Category: Mobile & Apps

Google has announced an update to its Quick Share feature, enabling seamless file transfers between Android and Apple devices by integrating with Apple’s AirDrop. Initially available on the Pixel 10 lineup, this feature allows users to easily exchange photos, videos, and files regardless of the recipient’s device.

This integration marks a significant step towards bridging the gap between Android and iOS ecosystems, offering a more inclusive sharing experience. While the current implementation requires iPhone users to enable ‘Everyone for 10 minutes’ mode on AirDrop, Google aims to collaborate with Apple to enable ‘Contacts Only’ mode in the future.

By confirming the recipient’s device name on the screen, users can ensure secure and accurate file sharing. Notably, this bidirectional communication feature allows iPhone users to also send files to Pixel devices, promoting a more versatile sharing environment. However, Pixel devices must be set to discoverable mode to receive files from iPhones.

This development not only enhances user convenience but also signifies a proactive effort towards interoperability between rival platforms, potentially reshaping how users perceive cross-platform file sharing.

Source: TechCrunch

Perplexity, known for its AI search capabilities, has expanded its Comet browser to the Android platform, following its initial debut on desktop earlier this year. The Comet browser leverages artificial intelligence to enhance the browsing experience, offering features such as AI-powered search, voice mode for tab inquiries, and an integrated ad blocker.

Users can seamlessly interact with the browser’s assistant, allowing for tasks like research, shopping, and search summarization across multiple tabs. The Android version of Comet also promises upcoming additions, including a conversational agent for site searches, quick action shortcuts, and a password manager.

While the Android launch takes the spotlight, Perplexity has indicated an impending iOS release. The company’s strategic focus on Android stems from strong demand from carriers and OEMs. Notably, Perplexity had previously partnered with Motorola to preload applications on their devices, suggesting potential future collaborations for Comet.

This move underscores Perplexity’s efforts to integrate AI into everyday browsing activities, offering users a more intuitive and efficient web navigation experience.

Source: TechCrunch

A new iOS app, Mixup, developed by the team behind the 3D design app Rooms from Things, Inc., is making waves in the world of AI-powered photo editing. Mixup allows users to create AI-generated images through interactive ‘recipes’ resembling Mad Lib-style prompts. These recipes enable users to transform photos, texts, or sketches into imaginative creations, such as turning a simple sketch into a Renaissance masterpiece or envisioning a friend in a quirky Halloween costume.

Powered by Google’s Nano Banana technology, Mixup stands out by providing a unique and engaging way to interact with AI models. The app’s founder and CEO, Jason Toff, emphasized the appeal of Mixup’s user-generated prompts, which can be easily shared among users, fostering a collaborative and entertaining environment for creativity.

One of the key features of Mixup is its approach to simplifying the creative process. By offering predefined prompts, users can effortlessly generate novel content without the need for extensive brainstorming. Additionally, the app allows users to publish their creations to a public feed or download them for personal use, enhancing the sharing and exploration of AI-generated artwork.

With Mixup, the boundaries of AI photo editing are expanding, providing a platform where creativity meets technology in an accessible manner.

Source: TechCrunch

WhatsApp, the popular messaging app owned by Meta, has introduced a new feature resembling Instagram Notes, allowing users to share status updates through an ‘About’ feature.

Similar to Instagram, this feature enables users to post short text updates visible to others, providing a glimpse into their daily activities or thoughts. Users can use this space to start conversations, share updates, or indicate their availability status.

Interestingly, WhatsApp notes that this ‘About’ feature was actually the app’s first feature before it pivoted to focus on secure messaging.

With this relaunch, WhatsApp is enhancing the visibility of users’ status updates, displaying them at the top of one-on-one chats and user profiles. Additionally, users can now reply directly to someone’s ‘About’ status in a chat. The status automatically disappears after 24 hours, but users have the flexibility to adjust the duration and choose their audience visibility settings.

While the current version of the ‘About’ feature lacks the extensive functionalities of Instagram Notes, such as video support and music integrations, future enhancements may be introduced based on user adoption.

Source: TechCrunch

YouTube has launched a test reintroducing in-app private messaging, available for users in Ireland and Poland. This feature allows users to share videos directly within the YouTube mobile app, enabling private conversations and group chats. Users can reply with videos, text, or emojis, enhancing interaction.

Previously removed in 2019, the messaging feature is making a comeback following user demand. YouTube’s move aims to offer a more seamless sharing experience, filling a gap left by the absence of in-app messaging. The test targeting adult users suggests a cautious approach, possibly due to concerns regarding inappropriate content and child safety.

Strict safety measures are in place, requiring chat invites, providing message blocking and reporting functionalities, and ensuring compliance with Community Guidelines. By aligning messaging rules with existing platform standards, YouTube aims to create a secure environment for users engaging in private conversations.

Source: TechCrunch

Google Maps is introducing new features aimed at improving user convenience and preparedness. The updates include a ‘know before you go’ tool, an enhanced Explore tab, and EV charger availability predictions.

When users search for places on Maps, they will now have access to a ‘know before you go’ tips section. This feature provides essential information about the place, such as reservation tips, menu highlights, and parking suggestions. Each tip can be clicked on for more details. The rollout of this feature has commenced in the U.S. on Android and iOS platforms.

The Explore tab has also received an upgrade, making it simpler to discover trending spots nearby. By swiping up, users can find popular restaurants, activities, and attractions in their vicinity. Google has collaborated with sources like Viator, Lonely Planet, and OpenTable to offer curated lists and recommendations.

In response to the growing electric vehicle market, Google Maps now enables EV drivers to check predicted charger availability at their destination. By searching for ‘EV chargers,’ users can see how many chargers are expected to be free upon arrival, thanks to AI analysis of historical and real-time data. The EV charger availability predictions will debut next week on Android Auto and cars with Google built-in integration.

Moreover, Google allows users to leave reviews under a chosen nickname, while reviews remain linked to a Google Account behind the scenes.

Source: TechCrunch

TikTok, the popular social media platform known for its user-generated content, is now offering users the ability to control the amount of AI-generated content they see on their ‘For You’ feed. This new feature, part of the ‘Manage Topics’ tool, allows users to adjust their content preferences, including AI-generated content, to tailor their feed to their individual preferences.

The introduction of AI-generated content control comes as other platforms, such as Meta and OpenAI, are also exploring AI-centric feeds. Meta recently launched Vibes, a feed focused on short AI-generated videos, while OpenAI introduced Sora, a social media platform for AI-generated video creation and sharing.

With the new feature, TikTok users can now choose to see more or less AI-generated content based on their preferences. By accessing the ‘Manage Topics’ option in Settings, users can adjust the slider for different topics, including AI-generated content, to customize their feed experience.

This move by TikTok signifies the platform’s commitment to providing users with greater control over their content consumption and aligns with the industry trend towards AI-driven content experiences. The company’s focus on enhancing labeling technologies for AI-generated content further underscores its dedication to user customization.

Source: TechCrunch

Google Play has awarded Hank Green’s Focus Friend as the app of the year, highlighting a growing trend of productivity tools that encourage users to disconnect from technology. Focus Friend, a screen time assistant, blocks distracting apps and offers a virtual companion in the form of a cartoon bean to motivate better digital habits.

The app’s unique approach leverages social impact to encourage users to manage their screen time. By associating users’ actions with the emotions of a virtual bean companion, Focus Friend aims to create a sense of responsibility and empathy towards digital well-being.

This recognition from Google Play reflects a shift in consumer preferences, as apps promoting disconnection and mindfulness gain traction alongside more engaging platforms like social media and entertainment apps.

Source: TechCrunch

Snapchat, known for its emphasis on private conversations, is now expanding into public discussions with the introduction of ‘Topic Chats.’ This new feature allows users to engage in conversations about current events and various communities, such as Formula 1 and the reality TV show ‘Below Deck.’

Unlike traditional public forums, Snapchat ensures that user profiles remain private to non-friends, preventing unsolicited friend requests or direct messages. While users’ display names will be visible during Topic Chats, tapping through to their profiles will not be allowed, as disclosed by Snapchat to TechCrunch.

To maintain a safe environment, Snapchat will employ language model technology and other measures for moderating Topic Chats, enforcing adherence to Community Guidelines and enabling users to report inappropriate content. Violators may face consequences, including warnings and account blocks.

Moreover, users will have visibility into the Topic Chats joined by their friends, facilitating the discovery of shared interests. Topic Chats will also feature related Spotlight videos, akin to TikTok’s short-form content, to enhance engagement.

Previously, public conversations on Snapchat were limited to Spotlight comments. The inspiration for Topic Chats stemmed from the platform’s observation of user interactions in public comments, prompting the development of a new avenue for communal discussions.

Source: TechCrunch

TikTok has introduced a new feature that enables users to seamlessly share content from Amazon Music directly to the popular social platform. The latest addition, a ‘Share to TikTok’ button, empowers Amazon Music users to share songs, albums, playlists, and personalized listening highlights from their Amazon Music Insights directly to TikTok.

Amazon Music Insights, a personalized feature offering detailed insights into users’ music consumption habits and statistics, includes monthly recaps highlighting top artists, songs, podcasts, and total listening time. Now, Amazon Music users can effortlessly share these music stats to TikTok, joining the existing ‘Share to TikTok’ features for Spotify and Apple Music.

This new integration also includes the ‘Add to Music App’ feature, enabling users to easily save songs discovered on TikTok directly to Amazon Music and other major streaming platforms. The partnership aligns with TikTok’s role in influencing music trends and popularizing songs, providing users with a seamless way to engage with their favorite music content.

Source: TechCrunch

TikTok has unveiled a new feature called ‘bulletin board,’ designed to enable creators and brands to share public messages with their followers. This feature mirrors Instagram’s broadcast channels and allows for the dissemination of text, images, and videos directly to the audience.

Similar to Instagram’s broadcast channels, only the creator can post messages on the bulletin board, while followers can react using emojis. Bulletin boards support various types of posts, including text, images, and videos.

This feature is being rolled out to creators with a minimum age of 18 and at least 50,000 followers. The goal of this feature is to facilitate community-building by offering a platform for sharing news, updates, and exclusive content. It provides a more direct way for accounts to engage with their followers.

During testing, select creators, media outlets, and brands utilized the bulletin board feature to share content and updates with their audiences. TikTok emphasizes the importance of content adherence to Community Guidelines and offers safety tools within the feature to maintain a positive community experience.

Creators can initiate a bulletin board from their inbox, customize visibility settings, and select a name for their board, enhancing their ability to connect with followers effectively.

Source: TechCrunch

Willow, a new iOS keyboard, is transforming text input by allowing users to type using their voice across all apps and edit the transcribed text directly. Developed by Allan Guo and Lawrence Liu, Willow’s keyboard leverages AI to accurately transcribe voice inputs and format messages contextually.

Unlike its counterpart Wispr Flow, Willow offers a full keyboard interface, enabling users to make quick edits to their text without switching keyboards. This feature enhances the user experience by providing a seamless transition between voice dictation and manual typing. Additionally, Willow supports over 100 languages and allows customization of vocabulary terms and writing styles for different app categories such as work, messaging, and email.

The inspiration behind Willow stemmed from observing the utility of voice AI tools in healthcare settings and recognizing the need for similar solutions in knowledge work environments. By focusing on the dictation space, Willow aims to streamline communication processes outside formal meetings, catering to a broader user base.

Source: TechCrunch

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey is supporting the launch of diVine, a new app aiming to revive the popular Vine platform known for its six-second looping videos. The initiative includes access to over 100,000 archived Vine videos, meticulously restored from a backup predating Vine’s closure.

diVine aims to offer more than just nostalgia. Users will be able to create profiles and share their own new Vine videos. Notably, the app is set to address the rise of generative AI content by flagging and blocking suspected AI-generated posts, distinguishing itself from conventional social media platforms.

The development of diVine was made possible by funding from Jack Dorsey’s nonprofit organization, ‘and Other Stuff,’ established in May 2025. The project signifies a shift towards supporting innovative open-source endeavors and tools that could reshape the social media landscape.

Behind the scenes, Evan Henshaw-Plath, a former Twitter employee and member of ‘and Other Stuff,’ delved into the Vine archive. Following Twitter’s announcement of Vine’s closure in 2016, a group known as the Archive Team backed up the platform’s videos. While these files were initially stored in large binary formats, making them inaccessible for regular viewing, this archive inspired Henshaw-Plath to explore the possibility of extracting and repurposing the content for a Vine-inspired mobile application.

The endeavor not only resurrects Vine’s iconic content but also introduces measures to safeguard against the proliferation of AI-generated material.

Source: TechCrunch

Apple has unveiled the iOS 26.2 beta 1, introducing new features such as customizable Liquid Glass appearance for the lock screen clock and the ability to set alarms within the Reminders app. This beta version also includes live translation capabilities for AirPods users in the EU, enhancing the user experience across Apple devices.

The Liquid Glass interface update allows users to adjust the opacity of the lock screen clock, offering customization options ranging from fully transparent to frosted. Additionally, users can now set alarms directly within the Reminders app by selecting a specific time and enabling the ‘Urgent’ option, ensuring timely task reminders.

Expanding on the live translation feature, iOS 26.2 brings this functionality to AirPods users in the EU, enabling Siri to provide real-time translations when interacting with individuals speaking different languages. This update aligns with Apple’s commitment to enhancing accessibility and global usability of its products.

Source: TechCrunch

Google Photos has introduced a suite of new AI-driven features, enhancing its editing functionalities and expanding its AI-powered search to more than 100 countries. The latest updates include the ability to edit objects and individuals within images, an Ask button for AI-guided queries and editing requests, AI templates for generating new photos, and improved natural language search capabilities.

The enhanced editing features, initially launched for Pixel 10 series phones in August, are now available to iOS users in the U.S. Users can verbally or textually describe edits, facilitating seamless modification of images. The updated photo editor, featuring simplified editing options, is also being introduced to iOS devices.

One notable addition is the personalized edits feature, which leverages Google Photos’ face recognition technology to identify individuals. Users can now specify editing instructions for different people in the photo, such as removing accessories or adjusting expressions, using the ‘Help me edit’ option.

Additionally, Google Photos is integrating its Nano Banana AI model, enabling users to apply various artistic styles to their photos, such as Renaissance portraits or cartoon effects. AI templates will also soon allow users to transform images into specific formats, like retro portraits or action figures.

Furthermore, a redesigned interface with an Ask button will serve as a centralized hub for AI-based photo inquiries and editing commands, aiming to streamline user interactions and offer prompt suggestions for utilizing the platform’s capabilities.

These advancements in AI editing and search functionalities underscore Google Photos’ commitment to enhancing user experiences and expanding the accessibility of innovative imaging tools globally.

Source: TechCrunch