iOS 26 Unveils CarPlay’s ‘Video in the Car’ Feature with Restrictions

Apple is implementing a notable modification to CarPlay, enabling video playback for the very first time in its history. This new capability will be accessible starting with iOS 26, allowing applications to showcase video on the CarPlay display while the vehicle is stationary. This change, termed “video in the car,” is outlined on Apple’s developer site, which urges developers to incorporate support for this functionality using AirPlay.

The announcement has sparked inquiries about the level of support from car manufacturers, as each brand will have the authority to activate or deactivate the AirPlay video functionality in their vehicles. Although a third-party app previously succeeded in incorporating video playback via a CarPlay web browser, it was subsequently removed following the App Store review procedure.

With iOS 26 expected to launch this month, it remains unclear whether video playback will be operational during the developer and public beta phases. The actual execution of this feature will rely significantly on the backing of individual automakers, which has yet to be confirmed by any brands.

In addition to video playback, iOS 26 will bring a variety of improvements to CarPlay, including revamped icons, widget functionality, and updates to apps like Music and Messages. As the release date nears, additional information will be shared regarding automaker integration of the new video playback feature.

Apple Contends with Patent Litigation Pertaining to ‘Hey Siri’ and Virtual Keyboard Innovations

**Cerence Initiates Patent Infringement Action Against Apple**

Cerence, a division of Nuance Communications, has recently launched legal proceedings against Apple, claiming violation of several patents associated with mobile text input and wake word technology. This legal action, submitted in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, emphasizes the persistent friction in the tech sector over intellectual property rights.

### Overview of Cerence

Cerence focuses on conversational AI technology, especially for the automotive industry. Initially part of Nuance Communications, which significantly contributed to the development of Siri’s early voice recognition features, Cerence has since aimed to broaden its scope in AI-powered solutions beyond automotive uses.

### Lawsuit Specifics

In its legal filing, Cerence indicates that it contacted Apple in 2021 to explore the possibility of acquiring or licensing various patents. The company shared numerous documents with Apple, including a summary of its patent portfolio and spreadsheets showing that Apple had referenced Cerence in its own patent submissions. Some of these submissions were reportedly rejected due to existing patents owned by Cerence.

Despite initial talks, Cerence asserts that no agreement was reached concerning the mobile text entry patent portfolio, leading to the present legal challenge.

### Patents Involved

The lawsuit revolves around several particular patents, mainly associated with virtual keyboard technology and the “Hey Siri” wake word feature. The patents referenced in the complaint comprise:

1. **U.S. Patent No. 7,251,367** – This patent pertains to a system for recognizing word patterns according to a virtual keyboard layout, which Cerence alleges is incorporated in Apple’s iPhones and iPads operating on iOS 13 and later.

2. **U.S. Patent No. 7,453,439** – This patent relates to a method for continuous stroke word-based text input, which is utilized in Apple’s “slide to type” keyboard feature.

3. **U.S. Patent No. 7,750,891** – This patent covers a selective input system that monitors motion parameters of an input device, relevant to several Apple products.

4. **U.S. Patents No. 8,712,755 and No. 9,256,580** – These patents concentrate on enhancing text input in a shorthand-on-keyboard interface, again pertinent to Apple’s devices.

5. **U.S. Patent No. 9,361,885** – This patent pertains to methods for detecting voice commands, applicable across various Apple products including iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and HomePods.

### Legal Consequences

Cerence is pursuing a ruling from the court declaring that Apple has infringed upon its patents, an injunction to halt further infringement, and damages that include ongoing licensing fees. The company has also requested a jury trial.

The Western District of Texas is known for being a favorable jurisdiction for patent holders, which could create difficulties for Apple as it addresses this legal conflict.

### Final Thoughts

As the technology landscape continues to advance, the significance of intellectual property rights remains critical. Cerence’s lawsuit against Apple highlights the intricacies of patent law and the ongoing rivalry in the domains of conversational AI and mobile technology. The resolution of this case could have far-reaching effects for both entities and the wider tech ecosystem.

Strava Improves Apple Watch Application with Innovative Live Segments Functionality

### Strava’s Revamped Apple Watch Application: Unveiling Live Segments

For Strava enthusiasts, this moment has arrived after considerable anticipation. The company has undertaken a thorough redesign of its Apple Watch application, featuring the introduction of Live Segments. Here’s how it operates.

Whenever Tim Cook mentions the Apple Watch during Apple’s quarterly earnings call, he stresses that “more than half of Apple Watch sales were to new customers,” underscoring the continual expansion of its user demographic. Strava is witnessing similar growth. In a blog entry outlining this week’s update, the organization reported an almost 20% year-over-year rise in the percentage of athletes uploading data via an Apple Watch, with Apple capturing the top two positions for favorite devices among runners in Strava’s 2024 Year in Sport report.

Strava claims that this surging interest led them to reconsider and overhaul its Apple Watch application to deliver “a sleeker, more user-friendly experience for athletes at every level of their fitness path.”

#### Here’s What’s Fresh with Strava’s Newest Apple Watch App Update

The update’s standout feature is **Live Segments**, enabling users to compete against themselves or the Strava community on starred or popular segments—sections of road or trail—globally. As users near a segment, the watch face will show a banner with the segment name and a circle that updates in real time to indicate their progress, showing whether they are ahead or behind their personal best. Haptic signals will also alert users upon entering a starred segment.

Subscribers will benefit from additional features, including:

– **Progress updates:** A countdown displaying the exact remaining distance in the segment.
– **Instant results:** Athletes instantly see how their completed segment time measures up against their personal best.

In addition to Live Segments and the performance-centric redesign, the update also brings:

– **Stats at a glance:** Easy visibility of pace, distance, time, and heart rate while on the move.
– **Streamlined syncing:** Automatic and dependable syncing ability directly to Strava.

Strava is offered for free, with an optional subscription that grants access to extra features.

#### Apple Watch Promotions on Amazon

For individuals aiming to enhance their fitness monitoring experience, consider checking out Apple Watch promotions available on Amazon.

Threads Unveils Long-Form Posts with Support for Formatted Text Currently in Testing Stage

**Threads Unveils Long-Form Text Attachments: A Fresh Chapter for Microblogging**

On September 4, 2025, Threads, the social networking site crafted by Meta, officially rolled out a highly anticipated feature that enables users to share lengthy posts via “text attachments.” This enhancement signifies a notable progression in the platform’s capabilities, appealing to users desiring to articulate more intricate ideas without the restrictions of conventional character limits.

### The Innovative Feature

In the past, Threads permitted users to submit up to 500 characters per post. While adequate for informal exchanges, the new text attachment functionality allows users to append a formatted segment of text to their standard posts. This improvement facilitates more enriched content, incorporating italics, bold, and underlines, transcending the boundaries of basic text.

When a user shares an attachment, it is displayed within a gray box, which can be expanded by clicking on a “Read more” button. This design selection seeks to maintain a tidy main feed while still allowing access to more comprehensive content.

### Intent and Utility

App researcher Radu Oncescu noted that Threads characterizes the feature as a means for users to “attach longer text and unleash their creativity with styling tools to communicate deeper thoughts, snippets of news, book excerpts, and additional content.” This aligns with Meta’s overarching goal to boost the platform’s attractiveness to creators and foster more substantial dialogues among users.

The current version of the feature does not accommodate embedded media or links, but Meta has stated that user input will inform upcoming enhancements. Unlike other platforms such as X (previously Twitter), where premium users can publish much longer texts, Threads aspires to make this functionality accessible to everyone.

### Official Communication and Character Cap

In a recent statement, Mark Zuckerberg verified the launch of the text attachment functionality, asserting that users can include as many as 10,000 characters in their attachments. The formatting choices extend beyond basic text adjustments, permitting bold, italics, underline, and strikethrough options. Importantly, users can also add an external link at the conclusion of their attached text, enabling the sharing of content from other sources.

Meta highlighted that this feature aims to assist users in conveying intricate viewpoints and engaging their audience, thus enhancing the overall experience on Threads.

### Final Thoughts

The rollout of long-form text attachments on Threads signifies a crucial leap forward for the platform, equipping users with the means to articulate themselves more completely. As Meta continues to obtain feedback and refine its features, the prospect of Threads evolving into a more powerful platform for both creators and casual users is encouraging. With this update, Threads is set to strengthen its standing in the competitive social media arena, addressing the changing demands of its user community.