Apple is actively gearing up for its next iteration, iOS 18, which could copy Samsung’s one of the convenient features named ‘Samsung Notes.”

The Notes app is not new for Apple, since it has been offering this app in iOS since the initial iPhone. To enhance the facilities within the app, for instance, the ability to insert images and tables, it has rolled out updates continuously. 

Despite all this, Apple’s Notes app is behind Samsung’s Notes app in terms of features. Now, the reports are saying that Apple, with the forthcoming iOS 18, could copy a feature from the Samsung Notes app. It is expected that Apple’s Note app in iOS 18 will permit users to record audio from within a note and add that file to the note. 

Samsung has already offered an audio recording feature in Samsung Notes on Android for some time now. With this feature, users would get the power to add more context to a note. If the reports are to be believed, the interface for recording audio in the Notes app will look the same as the interface of Apple’s Voice Memo application. 

The reports revealed that Apple’s Notes app in iOS 18 will also offer a feature named ‘Math Notes’ that will offer three convenient functionalities, which are as follows: 

• It could permit users to directly insert calculations from the Calculator app on the device into a note. 
• It will offer support for properly displaying mathematical notation to avoid calculation mistakes in notes. 
• It will permit users to write, type, and solve mathematical equations. 

Microsoft OneNote offers the same facilities, but under the name of Math Assistant. It appears that by adding Math Notes with the ability to record audio and attach audio files, Apple’s app could become an amazing tool for academics. On the other hand, Samsung Notes lacks Match Notes, but it is expected that soon the Korean giant will offer.

Google is setting up to introduce its next-generation Pixel devices, including the Pixel 9 lineup, Pixel Fold 2, and Pixel Tablet, all of which will arrive with a new cellular modem. 

Google, with its Pixel 7 series, has already jumped on Samsung modems from Qualcomm modems for their Pixel devices. This change corresponds with the Exynos base of the Tensor Processor by Google. Whereas the new modem is sufficient, it has issues with weak signal conditions and also consumes enough battery power.

Now, Google is gearing up to power the forthcoming Pixel 9 and other devices with an upgraded modem. The reports say that a few modem upgrades will arrive in the Pixel 9 series and will bring some essential upgrades, of which satellite connectivity is the most noticeable. 

However, that modem, which will be a part of Tensor G4, will still be provided by the Korean brand ‘Samsung’, and the new generation is signified as 5400, up from the 5300 coupled with Tensor G3. 

It is expected that the forthcoming Pixel Fold 2 and a new 5G Pixel Tablet nicknamed ‘Clementine’ could use the same modem as the Pixel 7 and 8 series. If the expectation comes true, then this will be the first Pixel Tablet with cellular connectivity. 

Pixel devices are getting a modem upgrade with the new 3GPP Rel. 17 standard, authorizing satellite connectivity for emergencies. At the moment, it appears that improvements are being made, but hardware changes are not clear yet. The satellite SoS through the “Satellite Gateway” application will be merged with the Emergency SOS; users will also have to answer questions about the situation, choose to notify contacts, and send messages to emergency services. 

The questions, which may have multiple-choice answers, are mentioned below: 

• What happened?
• [Are you, are they, or is everyone] breathing?
• In total, how many people are [missing or trapped]?
• What best describes your situation?
• What is on fire?
• Are there weapons involved?
• What type of vehicle or vessel?
• Do any of these apply?

It is expected that Google could shift to a TSMC-produced Tensor chip in 2025, but it’s yet to be clear whether the brand will change modems at that point. Tensor G4 is, beyond this modem, expected to be a relatively minor change.

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Google is all set to hold its annual I/O conference next month on May 14, 2024, at 10:30 PM IST in India, and is expected to get to hear more about Google’s Android XR since it has been promised “AR announcements” in a recent tweet. 

Android XR (Extended Reality) is a term that refers to AR (augmented reality), VR (virtual reality), and MR (mixed reality), and it is the operating system Google has been working on for Samsung’s forthcoming XR headset. The Korean giants revealed last year that they are working on their own XR headset and collaborating with Google on the software. 

Undoubtedly, Samsung Galaxy smartphones and laptops are the tough rivals of Apple’s iPhone and Mac, and the same expectations are from this headset that it will also take on the Vision Pro. Since people are already familiar with it, the Android-based operating system will surely make application development for Samsung effortless. 

A post by X shared by the official handle of Google AR and VR unveiled that “Mark your calendars. Join us at #GoogleIO on May 14th to learn about the latest developer products and #AR announcements!” 

VR has been mostly a recess for hobbyists; as per the Steam surveys, only a small percentage—nearly 2% of the player base—actively uses VR headsets. This means that out of 132 million users, there are only 2.6 million people who use VR. Somewhere, Apple’s entry into VR has also raised interest, and competition from Samsung’s forthcoming headset could be a trendsetter. 

Google appears to be making a move to solidify Android XR’s position as the OS of choice for XR headset manufacturers. A couple of weeks ago, Google tried to get Meta to switch to Android XR, but unfortunately, the request was denied.