Month: November 2025

Google Photos Could Roll Out an ‘Ask’ Button for Easy Memory Retrieval

Google Photos is trialing a visible ‘Ask Photos’ button within the image display itself. This upcoming feature may enable users to inquire about their photo library directly from the photo viewer without needing to change screens. The ‘Ask Photos’ tool utilizes AI to interpret conversational requests, allowing users to search their collection by simply posing questions like “Show me photos from my last birthday” rather than entering keywords.

Moreover, concealed code within the app hints at the creation of a new “Outfits collection,” possibly associated with Google’s Doppl virtual try-on technology. This capability could automatically arrange wardrobe photos, permitting users to restyle themselves by uploading outfit images, comparing styles, and generating new combinations from their current wardrobe.

Presently, the ‘Ask Photos’ feature is confined to the United States and available through a distinct Ask tab in the Photos app for eligible users. The dedicated shortcut button is still undergoing testing and has not been officially announced, suggesting it may take a while to be launched worldwide. The Outfits collection and Doppl integration are still hypothetical, as initial code references do not always translate to public launches.

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Google’s Pixel 10 Reaches Remarkable Success in the US
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Essential Information

  • The Google Pixel 10 series has emerged as a significant success in the U.S. following substantial sales growth in 2025.
  • September 2025 saw a 28% rise in Pixel sales, representing Google’s best monthly performance thus far.
  • Google’s share of the U.S. market for $600+ devices increased from 0.1% in 2022 to 7% in 2025.
  • The majority of Google’s growth occurred at the cost of Samsung, while Apple continued to increase its market share.

Notice

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Motorola Introduces Budget-Friendly Smartphones for Holiday Buyers

Motorola has announced its newest budget-friendly smartphones, the Moto G 2026 and Moto G Play 2026, earlier than expected. Both devices are available for under $200, making them appealing choices for users in search of reasonable Android smartphones. The Moto G 2026 boasts a 50MP camera, 30W charging, and is available in two Pantone shades, whereas the Moto G Play 2026 provides 5G support and a 32MP camera, with a starting price of just $169. Both phones feature a 6.7-inch 120Hz LCD screen, MediaTek 6300 chipset, 4GB RAM (upgradable to 12GB), and a 5,200mAh battery that promises up to two days of usage. They operate on Android 16 and come with two OS upgrades and three years of software updates. The Moto G Play 2026 will launch on November 13, while the Moto G 2026 will be released on December 11.

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OnePlus Unveils Innovative Technology to Enhance Android Gaming Experience

Innovative chip-level functionalities provide enhanced visuals while minimizing device workload.

(Image credit: OnePlus)

Essential information

  • OnePlus unveils revolutionary gaming innovation aimed at boosting performance in the forthcoming OnePlus 15.
  • Fresh chip-level improvements enhance energy efficiency and guarantee a steady 120fps gaming performance.
  • The OnePlus 15 boasts a 165Hz refresh rate along with advanced Hyper Rendering technology for seamless visuals.

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OmniOutliner 6: Significant Update Now Accessible for Trial

**OmniOutliner 6: The Next Stage in Outlining Software**

OmniGroup’s OmniOutliner, an effective outlining application initially launched in 2000, is about to undergo major enhancements with the arrival of OmniOutliner 6. This software has consistently been a preferred choice among experts in diverse areas, including developers, designers, and authors, for its capability to assist users in capturing, organizing, and arranging their ideas in a hierarchical design.

### Key Features of OmniOutliner 6

OmniOutliner 6 strives to improve user engagement across all Apple platforms, including Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro. The updated version will boast a uniform user interface and functionality, ensuring that users can effortlessly transition between devices while retaining access to advanced capabilities.

#### Omni Links

One of the key attributes in OmniOutliner 6 is **Omni Links**, which permits users to connect to both local and remote files, alongside web links. This feature employs user-created “Connected Folders,” simplifying the process of accessing files from various locations such as iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive, and local servers.

#### AI Tools

Another remarkable addition is the **AI Tools** feature, which harnesses Omni Automation plugins along with Apple’s on-device AI framework. This capability empowers users to gather information from emails, web pages, or local documents, transform that data into outlines, and export it in different formats, including Keynote presentations and blog entries.

### Additional Enhancements

OmniOutliner 6 will further provide complete support for AppleScript, refined dark mode, the capability to open multiple windows on Mac (including for the same project), shareable custom styles, resizable inline attachments, and sophisticated filtering options. These improvements are intended to optimize workflows and boost productivity for users.

### Conclusion

As OmniGroup gears up to launch OmniOutliner 6, users are invited to engage in the testing phase through TestFlight, with limited access. The new features and enhancements promise to make OmniOutliner an even more essential tool for anyone who incorporates outlining into their workflow. For further details, users can consult the release notes or join the TestFlight program to experience the forthcoming features firsthand.

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Steps to Include Your Boarding Pass in Google Wallet on Android Devices

TSA red flag electronics can create a sense of urgency and tension. One factor that can increase that anxiety is having to juggle several documents and carry-on belongings as you navigate through security checkpoints. Some airlines, such as American Airlines, strive to simplify the experience by providing streamlined digital boarding passes.

This forms part of American Airlines’ latest effort to adopt technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to enhance the travel experience. Other components of this initiative encompass AI-driven suggestions based on customer feedback, 3D seat selection, and quicker check-in kiosks. The digital boarding pass can be directly downloaded into your Google Wallet app.

However, that is not the sole method to incorporate a boarding pass into Google Wallet. The Google Pixel smartphone presents another option that is not tied to any specific airline. You can capture a screenshot of the boarding pass, which is then stored for later use in the Google Wallet app. All of this aims to ensure that airlines can stay abreast of current technology, adapt to consumer behaviors, and alleviate some of the inconveniences associated with air travel.

Adding your boarding pass to Google Wallet

Google Maps Offers Lane Assistance for Compatible Vehicles

Google Maps can assist in locating nearby points of interest that fit particular criteria. On Tuesday, Google announced an additional beneficial feature for Google Maps that allows the app to visualize the road and lanes, offering real-time instructions to change lanes to ensure you don’t miss your exit.

Navigation applications like Google Maps already offer insights regarding turns and exits, but it is the responsibility of the driver to guarantee they are adhering to the route and are positioned in the correct lane for a specific exit. The feature introduced by Google on Tuesday is designed to simplify navigation for drivers, as Google Maps will now give visual signals for lane changes prior to reaching your exit. Although this feature proves advantageous, Google Maps users should be aware of a limitation. The feature is not accessible to the majority of users.

Only owners of the Polestar 4 in the U.S. and Sweden will have the opportunity to utilize the live lane guidance feature being launched today. Moreover, the feature will initially function solely on highways. Google plans to extend it to additional vehicle models in the future, but in its announcement, the company referred only to the Polestar collaboration. This feature will eventually work with various road types as Google enhances its capabilities.

What is the reason for the limitation to the Polestar 4?

Tim Cook Marks 65th Birthday, Igniting Conversations About Possible Successor as CEO

**Tim Cook’s Prospects at Apple: Speculations on Leadership Transition**

Apple’s CEO Tim Cook marked his 65th birthday on November 1, reigniting conversations about his possible retirement and the future helm of the tech giant. Although many might anticipate his departure at this age, Cook has not displayed any immediate intention of vacating his role.

### Tim Cook Is Staying Put For Now

Even though he has reached an age where retirement is a common consideration, Cook continues to be dedicated to his position at Apple. With significant wealth and a charitable plan to contribute a large portion of it, there are no financial incentives driving him to remain. In 2021, Cook indicated that he might not be at Apple for another decade, yet he also mentioned his aspiration to manage one more major product category before he retires. The upcoming Apple Glasses could represent that category, though the company must initiate succession planning ahead of time.

### Possible Successors for the Role of Apple CEO

Historically, Jeff Williams, the former COO of Apple, was perceived as the most viable candidate to succeed Cook. However, his recent announcement of retirement later this year has shifted the spotlight onto other individuals.

**John Ternus**, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, has now emerged as a frontrunner in succession deliberations. He enjoys respect within the organization and has the support of key figures such as Eddy Cue, who believes Ternus would excel as CEO. His composed nature and effective management abilities reflect those of Cook, positioning him as a strong candidate.

Other prospective successors include:

– **Phil Schiller**, who is the same age as Cook, thereby making him an improbable choice for enduring leadership.
– **Craig Federighi**, head of software engineering, is a recognizable figure in Apple events but is considered an unlikely option.
– **Greg Joswiak**, the marketing head, has not received much speculation, suggesting he may not be a strong competitor.
– **Sabih Khan**, who will succeed Williams, is relatively unknown yet has time to build his reputation. Cook has commended Khan’s strategic skills and contributions to Apple’s supply chain and sustainability initiatives.

### Conclusion

As speculation regarding Tim Cook’s potential retirement persists, the focus on possible successors underscores the significance of strategic planning for Apple’s future leadership. With Cook’s prosperous tenure, the company stands ready for a substantial transition when the moment arrives. The lingering question is: who will guide Apple into its subsequent chapter?

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Decision Moment for Liquid Glass: Take Part in Our Survey to Cast Your Vote

# The Liquid Glass User Interface in iOS 26: A Contentious Change

The Liquid Glass user interface has emerged as a hallmark of iOS 26, sparking intense discussions among users and technology aficionados. Apple has officially launched iOS 26.1, enabling users to select between preserving the Liquid Glass design or opting for a more muted version.

## The Liquid Glass Debate

Expectations for iOS 26 were elevated, with many anticipating it would offer the most substantial visual refresh since iOS 7’s debut. Reactions to Liquid Glass have been notably divided. While certain users enjoy the innovative appearance, others have pointed out issues with its functionality and overall visual appeal. Apple appeared ready for this criticism, providing a range of settings to modify the visual effects. However, these options were not readily available, necessitating users to delve deep into the settings menu to uncover them.

## iOS 26.1 Introduces an Easy Switch

The rollout of iOS 26.1 represents a crucial development, introducing a simple switch for the Liquid Glass effect. This feature was initially discovered in the fourth developer beta and permits users to toggle between the standard clear appearance and a newly shaded option that increases opacity in apps and notifications on the Lock Screen. Users can locate this switch in Settings > Display and Brightness.

The implications of this modification are noteworthy, as it provides a near-total return to the pre-iOS 26 appearance for those who favor a less see-through interface. While Apple presents this adjustment as merely a transparency option, it effectively acts as a Liquid Glass on/off switch for users desiring a more classic design.

## What Will You Decide?

As users engage with this updated interface, the lingering question is: have you welcomed the Liquid Glass aesthetic, or have you selected the new tinted version? The decision reflects individual preferences and usability factors, encouraging dialogue among users about their experiences with the update.

In summary, the launch of the Liquid Glass user interface in iOS 26 has prompted considerable discussion, but the improvements in iOS 26.1 grant users the ability to customize their experience according to their preferences.

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Google’s Gemini Aims to Improve Siri Capabilities on iPhone in 2024

We might witness Gemini enhance Siri in March 2026.

What you need to know
– Apple is still on course to elevate Siri with tailored Google Gemini models beginning next year.
– The tailored Gemini models will operate on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute servers for security and will be labeled as Apple Intelligence features.
– Apple may release the refreshed Siri as soon as March 2026 alongside the iOS 26.4 update.

There has been discussion of Google and Apple collaborating to boost Siri performance on iOS, and a recent report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman verifies that the company is still intending to utilize Gemini foundational models starting next year. Gurman indicates the new Siri launch is roughly scheduled for March 2026 and might debut with iOS 26.4 next spring. However, the partnership between Google and Apple is said to be significantly different from its arrangement with OpenAI for ChatGPT integration.

Bloomberg emphasizes that customized Google Gemini models are set to operate on Apple’s own Private Cloud Compute servers. Unlike the ChatGPT integration, Apple will securely oversee user data and fulfill requests on its PCC hardware and software, which is publicly available for peer security evaluations. In contrast, when iPhone users engage with Apple Intelligence’s ChatGPT integration, they are consenting to OpenAI’s data sharing policies.

The tailored Gemini models are expected to function as a planner and summarizer, driving two out of three main components of the approaching Siri overhaul. The third, a knowledge search system, might also utilize Gemini models, but this remains unconfirmed.

Gurman remarked in a series of updates on X (formerly Twitter) that the report is “nothing new,” but at least it confirms that Apple’s release timeline is still on track for 2026. Apple affirmed this during its most recent earnings call. Nevertheless, Apple’s Siri redesign was first revealed over a year ago and has encountered many delays. It was originally advertised as a feature for the iPhone 16 series to debut with iOS.

Since then, iOS users have flocked to Google AI products, with Gemini ascending to the top free app for iPhone in September 2025.

The delays were substantial enough that the iPhone 16 has been succeeded by the iPhone 17, and yet the new Siri remains elusive. Apple was compelled to retract its iPhone 16 assertions about Siri in March 2025 by appending a disclaimer to iPhone and Apple Intelligence product pages (via MacRumors). Thus, the statements from Apple and Gurman’s latest report carry significance as proof that the Siri upgrade is still slated for early next year.

Why Apple wants Gemini

Apple’s in-house large language models (LLM) and foundational models are perceived as underperforming compared to competitors. This is partly why it established a partnership with OpenAI and is anticipated to enter into a similar agreement with Google. The company is reportedly not going to promote the Gemini deal, instead presenting the features as Apple Intelligence.

According to the report, Apple Intelligence foundational models will likely be reserved for on-device computation. Google does have its own Gemini Nano models for local processing, but Apple is expected to remain with its in-house models for the time being.

Apple has faltered on its Siri upgrades, which were advertised over a year ago and are still unreleased, leading to the need for assistance from Google.

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