Apple Will Let You Enlist a Stranger to Help Find a Lost Item
Apple is testing a new feature of its Find My service that will let you share a tracked item's location with anyone. Apple gives the example of sharing this information with an airline employee to help find lost luggage with an AirTag, or a device accidentally left on a plane. The feature is expected to appear in the Find My app starting with iOS version 18.2, and currently appears in the developer beta version. Apple already lets users share item location with a contact, but this new feature generates a link that can be shared with anyone, and viewed on any device (not just Apple devices). The shared info can include your contact information. The link automatically stops working as soon as you're reunited with your lost item, or after one week, whichever comes first.
HMD Teams up with Xplora for Kids' Devices
HMD has "formed a strategic partnership with Xplora, a leading provider of smartwatches for children." The partnership coincides with HMD's growing interest in the devices-for-kids category. HMD recently launched the Barbie Phone. HMD also recently launched The Better Phone Project, a global survey of 10,000 parents with the aim of better understanding needs in the kids category. HMD says it is "in the process of designing a suite of new solutions which serve as viable alternatives to smartphones, including a new type of phone, which are better suited to the needs of children and teens."
Apple Spending $1.5 Billion to Expand Satellite Service
A securities filing has revealed a new deal between Apple and Globalstar that will see Apple spend around $1.5 billion in exchange for "the expansion of iPhone services" as well as a 20% equity stake in Globalstar. Globalstar already provides the orbital satellite network for Apple's satellite communication service for iPhones, including Emergency SOS via satellite and Messages via satellite. Globalstar currently operates 31 satellites and allocates 85% of its network capacity to Apple. The company has ordered as many as 26 new satellites to replenish and upgrade its constellation. Competitors such as Iridium and Skylo provide similar services for non-Apple phones. All of these services require specific support in phone hardware, while SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile are preparing to launch satellite coverage services that work with existing phones.
Google Accelerating New Android Versions
Google is changing its Android release schedule, releasing more new versions, sooner. While Google has stuck to a relatively consistent annual schedule in recent years, with Android 15 having just been released, the next major version — Android 16 — is now planned for the second quarter of next year. Google says this earlier release date is "to better align with the schedule of device launches across our ecosystem, so more devices can get the major release of Android sooner." Another, more minor, update is also planned for the fourth quarter of next year. The "major" update will bring API and behavior changes that typically come with a whole new version of Android, requiring all developers to test their apps for issues. The new "minor" update could introduce new features and APIs, but should not break any existing apps. With this new schedule, Google says to expect the first developer preview of Android 16 soon.
Google Wallet for Kids Coming in 2025
Google has confirmed that it plans to roll out a special version of Google Wallet for kids next year. The Android app will support tap payments in person, but not online transactions. It will also support gift cards and event tickets, but not ID cards. It will require that the Android device be enrolled in Family Link, Google's parental control solution. Via Family Link, parents will be able to add and remove payment cards, as well as view transactions. Google already offers a version of this for its Fitbit Ace LTE smartwatch, but it will now expand to Android phones.
Google Working on "Rich Ongoing Notifications" for Android
Recent beta versions of Android include the first bits of a new API for app developers called Rich Ongoing Notifications. It appears to let developers put an icon plus small bit of updating text directly in the status bar, similar to the "chip" that is displayed in the status bar during a phone call. The feature would therefore be similar to the Live Activities feature that Apple introduced in iOS with its Dynamic Island concept. The feature may be slated for Android 16. Android 15 was just released.
Apple Intelligence Launches in Beta, Requires Opt-In and Waitlist
Apple has released the final public version of iOS 18.1, which supports a beta version of Apple Intelligence, the company's new suite of AI features. Because it's still in beta, access to Apple Intelligence is not automatic. Users must manually opt in and wait for their turn to download the AI models. Apple's support site explains that users should "go to Settings, tap or click Apple Intelligence & Siri, then tap or click Join the Apple Intelligence Waitlist. Apple Intelligence is usually available for activation within a few hours of joining the waitlist, though wait times can vary. You will receive a notification when you can activate it on your device. On-device Apple Intelligence models will begin to download after activation." The models take up 4 GB of storage. Apple Intelligence on iOS also requires an iPhone 16 or iPhone 15 Pro. It also available only in US English for now. Apple Intelligence includes a smarter Siri, summaries of notifications, messages, & email, search in Photos, writing tools, and more.
iOS 18.2 Will Let Users Worldwide Set Third-Party Apps for Messaging, Calling
Apple has decided to lets iOS users worldwide choose their own default apps for messaging and calling, a welcome update for a feature that was previously expected to be limited to the EU to appease antitrust regulators there. The change will come in iOS 18.2, which just entered beta testing. Apple's own developer web site specifically says the feature is "available for all users worldwide". The options will be part of a new, consolidated "Default Apps" section in Settings, which will also contain options for email, Call Filtering, web browser, and Passwords & Codes. The screen also mentions contactless payments, a new option that appeared in iOS 18.1.
Arm Cancels Qualcomm's License for Chip IP
Arm has escalated its legal tussle with Qualcomm by giving 60 days' notice that it is cancelling the architectural license agreement that allows Qualcomm to use Arm's intellectual property to design chips. The two companies are already involved in a legal battle scheduled to reach a Delaware court in December. At issue is Qualcomm's acquisition of Nuvia in 2021. Both Nuvia and Qualcomm were Arm licensees prior to the acquisition. Arm insists that Nuvia's license did not transfer and Qualcomm should re-negotiate its Arm license to include Nuvia technology. Qualcomm is already using Nuvia's CPU technology in its chips for laptops, and just announced the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the first chip for phones to use Nuvia technology (which Qualcomm has branded "Oryon"). Qualcomm claims that this latest move by Arm is a "strongarm" negotiating tactic to "increase royalty rates".
AT&T Finally Offering 30-Day Free Trial via eSIM
AT&T is now offering a 30-day free trial of its network via the eSIM capability of iPhones. T-Mobile has offered this option since mid-2021, and Verizon has offered it since late 2022. Prospective customers can take advantage of the offer without cancelling their current service on another network. Both their primary SIM and the secondary eSIM are available at the same time, so users can switch back and forth to compare networks. AT&T says it is the only carrier to include 25 GB of personal hotspot data in its free trial. AT&T's offer also includes unlimited talk & text, 100 GB of data (5G included), and international texting. AT&T plans to extend the program to compatible Android phones in 2025.
Samsung Upgrades its Health App with Medical Records, Nutrition-by-Barcode
Samsung has announced several major new features for its comprehensive Health app. Starting with version 6.28, users can import their medical records, including test results, prescriptions, hospital visits, and vaccinations. The app offers "meaningful insights and alerts that suggest next steps, such as recommending medical tests or actions." This feature integrates with popular electronic medical record (EMR) systems in the United States, including Epic Systems, athenahealth, Cerner Health, and Veradigm. Samsung partnered with b.well Connected Health on this feature. Samsung partnered with a different company — fatsecret — on another new feature: barcode scanning in the Food Tracker. This can make logging meals and/or viewing nutrition info as easy as scanning barcodes on food packaging. Samsung has brought a similar feature to the Medications Tracking feature, where users can simply scan a pill bottle with the camera to add a medication to their personal list.
Carriers Weigh in on FCC's Proposed Phone Unlocking Rule
T-Mobile and AT&T have submitted formal objections to the FCC over its proposed rule requiring carriers to unlock new phones after 60 days, regardless of whether the phone is fully paid off. (This type of unlocking would let customers use their phone with a different network.) T-Mobile and AT&T argue that — for their prepaid brands in particular — longer locking periods are necessary to ensure that phone subsidies are recovered. Prepaid phones sold by Metro by T-Mobile and Cricket (an AT&T brand) are typically subsidized so they can be sold far below their actual retail price. For example, Metro currently offers the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G — A $200 phone — for free. Metro currently locks phones for a full year to ensure the phone subsidy is recovered in monthly service charges. T-Mobile says that the FCC's proposed 60-day rule "would see subsidies reduced by 40% to 70% for both its lower and higher-end devices", and that a "handset unlocking mandate would also leave providers little choice but to limit their handset offers to lower cost and often lesser performing handsets." AT&T agrees, saying the proposed rule would create "upward pressure on handset prices and disincentives to finance handsets on flexible terms." Verizon is already subject to stricter phone unlocking rules as a condition of its FCC license for band 13, a core frequency band for its network. Verizon therefore voiced its support for the new rule, since it would create "a uniform unlocking policy that applies to all providers", effectively ending Verizon's current competitive disadvantage. However Verizon still acknowledged the need for longer locking periods in the prepaid market, saying "a longer, 180-day locking period for prepaid is necessary to enable wireless providers to continue offering subsidies that make phones affordable".
Snapdragon 8 Elite is Qualcomm's Newest Top-End Chip for Phones
Qualcomm's newest flagship chip for flagship phones is the Snapdragon 8 Elite. For the first time in a chip for phones, Qualcomm is using its own, all-new Oryon CPU architecture, the fruit of its acquisition of Nuvia in 2021. Qualcomm claims the new Oryon CPU delivers a 45% performance improvement in both single- and multi-core tasks compared to last year's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The prime core runs at up to 4.32 GHz and the performance cores run at up to 3.53 GHz. Qualcomm is also using a cutting-edge 3nm manufacturing process, which contributes to a 27% overall power savings. Power savings are even better in some areas, such as 45% for AI, 44% for CPU, and 40% for graphics. Qualcomm also claims 45% faster AI and 40% better gaming performance. The 8 Elite also includes the X80 modem and FastConnect 7900 announced in February. These bring standards-based support for satellite connectivity as well as integrated UWB. The 8 Elite also supports Bluetooth 6.0. Qualcomm is breaking with its usual naming scheme for smartphone chips, where this would otherwise have been called the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is expected to reach the market in phones starting "in the coming weeks" from brands that include Samsung, OnePlus, and Asus.
Chrome on Android to Play Nicer with Third-Party Password Managers
Google is improving how its Chrome web browser on Android integrates with third-party auto-fill services such as password managers. Currently, such software must use a "compatibility mode" in Chrome that can be glitchy and is being phased out. Starting in Chrome version 131, a new "Autofill services" setting will let users choose a third-party service. Chrome 131 is scheduled to be released November 12, with a beta version already available. Users will have to manually choose a third-party autofill service in system settings (if they haven't already done so), then choose "Autofill using another service" in Chrome settings. Chrome will then use whatever service was chosen in the system settings. Google recommends that third-party password manager apps show a prompt to users, to inform them of these steps they need to take. Google plans to phase out Chrome's "compatibility mode" sometime in "early 2025".
FCC Strengthens, Modernizes Phone Hearing Aid Compatibility Requirements
The FCC has adopted new rules that will require 100% of cell phones sold in the US to be hearing-aid compatible (HAC). The FCC is also modifying its rules to incorporate Bluetooth connections to hearing aids. Currently, phone manufacturers and service providers are only required to offer HAC in 85% of the models in their lineup. (In practice, most reach 100%, or nearly, already.) The new rules address three distinct ways someone might use a phone with a hearing aid: acoustic, telecoil (T-coil), and Bluetooth. Acoustic means simply holding the phone up to your ear, and phones must be designed so they don't create interference when used this way. This benchmark moves from 85% to 100%. The telecoil requirement remains at 85%, but since Bluetooth is a more modern alternative to telecoil, the FCC will now require that at least 15% of phone models support Bluetooth connections to hearing aids. Further, 100% of phones must support either telecoil or Bluetooth. Phone makers have two years to meet these requirements, while national carriers will have 2 1/2 years, and smaller carriers will have 3 1/2 years. For now, companies will be able to meet the Bluetooth requirement with proprietary solutions like Apple's MFi and Google's ASHA. But in four years, companies will be required to support non-proprietary standards like the new Hearing Access Profile (HAP) introduced as part of Bluetooth LE Audio.
Android 15 Exits Beta, Starts Rolling Out
Android 15 is finally, officially launching, starting today with Pixel devices. This version had an unusually long beta testing period. Among many new features, the biggest may be a suite of new anti-theft features. Most interesting is Theft Detection Lock, which uses AI and the phone's sensors to detect when a phone may have been snatched and automatically lock it. Google has also added "authentication requirements for settings targeted by thieves, like removing your SIM or turning off Find My Device, and will lock down your device if we sense multiple failed attempts for apps and settings." These features are not necessarily on by default, often needing to be activated manually in Settings. Android 15 also brings "Private Space", a place to hide sensitive apps behind an additional layer of authentication. Finally, Android 15 brings a standardized way for carrier messaging apps to send and receive messages via satellite. Android 15 should come to Samsung and other Android phone brands in the coming months. Google is also using the Android 15 update for Pixel phones to do a new "Feature Drop" with new Pixel-exclusive features. This includes Audio Magic Eraser, to clean up audio in your captured videos. The camera app gains a new Underwater mode, to capture better colors underwater. Finally, the Pixel Weather app now includes a three-part pollen tracker for seasonal allergies.
JLab's Newest ANC Earbuds are Just $30
JLab's new Go Pop ANC are the new most affordable Bluetooth earbuds on the market with ANC (active noise cancellation), at just $30. The buds have a decent feature list, too, with a "Be Aware" pass-through mode, 10mm drivers, customizable EQ, IP55 rating for sweat and rain, Multipoint Bluetooth, and Google Fast Pair support. They also offer over seven hours of charge, or over 24 hours with case charging. That case has a built-in USB-C cable for convenience. They're available now, in black, fuchsia, or teal.
Cricket's Newest 5G Phones are Around 50 Bucks
Cricket has launched updated versions of its two most affordable 5G phones. The Cricket Magic 2 5G replaces the Cricket Magic 5G. It has a much larger battery at 5,000 mAh (vs. 4,000 mAh before), a new MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset, and adds a 5 megapixel wide-angle camera. Other features remain similar, including 6.6" HD+ 90 Hz display, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage (expandable), 13 megapixel main camera, NFC, fingerprint reader, and a headset jack. Cricket lists the price at $100 but is currently offering it to existing customers for $40, or free to new customers. The new Cricket Outlast 5G is a significant departure from the original Outlast. While the first Outlast was a 4G phone with a huge 6,000 mAh battery, the new Outlast 5G is a 5G phone with a more-common 5,000 mAh battery and slightly better specs than the Magic 2 5G. Those specs include a larger 6.8" display, 6 GB of RAM, 128 GB storage, and a 50 megapixel main camera. Other specs are similar to the Magic 2 5G, including the same MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset. Cricket is currently selling the Outlast 5G for $60, or free for new customers. Third-party retailers like Walmart are also selling these phones under different names for AT&T Prepaid, with similar pricing. The "AT&T Propel 2 5G" is the same phone as the Magic 2 5G, while the Outlast 5G goes by "Motivate Pro 5G" as an AT&T phone. The original Magic, new Magic 2 (and Propel 2), and original Outlast were all manufactured by Tinno, which also makes the Cricket Debut S3. However the new Outlast 5G (and Motivate Pro) is made by Coosea, which also makes the Cricket Icon 6.
