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Android Authority's poll of 1,144 readers found the floating Gemini button in Google Messages to be the most unpopular feature, drawing 48.6% of votes among five options. Respondents cited its prominent placement near the 'Start a new chat' button, which makes it easy to tap by accident, and its redundancy given Google's standalone Gemini app.
Apple has rolled out iOS 27.2, a software update for iPhones that adds new capabilities to Siri along with changes to FaceTime and Messages, plus bug fixes. The update is available now as a download for compatible iPhones.
Android Authority reports that Google's Pixel VIPs widget has been significantly upgraded, becoming more interactive with a new full-screen layout showing more contact information. Despite calling the update an improvement over the original Android 16 version, the outlet identifies several shortcomings, including limited third-party app support beyond WhatsApp and no ability to search notes attached to contacts.
Google Wallet recently switched from a horizontal scrolling card layout to a new vertically stacked design, and reports suggest further features like receipt scanning and agentic capabilities may be coming. An Android Authority columnist argues the new stacked layout makes it harder to distinguish similar-looking cards from the same bank, since it removed the alias text shown under each card previously.
An Android Authority writer switched from Google Messages to QUIK, an open-source SMS app descended from the discontinued QKSMS, after growing frustrated with Google Messages' rigid spam filter. The writer says Google Messages often misflags legitimate texts from banks and carriers as spam while letting real scam messages through, with no settings to adjust the behavior. QUIK, available via F-Droid, is described as a basic but functional SMS-only app without RCS support.
Android Authority identified an in-development update to Google Messages, found in version messages.android_20261020_00_RC00.phone.openbeta_dynamic, that reorganizes the app's single long settings list into separate categorized sections. Individual settings pages, such as those for RCS chats and SIM/country selection, are also being redesigned with new graphics and subdivided menus.
Google's Android 17 update introduces the ability to 'bubble' any app, not just messaging apps, keeping its icon floating on top of the screen for quick access. Users can place up to five bubbled apps along the left or right edge of the home screen by long-pressing an app and selecting the Bubble option. The feature currently works only on Pixel devices, though Google says it will expand to other manufacturers.
WhatsApp has begun rolling out a scheduled messages feature to select iOS beta testers, according to WABetaInfo, following its earlier debut on Android beta. Users can tap and hold the send button to open a date and time picker, scheduling messages from 10 minutes up to two weeks ahead, with confirmations visible only to the sender.
In a short essay, computer scientist Edsger Dijkstra critiques the idea of programming computers using natural human language instead of formal symbolic languages. He traces the history of programming languages, noting how high-level languages improved error detection compared to machine code, but argues that the underlying machines remain literal and unforgiving 'slaves' regardless of the language used. Dijkstra contends that proposals to let people instruct machines in their native tongue misunderstand the fundamental nature of programming.
Code found in the iOS 27.2 release candidate suggests Apple is developing a feature that would let muted Messages conversations be excluded from the app's unread badge count. The discovery was shared by Aaron Perris on X, and the feature does not appear to be shipping with iOS 27.2 itself.
Apple is preparing to release iOS 27.2 next week with updates to six built-in apps. Highlights include a revived 'Suggested Actions' feature in Messages, a new user-profile selector for the Apple TV app on iPhone and iPad, Group FaceTime support for Dual Capture's simultaneous front-and-rear camera feeds, and new smart-lock controls in the Home app including a 'Lock After Closing' option.
Apple's latest iOS 27.2 beta introduces three changes: granular settings to enable or disable specific Messages 'Suggestions' like calendar and reminder prompts, two new Home app options for smart locks covering auto-lock timing and door-left-open alerts, and a visual overhaul of the Music app that replaces its red branding with black-and-white icons and blue tab accents.