iOS 26 beta 4 drops major clue about Apple's first HomePod with a display
Over the past few years, several reports have circulated about a HomePod with an iPad-like interface but in a more compact, square form factor. With Siri integration at its core, the device is expected to act as a central hub for HomeKit and Matter smart home ecosystems.Meanwhile, other rumors also suggest that this new HomePod with a display will offer more than just smart speaker functionality. It is expected to feature a 6-to-7-inch touchscreen and run lightweight versions of Apple's core apps such as Weather, Calendar, Apple Music, Photos, and Apple News. It would also likely provide visual feedback for Siri queries and serve as an interactive control panel for home automation, media playback, and daily updates.However, there have been several reports mentioning the delay in the launch. According to reports, Apple has been pushing back the release of HomePod with display multiple times, primarily due to challenges with the Apple Intelligence platform and Siri's readiness to support a visual interface effectively. These software-related setbacks have reportedly shifted the expected launch from the originally speculated 2025 timeline to a more likely window in early 2026.- Ends
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Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
iOS 26 update now available: Compatible iPhones, how to install, and what's new
Apple has officially released the public beta of iOS 26, giving iPhone users a chance to experience the next-generation software ahead of its final rollout. The update brings a bold new design, Apple Intelligence features, and improvements across core apps and services. iOS 26 brings a major visual overhaul, deeper AI integration via Apple Intelligence, and significant improvements.(Apple) iOS 26 Public Beta: Who Can Download It? The iOS 26 public beta is available to all users enrolled in Apple's Beta Software Program. Compatible devices include the iPhone 11 and newer, including the SE (2nd generation and later). To install it, users must sign in at enable beta updates in Settings, and download the update via the Software Update section under General settings. Supported iPhones for iOS 26: -iPhone 11 to iPhone 16 series (including all Pro and Plus models) -iPhone SE (2nd gen and later) Installation Caution: Back Up First Apple strongly advises users not to install beta software on their primary devices. Since beta releases may contain bugs or incomplete features, users should back up their iPhones via Mac Finder or iCloud before updating. An archived backup ensures data can be restored if needed. Key Features of iOS 26 System Redesign: The update introduces Liquid Glass, a new design language featuring translucent effects that adapt to the environment. This change appears across the Lock Screen, Home Screen, app icons, and system navigation. Apple Intelligence Enhancements: -Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime and Phone app -Visual Intelligence: Ask questions about on-screen content -Smarter Shortcuts with AI-driven suggestions Communication Upgrades: -The Phone app now includes Call Screening and Hold Assist -Messages gets polls, custom chat backgrounds, and Apple Cash transfers -Group chats now show typing indicators, and unknown senders are filtered App Updates: -Apple Music adds Lyrics Translation and AutoMix transitions -Maps includes privacy-protected Visited Places and improved routing -Wallet supports installment payments, updated boarding passes, and new integrations -A new Games app acts as a central hub for mobile gaming CarPlay also gets a refresh, supporting widgets, pinned conversations, and Live Activities. Final release timeline Apple is expected to release the final version of iOS 26 to the public in September 2025, alongside the launch of the iPhone 17 series.
India Today
10 hours ago
- India Today
Samsung says Apple foldable is good for the industry, teases more AI assistants beyond Gemini for Galaxy S26
As the foldable smartphone wars heat up, Samsung is bracing for the moment its biggest rival finally steps into the ring. Apple's first folding iPhone is widely rumoured to be on the horizon, but Samsung insists it isn't fazed. In a new interview with Bloomberg, Samsung's President of Mobile, Won-Joon Choi, made it clear that the Korean giant is confident in its head been doing this for many years, and we have accumulated a lot of technologies and know-how. And, having another global technology company [in] this category is good for the industry and is going to be great for the consumers,' he said, when asked how Samsung would 'keep its edge' once Apple inevitably joins the comments come as Samsung unveils the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, its most refined foldables to date, in a market where competition from Chinese brands is growing ever fiercer. On the other hand, Apple's first foldable is speculated to debut next year, 2026. While nothing is confirmed, we have reported a lot of evidence that shows Apple is working on its Galaxy Z Flip 7 with in-house Exynos processor This year's Galaxy Z Flip 7 also marks a bit of a milestone for Samsung: it's the company's first foldable to use an in-house Exynos processor. When pressed on why the company chose that chip, Choi explained that there's no brand loyalty when it comes to silicon. 'We have a rigorous process when picking a chipset,' he said. 'We look at performance, power consumption, and other reasonable aspects of the consumer requirements.'Will next year's Flip stick with an Exynos 2600? That, Choi hinted, is still undecided: Samsung will 'consider every option.'AI and it's not just GeminiAnd then, of course, there was AI. You can't have a tech interview these days without latest phones already lean on Google's Gemini AI for a range of smart features, but Choi made it very clear that the future isn't exclusive.'Gemini will not be the only AI assistant we're going to integrate with Galaxy,' he teased. 'We're going to integrate multiple AI assistants and AI agents with this framework that we've built. It could be anything, as long as these AI agents are competitive, and AI agents can provide the best user experience, we are open to any ideas. We are talking to multiple vendors. I think at the time of [Galaxy] S26 you're going to see more. In addition to Gemini, you're going to see more at the time of [Galaxy] S26.'Pressed on whether that means partnerships with companies like Perplexity or ChatGPT maker OpenAI, Choi simply smiled and said 'anyone' is on the table. Still, with a big hint that Samsung will have much more to say around the Galaxy S26 launch, it seems certain there are deals already closed out the conversation with his vision for the future of mobile: 'the smartphone as the central hub for AI.'Tariffs and trade politicsThe conversation then shifted to another storm cloud hanging over the smartphone business: trade policy. New rules could see devices not manufactured in the United States slapped with a hefty 25 per cent this, Choi was deliberately cautious, pointing out that Samsung's global reach offers a safety net. 'Samsung has multiple manufacturing facilities in key regions around the world,' he said. This gives the company 'a lot of flexibility' to move production as needed. Speaking directly to the US tariff threat, he added, 'There are a lot of uncertainties,' but Samsung has been working to ensure products bound for the American market can be assembled in 'multiple locations.'For now, Samsung may be keeping its cards closed, but with rivals circling, and Apple poised to pounce, the next year looks set to be one of the most interesting in foldables yet.- EndsMust Watch
India Today
10 hours ago
- India Today
Anonymous women's dating app Tea hacked, 72,000 user images including selfies and IDs stolen
The app that shot to the top of the App Store this week by promising women a safe place to 'spill the tea' about men is now at the centre of a serious data breach. Tea, a buzzy social network and a new dating app for women billed as a virtual whisper network for women, confirmed on Friday that hackers had broken into one of its old databases and stolen tens of thousands of photos, including government IDs and verification to a company spokesperson, the intruders accessed roughly 72,000 images, including 13,000 pictures that women had submitted during the sign-up process to prove their gender. 'This data was originally stored in compliance with law enforcement requirements related to cyberbullying prevention,' the spokesperson explained, insisting that the stolen material dated back more than two years, according to the reports. What exactly is Tea?For the uninitiated, Tea lets its female users upload pictures of men and search for them by name. Each profile can be tagged with a 'red flag' or a 'green flag', along with comments about behaviour, background checks and warnings about catfishing. Screenshots are disabled, and anonymity is a core selling point. Tea was dreamed up by creator Sean Cook after, as he writes on the company website, watching his mother endure 'a terrifying experience with online dating', which included being catfished and even dating men with criminal app's tools are designed to let women vet potential dates: reverse-image searches, criminal record lookups, background checks and a place to share their own experiences. The format has clearly struck a chord. Over the past week, the app has experienced an extraordinary surge, climbing to the number one spot in Apple's free app chart. On Thursday, it boasted of 'nearly a million new sign-ups'. By Friday morning, it claimed the number had passed 2 that very popularity appears to have made Tea a target.'Hack and leak' campaignLate on Thursday, the right-wing message board 4Chan began buzzing with posts urging a 'hack and leak' operation aimed at Tea. By Friday morning, a user had shared a link purporting to be a download for the stolen material. Images claiming to be selfies and ID photos from Tea users soon began circulating on both 4Chan and X (formerly Twitter), according to the reports. After this massive leak, the company released a statement, 'Protecting our users' privacy and data is our highest priority. Tea is taking every necessary step to ensure the security of our platform and prevent further exposure.' It adds that external cybersecurity specialists are now on the case. 'We are working around the clock to secure our systems.' - Ends
