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Apple says more than 100,000 apps on the App Store have been built or adjusted for the iPhone Duo's 4:3 inner display, according to VP Susan Prescott. She noted thousands of new optimized apps are added daily, and that developers attended workshops in 19 cities over the past month to prepare updates. Examples cited include Microsoft Word, Outlook, Zoom, and sports apps like NBA and NHL that now use the larger screen format.
Apple has seeded the first beta of iOS 27.3, which brings back the redesigned Health app (split into Insights, Longevity and Browse tabs) that had been tested but dropped from iOS 27.2. The update also adds a Gym Strength feature for Apple Fitness+ that builds adaptive four-week workout plans, plus Reachability support for iPhone Duo.
Reuters and The Washington Post report that Democratic lawmakers, set to control both chambers of Congress in January, are preparing investigations into major tech companies' ties to the Trump administration. Apple is named as a target over its handling of apps used to track ICE activity, after it pulled ICEBlock and similar apps from the App Store last year following Justice Department pressure citing agent safety concerns.
Apple announced that more than 100,000 apps on the App Store have been built or updated for its foldable iPhone Duo, with thousands more added daily. The update coincides with the launch of Duo-ready versions of Microsoft Word, Outlook, Zoom, Etsy, Goodnotes, and apps from the NBA and NHL, among others.
NPR reported that consumers are increasingly turning to public libraries to cut spending, using them for free books, streaming via apps like Kanopy, and digital newspaper access. One example cited was Topeka, Kansas resident Izzy Rivera, who borrows books through her library and the Libby app instead of buying new ones, and recently bought 15 used books for about $20 at a library sale. The New York Public Library also began offering free NYT digital access to visitors using its Wi-Fi starting in January.
Apple's iOS 27.2 update, released last week, adds a Siri 'Excluded Apps' setting that removes chosen apps from Siri, Search and suggestions. It also introduces customizable Messages Suggestions—contextual prompts like adding events to Calendar or Reminders—and brings Apple TV user profiles to iPhone for the first time, matching a feature long available only on tvOS.
Google is reportedly working on changes to Gemini's sidebar interface and experimenting with a new overlay animation for the assistant. Separately, the Google app's You tab may add a Shortcuts section allowing users to view or delete their search history.
Apple told 9to5Mac that more than 100,000 App Store apps have been built or optimized for the iPhone Duo, two weeks after its launch, with thousands more being added daily. The company's VP of Worldwide Developer Relations, Susan Prescott, said over 2,000 developers attended more than 50 workshops across 19 cities to help update their apps for the foldable device.
Code strings in Google app version 17.73.15 reveal an upcoming offline mode for Gemini Live that requires users to first set it up while connected to the internet. Once active, the offline mode will run with 'limited features,' and users will be prompted to reconnect for full functionality.
Two weeks after the iPhone Duo's launch, Apple announced that more than 100,000 App Store apps have been built or optimized for the foldable device. VP Susan Prescott said thousands of optimized apps are being added daily and praised developers' quick adoption of the new form factor.
Google has updated the Google Earth app icon on its Play Store listing to a more colorful, gradient-heavy design, replacing the old all-blue wavy-line logo with one blending lavender-blue and bright blue tones. The new icon currently appears only on the Play Store and the Google Earth Engine website, while the Google Earth website and the installed app still show the old icon.
Spotify is testing a new mobile layout that moves pinned playlists, albums and podcasts out of the main Your Library feed into their own dedicated carousel shelf. The test, spotted by a Reddit user, adds a 'Library layout' menu letting users choose List, Grid or Compact view for pins independently of the rest of their library. It appears to be a server-side rollout reaching a limited set of Android and iOS users.