Ever feel like you’re drowning in breaking news, yet some good stuff always seems to slip through the cracks? Fear not, weary news consumer! This is your weekly escape hatch, your portal to the under-the-radar stories that deserve a moment in the spotlight. In the latest episode of “News You Probably Missed and Shouldn’t Have!” we’ll be diving headfirst into the news that was… almost forgotten! So, buckle up, and get ready to explore the missed technology news train from the past week.
Apple is closer to cracking the code for blood sugar monitoring on watches
Hold onto your insulin pumps, folks! Apple might be on the verge of cracking the code for blood sugar monitoring on its watches. Apparently, it has hit some major milestones, but it’s still anyone’s guess if we’ll see it this year. Imagine checking your glucose levels as effortlessly as glancing at your notification. Sounds like a diabetic’s dream come true! But like that slice of forbidden cake at a birthday party, we might have to wait a bit longer to indulge.
Nintendo Switch 2 rumors hint at performance upgrades
The Nintendo Switch 2 is rumored to be a bit like that friend who tries really hard to keep up at the gym. They might lift lighter weights, but they’ll definitely be more winded afterward (looking at you, Switch 2, and your lower frame rates). It still beats playing on the original Switch though, which is basically the equivalent of trying to curl a pool noodle. A launch date is still anyone’s guess, but maybe someone will guess it correctly soon.
YouTube Music is testing a new AI radio DJ
Say goodbye to the tired old “radio by artist” routine. YouTube Music is testing a new AI DJ who listens to your wildest requests. Want a playlist that’s equal parts 80s hair metal and chill study beats? You got it. Do you feel like a Viking soundtrack mixed with campfire singalongs? No problem! Just fire up the prompt and let the AI spin you a genre-bending musical adventure. Bad news? It’s still in the early stages of development and testing.
Google Home gets a redesigned Activity tab
Calling all smart home detectives! The Google Home app just revamped its Activity tab, making it easier than ever to crack the case of what your gadgets have been up to. No more sifting through a messy list of events – now you’ve got clear-cut filters right at your fingertips. Think of it as going from a magnifying glass to a high-tech crime scene scanner. So, did your robot vacuum cleaner suddenly turn disco dancer in the middle of the night? The new Activity tab will help you find out easily.
TSMC rides on AI boom to become a trillion-dollar company
Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC just joined the trillion-dollar club! Looks like the real money in tech isn’t smartphones, it’s the brains behind them. AI is on fire, and TSMC is the lighter salesman flicking the chips to keep it burning. From underdog to top dog, the firm is proving you don’t need fancy gadgets to be a tech trillionaire, just the tiny things that make them work! A good lesson for Samsung… to up its chip game.
Google Weather update improves its forecasting game
No more guessing if that weekend BBQ will be a washout or a scorcher. The company is claiming its ten-day forecasts are now more accurate, so you can finally plan that outdoor adventure without worrying about Mother Nature throwing a curveball. Well, you can never be sure about what Mother Nature has in store, but maybe you can make just a little bit more informed decisions.
Apple mulling iPhone 16 design changes for Face ID
The rumor mill is churning about the iPhone 16, and this time it’s Face ID’s turn in the spotlight. Reports suggest some kind of design change for Face ID on the iPhone 16. Nobody knows what is changing, but some whispers hinted at an under-display Face ID, though that’s more likely for next year’s model. We’ll have to wait until September’s rumored iPhone launch event to see what Apple has cooked up for Face ID this time around.
FCC might shut down Veriwave Telco for robocall scam
A phone company called Veriwave Telco might be getting the boot from the FCC, the folks who keep an eye on your phone calls. The firm wasn’t exactly playing by the rules, allegedly unleashing a robocall plague of nearly 16 million calls. These calls promised to erase non-existent tax debts, tricking people into giving out personal information. The FCC tried to contact the company about this shady operation, but it went radio silent. No answer, no explanation, just crickets.
WhatsApp gets Meta-fied with a blue verification badge
WhatsApp is ditching the green tick of approval for a more Meta-verse look! Say goodbye to emerald green and hello to a spanking new blue badge. Apparently, Meta wants all its apps to look like they belong to the same family, kind of like those matching pajamas your parents make you wear. But hey, at least you’ll know for sure you’re chatting with a real company (and not a creepy stranger pretending to be customer service again).
Google Fi launches Number Lock to block SIM swapping attacks
Fearing your phone number will be stolen by a criminal mastermind? Google Fi’s got your back (or at least your number) with its new “Number Lock” feature. Think of it as Fort Knox for your digits. With this enabled, no sneaky scammer can hijack your number, even if they call pretending to be you. Sounds like a win for the good guys and a major buzzkill for the bad guys! Go to the Google Fi website and activate the shield.
Huawei continues to rise as Mate 60 sales cross ten million units
The Huawei Mate 60 series is defying the odds! Despite being cut off from vital US technology due to trade restrictions, Huawei has managed to sell over 10 million Mate 60 phones. That’s a huge win for the Chinese tech giant, proving it can still innovate and compete even with one arm tied behind its back. This sales milestone is a sweet victory dance in the face of Uncle Sam’s tech sanctions.
Google Chrome for Android gets a security upgrade
Chrome on Android is getting a security upgrade. Remember the desktop update that constantly checks your browser settings to make sure everything’s safe? Well, that same feature is coming to Android. Now, Chrome will be your personal security watchdog, running in the background and keeping an eye out for any suspicious settings changes. No more accidentally enabling creepy pop-ups or letting websites access your deepest secrets (unless you want them to, of course).
Elon Musk wins against former X (Twitter) employees, saves $500 million
Elon Musk and his merry band of cost-cutters are doing a happy dance after dodging a half-billion-dollar bullet! Apparently, they got out of some hefty payouts to former employees by winning a legal battle. The details are a bit murky, but let’s just say it sounds like a bunch of technical mumbo jumbo that saved them a whole lotta cash. Imagine Scrooge McDuck swimming in a vault full of money – that’s probably the scene at Tesla HQ right now.
Apple and Google join hands for easier transferring of cloud photos
Switching from Google Photos to iCloud Photos just got a whole lot easier! Apple and Google have joined forces to create a data transfer tool, letting you move your memories from Google’s cloud to Apple’s seamlessly. Think of it like packing boxes that magically unpack themselves at your new home. No more downloading thousands of photos or freaking out about losing precious memories. Just a few clicks and your pics are on their way to their new iCloud home.
Android 15 to introduce a color intensity slider to assist color-blind users
Attention colorblind comrades! Android 15 might be getting a feature that’s like a seeing-eye dog for your phone. We’re talking about a rumored intensity slider for color correction. No more picking from just a few presets – this puppy will let you fine-tune how colors are adjusted on your screen. So get ready for a world of richer, more vibrant colors, tailored just for your unique vision! Android 15 is less than a month away.
Google Photos is copying an Instagram feature
Looks like Google Photos is feeling a little left out of the social media spotlight! It is rumored to be working on a new feature called “My Week” that sounds suspiciously similar to Instagram Stories. You’ll be able to curate photos and videos, just like on Instagram Stories, and share them with your fellow Google Photos peeps. Get ready for a comment and like fest because, let’s be honest, everyone loves a little digital praise.
WhatsApp brings voice message transcriptions to Android
Listen up, voice message haters! WhatsApp is rolling out a savior on Android: voice message transcription. No more struggling to decipher cryptic audio messages or interrupting your friend’s Shakespearean monologue to ask them to repeat what they just said. This update will transcribe those voice messages, turning them into text for your reading pleasure. It’s still in beta testing, but at least there’s light at the end of the voice message tunnel!
Google empowers its Home app for watches with new features
Forget fumbling through your phone to control your smart home! Google Home for Wear OS is getting a swanky upgrade with a new Favorites Tile and complication for your smartwatch. Imagine having your favorite smart lights or thermostat just a tap away – like having a mini James Bond control panel on your wrist. While it won’t let you launch fireworks with a voice command (yet), it’s a sweet step towards becoming a real-life secret agent (minus the laser watch… probably).
Spotify adds 2FA, but it’s mostly a showoff rather than a security enhancement
Spotify heard your cries for better security… kind of. It has added 2FA, but it’s like that friend who offers to help you move but only brings a single spork. The new feature is only available to some users, and it uses email codes only (no fancy authenticator apps). It’s like a home security guard who shows up occasionally and yells the password through the mail slot. Not exactly Fort Knox. Let’s hope Spotify upgrades its 2FA soon.
Android Lollipop no longer receives Google Play services updates
Calling all fans of flip phones and the Macarena! Bad news for those clinging to their ancient Android Lollipop devices: Google Play Services updates are officially kaput. Remember that feeling of getting the latest apps and features? Yeah, those days are over for Lollipop. Your phone might still work, but it’ll be stuck in a technological time warp, like a museum exhibit for the history of smartphones. Upgrade your phone, folks! Unless you enjoy living in the past (complete with dial-up internet speeds, of course).
Google Message prepares 3D effects for photos and videos
Google Messages might be getting a makeover, and it involves some serious Snapchat vibes. Leaked code suggests the app is testing 3D effects for photos and videos. Think funny filters and virtual masks – perfect for adding some pizzazz to your selfies. These effects seem similar to Snapchat’s popular Lenses feature. It’s not clear yet if you have to manually download these effects or if they will be pre-loaded options. Get ready to see a surge in hilarious (or horrifying) 3D message monsters.
Google Wallet might add a Quick Settings tile to your Samsung phone
Hold onto your wallets, Samsung users! Google Wallet might finally ditch the taxi ride and get its own shortcut on your phone—a Quick Settings tile. No more fumbling through apps like you’re lost in a digital labyrinth. The rumor mill says this shortcut is still under development, so don’t expect it to appear overnight magically. But hey, at least there’s a glimmer of hope that you won’t need a map to find your Google Wallet anymore!
Wear OS will add UWB support this year
Wear OS is gearing up for a party trick with the upcoming Pixel Watch 3: UWB support! That’s right, ultrawideband technology is coming to your wrist, ready to unlock a world of possibilities. Imagine using your smartwatch to unlock your smart home door as you approach magically, or seamlessly transferring files between devices with a simple tap. With UWB, this is all possible. The FCC has already certified the Pixel Watch 3 with UWB.
Gen Z is using Do Not Disturb as a shield against phone anxiety
Forget silent mode, Gen Z has declared Do Not Disturb their new BFF. This isn’t your grandpa’s “no calls during dinner” setting. We’re talking full-fledged phone detachment, a digital detox for the notification-bombarded generation. Apparently, answering the phone gives some Gen Zers actual anxiety, and the constant barrage of texts and alerts feels like digital admin they can’t keep up with. So, Do Not Disturb becomes their shield, a forcefield against the tyranny of never-ending pings. This is a reminder that sometimes, a little peace and quiet, even from your phone, is a good thing.
The post Tech Fails, Wins, and WTFs of the week: Buggy Apps, Trillion Dollar Chips, AI DJs and more appeared first on Android Headlines.
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