Search results for: “android”

  • Apple’s Swift language expands to Android and AI safety testing

    Apple’s Swift language expands to Android and AI safety testing

    Apple is making big moves with its Swift programming language and AI research. Swift, launched in 2014 for building apps on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple devices, is now set to support Android app development. A new Android Working Group in the Swift open-source project is working to make this happen.

    The goal is to let developers use Swift to create Android apps with official tools, without relying on unofficial fixes. This includes improving Swift’s libraries to work better with Android systems and creating smooth workflows for developers.

    In the past, using Swift for Android meant dealing with tricky setups and limited support, but this new effort aims to make the process simpler and more reliable. Meanwhile, Apple is also exploring how AI assistants can make safer choices.

    A recent study co-authored by Apple tests whether AI can predict the outcomes of actions, like tapping a button in an app, and decide if it’s risky. Unlike earlier research focused on basic app navigation, this study looks at real-world consequences, such as actions that might feel uncomfortable if done without permission.

    Participants used real apps to identify risky actions, helping Apple understand how AI can act more responsibly. This work adds to the broader effort to ensure AI aligns with human needs and safety. By expanding Swift to Android and improving AI safety, Apple is helping developers build better apps while making technology safer for everyone.

  • Google says iOS 26 borrows key Android features

    Google says iOS 26 borrows key Android features

    Apple recently announced iOS 26, and Google has pointed out that some of its new features are very similar to ones Android has had for a while. Here are the three main features that Google says Apple has borrowed:

    1. Improved Call Recording

    Apple is adding call recording to iPhones with iOS 26. This feature lets users record phone calls and even get a summary of the conversation. Google notes that Android phones have offered call recording for years, and some models even provide automatic summaries.

    2. Smarter Messaging with RCS

    iOS 26 will support RCS (Rich Communication Services) in the Messages app. This means iPhone users can now send high-quality photos and videos, see typing indicators, and enjoy better group chats with Android users. Google has supported RCS on Android for a long time, making texting between different phones easier and more modern.

    3. Customizable Home Screen

    Apple is allowing users to place app icons and widgets anywhere on the home screen, not just in a fixed grid. Android users have enjoyed this flexibility for many years, letting them organize their home screens however they like.

    Google commented on social media, welcoming Apple to these features and playfully reminding everyone that Android has had them first. While Apple fans are excited about these changes, it’s clear that iOS 26 is catching up to some things Android users already know and love.

  • iOS 26 brings easier updates, smarter features, and better design

    iOS 26 brings easier updates, smarter features, and better design

    Apple’s new iOS 26 update comes with several helpful changes to make your iPhone experience better and simpler. One of the main features is that your iPhone can now save some storage space just for automatic updates. This means you won’t have to worry about running out of space when it’s time to update your phone, so updates will happen more smoothly and won’t interrupt what you’re doing.

    iOS 26 also makes it easier to use eSIMs, especially if you want to switch from an Android phone. Now, you can move your eSIM between Android and iPhone, making it less of a hassle to change devices or carriers. Another big improvement is in visual intelligence.

    The update brings smarter and more helpful ways to interact with your phone, making everything feel more natural and easier to use. The new design changes also make the interface look cleaner and more modern, which has made some people even more excited for the next iPhone, the iPhone 17 Air.

    Security is better, too. iOS 26 makes it easier to use passkeys and lets you transfer your passwords more simply, helping to keep your information safe while making logins less of a headache. Overall, iOS 26 focuses on making your iPhone safer, smarter, and easier to use, with a fresh look and features that help you every day.

  • Apple’s iOS 19 brings better gaming, easier eSIM transfers, and smarter Siri

    Apple’s iOS 19 brings better gaming, easier eSIM transfers, and smarter Siri

    Apple will soon bring in iOS 19, giving your iPhone some amazing new updates. A quick overview of new developments is here:

    A more enjoyable gaming time

    When you play games with iOS 19, you can switch on a mode that leaves you uninterrupted by notifications and ads. As a result, you won’t be interrupted by phone calls or messages. Apple is making your iPhone a better gaming device, and this update demonstrates that.

    Moving to a new eSIM with Android is quick and simple

    It will soon be much simpler to switch from an Android phone to an iPhone. iOS 19 will provide a way to transfer your digital SIM card from your old Android to your brand-new iPhone. A few quick steps on your phone are all it takes, and you don’t have to deal with carriers or SIM cards.

    A more intelligent Siri

    Apple is trying to ensure Siri gets even smarter over time. Siri will start to give you better answers with the help of recent AI advances. As part of its plan, Apple wants Siri to be useful for common tasks, including setting reminders, messaging from your phone, or looking up information.

    In summary:

    iOS 19 will bring ease to gaming, help with phone transfer,s and provide a smarter Siri. If you have an iPhone, you’ll find plenty of great features.

  • AirPods still dominate the wireless earbuds market in 2025

    AirPods still dominate the wireless earbuds market in 2025

    Based on a new study from Counterpoint Research, Apple AirPods are favored as the leading wireless earbuds in 2025. According to the report, AirPods controlled 36% of the worldwide market revenue last year, putting Apple at the top of the category.

    Apple finished in second place among shipments, behind the Indian brand boAt. Apple continued to generate most of its revenue from units it shipped abroad, while boAt sold more in its home market, India, at lower costs.

    There was enough demand for Android alternatives for Samsung to place third on the list with its Galaxy Buds. Xiaomi and Skullcandy both finished among the top five companies for a number of units sold.

    2024 saw the wireless earbuds market’s shipments increase by 6% and its revenue increase by 3%. Budget-friendly choices, not luxurious ones, were most responsible for this growth, mostly happening in Asia and Latin America. Yet, the premium sector, dominated by Apple, kept performing well due to users wanting more features and better sound in their headphones.

    Experts at Counterpoint believe that the market will expand in 2025. While more people want low-cost and mid-range earbuds, AirPods and similar products will stay preferred in the U.S. and Europe.

    Because it aims for quality and loyal followers, Apple beats out others, even with lower-priced phones entering the market.

  • Foldable iPhone might use a hole-punch camera on the outside screen

    Foldable iPhone might use a hole-punch camera on the outside screen

    Apple is working on a foldable iPhone, and new details suggest it could have a small hole-punch camera on the outer screen. This information comes from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who says Apple has ordered samples of this type of camera for testing. This camera design would allow Apple to keep the outer display mostly full-screen while still including a front-facing camera.

    A hole-punch camera is a small circular cutout in the screen, similar to what we see in some Samsung and Android phones. Apple currently uses Face ID and a notch or Dynamic Island for the front camera in regular iPhones, but this could change for the foldable model.

    This outer screen is expected to work even when the phone is folded. Kuo also said that Apple’s foldable iPhone will likely open vertically, like a flip phone, instead of folding like a book. Earlier reports said Apple plans to launch its first foldable iPhone in late 2026.

    Apple is taking its time with foldable devices. While companies like Samsung and Huawei already sell foldable phones, Apple is testing different designs and display tech before moving forward. Reports suggest Apple is trying to make sure the screen doesn’t crease and the design is durable enough for everyday use.

    In short, Apple’s future foldable iPhone might come with a sleek outer display and a hole-punch camera, offering a clean design and possibly a new user experience.

  • Apple updates Safari for smoother web alerts, fixes Messages bug, and offers new Nike deal for Card users

    Apple updates Safari for smoother web alerts, fixes Messages bug, and offers new Nike deal for Card users

    Apple has rolled out a few useful updates recently. First, macOS 15.5 is bringing better web push notifications to Safari. Now, websites can send you alerts even if Safari is closed. This works for apps added to the dock as well. It’s especially helpful for developers building websites that act like apps, letting users stay updated in real time. This update makes Safari work more like browsers on Windows and Android, where push notifications have already been common.

    In another fix, Apple has addressed a strange bug in the Messages app. Some users had trouble sending messages that included an ampersand (&) in the contact name. Messages would fail and never reach the other person. This problem started with iOS 17.4, but the issue is now being resolved in iOS 17.5. If you’ve been dealing with this, updating your device should fix it.

    Lastly, Apple Card users can now get a special offer. If you spend $50 or more at Nike using Apple Card through Apple Pay, you’ll receive $10 back in Daily Cash. This offer is available until May 22 and can be used in Nike stores, on Nike.com, or through the Nike app. It’s a good time for Apple Card users to take advantage of this limited-time reward.

    These updates show Apple’s push to fix annoying bugs, improve Safari, and reward users with simple perks.

  • Apple should boost CarPlay for electric cars

    Apple should boost CarPlay for electric cars

    Apple’s CarPlay makes it easy to use your iPhone in the car, letting you access apps safely on the road. However, for electric vehicle (EV) owners, CarPlay falls short. Its EV routing tool, which plans trips with charging stops, only works with a small number of models, like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Porsche Taycan. This leaves most EV drivers without proper support.

    The issue is that CarPlay’s charging and battery tracking features depend on carmakers sharing live battery data, and only a few do. Meanwhile, rivals like Google’s Android Auto face similar challenges, but some automakers are creating their own EV-friendly systems. For instance, General Motors is phasing out CarPlay in its electric models to build custom software that better handles navigation and charging needs.

    To stay ahead, Apple could add features that don’t rely on carmakers, like improved charger finders or simple battery range predictions. Including more EV-focused apps, such as those for locating charging stations or optimizing routes, would also make a big difference. With CarPlay in nearly 98% of new U.S. cars, Apple has a golden chance to shine in the EV world. It just needs to move quickly to meet the rising demand for electric vehicles.

  • New iPad Pro with M5 chip and Gemini widgets for iPhone

    New iPad Pro with M5 chip and Gemini widgets for iPhone

    Apple’s upcoming iPad Pro with the M5 chip, expected in fall 2025, promises a big upgrade. Last year, Apple surprised many by putting the M4 chip in the iPad Pro before Macs, which upset some Mac users who waited months for M4 MacBooks. This time, Apple plans to launch the M5 chip in MacBook Pros first, giving iPad Pro users a more powerful device later.

    The M5 iPad Pro should keep the same starting prices—$999 for the 11-inch and $1,299 for the 13-inch—despite possible chip tariff issues. This shift back to Macs debuting new chips first feels like a return to Apple’s usual strategy, making the iPad Pro a solid upgrade choice.

    Meanwhile, Google’s Gemini app for iPhone now offers handy home screen widgets. These include a square widget with four icons to open the app, use the microphone, take photos, or start Gemini Live. There’s also a rectangular widget with a search bar and options to upload files or access your gallery.

    Styled like the Google Search app, these widgets make Gemini quick to use. However, some users still want a version optimized for iPads, as Android tablets already have one. The update, version 1.2025.1662203, is rolling out now, bringing iPhone users faster access to Gemini’s AI features. This combination of Apple’s M5 iPad Pro and Google’s Gemini widgets shows how both companies are improving their devices to stay competitive and user-friendly.

    Source/Via

  • Gmail for iPhone and iPad gets a fresh new look with Material 3 design

    Gmail for iPhone and iPad gets a fresh new look with Material 3 design

    Google is giving Gmail on iPhone and iPad a new look by updating it with the Material You (Material 3) design style. This update changes how things look, making the app feel more modern and in line with other Google apps.

    One of the main changes is the updated top bar. It now has a rounded search field that takes up the full width, along with a profile picture on the right. The Gmail logo is now smaller and moved to the left, giving the app a cleaner appearance. This design is already used in other Google apps like Drive and Docs on iOS.

    The main screen still shows your email list, and the overall layout hasn’t changed much. However, everything looks more polished thanks to small design updates, like better use of space and more consistent colors.

    This redesign brings Gmail for iOS closer to the look of its Android version, which already received the Material You style earlier. The update started rolling out through version 6.0.240421, so if you haven’t seen it yet, it should arrive soon via the App Store.

    Google continues to refresh its apps to match the latest design trends, and this Gmail update is part of that effort to make its apps more unified and user-friendly.