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Xiaomi has built its name by mimicking Apple’s ideas, but recently, it’s come up with a few tricks I’d love to see Apple borrow. First, it wowed us with the sleek look of its 15 Ultra phone. Now, it’s teasing a cool concept that could inspire an awesome Apple Camera Lens add-on for iPhones.

My iPhone is my go-to camera. Why? It’s always in my pocket. A few years back, it even became my main camera for trips. Sure, I still grab a standalone camera for special photo outings or unique destinations worth the extra gear. But Xiaomi’s latest idea might just bridge the gap perfectly.

Smartphone cameras have tiny sensors and small plastic lenses, which limit their quality. Xiaomi’s fix? A real camera lens with a big sensor that snaps onto your phone magnetically. You’d still use the built-in lenses for quick shots, but for top-notch photos, this add-on turns your phone into something like a lightweight mirrorless camera—smaller and easier to carry than a separate one.

Simon Hill from Wired tested a working version and loved it. He tried a Xiaomi 35-mm f/1.4 lens paired with a 100-megapixel sensor—way bigger than anything in phones today. It has a flexible aperture, perfect for dim lighting. Hill said it attached like a MagSafe wallet and felt like using a real camera, with sharp results to match.

It comes with an autofocus motor—just tap the screen to pick your focus. Plus, there’s a physical ring for hands-on adjustments. In Pro mode, it worked as smoothly as the phone’s regular camera, letting Hill focus on objects near and far for a soft, natural background blur. We don’t know if Xiaomi will sell this lens, but I’m sold on the idea. Imagine Apple teaming up with Nikon, Canon, or Sony to make one for iPhones. It’d be a game-changer for phone photography!

Apple has added a handy new trick to iPhones with the “Critical Messages” feature in a recent iOS update. This lets apps send you super-important text messages (SMS) that stand out. It’s different from the Priority Notifications in iOS 18.4, which highlight alerts on your Lock Screen. Here’s the scoop on how it works.

A Special Text Feature with Strict Rules

In the last few months, Apple updated iPhones so app makers can send urgent SMS alerts. But don’t worry—this isn’t for random ads or junk. It’s only for really serious stuff. Apple explains it like this: the Critical Messaging tool lets apps send vital updates to specific phone numbers. For example, a company might use it to check on workers in risky or remote areas. If someone can’t unlock their phone or get a signal, the app can still send a safety update to a main office. Pretty cool, right?

To stop misuse, Apple has tough rules. Developers can’t send spam, phishing texts, or anything shady. The feature is locked down to keep your phone from buzzing with nonsense.
Don’t Expect Tons of These Texts

As a user, you probably won’t see these messages often. Like other critical alerts, they’re saved for rare, urgent moments—like a safety warning that can’t wait.
How to Turn It Off If You Want

Not a fan? You can stop these texts from apps you don’t like. Just head to your iPhone’s Settings, tap Privacy & Security, then find Critical Messages. You’ll see a list of apps that can send them. Switch off any you don’t trust—it’s that easy. This feature is all about keeping you safe or informed when it matters, without clogging your phone with junk. Simple, smart, and totally in your control!