GoKawiil
Tech News
Apple released iOS 27.2 on Oct. 26, shortly after the iPhone Duo launch, fixing 141 bugs and security issues. Nine could cause kernel corruption leading to crashes, while seven could allow arbitrary code execution, potentially letting attackers steal data or hijack devices. Apple said none of the flaws were known to be actively exploited but recommended updating immediately.
Apple's iOS 27.2 update expands Shared Albums with the ability to edit photo captions and comments, block duplicate photo uploads, and warn participants before an album expires. The update also adds support for SynthID, a watermarking standard that marks images edited or generated using AI tools in Photos and Image Playground.
A new mobile word game called Wordeex has launched on iOS and Android, offered free to players. The game's distinguishing mechanic is that each correct answer alters the puzzle itself, rather than simply completing a static grid.
Apple's iOS 26 includes a call-screening feature that lets iPhone users manage calls from unsaved numbers, including political campaign calls. Users can choose between three settings: allowing all calls through as before, requiring unknown callers to state their reason for calling before the phone rings, or silencing all unknown numbers directly to voicemail. The feature works on any iPhone compatible with iOS 26, including older models like the iPhone 14 Pro.
Apple has released iOS 27.2, which changes CarPlay's Podcasts app by replacing the Up Next section with New Episodes and Continue Playing tabs. The update also extends Siri's AI upgrades to CarPlay, letting the assistant recall prior conversations and pull from voicemails, Safari history, Calendar attendees, and Messages photos to answer questions.
Apple shipped iOS 27.2 on Monday following six weeks of beta testing, unifying all iPhones onto one software track after the iPhone Duo had briefly run a separate iOS 27.1 build. The update expands Siri AI to five new languages and adds memory of past conversations, broader data sources like Messages photos and voicemails, an Excluded Apps privacy setting, and partial text selection from Siri replies. It also extends Dual Capture, the simultaneous front-and-rear camera mode, to Group FaceTime calls, though that feature requires an iPhone 17 or later with all participants on iOS 27.
Apple's iOS 27.2 release reorganizes the Podcasts app with new 'New Episodes' and 'Continue Playing' sections on the Home tab, replacing the old 'Up Next' queue. The update also extends Siri AI's enhanced capabilities to CarPlay, letting the assistant recall past conversations and pull answers from Messages photos, Calendar attendees, voicemails, and Safari history. The release also adds a redesigned Apple Music icon and minor app design tweaks tied to last week's Apple Music rebrand.
Google Photos is rolling out a revamped Collections tab that lets users customize which content carousels appear and in what order. A new 'Pinned' section defaults to Favorites, Screenshots, and Trash, followed by carousels for On this device, Albums, People & pets, Wardrobe, Places, and Documents, with an 'Other Collections' grid below. The update is shipping via Google Photos versions 7.97 on Android and 7.98 on iOS.
iOS 27.2 introduces a new age-verification option that lets users confirm they are an adult by taking a selfie, which an on-device and Private Cloud Compute age-estimation model evaluates. Apple says the feature supplements existing methods like ID scans or credit card checks, and applies in regions including Australia, Brazil, Singapore, South Korea, the UK, and Texas in the US. The company states the selfie is never accessible to anyone, including Apple, and is deleted immediately after age confirmation.
Apple's 27.2 software update for HomePod 2nd generation and HomePod mini 2 adds the ability to set them as the default system audio output for Macs with Wi-Fi 6E support. The update also significantly cuts wireless audio latency, and adds features like Sound Glow, Lock Controls, and home theater surround sound support.
Apple restricts which iPhone apps can appear in CarPlay to a limited set of approved categories, which explains why apps like Gmail, Apple Fitness or Calculator don't show up even though they could technically run there. Apple has been gradually loosening these restrictions over time, expanding the range of app types allowed. Users can also check Settings > General > CarPlay to add and reorder any compatible apps they may have missed enabling.
Apple has released iOS 27.2, adding beta support for French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish to Siri, along with the ability for the assistant to recall details from earlier conversations. The update also brings Apple Pencil compatibility for the foldable iPhone Duo in apps like Notes and Preview, new FaceTime features such as Dual Capture and third-party captioning, and updates to Messages, Shared Albums, Podcasts, and a Multiview feature for watching multiple live sports streams.