Gemini app on iPhone update adds model picker for 2.0 Flash
Following Android, Google is rolling out an update to the Gemini app on iPhone that lets users select 2.0 Flash Experimental.
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Standalone ‘Google Gemini’ app spotted for iPhone with Gemini Live
Since launch, Gemini on iOS has been part of the Google (Search) app. That’s about to change with at least one iPhone user today spotting a standalone “Google Gemini” app on the App Store that also lets you access Gemini Live.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle working on RCS encryption between Android and iPhone
With RCS rolling out on the iPhone yesterday, Google is looking ahead on new features including cross-platform end-to-end encryption (E2EE) between Android and iPhone.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle updates Search widget on iPhone with customizable shortcuts, like Gemini
The Search widget offered by the Google app on iPhone and iPad now offers customizable shortcuts, including to Gemini.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Fi waiting on Apple to enable RCS for iPhone users
iOS 18 is rolling out today with RCS to improve the Android-iPhone messaging experience, but support is not yet enabled for all carriers, including Google Fi Wireless.
Expand Expanding CloseiOS 18 rolling out RCS to the iPhone for better Android messaging
Apple today is rolling out iOS 18 with support for RCS in a huge boost to the iPhone-Android messaging experience.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps rolling out simplified bottom bar redesign to iPhone
After coming to Android in late July, the Google Maps bottom bar redesign, which aims to make the app a bit cleaner, is now on the iPhone.
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Google Maps adds speedometer and speed limits on iPhone, CarPlay
Back in 2019, Google Maps for Android gained a speedometer that simply “shows you how fast you’re driving on the road” and it’s now coming to the iPhone.
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Google Messages removes no encryption icon from iPhone RCS chats
In a curious change, Google Messages no longer shows that end-to-end encryption (E2EE) isn’t available in iPhone RCS conversations.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages RCS conversations with iPhones have some quirks
Earlier this week, Apple rolled out iOS 18 Beta 2 with support for Rich Communication Services (in the US). The experience of using Google Messages to talk to someone with an iPhone over RCS is pretty straightforward, though it’s clearly the first take.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube will ask iOS users to ‘Allow’ tracking for more personalized ads
With iOS 14.5, Apple required app developers to tell users about and have them opt-in to broader tracking. In 2021, Google apps stopped certain tracking methods (IDFA) to comply and not have to show that prompt. YouTube will soon ask iOS users if they want to opt into “more personalized advertising” with an App Tracking Transparency (ATT) prompt.
Expand Expanding CloseComment: I have a new appreciation for Android’s themed icons after seeing iOS 18
Customization was a big focus of Apple’s reveal of iOS 18 this week, and that includes updating the homescreen to be truly customizable. That includes Apple bringing a version of Android’s themed icons to iOS, but despite Apple’s being more customizable, it feels like Android made the better choices here.
Expand Expanding CloseWhere iOS 18 is playing catch-up with (and surpassing) Android
At WWDC 2024, Apple demonstrated how it’s infusing AI into the iPhone with iOS 18. Google said it wants to do the same with Android a month earlier at I/O and that this would be a multi-year journey.
Expand Expanding CloseiPhone adding RCS support (and copying these Google Messages features in iOS 18)
As expected, Apple announced RCS support for the iPhone’s Messages app with iOS 18 at WWDC 2024. This was first teased last November.
Expand Expanding CloseSome Google Messages for Android users receiving distorted GIFs from iPhones
In recent weeks, GIFs sent by iPhone users to Android devices running Google Messages have turned into distorted still images with missing dots/pixels throughout.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle effectively brings Android’s Circle to Search to any iPhone with new Lens shortcut
Earlier this year, Google launched a Circle to Search feature for Android that takes a screenshot and lets you select what to look up. Thanks to Google Lens and iOS Shortcuts, the underlying Circle to Search capability can now be replicated on any iPhone.
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Apple will let EU users set Google Maps as the default navigation app on iPhone
Setting default apps is commonplace on Android, but over on iOS, Apple has historically made this difficult. Over time, users have been given the ability to set default browser apps and make other tweaks, but starting next year, Apple will apparently allow iPhone users to set their default navigation app as something other than Apple Maps, like Google Maps.
Expand Expanding CloseApple working on a ‘user-friendly’ way to transfer data from iPhone to Android
Switching from one platform to another is never easy, but in some cases, it can be harder than it needs to be. But, in response to the EU’s DMA, Apple has confirmed it is working on a “user-friendly” way to transfer data from an iPhone to an Android device.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Calendar for iPhone adds lockscreen widgets
Google has updated its Calendar app on the iPhone and iPad with a trio of convenient lockscreen widgets.
Expand Expanding CloseApple might be supporting RCS on the iPhone to comply with Chinese regulation
Apple unexpectedly announced a few months ago that iOS would support the Rich Communications Services (RCS) Universal Profile in 2024. While this will improve the Android-iOS messaging experience, the driving force behind RCS on the iPhone might be new rules that regulators in China are implementing.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome boss says Apple’s new iPhone browser engine approach stifles ‘real choice’
In response to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple announced last week that it would allow “alternative” browser engines on the iPhone in Europe. Google’s head of Chrome today shared their thoughts on the upcoming iPhone browser engine change.
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Cloud gaming apps are finally allowed on the iOS App Store (just a year too late for Stadia)
The appeal of cloud gaming has always been the ability to run extremely high-quality games without needing the hardware to back it up. But, the tough part of getting people to use it has always been distribution, and one particular headache was the iOS App Store, which barred cloud gaming services for ridiculous reasons. Now, though, Apple is finally changing that.
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Strava’s personalized Year in Sport now available on iOS and Android
Strava, a leading digital community for athletes with over 120 million members, is doing The Spotify and allowing members to show off their personalized Year in Sport. Head below for more details.
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Strava adds Messaging on iOS and Android, and it’s free
Strava, the popular social networking app for athletes and a leading digital community, today released its newest feature in the latest update – Messaging. Messaging allows Strava members to connect with one another and motivate each other in ways that they couldn’t before today. Head below the fold for more details on Strava’s Messaging feature.
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