XPost: misc.phone.mobile.iphone

On Sun, 17 Aug 2025 16:26:50 -0400, Tom Elam wrote :

But why?
What's the strategic intent?

Android/Google does exactly the same thing, in spades! https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-features-3484159/

Even today Apple has not yet adopted Auracast in its ecosystem while
Android 16 has Auracast Broadcast audio support based on that report.

While Cloud compilation for app installs is a neat Android 16 idea based on that article, iOS apps are compiled and distributed via the App Store only.

Based on that cite, the Android 16 power button shortcut remaps hardware
for 3rd party apps, which a search says is impossible with iOS (is it?).

The Android 16 Advanced Protection Mode deep-level security toggles are not user configurable in iOS. And while iOS has remote lock via Find My, the
iOS version doesn't support dual-authentication lock states (AFAICT).

The Notification Cooldown is impossible on iOS, apparently, as iOS doesn't allow dynamic control over volume per app (just ask Steve about that).

The force-group notifications isn't allowed on iOS by developers, nor can third-party assistants execute app functions natively as the App Function
API (Gemini Extensions) allows in Android 16.

The Customizable keyboard shortcuts in Android 16 is a system-wide shortcut mapping which apparently iOS keyboard customizations severely lack.

The Android 16 Embedded photo picker with cloud search beats out iOS'
picker which restricts deep customization or cloud integration by
third-party apps.

While iOS ties regional settings closely to language and locale, the
Android 16 Measurement system customization is independent of language.

iOS supports vertical text in some contexts, but not with the same developer-level control as the new Android 16 Vertical Text support.

While iOS apparently restricts access to low-level ranging APIs, especially
for third-party apps, Android 16 allows generic ranging APIs (e.g., BLE,
UWB, Wi-Fi RTT).

And while iOS supports LE Audio iOS doesn't expose ambient volume controls
to users whereas Android 16 adds ambient volume controls for Bluetooth LE
Audio hearing aids.

Apparently iOS doesn't notify users about network-level security changes
like Secure Lock, while Android 16 adds Secure Lock Network notification.

The article talks about outline text for maximum contrast while
iOS doesn't offer system-wide text rendering customization.

Meanwhile, some Android 16 features resemble existing iOS capabilities,
such as Live Updates which is similar to iOS's Live Activities.

HDR screenshots, which is similar in that iOS supports HDR display but
doesn't save screenshots in HDR format.

Health records (FHIR) which is similar to Apple Health which supports
similar standards.

Anti-scammer safeguards during calls where Apple has some protections but
not as granular.

Automatically hiding sensitive notifications where iOS allows hiding notification previews but not dynamic redaction.


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XPost: misc.phone.mobile.iphone

On Sun, 17 Aug 2025 15:57:03 -0400, Tom Elam wrote :

Since iOS 26 is in beta this is hardly news. Many of the upcoming
features can be parsed out by beta testers.

What useful functionality has Apple added in iOS 26 from your perspective?

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XPost: misc.phone.mobile.iphone

On Tue, 19 Aug 2025 08:22:54 -0400, badgolferman wrote :

On 08/19/2025 07:07, Marion wrote:

On Sun, 17 Aug 2025 15:57:03 -0400, Tom Elam wrote :

Since iOS 26 is in beta this is hardly news. Many of the upcoming
features can be parsed out by beta testers.

What useful functionality has Apple added in iOS 26 from your perspective?

These seem useful:
- the Photos app is updated to feature separate tabs for Library and Collections views.
- In Safari, web pages flow from the top edge to the bottom of the
screen, enabling users to see more of the page while maintaining access
to frequently used actions like refresh and search.
- Shortcuts are now more powerful and intelligent than ever. Users can
tap into intelligent actions, a whole new set of shortcuts enabled by
Apple Intelligence,
- Call Screening builds on Live Voicemail and helps eliminate
interruptions by gathering information from the caller and giving users
the details they need to decide if they want to pick up or ignore the
call. And for the times when a user is stuck on hold, Hold Assist
notifies the user when a live agent is available.
- Carplay includes a new compact view for incoming calls, allowing users
to see who¢s calling without missing key information like upcoming directions.
- In Apple Maps, Visited Places help users remember the places they¢ve
been. Users can choose to have iPhone detect when they¢re at a place
like a restaurant or shop, and view all of their Visited Places in Maps. Visited Places are protected with end-to-end encryption and cannot be accessed by Apple.
- Parents can now create or move kids into Child Accounts even more
easily, taking advantage of a wide set of parental controls designed to
keep children safe.
- Browsing in Safari gets even more private with advanced fingerprinting protection extending to all browsing by default.

These do not:
- Genmoji and Image Playground provide users with even more ways to
express themselves, including mixing their favorite emoji, Genmoji, and descriptions together to create something new.
- The new design extends to the Home Screen and Lock Screen, making them
more personal and expressive than ever. Liquid Glass also brings new customization options to app icons and widgets, including a stunning
clear look.
- On the Lock Screen, the time fluidly adapts to the available space in
an image, and spatial scenes bring wallpapers to life with a 3D effect
when users move iPhone.
- iOS 26 also offers enhancements to conversations, including custom backgrounds and the ability to create polls. With Apple Intelligence, Messages can detect when a poll might come in handy and suggest one, and users can generate unique backgrounds that fit their conversation with
Image Playground.
- Apple Games is a new app that gives players an all-in-one destination
for their games.

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/06/apple-elevates-the-iphone-experience-with-ios-26/

Thanks for looking at what might be useful in iOS 26 for most of us.

I think it's nice that the Photo's app is now split between Library and Collections which makes navigating large photo libraries a tad easier.

Also Safari's edge-to-edge flow makes more content visible.

Adding AI to the shortcuts should help users who use the features.

Call Screening and Hold Assist should also tend to be useful.

CarPlay's compact call view might also be useful.

Visited Places in Apple Maps might help others remember where they've been.

Adding better fingerprint protection in Safari was needed, but ditching
WebKit altogether would be the most noble thing Apple could do for privacy.

I wish Apple didn't spend so much wasted energy on Genmoji, Liquid Glass,
and spatial wallpapers though. Same goes for Apple Games and custom
backgrounds in Messages. It's as if Apple forgot who their customer is.

:)

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