Search results for: “Google chat”

  • Samsung’s New Galaxy S25: Borrowing over a dozen iPhone traits, claims Macworld

    Samsung’s New Galaxy S25: Borrowing over a dozen iPhone traits, claims Macworld

    Macworld argues that Samsung’s latest Galaxy S25 has taken inspiration from over a dozen iPhone features. From the phone’s sleek, straight-edged design to how its AI assistant displays, Samsung seems to have borrowed quite a bit from Apple.

    Macworld’s Mahmoud Itani highlights this, starting with the AI features. The Galaxy S25 has integrated AI similar to Apple’s, allowing users to connect with third-party chatbots like Google Gemini, just as Apple does with ChatGPT in its system. When activating Gemini on the Galaxy S25, users see a text box with a colorful, glowing border, which looks a lot like Siri’s interface on iPhones. Additionally, the text selection tool in Samsung’s phone mimics Apple’s Writing Tools, offering options to proofread or transform text into tables.

    Itani goes on to mention other features like the ability to record and summarize calls, perform natural language searches in the photo gallery, and a photo editing tool that resembles Apple’s Image Playground. There’s also a new feature similar to Apple’s Live Activities, called the Now Bar, and enhanced audio features for video recording akin to Apple’s cinematic audio.

    9to5Mac’s Viewpoint
    It’s clear that Samsung often looks to Apple for inspiration. Their strategy seems to involve quickly bringing to market features similar to those rumored or leaked for upcoming iPhones, aiming to beat Apple to the punch. However, Apple isn’t innocent of copying either, as both companies tend to adopt similar technologies once they’re mainstream.

    Ultimately, this mutual borrowing is beneficial. The competitive pressure drives each company to innovate and perfect their offerings, leading to better products for consumers.

  • Samsung unveils super-thin Galaxy S25 Edge to compete with iPhone 17 Air

    Samsung unveils super-thin Galaxy S25 Edge to compete with iPhone 17 Air

    At the Unpacked 2025 event, Samsung announced the new Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra. But they saved a big surprise for last: they teased the Galaxy S25 Edge, a super thin phone.

    Galaxy S25 Edge vs. iPhone 17 Air

    Reporters from 9to5Google were at the event and saw the teaser for the Galaxy S25 Edge. We don’t know much yet – like when it will come out or what it can do. People guess it might be available in April or May. We only know for sure that it’s called the Galaxy S25 Edge.

    A recent report says the Galaxy S25 Edge might be about 6.4mm thick. On the other hand, Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be even thinner, at around 5.5mm.

    Samsung began working on the S25 Edge right after hearing about the iPhone 17 Air rumors last May, according to one report.

    Leaked images from SmartPrix show the S25 Edge will have three cameras on the back. The iPhone 17 Air, however, is expected to have just one 48MP camera in a long, bar-shaped design.

    In a chat with Bloomberg, TM Roh, who leads Samsung’s phone business, talked about the new S25 Edge. He said, “We’re putting the best tech from our Ultra model into a much thinner phone. People want great performance, amazing cameras, and smart AI, but they also want a phone that looks cool and stands out.”

    Roh added, “We want to make this phone cheaper than our Ultra models so more people can buy it.”

    This sneak peek at the Galaxy S25 Edge has certainly got everyone talking about how Samsung and Apple are racing to make the slimmest, most feature-packed phones.

  • Whispers of a Smarter Siri: Apple’s long game in AI assistance

    Whispers of a Smarter Siri: Apple’s long game in AI assistance

    For years, Siri has lingered in the shadow of its competitors. While Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant have steadily evolved, Apple’s voice assistant has often felt like a step behind. This disparity has only become more pronounced with the rise of sophisticated chatbots like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, which have redefined the landscape of conversational AI. However, whispers from within Apple suggest a significant shift is on the horizon, a transformation that could finally bring Siri into the modern age of intelligent assistance.

    Recent updates to iOS have brought incremental improvements to Siri. Enhancements focusing on on-screen awareness, more granular control within individual apps, and a deeper understanding of user context have offered glimpses of Siri’s potential. These changes, while welcome, feel like stepping stones towards something much grander. The real game-changer, it seems, is still some time away.

    Rumors circulating within the tech community point to a substantial overhaul planned for Siri, one that promises to fundamentally alter the way we interact with our devices.1 This ambitious project centers around integrating advanced large language models into Siri’s core functionality. This isn’t just about faster responses or slightly improved accuracy; it’s about imbuing Siri with a true sense of conversation, enabling it to understand nuanced requests, engage in dynamic back-and-forths, and provide genuinely helpful, context-aware responses.

    Imagine asking Siri a complex question that requires multiple steps or follow-up clarifications. Instead of repeating your request or resorting to a web search, Siri could engage in a natural dialogue, asking clarifying questions, offering suggestions, and ultimately providing a comprehensive and satisfying answer. This is the promise of a truly conversational AI assistant, and it’s what Apple appears to be striving for.

    This transformative update is not expected to arrive overnight. While smaller refinements are expected shortly, the full realization of this conversational Siri is predicted to be a longer-term endeavor. Industry insiders suggest that Apple is aiming for a major unveiling alongside the anticipated release of iOS 19. This would likely involve a preview at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), showcasing the new capabilities and giving developers a taste of what’s to come.

    However, the full rollout of this revamped Siri may not coincide with the initial iOS 19 release. Speculation suggests that the complete conversational experience might not be available until a later update, perhaps iOS 19.4, placing its arrival sometime in the spring of the following year. This phased approach would allow Apple to fine-tune the technology, gather user feedback, and ensure a smooth and polished launch.

    The implications of this upgrade are significant. A truly conversational Siri would not only enhance the user experience across Apple devices but also position Apple to compete more effectively in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. It represents a long-awaited opportunity for Siri to shed its reputation as a lagging competitor and emerge as a powerful, intelligent, and genuinely helpful digital companion. While the wait may be a bit longer, the potential reward appears to be well worth it. This isn’t just an update; it’s a potential reinvention of how we interact with technology, and it could mark a turning point for Siri.

  • The Search for a Search Engine: Why Apple isn’t entering the fray

    The Search for a Search Engine: Why Apple isn’t entering the fray

    The digital landscape is dominated by a few key players, and the search engine arena is no exception. Google has reigned supreme for years, leaving many to wonder why other tech giants haven’t made a serious push to compete. One such giant is Apple, a company known for its innovation and user-centric approach. Recently, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Services, Eddy Cue, shed light on why the company has no plans to develop its own search engine, offering a candid look at the challenges and considerations involved.

    Cue’s insights emerged within the context of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) antitrust case against Google. Apple filed a motion to intervene, seeking to participate in the penalty phase, which could have significant financial implications for the company due to its lucrative default search engine deal with Google. This deal, which has been the subject of scrutiny, sees Google paying Apple a substantial sum to be the default search engine on Safari.

    The DOJ and Google have been at odds over how to address Google’s dominance in the search market. One proposed solution involves altering or terminating the Google-Apple partnership. Google even suggested a three-year ban on long-term exclusivity deals involving any “proprietary Apple feature or functionality.” However, Cue argues that dismantling the current arrangement could have unintended consequences, ultimately benefiting Google while harming Apple and its users.

    Cue painted a stark picture of the options Apple would face if the current deal were dissolved. He explained that Apple would essentially be left with two undesirable choices. First, it could continue to offer Google as a search option in Safari, but without receiving any revenue share.

    This scenario would grant Google free access to Apple’s vast user base, a significant advantage for the search giant. Alternatively, Apple could remove Google Search as a choice altogether. However, given Google’s popularity among users, this move would likely be detrimental to both Apple and its customers, who have come to rely on Google’s search capabilities.

    The prospect of Apple developing its own search engine has been a recurring topic of speculation. Cue addressed this directly, stating that creating a viable competitor to Google would be an incredibly expensive and time-consuming undertaking. He estimated that such an endeavor would cost billions of dollars and take many years to come to fruition. This economic reality makes entering the search engine market a significant risk for Apple.

    Furthermore, Cue highlighted the inherent challenges in building a successful search engine. He pointed out that to make such a venture economically viable, Apple would likely have to adopt targeted advertising as a core component. This approach clashes with Apple’s strong emphasis on user privacy, a cornerstone of its brand identity and a key differentiator in the market. Integrating targeted advertising into a search engine would require a significant shift in Apple’s business model and could potentially alienate its privacy-conscious customer base.

    Cue also touched upon the evolving nature of search itself. He suggested that AI-powered chatbots represent the next major evolution in information retrieval, hinting that Apple may be focusing its efforts on developing innovative AI-driven solutions rather than attempting to replicate the traditional search engine model. This perspective aligns with the growing trend of integrating AI into various aspects of technology, offering a more conversational and personalized approach to accessing information.

    In the filing, Apple emphasized its right to determine the best way to serve its users. Cue asserted that “only Apple can speak to what kinds of future collaborations can best serve its users,” expressing concern that the DOJ’s proposed remedies could “hamstring” Apple’s ability to meet its customers’ needs. This statement underscores Apple’s desire to maintain control over its ecosystem and strategic partnerships.

    In conclusion, Eddy Cue’s insights provide a compelling explanation for Apple’s decision to stay out of the search engine race. The immense financial investment, the long development timeline, the potential conflict with its privacy principles, and the emergence of AI-driven alternatives all contribute to this strategic choice.

    Rather than attempting to compete directly with Google in the traditional search arena, Apple appears to be focusing on innovation in other areas, potentially exploring new ways for users to access and interact with information. The ongoing antitrust case and its potential ramifications will continue to shape the dynamics of the search market and Apple’s role within it.

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  • The RCS Puzzle: Apple’s iPhone and the missing pieces

    The RCS Puzzle: Apple’s iPhone and the missing pieces

    The world of mobile messaging has been evolving rapidly, and one of the most significant advancements in recent years has been the rise of Rich Communication Services, or RCS. This protocol promises a richer, more feature-filled experience than traditional SMS/MMS, bringing features like read receipts, typing indicators, high-resolution media sharing, and enhanced group chats to the forefront. Apple’s recent adoption of RCS on the iPhone was a major step forward, but the rollout has been, shall we say, a bit of a winding road.

    Let’s rewind a bit. For years, iPhone users communicating with Android users were often stuck with the limitations of SMS/MMS. Blurry photos, no read receipts, and clunky group chats were the norm. RCS offered a potential solution, bridging the gap and offering a more seamless experience across platforms. When Apple finally announced support for RCS, it was met with widespread excitement. However, the implementation has been anything but uniform.

    Instead of a blanket rollout, Apple has opted for a carrier-by-carrier approach, requiring individual approvals for each network to enable RCS on iPhones. This has led to a rather fragmented landscape, with some carriers offering an enhanced messaging experience while others remain stuck in the past. It’s like building a puzzle where some pieces are missing and others don’t quite fit.

    The latest iOS updates have brought good news for users on several smaller carriers. Networks like Boost Mobile and Visible have recently been added to the growing list of RCS-supported carriers. This is undoubtedly a positive development, expanding the reach of RCS and bringing its benefits to a wider audience. It’s encouraging to see Apple working to broaden the availability of this important technology.

    However, this piecemeal approach has also created some notable omissions. Several popular low-cost carriers, such as Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile, are still conspicuously absent from the list of supported networks. This leaves their customers in a frustrating limbo, unable to enjoy the improved messaging experience that RCS offers. It begs the question: why the delay? What are the hurdles preventing these carriers from joining the RCS revolution?

    Perhaps the most glaring omission of all is Google Fi. This Google-owned mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) has a significant user base, many of whom are iPhone users. The fact that Google Fi is still waiting for RCS support on iPhones is a major point of contention. It’s a bit like having a high-speed internet connection but being unable to access certain websites.

    Reports suggest that Google is essentially waiting for Apple to give the green light for RCS interoperability on Fi. It appears that the ball is firmly in Apple’s court. This situation is particularly perplexing given that Google has been a strong proponent of RCS and has been actively working to promote its adoption across the Android ecosystem. The lack of support on Fi for iPhones creates a significant disconnect.

    Adding to the confusion, Apple’s official webpage detailing RCS support for various carriers completely omits any mention of Google Fi. This omission extends beyond RCS, with no mention of other features like 5G and Wi-Fi Calling either. This lack of acknowledgment doesn’t exactly inspire confidence that RCS support for Fi is on the horizon. It raises concerns about the future of interoperability between these two major players in the tech industry.

    The current state of RCS on iPhone is a mixed bag. While the expansion to more carriers is a welcome development, the fragmented rollout and the notable omissions, especially Google Fi, create a sense of incompleteness. It’s clear that there’s still work to be done to achieve the full potential of RCS and deliver a truly seamless messaging experience across platforms. One can only hope that Apple will streamline the process and accelerate the adoption of RCS for all carriers, including Google Fi, in the near future. The future of messaging depends on it.

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