iOS apps

An iOS developer is weighing whether the growing demand for AI computing power will ultimately be met on devices or in data centers, saying they push as much processing on-device as possible for privacy and cost reasons. They note Apple is betting on on-device AI, but argue frontier models keep getting bigger, and are asking where others think the balance will land.

Truecaller has launched a new tool called Scam Checker, designed to help users detect fraud attempts. The feature lets users check links, phone numbers and suspicious messages for signs of scams such as phishing. The tool is being discussed in connection with both iOS and Android versions of the app.

A tech user is questioning why iOS does not support multiple user profiles, saying they rely on Android's user accounts feature to separate daily use from testing. Android has allowed multiple users on one device for years, useful for work-life separation or app testing, while iPhones remain restricted to a single user profile. Others online are debating whether Apple's omission is a real limitation or rarely needed by most users.

Apple has released TestFlight 4.4, an update to the app developers use to distribute beta versions of their software. The new version adds landscape orientation support and resizable iPhone mirroring, giving testers and developers more flexible ways to view and interact with beta apps during testing sessions.

Reservations Group, the company formerly known as Hotelplanner, has released its AI-powered travel booking app on both iOS and Android. The move puts an artificial intelligence assistant for finding and booking accommodation directly in travellers' pockets. The rebrand to Reservations Group signals a broader ambition beyond hotel booking, though the company has not detailed how the AI differs from rival booking tools.

Google's Firebase SDK for Apple app development, hosted under the firebase/firebase-ios-sdk repository, is receiving renewed attention among developers. The open-source toolkit lets iOS, iPadOS and macOS developers integrate Firebase services such as analytics, authentication and cloud messaging into Apple platform apps. Developers appear to be revisiting the project's codebase, which is primarily written in C++ and Objective-C, amid ongoing mobile development activity.

The iOS app Network-Doctor reads out the sync rates of home routers and compares them with actual Wi-Fi throughput, supporting FRITZ!Box, Speedport, Vodafone Station, EasyBox, O2 HomeBox and UPnP routers without requiring access credentials. Each finding comes with measured values, helping users see whether slow Wi-Fi stems from the router connection or the wireless link itself.

iOS 27 is reported to bring new actions to the Shortcuts app, expanding automation options on iPhone. Details are limited so far, with attention focused on which devices and users will be able to access the new actions once the update rolls out.

Google has resolved a problem that caused thousands of iPhone apps to crash suddenly overnight. The disruption, linked to Google's services used by many iOS applications, hit users worldwide before the company deployed a fix. Developers and users reported apps failing to load until Google corrected the issue, restoring normal function.

Meta has launched Forum, a new app available on Android and iOS that transforms Facebook Groups into a standalone community experience. The move signals Meta's continued push to make Groups a central part of its social ecosystem. Tech outlets are covering the release, though details on features and rollout remain limited in early reports.

SwitchBot looks set to launch a new smart home hub called the AI Hub Show, which may include a built-in display. The find comes from an analysis of the company's Android and iOS apps, where references to the unreleased device were uncovered. Details such as pricing and release timing are not yet known.

The Internet Archive is directing people to its guide for donating books through its app on iOS and Android. Supporters sharing the link frame it as a way to contribute physical books for preservation and digitization, with references to 'Fahrenheit 451' underscoring the archive's mission of saving texts from loss or destruction.

Reflect, an open-source note-taking application structured around Markdown folders, has been released to the public. The app supports wiki-style linking between notes and is available on MacOS and iOS under the MIT license. It is being shared among Japanese-speaking users interested in knowledge management, with discussion taking place on bookmarking and social platforms.

iPhone users are asking about the small chain link icon that can appear on their screens. The symbol indicates a hyperlink: tapping text or an image marked with it will open a linked webpage or app. Interest in the icon stems from casual iPhone owners encountering it without knowing its function, prompting tech outlets to publish simple explainers on basic iOS interface symbols.

Japanese radio streaming service Radiko has released version 8.4.9 of its iOS app, fixing a bug that stopped the app from launching after a previous update. The new version also adds an option to hide the chapter feature, which displays AI-generated transcriptions and summaries of programs. Users who were affected by the startup crash can update through the App Store.