Apps
The app economy continues to grow, having produced a record number of downloads and consumer spending across both the iOS and Google Play stores. Keep up with this fast-moving industry in one place, with the latest from the world of apps, including news, updates, startup fundings, mergers and acquisitions, and much more.
Privacy-focused search engine and web browser company Brave Software is integrating search results into its Leo chatbot. Search results are based on the Brave Search API and Leo is integrated…
Apple gives developers a way to nominate their apps for editorial consideration on the App Store
From a new Nominations dashboard in App Store Connect, developers will be able to create their nominations, either one by one or by uploading a spreadsheet to nominate apps in…
Spotify announces an in-house creative agency, tests generative AI voiceover ads
Spotify announced on Thursday that it’s venturing further into the ad space with its first in-house creative agency called Creative Lab, helping brands create custom marketing campaigns. It will also…
Here’s everything Apple announced at the WWDC 2024 keynote, including Apple Intelligence, Siri makeover
The TechCrunch team runs down all of the biggest news from the Apple WWDC 2024 keynote in an easy-to-skim digest.
Apple’s Spotlight Search gets better at natural language queries in iOS 18
With the Core Spotlight framework, developers can donate content they want to make searchable via Spotlight.
Apple announced a number of new features and updates onstage during its keynote address at WWDC 2024, including updates to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, VisionOS and the introduction of Apple Intelligence.…
WhatsApp adds new features to the calling experience, including support for 32-person video calls
WhatsApp updated the video calling experience across devices on Thursday by introducing screen sharing with audio support and a new speaker spotlight feature. It’s also increasing the limit for video…
Picsart, a photo-editing startup backed by SoftBank, announced on Thursday that it’s partnering with Getty Images to develop a custom model to bring AI imagery to its 150 million users. The…
After the Yahoo News app revamp, Yahoo preps AI summaries on homepage, too
Yahoo’s AI push isn’t over just yet. The company, also TechCrunch’s parent, recently launched AI-powered features for Yahoo Mail, including its own take on Gmail’s Priority Inbox and AI summaries…
Android is losing one of its long-time engineering leads. Dave Burke, VP of engineering at Android, said on Thursday that he is stepping down from the role after 14 years.…
To give users more control over the contacts an app can and cannot access, the permissions screen has two stages.
Here’s a list of third-party apps that were Sherlocked by Apple at this year’s WWDC.
Apple Watch is finally adding a feature I’ve been requesting for years
The ability to pause your activity rings is a minor feature update for most, but for those of us who obsess about such things to an unhealthy degree, it’s the…
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Why Apple is taking a small-model approach to generative AI
It’s a very Apple approach in the sense that it prioritizes a frictionless user experience above all.
Apple’s AI, Apple Intelligence, is boring and practical — that’s why it works
Some of the new Apple Intelligence features that Apple debuted at WWDC 2024 don’t even feel like AI, they just feel like smarter tools.
TikTok comes for Google as it quietly rolls out image search capabilities in TikTok Shop
After leading the social media landscape, TikTok appears to be interested in challenging Google’s dominance in search. The company confirmed to TechCrunch that it’s testing the ability for users to…
At last, Apple’s Messages app will support RCS and scheduling texts
These messaging features, announced at WWDC 2024, will have a significant impact on how people communicate every day.
Google’s June Pixel feature drop brings Gemini Nano AI model to Pixel 8 and 8a users
Google is finally making its Gemini Nano AI model available to Pixel 8 and 8a users after teasing it in March.
Apple adds win-back subscription offers and improved search suggestions to the App Store
At WWDC 2024, Apple introduced new options for developers to promote their apps and earn more from them in the App Store.
iOS 18 will be available in the fall as a free software update.
BeReal is being acquired by mobile apps and games company Voodoo for €500M
The acquisition comes as BeReal was struggling to grow its user base and was looking for a buyer.
AI news reader Particle adds publishing partners and $10.9M in new funding
Particle announced it has partnered with news organization Reuters to collaborate on new business models and experiments in monetization.
“We’re looking forward to doing integrations with other models, including Google Gemini, for instance, in the future,” Federighi said during WWDC 2024.
Watch the Apple Intelligence reveal, and the rest of WWDC 2024 right here
Apple kicked off its weeklong Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2024) event today with the customary keynote at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. The presentation focused on the company’s software offerings…
Apple brings its GenAI ‘Apple Intelligence’ to developers, will let Siri control apps
Apple’s SDKs (software development kits) have been updated with a variety of new APIs and frameworks.
Soon, Siri will be able to tap ChatGPT for “expertise” where it might be helpful, Apple says.
In addition to all the features you can find in the Passwords menu today, there’s a new column on the left that lets you more easily navigate your password collection.
Smart Script in iPadOS 18 will clean up your handwriting when using an Apple Pencil
With Smart Script, Apple says it’s making handwriting your notes even smoother and straighter.
iOS’ perennial tips calculating app is finally coming to the larger screen.
The new OS, announced at WWDC 2024, will allow users to mirror their iPhone screen directly on their Mac and even control it.
