Uber Lays Off 3,300 Employees, Cuts Down on Middle Managers

Jibin Joseph — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 15:53:36 +0000

Micro teams of just one or two members have been cut down by 50%. Meanwhile, only 1% of Uber's total workforce will work remotely.

Uber is laying off 10% of its global workforce, or 3,300 people, to reduce managerial layers.

Impacted employees were notified of the change via email, while Uber published CEO Dara Khosrowshahi’s message to employees in a blog post.

“The changes we’re making today are designed to do …

Latest Android Feature Drop Helps You Keep Tabs on Items Without a Tracker

Rob Pegoraro — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 18:00:00 +0000

Google also puts Gemini Live to work in Android's Guided Vision tool to describe the things in front of you, and adds a setting to help people feel less motion sickness.

The lead item in Google’s latest Android feature drop enlists computer sensing and memory as a backup to the human version; specifically, for the parts you use to remember where you put things.

This update for Android 16 extends the

Uber Now Lets Parents Monitor Their Teen Through the Driver's Phone Camera

Jibin Joseph — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:15:52 +0000

If a driver opts in, parents can tap a notification and begin streaming their teen's ride.

If you’re worried about the comfort and safety of your teen during a cab ride, Uber’s new live video-streaming feature for teen accounts could help ease some of those concerns.

The feature began rolling out to select US markets on Tuesday and will …

Too Many Texts? 'Pigeon Messaging' Apps Aim to Slow Things Down

James Peckham — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 16:26:27 +0000

Carrier Pidge and Roost Social intentionally delay message delivery to emulate one of the oldest ways of communicating across long distances.

Modern technology has made our lives easier, but it also brings a barrage of notifications and the pressure to be available 24-7. If you're digitally detoxing or you find it difficult to cope with the quick back-and-forth of messaging services like iMessage or WhatsApp, a …

Is Your iPhone Annoyingly Slow? Clearing Hidden App Caches Might Fix It

Chandra Steele, Jason Cohen — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:28:21 +0000

Cache is all the data your phone stores locally, but it can build up over time and slow things down. Here's how to clear your cache and start fresh.

Is your iPhone feeling sluggish lately? If your web pages take forever to load, your phone's cache may be to blame. This data is collected as you visit websites and use apps, so it can deliver faster results. Your phone's cache makes using your devices more convenient, but over time—or …

Uber Aims For 1 Million Drone Deliveries Per Day By 2029

Michael Kan — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 14:28:25 +0000

The ride-hailing company is partnering with drone delivery provider Zipline to pull off the ambitious goal which will involve Uber Eats.

Uber is making a major push in drone delivery. On Monday, the company announced an ambitious goal “to reach one million drone deliveries per day by the end of 2029,” through a new partnership.

To pull this off, Uber is working with the drone delivery provider …

The Best Workout Apps for 2026

Jill Duffy, Gabriela Vatu — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 19:55:47 +0000

Trim down or bulk up, run faster, or bike farther—no matter how you exercise, our favorite workout apps help you stay committed to physical fitness.

How Much Should You Pay for a Workout App?

Most of the prices in this article are list prices, and that's not necessarily what you will pay. $25 per month is too high for a workout app. A good rate is between $10 and $15 per month, though it depends on …

Have You Set Up Your Digital ID Yet? How to Add Your Driver’s License and Passport to Your Phone

Tyler Hayes — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 17:25:07 +0000

Tired of pulling out your ID at the airport? You can add your driver's license and passport to your phone for easy scanning at TSA checkpoints and other supported locations.

From credit cards and car keys to event tickets and transit passes, your phone can now hold all the physical objects you once crammed inside a pocket, wallet, or purse. But did you also know you can add your state-issued driver's license and passport?

Several states …

Senators Call for Crackdown on Prediction Markets Allowing Wildfire Bets

Jibin Joseph — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 14:49:01 +0000

They argue such bets could tempt investors to commit arson to register wins.

Prediction markets have made it possible to wager on almost any future event, including election results and Elon Musk’s tweet frequency, but not every bet is well-received.

A group of US senators, led by Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), wrote to the …

Telegram: Extortionist Duped Apple Into Delisting Our App

Michael Kan — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:56:11 +0000

Telegram's CEO warns that the same tactic could be used on other iOS developers.

Apple’s decision to briefly remove Telegram from the App Store has been blamed on a blackmailer duping the company into executing a takedown, according to Telegram’s CEO.

“Extortionists have found a way to manipulate Apple into overreacting,” Pavel Durov tweeted.

On Monday, Apple abruptly delisted the

The Best iPad Apps for 2026

Jeffrey L. Wilson, Jordan Minor — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 10:00:31 +0000

Transform Apple's versatile tablet into a movie theater, PDF reader, or video editing station using our expertly curated list of apps for work or play.

I Changed These 8 Hidden iPhone Settings and Never Looked Back

Jill Duffy, Ruben Circelli — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:34:24 +0000

From killing accidental Live Photos to silencing Siri for good, these quick tweaks completely eliminated my biggest iOS headaches.

Apple's iOS changes in major ways every year, but some frustrating aspects still remain, such as annoying notifications, unnecessary clutter, and more. The good news is that these problems are easy to address with a quick trip to the Settings app. I've been using an iPhone …

Telegram's CEO Flips Russia the Bird After It Charges Him With Terrorism

Michael Kan — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 16:44:37 +0000

The Kremlin says Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has turned a blind eye to Ukraine using the messaging app to conduct sabotage and attacks inside Russia.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov is now on Russia's wanted list over Ukraine allegedly using the popular messaging app to entice Russian citizens into committing acts of sabotage and terrorism.

On Wednesday, Russia’s Federal Security Service announced that Durov …

Judge Moves to Dismiss Suit That Alleges WhatsApp's E2E Encryption Is a Sham

Michael Kan — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 21:41:23 +0000

The lawsuit 'contains no details about the factual basis for its allegations,' according to a judge, though she's giving the plaintiffs until Aug. 13 to produce evidence that could revive the case.

A judge has dismissed a lawsuit that alleged WhatsApp can secretly bypass end-to-end encryption to view users' messages due to a lack of evidence.

The lawsuit, filed in January, originally claimed that unnamed whistleblowers had uncovered WhatsApp’s ability to circumvent the encryption. But on …

Report: Uber Replaces 10% of Customer Service Staff With AI. What Could Go Wrong?

Jibin Joseph — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 17:15:40 +0000

Uber riders have long complained about unresponsive and ineffective customer service. How will firing human staff and replacing them with AI improve that?

The next time you reach out to Uber’s customer support, don’t be surprised if you receive an AI-generated response. In an effort to simplify operations, the company has laid off 10% of its customer service staff and is planning to replace them with AI, Bloomberg reports.

The …

Google Now Lets You Sign In With a Selfie Video: Here's How to Set It Up

Jibin Joseph — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:47:55 +0000

The selfie video offers an easy way to log in when you're away from your device or have forgotten your password. The video may also be used for age verification, Google says.

If you frequently forget passwords, Google's new optional sign-in method will let you sign in with a video selfie instead.

Instead of clicking the "Forgot Password" button every time you’re logged out of your account or away from your primary device, you can now set up your Google Account to accept …

WhatsApp Tips Easier (and Safer) In-Car Messaging, Adds 3 New Useful Features

James Peckham — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:27:25 +0000

This ‘refreshed’ experience is rolling out now for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, alongside new perks for mobile and desktop users.

Messaging people while you're driving is generally frowned upon, but WhatsApp is touting a "refreshed" version of the app for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay that will keep you in the loop without taking your eyes off the road.

A wave of updates, meanwhile, also brings new features to …

US Sanctions on Shady VPN Accidentally Take Down Telegram Link Shortener

Michael Kan — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 16:17:01 +0000

Telegram's t.me domain was suspended as a top-level domain provider worked to comply with a US Treasury crackdown on a VPN service used by ransomware groups.

Oops: a US crackdown on a shady VPN service accidentally shut down Telegram's t.me domain, which is used to shorten links sent to users and group chats.

On Monday, Telegram short links mysteriously became inaccessible as the t.me domain appeared to go offline. Domain records …

Sick of High Gas Prices? These Apps Will Show You the Cheapest Nearby Stations

Lance Whitney — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 18:49:52 +0000

Avoid sticker shock at the pump by using an app to find the cheapest gas prices in town.

Getting socked in the wallet each time you gas up your car? Prices have been on the rise since the US and Israel attacked Iran in late February, and while they've fluctuated based on the latest news, they remain high. I've seen the price per gallon hover between $3.40 and …

WhatsApp Launching Usernames This Year: Here's How to Reserve Yours Now

Jibin Joseph — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:38:18 +0000

The feature is intended to help you avoid sharing phone numbers with lesser-known contacts. WhatsApp says you won't be able to secure the name of a well-known public figure, though.

UPDATE 7/2: To prevent cyber-squatting, WhatsApp says "well-known names—like public figures, celebrities, and Meta-verified accounts" cannot be reserved, "so only their legitimate owners can claim them. No one will be able to reserve a well-known celebrity's name and try to sell it back to them," the company

Uber Tightens Up Background Checks on Drivers

Will Mccurdy — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 14:28:52 +0000

Uber is reportedly facing more than 3,000 lawsuits from passengers who say they were sexually assaulted during rides, according to estimates by The New York Times.

Uber is tightening up background checks on its drivers amid pressure from lawmakers in several states and a number of high-profile lawsuits.

Now, convictions for violent felonies of all types and crimes of a sexual nature will result in permanent bans from the platform. Stalking …

The Best iPhone Games for 2026

Jordan Minor, Jason Cohen — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 12:43:16 +0000

Lose yourself in a fun, new game you can play on your iPhone anywhere you go. Our editors' handpicked App Store favorites include everything from popular hits to niche gems.

Google Details Reduced Play Store Fees That Trim Its Take to 10% in Many Cases

Rob Pegoraro — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:25:37 +0000

Policy changes forced by Epic Games’ lawsuit leave Google taking a smaller bite of mobile-app transactions than Apple.

It has taken vastly longer than a fortnight for the lawsuit brought by Fortnite’s developer to compel some changes to Google’s Play Store, but that time has finally come.

On Wednesday, Google documented a series of reductions in the fees it charges developers for transactions in …

Google Wallet Adds a New Feature to Get You Through Airport Security Faster

Jibin Joseph — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:34:00 +0000

The digital wallet is adding an easier way to sign up for the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program. Once set up, you can get through security checks with just a facial scan.

If you hate standing in long airport security lines, a new feature coming to Google Wallet might help ease your travel anxiety.

Google this week announced its digital wallet will add support for TSA’s PreCheck Touchless ID program in …

Meta Reportedly Plans to Enter Prediction Market With Standalone 'Arena' App

Jibin Joseph — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:52:56 +0000

The rumored app will use virtual points instead of cash for bets, sources tell The New York Times.

Prediction markets are growing rapidly, and Mark Zuckerberg reportedly doesn’t want to miss out. The Meta CEO has assembled a team and asked them to create a standalone mobile app similar to Polymarket and Kalshi, The New York Times reports.

Meta’s rumored predictions …

Polymarket Reportedly Paid Creators for Videos Featuring Fake Bets, Winnings

Jibin Joseph — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:11:52 +0000

The creators reportedly used dummy websites created by Polymarket and did not disclose that they were paid by the platform.

If you were drawn to Polymarket by social media clips featuring users who share the bets they placed and the money they won, there’s a possibility that those videos weren’t authentic.

According to a Wall Street Journal investigation, Polymarket has been paying influencers to create and share …

The Best iPad Games for 2026

Jordan Minor, Jason Cohen — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 20:57:39 +0000

Why settle for a tiny iPhone screen when you can level up your experience? Go big and immerse yourself in our favorite iPad games.

Your Phone Has a Hidden Defense Against Scam Texts—And It’s Probably Turned Off

Kim Key — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 12:33:12 +0000

Your phone comes with built-in spam text protection, but it might be turned off by default. I'll tell you how to change that on both iPhone and Android.

Before I changed my phone's settings, I would get multiple texts each day from local political candidates, car warranty salespeople, health care assistance, and more. If that sounds familiar, your number was probably leaked following a data breach and ended up on a list on …

Update Now: WhatsApp Is Ending Support for Older iOS, Android Versions

Jibin Joseph — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:31:57 +0000

Soon, you'll need at least Android 6 or iOS 15.5 to keep WhatsApp running on your devices.

Meta is once again updating software requirements to run WhatsApp on Android and iOS devices. Starting Sept. 8, 2026, the app will only be supported on Android 6 or above. And starting Nov. 30, 2026, it will only be supported on iPhones running iOS 15.5 or newer.

WhatsApp’s system requirements are …

Google Photos Just Made It Way Easier to Securely Export Your Entire Library

Jibin Joseph — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:46:50 +0000

Takeout for Photos lets you schedule automatic exports for your new photos.

Google already lets you export your entire Photos library with Google Takeout. However, that takes a lot of time, data, and storage, so Google is making it easier to move pics at regular intervals.

With Incremental Takeout for Photos, you still need to export your entire library initially, but after that, …

The Best Weather Apps for 2026

Jordan Minor, Kim Key — Thu, 21 May 2026 12:00:42 +0000

You can't control whether the sun is shining, the rain is pouring, or the wind is howling, but these useful Android and iOS apps can help you prepare for Mother Nature's many faces.

Airbnb Goes Beyond Homes With Hotels, Airport Rides, Grocery Deliveries, More

Jibin Joseph — Thu, 21 May 2026 09:51:20 +0000

Airbnb is gradually turning itself into an all-in-one travel app. What's next, flight bookings?

Airbnb clearly wants travelers to book more than just a home stay on its app.

The company began expanding into additional services last year with bookings for chefs, trainers, hairstylists, and local experiences. This year, it's going even further to add support for hotel bookings, car …

Google Unwraps Plans to Put AI to Work for Android, Web Developers

Rob Pegoraro — Tue, 19 May 2026 17:45:00 +0000

New Play Store features aim to ease marketing and management burdens for app developers. But Google is focusing this vibe-coding venture only on a few app categories to start.

Google’s AI news at Google I/O didn’t stop at people who use Android and Chrome apps; the company also unveiled a wide-ranging set of AI tools for people developing those apps.

In the Play Store, the changes will have AI serving …

The Best Podcast Player Apps for 2026

Jill Duffy — Thu, 14 May 2026 20:59:01 +0000

Want something better than the stock podcast app on your phone to listen to your favorite shows and discover new ones? Check out the best podcast player apps we've tried.

WhatsApp Adds an Incognito Mode to Keep Your Chats With Meta AI Private

Michael Kan — Wed, 13 May 2026 15:50:44 +0000

With Incognito Chat with Meta AI, 'no one can read your conversation, not even us,' Meta says.

WhatsApp already supports end-to-end encryption, meaning not even its developer, Meta, can view your chats. So it may surprise you to hear the app is adding an “Incognito” mode focused on keeping your conversations with AI private.

The option could appeal to users worried about companies …

In Android 17, 'Gemini Intelligence' Can Automate Tasks Across Apps

Rob Pegoraro — Tue, 12 May 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Examples include booking a better spot in a spin class. It's one of several 'Android Show' announcements that cover spam calls, enhanced video recording, Android Auto, and more.

Android 17 is coming into focus now that Google has taken the wraps off much of its new mobile OS a week before Google I/O. While previous beta releases revealed architectural-level refinements, such as requiring app interfaces to adapt to …

WhatsApp Plus Subscription Is Reportedly Rolling Out to Select iOS Users

Jibin Joseph — Tue, 12 May 2026 08:30:10 +0000

The plan costs €2.49 per month in Europe and unlocks a set of premium stickers, themes, app icons, ringtones, and more.

UPDATE (5/12): After initiating a test for the WhatsApp Plus subscription on Android last month, Meta has now begun rolling out the premium tier to iOS users in select regions.

As WABetaInfo reports, some users can now purchase the subscription through the App Store. The plan …

The Best Android Apps for 2026

Jeffrey L. Wilson, Gabriel Zamora — Wed, 06 May 2026 19:11:35 +0000

The Google Play store has millions of apps. Some are great, many are duds. Our guide, which covers 13 key categories and 100 top apps, features the ones that deserve a place on your Android phone or tablet.

Samsung Messages Is Going Away Soon. Check Out Our Top Alternatives

Jibin Joseph — Mon, 04 May 2026 13:39:55 +0000

Samsung Messages is saying goodbye in July. Samsung recommends Google Messages, but we have a few other suggestions for Galaxy owners, too.

Have you been hanging on to Samsung Messages on your Galaxy phone? In July, you'll need to find a new way to send texts, check delivery updates, or receive 2FA codes.

"The Samsung Messages application will be discontinued in July 2026," says a note on Samsung's website. …

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This App Turns an iPhone Duo Into a Retro Walkman Cassette Player