The communications protocol known as Rich Communication Services, or RCS, was created to take the place of the antiquated SMS and MMS. Together with additional benefits like read receipts, multimedia messaging, and typing indicators, it allows encrypted communication across devices. 2019 saw the rise of RCS as the main texting app for Android, while the most recent beta edition of iOS 18 from Apple includes support for it.

Despite being an industry standard, RCS does not support end-to-end encryption (E2EE) in its current feature set (Universal Profile 2.4), which only encrypts data while it is in transit by default, utilizing TLS and IPsec. Although Google has previously addressed this problem by integrating its own E2EE implementation into Google Messages, a standardized encryption protocol is still required in light of Apple’s adoption of RCS and the continued efforts of third-party Android SMS apps to add compatibility.

Google promised to adopt Messaging Layer Security (MLS) last year in order to help meet this demand and give the emerging standard a head start. The Internet Engineering Task Force created MLS, an improved protocol (IETF). It guarantees encrypted communication in group and one-on-one chats between apps and platforms.

Assemble Debug, a code hunter, has now dug into the Google Messages app and found strings and flags pertaining to Messaging Layer Security (MLS), suggesting that the app may soon get it (via Android Authority). The functionality is still in development, and it’s unclear how Google Messages will include it.

Support for Messaging Layer Security (MLS) is ready in Google Messages.
Crucially, the strings hint at Google’s plan to use MLS as the default message security layer. This is an essential step toward a time when other messaging apps would use the same encryption standard, which might open the door to safe communication between services – provided that other apps adopt MLS as well. In any case, Google would establish Messages as a pioneer in this transition to an encrypted future that is still compatible by setting MLS as the default.

A black Pixel phone with a green and red Android symbol, Google Messages in dark mode, and a white background

The fact that Google has adopted MLS may potentially have an impact on Apple’s future plans to incorporate RCS into its Messages app, which houses iMessage. As things stand, group chats using E2EE are not supported by the company’s RCS implementation in iOS 18 Beta 2.

Google Messages uses a proprietary addition to the RCS Universal Profile standard to facilitate E2EE in group and solo chats. An industry standard like MLS may fill the void left by Apple’s doubtful decision to include this proprietary encryption in its Messages app.

Since it broke the habit of developing a new messaging app for every conceivable use-case, RCS has been Google’s favorite communications project, and it appears that its investments are now paying off. After nearly ten years of Google supporting the standard, the future of RCS messaging appears bright, with Apple joining the fold and a new encryption standard that may make it easier for other businesses to follow suit.

You can tell when Apple is making things right when it releases a feature that you had never considered but find to be really great as soon as it is available. That accurately sums up what the next iPhone 16, older iPhone models, and Apple TV will be like. A minor change has been made to the mute button. Following this announcement, there is a leak indicating that there are other changes being made to the Apple TV lineup.

The code points to a device with the identification ‘HomeAccessory17,1,’ which is a new identifier category, according to the report. The name is akin to the ‘AudioAccessory’ identification seen on the HomePod.

That number is particularly interesting since, by saying 17,1, it implies that it might have the A18 chip, which is the same chipset that is anticipated to be found in the Apple iPhone 16. It implies that the new gadget will be able to do sophisticated functions, possibly using AI.

Furthermore, the code alludes to two Apple TV models that have not yet been made public. This confirms earlier predictions that one or more new Apple TVs may be released this year, maybe in September, coinciding with the anticipated arrival of the iPhone 16 series.

The major story here, though, is the implication that a new gadget—whatever it is—would be so potent that it will require the A18 processor. Is it the much-rumored Apple TV/display hybrid? That would be a novel idea.

With Apple TV, Apple has a history of fascinating breakthroughs. It made video playback better years ago in a way that no other manufacturer has done since.

You may ask, “What did he/she/they say?” with your Siri remote control if you missed something that someone on TV said. No matter which pronoun you use, the outcome will be the same. After a ten-second replay, the portion you missed would play again, this time with subtitles front and center for those few moments. It’s great if you haven’t tried it.

There will be another significant innovation with the upcoming iOS 18 and tvOS 18 software for the iPhone and Apple TV, respectively.

After the software is installed, it will function on iPhones starting with the iPhone XS and continuing through the forthcoming iPhone 16 series. Right now, the program is in its second developer beta. This month, it will enter public beta, and in September, it will be released to the whole public.

Thus, what could be done to make the mute button better? I mean, it just functions, right? Apple has made a wonderful change: when you mute video playback, either on the iPhone or by using the Apple TV remote, subtitles will immediately display onscreen when the screen goes black. The subtitles will fade away when the sound fades in when you press the button again. How awesome is that?

When use the built-in movie player on the iPad or Mac, the feature will also be accessible, providing a sense of satisfying completion.

Be careful—if you’ve muted the TV, iPhone, or anything else so you can answer a call or listen to your significant other across the living room, for example, and you keep your eyes on the screen because you can still see the words, rather than paying attention to your conversation partner, you can make a mistake.

Still, this is one of the best improvements for watching videos that we have seen in a long time. Just Apple.

Although there are many cloud storage choices available, Google Photos is the program you should use if you’re searching for one that is specifically made for photos and videos. For many, Google Photos has long been the “go to” option; if you use Google’s other applications and services frequently, it’s even better.

It looks that Google is planning to make a big update to the Locked Folder that will essentially put it front and center. The company has done a terrific job of integrating new and helpful features over time. The people at 9to5Google noticed the update, which should make it simpler for users to access their private images and videos.

Now, users can quickly access the Locked Folder

In case you are not familiar, the Locked Folder in Google Photos is a section of the app where you may store any kind of media that you wish to keep confidential. Once media has been uploaded to this picture, it will be password-protected and unavailable through other apps or the gallery. Although it’s a nice option to have if you want to hide some aspects of your life from others, it was hidden deep within a menu structure, making it difficult to find.

As previously indicated, users will now have a quick and easy way to access the Locked Folder as it has a dedicated location in the Photos app. As you can see, Locked has taken the position of the Utilities section in the app’s user interface. Regarding Utilities, a large percentage of the features previously available in that area of the program may now be accessible by tapping the “+” icon located near the user’s profile photograph at the top.

Google Photos for iOS and Android are now receiving this update, so if you haven’t updated your app yet, make sure to do so right away to see the new design. While some people will be ecstatic about this update, others might have preferred the earlier appearance, which included the Locked Folder being a little more concealed.