Author: Richard

How to Effectively Utilize Siri on the iPhone 17

there are several concealed functionalities you can access to enhance your experience with Siri’s partnership with Apple Intelligence.

One of the most exciting advancements is Siri’s capacity to grasp context. For instance, imagine you’re looking up showtimes for a re-release of “Babe: Pig in the City.” Just as you inquire about showtimes, you begin to ponder how the movie was received by critics in 1998. Rather than restating the film’s title in a new question, you can straightforwardly ask, “Did the film receive positive reviews upon its initial release?” Siri comprehends the context and provides the information — no additional steps needed.

Remember that Apple Intelligence is still technically in beta, even with over a year of limited release. This indicates that the contextual features are still developing. Not all apps are compatible yet, but updates in the future are expected to broaden support.

Type, tap, or ask — Siri’s here for you

MKBHD Chooses iPhone 17 as Smartphone of the Year

The victors of this year’s MKBHD Smartphone Awards have just been announced, with Apple achieving four accolades across 10 categories, one of which isn’t particularly commendable. Here are the specifics.

### Three Devices Earn Four Recognitions

Whether you appreciate or dislike MKBHD’s annual endeavor of equally annoying smartphone enthusiasts from all sides, the reality is that his Smartphone Awards provide a fascinating glimpse into the ever-flattening landscape of the smartphone industry.

Although much of the spotlight typically falls on the winners, he consistently offers considered observations on the runners-up and his decision-making methodology, often emphasizing merits and drawbacks that prove to be more enlightening than the award itself.

For this reason, his Smartphone Awards 2025 video is definitely worth watching, beyond simply identifying the winners in each category.

That being said, if you simply want to get to the point without the background or knowing which devices competed against each iPhone, Apple secured four selections this year:

– Best Design Award for the iPhone Air
– Most Improved for the iPhone 17
– Bust of the Year for the iPhone 16e
– Phone of the Year for the iPhone 17

While discussing his selection of the iPhone 17 for this year’s top honor, Marques Browlee remarked that this phone “leveled up to be the most complete and actually kind of a great deal,” given that it finally features a 120 Hz display, along with the chip and camera enhancements.

Again, make sure to view the complete video, as it presents a thorough overview of the smartphone market’s current state, including some forward-looking insights on foldables and prevailing trends.

What’s your opinion on MKBHD’s choices? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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iPhone 16 Dominates Q3 2025 Sales, Apple Holds 5 of the Top 10 Best-Selling Gadgets

**Apple and Samsung Lead Global Smartphone Sales in Q3 2025**

A new analysis from Counterpoint Research indicates that Apple has reaffirmed its dominance in the global smartphone arena, with the iPhone 16 topping sales for the third consecutive quarter. This piece offers a comprehensive overview of the latest data.

### Apple and Samsung at the Forefront

The analysis reveals that the iPhone 16 accounted for 4% of the overall smartphone volume share last quarter. Apple has made considerable progress compared to last year, when it occupied four places in the top 10. This year, Apple secured five positions, reflecting its robust market influence.

The highest-selling models for Apple in Q3 2025 are:
1. **iPhone 16**
2. **iPhone 16 Pro**
3. **iPhone 16 Pro Max**
4. **iPhone 16e**
5. **iPhone 17 Pro Max** (ranked #10 despite constrained availability towards the quarter’s conclusion)

This achievement is due to various factors, including effective holiday promotions in India and a continued recovery in Japan, which helped offset the usual seasonal drop associated with new iPhone releases.

### Competitive Landscape

Though Apple led the rankings, Samsung also made an impact. The Galaxy A16 5G was the top-selling Android smartphone this quarter. The rivalry between these two technology leaders continues to influence the smartphone market, with both firms innovating to win over consumers.

### Market Trends and Future Predictions

Counterpoint Research highlights that last semester’s sales were driven by consumers looking to upgrade their smartphones post-COVID-19 pandemic. Moving forward, the report anticipates that AI capabilities are set to foster growth in the mid-range category, possibly affecting future rankings.

For more detailed information, you can view the full report from Counterpoint Research

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Apple Fitness+ Broadens Market Presence and Launches Dubbed Workout Offerings

Following reports that Apple is dissatisfied with the subscriber numbers for Apple Fitness+ and is uncertain about the service’s future direction, the company has unveiled a considerable expansion of its fitness program to 28 new markets, along with the addition of dubbed episodes in three new languages. This initiative aims to enhance the service’s accessibility to a wider audience while preserving its position as one of the most innovative fitness programs available.

As stated in a press release, Apple Fitness+ will launch in Chile, Hong Kong, India, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Vietnam, and 17 other countries and regions beginning December 15. Customers in Japan can expect support early next year.

“Thanks to its smooth integration with Apple devices, Fitness+ has motivated users to lead healthier lives each day,” declared Jay Blahnik, Apple’s vice president of Fitness Technologies. “From experiencing real-time, personalized metrics directly onscreen with Apple Watch or AirPods Pro 3, to being able to take the service with you wherever you are on iPhone or iPad, we’re providing unparalleled motivation to users. We couldn’t be more thrilled to extend this experience to even more users worldwide with our largest expansion to date.”

Apple Fitness+ has seen considerable enhancements over the last five years. Starting December 15, the company will roll out its most significant feature yet: dubbed workout programs. These digitally dubbed versions of workouts and meditations will be offered in Spanish and German, with Japanese dubbing to follow early next year as the service becomes available in Japan.

The dubbed workouts and meditations will feature the actual voices of each of the 28 Fitness+ trainers. While this approach enables a broader audience to engage with the workouts, it is noteworthy that Apple opted for a Workout Buddy-like method rather than hiring actual individuals for dubbing. This decision comes despite Apple’s recent focus on human-driven projects over AI, as evidenced by their new Apple TV service launch and holiday film.

Moreover, Apple is tackling one of the main challenges faced by the Fitness+ service by advancing beyond subtitles to provide dubbed programs. The company also intends to incorporate K-pop into its workout options.

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New AirPods Configuration in iOS 26 Tackles Frequent Bluetooth Problems

### iOS 26 Unveils ‘Keep Audio with Headphones’ Feature for AirPods

iOS 26 has introduced a range of new functionalities for AirPods, one notable feature that might go unnoticed is the ‘Keep Audio with Headphones’ option. This capability enables users to stop their AirPods’ audio from being automatically redirected to other Bluetooth devices, including in-vehicle audio systems.

#### Comprehending the Problem

Numerous AirPods users have faced the irritating situation of their audio unexpectedly relocating to adjacent Bluetooth devices. This often happens without any input from the user, resulting in sudden loud sound from the speakers rather than the desired private listening experience via the AirPods. This issue can be especially disruptive during car audio use.

#### The Fix: ‘Keep Audio with Headphones’

With the launch of iOS 26, Apple has presented a remedy to this enduring issue. The ‘Keep Audio with Headphones’ feature is crafted to ensure that audio playback continues through AirPods or other wireless headphones, even when other Bluetooth gadgets try to link to the iPhone.

To activate this feature on an iPhone with iOS 26, users can adhere to these steps:

1. Launch the **Settings** application.
2. Select **General**.
3. Choose **AirPlay & Continuity**.
4. Switch on **Keep Audio with Headphones**.

Apple portrays this feature as a means to guarantee that audio stays with the headphones when other devices, like speakers or cars, connect to the iPhone.

#### User Choices and Consequences

Although the ‘Keep Audio with Headphones’ option is disabled by default, it grants users increased authority over their audio experience. Some users might favor the earlier automatic switching behavior, which is why Apple decided to keep this feature off at first. Nevertheless, many users are likely to value the ability to avert unwanted audio disruptions.

This feature may also enhance Apple’s improvements to CarPlay, providing a more fluid audio experience when utilizing AirPods alongside in-car systems.

#### Summary

The launch of the ‘Keep Audio with Headphones’ feature in iOS 26 is a beneficial update for AirPods users who have encountered audio hijacking problems with Bluetooth devices. By offering users the choice to manage their audio flow, Apple improves the overall user experience and tackles a prevalent annoyance. Users are encouraged to turn on this setting to experience continuous audio through their AirPods.

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The Effect of Aged Text Messages on Android Device Performance

slow down your device when the storage space is limited.

As individuals have primarily transitioned from standard text messaging to instant messaging platforms and social media applications like WhatsApp, Signal, Instagram, and Snapchat for conversing and sharing media with friends, the Messages application on Android devices is now predominantly utilized for verifying one-time passwords, delivery updates, and two-factor authentication.

Frequently, the application becomes cluttered with messages from financial institutions, insurance providers, retailers, travel services, and various businesses. Promotional messages typically encompass several megabytes of information. Unwanted messages further contribute to the issue. These messages often include heavy attachments like images and link previews. When they accumulate over months, they consume substantial storage and increase the burden on the Messages application, which in turn slows down your device as well.

Reasons messages are bulkier than previously and tips for managing them

Apple Highlights Developer Utilities in Light of Australia’s Prohibition on Social Media for Users Below 16

In advance of a law that will ban Australians under the age of 16 from having social media profiles, Apple is highlighting the resources available in the App Store to help developers ensure adherence. The law will go into effect on December 10, mandating that accounts for users under 16 be deactivated, and no new accounts may be established.

Apple has released a statement in its developer newsroom detailing the obligations of developers and the resources they can leverage:

1. **Declared Age Range API**: This API enables developers to offer age-appropriate experiences by requesting specific age ranges, such as under 16, and modifying app functionality as needed.

2. **App Description on the App Store**: Developers are required to provide descriptions that assist users in assessing app suitability, including age limitations for social media.

3. **In-app Controls on the App Store Product Page**: Apple has refined the age ratings questionnaire to encompass inquiries regarding in-app controls, like age verification and parental guidance. Apps that incorporate these features can display their compliance on their product listings.

4. **Higher Minimum Age Rating**: Developers have the option to set a higher age rating than what is automatically assigned based on their questionnaire answers in App Store Connect.

5. **Age Suitability URL**: Developers can add a URL linking to a site containing information about the app’s age-related content, which will be displayed on the App Store product page.

For further details regarding Australia’s Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, consult the official legislative resources.

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Netflix Will Keep Licensing Warner Series to Apple TV, Featuring Ted Lasso

Netflix’s enormous $83 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery prompts significant inquiries for Apple TV, yet at least one possible concern appears to have been addressed. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos indicates that Warner’s television sector will keep providing programs to competing streaming platforms.

Should Netflix’s acquisition of HBO Max and Warner Bros. receive the go-ahead from regulators, it could generate substantial consequences throughout the entire industry. Regarding possible implications for Apple and the Apple TV service, one initial worry has now seemingly been alleviated.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos—also recognized as Apple TV’s The Studio actor Ted Sarandos—addressed the audience today at the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference. During his speech, he commended the efforts of the Warner Bros. Television Group, which is helmed by former Netflix employee Channing Dungey.

Here’s what Sarandos articulated:

“The television studio…produces and licenses content to third parties. We were never in that business. We are now. When you…get under the hood, that’s a really healthy business. It’s not as large as ours, and that’s why we haven’t really concentrated much effort on it. The growth potential in our core business has been more significant. But now in this transaction, we own that business, and Channing and that team do an exceptional job, and we want them to keep doing that exceptional work.”

Among the programs that Warner’s TV studio creates are several of Apple TV’s most significant successes. These feature Ted Lasso, Shrinking, Bad Monkey, and Presumed Innocent—all of which are set to release new seasons. Although Apple TV is the exclusive streaming location for these series, they were not internally developed but rather are licensed outputs.

When the Netflix arrangement was unveiled, it was uncertain whether the streamer would desire to keep making potential blockbusters for its competitors. However, it appears they intend to proceed with doing just that.

Apple TV is available for $12.99 per month and showcases popular TV series and films such as Ted Lasso, Severance, Pluribus, and more. It can also be accessed through the Apple One bundle.

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Leak Discloses Samsung’s Latest Magnet Wireless Battery Pack in Qi2 Database

Samsung has at last introduced a solution to Apple’s MagSafe Battery.

(Image credit: Samsung / Wireless Power Consortium)

Key information to consider

  • Samsung’s yet-to-be-announced “Magnet Wireless Battery Pack” has been discovered in a WPC database.
  • The portable charger is equipped with Qi2 magnets and can provide power to compatible devices at a maximum of 15W.
  • This battery pack features a distinctive design, incorporating cutouts to accommodate the camera protrusions on Galaxy smartphones.

Notice

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Leaked Images Unveil Possible Design of Moto G Stylus 2026

We anticipate that Motorola will unveil its next-generation G Stylus in the coming year, and it seems the speculation is already underway.

What you should be aware of

– A significant leak has purportedly revealed the design for the Moto G Stylus 2026, which closely resembles its 2025 predecessor, featuring an “eco-leather” back panel.
– The device is expected to maintain its triple camera setup and its RAM/storage configurations, though its battery capacity remains uncertain.
– Motorola introduced the G 2026 and G Play in November, two budget-friendly mid-range devices equipped with a MediaTek chip suitable for everyday use.

Motorola generally announces its next mid-range device around springtime, and indications are that its design may have leaked online prematurely.

A comprehensive leak concerning Motorola’s upcoming mid-range smartphone, the Moto G Stylus 2026, has emerged in a recent report by Android Headlines. The initial renderings suggest that the stylus of next year will resemble Motorola’s 2025 design, along with a few other models released this year. The phone’s rear features a square (with rounded corners) camera arrangement located in the upper left corner. The corners along the frame are quite soft and rounded to enhance in-hand comfort.

It is said that Motorola intends to use an “eco-leather” material for the back panel instead of glass, providing a smooth aesthetic that wraps around the camera housing.

The report mentions that the G Stylus 2026 may include a triple camera arrangement, although the details of the lenses are not specified. Regarding possible enhancements, rumors suggest it could feature a battery just above 5,000mAh. While optimism is warranted, it’s important to remember that the G Stylus has retained a 5,000mAh battery across the last two versions. Charging capabilities are expected to be consistent with the 2025 model, similar to its RAM/storage.

In terms of color options, the Moto G Stylus 2026 is rumored to maintain the same vibrant back and frame design. The leaked images showcase the device in a purported Lavender and black version, both featuring the same color throughout its side rails. The leak also hinted at its performance potential, indicating that a mid-range Qualcomm chip may be utilized. If accurate, we could see the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 featured in next year’s G Stylus, along with a 6.7-inch display, although it’s still early in the process.

The Resurgence of the Stylus

Recently, Motorola broadened its mid-range lineup late this year in November with the launch of the G 2026 and G Play 2026. The former made its debut with a 50MP camera and 30W charging capabilities. The G Play scaled back slightly, opting for a 32MP camera setup and a 5,200mAh battery. Each device was powered by the MediaTek 6300, a mid-range chip that provides decent performance, sufficient for daily activities.

Although they may encounter some FPS challenges in more demanding mobile games, they are adequate for other tasks. This is where Moto’s G Stylus generally excels, particularly in processing power. The 2025 model featured the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, which performed well with games, but as noted earlier, mid-range chips can struggle with more graphically intensive games.

Earlier this year, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 was announced, with Qualcomm stating that it includes an 11% faster CPU and 29% improved graphics. If Motorola is indeed considering this chip for its next Stylus, it may perform better overall.

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