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Apple's iPadOS 27.2 update streamlines how users set up side-by-side apps. Now, tiling an app to the left or right using window controls or the menu bar immediately shows the Home Screen, letting users tap to select a second app in one step, rather than having to manually swipe and resize as before.
After installing an iOS or Android update, phones run background processes such as Spotlight reindexing on iPhones, which can take hours or even days to complete. During this period, CPU and GPU usage spikes, leaving fewer resources for apps and animations, though performance typically returns to normal once indexing finishes.
Apple has issued high-confidence threat notifications to iPhone users across 110 countries, warning that they may have been targeted by mercenary spyware. The company has not disclosed the attackers' identity, the attack method, or whether any devices were actually compromised, but said the campaign involves narrowly targeted attempts rather than broad phishing. Researcher Costin Raiu first reported the alerts on October 30, noting they are separate from a similar round of notifications Apple sent in August.
An Android Authority reviewer who has used every US foldable released this year, including Motorola, Samsung and Google models, spent five days testing Apple's first foldable, the iPhone Duo. The device ships unfolded with a nano-texture matte finish on its folding screen, created via laser-etched microlenses over each pixel, which diffuses glare but also dims and desaturates the display compared to glossy foldables.
ESR has released its Xtend line of chargers featuring built-in retractable cables, including a 45W wall charger that supports up to 60W via AVS and a 100W car charger with two cables. The 45W model offers 3.1 feet of retractable cable, longer than typical competitors, plus a separate USB-C port for other cables, and comes in black, white, and burgundy finishes. It's priced at $49.99 normally, currently discounted to $35.99 for white and $41.99 for burgundy on Amazon.
A reviewer found that the PopSocket Low-Pro, a low-profile MagSafe PopSocket with a flip-out ring, effectively works as a kickstand for the foldable iPhone Duo, despite not being designed for it. The accessory is thin enough to allow MagSafe charging to pass through and adds enough magnetic grip to keep the unfolded phone from sliding off MagSafe stands.
Google has released the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, an incremental update to last year's foldable that keeps the same overall design but adds a lighter body, a brighter display, improved wireless charging and an updated camera sensor. The device is thinner and 19 grams lighter than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and Google says durability has tripled thanks to a new glass-ceramic cover and glass-fiber composite back.
A tech review piece examines Apple's newly launched iPhone 18 Pro Max, highlighting its 2nm chip, upgraded cameras, larger RAM and faster-charging battery. It then surveys the Android market to identify which single device best matches the iPhone on hardware, software polish and wide carrier availability, concluding one phone stands out as the nearest equivalent.
Steve Yedlin, the cinematographer behind Knives Out and Star Wars: The Last Jedi, has released Chromagraph Camera, an iPhone-only app that applies his own film-grade color processing to still photos. The app shoots RAW image data and processes it after capture rather than relying on Apple's built-in camera pipeline, and costs a one-time $13 fee with no video support yet. It became the top paid app in the iOS store after director Rian Johnson promoted it on social media in late October.
Android Authority published a cost comparison examining when fixing a smartphone, such as replacing a battery or screen, remains cheaper than buying a new device, factoring in insurance and repair pricing. The piece was prompted partly by reports that a display replacement for Apple's new foldable iPhone could cost nearly as much as a new iPhone 18 Pro. It also notes that slowing year-on-year smartphone innovation and longer software support windows make older phones more viable to keep repairing.
Apple advises that dust or earwax blocking the tiny contact points in the AirPods case can prevent proper charging, often causing uneven battery levels between the two earbuds. The company recommends cleaning the case and earbuds with a lint-free cloth, optionally lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol, or a soft-bristled toothbrush with micellar water followed by a distilled-water rinse. If problems persist, Apple suggests resetting the AirPods via the iPhone's Bluetooth settings and reconnecting them as new devices.
Apple-focused troubleshooting guidance identifies drained batteries, dirty charging contacts, automatic device-switching between Apple devices, and outdated firmware as the main reasons AirPods fail to connect to an iPhone. The guidance recommends charging and cleaning the earbuds and case, checking iOS software updates, and verifying AirPods firmware version against Apple's published list to resolve the issue.