Apple AR Glasses Are Reportedly Getting Canceled,
The virtual and augmented reality world is full of promises but still tough to crack a market. These technologies impress who ever witnesses them, but so far, companies are not able to build a strong and steady user base for this kind of hardware. Hope set high with Apple Vision Pro, which would revolutionize the industry and bring mainstream adoptions, but it seems that Apple’s ambitious device does not even meet those hopes. Apple Cancels AR-Glasses Project Apple was reportedly working on another augmented reality device—a pair of Mac-tethered AR glasses. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this device was intended to compete with Meta’s upcoming AR glasses. However, after internal testing, Apple decided to cancel the project, citing performance issues and an overall lack of market viability. The N107 is a project that would have had an in-built display with the need for a direct connection to a Mac to work. Obstacles such as poor battery life and performance issues locked it at a stage not suiable enough to market. Vision Pro on Unstable Ground The device itself, Vision Pro, also has not fared well in this regard. The product cannot be described as an appealing gadget because it carries a heavy price tag and large size. Not many can find themselves buying it. Some of its potential buyers thought that gaming enthusiasts would welcome it with open arms, but this is yet to be realized. In fact, Meta’s Quest 3, priced cheaper and focusing on gaming, has received immense traction. The Vision Pro is yet to develop a strong content ecosystem that might fuel long-term user engagement. What’s the future of AR strategy for Apple? Still, setbacks are not believed to cause the Vision Pro its ultimate demise: the company might simply polish and prepare it to enter mass releases with the further improvements of comfort and usability combined with a fall in costs for a higher choice of content to attract customers on daily usage basis. Its future remains uncertain as of now, for the novelty surrounding its launching has worn out. However, there is an opportunity for the company to gain better traction based on better price points, rich content, and a more streamlined design. And so, this remains to be seen: the Vision Pro-fade into the darkness or becomes the must-have device. Source
According To Civilization 7 Dev , Nintendo Is Doing Something “Very Cool” With New Switch 2 Joy-Cons
Civilization 7 developers Ed Beach and Dennis Shirk are excited about the possibility of the Nintendo Switch 2 having a mouse-like mode. This is also what most Civilization and strategy games enthusiasts want as it could greatly enhance gaming. However, third-party support for the Switch 2 is yet to be known, along with its availability. Joy-Cons’ New Functionality Hints at PC-Like Experience The reveal trailer of the Nintendo Switch 2 showcased a scene where Joy-Cons were moving on a flat surface, resembling that of the computer mouse movement. This caught many gamers, who are otherwise PC gamers, excited to play with the console. Many strategy game and CRPG players demand exact controls and mouse mode might make it extremely easier to scroll menus and pick units in a game like Civilization 7. Firaxis Devs Find Joy-Con Mouse Mode “Intriguing” Ed Beach and Dennis Shirk, the lead designer and executive producer for Civilization 7 respectively, made their comments about the possibility of this new Joy-Con functionality while in conversation with IGN. Regarding the trailer’s mouse-like control scheme, Shirk said it “is certainly interesting.” Such an affirmation makes Nintendo’s move into developing a mouse mode something that Firaxis highly endorses and sees fit to play the game on Switch 2. Will Civilization 7 Come to Switch 2? Beach and Shirk didn’t answer the question regarding whether Civilization 7 would definitely come to Switch 2 but did not comment on the possibility for it. There is already talk of backward compatibility with the new console, which is making a lot of gamers curious if the Civilization 7 will be made official for this system. It will probably surface either at some point in the Nintendo upcoming Switch 2 Direct in April, but it seems like most of the coverage will be regarding the console itself and its exclusive titles. Pros And Cons Regarding A Mouse Mode on the Switch 2 A potential mouse mode on the Switch 2 may transform the game play experience of the strategy and PC-centric fans. It can bring in more developers who could have been hesitant to bring their game over the console, because the controls will not work. Still, it comes with its set of problems. For the proper working of Joy-Cons, the players would require a flat, stable surface. In the absence of a keyboard, it will restrict some functionality of games. A New Chance for Nintendo and Firaxis The implementation of a rumored mouse mode with the Switch 2 can really be a strong point for Firaxis and Nintendo. This way, adding the Joy-Con controls to make use of a mouse could really allow more players, especially PC users, to take on Civilization 7. Although no official announcements have been made, the possibility of playing Civilization 7 with enhanced Joy-Con controls makes the Switch 2 an even more exciting prospect for strategy game enthusiasts. Source
Forza Horizon 5 Is Finally Coming To The PS5
In a shocker, Playground Games announced that Forza Horizon 5, which was once an Xbox exclusive, will be coming to the PS5 this spring. We’ve seen it happen with other Xbox exclusives like Sea of Thieves and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle which have made their way to the PS. Development and Content Panic Button is developing the PS5 version with Turn 10 Studios and Playground Games. The content will be the same as the Xbox and PC versions so you don’t need to worry as you’ll get the same day one Forza experience with Car Packs and Hot Wheels and Rally Adventure added. Xbox Strategy: Going Beyond Their Own Platforms The move aligns with a bigger Xbox strategy to take their gaming experiences beyond their own hardware. Xbox head Phil Spencer recently confirmed that they will support other platforms including the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. This is a big change for Xbox and could open up new markets and add to their player base. Financial Reasons Recent financials may also be a factor in Microsoft bringing Forza Horizon 5 to PS5. In their latest earnings call, Microsoft said that while Indiana Jones and the Great Circle got 4 million players, Game Pass on PC grew 30% and total gaming revenue was down 30% due to a 30% decline in console sales. So it looks like they may be focusing on growing Game Pass and using popular titles on other hardware to stabilize and grow their revenue streams. Why Forza Horizon 5? Forza Horizon 5 is the open-world racing series, not the simulation focused Forza Motorsport. This one takes you to the beautiful landscapes of Mexico and is a great mix of racing and exploration. The more arcadey racing, combined with the great visuals and dynamic weather, has appealed to both casual gamers and racing enthusiasts. Looking Ahead: What This Means For Gamers Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 is great news for PS owners who want to play one of Xbox’s best titles. It also means the exclusivity of the past may be a thing of the past and we may see a future where console owners can play their favorite franchises on more platforms. As Xbox starts to experiment with their ecosystem the playing field might just get more open and cross platform play might become the norm which is good for gamers everywhere. Source
Google Launches Verified Badge For VPN Apps On Google Play
Finding a VPN to help protect online anonymity is very overwhelming. On Google Play, one finds many thousands of VPN applications. Most of the times, users end up asking how to tell whether they can be trusted or not. To solve this problem, Google is offering a “Verified” badge for VPN applications, ensuring a user will easily find safe, reliable services. Why is Verified Badge Important for VPN Users? The majority of users of VPNs use them to enjoy online privacy. This comprises hiding the IP address, location, and internet activity from people with intentions to pry eyes. Not all VPN apps, however, offer the security they say they do. The new Verified badge highlights apps meeting Google’s high security standards so that the user has every reason to trust them with data. Google defines the Verified badge as a move taken by the VPN developer to boost the security and privacy of users. Though this will not guarantee that it is protected fully, this is one step ahead of filtering unreliable or even destructive VPN apps. VPN Verification Requirements In order to have the Verified badge for a VPN app, several security-related moves have to be accomplished by the developer, among which are: 1. Aligning with Google Play’s safety and security policies. 2. Completing a Mobile Application Security Assessment validation as Level 2. 3. App listed on Google Play for at least 90 days. 4. Target API compliance and follows Google’s Provision of a Data Safety declaration in their app listing. These measures ensure that verified VPN apps are reviewed for privacy compliance and have security checks. How to identify a verified VPN app: If a user is browsing for a VPN on Google Play, now they will find a “Verified” badge at the top of an app’s page if it meets Google’s criteria. A data safety declaration would be displayed further into the listing, confirming that it passed an independent security review. It further helps users decide which VPN they can trust without depending on other unclear promises from developers they’ve never heard of about security. Which VPNs Are Verified? Google has stated in its announcement that several popular VPN providers have agreed to the verification process. NordVPN, hide.me, and Aloha Browser have completed the assessment, and their VPN will soon receive the badge of Verified. Other major VPN developers are likely to join the ranks soon, as a badge will become the new prerequisite for attracting users. Those who don’t pass the check will not be able to compete with the verified applications. Conclusion It’s great news for the user seeking to download a trusted VPN with Google’s new Verified badge. This means, from such a plethora of options, that this will weed out dodgy applications and draw attention to those which have passed through the tightest security scrutiny. Users are still required to research their VPN service, but this Verified badge serves as a great guide to help users make an informed decision regarding their online privacy and security. Source
Apple Is Developing visionOS Version For Smart Glasses
Apple is reportedly working on a new version of its visionOS, the operating system designed for the Apple Vision Pro, to support smart glasses. The move would make Apple’s augmented reality offerings more accessible, and practical than the headgear-like Vision Pro. Vision Pro Fails to Impress Apple Vision Pro, launched at an ambitious price of $3,500, has not lived up to the expectations of Apple. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg says the device is considered too heavy for extended use, overheats, and is prohibitively expensive. This has made it appeal to niche audiences only. Interest in the headset reportedly has cooled off since it shipped, with sales coming in short of projections. Smart Glasses: The Future of AR Now, Apple’s Vision Products Group is thinking beyond the Vision Pro, weighing a release of smart glasses that could pit it against Meta’s collaboration on Ray-Ban Stories. That, though, may be as far away as three years because of ongoing research and development, according to Gurman. The effort encompasses broad user research at Apple’s facilities, while the studies have internally been dubbed “Atlas.” Product Systems Quality is at the helm-a part of Apple’s hardware engineering division. The group is currently testing potential features along with interfaces for the glasses and is already working on a version of visionOS customized for the new device. Development at Apple’s Secretive Facility Apple’s AR work is anchored at a low-key campus in Santa Clara, not far from its Cupertino headquarters. Though the site saw layoffs last year, remaining employees are still working on AR. The facility also includes a manufacturing unit for testing future display technologies. Plans for a More Affordable Vision Pro Alongside working on smart glasses, Apple is redesigning the Vision Pro headset in the hope of making it more appealing to more people. It is working on a more affordable model with cheaper components. The model will cost as much as a high-end iPhone, or about $1,600. The release was initially set for the end of 2024, but Apple continues to work on locking in a prototype. Gaming Features in Collaboration with Sony On the other hand, Apple is still working on making the Vision Pro a more capable gaming tool. The company reportedly cooperates with Sony to add support for PlayStation VR2 hand controllers. The cooperation has been going on for a few months already, and the addition of VR controller support could make the device look even more promising for gamers. Conclusion Apple’s push to develop a visionOS version for smart glasses shows the company’s commitment to refining and expanding its AR product lineup. Though the Vision Pro has faced challenges, these new initiatives-from smart glasses to more affordable headsets-point to Apple’s determination to make AR technology more practical and appealing to a wider audience. Source
DeepSeek Faces Cyber Attacks After Challenging ChatGPT
Silicon Valley was caught off guard when Chinese AI startup DeepSeek topped Apple’s App Store in the artificial intelligence assistant category. Beating OpenAI’s ChatGPT, DeepSeek’s popularity has created a big stir in the tech world. But this new found success has put the company in a tough spot as it’s being hit with non-stop cyber attacks that’s affecting its daily operations. Cyber attacks Force Registration Limits Because of these attacks, DeepSeek has temporarily stopped new user sign-ups to keep its platform stable. While the limits are in place, existing users can continue to use the service as usual. In a statement, the company addressed its users while trying to sort out the security issues. Timing is everything, especially since the attacks came after reports that DeepSeek’s rise has taken $384 billion off NVIDIA’s valuation. If that’s not enough, things got even more complicated with the Chinese government announcing a one trillion yuan investment to strengthen its AI industry. A New Player in the AI Space DeepSeek, founded in 2023, just released its first model, the R1, last week and it’s already a big player to industry giants like OpenAI and Google. The rapid growth of this startup is sending shockwaves across the tech world with established players like Gemini from Google already feeling the heat from other AI tools. The popularity also puts a spotlight on the bigger picture for the global AI market. While some say U.S. investors and big tech companies will start to feel the heat from DeepSeek’s rise, all of these will be seen in due time in the next few weeks. Speculations and Geopolitics The cyber attacks on DeepSeek have spawned a lot of speculations as to its origin but none are based on facts. Whether these attacks are coordinated or not, they show the risks of playing in this competitive and political sensitive industry. The world is also waiting to see what the U.S. government under Donald Trump will do with DeepSeek’s success. Analysts say it’s likely to be part of a bigger move to counter China’s rise in the AI space. Future of DeepSeek DeepSeek’s meteoric rise shows the changing landscape of the global AI industry. Whether it will sustain the growth and become a long term player to the giants remains to be seen as it faces cybersecurity threats and geopolitics. “Due to large-scale malicious attacks on DeepSeek’s services, registration may be busy. Please wait and try again. Registered users can log in normally. Thank you for your understanding and support.” Source: DeepSeek
You Can Now Post Status Updates To Instagram and Facebook Via WhatsApp
WhatsApp Under Meta WhatsApp is owned by Meta but has maintained its own identity over the years. But recent changes have made it like Instagram and Messenger in terms of integration and one such addition was Communities, short video messages, status updates and emoji reactions which are similar to Instagram. Now another trend to follow from WhatsApp is to post a status on both Instagram and Facebook from WhatsApp itself. Status Sharing Tools WhatsApp’s status creation tools are still very basic compared to Instagram’s advanced Story features. Users have no option to remix statuses, add filters or include background music in videos. Although Meta started working on these features in 2023, it’s been slow. So users are forced to take screenshots or download their content and manually upload to other platforms. To solve this, Meta has come up with a simple solution: WhatsApp is now part of the Accounts Center. This central hub allows you to manage all your Meta app accounts. With this feature, you can toggle an option in WhatsApp’s settings to share your status updates to Instagram or Facebook. No more manual downloads and uploads, just a seamless share. Easier Login and User Management Beyond cross posting, the Accounts Center integration has more benefits. For example, you can have a faster login experience through Single Sign-On (SSO) when setting up WhatsApp on a new device. Important to note that this is entirely optional. You need to manually link your WhatsApp account to the Accounts Center and your phone number based WhatsApp account will remain separate from other Meta profiles. This is to address privacy concerns and to maintain user trust. Pros and Cons While it will be convenient, how worth it is, we will see. Some users-like those with friends on different platforms-might want to share their WhatsApp status on Instagram or Facebook. Others might find the limited creative tools in WhatsApp as a drawback. In fairness, being able to share content from Instagram or Facebook to WhatsApp would be a better scenario. Future and Rollout Meta has mentioned more cross platform features in the works but didn’t give a specific date for the update. Rollout will be later this year as they work out the details on how the services will be connected. This is one step closer to a unified Meta. Convenience is good but adoption is up to user preference and WhatsApp’s features. Source
iOS 19 leak To Introduce Major Camera App Redesign
Perhaps the most anticipated tech event of the year is the annual iOS update from Apple. Normally, iOS versions first debut at WWDC in June and are released in September after months of beta testing. As we count down to iOS 19, rumors and leaks hint it’s going to be a huge update, just like where iOS 18 left off. Here’s the breakdown:. Release Date Apple’s latest iOS launch cycle is very revealing about when the iOS 19 will arrive. Typically, every new iOS hits the market the following Monday of the annual iPhone launching event. Let’s consider previous release dates for a comparison. iOS 18: September 16, 2024 iOS 17: September 18, 2023 iOS 16: September 12, 2022 With that in mind, iOS 19 is set to release on either Monday, September 15, 2025, or Monday, September 22, 2025. Awesome Features Expected in iOS 19 1. LLM Upgrade of Siri The biggest rumor circulating in the tech airwaves pertaining to iOS 19 is indeed its LLM upgrade of Siri. This would make Siri a lot more conversational and instinctive-just like ChatGPT’s high-order voice assistant interactions. Siri’s upgraded functionality will leverage on-device data and app integration, offering seamless interaction with Apple services. Developers can expand Siri’s capabilities further using App Intents, which allow actions within third-party apps. However, the full realization of this Siri transformation might not arrive until iOS 19.4, projected for 2026, mirroring the staggered rollout of major Siri updates in iOS 18. 2. Redesigned Camera App Renowned leaker Jon Prosser has dropped a major hint about a major overhaul of the Camera app. Said to take inspiration from Apple Vision Pro, the new design will be centered around a more transparent layout, condensed controls, and a larger viewfinder. 3. Home App Improvements This isn’t confirmed through any specific leaks, but the apparent focus on home smart products by Apple is evident. There are new smart home hubs and Face ID-enabled security cameras coming along, and deeper integration with the Home app will be needed for that. It could all come together in one more improved interface and features to serve these new devices. Beta Testing Timeline Apple will likely continue with the same pace for testing iOS 19 betas: Developer Beta: It always launches right after WWDC, which would be Monday, June 9, 2025. Public Beta:Arrives 4–6 weeks later. Final Release: September 2025. If you want to try out iOS 19 early, you can sign up for Apple’s beta program so you get the test builds as they are released. Device Compatibility iOS 19 will work on all iOS 18 compatible devices, including the following series of iPhones: iPhone 16 series iPhone 15 series iPhone 14 series iPhone 13 series iPhone 12 series iPhone 11 series iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR iPhone SE (2nd generation) Additionally, iOS 19 will debut alongside the new iPhone 17 models and iPhone SE 4 (possibly named iPhone 16E). Some features, such as Siri’s LLM upgrades, may be exclusive to newer models due to hardware requirements. Final Thoughts iOS 19 seems to be in a revolutionary stage of update, setting a new platform from the solid foundation laid down by iOS 18. A smarter Siri, a refreshed Camera application, and potential smart home integrations all speak volumes about Apple’s continuous innovation in an effort to further enhance user experience. In fact, even before the formal announcement at WWDC 2025, expectations for iOS 19 have begun building up. Source
TikTok Is Coming Back To US Soon!!
A blow to ByteDance’s owned popular social media platform, TikTok, comes in the form of a ban it faced in the United States when the Supreme Court upheld its order. This ban is as a result of a law that Congress passed last year dubbed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. The order was such that would remove the application from Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store, and therefore, would send a very crucial message to its users: millions. App Pulled From Stores Before Official Ban Hits Hours before its official implementation, TikTok was sending users both on Android and iOS an in-app message stating, “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US.” A ray of hope: Trump vows to solve Then, in an unexpected twist, President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to work on a solution to revive the app. The message on the app suggested that indeed there may be some compromise after all, citing that Trump “has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office.” For many creators and users, this statement brought hope with Trump’s Inauguration only a day away. TikTok’s Comeback The incident happened shortly after the Trump’s remarks. Reports came out stating that TikTok was again available in some parts of the US. AP said that the app worked on multiple devices on Saturday afternoon after eradicating the limitations of pop-up restrictions. It also put out a statement on social media and hinted that the conflict would soon be over. Difficulty for ByteDance and Users The temporary relief is not sufficient to enable ByteDance for TikTok’s perpetuation in the US. President-elect Trump proposed an extension of 90 days, pending ByteDance’s initiation of the process of divesting its US operations. In the absence of a satisfactory buyer, TikTok’s future in the US is uncertain. In the meantime, people have turned to alternatives such as RedNote, an app based in China. But with RedNote storing data in uncertain ways, the replacement for TikTok is not an easy one to find. VPNs: An Unreliable Solution Some users have resorted to VPN apps to try and bypass the ban on TikTok. According to reports from USA Today, though, this is not a reliable means of accessing TikTok. So far, TikTok seems to have been fully removed from the app stores, leaving users with no clear direction on how to regain access. Conclusion: The Road Ahead for TikTok TikTok’s exit from the US market underscores the deepening concern regarding national security and data privacy. The promise from President-elect Trump might offer some light, but for ByteDance, a future of TikTok in the US would have to pass the gauntlet of difficult regulatory and operational issues. Time will tell whether it is back in or permanently excluded from the country. For millions of creators and users, the clock is ticking, and the future of TikTok hangs in the balance. Source
Android 16 To Offer Triple Split-Screen Mode
The iPad has undisputedly been the king of tablets for quite a while, but new rumors on Android 16 hint that Android tablets might just give it a run for its money, at least in terms of productivity. Some features that have been discovered on the developer preview of Android 16 are indicative of a multitasking revolution that could take the best Android tablets up a notch. Triple Split-Screen Multitasking System Google is reportedly working on a triple split-screen multitasking system for Android tablets, taking inspiration from the innovative OnePlus Open Canvas. This system, first introduced with the OnePlus Open foldable device in 2023, allows users to run three apps simultaneously. While two apps take most of the screen space, the third app sits in a smaller section to create a seamless multitasking experience. During the second developer preview of Android 16, Mishaal Rahman of Android Authority found a new setting option entitled “flexible split-screen mode.” While still a bit rudimentary, it allowed a window to be dragged into split-screen mode and then placed in one of three positions. This suggests that Google has planned for three apps side by side all along, which would go a long way toward making tablets more usable. App Pairing Boosts Productivity This new split-screen functionality is expected to work well in conjunction with the app pairs feature of Android, allowing users to save specific app layouts for rapid access. Furthermore, Android 16 wants to let users have a more natural and tablet-native multitasking experience. It also works as a simpler counterpart to the windowing system on desktops that was unveiled in Android 15, where additional setup usually is required, and it can be better carried out on desktop-like displays. Lessons from OnePlus Open Canvas OnePlus Open Canvas set a new benchmark for multitasking when it launched with the OnePlus Open foldable and later appeared on the OnePlus Pad 2 tablet. It allows three apps to remain open in a swipeable carousel. The edge of the third app is always visible, making it easy to switch between them with a simple swipe. This makes multitasking on larger screens much more practical, and Google seems to be taking a page from that book for its triple split-screen mode. The feature will probably stay exclusive to larger devices like tablets and foldables since it won’t translate well to smaller phone screens. A Leap Forward for Android Tablets If Google can pull this triple split-screen multitasking system off with Android 16, then it could mark a redefinition of the Android tablet experience. Already, current tablets like the Galaxy Tab S10 series and the Redmagic Nova gaming tablet sport impressive hardware, but better software-level productivity features might make them a fairer fight against Apple’s iPad lineup. Conclusion The potential introduction of a triple split-screen mode in Android 16 signals a major leap forward for Android tablets. By enhancing multitasking and productivity, Google could position its tablets as serious contenders in the productivity space. While dethroning the iPad remains a tall order, innovations like this bring Android tablets one step closer to achieving the impossible. Source & Image: Android Authority