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Apple’s iOS Development Strategy: Transitions from iOS 26.3 to iOS 27

iOS 26.2 updates – primarily consisting of modifications to the Liquid Glass design and the enhancement of the Live Translation feature across additional languages and regions — users are keenly anticipating further features. However, in contrast to prior iOS software update cycles, Apple has been more prudent in revealing features it may not be able to deliver promptly. In previous years, the company announced a completely new CarPlay experience that took years to launch, the frequently postponed Apple Intelligence platform, and other minor features that required time to debut, like iPad’s Stage Manager, Sidecar, and more.

Following the Siri debacle and the postponement of the brand-new personal assistant, which was anticipated for iOS 18.4, Apple chose to only showcase features it could deliver simultaneously with iOS 26 during the WWDC 2025 keynote. While the company achieved that, it also left us with minimal information regarding upcoming developments. Or so we believed. Keeping that in mind, here’s an iOS roadmap with leaked and anticipated features for iOS 26.3 through iOS 27.

iOS 26.3 will introduce these features and modifications

Apple Wallet Gets Two Key Feature Enhancements in iOS 26

Apple Wallet has rolled out a variety of new features in iOS 26, tackling earlier limitations and improving user engagement. Key among these enhancements are the inclusion of Digital ID and AI-enhanced order tracking.

### AI-Enhanced Order Tracking

First introduced in iOS 16, the order tracking functionality in Apple Wallet faced challenges in gaining popularity due to its dependence on external services. This reliance limited its efficiency, as numerous merchants opted to keep direct control over customer engagement. However, with improvements in iOS 26, Apple has overhauled this feature using Apple Intelligence.

Now, Wallet is capable of automatically pulling order information straight from confirmation emails sent by merchants and delivery providers. This advancement allows users to check their order status, receive progress notifications, and access other pertinent information all in one location without needing external cooperation. To utilize this feature, users can click the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner of Wallet and choose ‘Orders,’ where they can also set up push alerts for updates.

### Digital ID Without State Implementation Required

Apple’s goal to establish Wallet as a primary platform for digital identification has encountered obstacles, with just 12 states and Puerto Rico presently offering digital driver’s licenses. To bypass the sluggish rollout, Apple has launched the Digital ID feature in iOS 26.1.

Although Digital ID does not serve as a direct substitute for a driver’s license, it acts as a beneficial option for identity verification. Users can present their Digital ID at TSA checkpoints for domestic flights and at selected establishments for age confirmation. This feature is already accepted at over 250 airports across the US, with intentions for wider adoption. By promoting Digital ID, Apple aspires to motivate additional states to implement digital driver’s licenses in the future.

In summary, the updates to Apple Wallet in iOS 26, especially the launch of AI-driven order tracking and Digital ID, signify major advancements in transforming the app into a more all-encompassing tool for managing personal data and transactions.

Key Attributes to Discover After Unpacking Your New AirPods Pro

# Complete Manual for New AirPods Pro Owners

Have you just opened your [new AirPods Pro](https://geni.us/BXD7wD)? If that’s the case, it’s important to understand that the experience extends beyond merely enjoying music and podcasts. Here are some suggestions for new AirPods Pro owners.

## AirPods Pro Fit Test

Upon unpacking your AirPods Pro, you might have seen various ear tip sizes included. It’s essential to ensure that you achieve the best fit while using AirPods Pro. This enhances noise cancellation efficiency, overall comfort, and microphone functionality.

1. With your AirPods Pro securely in your ears and connected, launch the Settings app and select their name at the top.
2. Choose “Ear Tip Fit Test” from the menu and press the play button.

Your AirPods Pro will now perform a fit test to determine if you have the ideal fit and will advise you if it’s worth trying a different ear tip size. The AirPods Pro 3 comes with five unique sizes of ear tips that can be easily swapped.

## AirPods Pro Listening Modes

The AirPods Pro offer several listening modes for you to select from:

– **Active Noise Cancellation**: External microphones pick up surrounding sounds and create anti-noise to nullify them before they reach your ears. An inward-facing microphone listens for unwanted internal sounds, which the AirPods also counteract with anti-noise.

– **Transparency Mode**: Passes through external sound, allowing you to be aware of your surroundings.

– **Adaptive Audio**: Modifies noise cancellation based on your environment.

With iOS 18 and later, you can further tailor Adaptive Audio to suit your requirements and “permit more or less noise.” You can switch between modes by pressing and holding the force sensor on the AirPod stem until you hear a chime, or by using the Settings app or Control Center on your iPhone.

## Conversation Awareness

Conversation Awareness is a function that reduces your audio volume and amplifies voices when you begin to speak while using your AirPods. Once the conversation concludes, it automatically raises the volume. You can locate this feature in the Control Center or within the AirPods section of the Settings app.

## Controls

AirPods Pro 3 are equipped with a Force Sensor on their stems, allowing you to execute various tasks without needing to grab your iPhone:

– **Play and pause audio**: Press the stem. To continue playback, press it once more.
– **Play the next track**: Double-tap the stem.
– **Play the previous track**: Triple-tap the stem.
– **Answer a call**: Press the stem when a call comes in.
– **Adjust volume**: Gently swipe up or down on the stem.

You can modify the force sensor settings in the AirPods section of the Settings app.

## Head Gestures

Alongside the Force Sensor, you can also control your AirPods Pro by nodding your head:

– **Accept a call or respond to notifications**: Nod your head up and down.
– **Decline a call or ignore notifications**: Shake your head side to side.

Activate this feature in the AirPods section within the Settings app.

## Hearing Test and Hearing Aid Features

Apple has upgraded AirPods Pro with innovative hearing health capabilities. You can take a hearing assessment to check for hearing loss and use AirPods Pro as a hearing aid for mild to moderate hearing impairments.

## Microphone Features

AirPods Pro come with several microphone modes:

– **Automatic**: Selects the optimal Mic Mode for your call or recording.
– **Standard**: Utilizes standard voice processing.
– **Voice Isolation**: Focuses on your voice while minimizing background noise.
– **Wide Spectrum**: Lets ambient sounds come through unfiltered.

Access these settings during a call or recording by swiping down from the top-right corner of your display.

## Find My Integration

AirPods Pro work with the Find My app on your iPhone, enabling you to track them on a map if they go missing. You can make a sound to assist in locating them and manage notifications to ensure you don’t leave them behind.

## Top AirPods Accessories

There are various accessories available to enhance your AirPods Pro experience.

## Audio Sharing

One of the remarkable features of AirPods Pro is audio sharing, which allows you to share audio with another person using AirPods or Beats headphones. To enable audio sharing, tap the AirPlay icon in the Now Playing screen, Lock Screen, or Control Center, then select “Share Audio” and hold the other person’s headphones close to yours.

## Live Translation

With iOS 26, AirPods Pro are capable of translating face-to-face conversations in real-time. To activate Live Translation, open the Translate app, press and hold the stem on both AirPods, or

The FBI Publishes Open Call for Unjammable Drones: Explanations Provided

a solicitation for details (RFI) seeking providers of unjammable drones, and if you’re curious about what “unjammable” entails, the aim is to identify alternatives “controlled via fiber optic cable” that are also “NDAA compliant.” In essence, they’re referring to wired drones. Unusual as it might sound, these varieties do exist. Wired drones cannot be jammed or interfered with from a distance — the sole means to disable them is to bring them down, which requires significant skill or specialized counteractions.

The cables linked to these drones can extend up to 20 kilometers (approximately 12 miles) or more, and they’re remarkably slender. Most limitations one might anticipate from a wired line are minimal. The primary issues are the risk of snagging, especially concerning battlefield remnants and nearby objects, or the drone’s own rotors. Decreased agility is also a disadvantage associated with wired drones compared to their wireless equivalents. The cable may restrict the drone’s operational radius; however, they frequently carry the cable spool onboard, utilizing a mount or housing to address this challenge. Because the cable spool is connected, it can decrease travel speed, additionally limiting space and capacity for extra loads like explosives or supplies.

Nevertheless, in spite of the tether, fiber-optic drones are difficult to detect, as the cable is extremely thin, and they provide a superior, more dependable signal — particularly in zones susceptible to wireless disruption. Moreover, as the FBI succinctly pointed out, they’re “unjammable.” The Moscow Times notes that fiber-optic drones are already operational on the battlefield. Ukraine and U.S. tech firms possess them too.

Why is the FBI interested in unjammable drones?

<div class="slide-key image-holder gallery-image-holder credit-image-wrap " data-post-url="https://www.bgr.com/2056403/fbi-unjammable-drones-open-call/" data-post-title="The FBI Put Out An Open Call For 'Unjammable Drones'

Ranking the Top 5 Brands of Robot Vacuum Cleaners from Least Favorable to Most Favorable

cheaper robotic vacuum cleaners may be more suitable for your residence.

Since the launch of the first commercially successful robotic vacuum cleaner in 2002, numerous brands and models have emerged in the marketplace. It’s quite easy to feel inundated by all the unfamiliar names and the various features that each robot offers. With significant advancements in sensor technology, larger motors, and improved software, you have the option to select an economical choice to keep things tidy, or invest in a powerful, feature-rich robot capable of managing all that pet hair. Regardless, there’s a robotic vacuum cleaner for every type of dwelling, and we are here to assist you in discovering the ideal choice. We assessed the most dependable brands that deliver the best value for the typical household, considering genuine user experiences to aid you in making an educated choice.

No. 5: Eufy

Eufy is recognized as the “value” brand within the robotic vacuum sector. This is due to the fact that its vacuum cleaners are generally more budget-friendly compared to the flagship models of high-end competitors. They still manage to provide above-average suction power, quiet operation, and an easy-to-maintain system. Eufy vacuums are straightforward to use, easy to care for, and several models are tailored specifically for hard surfaces. This makes them appealing for small homes, apartments, or for anyone needing a cleaning helper on a budget. They’re ideal for compact

Google Intends Major Upgrade to Android Multitasking

Android Authority reports that Google is developing a new functionality for the Gemini app that enables users to continue using their smartphones as the AI formulates a response. Android minimizes Gemini to an icon located at the bottom of the display, superseding the existing method that necessitates its presence on-screen while it addresses the prompt. Users receive visual indicators from the Gemini overlay, allowing them to interact with other applications. An animation plays at the bottom of the screen to notify the user that the AI is still working on the most recent request, and a notification pops up when the answer becomes available, prompting the user to return to Gemini.

This alteration pertains to using Gemini simultaneously with other applications, but it’s a paradigm that could extend to other essential apps in the future. Android, iOS, and iPadOS are not yet positioned to fully supplant conventional desktops and laptops; however, they are managing multiple applications and tasks more efficiently than before, particularly on devices with AI enhancements such as those on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The synergy of advanced hardware and innovative form factors like foldable devices is already paving the way for increased productivity. An AI layer integrated into these systems can further enhance the way we utilize smartphones.

Gemini could pave the way for improved Android multitasking

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Google Chrome Continues to be Free, Whereas Agentic AI Features Could Necessitate a Subscription

Leopeva64 discovered indications in Chrome’s code suggesting that the agentic functionalities Google has been working on will be restricted to paid subscription tiers, at least initially. As reported by XDA Developers, the X user frequently finds new features in the code of Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Leopeva64 posted the news about Chrome’s agentic functionalities on Christmas Eve in response to an October entry where he outlined a new toggle to activate/deactivate agentic Gemini behavior in Chrome.

Google has already integrated Gemini features into Chrome. <a href="https://www.bgr.com/1972880/gemini

Initial Glimpse of the OnePlus Smartphone Boasting an Enormous 9,000 mAh Battery

A recent leak provides an early glimpse of the OnePlus Turbo, showcasing a blue-green plastic back. The OnePlus Turbo is confirmed to come with an impressive 9,000mAh battery, in line with OnePlus’ latest design philosophy that features a sleek aesthetic and a rectangular dual-camera setup. The base model of the device boasts a 6.8-inch 144Hz display, powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset, and is capable of 80W fast charging.

The images that surfaced depict a device known as “Prado,” resembling the design of current OnePlus models such as the OnePlus 15 and OnePlus 15R. It showcases a rectangular camera module positioned in the top-left corner, accommodating dual cameras. The phone is said to have a shiny back with a blue-greenish hue, though it remains unverified whether the material is plastic or glass.

The device appears quite thick, which is anticipated due to the substantial battery capacity, yet it retains a streamlined design when compared to other gaming smartphones. Specifications include the complete 9,000mAh battery, 80W fast charging, a 6.8-inch 1.5K display with a 144Hz refresh rate, along with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor paired with 8GB of RAM. A premium variant could potentially utilize the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4.

OnePlus intends to introduce the device internationally, likely under the Nord branding, though a U.S. release remains uncertain. The expected launch timeframe is Q1 2026, potentially coinciding with MWC 2026 in March. Additional information is anticipated as the launch date nears.

Gmail to Roll Out Functionality Enabling Users to Modify Email Addresses Without the Need for a New Account Creation

Google is said to be working on a new feature for Gmail that will enable users to modify their Gmail address while keeping the original one as an alias. This functionality is designed to offer flexibility for individuals looking to refresh their email address without forfeiting access to their current data or account history. At present, Gmail users are linked to the email address they first registered with, lacking a simple method to change it without initiating a new account and configuring email forwarding.

The new feature will allow users to transition to a new Gmail address while preserving all their information, including emails, photos, Drive files, and messages. Both the existing and new addresses will remain operational, permitting users to send and receive emails from either one. The former address will effectively function as an alias, ensuring seamlessness and ease.

Nonetheless, this feature comes with certain restrictions. Users will be permitted to update their Gmail address only once every 12 months, with a limit of three changes permitted following the original address. Thus, a total of four Gmail addresses can be linked to a single Google Account.

This feature is not yet active, but an update on a Google support page indicates that its launch might commence shortly. Once launched, users will have the capability to alter their Gmail address through the Personal info section of their Google Account settings. The procedure is anticipated to be user-friendly, enabling individuals to input their preferred new Gmail address.

This initiative forms part of Google’s continuous efforts to improve user experience and provide greater flexibility in managing email accounts. As the feature is currently in its early stages of rollout, additional updates are expected as it becomes officially accessible to users.