Signal adds multi-device support on Android and iOS
Signal has announced an important feature that users have been requesting for many years. Up until now, it wasn’t possible to use the same Signal account on multiple Android devices. This was odd, because you could connect the mobile app to the Signal desktop app on Windows, Linux and macOS
This changed with the release of Signal 8.20 update for Android. It now allows users to link multiple Android devices to the same Signal account, even on Android tablets. The secure messaging service says that users may choose to sync their message history on the new phone or tablet they want to use Signal on. Optionally, users can also bring their saved media from the last 45 days. However, there is also an option to just link a device, and not sync past messages, should users prefer such an experience.
Signal says that it is also expanding linked device support on iOS, to allow users to add their account on iPads. The feature is currently rolling out as part of the Signal 8.22 update for iOS
Google Assistant to be replaced by Gemini on Android devices
Google is set to shutdown the Google Assistant app on Android devices. The app will be removed from phones, tablets, smartwatches, headphones, from September 4, 2026. But, the Mountain View company is not just removing Google Assistant, it is replacing it with the Gemini app
Android Auto users with Google built-in to their car will be able to continue using Google Assistant beyond September 4. However, Google is planning to bring support for Gemini to Google Home speakers and TV devices in the future
Google Assistant users are being notified via email about the upcoming change, and the feedback has not been positive. Several users have criticized the move, claiming that Gemini is inaccurate compared to Google Assistant, as it doesn’t pick up the requests correctly, which leads to frustration because the user has to repeat the request. Sometimes Gemini does not do what the user asked it to do. This experience makes the AI app tedious to use. Many people have also voiced their concerns about their requests being processed by the AI’s LLMs.
Disney Plus may get a free ad-supported tier
Disney has revealed that it is exploring options to introduce a free ad-supported tier to its video streaming service, Disney Plus. The news came from the company’s CEO, Josh D’Amaro, during an earnings call. It’s worth mentioning that Disney Plus’ basic tier is an ad-supported plan, but it’s not free. It costs $11.99 per month, while the ad-free experience costs $15.99/month
D’Amario said that a free ad-supported tier will not offer the same content as the paid plans, it will offer a limited selection that users can watch without paying. It is expected to help the platform grow in a market that is price sensitive. He also noted that it could help improve ad revenue growth. This could also provide a way to attract new users, who may want access to more content, and become premium subscribers
Disney also announced a partnership with TikTok, which will allow creators on the short-form video streaming platform to use scenes and characters from Disney’s library of movies and TV shows. In return, some Disney-centric TikTok videos will be available on Disney Plus’ new Verts tab
Microsoft says it is optimizing Windows 11 for 8GB RAM
Pavan Davuluri, the head of Windows, published an article on the Windows blog to highlight some upcoming improvements to the operating system
An interesting part of the article mentions that Microsoft is aiming to reduce Windows’ memory footprint. It wants to make the OS faster and more responsive for devices with 8GB of RAM and more. As noted by Chipp.in, it was two years ago, when the Copilot+ PC label was introduced, Microsoft set 16GB of RAM as the minimum system requirement for Windows 11
There is no question why it has decided to optimize Windows for older computers, the RAM shortage, and the ridiculously high prices that the memory chips are selling for. Building a new computer, or buying a new one is a costly endeavor right now. Microsoft itself had admitted that it doesn’t expect RAM prices to go down until Fall of 2027. That’s how bad the situation is, it’s not going to be easy if people can’t use their PCs anymore. So, it’s a good thing Microsoft is focusing on making Windows 11 run more efficiently on lower-end hardware.
Microsoft is also working on more taskbar customization, reducing disruption from Windows Updates, optimizing File Explorer, and more
Grand Theft Auto 6: An extended look will stream exclusively on Netflix
Rockstar Games and Netflix have entered a partnership to present an extended look at Grand Theft Auto VI. The video will be available exclusively for Netflix subscribers, on August 27
As you may know, Grand Theft Auto VI will be released on November 19 for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. To say that GTA 6 is the most anticipated game of the year is quite an understatement. Fans of the franchise have been waiting for a new game for 13 years. In fact, the hype surrounding the game is so high that it could actually drum up console sales, even in this AI-driven RAM shortage, which is being referred to as the RAM apocalypse
Still, despite all the hype, gamers were rather bemused to learn about the “timed-exclusivity” of the GTA 6 extended look video. It’s not just the fact that a game trailer is premiering on Netflix, the odd thing is locking the video behind Netflix’s paywall. Never before have we seen such a “timed-exclusive trailer” for a video game, so it’s natural that many people were surprised. It’s even more bizarre if you consider the fact that Rockstar will publish the same video on its YouTube channel and its own website, a mere 6 hours after it debuts on Netflix.
Rockstar is yet to reveal details about the PC version of GTA 6, but given the crazy marketing for the console versions, it’s probably fair to say we can expect more surprises down the road
