GoKawiil
Tech News
Apple's iOS 27 update brings changes to Focus mode, the feature that lets iPhone users control which notifications they receive during specific activities like work or sleep. Users can still activate modes via Control Center or customize settings under the Focus menu in Settings, but the update introduces refinements to how these modes function.
Google is rolling out a new way to trigger the Sidekick overlay in Play Games, letting users open it directly from the notifications panel instead of relying solely on the onscreen drag handle. The option appears under Settings > General > Google Play Games as 'Configure Sidekick access,' alongside the existing in-game-only setting. Evidence also points to a double-tap activation method still in development.
A new device called Minimal Phone 2 is being positioned around statistics showing people average 186 phone pickups, 4.5 hours of screen time, and 152 notifications daily. The product's messaging frames modern smartphones as engineered to maximize engagement through feeds and alerts rather than genuine utility.
A product commentary argues that consumer financial apps repeatedly default to building generic 'document hub' and 'notifications centre' features to satisfy internal stakeholders and legacy compliance needs. The author says these features start simple but balloon into complex, Google Drive- or Gmail-like systems requiring ongoing maintenance and security work. The piece frames refusing to build such features as one of the most important product decisions a team can make.
Google is rolling out its Scam Detection feature to preview notifications on Pixel devices, extending the protection beyond just calls and messages to more countries. However, the most advanced version of the feature, which offers deeper analysis, remains limited to users in the United States.
iOS 27 brings a new 'Recurring' section to Apple Card in the Wallet app, letting users see predicted subscription and recurring charges in calendar or list form. The update also adds optional notifications that warn users ahead of upcoming recurring charges, plus a redesigned Apple Pay checkout screen with clearer shipping and billing details.
Apple's Control Center houses both Do Not Disturb and Focus modes, with Do Not Disturb actually functioning as one type of Focus alongside Personal, Work and Sleep options. Users can customize each Focus mode individually, choosing exactly which apps and contacts can send notifications while that mode is active. Setup happens through Settings > Focus, where filters, smart activation and time-sensitive notification exceptions can also be configured.
Some iOS users reported that Nest camera and doorbell alerts stopped appearing on their iPhones over the past several days, even though the app still logged the events when opened manually. Google has confirmed it identified the cause and deployed a fix, apologizing for the delayed communication about the issue.
Windows 11 users can build their own scheduled notifications using the built-in Task Scheduler tool, without installing any extra software. By creating a basic task, choosing a recurrence pattern, and entering a message via the 'msg' program with custom text, users can trigger personalized reminders at set times or events.
New research and workplace analysis argue that the standard eight-hour workday does not translate into eight hours of genuinely productive effort, as constant notifications, emails and meetings crowd out meaningful tasks. The piece contends that not all work hours carry equal value, and that rising expectations for output—now amplified by AI tools—mask how little of the workday is actually spent on high-value activity.
Apple has warned users of possible mercenary spyware targeting since 2001 via email, iMessage, and account banners. Since September, these threat notifications now also appear directly on a device's Lock Screen and in Settings, making them far more difficult to overlook. The alerts signal potential targeting by commercial surveillance tools from firms like NSO Group, Paragon, or Cytrox, but do not confirm a successful attack or identify the attacker.
Google is developing several unreleased interface upgrades for Gemini, discovered in Google app version 17.52.12.sa.arm64. The changes include splitting Pinned chats into their own section separate from Recents, adding a dedicated Notifications area, introducing filters for finding past chats, and a Customize section for managing Gemini Spark's Skills and Apps. A new setting would also let users hide Gemini's icon from the status bar.