Tag Archives: Software

Android 16 updates include AI-powered notification summaries and built-in parental controls

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Android 16 first came out in June but, in a change from its usual yearly update schedule, a second iteration is now on the way. Android has announced new features ranging from AI-powered notification summaries to built-in parental controls. As usual, the update will roll out to eligible Pixel devices first. 

Anyone who has used Apple Intelligence, will find some of these Android 16 features familiar. Such is the case for new notification tools, like AI-powered message summaries and a notification organizer. Other updates also align with existing Apple tools like built-in parental controls, for things like screen time and app usage. 

Android 16's second release has additional new features, including custom icon shapes, themed icons and an expanded dark theme. The company claims the latter should improve battery life. 

Outside of Android 16's second go around, the company is also rolling out a series of general updates. There's Circle To Search, which uses an AI Overview to find out if a message is likely to be spam — and gives advice on next steps. Similarly, Google Messages will now send an alert any time an unknown number sends a group invite. It will offer a one-tap option to leave, block and report. 

In what could be helpful or get annoying really fast, Android is beta testing something titled Call Reason. It allows Android users to mark their call as "urgent" when calling a saved contact. It will not only show as urgent on the call screen, but keeps the note if they miss the call. Pinned Tabs are also now available on Chrome for Android, staying saved and upfront, just like in Chrome on desktop. Plus, a feature called Expressive Captions is coming that should shine a light on a person's emotion in a video, despite the sound being turned off. 

These Expressive Captions are also coming to YouTube as part of Android's new accessibility updates. Additional features include Fast Pair for hearing aids and Guided Frame with Gemini, which gives a description of what's in view on the Pixel camera app. Learn more about all of Android's accessibility updates here. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/android-16-updates-include-ai-powered-notification-summaries-and-built-in-parental-controls-190057208.html?src=rss

Apple will reportedly refuse to pre-install India’s state-mandated security app

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Update December 3 2025, 10:43am ET: India has withdrawn its mandate requesting manufacturers to install the Sanchar Saathi app, according to reporting from Reuters. The text below has been left unaltered.

India has issued a mandate to all smartphone manufacturers and importers requiring them to install a state-owned cyber security app. But Apple is reportedly not going to comply, citing privacy and security concerns, according to Reuters. 

The app, called Sanchar Saathi (meaning Communication Companion), is supposed to expedite the process of finding lost or stolen devices and stopping their misuse, according to a government press release on Monday. It further states that companies, including the likes of Samsung and Xiaomi, should "endeavor" to use software updates to download the app on previously purchased smartphones. 

The Sanchar Saathi app comes alongside an entire website designed for reporting fraudulent communication and tracking missing phones. However, critics worry that the app is a means for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to gain access to every smartphone in India. 

The messages coming out of the Indian government have been mixed so far. In Monday's public announcement, it said companies must comply within 90 days and submit a report within 120 days. It also states that the app should be "readily visible and accessible to the end users at the time of first use or device setup and that its functionalities are not disabled or restricted." 

Yet, today, India's Union Communications Minister Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that the app is "completely democratic and fully voluntary." He added that users can deactivate or delete it "at any time."

At the same time, industry sources told Reuters that Apple will not comply with preinstalling the app. Whether that pushback lasts remains to be seen — Apple has bowed to government mandates in the past. Recently, it removed two of China's biggest LGBTQ+ dating apps, following orders from the country's internet regulator and censor. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-will-reportedly-refuse-to-pre-install-indias-state-mandated-security-app-143050110.html?src=rss

India will require a state-owned cybersecurity app to be installed on all smartphones

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Telecom regulators in India have reportedly asked smartphone manufacturers to preload a state-owned cybersecurity app that cannot be deleted onto all new devices, and push the app to existing devices via a software update. Reuters reports that, according to a non-public government order sent to manufacturers, Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi and others were given 90 days to comply.

The app in question is called Sanchar Saathi (meaning Communication Companion), and is primarily aimed at fraud prevention with tools that allow users to report and lock lost or stolen devices. According to Reuters, the app has a reported 5 million downloads since its release and has helped block 3.7 million stolen or lost phones in India. An additional 30 million reportedly fraudulent connections have been terminated using the app.

"If I lose my phone, immediately the app is on my phone which I can then register and make sure my phone is not used by any fraudulent individual. It's a step to protect the consumer," Telecom Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said in an interview with CNBC. The Minister said the installation order should be issued in the "next couple of days."

How smartphone manufacturers will respond remains to be seen. Apple, for its part, doesn't have the strongest history of standing up to governments that oversee large markets for the company. Just a few weeks ago Apple removed two of the largest LGBTQ+ dating apps from the Chinese App Store at the government's request. In 2019 the iPhone maker removed a Hong Kong protest app following pressure from Chinese authorities. The company has also become increasingly entangled with India as it looks to move US-bound iPhone production to the country.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/india-will-require-a-state-owned-cybersecurity-app-to-be-installed-on-all-smartphones-192305599.html?src=rss

Marques Brownlee’s controversial Panels app is shutting down

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Marques Brownlee's Panels app is shutting down on December 31. The creators blame this on a shifting development team, as they weren't able to "bring in collaborators who shared our passion and vision, and we weren't able to find the right fit."

Annual subscribers will get a refund when the app shutters and any downloaded wallpapers will still be available to use. Additionally, the developers will be making the app's code available to "allow anyone to build on what we started."

Brownlee, a popular tech YouTuber who goes by MKBHD, introduced the Panels app back in 2024. It sailed to the top of the various app charts, for a time, but was mired by controversy. It's basically just a marketplace for smartphone wallpaper images, but one that requires a steep subscription price for real access. Angry consumers also complained that the app was plagued by intrusive ads and mandated intrusive data-tracking permissions.

MKBHD tried to assuage concerns by introducing a cheaper subscription tier and improving the free experience. However, it looks like the damage was done. Panels was a tough sell even without the frustrations, as not that many people want to spend real money on smartphone wallpapers. Maybe that idea would've flown when smartphones were still new and exciting, but that ship sailed over a decade ago.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/marques-brownlees-controversial-panels-app-is-shutting-down-192224468.html?src=rss

There’s a cute voice messaging app for Playdate now

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If your friend group or family happens to include multiple Playdate owners, there's now a cute way to chat amongst yourselves right within the device. Jon Simantov, the developer who gave us Cranky Cove, has released an app called helloyellow where you can send voice messages, create group chats and share achievements with anyone you've added as a friend. It's available to download from itch.io for free, with some limitations, or $5 to get the full version. Now, excuse me while I lament being the only person in my circle with a passion for weird little gadgets. 

A screenshot of a chat in the helloyellow app on a Playdate
A screenshot of a chat in the helloyellow app
Jon Simantov

The app works over Wi-Fi, but you can record messages even when you're offline that will be sent once you reconnect. You can also record voice notes for yourself. The full version of helloyellow allows for messages of up to 10 minutes long, while messages in the free version are capped at two minutes. Friends are added via hellocodes, and there's an emoji library so you can send reactions. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/theres-a-cute-voice-messaging-app-for-playdate-now-223620942.html?src=rss

A Google Maps power-saving mode lands on Pixel 10 devices

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If you have a Pixel 10 phone that you use for turn-by-turn directions in lieu of a dedicated GPS device, Google has an update that might be right up your alley. A Google Maps power-saving mode is now available for Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The company announced this feature earlier this month as part of its November 2025 Pixel Drop.

Power-saving mode is only available in portrait orientation and it works on your lock screen. If you tap the power button while using the driving navigation tool, the app will switch to a simpler monochrome look that retains the map layer, as 9to5Google notes. It looks a bit like the dark mode map in the Uber app.

You'll see only see key details your journey, such as your next turn and expected travel time. Other elements, such as your current speed, are stripped out. You can still swipe down to see your notifications.

If you press the power button or tap the screen, Google Maps will revert to the standard view. The app also turns off power-saving mode when you get to your destination.

Google says that the power-saving mode can extend your Pixel 10's battery life by up to four hours, so this could come in handy for long drives when you don't have an easy way to charge your phone while you have it mounted on your dashboard. The more streamlined look could perhaps help to mitigate distracted driving too.

Google will probably bring the feature to other devices down the line, but it’s disappointing that the company is limiting it to the Pixel 10 lineup for now. Perhaps it will end up offering this stripped-down UI on the Android Auto version of Google Maps someday. too

It seems that Google is enabling power-saving mode by default via an update on its end. If you'd rather not be able to use the feature, you can switch it off by going to the settings in the app, then Navigation > Driving options and tapping the toggle for power-saving mode.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/a-google-maps-power-saving-mode-lands-on-pixel-10-devices-180000601.html?src=rss

Switch Online adds Bionic Commando, Battletoads and more to NES and GameBoy offerings

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There continues to be no real discernible rhyme or reason to the way Nintendo distributes games on Nintendo Switch Online, but its latest drop brings some notable additions to the library for retro gaming fans. The NES and Game Boy apps — both of which are available to all NSO subscribers — have each got a pair of new games in the late-November update, and they’re all from well-known franchises.

Joining the NES app are Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos and Battletoads, while the Game Boy library gains Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters and Bionic Commando. The most significant of the four is probably Battletoads. Rare’s platforming beat ‘em up was a NES exclusive when it launched in 1991, before being ported to other platforms later on. It’s notorious for its extremely high difficulty, but with the NES emulator on the Switch allowing you to rewind any time you mess up, perhaps a few more people will see the game through now. Battletoads was also included in 2015’s Rare Replay collection, so it was admittedly already relatively easy to play, but there’s arguably a certain charm to playing NES classics on Nintendo hardware.

The Game Boy version of the side-scroller Bionic Commando is also worth a look. The handheld version was an adaptation of the NES original and features a different setting, while retaining the bionic arm mechanic that is essential for traversal, given the protagonist’s inability to jump. The grappling gun/hook is used to swing around levels and also doubles as a weapon.

The latest update also adds remappable buttons for the Nintendo Classics Game Boy and NES apps, and as spotted by Vooks, features an Easter egg that triggers the original Game Boy boot screen and sound when you wiggle the left analogue stick as you’re launching it. Nintendo previously added a similar feature to its Game Boy Advance and Switch 2-only GameCube app.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/switch-online-adds-bionic-commando-battletoads-and-more-to-nes-and-gameboy-offerings-140507414.html?src=rss

DoJ agrees to settle with RealPage in rent collusion software case

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Last year, the Department of Justice filed an antitrust suit against software company RealPage, accusing it of manipulating the rental housing market and driving up prices. Now, the DoJ has announced a proposed settlement that would put limits on RealPage's ability to collect and use sensitive information gathered from landlords. Under the terms, though, RealPage would pay no damages and admit to no wrongdoing. 

Texas-based RealPage’s software is said to manage over 24 million rental units globally. The DOJ’s original complaint accused the company of working with landlords who agree to share “nonpublic, competitively sensitive information” about rental rates and other lease terms. RealPage then uses that data to train algorithms for its YieldStar software, which generate pricing and other recommendations “based on their and their rivals’ competitively sensitive information,” according to the DOJ.

If approved by the court, the settlement would require RealPage to only used landlord data that's 12 months or older in its algorithm. RealPage would also need to "remove or redesign" features that discourage landlords from lowering prices or prompt them to match competitors' prices. Its software would not be allowed to offer "hyperlocalized pricing" information that can manipulate rents "block-by-block," according to the DoJ's assist attorney general, Abigail Slater. 

"Competing companies must make independent pricing decisions, and with the rise of algorithmic and artificial intelligence tools, we will remain at the forefront of vigorous antitrust enforcement," Slater said in a statement. 

However, as the dedicated real estate site Propmodo put it, the "outcome looks much closer to a reset than a punishment," adding that the government will likely focus enforcement on tools that steer collective behavior. "Algorithms will continue to shape pricing strategies, but with clearer boundaries." 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/doj-agrees-to-settle-with-realpage-in-rent-collusion-software-case-130002364.html?src=rss

OpenAI can’t use the term ‘Cameo’ in Sora following temporary injunction

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Cameo, the app that allows people to buy short videos from celebrities, has won an important victory in its legal battle against OpenAI. On Monday, a federal judge granted the company a temporary restraining order against OpenAI, CNBC reports. Until December 22, the startup is not allowed to use the word “cameo” in relation to any features inside of Sora, its TikTok-like app for creating AI-generated videos. The order covers similar words like “Kameo” and “CameoVideo.”

“We are gratified by the court’s decision, which recognizes the need to protect consumers from the confusion that OpenAI has created by using the Cameo trademark,” Cameo CEO Steven Galanis told CNBC. “While the court’s order is temporary, we hope that OpenAI will agree to stop using our mark permanently to avoid any further harm to the public or Cameo.”

An OpenAI spokesperson told Engadget: “We disagree with the complaint’s assertion that anyone can claim exclusive ownership over the word ‘cameo’, and we look forward to continuing to make our case to the court.”

Cameo sued OpenAI in October, claiming the company’s use of the term was likely to confuse consumers and dilute its brand. Before filing the suit, Galanis said Cameo tried to resolve the dispute “amicably,” but claims OpenAI refused to stop using the name. Sora’s cameo feature allows users to upload their likeness to the app, which other people can then use in their own videos. US District Judge Eumi K. Lee, who granted Cameo the temporary junction, has scheduled a hearing for December 19 to determine if the order should be made permanent.

Update, November 24, 7:25PM ET: This article was updated after publish to include comment from an OpenAI spokesperson.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-cant-use-the-term-cameo-in-sora-following-temporary-injunction-213431626.html?src=rss

Anthropic’s Opus 4.5 model is here to conquer Microsoft Excel

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Hot on the heels of Google's Gemini 3 Pro release, Anthropic has announced an update for its flagship Opus model. Now at version 4.5, the new system offers state-of-the-art performance in coding, computer use and office tasks. No surprise there, those have been some of Claude's greatest strengths for a while. The good news is Anthropic is rolling out a handful of existing tools more broadly alongside Opus 4.5. It's also releasing one new feature.  

To start, the company's Chrome extension, Claude for Chrome, is now available to all Max users. Anthropic is also introducing a feature called infinite chat. Provided you pay to use Claude, the chatbot won't fall to context window errors, allowing it to maintain consistency across files and chats. According to Anthropic, infinite chat was one of the most requested features from its users. Then there's Claude for Excel, which brings the chatbot to a sidebar inside of Microsoft's app. The tool is now broadly available to all Max, Team and Enterprise users, with support for pivot tables, charts and file uploads built-in. 

A table comparing Opus 4.5's efforts in various benchmarks.
A table comparing Opus 4.5's efforts in various benchmarks.
Anthropic

On the subject of Excel, Anthropic says early testers saw a 20 percent accuracy improvement on their internal evaluations and a 15 percent improvement in efficiency gains. As a complete Excel noob, I'm excited to for the company to trickle down that expertise to its more consumer-oriented models, Claude Sonnet and Haiku. 

Elsewhere, Opus 4.5 also delivers improvements in agentic workflows, with the new model excelling at refining its own processes. More importantly, Anthropic is calling Opus 4.5 its safest model yet. It’s better at rejecting prompt injection style attacks, outpacing even Gemini 3 Pro, according to Anthropic’s own evaluations.

If you want to try Opus 4.5 for yourself, it’s available today through all of Anthropic’s apps and the company’s API. For developers, pricing for the new model starts at $5 per million tokens.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropics-opus-45-model-is-here-to-conquer-microsoft-excel-190000905.html?src=rss