For the past year or so, opening Google Wallet 3+ minutes after unlocking your phone would result in a “For your security, you need to verify it’s you before paying” message appearing at the top of the app. As such, three minutes from unlock, tap-to-pay transactions don’t work until PIN, pattern, password, fingerprint, face (Class 3 biometric unlock), etc. Recently, Google Wallet has changed or is in the process of testing a new behavior. Now, after three minutes, you cannot even access the app’s homepage with your carousel of cards and list of passes without authentication. Google throws up a splash screen with the Wallet logo up top and system-level “Verify it’s you” sheet to authenticate. Sometimes, we still see the old card prompt at the top instead of the new fullscreen version, but the latter is beginning to appear more frequently. We’re seeing this change with version 25.18 of Google Wallet on both Pixel and Samsung phones. This is quite a security escalation. As our digital wallets contain more and more (including state IDs, passports, home/room and car keys, boarding passes, medical information, etc.), you might not want people with your phone to even know what’s being stored.
Apple is looking to make Siri a full-fledged AI chatbot liken ChatGPT; to work more deeply with apps and trigger actions
Apple’s executives are pushing for Siri to become a proper AI chatbot that scours the web, potentially as a direct competitor to ChatGPT. Such a move could eliminate reliance on OpenAI’s service for responses and keep the queries in-house. A chatbot that Apple has been reportedly testing internally for years has apparently done extremely well in the last six months. Employees claim that the internal bot is on a similar level to responses from ChatGPT. Management has also talked about the possibility of letting the chat bot the option of scouring the Internet and use data from multiple sources to create answers to queries. Refocusing efforts on making Siri work with an Apple chatbot can be beneficial to Apple beyond just making Siri smarter. For a start, a better and more powerful Siri that could answer search queries like ChatGPT could help offset some related costs. Another feature that was announced as coming to Siri but got delayed could also help. The feature of using Siri to work more deeply with apps on an iPhone could let Siri respond to queries and commands by triggering actions in apps on the user’s behalf. Such a feature would keep the App Store relevant and maintain its position as a $20 billion per year business. With the potential for chatbots to take over from apps in terms of general usage by iPhone owners, this functionality could still keep the app economy ticking over.
Apple to release new tools that would let third-party developers create software using Apple AI models and integrate Apple Intelligence across their apps
Apple plans to release a new set of AI products and frameworks at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this June, including tools that’ll let third-party developers create software using Apple AI models. Apple’s hope is that expanding its AI tech in this way will draw more attention — and users — as the company looks to catch up with its competitors in the AI space. The new framework will let developers integrate Apple Intelligence across their apps. The company is seeking to first allow developers to use its smaller models. WWDC this year will also reportedly see Apple overhaul its operating systems across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Apple is also set to release new device-specific capabilities, including one that helps manage battery life, and a new Health app — powered, of course, by AI (although the app reportedly won’t be ready until next year).
Gravitee Topco’s open-source API management platform offers an array of tools for developers that span API design, access, management, deployment and security with support for both asynchronous and synchronous APIs
Digital traffic pipeline management startup Gravitee Topco has closed on a $60 million Series C funding round, bringing its total amount raised to date to more than $125 million. The company is the creator of an open-source API management platform that provides developers with the tools they need to easily manage both legacy and newer data streaming protocols. It also provides a wealth of API security tools with its platform. Gravitee’s core offering is split into two products, with the Gravitee API Management tool designed for API publishers, and the Gravitee Access Management offering aimed at the developers who need to use those APIs. Through the two platforms, it provides tools that span API design, access, management, deployment and security. Gravitee can therefore be thought of as a kind of control plane for APIs, which often come with a confusing array of protocols and tools that can quickly overwhelm developers, despite their intention of making life simpler. Companies can deploy Gravitee’s core, open-source offering in the cloud or on-premises, or they can access the premium platform through the startup’s software-as-a-service offering. Its core features include a tool for designing and deploying APIs, mock testing and a dashboard that provides an overview of team’s API deployments. What makes Gravitee different is that it supports both asynchronous and synchronous APIs, meaning APIs that deliver data at a later point in time, and those that deliver data immediately, in real time.
Google Wallet adding nearby pass notifications- providing timely notifications for relevant passes stored in the app
Google Wallet and Pay had a number of announcements, including some new features (like nearby passes) that end users will benefit from. A redesign for the Google Pay payment sheet adds a dark theme “for a more integrated feel.” We’re already seeing it live on our devices, with Google also adding “richer card art and names” to make card selection faster. Meanwhile, Digital IDs are a big focus for Google Wallet, with their availability helping power other capabilities. With Zero-Knowledge Proof, Google wants to allow “age verification without any possibility to link back to a user’s personal identity.” The company will open-source these libraries. Currently, it’s available to Android apps through the Credential Manager Jetpack Library and mobile web, with desktop Chrome in testing. Google showed off a “seamless experience between Chrome on desktop and your Android device” that involves QR code scanning. Google Wallet is adding Nearby Passes notifications that send users an alert when they’re near a specific location. This can be used by loyalty cards, offers, boarding passes, or event tickets. By highlighting these value-added benefits, such as exclusive offers or upgrade options, you can guide users back to your app or website, creating a dynamic gateway for ongoing user interaction. With an update to Auto Linked Passes, airlines that have loyalty cards for frequent flyer programs can “ automatically push boarding passes to their users’ wallets once they check in for a flight.” Google is also adding passes that can include a picture of the user.
Google is betting on a ‘world model’, an AI operating system that mirrors human brain with a deep understanding of real-world dynamics, simulating cause and effect and learning by observing
Google’s doubling-down on what it calls “a world model” – an AI it aims to imbue with a deep understanding of real-world dynamics – and with it a vision for a universal assistant – one powered by Google. This concept of “a world model,” as articulated by Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, is about creating AI that learns the underlying principles of how the world works – simulating cause and effect, understanding intuitive physics, and ultimately learning by observing, much like a human does. “That is a model that can make plans and imagine new experiences by simulating aspects of the world, just like the brain does.” An early, perhaps easily overlooked by those not steeped in foundational AI research, yet significant indicator of this direction is Google DeepMind’s work on models like Genie 2. This research shows how to generate interactive, two-dimensional game environments and playable worlds from varied prompts like images or text. It offers a glimpse at an AI that can simulate and understand dynamic systems. Google demoed a new app called Flow – a drag-and-drop filmmaking canvas that preserves character and camera consistency – that leverages Veo 3, the new model that layers physics-aware video and native audio. To Hassabis, that pairing is early proof that ‘world-model understanding is already leaking into creative tooling.’ For robotics, he separately highlighted the fine-tuned Gemini Robotics model, arguing that ‘AI systems will need world models to operate effectively.” CEO Sundar Pichai reinforced this, citing Project Astra, which “explores the future capabilities of a universal AI assistant that can understand the world around you.” These Astra capabilities, like live video understanding and screen sharing, are now integrated into Gemini Live. Josh Woodward, who leads Google Labs and the Gemini App, detailed the app’s goal to be the “most personal, proactive, and powerful AI assistant.” He showcased how “personal context” (connecting search history, and soon Gmail/Calendar) enables Gemini to anticipate needs, like providing personalized exam quizzes or custom explainer videos using analogies a user understands. This, Woodward emphasized, is “where we’re headed with Gemini,” enabled by the Gemini 2.5 Pro model allowing users to “think things into existence.” Gemini 2.5 Pro with “Deep Think” and the hyper-efficient 2.5 Flash (now with native audio and URL context grounding from Gemini API) form the core intelligence. Google also quietly previewed Gemini Diffusion, signalling its willingness to move beyond pure Transformer stacks when that yields better efficiency or latency. Google’s path to potential leadership – its “end-run” around Microsoft’s enterprise hold – lies in redefining the game with a fundamentally superior, AI-native interaction paradigm. If Google delivers a truly “universal AI assistant” powered by a comprehensive world model, it could become the new indispensable layer – the effective operating system – for how users and businesses interact with technology.
Google’s updates to media apps on Android Auto to allow apps to show different sections in the browsing UI and offer more flexibility in layout to build richer and more complete experiences
Google introduced two new changes to media apps on Android Auto. The first change is to the browsing interface in media apps. The new “SectionedItemTemplate” will allow apps to show different sections in the browsing UI, with Google’s example showing “Recent search” above a list of albums. The other change is the to “MediaPlaybackTemplate,” which is used as the “Now Playing” screen. It appears that Google is going to grant developers more flexibility in layout here, with the demo shown putting the media controls in the bottom right corner instead of the center, and in a different order than usual – although that might become the standard at some point. The UI isn’t drastically different or any harder to understand, but it’s a different layout than we usually see on Android Auto, which is actually a bit refreshing. Google is also allowing developers to build “richer and more complete experiences” for media apps using the “Car App Library.” This could make it easier to navigate some apps, as most media apps on Android Auto are shells of their smartphone counterpart in terms of functionality. This category is just in beta for now, though.
Apple Watch growth lags, growing a modest 5% increase from 2024, as rivals push hard on health features & lower prices while Apple is focusing on enhancing the stickiness of its ecosystem
The global wearable band market grew 13% year over year in the first quarter of 2025, reaching 46.6 million shipments, according to new data from Canalys. The rebound was driven by broad demand across categories, especially in emerging markets, and a low comparison base from the first quarter of 2024. Xiaomi surged back into the lead with 8.7 million units shipped, up 44% from 2024. Apple came in second with 7.6 million Apple Watch shipments, a modest 5% increase from 2024. That’s in line with seasonal expectations, as the first quarter tends to be the furthest point from Apple’s typical September refresh cycle. Instead of chasing hardware overhauls, Apple is focusing on enhancing the stickiness of its ecosystem. Huawei held third place with 7.1 million units shipped, a 36% year-over-year gain. Its GT and Fit series found traction outside China, supported by a wider rollout of the Huawei Health app. Samsung followed with 4.9 million shipments, a sharp 74% increase driven by a dual-market strategy. Garmin rounded out the top five with 1.8 million units shipped, up 10%. The launch of Garmin Connect+, a subscription platform for deeper health insights and training tools, signals the brand’s move toward recurring revenue. As hardware margins tighten, vendors are shifting focus from features to ecosystems. Huawei is taking a more health-centric approach, building a closed-loop system through its Health app. Price, battery life, and health tracking remain the top buying factors. But as ecosystems mature and software capabilities expand, vendors that offer reliable integration and trusted data handling will have the edge. Xiaomi’s rise highlights how affordable devices, when paired with a growing ecosystem, can take the lead even against brands with a head start.
Paypal owned Honey drops to 15 million users on Chrome, down 5 million in less than six months after being exposed for shady tactics
In late 2024, the popular Chrome extension Honey was exposed for shady tactics including simply not doing what it was promised to do, with uninstalls following suit and Honey now dropping down to 15 million users from a peak of over 20 million. An exposé from YouTube channel MegaLag previously highlighted two things about PayPal-owned Honey. The extension had dropped down to 16 million users as of March 2025. As of this week, Honey has now dropped to 15 million users, down from over 20 million users at its peak prior to the exposé. This drops Honey well below the “17+ million members” that it advertises on the Chrome Web Store, though it’s still very possible the extension has a couple million more members across browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Safari, and Firefox. Mozilla shows around 460,000 Honey users on its browser, while Apple doesn’t show a figure. Microsoft says Honey has 5,000,000 users on Edge, though that number may be inflated by Microsoft’s own questionable tactics with Edge copying Chrome when installed on the same machine. Regardless, it’s clear that these numbers are dropping. The impact of the MegaLag video has passed, with roughly 3 million views on that video since January. Google has implemented restrictions on extensions following the debacle, which led to Honey making changes to some of its biggest abuse of affiliate codes.
Gmail can now automatically show “Gemini summary cards” which summarizes all the key points from the email thread and refreshes it when people reply to retain freshness
Last year, Gmail for Android and iOS introduced a summarize feature, and Gemini can now surface summary cards automatically. At launch, the Gemini-powered “Summarize this email” capability was a button underneath the subject line that you had to manually tap. Doing so would slide up the Gemini sheet with the requested bullet points. On mobile, Gmail will now show “Gemini summary cards” automatically “when a summary could be helpful, such as with longer email threads.” You can collapse the card from the top-right corner if it’s not helpful. Google notes how “Gemini summarizes all the key points from the email thread and refreshes it when people reply,” so it’s always fresh. This launch was detailed in the “May Workspace feature drop.” Google also highlighted the availability of Gemini summaries in Google Chat’s Home view and for documents. There’s also the Google Docs summary building block. Google is also recapping Mind Maps and Discover sources in NotebookLM. In Meet, Google is highlighting Dynamic layouts, as well as Studio look, lighting, and sound.