COMING TO A PHONE NEAR YOU Google introduces Advanced Protection mode for its most at-risk Android users A single flip of a settings button enables a host of defenses against hacking. Dan Goodin – May 13, 2025 4:31 pm | 27 Credit: Getty Images Credit: Getty Images Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only   Learn more Google is adding a new security setting to Android to provide an extra layer of resistance against attacks that infect devices, tap calls traveling through insecure carrier networks, and deliver scams through messaging services. On Tuesday, the company unveiled the Advanced Protection mode, most of which will be rolled out in the upcoming release of Android 16. The setting comes as mercenary malware sold by NSO Group and a cottage industry of other exploit sellers continues to thrive. These players provide attacks-as-a-service through end-to-end platforms that exploit zero-day vulnerabilities on targeted devices, infect them with advanced spyware, and then capture contacts, message histories, locations, and other sensitive information. Over the past decade, phones running fully updated versions of Android and iOS have routinely been hacked through these services. A core suite of enhanced security features Advanced Protection is Google’s latest answer to this type of attack. By flipping a single button in device settings, users can enable a host of protections that can thwart some of the most common techniques used in sophisticated hacks. In some cases, the protections hamper performance and capabilities of the device, so Google is recommending the new mode mainly for journalists, elected officials, and other groups who are most often targeted or have the most to lose when infected. “With the release of Android 16, users who choose to activate Advanced Protection will gain immediate access to a core suite of enhanced security features,” Google’s product manager for Android Security, Il-Sung Lee, wrote. “Additional Advanced Protection features like Intrusion Logging, USB protection, the option to disable auto-reconnect to insecure networks, and integration with Scam Detection for Phone by Google will become available later this year.” Advanced Protection screen in Android 16. Credit: Google Activating Advanced Protection enables a host of existing and new security features that take a defense-in-depth approach to locking down phones when in high-risk environments, such as border crossings, when targeted by repressive governments, or when connected to older carrier networks that lack modern-day anti-snooping defenses. The features include: The inability to connect to 2G networks, which lack encryption protections preventing over-the-air monitoring of voice and text-messaging communications No automatic connections to insecure Wi-Fi networks, such as those using WEP or no encryption at all The enabling of the Memory Tagging Extension, a relatively new form of memory management that’s designed to provide an extra layer of protection against use-after-free exploits and other memory-corruption attacks Automatically locking when offline for extended periods Automatically powering down a device when locked for prolonged periods to make user data unreadable without a fresh unlock Intrusion logging that writes system events to a fortified region of the phone for use in detecting and diagnosing successful or attempted hacks JavaScript protections that shut down Android’s JavaScript optimizer, a feature that can be abused in certain types of exploits In some respects, Advanced Protection is the Android equivalent of the Lockdown mode Apple built into iOS in 2022. The main idea in both is to reduce the “surface area” hackers can exploit by turning off non-essential components that are the most susceptible to hacking. In many cases, running iOS in Lockdown mode is indistinguishable from the normal mode. Advanced Protection is likely to behave the same way. Dan Goodin Senior Security Editor Dan Goodin Senior Security Editor Dan Goodin is Senior Security Editor at Ars Technica, where he oversees coverage of malware, computer espionage, botnets, hardware hacking, encryption, and passwords. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening, cooking, and following the independent music scene. Dan is based in San Francisco. Follow him at here on Mastodon and here on Bluesky. Contact him on Signal at DanArs.82. 27 Comments

Apple has released iOS 18.5, along with fixes for critical bugs and security flaws. Here's why you should update your iPhone now.

Join the Team That’s Changing the Game for Creators Everywhere!At Zencastr, we're redefining the future of podcasting by making high-quality, professional recording accessible to everyone. We believe that technology should empower creators, not complicate their process. Our mission is to build a platform that removes barriers and amplifies voices, no matter where you are in the world.But we're not just building software—we're building a culture of innovation, collaboration, and inclusion.How We Work & What We ValueAt Zencastr, we believe in:🔹 Empowering Creators – We build tools that make it easier for podcasters to share their stories with the world. Our work directly impacts creators, helping them turn their passion into sustainable careers.🔹 Innovation & Simplicity – Great software should feel effortless. We challenge the status quo to create intuitive, powerful solutions that remove friction from the creative process.🔹 Remote-First Culture – We embrace the future of work. Our team operates remotely, allowing us to hire the best talent from anywhere and maintain a flexible, results-driven environment.🔹 Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion – We actively foster a workplace where different perspectives are valued. We’re committed to equitable pay, veteran hiring, and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in tech.🔹 Growth & Development – We don’t just build products; we build careers. Through mentorship, upskilling, and internal promotions, we help our employees grow into leadership roles.🔹 Giving Back – We believe in making a positive impact beyond our platform. Zencastr supports community initiatives and encourages employees to contribute to causes they care about.Why Join Us?A mission-driven team that values creativity and collaborationA fully remote company with flexible work arrangementsCompetitive salary and benefits, including equity optionsOpportunities for career advancement and professional growthA chance to shape the future of podcasting technology

In the quiet streets of Tottenham, London, a modest 1970s clergy house has been reimagined as an environmentally conscious family home, cloaked in the textured warmth of cork. Known as Nina’s House, the transformation was led by design studio Nina+Co in partnership with ROAR Architects, demonstrating how regenerative materials and thoughtful design can be used to turn a passive facade into an engaging and high-performing community landmark. At the heart of this “deep retrofit” is cork, a material considered as poetic in its physical presence as it is powerful in its technical performance. Once cold and uninspiring, the building has been made to radiate warmth, curiosity, and intention, as it has been covered entirely in expanded cork panels. Dark, mottled, and tactile, this natural cladding is made to invite the hands of schoolchildren, the questions of neighbors, and the admiration of passersby. Designer: Nina+Co and ROAR Architects The use of cork in architecture represents a shift toward biomaterials that are both high-performing and sensorially engaging. As a material, cork combines sustainability with durability, offering a renewable alternative to synthetics while delivering superior insulation. It reduces the building’s embodied carbon and enhances its energy efficiency, making it a strategic material choice for climate-resilient design. Cork, which is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees, is known as a renewable and biodegradable material with strong insulation properties. In Nina’s House, expanded cork was chosen for its regenerative farming practices, zero synthetic binders, and minimal build-up requirements; no plastic membranes or toxic adhesives were included. Its low-impact manufacturing process uses only heat to expand the cork, further emphasizing its role in environmentally responsible construction. According to Nina Woodcroft, founder of Nina+Co, cork stands out as a natural material that is not only effective but also appeals to the senses. She emphasized her fascination with cork’s scent, feel, and sustainable story, noting that this project used cork for both function and visual impact. The house, she explained, was intentionally wrapped in a breathable and insulating material to offer both environmental performance and gentle street presence. Cork’s application at Nina’s House challenges the misconception that natural materials are limited to rustic or niche aesthetics. Instead, it demonstrates how cork can serve as a contemporary architectural finish, one that ages gracefully and contributes to long-term resilience. Rather than extend the home, the existing footprint was maximized. The ground floor layout was opened up, and the small garage and porch were brought into the thermal envelope, so that a sense of flow and cohesion was created. Budget was directed toward infrastructure: the gas supply was removed, underfloor heating and an air-source heat pump were installed, airtightness was improved, and all glazing was replaced with high-performance alternatives, including suspended film technology and triple glazing. Expanded cork was made to play a starring role both outside and in. On the facade, it is used as an insulating skin; inside, cork can also be seen in flooring, while walls have been finished with lime-based plaster containing cork granules. In areas where external insulation was not possible, these lime plasters were applied to provide an internal thermal buffer. The decision to leave some internal surfaces raw and sealed with a non-toxic glaze was made both for stylistic and economical reasons, so that practicality could be blended with beauty. Cork’s versatility enables it to be used beyond cladding. Its acoustic properties make it ideal for interior finishes, especially in homes that aim to be peaceful and meditative. It also helps regulate humidity and temperature indoors, supporting healthier living environments. Throughout the house, reclaimed and local materials have been used to reflect a low-waste, high-value design ethos. Pine floorboards that were removed for structural work were reworked into ceiling cladding. A statement kitchen island, designed by Woodcroft, was crafted by local artisans from a London Plane tree that had been felled in Soho Square, an urban tree that was given new life by the organization Fallen & Felled. The kitchen also features recycled plastic countertops, by which the home’s dedication to circularity is echoed. All joinery was made ultra-locally using British Douglas Fir tri-ply board, thereby showing how sustainable design can be used to support local economies while reducing carbon impact. The cork cladding is expected to last between 15 to 25 years. When its surface has weathered, lime render will be applied over it, so that its life can be extended while its appearance is subtly altered. This long-term approach reflects a preference for resilience over superficial finishes. Cork’s biodegradability also ensures that it can return safely to the earth at the end of its lifecycle, reinforcing the circular logic behind its use. In total, Nina’s House measures 112 m² (1,206 ft²), modest in scale but grand in vision. Its open-plan layout has been designed to support a young family’s dynamic lifestyle, with zones for connection and quiet being offered. Movement, gathering, and even dancing are encouraged, so that sustainability can be felt less like a constraint and more like freedom.The post This 1970s House Gets a Sustainable Cork Makeover And It’s Disrupting London Architecture first appeared on Yanko Design.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Google reveals several new safety features coming to Android users Pradeep Viswanathan Neowin @pradeepviswav · May 13, 2025 21:10 EDT Along with the official launch of the Material 3 Expressive design language, Google today revealed several new safety and security features coming to Android users, including improved AI-powered Scam Detection, a revamped Find My Device experience, and more. Google launched AI-powered Scam Detection last year to block suspicious package delivery and job-seeking scams for Google Messages users. Today, Google announced that the AI-powered Scam Detection can now detect dangerous crypto and financial scams, toll road scams, gift card scams, and more. Even with this expanded scam detection coverage, this feature works completely offline on an Android device. When you are on a phone call, Android now has new in-call protections that will prevent users from performing the following: Disabling Google Play Protect, Android’s built-in security protection, which is on by default and continuously scans for malicious app behavior, no matter the download source. Sideloading an app for the first time from a web browser, messaging app, or other source – which may not have been vetted for security and privacy by Google. Granting accessibility permissions, which can give a newly downloaded malicious app access to gain control over the user's device and steal sensitive/private data, like banking information. To identify scammers who try to impersonate someone, Google has come up with a new tool called Key Verifier. This new feature offers a visual way for users and their contacts to easily confirm that their public keys match before starting their conversation. This new tool will be available later this summer in Google Messages on Android 10+ devices. Google is improving the theft protection feature that was launched last year. With the upcoming update, Android will restrict all functionalities on devices that are reset without the owner’s authorization. Android will also improve the Remote Lock feature with a new security challenge question to prevent unauthorized actions by thieves. Android's Find My Device app allows users to easily locate their devices and tagged items. Google is rebranding Find My Device as Find Hub with support for more compatible devices and Bluetooth tags. For devices and carriers with satellite connectivity, Find Hub will help users stay connected even when the mobile network is unavailable. Similar to iOS, Android will also get the ability to easily share your Bluetooth tag's location with airlines early next year to locate your lost baggage. Finally, Google is improving the Advanced Protection feature with the release of Android 16. New improvements include Intrusion Logging, USB protection, the option to disable auto-reconnect to insecure networks, and integration with Scam Detection for Phone by Google. Tags Report a problem with article Follow @NeowinFeed

Using advanced medical algorithms, researchers have identified six breast texture patterns that may indicate a high risk for breast cancer. In a new study, one of the largest of its kind, published in the journal Radiology, a research team analyzed the mammograms of over 30,000 women and condensed the information down into six phenotypes. With this new information, the research team hopes to improve breast cancer screening and prevention. Breast Tissue PatternsFull-field digital mammography (FFDM) images in a 52-year-old woman show a high-risk phenotype (top), and FFDM images in a 58-year-old woman show a low-risk phenotype (bottom). The high-risk phenotype was defined by having high values of the first principal component (PC1) and was assigned to cluster 3 (top row), and the low-risk phenotype was defined by having low values of the PC1 and was assigned to cluster 1 (bottom row). The index images (left side; before any diagnosis of cancer) are provided as well as follow-up images obtained at either the time of cancer diagnosis (for the high-risk phenotype, top right) or at the last follow-up (low-risk phenotype, bottom right). The red circle indicates the location of subsequent breast cancer. Both women had a Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System breast density of C. The woman at high risk for breast cancer was Black and the woman at low risk for breast cancer was White. (Image Credit: Radiological Society of North America (RSNA))For those with denser breast tissue, meaning the breast contains more glandular tissue instead of fatty tissue, detecting cancer with a mammogram can be more difficult. This is because dense tissue and cancer growth can look similar in the mammogram image, as each appears white. Those with dense breast tissue also have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. To make matters more difficult, women with similar dense breast tissue could actually have different tissue patterns. However, understanding these breast tissue patterns and characteristics could lead to improved monitoring and discovery of breast cancer. “We hypothesized that some patterns or phenotypes would be associated with a high risk of future breast cancer and suggest which women may benefit from supplemental screening or prevention strategies,” said Celine M. Vachon, Ph.D., a professor of epidemiology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and one of the lead study authors in a press release. “Other phenotypes could be associated with low risk, ultimately, suggesting less frequent screening.”Breast Cancer Algorithms and Medical Images For this study, the research team used radiomics — a method that uses data algorithms to extract information from a medical image — on mammograms from over 30,000 patients from three different cohorts. The patients didn’t have a prior history of breast cancer. The radiomics pulled patterns and characteristics in the breast tissue that weren't often visible to the human eye. From the information, the radiomics pulled 390 features and separated them into six different phenotypes. The research team then applied these phenotypes to 3,500 patients, some of whom had developed breast cancer and some of whom had not. The results found that these phenotypes were associated with a higher risk of breast cancer in both Black and white patients. “We were surprised to find that these radiomic phenotypes showed suggestion of a stronger risk among Black vs. white women,” said Despina Kontos, Ph.D., Herbert and Florence Irving Professor of Radiological Sciences and chief research information officer at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and study co-author, in a press release. “This is particularly important as breast cancer tends to be more aggressive in Black women, highlighting the need for novel risk factors in this population.”Making Breast Cancer Detection More Accurate According to the study, these phenotypes could cause a patient’s mammogram to come back as a false negative, meaning the cancer diagnosis was missed. “Understanding who is at greatest risk of invasive breast cancer, especially the most aggressive types, is crucial for preventing cancer and diagnosing it early for potentially the choice of less intensive treatments,” said co-senior author Karla M. Kerlikowske, M.D., professor of medicine and epidemiology and biostatistics at University of California San Francisco in a press release. The team plans to implement these findings into other applications that could help more accurately detect breast cancer and decipher who is more at risk. “Our next steps include extending our investigations to larger groups of women in the U.S. population, especially examining 3D mammograms, and combining these radiomic risk factors with genetic and other lifestyle factors to improve our ability to define who is (and who is not) at increased risk of invasive breast cancer,” Vachon said in a press release.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:A graduate of UW-Whitewater, Monica Cull wrote for several organizations, including one that focused on bees and the natural world, before coming to Discover Magazine. Her current work also appears on her travel blog and Common State Magazine. Her love of science came from watching PBS shows as a kid with her mom and spending too much time binging Doctor Who.

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More Productivity platform Notion is betting on large language models (LLMs) powering more of its new enterprise capabilities, including building OpenAI’s GPT-4.1 and Anthropic’s Claude 3.7 into their dashboard. Even as both OpenAI and Anthropic start building productivity features into their respective chat platforms, bringing these LLMs into a separate service shows how competitive the space is.  Notion announced its new all-in-one AI toolkit inside the Notion workspace today, including AI meeting notes, enterprise search, research mode and the ability to switch between GPT-4.1 and Anthropic’s Claude 3.7. One of the new features lets users chat with LLMs inside the Notion workspace and switch between models. Right now, Notion only supports GPT-4.1 and Claude 3.7. The idea is to reduce window and context switching. The company said early adopters of the new feature include OpenAI, Ramp, Vercel and Harvey.  Model mixing and fine-tuning Notion built the features with a mix of LLMs from OpenAI and Claude, and its own models.  The move away from pure reasoning models makes the model choice interesting for Notion. GPT-4.1 is technically not a reasoning model, while Claude 3.7 is a hybrid model— capable of acting as a regular LLM and a reasoning model.  Reasoning models are having a moment, though many warn that these models can still sometimes lie. However, while reasoning models like OpenAI’s o3 (and yes, Claude 3.7 Sonnet) take their time to answer, going through different scenarios, they are not the best for quick thinking and data-gathering tasks. Many productivity tasks, like meeting transcriptions or searches for task data, don’t need the power of a reasoning model behind them.  Sarah Sachs, Notion AI Engineering Lead, told VentureBeat in an email that the company aimed for features that didn’t sacrifice accuracy, safety and privacy, along with responding to queries in the speed enterprises need.  “In order to achieve a low-latency experience, we fine-tuned the models with internal usage and feedback from trusted testers, in order to make the AI specialized in Notion retrieval tasks,” Sachs said. “This setup helps Notion AI understand business needs, give relevant answers, serve customers with sub-second latency, and keep customer data safe and compliant.” Sachs said hosting and building with different models allows users to “pick the option that best fits their needs— whether that’s a more conversational tone, better coding capabilities, or faster response times.” AI meeting notes and more Notion AI for Work tracks and transcribes meetings for users, especially if they added Notion to their calendar, and it can listen in on calls.  Users can use Notion for enterprise search by connecting apps like Slack, Microsoft Teams, GitHub, Google Drive, Sharepoint and Gmail. Sachs said Notion AI will search an organization’s internal documents, databases and the connected apps.  The enterprise search results, along with other uploaded documents or a web search, allow Notion users to access the new Research Mode. It will draft documents directly from Notion while “analyzing all of your sources—plus the web—and think through the best response.” Notion also added both GPT-4.1 and Claude 3.7 as chat options. OpenAI noted that Notion users can chat with GPT-4.1 on the workspace and create a Notion template directly from the conversation. Sachs said the company is working on adding more models to its chat feature.  Subscribers to Notion’s Business and Enterprise plans with the Notion AI add-on get immediate access to the new features.   Compete with the model providers Even though Notion users can access both Anthropic and OpenAI on the platform, Notion still has to compete with model providers.  OpenAI’s Deep Research has been hailed as a game-changer for agentic retrieval augmented generation (RAG). Google also has its version of Deep Research. And Anthropic can search the internet for you.  Not to mention, Notion needs to compete with other platforms that already leverage AI. The meeting space is chock full of companies tracking, transcribing, summarizing and pulling insights from calls with AI. However, Notion’s big selling point is that it has all these capabilities on one single platform. Enterprises can use all those different services but live outside their chosen productivity platform. Notion said having all of these features in one place, with one all-in-one pricing, will save enterprises from subscribing to different platforms.  Daily insights on business use cases with VB Daily If you want to impress your boss, VB Daily has you covered. We give you the inside scoop on what companies are doing with generative AI, from regulatory shifts to practical deployments, so you can share insights for maximum ROI. Read our Privacy Policy Thanks for subscribing. Check out more VB newsletters here. An error occured.

Apple (Nasdaq:AAPL) has spent decades making sure everyone can use its hardware, which is why the company regularly celebrates Global Accessibility Awareness Day with news about upcoming improvements in its operating systems. This year’s collection is particularly compelling, including a tool to let you read real-time Live Captions of conversations taking place around you using your Apple Watch, enabling people with poor hearing to engage more actively during meetings. The company announces a raft of new accessibility features in the weeks prior to WWDC each year. This year is a bit of a feature jamboree, with a host of new accessibility tools promised in Apple’s devices when iOS 19 and macOS 16 ship later this year. The company has invested in accessibility for 40 years, ever since 1985. What Apple said “At Apple, accessibility is part of our DNA,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook. “Making technology for everyone is a priority for all of us, and we’re proud of the innovations we’re sharing this year. That includes tools to help people access crucial information, explore the world around them, and do what they love.” “Building on 40 years of accessibility innovation at Apple, we are dedicated to pushing forward with new accessibility features for all of our products,” said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives.  Accessibility Nutrition Labels on the App Store The big new addition this year, Accessibility Nutrition Labels, are similar to the Privacy Nutrition Labels Apple introduced some years ago but focused on accessibility. These labels will show you which of Apple’s accessibility tools (including Voice Over, Reduced Motion, and many more) the app supports. The idea is to help consumers identify those apps most suitable for their needs. “These labels will give people with disabilities a new way to easily make more informed decisions and make purchases with a new level of confidence,” said Eric Bridges, the American Foundation for the Blind’s president and CEO. Apple A Mac surprise In a really interesting use of iPhone Continuity Camera, Apple is bringing the Magnifier app to the Mac. Magnifier has been available on iPhones since 2016; it helps users zoom in, read text, and detect nearby objects. Now it works with the Mac using Continuity Camera to take images from the iPhone or using an attached USB camera. You might use this feature to read a whiteboard during a presentation, or to read documents using Desk View. The tool lets you adjust brightness, contrast, color filters, and even perspective to make text and images easier to see. New tool: Accessibility Reader The all-new Accessibility Reader tool takes text from the world around you, digitizes it and makes it available to you in a legible on-screen format. It’s a new system-wide reading mode designed to make text easier to read for users with a wide range of disabilities, such as dyslexia or low vision, and it can speak the content. You can launch Accessibility Reader from any app, and you’ll find it in the Magnifier app. Apple Live Captions on Apple Watch Given we recently learned Pope Leo XIV wears an Apple Watch, it’s not inconceivable he might use Live Captions with watchOS 11. It’s based on Live Listen on your iPhone, which uses your microphone to stream conversation directly to AirPods and Made for iPhone hearing aids. Live Listen controls will now be available on an Apple Watch when a session is active on iPhone, meaning users can view Live Captions on their watch of what their iPhone hears while listening along to the audio. You can also start and stop Live Listen sessions or jump back in a session to pick up on something you missed. The idea here is that you’ll be able to place your iPhone near the person/people you need to listen to and then hear, read, and control the Live Listen session from across the room. This will be invaluable for students with hearing problems, or anyone with a memory that favors written words above spoken speech.  They are particularly invaluable when used with Assistive Touch. Braille Access Apple’s new tools for braille turn any Apple device into a full-featured braille note taker. There’s a built-in app launcher, which makes it easy to open any app by typing with Braille Screen Input or a connected braille device. Once you’ve opened it, you’ll be able to take notes in braille and perform calculations using Nemeth Braille, a braille code often used in classrooms for maths and science. Braille Access will also open Braille Ready Format (BRF) files, unlocking books and files previously created on a braille note-taking device. But perhaps the most interesting feature is that, thanks to Live Captions, it’s possible to transcribe conversations in real time directly on braille displays. Brain Control This will become more important in down the road. For users with severe mobility disabilities, iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS will add a new protocol to support Switch Control for Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs), an emerging technology that allows users to control their device without physical movement. The neural link is getting closer. Apple Vision Pro There’s some interesting accessibility features coming for visionOS. These include the capacity to magnify everything in view, including surroundings. For VoiceOver users, Live Recognition uses on-device machine learning to describe surroundings, find objects, read documents, and more. There is one more thing, ostensibly only available to accessibility developers: a new API will enable approved apps to access the main camera to provide live, person-to-person assistance for visual interpretation in apps like Be My Eyes, giving users more ways to understand their surroundings hands-free. My take? The digitization of daily life is accelerating. Many more features There are more than a dozen improved accessibility features on the way. For example, the setup period for Personal Voice has been reduced to just one minute, rather than overnight; Sound Recognition can also now alert users when their name is called; and Voice Control introduces a new programming mode in Xcode. There are lots of smaller improvements, including a new way to temporarily share your own accessibility settings with another device. Apple Services Apple is also celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness day with a range of initiatives across the company. Apple stores will offer displays and training on accessibility features while Apple TV+ shares a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the new Apple Original film Deaf President Now!, which premieres on Apple TV+ May 16. Apple Books, Apple Podcasts, Apple TV, and Apple News will spotlight stories of people with disabilities and those who are working to make the world more accessible for everyone. The company has also published new how to videos for some of its existing features on YouTube. You can follow me on social media! Join me on BlueSky,  LinkedIn, and Mastodon.

Macworld Apple is expected to show off a whole new look for iOS 19 at WWDC on June 9, but before that day arrives, the company is previewing some of the features that won’t make it into the keynote. On Tuesday, Apple spotlighted several new accessibility features arriving for the iPhone this year. First and foremost, the App Store will now have Accessibility Nutrition Labels, which will “give users a new way to learn if an app will be accessible to them before they download it, and give developers the opportunity to better inform and educate their users on features their app supports.” Similar to the existing  Privacy Nutrition Labels introduced in iOS 14, the new section on product pages will show whether the app supports important Accessibility features such as VoiceOver, Voice Control, Larger Text, Sufficient Contrast, Reduced Motion, captions, and more. Also coming in iOS 19 is Braille Access, which turns your iPhone into “a full-featured braille note taker that’s deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem.” Apple says iPhone users will be able to use Braille Access to “quickly take notes in braille format and perform calculations using Nemeth Braille, a braille code often used in classrooms for math and science.” Also new this fall will be Accessibility Reader, a new reading mode that gives users greater customization with “extensive options for font, color, and spacing, as well as support for Spoken Content.” Other new features include Name Recognition, a new features part of Sound Recognition for users who are deaf or hard of hearing to know when their name is being called; support for Large Text in CarPlay; and more customizable Music Haptics with with the option to experience haptics for a whole song or for vocals only, as well as the option to adjust the overall vibration intensity. The first developer beta of iOS 19 is expected to arrive on June 9, with the general release coming in September.