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Apple details CarPlay customization options including iOS 26 widgets

Apple CarPlay users can rearrange app icons via their iPhone's Settings > General > CarPlay menu rather than the car display itself, and iOS 26 adds widgets for weather, calendar and clock with a Smart Rotate feature that swaps them automatically. Users can also adjust brightness with Automatic light/dark mode and customize wallpaper and icon colors through CarPlay's own Settings menu.

Discord begins automatic age-group sorting instead of mandatory ID or face scans

Discord has started automatically classifying users as Adult or Teen using signals like account age, server membership and activity levels, rather than requiring facial scans or ID checks upfront. Users who can't be confidently classified fall into an 'Unconfirmed' category and must verify their age via options such as credit card, app store accounts, Google Wallet, AgeKey, ID scan or video selfie. Discord says it won't read messages or calls to estimate age, won't display age groups publicly, and will require vendors to delete data after verification.

Apple removes user's Apple Intelligence opt-out after macOS 27 upgrade

A user who had disabled Apple Intelligence and Siri data-sharing features in macOS 15 found that upgrading to macOS 27 silently re-enabled these settings, removing the toggle that previously let them turn the feature off entirely. They also discovered Siri processes still running in the background, hidden opt-out controls buried under Screen Time parental restrictions, and 22.28 GB of storage consumed by Apple Intelligence components they never asked for.

iOS 27 bug shows persistent iCloud storage badge even with plenty of space free

A software glitch in iOS 27 and iOS 27.2 is causing the Settings app to display an unremovable red badge urging users to 'Activate iCloud Storage,' even when they already have ample space, including those on 2TB Apple One family plans. Tapping the alert only leads to the storage purchase screen and dismissing it does not clear the badge.

Google reworks Gemini app's Settings menu to mirror account switcher layout

Android Authority found code in Google app version 17.60.13.sa.arm64 showing an early redesign of Gemini's Settings screen. The new layout groups options in a style similar to the current account switcher, building on previously spotted plans to move settings out of that switcher and into categorized sub-screens like Preferences, Data & privacy, and others.

Apple's iOS 27 lets users dial back Liquid Glass and limit Siri's memory

Apple has released iOS 27, adding faster performance, AI-powered photo editing and an expanded Siri assistant that can search messages, emails and photos and act across apps, plus a standalone Siri app that saves conversations by default. Users who find the transparent Liquid Glass interface hard to read or dislike Siri's persistent memory can adjust these features through dedicated settings menus rather than being stuck with the defaults.

Samsung's side button hides customizable shortcuts beyond power and Bixby

Samsung quietly merged its old Bixby button into the side power button starting with the Note 10 series, giving the single button several default functions: short press for screen on/off, long press for Bixby, double press for camera, and combinations with volume buttons for screenshots and the power menu. Samsung allows users to remap nearly all of these actions through phone settings, including on older devices that still have a separate Bixby button.

Netflix muffled dialogue fix traced to audio format mismatch, not hardware

Many Netflix viewers experience inconsistent audio quality, with dialogue sometimes sounding distant or garbled on certain shows while others play fine. The root cause isn't a weak internet connection or poor TV speakers, but a mismatch between the audio format Netflix streams and the playback device's capabilities. Netflix says the fix typically involves a quick settings adjustment rather than new equipment or a support call.

Apple's CarPlay struggles when two paired iPhones are in one car

CarPlay allows multiple iPhones to be paired with a single vehicle, but only one can actively project the interface at a time. When a car mistakenly connects to a passenger's iPhone instead of the driver's, users must manually switch the connection through their infotainment system's Bluetooth or device menu.

Apple's iOS 27 lets users choose between new Siri AI and classic Siri

Apple's iOS 27 update, released September 14, includes an AI-powered Siri but does not activate it automatically. Users must join a waitlist through Settings to try the new assistant, and can revert to the classic Siri at any time.

Apple Music and Spotify offer built-in settings to boost iPhone audio quality

Apple Music and Spotify both include adjustable audio quality and equalizer settings that can noticeably improve sound on an iPhone. Users can raise streaming quality tiers in each app's settings menu, then fine-tune sound using built-in EQ presets or custom sliders. Volume normalization features like Apple's Sound Check and Spotify's Volume normalization can also be toggled to balance loudness across tracks.

Uber lets senior accounts operate independently, adds accessibility settings

Uber has updated its senior accounts feature to let older riders manage their own accounts without needing a linked family member, an option that was previously required. The update also introduces a new settings page letting seniors customize arrival signals, enable a simplified interface, and flag mobility aids like canes or walkers to drivers. Separately, Uber is piloting an 'Easy Entry Vehicle' option in nine unnamed markets for riders who need cars without a high step to enter.