Apple and Google commonly roll out new variations of their smartphone software program with recent and helpful options. However between the annual overhauls and the smaller periodic revisions, it may be arduous to maintain monitor of the adjustments.
For those who haven’t poked round, listed here are some instruments from the previous few updates that may assist prevent time.
Take Management
In final fall’s iOS 18 replace, Apple redesigned its iOS Management Middle so it may be custom-made in granular element. Simply open the Management Middle, both by swiping down from the highest proper nook of the display (in case your telephone makes use of Face ID) or by swiping up from the underside (in case you have a Contact ID mannequin).
Subsequent, faucet the + button within the upper-left nook of the display. Now you possibly can resize, rearrange or take away icons. Faucet Add a Management on the backside of the display to pick new icons from the gallery. (Some put in controls, just like the Clock and the Digital camera, supply a useful pop-up menu of fast actions if you maintain the icon down.)
In iOS 18 and later, the Management Middle comprises a number of screens for grouping icons by class, like music or connectivity. For instance, you possibly can faucet the music notice on the fitting facet of the display to get to your music apps’s playback controls and streaming audio system. And final month’s iOS 18.4 replace added icons for immediately streaming ambient music playlists for rest or focus.
The Fast Settings on many Android gadgets (or Samsung Galaxy {hardware}) working Android 13 or later supply an analogous method for placing your favourite settings inside simple attain. Swipe down from the display’s prime to open Fast Settings; swipe a second time to dismiss the notifications space.
Swipe to the left to see the a number of Fast Settings screens. Faucet the small pencil icon on the bottom-right nook to edit the settings. As soon as the display is in edit mode, you possibly can drag your favourite controls into place and take away these you by no means use.
Get a Hand With Images
The iPhone digital camera software program and Google’s Digital camera app include a timer perform that means that you can be in the group pictures you’re snapping. However for these with latest Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel telephones, you possibly can mechanically begin a brief shutter timer countdown simply by holding up the palm of your hand to the digital camera.
To make use of the function, go into your telephone’s digital camera settings and ensure the Present Palm (Galaxy) or Palm Timer (Pixel) setting is enabled. When the entrance digital camera sees your face and the palm of your hand within the body, the countdown begins.
Google’s Pixel Assist web site introduced final month that the Palm Timer additionally works with the telephone’s rear digital camera for wider group pictures.
Shortly Identify That Tune
In case your Android telephone works with the Circle to Search function, which Google started rolling out final 12 months for looking the online with photos, you should utilize it to analysis music. While you hear a track that you just wish to establish, summon the Circle to Search display by urgent down on the telephone’s onscreen House button (or navigation bar) and faucet the music-note icon. Along with the track’s title, you get fast hyperlinks to any YouTube movies of the tune, lyrics, articles and different particulars.
Music-recognition apps like Apple’s Shazam, which helps the Siri assistant establish songs and is accessible as a Management Middle icon, and the Google Pixel’s Now Taking part in function may pinpoint artists. Shazam (additionally accessible for Android) brings up associated movies and different info.
The Google app for iOS and Android can detect tunes as effectively, with its Search a Tune button: Faucet the microphone icon within the search bar, after which faucet Search a Tune on the following display. And in case you have a track caught in your head and may’t bear in mind the identify of it, Google will attempt to establish it for those who sing or hum it into the telephone.
Time-Shift Messages
Don’t wish to wake somebody up with a textual content message? With iOS 18, you possibly can faucet the + icon subsequent to the text-composition field and select Ship Later from the menu. It really works between customers of the iMessage service, and you’ll schedule supply as much as 14 days upfront.
Google already included the power to schedule a message. For those who use Google Messages, press and maintain the Ship icon to pick a future time. Samsung Messages may schedule future supply.
And for those who haven’t used the identical function for e mail, simply press and maintain the blue ship arrow within the iOS Mail app to get a supply menu. Within the Gmail app, write your message, then faucet the three-dot menu icon within the top-right nook and select Schedule Ship.
