Mobile

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has warned smartphone users about commercial spyware aimed at mobile messaging applications. It says tools which use ordinary cellular text messaging as a backup are particularly at risk. According to the federal cyber defense agency, these malicious tools are often deployed through social engineering tactics that manipulate users into installing them. Once a device is compromised, the spyware can siphon off sensitive data including private messages, contact lists, and real-time location, potentially giving attackers full ...view more

Google has announced a new policy for the Play Store that will identify and flag Android applications using excessive amounts of battery. Starting March 1, 2026, apps that are found to be significant power drainers may be labeled with a warning on their store listing and be featured less prominently. The initiative aims to improve the user experience by providing more transparency about how an application might impact a device's battery life before it is downloaded. The new system was developed in collaboration with Samsung, combining real-world battery usage data with Android's ...view more

Navigation app Waze is now rolling out "Conversational Reporting," a new feature that allows drivers to report road hazards using natural voice commands. This update comes approximately one year after the feature was first announced and aims to create a safer, hands-free reporting experience for its users. The system is designed to be more intuitive than previous voice command functionalities, which required specific syntax to work correctly. The new feature leverages artificial intelligence to understand conversational language, eliminating the need for drivers to interact with their screens ...view more

Apple's efforts to make the iPhone as thin as possible have had an unexpected benefit. The new Air model is considerably easier to repair and replacing the battery is simpler according to gadget fixing experts. The handset earned a 7 out of 10 rating for repairability from iFixit, a site that gives advice on how to repair devices and replace components. While 7 might not sound much, previous iPhone models have scored as low as 4 out of 10. (Source: ifixit.com ) That's been partly by design, with Apple historically not keen on users repairing devices or replacing parts rather than using its ...view more

A phone carrier has launched a plan for teenage users with built-in content filters and other safety features. It remains to be seen if kids pursue workarounds. The plan, from British carrier EE, appears to be aimed at parents who don't want their children to have unrestricted Internet access, but find it difficult technically to control what they do on their phones. Such parents often conclude that simply refusing to let a teen have a phone is not a realistic expectation in 2025. There will be three tiers in the plan, aimed at increasing age groups. The tier aimed at the youngest users will ...view more

Android 16 has been released much earlier than expected. Although it has some notable new features, it's biggest design overhaul won't be arriving till September. Normally a new Android release is expected in August or September. Google hasn't officially said why version 16 is earlier, other than that it "ensures you get the latest updates as soon as possible on your devices." One theory is that Google wants to give a boost to sales of Android phones by letting manufacturers start preloading the system onto new handsets for sale in the fall. As usual with Android, the new version is debuting ...view more

Verizon has asked to be let out of legal commitments to unlock phones within 60 days, allowing anyone with a new Verizon phone to take it to another carrier. The rules currently say that if somebody buys a phone that's locked to a particular network provider, they have the right to get it unlocked after six months, However, Verizon has made two legal commitments to follow a 60-day limit instead. One commitment was made as part of the deal when it bought the rights to broadcast mobile data at a particular frequency (the 700 MHz spectrum). The other was as a condition of getting regulatory ...view more

The number of apps in the Google Play store has almost halved in just over a year. Google says it's good news and a result of a crackdown on low quality apps. The news won't necessarily be welcomed by developers as it shows the effect of a big change in policy and more subjectivity by Google. According to Appfigures, the number of apps in Google Play fell from 3.4 million at the start of 2024 to around 1.8 million now. Over the same period, the number Apple's app store remained virtually unchanged at 1.6 million. (Source: techcrunch.com ) The average user probably won't notice that difference ...view more

Google Messages can now warn users before they open an inappropriate photo. Privacy experts say the technology behind the tool appears to be safe. Officially the feature is for "Sensitive Content Warnings" though it appears to actually be all about photos of undressed bodies or body parts. The main focus is dealing with unsolicited images, though it could also prevent unintentionally opening of an provocative image in public when a phone screen could be seen by others. When enabled, the feature will initially blur the image. It will then give the user options including viewing the image and ...view more

Apple is reportedly working on a foldable iPhone with no visible crease in the screen. While several manufacturers have already introduced folding phones, Apple has seemingly held off, possibly due to concerns about design aesthetics. The introduction of an Apple foldable device could set a new benchmark in the industry, but it is expected to come with a hefty price tag. Folding Phones: Gimmick or Innovation? Folding phones have evolved from a niche concept to a somewhat legitimate category within the smartphone industry. The idea behind them is simple: they offer the compact portability of a ...view more