Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that some people at Apple testing the unreleased iOS 26.4 update have expressed "concerns" about the performance of the upgraded version of Siri, without pointing towards anything specific.

Since iOS 26.4 is expected to be released in about six months, Apple still has considerable time to fix the issues. However, it's been more than a year since Apple flaunted an upgraded version of Siri, which would make the iPhone's voice assistant smarter with features like personal context and on-screen awareness.

Apple has settled for OpenAI's ChatGPT to do the heavy lifting so far, and Elon Musk didn't miss the chance to add some drama to it. We have been hearing that Apple has been working on a revamped Siri with ChatGPT-like capabilities. But what the rumors have revealed so far are unexpected delays, and no major Siri upgrade was announced at this year's WWDC, where iOS 26 was introduced.

What adds to the pain for Apple is that its home-baked AI models have trailed behind those of its rivals. The most recent expectations are from the iOS 26.4 update, which would bring the upgraded Siri to the market around Spring 2026.

While Google has mocked Apple for its AI struggles, recent reports suggest Apple might knock on the search giant's door to use Gemini AI in the revamped Siri. On the other hand, the iPhone-maker is reportedly considering outside technology from OpenAI or Anthropic to power its voice assistant.

Apple's AI struggles have become harder amid the stream of departures, including senior AI executives. This most recent among them is Ke Yang, who jumped ship to Meta just weeks after being appointed to lead Apple's ambitious ChatGPT-like AI project. Yang was the head of the Answers, Knowledge, and Information (AKI) team, which was built for Apple's upcoming Siri revamp.

Still, Gurman notes that the AI race hasn't affected Apple's iPhone 17 sales (yet). The Cupertino giant is, in fact, planning to ramp up production for the regular, Pro, and Pro Max variants of the iPhone 17 series. We may get more clarity about its future plans as Apple is due to host its Q4 2025 earnings call at the end of the month.

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Posted Monday 20 October 2025 at 12:15 pm AEST (my time).

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As spotted by reliable leaker Tarun Vats, the image allegedly shows the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which is boasting the Galaxy S25 Ultra's design and Galaxy Z Fold7's camera bump. This goes in line with previous rumors that have suggested similar changes to the next year's flagship.

The device is shown in black, which could also be one of the color options for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The three main cameras are placed inside an island, with the remaining two and the LED flashlight resting separately. Apart from this, the cameras on the phone appear to be in the same position as this year's Galaxy S25 Ultra.

While this looks like something that Samsung has done to bring symmetry to its devices, the camera island also gives Samsung some more real estate for bigger camera sensor placement. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is going to feature more rounded corners similar to the likes of the latest iPhones and Google Pixel phones.

Earlier, it was also tipped that Samsung might increase the charging speed in the Galaxy S26 Ultra. It is said to feature the fastest charging speed in Samsung's history. Rumors also suggest that the battery inside the Galaxy S26 Ultra will be bigger than that of the S25 Ultra, which features a 5,000 mAh battery.

There are also reports suggesting that Samsung could bring back the variable aperture feature, which it introduced with the Galaxy S9 and S9+, with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Based on current rumors, the Galaxy S26 Ultra appears to be an exciting upgrade, with a thin profile, a bigger battery, and better cameras.

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Posted Friday 17 October 2025 at 12:49 pm AEST (my time).

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The Free Software Foundation recently celebrated its 40th anniversary with a landmark event in Boston. During the celebration, FSF announced the Librephone project, their surprise entry into mobile phone software freedom.

The initiative aims to reverse-engineer and replace proprietary blobs (binary blobs) in mobile devices. Now we have more details on this mammoth undertaking.

What's Happening: The Librephone project represents FSF's most ambitious technical challenge yet. Unlike creating another Android distribution, the project focuses on understanding and liberating proprietary software blobs. These closed-source components exist in almost all mobile system-on-chips (SoCs) today.

Rob Savoye, the project's lead developer, brings decades of GNU toolchain experience to the table, with the team expected to systematically reverse-engineer the proprietary components that keep phones locked down.

The FSF states that, as far as they know, a project this ambitious hasn't been attempted before. They recognize mobile phone freedom as one of computing's biggest challenges.

Rob emphasized the project's significance by stating that:

Making fully free software for a modern commercial phone will not be quick, easy, or cheap, but our project benefits from standing on the shoulders of giants who have done most of the work. Please join us, with your efforts and/or with your donations.

What to Expect: The Librephone project's primary goal is liberating proprietary blobs, not creating another mobile OS. They won't be venturing into hardware manufacturing either. Instead, they're targeting the closed-source firmware and drivers that limit freedom.

The team plans to identify phones with the fewest freedom problems first. After that, they intend to create detailed specifications that programmers outside DMCA jurisdictions can implement.

Even popular projects like LineageOS include proprietary binary modules from phone firmware. The FSF has supported projects like Replicant, and Librephone will serve as the foundation for developers building fully free mobile systems.

And, this goes without saying: community involvement is crucial for the project's success.

The FSF is seeking volunteers of various skill levels, not just engineers. Those interested can contribute through donations, testing, documentation, or spreading awareness. You can visit the project website at librephone.fsf.org for more information.

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The new M5 chip features a 10-core CPU, consisting of 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores. It's complemented by a 10-core GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core and a 16-core Neural Engine for better on-device processing.

Apple claims that the M5 MacBook Pro delivers up to 3.5x better performance for AI workflows and up to 1.6x faster graphics compared to the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro. The speed and power efficiency gains on the new M5 chip contribute to an all-day battery life of up to 24 hours.

The M5 MacBook Pro also improves SSD performance, making it almost twice as fast as the previous generation. Apple has increased the memory bandwidth from 120GB/s to 153GB/s and claims that the new CPU on the M5 delivers 20% faster multithreaded performance compared to M4 for workloads such as code sampling and up to 1.6x faster performance in "pro apps."

It's been five years since the Cupertino giant started its silicon transition, drifting away from Intel over the years. However, Apple didn't miss the opportunity to compare the M5 MacBook Pro with Intel-based counterparts, stating that it "delivers up to 86x faster AI performance, up to 30x faster GPU performance with ray tracing, and up to 5.5x faster CPU performance."

The M5 MacBook Pro is now available for pre-order in 30 countries, including the US, with the same starting price of $1,599. Available in Space Black and Silver color options, it will be up for sale on October 22. Its pricier siblings continue to pack M4 Pro and M4 Max chips; their upgraded M5 versions are expected to arrive in the coming months.

Much of the design and other specs for the base variant 14-inch MacBook Pro remain the same. It continues to feature the Liquid Retina display with 1600 nits peak HDR brightness, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and a 12MP Center Stage camera with 1080p video recording.

While the maximum RAM options are limited to 32GB, the M5 MacBook Pro is now configurable up to 4TB of storage, an upgrade from the 2TB storage of previous generations. Speaking of which, Apple now charges $2,000 for the most expensive iPhone 17 model.

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Posted Thursday 16 October 2025 at 3:36 am AEST (my time).

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The new iPad Pro is available in two sizes: 11 inches and 13 inches. The biggest change in these devices is the new Apple M5 processor, which promises faster CPU, more advanced GPU, and a better Neural Engine. Apple claims the M5 is 3.5 times faster in AI performance than the M4, and up to 5.6 times faster than the M1-powered iPad Pro. In rendering, the M5 is 6.7 times faster than the M1 and 1.5 times faster than the M4. Those who render videos on their iPads in Final Cut will see up to 6 times better performance than the M1 iPad Pro and up to 1.2 times better than the M4 iPad Pro.

Besides increasing the raw power, the M5 processor enables 120Hz support for external display and Adaptive Sync support for smoother motion and fewer glitches.

Apple has also increased the memory bandwidth and storage read/write speeds. Memory now operates at 150GB/s (RAM starts at 12GB in 256GB and 512GB configurations), and storage speeds are two times higher. The new iPad Pro also received fast charging support, which now gets the tablet to 50% in 30 minutes.

Another big improvement in the M5-powered iPad Pro is connectivity. Wi-Fi + Cellular models now have the C1X chip, which promises a 50% data speed increase and a 30% lower energy consumption. Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support are enabled by the Apple N1 wireless networking chip.

Other than that, the new iPad Pro is similar to its predecessor with the same Tandem OLED displays and accessory support. You can now preorder the new iPad Pro models, with sales beginning October 22. The base 256GB 11-inch iPad Pro still costs $999 ($1,299 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular variant), while the 13-inch 256GB variant costs $1,199 for Wi-Fi only or $1,499 for Wi-Fi + Cellular. Storage options include 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. The most expensive config will set you back $2,599.

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Posted Thursday 16 October 2025 at 3:34 am AEST (my time).

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Google might have yet another Pixel with a battery problem, and this time, affecting the brand new Pixel 10 Pro Fold. In a video published today, YouTuber JerryRigEverything, aka Zack Nelson, subjected the foldable to his usual durability tests, but as he’s filming his bend test — after having already broken the phone open — the battery expands, appears to overheat, emits enough smoke to set off a nearby fire alarm, and ultimately ends up as a charred wreckage on his testing table.

To be fair, Nelson puts an extraordinary amount of stress on the phone. He originally breaks open the phone by bending it backwards while the phone is fully unfolded, and the battery doesn’t swell up until he exerts a lot of force on the broken part of the phone in such a way that he’s essentially folding the screen behind itself.

That’s not a scenario any normal person is going to encounter day to day. But it’s still unusual even given the extreme circumstances, according to Nelson. He says he hasn’t seen anything like it during prior tests.

“Surprisingly, in the decade that I’ve been durability-testing phones, I have never had a smartphone explode before,” Nelson says. “The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the first phone to go up in smoke.” And while he notes that this is an “extreme test,” he adds that “I’ve also subjected every mainstream smartphone made in the past 10 years to these exact same tests. And this is the first time I’ve ever had one fail so spectacularly to the point where my fire alarm is going off.”

Google didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment. But this isn’t the first of Google’s battery issues this year: the company updated the Pixel 6A to “address a potential battery overheating risk,” and it also pushed an update to the Pixel 4A to “improve the stability of their battery’s performance.”

“As dramatic as a battery fire is, we don’t think this is necessarily a sign that something is wrong with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold design,” iFixit’s Elizabeth Chamberlain tells The Verge. “The possibility of thermal runaway is just a reality of Li-ion batteries. Looks like Zack probably didn’t discharge the battery before opening up the phone (most new phones have 60%+ charge out of the box). We usually recommend discharging a battery below 25%, but with the extreme stresses Zack places on devices, that may even be too high.

Chamberlain adds that “thermal runaway is basically a local short circuit, and it is most likely to happen when you break through the insulating layers of a jelly roll-style battery.” She also pointed to a post and a video from iFixit about batteries catching fire.

Nelson put the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s IP68 dust resistance to the test, too. While Google has called the phone its “most durable foldable yet” and highlighted the benefits of the phone’s gearless hinge, Nelson pours some dust right onto the hinge and opens and closes the phone, resulting in some sickening crunches as dust gets stuck inside. “This is kind of embarrassing,” Nelson says.

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Posted Wednesday 15 October 2025 at 12:42 pm AEST (my time).

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"The Clips app is no longer being updated, and will no longer be available for download for new users as of October 10, 2025. You can continue to use Clips on iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 or earlier," Apple said in a support document.

While the Apple Clips app has been removed from the App Store, you can keep using it if you already have it installed on your iPhone or iPad. You can redownload the app from your Apple account in the App Store.

Apple Clips lets you add speech bubbles, comic book filters, full-screen animated posters, and other fun effects. It also features a catalog of music soundtracks that automatically adjust to match the length of a video. You can share these videos on Instagram, Facebook, the Messages app, or edit them further in iMovie and other third-party apps.

The support page further details the steps to save your Apple Clips videos, both with and without effects, so that you can access them later. Make sure you don't save them as projects but videos and add them to your photo library or other places like your iCloud Drive.

The video editing app has been around since 2017 and received several updates over the years, bringing HDR recording, augmented reality support, and other features. However, you shouldn't confuse it with the feature called "App Clips," which lets you use small parts of an app to complete a task without downloading the entire app.

Apple Clips is yet another addition to the Cupertino giant's graveyard. Earlier this year, Apple discontinued several devices, including the iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and AirPods Pro 2, which have been replaced by a newer device lineup.

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Posted Sunday 12 October 2025 at 5:37 pm AEST (my time).

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This is Optimizer, a weekly newsletter sent every Friday from Verge senior reviewer Victoria Song that dissects and discusses the latest phones, smartwatches, apps, and other gizmos that swear they’re going to change your life. Optimizer arrives in our subscribers’ inboxes at 10AM ET. Opt in for Optimizer here.

I had a major problem during the unboxing of my Meta Ray-Ban Display review unit. To control the glasses’ Display, you need to wear a separate neural band on your dominant wrist. That isn’t a problem for most people, but I test wearables for a living. I’m always double-wristing smartwatches. That particular day, my dominant wrist was otherwise occupied by the Google Pixel Watch 4. If the neural band and Pixel Watch 4 couldn’t play nicely together, I was in a real pickle.

Thankfully, they did play nicely together. The Oura Ring 4 on my right index finger, however, did not. It interfered with the scrolling gestures, so I had to switch it to my other hand.

Cue a facepalm that would’ve made Captain Picard proud.

Later that day, I tended to the dumpster fire that is my inbox. Various wearable companies had laid siege. Had I finished testing their device? Would I be interested in testing yet another? It’s anecdotal, but in 2025, I’ve been pitched more wearable devices than in any other year in my entire career. I wanted to scream. I only have two wrists, 10 fingers (only six of which are appropriate for smart rings), two ears, a chest, neck, and face upon which to test an ever-increasing number of gadgets meant to be worn 24/7, 365 days a year.

For most of my career, I’d wholeheartedly agree that this is a rarefied problem I volunteered for and get paid to deal with. Except in the last two years, I’ve had a sinking feeling that Big Tech increasingly wants more people — perhaps everyone — to live like I do.

These are all the wearables I’ve had to juggle this week alone.

This dread first snuck up on me when I tested the Samsung Galaxy Ring last year. As I wrote in my review, this was not a device designed to stand on its own. While you could use it as a smartwatch alternative, it’s meant as an accessory for a Galaxy Watch. It’s a means of sucking you into Samsung’s orbit. As smart rings gained steam, an increasing number of friends, family, coworkers, peers, and readers have asked for my read on the Oura Ring. The majority were seeking something comfier and with longer battery life than a smartwatch, but blanched at the idea of giving up glanceable notifications or haptic alarms. Many gave me the stink eye when I said the Oura Ring works best in tandem with a smartwatch, not in lieu of it, for most people.

Now sprinkle the recent influx of AI hardware on top of this.

Humane’s ill-fated AI Pin was something you wore on your lapel, but couldn’t replace a phone or smartwatch. When I tested Bee, an always-listening AI wearable, I had to decide whether it took up limited wrist real estate or was pinned to my neck. I was somewhat relieved that for all its faults, Friend was something to wear around my neck, a relatively unused body part in wearable tech… so far.

It’s clear to me that in the search for what comes after the smartphone, tech companies have decided they should live on — and eventually, in — our bodies. (See: brain-computer interfaces and continuous glucose monitors.)

I wish I could write this off as my paranoia. Unfortunately, you can see signs of it in how tech executives speak about this next wave of hands-free computing.

Earlier this summer, I spoke with Sandeep Waraich, Google’s product lead for Pixel Wearables, and Rishi Chandra, Google’s VP of Fitbit and Health. Both told me in plain terms that Google envisions “the future will be a diverse set of accessories” embedded with AI. The appeal of smartwatches and headphones, they told me, was that they are existing products you already use.

I spent a lot of time this week thinking about my life choices.

Similarly, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently told Sources, “There are between 1 to 2 billion people who wear glasses daily for vision correction. Is there a world where, in five or seven years, the vast majority of those glasses are AI glasses in some capacity?” Meanwhile, Apple is also said to be pivoting toward smart glasses, and it’s no mystery what its stance on product ecosystem is. The more you buy, the better.

Add Samsung’s play with the Galaxy Ring plus whatever the heck OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Jony Ive are making, and you have compelling evidence that Big Tech’s power players are all working toward putting as many gadgets on us as they can. It’d be nice if it could be streamlined to one wearable, but the challenge is that no two bodies are ever the same. You’d never snooze with smart glasses to track sleep, smart rings are ill-advised for weight lifting, and smartwatches simply aren’t comfortable for some people.

Call me a cynic. I fully believe these companies will all tout that you’ll have a choice in which accessories you use, while also making you feel like you’re missing out if you don’t buy everything.

It’s not just Big Tech, either. A few months ago, Health Secretary RFK Jr., while speaking about continuous glucose monitors and fitness trackers, said he wants a wearable on every American in four years. Fold that in along with this push toward smartwatches, smart rings, and smart glasses? Welcome to my life, baby.

This is a me problem. For now. If Big Tech keeps heading down this path, it’s about it make it everyone’s problem.

This existential crisis was brought to you by a Vergecast hotline I helped answer earlier this week. The caller asked whether they should embark on a two-smartwatch life. Their Apple Watch alone was no longer sufficient for their regimen of tracking strength training and running. To get the best possible performance, should they add a Garmin and juggle between both products?

My answer remains a visceral “Absolutely not.”

My tolerance for this multi-device hellscape is high, but it’s still a hellscape. Look at me. I live a life of permanent double watch tans, getting negged by AI necklaces, and 30-minute data review sessions every morning when I wake up and after every workout. My eyes hurt from constantly looking at smart glasses displays. (They’re rarely optimally placed!) When I wear CGMs, I end up scrutinizing the impact of every morsel of food that passes my lips. Anytime I get a notification, my body vibrates from various devices eager to let me know that a neighbor has walked past my Nest Doorbell. As I’ve written in a recent Optimizer, I have to build in detox days to ensure I use these tools, not the other way around.

If the point of all this is to make life better, then I need Big Tech to have a deep, long think about whether the problems they’re trying to solve were ever really problems to begin with. Take it from me, a wearable maximalist: I am exhausted, running out of body parts, and feeling more cyborg than human with each passing day. And if we blindly race toward a future where everyone feels like that? We’ve lost sight of why any of us ever loved technology in the first place.

Photography by Victoria Song / The Verge

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Posted Saturday 11 October 2025 at 3:42 am AEST (my time).

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Sometimes you just want to read an article without a ton of pop-ups and style stealing your attention, and that’s where the new Reader View on iOS comes in. It’s taken a while for this to get to iPhone, but one tap on the Reader icon in the Address Bar turns the whole page into a readable screen. This gives you a clean, distraction-free typography that actually respects your eyes.

The best part is that you get to control the entire reading experience. You can choose a theme that fits the light around you, whether it’s a standard light or dark theme, a soothing sepia look, or even a high-contrast black. Then you can tweak the brightness with a simple slider to tame any glare. You can select the font like Sans Serif, Serif, or Monospace, and adjust the text size until the words sit comfortably on the screen. Vivaldi even remembers your choices, so the next article you open will look exactly the way you like it.

Another huge win for users on iOS is the ability to add your own custom search engines. This is perfect for those of us who live in specialist sources, like developers who jump straight to documentation or historians who constantly search archives. You can add the search URL, give the engine a friendly name, and even assign a short nickname to keep things quick.

Finally, the Tab Switcher on iOS is getting a dedicated pane for Tab Stacks, which acts like a tidy workspace. Stacks are how you keep related pages together without drowning in a flood of thumbnails. Now, when you open the Switcher, your Stacks are presented as neat, tidy cards. You can tap a Stack to view everything inside at a glance and jump straight to the tab you need, making your tab-housekeeping a lot less painful.

Vivaldi has also added link previews when you long-press a link, so you can peek at the page before you commit. This saves time and stops you from accidentally opening a link that you don't actually need.

Android got some love, too, and the biggest quality-of-life improvement for Android users on Vivaldi 7.6 is the ability to create new bookmark folders instantly right from the save dialog. When you tap the bookmark icon to save a page, you can now tap New Bookmark Folder, name it, choose where it lives, and save it all on the first try.

Beyond the new features, the Vivaldi team spent a lot of time working under the hood on Android to make the browser feel much steadier and quicker across more devices. Small improvements in stability and bug fixes really add up to a smoother day of browsing. This includes fixes for rare crashes, smoother scrolling on super long pages and social media feeds, and more reliable Sync with large bookmark collections.

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Security experts are sounding a warning for Android users who may have installed an app to access free IPTV and VPN services, but are instead in danger of malware that can access their bank accounts or take over their device.

According to report from Cleafy, an app called Mobdro Pro IP TV Plus VPN is a malware Trojan horse disguised as an Android app that provides free online television and VPN services. The app isn't available on the Google Play store but can be sideloaded. The malware in the app, Klopatra, is capable of accessing financial accounts and taking control of the Android device. The app may also be appearing under the name Modpro IP TV Plus VPN.

The malware from the app was first spotted in late August and by late September compromised thousands of devices primarily in Italy and Spain. 

VPNs can be useful for protecting private information and to access content from other regions in areas where there are restrictions on accessing some online content. But if a VPN app is free, it's likely there are tradeoffs in the service, such as advertising. CNET offers a list of top VPNs.

News outlets in the UK have been warning Android users to check for the app and to delete it immediately if it's installed.

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It's among the bevy of new features that Apple rolled out with last month's release of iOS 26. The screening feature has been getting attention because of the ever-increasing amount of robocalls and spam calls that leave many phone users feeling harassed.

Here's a run-through of the new function:

How to activate call screening

First, you'll need to update your iPhone's operating system to iOS 26, which is available to the iPhone 11 and newer models.

To switch call screening on, go into Settings—Apps—Phone. Scroll down and you'll find a new option: Screen Unknown Callers.

You'll be presented with three choices. The Never option lets any unknown call ring through, while Silence sends all unidentified numbers directly to voicemail. What you want to tap is the middle option: Ask Reason for Calling.

If the option isn't there, try restarting your phone.

I still couldn't find it after updating to iOS 26, but, after some online sleuthing, I checked my region and language settings because I saw some online commenters reporting they had to match. It turns out my region was still set to Hong Kong, where I lived years ago. I switched it to the United Kingdom, which seemed to do the trick and gave me the updated menu.

How it works

Call screening introduces a layer between you and new callers.

When someone who's not in your contacts list dials your number, a Siri-style voice will ask them to give their name and the purpose of their call.

At the same time, you'll get a notification that the call is being screened. When the caller responds, the answers will be transcribed and the conversation will pop up in speech bubbles.

You can then answer the call.

Don't want to answer? Send a reply by tapping one of the pre-written messages, such as "I'll call you later" or "Send more information," which the AI voice will read out to the caller.

Or you can type out your own message for the computer-generated voice to read out.

If you don't respond right away, the phone will continue to ring while you decide what to do.

Teething troubles

In theory, call screening is a handy third way between the nuclear option of silencing all unknown callers—including legitimate ones—or letting them all through.

But it doesn't always work perfectly, according to Associated Press colleagues and anecdotal reports from social media users.

One AP colleague said she was impressed with how seamlessly it worked. Another said it's handy for screening out cold callers who found his number from marketing databases.

"However, it's not great when delivery drivers try to call me and then just hang up," he added.

Some internet users have similar complaints, complaining that important calls that they were expecting from their auto mechanic or plumber didn't make it through. Perhaps the callers assumed it was an answering machine and didn't seem to realize they had to stay on the line and interact with it.

I encountered a different issue the first time it kicked in for me, when an unknown caller—whether mistakenly or not—threw me off by giving my name instead of theirs. So I answered because I assumed it was someone I knew, forgetting that I could tap out a reply asking them again for their name.

The caller turned out to be someone who had obtained my name and number and was trying to get me to do a survey. I had to make my excuses and hang up.

If you don't like call screening, you can turn it off at any time.

As for Android

Apple is catching up with Google, which introduced a similar automatic call screening feature years ago for Pixel users in the United States.

Last month, the company announced the feature is rolling out to users in three more countries: Australia, Canada and Ireland.

If it's not already on, go to your Phone app's Settings and look for Call Screen.

Google's version is even more automated. When someone you don't know calls, the phone will ask who it is and why they're calling. It will hang up if it determines that it's a junk call, but let calls it deems to be legit ring through.

Google warns that not all spam calls and robocalls can be detected, nor will it always fully understand and transcribe what a caller says.

Samsung, too, lets users of its Galaxy Android phones screen calls by using its AI assistant Bixby's text call function, which works in a similar way.

© 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 

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When the first foldable phones came along, they seemed like a cool evolution of the traditional smartphone form factor and, if they got smaller and cheaper, like something people might actually want. After more than five years of foldable phones, we can probably give up on the latter. Google's new Pixel 10 Pro Fold retains the $1,800 price tag of last year's model, and while it's improved in several key ways, spending almost two grand on any phone remains hard to justify.

For those whose phones are a primary computing device or who simply love gadgets, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is still appealing. It offers the same refined Android experience as the rest of the Pixel 10 lineup, with much more screen real estate on which to enjoy it. Google also improved the hinge for better durability, shaved off some bezel, and boosted both charging speed and battery capacity. However, the form factor hasn't taken the same quantum leap as Samsung's latest foldable.

An iterative (but good) design

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold doesn't reinvent the wheel—it looks and feels almost exactly like last year's foldable, with a few minor tweaks centered around a new "gearless" hinge. Dropping the internal gears allegedly helps make the mechanism twice as durable. Google claims the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's hinge will last for more than 10 years of folding and unfolding.

While the new phone is technically a fraction of a millimeter thicker, it's narrowed by a similar amount. You likely won't notice this, nor will the 1g in additional mass register. You may, however, spot the slimmer bezels and hinge. And that means cases for the 2024 foldable are just a fraction of a millimeter from fitting on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. It does fit better in your hand, though.

The Pixel is on the thick side for 2025, but this was record-setting thinness last year.

Thanks to the gearless hinge, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold the first foldable with full IP68 certification for water and dust resistance. The hinge feels extremely smooth and sturdy, but it's a bit stiffer than we've seen on most foldables. This might change over time, but it's a little harder to open and close out of the box. Samsung's Z Fold 7 is thinner and easier to fold, but the hinge doesn't open to a full 180 degrees like the Pixel does.

The new foldable also retains the camera module design of last year's phone—it's off-center on the back panel, a break from Google's camera bar on other Pixels. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold, therefore, doesn't lie flat on tables and will rock back and forth like most other phones. However, it does have the Qi2 magnets like in the cheaper phones. There are various Maglock kickstands and mounting rings that will attach to the back of the phone if you want to prop it up on a surface.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold (left) and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (right) both have 8-inch displays, but the Pixel is curvier.

Credit: Ryan Whitwam

The power and volume buttons are on the right edge in the same location as last year. The buttons are stable and tactile when pressed, and there's a fingerprint sensor in the power button. It's as fast and accurate as any capacitive sensor on a phone today. The aluminum frame and the buttons have the same matte finish, which differs from the glossy look of the other Pro Pixels. The more grippy matte texture is preferable for a phone you need to fold and unfold throughout the day.

Thanks to the modestly slimmer bezels, Google equipped the phone with a 6.4-inch external screen, slightly larger than the 6.3-inch panel on last year's Fold. The 120 Hz OLED has a respectable 1080p resolution, and the brightness peaks around 3,000 nits, making it readable in bright outdoor light.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold (left) has a more compact hinge and slimmer bezels compared to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold (right).

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a big 8-inch flexible OLED inside, clocking in at 2076×2152 pixels and 120Hz. It gets similarly bright, but the plastic layer is more reflective than the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the cover screen. While the foldable screen is legible, it's not as pleasant to use outside as high-brightness glass screens.

Like all foldable screens, it's possible to damage the internal OLED if you're not careful. On the other hand, the flexible OLED is well-protected when the phone is closed—there's no gap between the halves, and the magnets hold them together securely. There's a crease visible in the middle of the screen, but it's slightly improved from last year's phone. You can see it well from some angles, but you get used to it.

The Jade colorway looks great.

Credit: Ryan Whitwam

While the flat Pixel 10 phones have dropped the physical SIM card slot, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold still has one. It has moved to the top this year, but it seems like only a matter of time before Google removes the slot in foldables, too. For the time being, you can move a physical SIM card to the Fold, transfer to eSIM, or use a combination of physical and electronic SIMs.

Google’s take on big Androids

Google's version of Android is pretty refined these days. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold uses the same AI-heavy build of Android 16 as the flat Pixels. That means you can expect old favorites like Pixel Screenshots, Call Screen, and Magic Compose, along with new arrivals like Magic Cue and Pixel Journal. One thing you won't see right now is the largely useless Daily Brief, which was pulled after its launch on the Pixel 10 so it could be improved.

Google's expanded use of Material 3 Expressive theming is also a delight. The Pixel OS has a consistent, clean look you don't often see on Android phones. Google bundles almost every app it makes on this phone, but you won't see any sponsored apps, junk games, or other third-party software cluttering up the experience. In short, if you like the vibe of the Pixel OS on other Pixel 10 phones, you'll like it on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. We've noted a few minor UI glitches in the launch software, but there are no show-stopping bugs.

Multitasking on foldables is a snap.

Credit: Ryan Whitwam

The software on this phone goes beyond the standard Pixel features to take advantage of the folding screen. There's a floating taskbar that can make swapping apps and multitasking easier, and you can pin it on the screen for even more efficiency. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold also supports saving app pairs to launch both at once in split-screen.

Google's multi-window system on the Fold isn't as robust as what you get with Samsung, though. For example, split-screen apps open in portrait mode on the Pixel, and if you want them in landscape, you have to physically rotate the phone. On Samsung foldables, you can move app windows around and change the orientation however you like—there's even support for floating app windows and up to three windowed apps. Google reserves floating windows for tablets, none of which it has released since the Pixel Tablet in 2023. It would be nice to see a bit more multitasking power to make the most of the Fold's big internal display.

As with all of Google's Pixels, the new foldable gets seven years of update support, all the way through 2032. You'll probably need at least one battery swap to make it that long, but you might be more inclined to hold onto an $1,800 phone for seven years. Samsung also offers seven years of support, but its updates are slower and don't usually include new features after the first year. Google rolls out new updates promptly every month, and updated features are delivered in regular Pixel Drops.

Almost the best cameras

Google may have fixed some of the drawbacks of foldables, but you'll get better photos with flat Pixels. That said, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is no slouch—it has a camera setup very similar to the base model Pixel 10 (and last year's foldable), which is still quite good in the grand scheme of mobile photography.

The cameras are unchanged from last year.

Credit: Ryan Whitwam

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold sports a 48 MP primary sensor, a 10.5 MP ultrawide, and a 10.8 MP 5x telephoto. There are 10 MP selfie cameras peeking through the front and internal displays as well.

Like the other Pixels, this phone is great for quick snapshots. Google's image processing does an admirable job of sharpening details and has extraordinary dynamic range. The phone also manages to keep exposure times short to help capture movement. You don't have to agonize over exactly how to frame a shot or wait for the right moment to hit the shutter. The Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL do all of this slightly better, but provided you don't zoom too much, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold photos are similarly excellent.

Medium indoor light.

Ryan Whitwam

 

Outdoor shade.

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Bright light, fast movement.

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Bright outdoor light.

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Ultrawide.

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5x telephoto.

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Varied outdoor light.

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Night sight.

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Bright indoor light.

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Ultrawide.

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Medium light, fast movement.

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Outdoor light and shadow.

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The primary sensor does better than most in dim conditions, but this is where you'll notice limitations compared to the flat Pro phones. The Fold's smaller image sensor can't collect as much light, resulting in longer exposures. You'll notice this most in Night Sight shots.

The telephoto sensor is only 10.8 MP compared to 48 MP on the other Pro Pixels. So images won't be as sharp if you zoom in, but the normal framing looks fine and gets you much closer to your subject. The phone does support up to 20x zoom, but going much beyond 5x begins to reveal the camera's weakness, and even Google's image processing can't hide that. The ultrawide camera is good enough for landscapes and wide group shots, but don't bother zooming in. It also has autofocus for macro shots.

Ultrawide.

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Primary.

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5x telephoto.

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The selfie cameras are acceptable, but you don't have to use them. As a foldable, this phone allows you to use the main cameras to snap selfies with the external display as a viewfinder. The results are much better, but the phone is a bit awkward to hold in that orientation. Google also added a few more camera features that complement the form factor, including a split-screen camera roll similar to Samsung's app and a new version of the Made You Look cover screen widgets.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold can leverage generative AI in several imaging features, so it has the same C2PA labeling as the other Pixels. We've seen this "AI edited" tag appear most often on images from the flat Pixels that are zoomed beyond 20x, so you likely won't end up with any of those on the Fold. However, features like Add Me and Best Take will get the AI labeling.

The Tensor tension

This probably won't come as a surprise, but the Tensor G5 in the Pixel 10 Pro Fold performs identically to the Tensor in other Pixel 10 phones. It is marginally faster across the board than the Tensor G4, but this isn't the huge leap people hoped for with Google's first TSMC chip. While it's fast enough to keep the phone chugging, benchmarks are not its forte.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold hinge has been redesigned.

Credit: Ryan Whitwam

Across all our usual benchmarks, the Tensor G5 shows small gains over last year's Google chip, but it's running far behind the latest from Qualcomm. We expect that gap to widen even further when Qualcomm updates its flagship Snapdragon line in a few months.

The Tensor G5 does remain a bit cooler under load than the Snapdragon 8 Elite, losing only about 20 percent to thermal throttling. So real-world gaming performance on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is closer to Qualcomm-based devices than the benchmark numbers would lead you to believe. Some game engines behave strangely on the Tensor's PowerVR GPU, though. If mobile gaming is a big part of your usage, a Samsung or OnePlus flagship might be more your speed.

Day-to-day performance with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is solid. Google's new foldable is quick to register taps and open apps, even though the Tensor G5 chip doesn't offer the most raw speed. Even on Snapdragon-based phones like the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the UI occasionally hiccups or an animation gets jerky. That's a rarer occurrence on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

 

 

One of the biggest spec bumps is the battery—it's 365 mAh larger, at 5,015 mAh. This finally puts Google's foldables in the same range as flat phones. Granted, you will use more power when the main display is unfurled, and you should not expect a substantial increase in battery life generally. The power-hungry Tensor and increased background AI processing appear to soak up most of the added capacity. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold should last all day, but there won't be much leeway.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold does bring a nice charging upgrade, boosting wired speeds from 21 W to 30 W with a USB-PD charger that supports PPS (as most now do). That's enough for a 50 percent charge in about half an hour. Wireless charging is now twice as fast, thanks to the addition of Qi2 support. Any Qi2-certified charger can hit those speeds, including the Google Pixelsnap charger. But the Fold is limited to 15 W, whereas the Pixel 10 Pro XL gets 25 W over Qi2. It's nice to see an upgrade here, but all of Google's phones should charge faster than they do.

Big phone, big questions

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is better than last year's Google foldable, and that means there's a lot to like. The new hinge and slimmer bezels make the third-gen foldable a bit easier to hold, and the displays are fantastic. The camera setup, while a step down from the other Pro Pixels, is still one of the best you can get on a phone. The addition of Qi2 charging is much appreciated, too. And while Google has overloaded the Pixels with AI features, more of them are useful compared to those on the likes of Samsung, Motorola, or OnePlus.

Left: Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Right: Pixel 10 Pro.

Credit: Ryan Whitwam

That's all great, but these are relatively minor improvements for an $1,800 phone, and the competition is making great strides. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold isn't as fast or slim as the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and Samsung's multitasking system is much more powerful. The Z Fold 7 retails for $200 more, but that distinction hardly matters as you close in on two grand for a smartphone. If you're willing to pay $1,800, going to $2,000 isn't much of a leap.

It's the size of a normal phone when closed.

Credit: Ryan Whitwam

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the ultimate Google phone with some useful AI features, but the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a better piece of hardware. Ultimately, the choice depends on what's more important to you, but Google will have to move beyond iterative upgrades if it wants foldables to look like a worthwhile upgrade.

• Redesigned hinge and slimmer bezels
• Huge, gorgeous foldable OLED screen
• Colorful, attractive Material 3 UI
• IP68 certification
• Includes Qi2 with magnetic attachment
• Seven years of update support
• Most AI features run on-device for better privacy

• Cameras are a step down from other Pro Pixels
• Tons of AI features you probably won't use
• Could use more robust multitasking
• Tensor G5 still not benchmark king
• High $1,800 price

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Posted Thursday 9 October 2025 at 4:29 pm AEST (my time).

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The results repeatedly show that respondents claim to allow tech use by their preteens, yet their stated values do not quite align with their own actions. For example, 23% of parents in the survey say their 12-and-younger children have their own smartphone (Pew didn’t ask if they were child-optimized models), with the figure increasing to 57% for 11- and 12-year-olds. 

However, 68% of parents also say that kids should be at least 12 before they get their own smartphones, while 46% think smartphones do more harm than good for kids 12 and younger.

(Credit: Pew Research Center)

The dominant reason for parents to give a pre-teen a smartphone: staying in touch with them, identified by 92% of respondents. The primary reason parents cited for not doing that: their children being exposed to inappropriate online content, at 88%.

(Feature phones offer a way to allow the first use but not the second, but they are an endangered species in the US market, not to mention cringe in the eyes of kids.) 

(Credit: Pew Research Center)

Phones, however, only place third in Pew’s list of devices that parents report 12-and-under kids ever using or interacting with.

The original electronic babysitter, TV, tops that chart at 90%, followed by tablets at 68%, phones at 61%, “gaming devices” at 50%, desktop and laptop computers at 39%, smart speakers at 37%, smartwatches at 11%, and AI chatbots at just 8%.

Considering all of the cases in which AI chatbots have wound up amplifying mental-health issues for their users, children in particular, that last number still looks uncomfortably high.

(Credit: Pew Research Center)

Social media gets much smaller usage in Pew’s findings, aside from YouTube, which 85% of parents say is at least occasional viewing for the kids; 51% say it is an everyday thing. Most parents have viewed YouTube with their kids, with 74% saying they have ever done that with a 12-or-younger child, and 95% of parents of kids 2 and younger saying that. 

No other platform comes close, with TikTok’s 15% share for occasional viewing by 12-and-younger kids beating Snapchat (8%) and Instagram and Facebook (5% each). 

A 2013 US law called the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) sets strict privacy limits around how sites and apps can collect and use data from under-13 users. That has led many sites to limit the features available to those users or to block them if detected, which in turn has led many children in the COPPA demographic to exploit various workarounds, but Pew’s survey did not ask about that.

In terms of overall limits on screen time, the Pew survey finds that many parents feel inadequate, with 42% saying they feel they could be doing better, versus 33% who think they are stricter than other parents. The same fraction of parents think their kids spend too much time on smartphones.

And while 86% of parents reported having screen time rules–which they can enforce via software such as Apple’s Screen Time, Google’s Family Link, or third-party parental-control software–a much smaller fraction, 55%, said they stick to them most of the time.

Maybe because children often find ways to circumvent those restraints, 67% of respondents want tech companies to do more to set limits. They're slightly less eager to have the government step in; 55% want lawmakers to do more. Some of those attempts, notably Mississippi’s move to require social platforms to verify the ages of all new users, have led some sites to block entire states.

Finally, the parents who answered Pew’s questions know that they, too, struggle with screen time: 65% say they spend too much time on their phones, and 47% say that of social media. Speaking as a parent and a technology journalist: it me. 

Pew put together this study by surveying a nationally representative sample of 3,054 parents with 12-and-under kids from May 13 to 26. That Washington-based nonprofit pulled those respondents from two larger pools recruited randomly, its American Trends Panel and the research firm SSRS’s Opinion Panel, with incentives for responding ranging from $5 to $15.

Source

Huawei has unveiled its latest advances in 5G-Advanced (5G-A), outlining a roadmap that combines wireless connectivity with artificial intelligence.

The company projects that by the end of 2025, one hundred million consumers will own smartphones compatible with 5G-A, while more than fifty large-scale networks will be in operation.

The forecast shows Huawei’s confidence, but it remains unclear how these expectations will align with market adoption outside China.

Network design and technical strategies

Huawei’s approach builds on “AgenticRAN,” a framework that integrates intelligence into spectrum, energy, and operations.

The company describes this as a step toward AN L4 automation, but such classifications are internal benchmarks rather than universally recognized standards.

New hardware, such as the ultra-wideband AAU series, introduces dual-band fused array designs intended to enable faster coverage.

Huawei states that its Pano Radio and EasyAAU solutions are designed to support larger numbers of connections with lower latency, targeting real-time AI workloads.

In addition, the architecture is described as establishing a foundation network with a large bandwidth of 100 Mbps, meant to support ubiquitous IoT connectivity and real-time services in the mobile AI era.

The company also emphasizes connectivity across all environments, from dense cities to remote rural areas.

Solutions like RuralCow and LampSite X are presented as examples of this approach, with deployments extending into oceans and deserts.

The technology also features digital antenna and power systems, which shift passive components into controllable, data-aware infrastructure.

While the improvements may enhance operational efficiency, industry observers continue to note that widespread success depends on interoperability and cost management.

A central claim is that by 2030, the number of AI agents will surpass traditional apps, reshaping how users interact with devices.

These agents are described as enabling intent-driven communication, multi-device collaboration, and even holographic interaction.

If realized, this would change the way consumers engage with personal assistants, blending advanced AI tools directly into networks and everyday devices.

Huawei links this trajectory to the expected growth of AI-enabled phones, predicting that shipments of such devices will reach nearly 400 million units by the end of 2025.

Although Huawei frames these advances as transformative, questions remain about global acceptance.

The fastest progress may occur in China, where regulatory and manufacturing conditions align in the company’s favor.

Outside China, adoption will depend on whether vendors of leading smartphones and laptop makers working with advanced AI agents choose to support Huawei’s ecosystem.

The company’s vision also assumes that network operators will prioritize 5G-A upgrades over other infrastructure investments, although this may not be the case.

For now, Huawei positions 5G-A as both a technological step and an economic driver projecting trillions in output, yet its actual impact will be judged by real-world deployments rather than predictions.

Source

We're generally fans of the new windowed multitasking features in iPadOS 26—for people who want to use their iPads more like traditional laptops, the new system is more powerful, flexible, and predictable than the old Stage Manager, and it works on a wider range of iPads.

But some users on Reddit and elsewhere objected to Apple's wholesale removal of the old multitasking mode, Split View (which allowed two apps onscreen at a time with a handle for adjusting the amount of screen they took up) and Slide Over (which allowed a small window to be swiped over top of your screen and then quickly dismissed when you were done with it).

Split View was reasonably easy to recreate with the new system, but users who had relied on Slide Over bemoaned the lack of an equivalent feature in iPadOS 26. Apple apparently agrees because the second developer beta of the upcoming iPadOS 26.1 adds Slide Over support back into the operating system (as reported by MacRumors). Like the old Slide Over window, the new one sits on top of all your other apps and can be invoked and dismissed whenever you want.

The new version of Slide Over isn't quite the same as the old one; only one app can be in Slide Over mode at a time, whereas the old version would let you switch between apps in the Slide Over interface. But the new Slide Over window can be repositioned and resized, just like other windows in iPadOS 26.

Apple hasn't said when it will release the final version of iPadOS 26.1, iOS 26.1, macOS 26.1, or the equivalent updates for its other platforms. But based on its past practice, we can probably expect to see it released to the general public at some point in October or November, after another beta build or two.

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Posted Wednesday 8 October 2025 at 3:42 am AEST (my time).

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With this update, the iOS version of WhatsApp provides a more consistent experience than the Android version, which got this feature in the beta 2.25.12.25 update.

Translations are performed on-device via downloaded language packs, this is great for your privacy or if you lose internet connectivity. When you translate a message, it’s all processed locally instead of being shared with Apple, Meta, or other third-parties, so you don’t need to share your chats.

The implementation relies on Apple’s APIs, rather than Meta implementing its own engine. In terms of speed, you can expect translations to appear instantly in a new section right below the original message, keeping the conversation context intact.

Once you get the feature, you will be able to select a message and tap the Translate option in the context menu. The translation framework then automatically detects the message’s language and translates it to whatever target language you choose. The available languages will depend on the version of iOS installed on your device, but in general there’s support for Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, Russian, and 17 others, including Chinese (Simplified/Traditional), French, German, Japanese, and Korean.

A minimum requirement to use the feature is that you need to have at least iOS 17.4, as this is when Apple introduced the Translation API. The API allows WhatsApp to integrate the service directly while maintaining message encryption without sending data to external servers.

Source: WABetaInfo

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Posted Wednesday 8 October 2025 at 3:41 am AEST (my time).

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As Android Authority reports, recent Reddit threads have indicated that the Sony Xperia 10 VII comes without both the charging brick and the cable. This isn't a mistake on Sony's side, because the omission is highlighted in the graphics shown on the packaging too.

Of course, the public rationale is the same, which is that having fewer accessories reduces the negative impact on the environment, and the smaller size of the packaging means that there is less wastage of materials too. That said, one thing that OEMs never say out publicly is that they are also saving a ton of money by retaining their device's price tag and still ditching accessories in the process.

The expectation from the consumer is that they have likely amassed a large number of cables and bricks from their old devices, so they do not need to get new charging accessories each time they buy a phone. However, what is conveniently ignored is that not all charging bricks and cables are the same. Varying combinations may get you different charging speeds, depending upon your phone's configuration and charging standard.

Of course, Sony is not a major player in the smartphone space by any margin, but seeing that even a small company has the audacity to simply remove a cable from the box, it wouldn't at all be surprising to see bigger OEMs like Apple and Samsung take the same path down the line too.

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Posted Tuesday 7 October 2025 at 4:29 pm AEST (my time).

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Less than a month ago, Apple unveiled its latest iPhone models, which comprise the usual suspects, namely iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, along with a new entry, the iPhone Air. The last model in particular, the iPhone Air, is being marketed as Apple's thinnest iPhone ever, as it measures just 5.6mm thick. But I think that in its effort to differentiate itself enough from competitors, Apple is trying to solve a problem that doesn't really exist.

The iPhone Air's form factor is its biggest selling point as the super-thin design is supposed to make it very comfortable to hold, while not compromising on structural integrity. Apple boasted about its hardware engineering efforts when it challenged media personnel to bend the device, and it came out unscathed.

And that's great and inspires confidence in the build quality of the iPhone Air. But the Bendgate controversy honestly hasn't really been a thing since the iPhone 6 / 6 Plus, and that happened over a decade ago. There have been rare, if any, reported instances of build quality issues in the iPhone series since then. Even the touted 5.6mm thickness of the iPhone Air isn't exactly true, because if you include the camera lens bulge (sorry, camera plateau), its thickest point measures roughly 11mm. So what problem are we solving here, really?

Instead of solving a genuine problem, the iPhone Air has introduced many more in the process. Since it has a smaller body and internal volume, there is less space to house other internals. Notably, the iPhone Air has the smallest battery out of all the latest iPhone models, coming in at 3,149mAh only. In comparison, the standard iPhone 17 is powered by a 3,692mAh battery while the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max come in at 3,998mAh and 4,823mAh. This is not a surprise, really, given the difference in form factors.

The camera lens setup has seen an apparent downgrade, too, where we have just a 48MP rear camera. Apple claims that the output of this camera is "the equivalent of four lenses", but we all know that if that were actually true, then we'd be getting the same setup in the other iPhone models too.

Less internal space also means less area for thermal dissipation, which means that your phone will take longer to cool. The Cupertino firm does say that it has optimized its hardware and software to produce low heat to accommodate the design of the iPhone Air, but is the juice really worth the squeeze?

Of course, the smaller internal volume means that other accessories suffer too. It's important to note that the iPhone Air has a mono speaker for sound, while all other new iPhones have stereo sound. The only reason for this downgrade is the thin design requirements of the iPhone Air.

Now, I'm not saying that a thin form factor automatically equates to a poorer experience and that manufacturers should pursue this area at all. To me, it makes sense to apply these same engineering efforts to foldable phones, which actually are becoming uncomfortable to hold because of their gigantic displays. If rumors are to be believed, Apple is targeting this avenue with its alleged upcoming foldable handset as well.

But standard phones don't really need to compromise on battery life and camera quality just to be slightly easier to hold. Sure, it looks aesthetic, but what good is an aesthetic phone that can't get you through the day or meet your photography expectations?

Apple can rarely be credited for innovation (there are instances, but not as many as Apple would like you to believe), but the reality of the matter is that other OEMs do tend to follow in the footsteps of the Cupertino firm until a change becomes mainstream across all devices and platforms. I certainly hope that this doesn't become the case in this particular scenario, because the compromises certainly aren't worth it.

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Posted Monday 6 October 2025 at 5:58 pm AEST (my time).

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The campaign, codenamed SORVEPOTEL by Trend Micro, weaponizes the trust with the platform to extend its reach across Windows systems, adding the attack is "engineered for speed and propagation" rather than data theft or ransomware.

"SORVEPOTEL has been observed to spread across Windows systems through convincing phishing messages with malicious ZIP file attachments," researchers Jeffrey Francis Bonaobra, Maristel Policarpio, Sophia Nilette Robles, Cj Arsley Mateo, Jacob Santos, and Paul John Bardon said.

"Interestingly, the phishing message that contains the malicious file attachment requires users to open it on a desktop, suggesting that threat actors might be more interested in targeting enterprises rather than consumers."

Once the attachment is opened, the malware automatically propagates via the desktop web version of WhatsApp, ultimately causing the infected accounts to be banned for engaging in excessive spam. There are no indications that the threat actors have leveraged the access to exfiltrate data or encrypt files.

The vast majority of the infections -- 457 of the 477 cases -- are concentrated in Brazil, with entities in government, public service, manufacturing, technology, education, and construction sectors impacted the most.

The starting point of the attack is a phishing message sent from an already compromised contact on WhatsApp to lend it a veneer of credibility. The message contains a ZIP attachment that masquerades as a seemingly harmless receipt or health app-related file.

That said, there is evidence to suggest that the operators behind the campaign have also used emails to distribute the ZIP files from seemingly legitimate email addresses.

Should the recipient fall for the trick and open the attachment, they are lured into opening a Windows shortcut (LNK) file that, when launched, silently triggers the execution of a PowerShell script responsible for retrieving the main payload from an external server (e.g., sorvetenopoate[.]com).

The downloaded payload is a batch script designed to establish persistence on the host by copying itself to the Windows Startup folder so that it's automatically launched following a system start. It's also designed to run a PowerShell command that reaches out to a command-and-control (C2) server to fetch further instructions or additional malicious components.

Central to SORVEPOTEL operations is the WhatsApp-focused propagation mechanism. If the malware detects that WhatsApp Web is active on the infected system, it proceeds to distribute the malicious ZIP file to all contacts and groups associated with the victim's compromised account, allowing it to spread rapidly.

"This automated spreading results in a high volume of spam messages and frequently leads to account suspensions or bans due to violations of WhatsApp's terms of service," Trend Micro said.

"The SORVEPOTEL campaign demonstrates how threat actors are increasingly leveraging popular communication platforms like WhatsApp to achieve rapid, large-scale malware propagation with minimal user interaction."

Source

As we careen toward a future in which Google has final say over what apps you can run, the company has sought to assuage the community's fears with a blog post and a casual "backstage" video. Google has said again and again since announcing the change that sideloading isn't going anywhere, but it's definitely not going to be as easy. The new information confirms app installs will be more reliant on the cloud, and devs can expect new fees, but there will be an escape hatch for hobbyists.

Confirming app verification status will be the job of a new system component called the Android Developer Verifier, which will be rolled out to devices in the next major release of Android 16. Google explains that phones must ensure each app has a package name and signing keys that have been registered with Google at the time of installation. This process may break the popular FOSS storefront F-Droid.

It would be impossible for your phone to carry a database of all verified apps, so this process may require Internet access. Google plans to have a local cache of the most common sideloaded apps on devices, but for anything else, an Internet connection is required. Google suggests alternative app stores will be able to use a pre-auth token to bypass network calls, but it's still deciding how that will work.

The financial arrangement has been murky since the initial announcement, but it's getting clearer. Even though Google's largely automated verification process has been described as simple, it's still going to cost developers money. The verification process will mirror the current Google Play registration fee of $25, which Google claims will go to cover administrative costs.

So anyone wishing to distribute an app on Android outside of Google's ecosystem has to pay Google to do so. What if you don't need to distribute apps widely? This is the one piece of good news as developer verification takes shape. Google will let hobbyists and students sign up with only an email for a lesser tier of verification. This won't cost anything, but there will be an unclear limit on how many times these apps can be installed. The team in the video strongly encourages everyone to go through the full verification process (and pay Google for the privilege). We've asked Google for more specifics here.

A high degree of harm

When it announced developer verification, it said the process would not evaluate the content of an app. However, Google now clarifies that it will be on the lookout for malware in sideloaded apps. Google says it won't enforce any of the other Play Store rules—it's only interested in apps that could pose "a high degree of harm." It's unclear if Google will be checking for malware at all during the verification process; it may simply rely on the anti-malware features built into Android to report bad actors.

My favorite video

Even without verification, Android already has many safeguards in place. Play Protect scans all apps on your device, not just those from the Play Store. Android also has the ability to deactivate and remove known malware, and it will warn you about lesser types of potentially dangerous apps. Google's system can even reset permissions in apps if they are behaving maliciously. Once Google has rolled out verification, sideloaded apps caught in this net will lead to all of that developer's apps being deactivated.

One of the top concerns among Android users is that verification will be used to kill apps that Google doesn't like; ad-blockers, for example. The Play Store's harmful app policy is well-established, though. It details all the types of nefarious apps that Google considers malware, with some carveouts for things like non-malicious rooting apps.

Based on Google's statements and publicly available policy information, it doesn't look like developer verification would directly ban things like YouTube ReVanced and other ad-blockers. However, it's easy to imagine Google changing or reinterpreting the rules at some point to do just that. Google does have a history of lumping its least favorite software in with malware. Recent changes to make Chrome extensions safer also happened to kill some of the most popular and effective ad-blockers. Funny how that works.

A lack of trust

Google has an answer for the most problematic elements of its verification plan, but anywhere there's a gap, it's easy to see a conspiracy. Why? Well, let's look at the situation in which Google finds itself.

The courts have ruled that Google acted illegally to maintain a monopoly in the Play Store—it worked against the interests of developers and users for years to make Google Play the only viable source of Android apps, and for what? The Play Store is an almost unusable mess of sponsored search results and suggested apps, most of which are little more than in-app purchase factories that deliver Google billions of dollars every year.

Google has every reason to protect the status quo (it may take the case all the way to the Supreme Court), and now it has suddenly decided the security risk of sideloaded apps must be addressed. The way it's being addressed puts Google in the driver's seat at a time when alternative app stores may finally have a chance to thrive. It's all very convenient for Google.

Developers across the Internet are expressing wariness about giving Google their personal information. Google, however, has decided anonymity is too risky. We now know a little more about how Google will manage the information it collects on developers, though. While Play Store developer information is listed publicly, the video confirms there will be no public list of sideload developers. However, Google will have the information, and that means it could be demanded by law enforcement or governments.

The current US administration has had harsh words for apps like ICEBlock, which it successfully pulled from the Apple App Store. Google's new centralized control of app distribution would allow similar censorship on Android, and the real identities of those who developed such an app would also be sitting in a Google database, ready to be subpoenaed. A few years ago, developers might have trusted Google with this data, but now? The goodwill is gone.

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Posted Saturday 4 October 2025 at 5:52 pm AEST (my time).

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A few days ago, F-Droid, a popular app store that compiles and hosts open source apps, said it could be forced to shut down due to restrictions created by Google's controversial sideloading rules. Free app distribution is facing its end.

But Google says sideloading will not be affected by its policy, it is fundamental to Android. It insists that the "developer identity requirements are designed to protect users and developers from bad actors, not to limit choice. We want to make sure that if you download an app, it’s truly from the developer it claims to be published from, regardless of where you get the app. Verified developers will have the same freedom to distribute their apps directly to users through sideloading or through any app store they prefer."

See, that's the thing, Google is explaining about the policy on the surface layer, and omitting the aftermath. If Google forces developers to submit their personal information, and charge a registration fee, there is a very good chance that many developers may choose not to. As Android Police notes, even Google's free registration for some developers won't solve this problem. Unless an app has an identifier, a sort of certificate, that is recognized by the Google Play Console, it won't be whitelisted. That would prevent the apps from being installed from third-party sources, aka sideloading. It could spell the doom of the apps, and third-party app marketplaces like F-Droid could die. So it is the ripple effect that's actually concerning, which when considered affects sideloading on the whole.

Why is Google doing this? I explained about this in a comment on another article recently. This is my speculation, Google could use this policy to target apps that affect its services. If an app blocks ads, who's to say Google will approve it? Could the app be rejected for something like "injecting scripts that alter web pages" ? That sounds like a corporate excuse to deny verification. All those apps like NewPipe, Revanced, GrayJay, etc., that let you watch YouTube without ads? Do you think Google is going to grant them permission to continue? Or will it consider the amount of revenue it could earn by blocking these apps? It would claim "they breach YouTube's terms and conditions".

Google's policy could be backed by developers/studios of apps and games that contain in-app purchases and subscriptions, as it could prevent modded apps that users may sideload to get in-app purchases for free. This may result in a significant amount of revenue for those money grabbing apps, and in turn benefit Google's revenue.

These companies will never change, tip-toeing the borders of laws and regulations, to take maximum advantage of the situation. Let's face it, users who download and install apps from third-party stores are way fewer. The average user doesn't sideload apps. That's what they are counting on, it's not about people protesting, their voices won't be heard, because power-users are in the minority, and our views don't matter. The only ones who could actually make a difference are antitrust authorities.

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Posted Saturday 4 October 2025 at 3:09 am AEST (my time).

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The new interface centralizes all call-related actions in one place, this should help to reduce the number of steps to start or manage calls. Users now have a new shortcut to start calls, supporting one-on-one or group conversations with up to 31 people. The feature has a call scheduling option too that allows users to plan calls in advance and share the event directly in a chat. This combination offers a flexible solution for both instant and planned communications.

The update includes an alternate shortcut to the dialer, simplifying the process of calling any number registered on WhatsApp without needing to save the contact first. This system can confirm whether a number is linked to a WhatsApp account, offering additional verification for business profiles.

Favorite contacts management is also integrated into the hub, letting users quickly start voice/video calls or send messages. If they want to, users can easily add, remove, or reorder favorites through a shortcut, which also affects how they appear in the Chats tab.

The Unified Call Hub brings centralization and simplicity in the app’s design. By merging calling features into one accessible location, the new hub transforms the Calls tab, improving usability for faster interactions, benefiting those who frequently manage multiple contacts or group conversations.

Source and image: WABetaInfo

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Posted Friday 3 October 2025 at 4:07 am AEST (my time).

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Apple's biggest product event of the year happens in September, when the company puts out a new batch of iPhones and Apple Watches and other odds and ends. But in most years, Apple either has another smaller event or just a handful of additional product announcements later in the fall in October or November—usually the focus is on the Mac, the iPad, or both.

It seems like a new iPad Pro could be one of the announcements on tap. Russian YouTube channel Wylsacom has posted an unboxing video and early tour of what appears to be a retail boxed version of a new 256GB 13-inch iPad Pro, as well as an M5 processor that we haven't seen in any other Apple product yet. This would be the first new iPad Pro since May of 2024, when Apple introduced the current M4 version.

The same channel also got ahold of the M4 MacBook Pro early, so it seems likely that this is genuine. And while the video is mostly dedicated to complaining about packaging, the wattage of the included power adapter, and how boring it is that Apple doesn't introduce dramatic design changes every generation, it does also give us some early performance numbers for the new M5.

While we don't have details on the chip's manufacturing process or other changes, quick Geekbench 6 runs show the M5 in this iPad Pro improving CPU performance by roughly 10 to 15 percent and GPU performance by about 34 percent, compared to the M4 in the old iPad Pro.

This M5 includes three high-performance CPU cores and six high-efficiency CPU cores, the same core count as the 256GB and 512GB versions of the M4 iPad Pro (the 1TB and 2TB iPads and the M4 Macs all get one additional performance core, for a total of four, and we'd bet it's the same way for the M5). We don't know how many GPU cores the M5 has, though given the larger performance improvements it's at least theoretically possible that Apple has added additional graphics cores on top of the 10 that the M4 includes. Higher clock speeds, faster RAM, architectural improvements, or a mix of all three could also explain the jump.

Also notably, the M5 starts with 12GB of RAM, up from 8GB of RAM in the 256GB and 512GB M4 iPad Pro. The Apple A19 Pro in the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro also includes 12GB of RAM. Higher-end M5 chips will probably be available with more—the M4 goes up to 16GB in some iPads and 32GB in Macs—but we'll need to wait and see whether "more" means 16GB, 18GB, 24GB, or some other number. Regardless, it's nice to see a higher RAM floor for the iPad Pro, especially given the multitasking changes in iPadOS 26.

New chip, same iPad?

This purported M5 iPad Pro features no major design changes, aside from Apple removing the iPad branding and other regulatory markings from the back (recent iPhones have done this, too, as did the other iPads Apple announced earlier this year). Compatibility with accessories and cases should be the same as for the M4 model—hopefully this also extends to the Apple Pencil Pro. The basic look of the iPad Pro since the first round-cornered version of it was announced in 2018 was the same, though the M4 model did make the tablet thinner and lighter than it had been before, and required the new Pencil Pro accessory for drawing and writing.

Apple used Macs to debut the M1, M2, and M3 chips, but the company introduced the M4 chip in last year's iPad Pro. Putting the M5 in an iPad Pro first, or possibly at the same time as a new round of M5 MacBook Pros, wouldn't be out of the ordinary.

The M4 introduction came as a surprise because Apple had only introduced the first M3 chips a few months before that iPad Pro announcement. The gaps between Apple's other chip generations had been closer to a year-and-a-half or so; assuming the M5 is introduced as part of a late-October announcement, the gap between the M4 and M5 would be closer to the historical norm.

If this iPad Pro is real, we'll likely see it again sometime in the next few weeks, possibly alongside a new round of MacBook Pros or other devices.

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Posted Wednesday 1 October 2025 at 6:34 am AEST (my time).

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The Reminders app received several useful updates with iOS 18 last year, including support for recently deleted reminders, multilingual grocery lists, and Calendar integration, which allows you to view, create, and edit reminders directly in the Calendar app.

Let's talk about the new features you can find in the Reminders app after installing iOS 26. If you haven't installed iOS 26 yet, read about the ten things you should do before installing the update.

1. Time Zone support

The Reminders app now lets you select a time zone. You can choose a universal time zone for the entire app by going to Settings > Apps > Reminders > Time Zone. Here, turn on the "Set Manually" toggle switch, then tap "Time Zone" and search for your desired location.

You can also select specific time zones for individual reminders. When creating a new reminder in the app, tap on the "Time" toggle button to select the time zone for the reminder.

By default, the Reminders app uses the time zone of your device's current location. When you switch to a manual time zone, the timing of notifications for existing reminders remains unaffected.

2. Create reminders quickly

Apple has added a new button in the Control Center to create new reminders quickly. An overlay appears on top of the Control Center, where you can fill in the details, select the desired list, time, location, and flag.

As visible in the third screenshot, you can long-press the Reminders button in Control Center to pick a list. You can also create new reminders quickly by pressing the Action Button on iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max and later models.

3. Automatically categorize reminders

The Reminders app now uses Apple Intelligence to automatically categorize reminders into different sections within a list. Your list will look tidier as the reminders get grouped into related topics.

You can tap on the three-dot menu button in the top-right corner, then select "Auto-Categorize" from the drop-down menu. If you want, you can follow the same steps to disable the feature and remove the categories.

If your iPhone doesn't support Apple Intelligence, you can still categorize reminders into sections by tapping the three-dot menu button, then choosing "New Section."

4. Automatically suggested reminders

The Reminders app can review emails, messages, notes, or other text to extract relevant tasks, grocery items, or ingredients from a recipe. You can also share Safari webpages or News+ stories with the Reminders app to get suggestions based on the context.

The feature utilizes Apple Intelligence and displays such reminders in the 'Siri Suggestions' section of the app, from which you can add them to your lists.

5. Visual improvements with Liquid Glass

If you have muscle memory from last year, you'll notice that Apple has done some reordering inside the Reminders app. The option to create a new list is now located at the top of the screen; its previous position has been taken by the "New Reminder" option, now represented as a "+" icon.

The updated Reminders app features curvy UI elements and colors for the different categories present on its main screen. Apple has also shrunk the search bar into a lens icon and placed it alongside the create list option at the top.

It's different from other apps, where the search bar is now present at the bottom of the screen. The repositioning of the search bar in Reminders is also the reason you'll notice more empty space at the bottom of the screen, as all the UI elements have been moved up slightly.

These are some of the new features and changes available in the Reminders app. On a broader note, the iOS 26 update introduces a fresh wave of visual changes, including Liquid Glass and interactive translucent elements.

Apple has topped it off by making the app more colorful and adding several Apple Intelligence features. While a new user will barely notice the re-arranged controls, it might result in a steeper learning curve for existing users.

This article is part of our series exploring the new features and changes on iOS 26, including the Phone app, new Adaptive features, and the ability to take HDR screenshots and add a 3D effect to your photos.

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Posted Wednesday 1 October 2025 at 6:32 am AEST (my time).

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