News/Mobile
Google expands AI Mode to India as first international market
Google has expanded its AI Mode search experience to India, marking the first international rollout of the advanced AI-powered search tool since its March announcement. This expansion follows the wide US launch at I/O 2025 and represents Google's push to bring more sophisticated AI search capabilities to international markets, starting with one of its largest user bases. What you should know: AI Mode offers significantly more advanced capabilities than traditional Google Search or AI Overviews. The tool is powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.5 and uses a "query fan-out technique that breaks your question into subtopics and issues...
read Jun 20, 2025Google adds song identification to Gemini but clunkily kicks users out of the app
Google has added song identification capabilities to Gemini on Android, allowing users to ask "What song is this?" to trigger the same Song Search interface used by Google Assistant. However, the feature currently launches a separate full-screen interface through the Google app rather than staying within Gemini itself, creating a less seamless experience compared to existing alternatives. How it works: The new feature leverages Google's existing Song Search technology but requires users to leave the Gemini interface. Users can ask Gemini "What song is this?" which then opens the Google app's full-screen listening interface. The tool can identify music from...
read Jun 19, 2025Google launches Search Live for real-time voice conversations with AI
Google has launched Search Live, a new voice chat feature that enables real-time conversations with Google Search through AI Mode. The feature allows users to have back-and-forth verbal exchanges with Google's search tools, similar to experiences offered by Gemini Live or ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode, marking Google's push to make search interactions more conversational and intuitive. How to access it: Search Live is currently available through Google Labs' AI Mode signup for US users only. Once enrolled, a Live icon appears under the Search bar in the Google app for Android and iOS as the leftmost option. Users can tap...
read Jun 17, 2025Adobe launches Firefly AI image and video generator for iPhone
Adobe has officially launched its Firefly AI image and video generation tool as a dedicated iPhone app, bringing professional-grade creative AI capabilities directly to mobile devices. This marks a significant expansion of Adobe's AI strategy, making sophisticated content creation tools accessible anywhere inspiration strikes. Adobe Firefly, the company's flagship generative AI platform, gained popularity as a web-based tool for creating images and videos from text prompts. The new iPhone app delivers the same core functionality in a mobile-optimized interface, addressing the growing demand for on-the-go content creation among creative professionals and business users. What sets this app apart from other...
read Jun 16, 2025WhatsApp adds ads to Updates tab targeting 1.5B daily fish-in-a-barrel users
Meta will begin showing ads inside WhatsApp for the first time, marking a significant shift in the messaging platform's business model as the company seeks new revenue streams to fund its heavy investments in artificial intelligence. The ads will appear exclusively in WhatsApp's "Updates" tab, which attracts 1.5 billion daily visitors, allowing Meta to monetize the platform without disrupting users' private conversations. What you should know: WhatsApp will introduce advertising through its Status feature, similar to Instagram and Facebook Stories. • Ads will appear in the "Updates" tab, a section separate from users' private messaging inbox. • The Updates tab...
read Jun 13, 2025Google tests AI audio overviews directly in mobile search results
Google has rolled out a test feature that integrates AI-generated Audio Overviews directly into mobile search results, allowing users to generate podcast-style discussions about their queries. The experiment, available through Google Labs, expands the company's audio AI capabilities beyond existing tools like NotebookLM and Gemini, bringing conversational AI content directly to the search experience. How it works: Users can generate AI-powered audio discussions for certain search queries through a new button that appears on the first page of mobile search results. When searching for topics like "How do noise cancellation headphones work?", a "Generate Audio Overview" button appears beneath the...
read Jun 13, 2025Meta AI’s confusing share button exposes private chats to public feed
Meta's standalone AI chatbot app contains a privacy trap that's catching users off guard: a confusing sharing feature that accidentally broadcasts private conversations to a public feed visible to all app users. The issue stems from Meta AI's poorly designed interface, which makes it surprisingly easy to publish sensitive chats without realizing the consequences. The Meta AI app, which launched in April as a direct competitor to ChatGPT and Google's Gemini, includes an unexpected social component called the Discover feed. Unlike other AI assistants that keep conversations private by default, Meta AI encourages users to share their interactions publicly—but the...
read Jun 12, 2025Siri-ously delayed: Apple pushes Siri AI improvements to 2026
Apple executives have confirmed that Siri's long-awaited AI upgrades will not arrive until 2026, providing the most specific timeline yet for features that were originally planned for iOS 18. The confirmation comes from Greg "Joz" Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, during a recent interview with Tom's Guide, marking a significant delay that pushes the enhanced Siri capabilities well beyond this year and likely into spring 2026 with iOS 26.4. What you should know: Apple has been deliberately vague about Siri's AI upgrade timeline until now, using phrases like "in the coming year" without committing to specific dates....
read Jun 11, 2025Everyday low price agentic AI: Walmart launches “Sparky” shopping assistant
Walmart has launched Sparky, a generative AI-powered shopping assistant embedded in its mobile app that goes beyond traditional chatbots to function as an autonomous agent. The move represents Walmart's most aggressive bet on agentic AI, positioning the retail giant to transform shopping from a search-driven experience into a service-based interaction while competing directly with Amazon and other retailers racing to deploy AI assistants. What you should know: Sparky can currently summarize reviews, compare products, suggest items for specific occasions, and answer real-world questions about sports teams and events. Upcoming features will include reordering and scheduling services, visual understanding for image...
read Jun 10, 2025OpenAI and Jony Ive develop screenless AI wearable targeting 2027 launch
OpenAI is developing a screenless, wearable AI device in collaboration with legendary Apple designer Jony Ive that could potentially replace smartphones entirely. Expected to launch in late 2026 or early 2027, the pocket-sized device would feature microphones and cameras to provide contextually aware AI assistance without requiring users to look at a screen. What you should know: The device represents OpenAI's ambitious push beyond software into hardware, targeting the emerging ambient computing market. One version is rumored to resemble an iPod Shuffle worn around the neck, with touch or voice-based controls for real-time interaction with OpenAI's models. The device would...
read Jun 5, 2025WhatsApp users can soon create custom AI chatbots
WhatsApp is expanding Meta's AI ambitions by introducing AI Studio directly within the messaging app, enabling users to create personalized AI assistants without technical expertise. This integration represents a significant extension of Meta's AI strategy, allowing WhatsApp's massive user base to develop custom AI tools through an intuitive, guided process—potentially democratizing AI assistant creation in a way that could reach billions of users worldwide. The big picture: WhatsApp is rolling out an in-app AI Studio to a limited number of beta testers on iOS and Android, bringing Meta's custom AI assistant creation tools directly to the messaging platform. The feature...
read Jun 3, 2025AI usage surges as 30% of Americans actively engage, ComScore reports
Comscore's new tracking of AI tool usage reveals significant consumer adoption, with over 30% of Americans actively engaging with AI monthly. The analytics firm now monitors 117 different AI services across nine categories, providing businesses and researchers with valuable insights into how these technologies are reshaping digital behavior. This data will help organizations understand AI's growing influence on consumer habits and market dynamics as these tools become increasingly embedded in everyday digital experiences. The big picture: Comscore has officially added AI usage metrics to its analytics portfolio, allowing clients to track monthly visits across 117 different AI tools spanning nine...
read Jun 3, 2025Microsoft brings OpenAI’s Sora to Bing Video Creator for free
Microsoft is integrating OpenAI's Sora video generation model into its Bing mobile app, marking a significant shift in how generative AI video tools are reaching consumers. While Sora initially generated excitement for its realism and capabilities when launched in December 2024, it now faces intense competition from rivals like Runway, Luma, and several Chinese competitors that have matched or surpassed its capabilities. This mobile implementation represents a new phase in the democratization of AI video creation tools through mainstream consumer applications. The big picture: Microsoft has added OpenAI's Sora model to its Bing mobile app through a new Bing Video...
read Jun 3, 2025Samsung to add Perplexity AI on select devices soon
Samsung's potential partnership with Perplexity AI represents a significant shift in the mobile AI landscape, as the electronics giant appears to be diversifying beyond its existing Google Gemini integration. This move could reshape how AI assistants are integrated into smartphones and signals growing competition in the AI assistant market as major device manufacturers seek to differentiate their offerings through unique AI partnerships. The big picture: Samsung is reportedly finalizing a deal with AI startup Perplexity to preload its app and assistant on future Galaxy devices, potentially making it the default AI assistant on Samsung smartphones. The partnership could debut as...
read Jun 3, 2025Google launches AI Edge Gallery for offline Android AI
Google's experimental AI Edge Gallery app brings advanced artificial intelligence capabilities directly to Android smartphones without requiring internet connectivity, representing a significant advancement in edge computing and on-device AI processing. This approach addresses growing privacy concerns by keeping sensitive data locally processed rather than sending it to cloud servers, while simultaneously making sophisticated AI models more accessible to mobile users through an open-source framework. The big picture: Google has released an experimental Android application enabling users to run sophisticated AI models directly on their smartphones without an internet connection. The app, called AI Edge Gallery, allows users to download and...
read Jun 2, 2025Know when to fold ’em: Tech giants advance AI and foldables in latest gear updates
Apple is gearing up for a significant overhaul of its operating system ecosystem, shifting from version numbers to yearly designations while redesigning user interfaces across its product lineup. This move represents one of the most substantial changes to Apple's software strategy in years and comes alongside major AI developments from Android competitors like OnePlus and Samsung's preparation for its next generation of folding devices. These parallel developments highlight how the mobile ecosystem continues to evolve through both interface refinements and emerging AI capabilities. Apple's sweeping OS rebrand: Bloomberg reports that Apple plans to announce a comprehensive redesign of all its...
read May 26, 2025NotebookLM Android app falls short of its AI desktop counterpart
Google's NotebookLM stands out in the AI landscape by offering users control over their information sources, making it uniquely valuable for research and reference tasks. While the tool has gained a devoted following for its ability to help users parse complex documents like insurance quotes and technical manuals, its newly released Android app falls significantly short of the web version's capabilities. This disconnect between platforms highlights the challenges tech companies face when translating feature-rich web applications to mobile environments. The big picture: Google's NotebookLM distinguishes itself from general-purpose AI chatbots by allowing users to specify which sources the AI draws...
read May 24, 2025Why AI traffic won’t break mobile networks
Despite industry concerns about artificial intelligence creating traffic spikes that could overwhelm mobile networks, expert analysis suggests these fears may be overblown. Mobile networks have historically adapted to new data-hungry applications, and AI traffic appears poised to follow this pattern rather than creating unprecedented strain on infrastructure. The big picture: Industry experts are skeptical about predictions that AI traffic will overwhelm mobile networks, pointing to historical patterns of network adaptation to new technologies. The telecommunications industry has a long history of successfully accommodating data-intensive applications from streaming video to mobile gaming. Mobile networks have consistently evolved to meet growing capacity...
read May 23, 2025Honor AI tech transforms photos into videos on new 400 series
Honor's latest mid-range smartphone series introduces powerful AI photography features alongside premium hardware specifications at competitive price points. The Honor 400 and 400 Pro represent a significant step up from the earlier 400 Lite model, placing artificial intelligence at the center of their photography capabilities while promising extended software support that exceeds industry standards. The hardware lineup: Honor has launched two new mid-range devices that emphasize computational photography powered by dedicated AI features. The base Honor 400 starts at €499/£399.99 with a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, 8GB RAM, and either 256GB or 512GB storage options. The premium Honor 400...
read May 22, 2025AI enhancements fail to impress as mobile phone satisfaction falls to ten-year low
Mobile phone satisfaction has plummeted to a 10-year low as consumers grow increasingly disillusioned with AI features that fail to deliver on their promises. This dissatisfaction comes at a time when smartphone manufacturers continue to prioritize cutting-edge technology over fundamental features like battery life and call reliability, creating a growing disconnect between what companies offer and what customers actually value. The big picture: American customer satisfaction with mobile phones has dropped from 82% to 78% in 2025, marking the lowest satisfaction score in a decade according to a new American Customer Satisfaction Index study. Behind the numbers: AI enhancements that...
read May 22, 2025Google’s new Android XR smart glasses aim to balance function and fashion
Google's upcoming Android XR smart glasses represent a significant advance in wearable computing, integrating Gemini's multimodal AI capabilities into a practical, everyday form factor. Revealed at Google I/O 2025, these glasses merge AI assistant features with augmented reality displays while offloading processing to users' smartphones—potentially solving the weight and battery life issues that have plagued previous smart eyewear. By partnering with established eyewear brands like Warby Parker, Google appears poised to deliver the first smart glasses that balance style, functionality, and comfort when they launch later this year. The big picture: Google is shifting its Android XR platform focus toward...
read May 22, 2025Google developers blog unveils latest web, mobile, AI and cloud updates
Google's new on-device AI capabilities mark a significant expansion in edge computing possibilities, bringing powerful language models directly to mobile devices and web applications. The introduction of Gemma 3n as Google's first multimodal small language model, combined with new RAG and Function Calling libraries, provides developers with comprehensive tools to build sophisticated AI features that operate entirely on local devices without requiring cloud connectivity or compromising user privacy. The big picture: Google AI Edge is dramatically expanding its on-device small language model (SLM) ecosystem with over a dozen new models, including the new Gemma 3 and multimodal Gemma 3n models,...
read May 21, 2025Volvo to pioneer Google’s Gemini AI in vehicles
Volvo's strategic partnership with Google positions the automaker at the forefront of automotive AI integration, making it among the first to replace Google Assistant with Gemini in their vehicles. This collaboration elevates Volvo to become Google's reference hardware for Android Automotive development, creating a mutually beneficial relationship where Volvo customers gain early access to new features while Google optimizes its automotive software using real-world implementation data. The big picture: Volvo announced an expanded partnership with Google that will make its vehicles among the first to integrate Gemini AI, replacing Google Assistant in cars with Google built-in. Key details: Gemini integration...
read May 21, 2025Google AI feature now free on iPhones challenges Android loyalty
Google's Gemini Live feature, previously limited on iOS devices, is now fully accessible to iPhone users at no cost. This expansion marks a significant shift in the AI capabilities battle between mobile ecosystems, potentially drawing Android-curious users back to Apple. The upgraded Gemini Live brings camera access and screen-sharing functionality that enables natural, hands-free AI interactions, creating more intuitive ways to engage with artificial intelligence than what's currently available natively on iOS. The big picture: Google has eliminated a key AI advantage Android devices held over iPhones by bringing Gemini Live's full functionality to iOS users for free, announced at...
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