In January, Qualcomm hinted to The Verge that it might finally bring its powerful Arm-based Snapdragon processors to Windows gaming handhelds at the 2026 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco – just in time to challenge Nvidia’s own first Arm gaming CPU and Intel’s first dedicated handheld gaming chips. But plans have shifted, Qualcomm now […]
The Federal Trade Commission is encouraging companies to adopt age verification technologies by announcing it will not enforce a children’s online privacy law against certain websites that collect and use minors’ personal data in order to verify their ages. “Age verification technologies are some of the most child-protective technologies to emerge in decades,” Christopher Mufarrige, […]
The Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus are “more of the same for more money,” my colleague Allison Johnson reported this week. Now, Samsung is confirming what we previously only suspected: RAMageddon is partly to blame. Samsung’s Won-Joon Choi, the COO of its mobile business, tells The Verge that the memory shortage alone made a […]
Apple has unveiled iPadOS 26, which offers improved multitasking capabilities compared to the Stage Manager concept introduced in past years. Additionally, iPadOS 26 brings a range of design updates, such as Liquid Glass, which may not appeal to all users. If you have been postponing the installation of iPadOS 26 due to concerns about the translucent effects, you’ll need to go ahead and install this software update to benefit from enhanced multitasking features. While numerous functionalities detailed below are compatible with older iPadOS versions, they are likely to elevate your productivity significantly when used alongside the new windowed applications experience in iPadOS 26.
If your iPad (or iPadOS version) is outdated, you might have to upgrade to a newer model or update the software to fully utilize some of the concealed iPad features listed below. An Apple Pencil may be necessary for some of these features.
The capability to transform apps into windows in iPadOS 26, similar to a Mac or Windows PC, can be useful for specific tasks that need a comprehensive overview of your workspace or quick exchanges between applications. However, certain applications require a full-screen view, and you might still wish to seamlessly switch between multiple full-screen applications. As with the iPhone, you can swipe up from the bottom to the center of the screen and lift your finger to view all currently open apps. Tap the app you wish to access (or any visible group), and it will occupy the screen. Like the iPhone, there’s an even quicker gesture available. You can also swipe left and right at the bottom of the screen to navigate between the recently used apps. In other words, the apps you used last are just a left swipe away, and you can keep swiping until you locate the desired one.
Unlike the iPhone, the iPad also allows you to switch between applications by simply tapping the screen with multiple fingers, making it even swifter than searching for the gestures at the bottom of the display. Tap the screen with four or five fingers and slide right or left. The app-switching method resembles that of the previous version where you swipe left and right at the bottom of the screen, but it’s more intuitive, as it can be done from anywhere on the screen. To activate this feature, navigate to Settings > Multitasking & Gestures > Four or Five Finger App Switching.
The latest model offers professional-grade visuals at lightning speeds, enhances text rendering to near-perfection, and preserves accuracy across as many as 14 objects.
Key Details
– Nano Banana 2 introduces swifter image creation with enhanced precision and superior text rendering.
– The upgraded model now accommodates image outputs from 512px to 4K across various aspect ratios.
– Google is extending access to Nano Banana 2 image generation to all Gemini users, not only paying subscribers.
– Nano Banana 2 has become the standard model throughout Gemini, Search AI mode, Lens, and developer tools.
Google has recently unveiled its new image generation model named Nano Banana 2, which represents a significant enhancement over its predecessor.
One of the most prevalent applications for AI chatbots and models today is generating images. Users enjoy transforming text prompts into visuals, and Google is heavily invested in this area. The company launched Nano Banana in the latter part of 2025 and subsequently upgraded it to Nano Banana Pro in November, which gained widespread popularity. Now, Google has officially introduced Nano Banana 2.
Nano Banana 2, officially known as Gemini 3.1 Flash Image, encompasses all the advantages of Nano Banana Pro with heightened precision and quicker performance. Google states that Nano Banana 2 has access to real-time knowledge from the internet and improved text rendering, enabling it to produce clear and accurate text for promotional mockups or greeting cards.
The primary advancement this time is its wider availability. Nano Banana 2 offers professional-grade image creation to all Gemini users, not just those who pay for a subscription. It can generate images from 512 pixels up to 4K in various aspect ratios effortlessly. The model also adheres more closely to complex prompts, providing results that better match user requests.
Consistency has long been a significant hurdle in image generation, but Google asserts that Nano Banana 2 maintains character likeness for up to five characters and object fidelity for as many as 14 objects within a single workflow. It also guarantees more radiant lighting, richer textures, and sharper overall detail.
Nano Banana 2 is now set to replace Nano Banana Pro for the majority of users within the Gemini app. However, Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers will still have the option to access Nano Banana Pro via the three-dot menu. Google is also streamlining the image generation process by allowing users to select specific visual styles for their outputs.
Nano Banana 2 is becoming Google’s primary image generation model across various platforms. It is accessible in Gemini, Google Search’s AI mode, Google Lens, AI Studio, Gemini API, Gemini CLI, and more. The rollout has already started, and users can begin utilizing it today.
Android Central’s Insight
I haven’t had the chance to try Nano Banana 2 yet, but given how much superior Nano Banana Pro was relative to other AI image generation solutions, I have high hopes. Google has been consistently enhancing its image models, and it wouldn’t surprise me if it has achieved another impressive upgrade this time.
Fortunately, the company is also prioritizing safety concerning AI-generated images. Google has integrated its own SynthID watermark technology with interoperable C2PA Content Credentials, which are already utilized by firms like Meta, OpenAI, Adobe, and others.
Google states that it will now provide users with a clearer, more contextual understanding of not just whether AI was employed to generate an image, but also the manner in which it was used.
IDC says phone makers will ship only 1.12 billion smartphones as compared to 1.26 billion last year.
The company’s modular computer tiles offer a new vision for space data centers.
Mark Zuckerberg was at Prada’s fashion week event in Milan, leaving everyone to wonder if we’re getting Meta AI glasses under the Prada brand.
Apple is poised to unveil its newest MacBook Pro variants next week, showcasing the upgraded M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. This launch will feature both 14-inch and 16-inch models, retaining the recognizable design from the earlier M5 MacBook Pro released in October. Although the outer appearance, ports, and overall feel will be consistent, the internal enhancements are expected to deliver improved performance, making these versions attractive for anyone looking for a premium laptop.
Nonetheless, for those who can delay their purchase, a more substantial upgrade is projected for later this year with the arrival of the M6 MacBook Pro. This model is said to feature a complete redesign that incorporates a sleeker and lighter construction, an OLED display equipped with Dynamic Island technology, touchscreen functionality, and significant performance upgrades with the M6 chip. There is also conjecture regarding the possible inclusion of a C2 modem for cellular capabilities.
Historically, Apple has encountered difficulties in their pursuit to create a thinner and lighter MacBook Pro, especially with the problematic Butterfly keyboard design and diminished port options. Despite this, there are high hopes that the forthcoming design revisions will not sacrifice usability.
In conclusion, the swift launch of the M5 Pro and M5 Max variants will serve those in search of robust performance within a familiar framework. Meanwhile, the M6 MacBook Pro promises a more avant-garde experience for consumers willing to wait for a significant hardware redesign.
For the first time since 2022, Apple recorded year-over-year growth in Apple Watch shipments in 2025, according to recent data from Counterpoint Research. Here are the specifics.
### Apple Watch Trends Trending Upward
The report indicates that Apple experienced an 8% year-over-year increase in Apple Watch shipments, surpassing the overall market, which saw a 4% rise.
Conversely, Apple’s growth lagged behind Huawei’s 30%, Xiaomi’s 18%, and Imoo’s 9%. The report mentions that “China emerged as the fastest growing market, bolstered by strong performances from domestic brands such as Huawei, Xiaomi, and Imoo.”
Regarding Apple’s performance, Senior Research Analyst Anshika Jain remarked:
> “Apple experienced its initial YoY shipment growth since 2022. This growth was fueled by a comprehensive refresh of its lineup with the launch of the Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3. With these introductions, Apple provided options that appealed to a broad consumer audience, ranging from the more budget-friendly Watch SE 3 to the ultra-premium Watch Ultra 3.”
She further stated that the addition of features like “5G Redcap support, hypertension notification, and satellite connectivity in the Watch Ultra 3” contributed to upgrades from consumers “who had postponed their purchases in expectation of a considerably enhanced smartwatch.” The report additionally points out that “shipments of smartwatches supporting cellular connectivity rose by 6% YoY,” reinforcing her observation.
In general, the average selling price of smartwatches reportedly increased by 5% in 2025 compared to 2024, continuing what Jain described as the segment’s “premiumization trajectory.” Meanwhile, devices priced at $200 or lower experienced a 9% decline.
Finally, when examining the global shipment market share in 2025 relative to 2024, Apple gained 1 percentage point to reach 23%, further extending its lead among the top five brands. Huawei followed with a 4-point increase to 17%, while Xiaomi rose 1 point to 9%. Samsung fell 2 points to 7%, tying with Imoo, which gained 1 point year over year.
To view Counterpoint Research’s complete report, follow this link.
