoring stations run by the US Environmental Protection Agency, as well as non-regulatory partners; the latter's sensor measurements are calculated as a weighted average using the NowCast algorithm and the EPA's correction factor. Users in the US can also see air quality info from PurpleAir via a Nest smart device.

"Pollutant concentrations can be inconsistent over short distances and make air quality readings vary between locations," according to Google Maps' Help page. Data can be influenced by several factors, including wind speed and direction, terrain, smoke plumes, and "other sources that emit fine particle pollution," the site said.

Source

This week, European Union lawmakers agreed on new proposals to force manufacturers of everything from smartphones and headphones to digital cameras and tablets to use the same universal charging port: USB Type-C. The plan is for the new rules to come into effect by fall 2024, after which these devices that charge using a wired cable will need to do so via a built-in USB-C port.

The single biggest impact of this legislation is likely to land on Apple’s iPhone. While the rest of the smartphone industry has gradually converged around USB-C as a single, standardized wired charging port, Apple has steadfastly stuck with Lightning, the proprietary connector it introduced with the iPhone 5 way back in 2012. The EU’s legislation could finally force it to move on.

The EU’s rules are just a provisional agreement for now and will need to be approved by both the European Council and European Parliament before they become official. That’s expected to happen after summer recess, which ends on September 1st. It’ll enter into force 20 days thereafter, and most manufacturers will then have 24 months to comply, which is where the fall 2024 compliance date comes from. The exception is laptops because the kind of high-wattage USB-C chargers these devices require are less commonplace than phone chargers. They’ll instead have 40 months, which brings us to roughly the beginning of 2026.

If Apple wants the iPhone to have a physical charging port after fall 2024, then the EU wants USB-C to be its only option. It can’t simply offer an external dongle like it did a decade ago. The most recent public drafts of the proposed legislation specify that the USB Type-C connector used for charging needs to remain “accessible and operational at all times,” meaning a detachable dongle is unlikely to cut it. That’s because the EU’s rules are designed to reduce e-waste, with a universal charging standard that’ll hopefully mean more chargers can be reused rather than ending up in landfills. The EU estimates the rules could cut down on 11,000 metric tons (over 12,000 tons) of e-waste annually and save customers €250 million (around $268 million USD) on “unnecessary charger purchases.”

New flagship iPhones tend to be announced in September each year, which means Apple’s 2024 iPhone range (likely to be called the iPhone 16) will launch right as the legislation is coming into force. But the rules dictate that “there shouldn’t be products on the market that are not compliant” with the directive, says Desislava Dimitrova, a spokesperson with the European Parliament. That means Apple may want to make the changes sooner, since it would have to modify or pull older models from the market. Apple typically continues selling older models for several years at a lower price.

There are already reports that the iPhone maker could make the change next year. Last month, reputable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple could be ready to make the switch as early as 2023. Days later Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman corroborated this report and said Apple was already testing iPhones equipped with the connector. If accurate, these reports suggest we might see an iPhone equipped with a USB-C port a year before the EU’s new rules come into effect.

Of course, the EU can’t force Apple to make the change worldwide. But any iPhones sold in the European Union’s single market would have to abide by these rules. Over the course of its 2021 financial year, almost a quarter of Apple’s net sales came from Europe, and the iPhone was its best-selling product worldwide. The market is simply too lucrative for Apple to abandon over legislation like this. Apple could make USB-C iPhones and ship them exclusively to the EU, but given Apple’s emphasis on supply chain efficiency that sees it selling a narrow selection of very similar devices around the world (with just a couple special models as an exception), that approach seems unlikely.

A spokesperson for Apple declined to answer questions about how the company intends to comply with the forthcoming legislation.

There is at least one way that Apple could avoid having to ship USB-C ports on its phones, and that’s thanks to wireless charging. The current EU legislation is only concerned with wired charging, so if a phone were to only charge wirelessly, it could avoid the EU’s charging harmonization rules altogether.

It’s a theoretical distinction given portless phones don’t really exist outside of the realms of a couple of concept phones and publicity stunts. But it’s significant given the rumors that Apple has considered going down that route with the iPhone. These rumors have been swirling ever since Apple introduced the MagSafe wireless charging standard with the iPhone 12 line. Those rumors have faded away more recently, though, and a decision to stick with wired charging could explain why Apple seems relatively uninterested in building out an ecosystem of MagSafe accessories.

Apple has resisted the EU’s attempts to standardize around USB-C. In feedback submitted to the European Commission last year, the company argued that the regulation could slow down “the introduction of beneficial innovations in charging standards, including those related to safety and energy efficiency.” It also said the new rules could increase e-waste in the short term “by triggering disposal of existing cables and accessories.” It has a point. With an estimated 1 billion iPhones in use around the world as of early 2021, that’s a lot of charging hardware that’ll become redundant over time. And all these customers are going to need new USB-C accessories to replace them.

Apple’s iPhone 5 (pictured) was its first device with a Lightning port. Image: The Verge

As my former colleague Chaim Gartenberg wrote last year, Apple’s concerns could have as much to do with Apple’s bottom line as it does with e-waste or innovation. Since Lightning is a proprietary connector, any accessory manufacturer that wants to support it has to go through Apple’s MFi program, which allows Apple to get a cut of the lucrative iPhone accessories market.

The irony is that, despite its opposition to putting a USB-C port on its phones, Apple has been one of USB-C’s biggest champions across other device categories. On the laptop side of its business, the company started going all-in on USB-C in 2015 when it released a MacBook featuring just a single USB-C port alongside a headphone jack. If anything, Apple embraced USB-C too quickly, forcing the much-mocked “dongle life” onto users around the world. Apple has also brought USB-C to an increasing number of its iPads, like the iPad Pro and, more recently, the iPad Air.

(As a side note: although devices covered under the EU’s rules need to be able to charge over USB-C, they don’t have to use this as their only form of charging. That means MacBooks that charge over MagSafe — the laptop version that is — are still free to do so, so long as their USB-C ports can also charge them. And that’s already the case with Apple’s latest MacBooks.)

If the legislation comes into force in its current form, it won’t just be the iPhone that Apple will have to switch from Lightning to USB-C in the EU. According to a press release from the European Council, headphones, earbuds, wireless mice, and wireless keyboards would all be required to use USB-C for wired charging. That would cover the AirPods Max, AirPods, Magic Mouse, and Magic Keyboard, all of which currently use Lightning.

As well as asking smartphone manufacturers to use the physical USB-C port, the EU also intends to standardize fast charging across phones, where Apple is starting to lag behind its Android-based competitors. The iPhone 13 Pro Max reported charges at under 30W, while Samsung’s USB PD-compatible Galaxy S22 devices can extend up to 45W. The EU hopes to standardize wireless charging in the future, too.

The EU’s new legislation is still far from passing into law. It needs to be finalized at a technical level and voted on by both the European Parliament and European Council. But between it and the Digital Markets Act, whose provisions include requiring iMessage to interoperate with other smaller messaging platforms as well as requiring Apple to allow third-party app stores on iPhone, the organization is forcing big changes at Apple. And the iPhone maker will have little choice but to play ball if it wants to continue benefiting from one of its largest markets.

What the EU’s new USB-C rules mean for the iPhone

Here's everything you need to know. 

With iOS 16, Apple is ending software support for the following devices: the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone SE 2016, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus. Basically, if you have an iPhone 8 (2017) or newer (including the second- and third-gen iPhone SE), you'll be able to download and run iOS 16 when it's released this fall. That doesn't mean every feature in the update will be available on your iPhone, though, as some features like Live Text work only with iPhones powered by an A12 Bionic chip or newer.

It's a little more complicated for iPads, since they don't have sensible naming conventions. Here are the generations that will receive iPadOS 16 this fall. You can figure out which model you have by following the directions here.

• iPad: 5th-gen and up
• iPad Mini: 4th-gen and up
• iPad Air: 2nd-gen and up
• 9.7-inch and 10.5-inch iPad Pro
• 11-inch iPad Pro: First-gen and up
• 12.9-inch iPad Pro: First-gen and up

Here, we've highlighted the top new features coming in iOS 16. We'll be adding more continuously until Apple releases the final version this fall.

Lock Screen Overhaul

Apple is redesigning the lock screen completely in iOS 16. Notifications now appear on the bottom of the screen so as to not clutter up your beautiful lock screen photo. The clock widget cuts behind the subject of your photo, giving off a cool depth effect, and you can customize its design, from the typeface to the color—just press and hold the lock screen to go into editing mode. 

You can add more widgets below the clock, like weather, activity rings, and the calendar. All the way at the bottom, where the notifications live, you can also pin certain kinds of live activities. For example, if you're following an NBA game, you can see the scores via a pinned notification at the bottom. You can also pin things like Uber rides, workout activities, and Now Playing controls, which can expand to the full lock screen now to show album art. 

There's a new wallpaper gallery with tons of designs to choose from, including a live weather lock screen that mimics the real-time weather conditions, or suggestions using photos from your very own camera roll. Apple will let you set up multiple lock screens, and it's easy to cycle through them, just like how you can easily switch watch faces with a swipe on an Apple Watch.

More Focus Improvements

Your lock screen can also be tied to a Focus, meaning you can set a lock screen for your Work Focus and a different one—with a more personal photograph—for your Personal Focus. Swiping to the relevant lock screen will simply trigger that Focus. iOS 16 also adds Focus Filters in apps like Safari, Calendar, Mail, and Messages. This means when you open Safari with your Work Focus turned on, you'll only see work-related tabs. The same goes for the other apps that support these filters, and Apple says developers can take advantage of an API to add support.

Messages, but Editable

Twitter still won't let you edit tweets, but Apple is letting you edit messages in the Messages app after you've sent them. You can even “Undo Send” to recall messages. Also new is the ability to mark any thread as unread so you can check back on messages at a later time. Apple is also adding SharePlay support to the Messages app. Now, you don't need to FaceTime a friend just to watch a synced movie together—you can start the action in the Messages app and chat with synced video and shared playback controls.

If you're a fan of dictating your messages instead of typing (fewer “ducks,” am I right?) then you'll be happy to see the improvements to dictation. Now, the keyboard will stay open during dictation so you can easily move between voice and touch. You can tap text to select it and replace it with your voice, and even send emoji without taking forever to find one.

Pay It Later With Apple Pay

Services that let you buy now but pay later have received some pushback from consumer analysts, but Apple is barreling ahead with its own take called Apple Pay Later. Soon you'll be able to split the cost of an Apple Pay purchase over four equal payments spread over six weeks with zero interest and no fees. You'll have the option for Apple Pay Later when you're checking out with Apple Pay, and Apple says it's available everywhere Apple Pay is accepted online or in-app. 

You'll also be able to see order tracking directly in Apple Pay, though this is available only with participating merchants. And if you're a small business owner, you'll be able to accept Apple Pay payments via an iPhone instead of having to use a separate terminal. 

Over in Apple Wallet, you can already add your digital driver's license if you're in Maryland or Arizona, and Apple says support for 11 other states is on the way. You'll be able to use this ID for apps that require identification, and Apple says it'll only show necessary information, such as the fact that you're over 21, instead of your full birth date. You can also simply share your home, hotel, office, and car keys through messaging apps like Messages, WhatsApp, and Mail. Apple says it's working on a standard to support sharing these keys with folks that don't have an iPhone.

Share Your Family Photos

You can now set up an iCloud Shared Photo Library, similar to how you can set up shared photo libraries in Google Photos. Just add up to five other people to a library and everyone can add and edit family photos. You can choose which photos to share, share based on a start date, or via face detection. There's also a toggle in the camera app that you can turn on to automatically send the photo you capture to the shared library. If you're all on vacation, these photos can even automatically show up in the shared library based on your proximity to family members.

Safari Tab Groups and Passkeys

You can create tab groups in Safari already, such as a collection of tabs for work, but now in iOS 16, you can share these groups with other people. You'll be able to see what tabs people are viewing in real-time. 

Everyone wants to get rid of passwords, and Apple is one step closer with Passkeys. These are unique digital keys you can create via Touch ID or Face ID; there's no password to generate or type in, and Apple says they are virtually immune from being phished or leaked in a data breach. They sync across your Apple devices via iCloud Keychain and will work across apps and the web. Apple says it's working with the FIDO Alliance for a cross-platform solution for those who also use non-Apple devices.

Updates to Live Text Visual Look Up

Live Text, the feature that lets you grab the text in any photo (before or after you snap it), now works with videos. Just pause on any video and tap the text to copy it. There are a few new quick actions when you select certain kinds of text, such as converting currency and translating text.

Visual Look Up is a different feature Apple introduced last year that offered up more information on the photo you were looking at, like details about a landmark or similar web results. It now supports birds, insects, and statues, but you can also use it to grab the subject from a photo (much like using the Lasso tool in PhotoShop) to paste anywhere, like in a conversation thread in Messages.

Safety Check

This new tool lets you quickly remove all access you might have granted to anyone in your circles, including an emergency reset that will sign you out of iCloud on all other devices, reset privacy permissions, and limit messaging to the device you have in your hand. It also shows who has access to your devices and apps.

Use Your iPhone as a Webcam

If you have a MacBook with an M1 or M2 processor, you can use your iPhone as a webcam (the rear cameras, which are significantly better than the webcam cameras in the laptops). You don't need to plug anything in. You Mac will automatically detect the rear camera and will use it for your video calls. You'll be able to use features like Center Stage, which has the camera following you around a room, and Portrait mode, which blurs the background to block out the mess behind you. There's even a Desk View mode that utilizes the ultrawide camera to show folks what's on your desk, though I don't want anyone seeing that. Apple says it's working with Belkin on custom mounts to outfit your iPhone on top of the MacBook.

Apple Maps Goes to Vegas

Apple has been slowly redesigning select cities in the US to show off richer data. Today Apple added Las Vegas, Nevada, to the list, along with six more cities coming by the end of the year. Other Maps updates include the ability to add up to 15 stops before your final destination, which is great for long-distance road trips (and you can set this up on a Mac and send it straight to your iPhone). If you're using public transit, you can now see fares, add transit cards, see low balances, and reload transit cards. 

Photograph: Apple

There are tons of other iOS 16 features. Here are a few more worth calling out:

• Mail: You can now schedule emails, unsend emails (within a short period of time), get reminders to add an attachment if you mention the word, snooze emails, and get follow-up suggestions. Apple also says it has overhauled the search function, so you should have an easier time finding old emails.
• Family Sharing: There's now a simpler process for setting up devices for kids. Just bring your iPhone close to your iPad and choose your kids' account. It'll set it up with all the parental controls you configured before. You can also grant screen time extensions in the Messages app instead of having to go into the device's settings.
• Home: The Home app has been redesigned from the ground up. It'll support the upcoming Matter standard, and you can now see your entire home in a single feed.
• Handoff FaceTime Calls: When you're FaceTiming on your phone, bring the device close to your MacBook or iPad and the call will transfer to your large-screen device.
• Fitness: Yes, that's right. The Fitness app finally is available to anyone with an iPhone. No Apple Watch needed. You'll be able to close your rings without needing to wear your Apple Watch.
• Apple Health: A new Medications tab lets you add medications you need to take and set reminders (and receive them on the Apple Watch). You can manually type in your medications or just scan the label of the bottle with your phone's camera. The data includes Critical, Serious, or Moderate interactions with the pills. This data can be shared with family members.
• Apple News: A new My Sports section lets you follow your favorite teams and players in one area of the News app. You can see scores, schedules, standings, and highlights. It's available in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, and you'll get premium coverage if you subscribe to Apple News+.
• CarPlay: Apple is working with carmakers on a redesigned CarPlay experience. That includes a customizable odometer, buttons to control every facet of the car, and a unified interface. The first cars to launch with this new experience will be announced late in 2023.
• Accessibility: A few top accessibility features include Door Detection, which lets people who are blind or have low vision use iPhones to see the area in front of them. Apple Watch Mirroring allows anyone with physical and motor disabilities to fully control the Apple Watch from the iPhone.
• Quick Notes: This iPad feature is coming to iPhones. You can create a note anywhere by swiping in from the bottom right corner of the screen.

iPadOS shares a lot of DNA with iOS, so many of the iOS 16 features mentioned above apply to iPadOS 16 too. Here are a few more tablet-specific features.

Easier Collaboration

Sharing projects can be a pain, what with adding email addresses and granting access. In iPadOS 16 (and iOS 16 and MacOS Ventura), you can now just use the Share button in Files, Keynote, Numbers, Pages, Notes, Reminders, and Safari and share access via Messages to the relevant thread. Everyone will immediately get access, will be able to see updates, and can quickly start FaceTime calls with folks who are in a collaborative project.

Later this year, Apple will debut an app called Freeform. Think of it as a virtual whiteboard. You can start a FaceTime and hop into Freeform to collaborate with or without an Apple Pencil. It'll be available on MacOS and iOS.

The Weather App Arrives

No, it's not 2010. The iPad is finally getting a default weather app. Need I say more? Next, maybe Apple will finally bring the calculator app to the tablet. 

Desktop-Like Multitasking

The iPad is continuing to behave even more like a desktop computer. With Stage Manager, you can see apps and windows on the left side of the screen and switch through them with just a tap. Your apps will appear as floating windows, and you can resize them and have them overlap, much like on MacOS.

Reference Mode

Apple's 12.9-inch iPad Pro (from 2021) has a Mini LED screen that can now be utilized as a reference monitor. Basically, creators need color-accurate screens, and a new Reference Mode will let professionals use this iPad screen to ensure consistent image quality. 

As per usual, the iOS 16 developer beta will be available soon, and a public beta will roll out in July. With the latter, anyone will be able to try it out, though we strongly suggest you back up your iPhone first. Know that the beta will be filled with bugs that might render your iPhone or iPad unusable day to day, so it's best to wait unless you want to be on the bleeding edge of new tech. 

The final version usually rolls out right after Apple's annual September event, right after the company announces its new iPhones. 

Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-Year Subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you'd like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

The Top New Features in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS 16

(May require free registration to view)

Apple is finally bringing its first-party Weather app to iPad as part of iPadOS 16. Finally. The first iPad launched in 2010, and it hasn’t had the official Weather app that whole time.

The company shared a few screenshots at WWDC 2022, and if you’re familiar with the app on iPhone, it will look pretty familiar. The app’s background reflects the weather, and there’s a big dashboard of statistics. It’s basically the iPhone app but blown up to tablet size.

Here’s a screenshot of the weather in Seattle in the new iPadOS Weather app. Image: Apple

And here’s the weather in San Carlos de Bariloche. Image: Apple

It’s unclear exactly why it took Apple 12 years to add a weather app to iPad, but we’ll take it. And it’s not just the iPad — as spotted by MacRumors, Apple is bringing its Weather app to the Mac with macOS Ventura as well.

Update June 6th, 4:08PM: Weather is coming to the Mac as well.

Apple’s Weather app is finally coming to iPad

Image credits to 9To5Google

Google continues to be productive in recent days by making some changes in the designs of its products. Recently, it made a lot of changes in Google Play, including the addition of the Compatibility section, removal of the Movies and TV tab, and a lot more. Now, it is testing a new design for the New Tab Page of Chrome Android by turning the 4×2 Favicon grid into a scrollable carousel.

The new design change is reportedly being tested on some users over the weekend, as spotted by 9to5Google. Under this new design, the Chrome New Page on Android will be seen in a much neater layout since the presently space-consuming grid of eight shortcut icons would be just one long line of carousel. If your Discover and Following feed is turned off, it gives you a clean bottom New Tab Page. If you choose to activate it, on the other hand, you get a more spacious feed to scroll on.

It is the only feature reportedly seen in this test, which is still located in the same spot where the current 4×2 grid resides. That said, Chrome Android users will still see the Omnibox address bar with the voice and image search icons, the Discover/Following feed section, and the rest of the details of the present Chrome.

Image credits to 9To5Google

It can be recalled that Google previously tried this same Favicon carousel setup in Chrome Android in April this year, together with the addition of a new “Continue browsing” section. It is placed just above the Discover feed section of the tab and uses the carousel effect with a “View all” option. That test was not tested widely and obviously didn’t get implemented on users globally, but the resurrection of the icon carousel on Chrome Android must mean it will be rolled out formally this time.

Google replaces icon grid with carousel on Chrome New Tab Page in new Android test

Apple

iPadOS 16 waves goodbye to the iPad Air 2 but supports most older hardware

iOS 16 requires an iPhone 8, drops support for two generations of older phones

However, going forward, Samsung may emphasize truly democratizing the product category by releasing foldable phones that belong to the mid-range price segment.

According to leaker @chunvn8888 on Twitter, Samsung is planning a foldable phone that will be part of the Galaxy A series, which includes both mid-range and more affordable devices.

Samsung's plan to release a foldable phone that's part of the Galaxy A series seems to be in very early stages. @chunvn8888 has told Neowin that the chief of Samsung's mobile division, Roh Tae-moon, doesn't know when the company will start working on the project. That said, the expectation is that Samsung will release it either in 2024 or a year after that.

Another important aspect that's currently missing from is what kind of foldable phone it will be. Will it be a clamshell foldable phone or a Z Fold-styled one? There is no clarity on that, but given that clamshell foldable are a bit less expensive to make, the rumored Galaxy A series foldable phone could draw similarities from the Galaxy Z Flip lineup. Again, it's just speculation, and we're hoping to get more clarity on a lot of things, including the form factor, in the future.

If things go as planned, there will be a couple of exciting pieces of tech coming from Samsung in 2025. Apart from the potential release of the Galaxy A series foldable phone, the South Korean tech giant is expected to release a new chipset different than Exynos dedicated to power the future Galaxy S series phones. The first Galaxy S series handset to be powered by the chipset will likely be the "Galaxy S25".

Source: @chunvn8888 (Twitter)

Samsung may be planning a mid-range Galaxy A series foldable phone

A few weeks ago, we heard Samsung had started mass producing its next-gen foldable phones, indicating that their official launch could be imminent. The firmware development is an even more reliable indicator to make us believe that we’re very close to the launch date. Currently, Samsung is testing F936NKSU0AVF2, and F721NKSU0AVF2 firmware builds.

GALAXY Z FLIP 4 SPECIFICATIONS BASED ON RUMORS

The Z Flip 4 will have a fingerprint sensor embedded inside the power button on the side of the device, just like their predecessors. Additionally, it’s said to have more battery capacity than its predecessor, meaning battery life will hopefully be better in the newer generation Z Flip 4. And of course, powering the device will be Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1. The Z Flip 4 will look very similar to its predecessor.

• Main display: 6.7″ FHD+ sAMOLED, 120Hz
• Outer display: 2.1″ sAMOLED
• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 128/256GB
• Main Cam: 12MP + 12MP (UW)
• Inner Cam: 10MP

Galaxy Z Fold 4 specifications based on rumors

• Camera: a 50MP main camera, a 12MP Ultrawide angle, and a 12MP 3x zoom.
• Display: 7.6 inches (19.30 cm)
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1
• RAM: 8GB/12 GB.
• Storage: 256 GB.
• Battery: 4500 mAh.

Aside from the specifications, Galaxy Z Fold 4 will be thinner and lighter than the Z Fold 3, making it more compact than its predecessor.

Are you excited about Samsung’s upcoming foldable phones? Let us know in the comments.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 firmware development begins

With Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference only a few days away, the leaks and rumors are starting to come fast about Apple’s upcoming software plans. And iPad owners may be in for a treat: Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that some of the biggest announcements of the year will be for iPadOS 16, including an expansion to the iPad’s multitasking system.

Apple has steadily, if somewhat tepidly, improved the way iPads multitask. As it stands, you can have two windows open side by side, with another in the slide-over view on the side. It works, more or less, but it can be finicky to set up, and it’s not obvious how to move apps around or change their arrangement.

Gurman reports only that iPadOS 16 “will expand upon that interface,” which could mean lots of things. At some point, though, there’s only one way for Apple to go: full, free-form multitasking a la the Mac, where you can make windows any size and shape you’d like. The iPad may not go that far since developers have mostly built their apps to a couple of specific sizes and aspect ratios. But now that iPad screens are practically laptop-sized and many models are powered by the same M chips inside Apple’s latest Macs, there’s plenty of power and real estate to run more than three apps at a time.

As part of the multitasking push, Gurman also reports that Apple’s working on a new way to see and switch between all your open apps. The current system is already fairly laptop-like, so it’ll be interesting to see what Apple does here.

For most of its life, Apple has treated the iPad more like a big phone than a small laptop. But, in recent years, as the iPad has gotten more powerful and more functional and as Apple has invested in accessories like the Magic Keyboard, it’s clear that the tablet is more MacBook than iPhone. It sounds like Apple sees it that way, too, and is ready to tweak the software to match.

iPadOS 16 will reportedly include some much-needed multitasking improvements

You might think you control your phone—but over time, your phone has taken control of you. We're rarely without our digital devices, and we've become dependent on them, even when their use is not necessary.

Anyone who has had an idle moment knows that with a phone in hand, it can turn into an hour or two. Nearly half of those surveyed (47%) said they felt compelled to fill any momentary boredom with their smartphones. And if you’ve found your fingers traveling some well-worn paths around your screen, then you’re aligned with the 38% who said they had repetitive internet behaviors.

More disturbing, the overwhelming amount of available, readable bad news you'll find any time you pick up a phone has a numbing effect. Thirty-four percent of survey respondents said they doomscrolled without an emotional or psychological response. There’s even some irony involved; 29% procrastinated by browsing for and installing productivity apps on their phones.

If you can relate to any or all of the above, then you might want to consider limiting your screen time. On Apple devices, you can cut back by using the Screen Time feature. You can do the same on Android devices with the Digital Well Being feature(Opens in a new window). It’s possible that your over-reliance on your phone is a symptom of something larger, though, in which case you might want to try using it for good, by using a meditation app or reaching out to a therapist.

< Watch the video at the source page. >

Source

Google Play is gradually changing. After the recent design changes we saw this week, its announcement in March saying the Movies & TV tab on Android would be going away is here now. Reports say that it started last week and still continues until today.

This will be gradually implemented across Android users of the app as Google realizes that the Play Store app is no longer the best place to buy or rent movies or television shows. As such, the company is pushing Google TV as the “new home for entertainment,” where users will be able to access their respective libraries in the place.

“Starting in May 2022, the Google TV app will be your home for buying, renting, and watching movies and shows on your Android mobile device or tablet,” notes Google in its blog post. “On the Google Play app, Movies & TV will no longer be supported. Google Play will continue to be your store for apps, games, and books. On Google TV, you will find the same experience you are used to on Google Play Movies & TV with the latest new releases, rentals, deals, and great recommendations for you.”

By removing the Movies & TV on Google Play, only three tabs now would only be left to the Android app, namely, Games, Apps, and Books. This makes the app neater and simpler for users. Moreover, this will transform the Google Play Android app into a dedicated place for items more applicable to phones and tablets, such as applications, games, audiobooks, and ebooks.

Despite this big change, Google stressed a few things related to removing the Movies & TV in the Google Play Android app. It includes the continuous availability of the user’s purchased content in the Google TV app and continuous eligibility of Google TV app purchases for family sharing and Google Play Points. Additionally, users can still view and request refunds for purchases on Google Play and use Play credit and Play gift cards when purchasing Google TV app content.

Google Play undergoes removal of Movies & TV tab on Android

A photo of the Pixel 7 prototype. Image: eBay listing

An alleged prototype of Google’s upcoming Pixel 7 smartphone has been posted on eBay, giving us our first look at the new phone in the wild months ahead of its scheduled fall release (via Android guru Mishaal Rahman).

Google just revealed the phone a few weeks ago at Google I/O, and what we can see in the prototype matches up with what Google has already shown. The distinctive camera bar is back, and this year it’s an aluminum bar with cutouts for the cameras. And the alleged prototype’s casing is a deep black that looks just like one of the colors Google showed off at I/O.

One of Google’s official Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro images — including that deep black. Image: Google

The eBay listing includes a few photos of the front, back, and sides of the device, though there’s not much to see that you can’t already spot on Google’s official renders. A photo of the phone turned on shows it has 128GB of storage, which suggests Google will once again be offering a 128GB model as an option for the final phone. A screenshot says that the phone’s model is GVU6C. And one photo indicates that this eBay seller may have gotten their hands on a Pixel 7 Pro as well, as you can catch the reflection of what looks to be the Pixel 7 Pro’s camera bar on the back of the Pixel 7 prototype.

We’ve collected images from the eBay listing into the gallery below, if you want to scrutinize them for yourself:

In messages with The Verge, the seller claims they bought the Pixel 7 prototype from a wholesaler without knowing what it was. The seller says they realized it was a Pixel 7 after doing research and seeing pictures that seemed like the phone they had. They also say they had a Pixel 7 Pro, but sold it already.

The listing has been closed, so you won’t be able to snap up this device for your collection. There were no bids for the prototype, and the starting bid was $450. Google didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.

This Pixel 7 listing is just the latest major pre-release leak of a Pixel device, which has a history of surprise appearances dating back to the very first phone to carry the name. A prototype of a Pixel Watch was apparently found at a restaurant shortly before the smartwatch’s announcement at I/O. A mention of the Pixel 6A appeared in a coloring book all the way back in January. Somebody filmed what appeared to be a Pixel 6 Pro test unit a few weeks before Google officially launched the device. I could go on.

Unfortunately, we’ll likely be waiting a few months before Google shares more about the Pixel 7. The phones aren’t set to arrive until the fall, and if past years are any indication, we should expect some kind of launch event in October. Until then, these photos from eBay might be our best look at the upcoming phone... well, until it inevitably leaks again.

Alleged Pixel 7 prototype hits eBay months ahead of the phone’s official release