Search results for: “widgets”

  • 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

  • New watchOS 26 feature brings helpful tips to your Apple Watch

    New watchOS 26 feature brings helpful tips to your Apple Watch

    Apple’s watchOS 26, set to launch this fall, introduces a cool new feature called “hints” that makes your Apple Watch even smarter. These hints appear right on your watch face, working alongside the Smart Stack to show you useful info at just the right time. Instead of digging through widgets, hints bring the most relevant ones to you based on your habits, location, or the watch’s sensors.

    For example, if you’re in a remote area without cell service, a hint might pop up suggesting the Backtrack feature to help you navigate. Or, if you hit the gym at your usual time, a hint could nudge you to start a workout. These hints use a sleek design called Liquid Glass, which makes them look smooth and blend nicely with your watch face.

    The Smart Stack itself is getting better, too. It now pulls in more data, like your daily routine and sensor info, to predict what you need. This makes your watch feel more personal and helpful. However, if your watch face already has widgets at the bottom, hints might feel a bit crowded.

    I’m excited to see how hints work in real life. They seem like a smart way to make the Smart Stack more useful without extra effort.

     

  • What’s new for CarPlay in iOS 26

    What’s new for CarPlay in iOS 26

    Apple’s iOS 26 brings a fresh and exciting update to CarPlay, making it the biggest change in years. Here’s what you can look forward to this fall when you update your iPhone.
    CarPlay gets a sleek new design called “Liquid Glass” look. This gives app icons and menus a modern, smooth appearance.

    You can pick from Light, Dark, or Clear styles to match your vibe, with the Clear option offering a few extra tweaks. Want to see the designs? Check out the gallery on Apple’s website. Widgets are finally coming to standard CarPlay, not just the premium CarPlay Ultra.

    These handy tools let you see quick info at a glance. Plus, you can now use Live Activities to track updates like food deliveries without leaving your map. Your favorite apps are getting car-friendly improvements. In Messages, you can use Tapbacks to reply with a quick emoji and pin important chats.

    The Phone app now shows calls in a small pop-up, so your navigation stays clear. If your car has a touchscreen, Apple Maps lets you zoom and move around with pinch gestures for the first time. A cool feature called “Smart Display Zoom” adjusts your screen’s use of pace, fitting more on the display or keeping things big and easy to tap.

    You can also make the text size larger for better readability. This iOS 26 makes CarPlay more stylish, safer, and easier to use. Which feature are you most excited about? Let us know your thoughts!

  • New and useful features in iOS 26 you should know about

    New and useful features in iOS 26 you should know about

    Apple’s iOS 26 update comes with several handy features that make your iPhone even better. Here are some of the most interesting changes you might not have noticed yet:

    • iOS 26 lets you customize your phone more easily. You can now change how your home screen looks, adjust widgets, and set up your device in a way that fits your style.
    • Notifications have been improved, making it simpler to see what’s important at a glance and respond quickly.
    • Privacy settings are stronger, giving you more control over what information apps can access and how your data is used.
    • Multitasking is smoother, so you can switch between apps faster and get more done without delays.
    • Widgets have been updated, offering more useful information and better ways to interact with your favorite apps right from the home screen.

    One of the standout updates is the expanded cinematic mode for video recording. Now, you have more control over focus and depth effects, helping you shoot videos that look more professional and creative.

    Another great addition is the new audio mix feature, which goes beyond just the Photos app. You can now adjust audio levels and mix different sounds directly within the app, making it easier to create multimedia projects that sound just right.

    With these updates, iOS 26 makes your iPhone more personal, powerful, and fun to use.

  • 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.

  • Apple Music gets a fresh lock screen look in iOS 26

    Apple Music gets a fresh lock screen look in iOS 26

    Apple Music is getting a big update with iOS 26, making your iPhone’s lock screen more lively and fun when you play music. Now, when you listen to a song, the lock screen will show a colorful, moving background that matches the album art. This new look makes listening to music feel more exciting and personal.

    The update brings smooth animations and bright colors that change depending on what you’re listening to. If you pause the music, the animation stops, and when you play it again, the motion returns. You can also swipe up to see more controls, like shuffle, repeat, and lyrics, without unlocking your phone.

    Apple is making sure this new design works well with other lock screen features, like notifications and widgets. The music player stays easy to use, and you can still check your messages or see the time while enjoying the new visuals.

    This update is part of Apple’s plan to make the iPhone experience more enjoyable and modern. The new Apple Music lock screen will be available to everyone when iOS 26 comes out later this year. If you love music, this change will make your daily listening even better.

  • New features in Apple’s iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26 updates

    New features in Apple’s iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26 updates

    Apple’s latest software updates, iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26, bring exciting changes for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch users, unveiled at the 2025 WWDC. These updates introduce a fresh “Liquid Glass” design, making menus and buttons look sleek and translucent, inspired by visionOS.

    The design aims to create a smooth, modern look across Apple devices. For iPhone users, iOS 26 enhances the Weather app with severe weather alerts for travel destinations. It uses your Apple ID to predict where you’re going and shows weather widgets for those places.

    The Wallet app now tracks packages by scanning emails, even for non-Apple Pay purchases. Image Playground, Apple’s image creation tool, now includes ChatGPT to make anime-style images and mix emojis for custom Genmoji. Safari gets a visual upgrade with rounded corners and a glass-like look for better navigation.

    On iPadOS 26, the update removes Split View and Slide Over, replacing them with improved app windowing and a Mac-like menu bar for easier use with a Magic Keyboard. It supports newer iPad models like the iPad Pro (M4) and iPad Air (M2).

    For Apple Watch, watchOS 26 removes older watch faces like Fire/Water and Toy Story but adds a one-handed wrist-flick gesture to dismiss notifications on newer models. A new Workout Buddy feature offers personalized motivation during exercise. These updates, available for developer testing now, will roll out publicly in September 2025, with public betas starting in July.

  • iOS 26 brings exciting new features for iPhone users

    iOS 26 brings exciting new features for iPhone users

    Apple’s iOS 26 update, announced at WWDC 2025, introduces a fresh look and smart tools to make your iPhone experience better. The new “Clear Look” display option joins Light and Dark modes, giving your screen a sleek, glass-like style that works across apps and widgets. It adapts to different lighting, making everything look sharp and modern.

    Battery life gets a boost with Adaptive Power, a new setting that tweaks performance to save energy, alongside Low Power Mode. You’ll also see how long it takes to fully charge your iPhone right on the lock screen, plus detailed battery usage info to manage power-hungry apps.

    CarPlay gets a major upgrade with a “Liquid Glass” design, making it easier to use with smoother menus, Live Activities support, and better app integration. For travelers, Apple Wallet now enhances boarding passes with real-time updates via Live Activities, plus handy info like airport directions and baggage tracking.

    Apple News+ adds a fun emoji-based game to keep you entertained, while new Background Sounds, like rain or white noise, help you relax or focus. These updates, part of the Liquid Glass design across Apple’s platforms, will roll out in a public beta in July and launch fully in September 2025 alongside new iPhones.

  • Apple’s new software updates for 2025: what’s coming

    Apple’s new software updates for 2025: what’s coming

    Apple announced exciting updates at WWDC 2025, introducing iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26, all set to launch in September 2025. These updates bring a fresh look and smarter features to Apple devices, with a focus on a sleek, glass-like design inspired by visionOS.

    For iPhones, iOS 26 works on iPhone 11 and newer models. It includes a cool feature called Visual Intelligence, which lets you search and act on things shown on your screen, like finding a lamp online or adding events to your calendar with a tap. iPadOS 26 supports iPads from 2019 and later, offering a similar design and improved multitasking with a new window system.

    macOS Tahoe 26, for Macs with M1 chips or newer, brings a clear menu bar and a Phone app to make calls from your Mac. watchOS 26, compatible with Apple Watch Series 6, SE 2, and Ultra models, adds a Workout Buddy feature to make exercising more fun. visionOS 26 enhances the Vision Pro with spatial widgets, better avatars, and shared experiences like watching movies together.

    All updates feature Apple Intelligence, with tools like live translation and a smarter Shortcuts app. Developers can try betas now, with public betas in July. These changes make Apple’s devices more connected and easier to use, with a fresh, modern style.

  • Apple’s iOS 26 brings exciting communication and Music updates

    Apple’s iOS 26 brings exciting communication and Music updates

    At WWDC 2025, Apple introduced iOS 26, packed with fresh features to make communication and music more enjoyable. The Messages app now lets users add polls to group chats, making it easy to decide things like where to eat or plan events. You can also set custom background images for chats, which sync across all your Apple devices for a personal touch.

    The Phone and FaceTime apps get a big upgrade with Live Translation, which breaks down language barriers. It translates text in Messages, adds live captions to FaceTime calls, and even speaks translations during phone calls, all processed on-device for privacy. This makes talking to people worldwide seamless, like planning a trip with friends abroad.

    Apple Music now offers “Music Pins,” letting you pin favorite playlists, albums, or artists to the top of your library for quick access. A new AutoMix feature acts like a DJ, smoothly blending songs. Plus, lyrics translation and pronunciation guides help you enjoy music from different cultures, perfect for karaoke fans.

    CarPlay gets a sleek “Liquid Glass” design, matching iOS 26’s look. It includes a compact call view, so you can see who’s calling without losing directions. Widgets, Live Activities, and quick Tapbacks for Messages make driving smoother and safer.

    Finally, a new Games app replaces Game Center, offering a hub for Apple Arcade and third-party games. It includes leaderboards, achievements, and editorial content to boost gaming on your iPhone. These updates, launching this fall, make iOS 26 a game-changer for communication, music, and more.