Tech News
Meta to allow WhatsApp and Messenger to send messages to other apps soon.
Meta is making a groundbreaking change to WhatsApp and Messenger by allowing them to interact with third-party messaging services, but only for users in the European Union (EU). This change, driven by the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), aims to create interoperability between Meta’s messaging platforms and external apps, enabling users to communicate seamlessly across different services.
Meta has started implementing new features in WhatsApp and Messenger that will allow users to send and receive messages from third-party apps, an update that will roll out over the coming months. These changes are designed to comply with the DMA, which requires large platforms, or “gatekeepers,” like Meta, to support third-party integrations.
For now, these features will be limited to the EU, where users will have the option to enable this cross-platform communication. Notifications will inform users when a third-party service becomes available, and users will have the option to either keep those messages in a separate inbox or combine them with their existing WhatsApp or Messenger chats.
Meta has designed a straightforward onboarding process for users. Once a third-party app becomes compatible, users can select which apps they want to receive messages from. They will also be given control over how to manage their inbox. For instance, users can choose to keep third-party chats in a dedicated folder or merge them into their primary chat list. This flexibility gives users more control over their messaging experience.
Not only will Meta ensure basic interoperability, but the company is also planning to offer *rich messaging features* for third-party chats. These include typing indicators, reactions, direct replies, and read receipts, enhancing the experience beyond simple text messaging. These rich features make third-party chats feel integrated and seamless with the existing user interface.
Meta’s roadmap for this initiative is ambitious. While messaging will come first, the company plans to expand the third-party features to include group chats by 2025. This means users will be able to create cross-platform group chats, allowing participants from different messaging apps to communicate together. Even more exciting is the plan for voice and video calling, which will be available by 2027.
This move by Meta is largely driven by regulatory pressure from the EU. The DMA, which came into effect earlier this year, mandates that large digital platforms like Meta must open up their services to competitors. The goal is to prevent these companies from monopolizing communication networks and ensure that users have more flexibility and choice in how they communicate.
For now, these changes will only affect users in the EU. However, the successful implementation of this initiative could prompt Meta to consider expanding third-party interoperability to other regions. Over the coming years, Meta plans to collaborate with more third-party messaging services to build out these features and make cross-platform communication as smooth and secure as possible.
In short, Meta’s updates to WhatsApp and Messenger mark a significant step toward a more interconnected digital ecosystem. While it may take a few years for all the promised features to fully roll out, users in the EU are set to benefit from a new level of flexibility and control over their messaging platforms.
The iQOO Z10 has been officially teased, showcasing a sleek 7.89mm body while packing a massive 7,300mAh battery. The smartphone is expected to launch soon, with availability confirmed on Amazon. Here’s a detailed look at what we know so far about iQOO’s upcoming device.
Ultra-Slim Design and Display
One of the standout features of the iQOO Z10 is its ultra-thin 7.89mm body, making it one of the slimmest smartphones in its category. Despite its slim profile, the device is expected to be sturdy, with a premium finish. The teaser also confirms the Glacier Silver color variant, adding to the phone’s aesthetics. The company has promoted it as “India’s slimmest smartphone with a 7,300mAh battery,” making it a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the iQOO Z9, which had a 7.83mm thickness and a 5,000mAh battery.
The iQOO Z10 is likely to feature a large display with a high refresh rate, catering to gaming enthusiasts and media consumers. While exact specifications are yet to be revealed, leaks suggest an OLED panel with a 1.5K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate for a smoother visual experience.
Massive 7,300mAh Battery for Extended Usage
A key highlight of the iQOO Z10 is its enormous 7,300mAh battery, a significant upgrade over its predecessor. This massive battery is expected to deliver exceptional battery life, making it ideal for heavy users, gamers, and those who need long-lasting performance without frequent charging.
To complement the large battery, the iQOO Z10 is expected to support fast charging, although the exact wattage hasn’t been confirmed yet. Given iQOO’s history of incorporating fast charging solutions, we can anticipate at least 66W or higher charging speeds.
Performance and Hardware Expectations
Although the teaser doesn’t reveal the chipset, rumors suggest the iQOO Z10 could be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 SoC, ensuring smooth multitasking and gaming performance. The phone is also likely to come with multiple RAM and storage variants, including up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage.
Additionally, iQOO is known for its gaming-centric features, and the Z10 may include advanced cooling technology, gaming enhancements, and software optimizations to boost performance.
Camera Capabilities
The iQOO Z10 is teased to feature a circular rear camera island, housing a dual-camera setup with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) support and a circular flash. While specific camera details remain undisclosed, previous leaks hint at a high-resolution primary sensor. Given iQOO’s focus on photography and videography, the Z10 could feature AI-powered enhancements, night mode, and 4K video recording capabilities.
Availability and Launch Date
The iQOO Z10 is confirmed to be available on Amazon, which has already created a dedicated microsite teasing its arrival. It is set to launch in India on April 11, 2025, and will likely go official in the Chinese market alongside the iQOO Z10 Turbo before making its way to other regions.
Last year’s iQOO Z9 5G debuted in March 2024 with a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 5G SoC, a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display, and 50MP dual cameras. The base model started at Rs. 19,999 for 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. With the Z10 set to bring significant upgrades, it will be interesting to see how it is priced in comparison.
Apple has faced its fair share of adversity with its AI development, but that’s not stopping Cupertino from experimenting with new ideas. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is exploring the idea of adding cameras to its Apple Watch series, which would bring visual intelligence features to its smartwatches. Gurman previously reported that Apple is developing AirPods with a built-in camera for the same purpose, and he notes this week that these are expected to launch around the same time as the camera-equipped Apple Watches.
The Apple Watch, known for its health tracking and connectivity features, may soon include a camera to enhance its functionality. Camera placement would likely vary among the different watch models. According to Gurman, the Series watches could get a camera in the display, while the camera in the Ultra would be on the side of the device, next to the digital crown and button.
Apple plans to release camera-equipped AI wearables by 2027, says Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The cameras will be “inside the display” for the standard Series Watch, while the Apple Watch Ultra would feature it on the side. With these additions, the Apple Watch would be able to “see the outside world and use AI to deliver relevant information,” which he says is also the plan for camera-equipped AirPods that Apple is rumored to be working on.
Apple’s AI Vision for Wearables
Apple’s recent focus on artificial intelligence is expected to play a central role in this development. The integration of cameras could introduce AI-powered features such as:
Enhanced Health Monitoring: AI-assisted facial analysis could improve sleep tracking and emotional well-being assessments.
Gesture-Based Controls: Users may be able to navigate the Apple Watch using hand gestures detected by the camera.
On-Wrist FaceTime Calls: A front-facing camera could make it possible to conduct FaceTime calls without needing an iPhone.
Augmented Reality (AR) Support: Apple could leverage cameras to provide AR-based applications, complementing its Vision Pro headset.
The Visual Intelligence features that these devices would use debuted on the iPhone 16, where it works with the phone’s camera to do things like add details from an event flyer to your calendar or look up information about a restaurant. It’s underpinned by AI models from other companies, but Gurman writes that Apple hopes to power the feature with its own in-house models by 2027, when he says the company plans to release these new Apple Watches and AirPods.
While the prospect of an Apple Watch with a camera sounds promising, it raises concerns about privacy and practicality. Wearable cameras may spark privacy debates regarding surveillance and misuse. Apple will likely implement strict security measures, such as on-device processing and user consent notifications, to address these concerns.
Additionally, battery life and waterproofing could pose challenges. A built-in camera would require additional power, and Apple would need to ensure that it does not compromise the device’s durability or battery efficiency.
Potential Release Timeline
According to Bloomberg and other sources, Apple could introduce these camera-equipped Apple Watches by 2027. This timeline suggests that Apple is still in the research and development phase, working on integrating AI and camera technologies seamlessly.
Samsung is set to shake up the foldable smartphone market with its upcoming tri-fold device and the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Although the company didn’t reveal much at the Galaxy S25 launch event, it did confirm that a multi-fold smartphone is in the works, with an expected Q3 2025 release—around the same time as the rumored Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7.
As always, leaks and rumors have surfaced ahead of the official announcement, giving us an early glimpse into Samsung’s next-generation foldables. The latest information, shared by industry analyst Ross Young, provides crucial details about display sizes, design, and expected features.
Samsung’s Tri-Fold Smartphone: A New Era of Foldables?
Samsung has been experimenting with multi-folding devices for years, and it looks like the wait is nearly over. Unlike Huawei’s tri-fold, which features an S- or Z-shaped fold and leaves parts of the screen exposed, Samsung is reportedly using a G-style folding mechanism. This means both sides of the display fold inward, ensuring no screen area is left vulnerable—a move that enhances durability and scratch resistance.
Display Size and Design
According to Young’s leak, the tri-fold device will feature a 6.49-inch cover screen, identical to the Galaxy Z Fold 7. When fully unfolded, it will expand into a massive 10-inch display, making it more of a tablet hybrid rather than a traditional smartphone.
The tri-fold device is also rumored to use a new type of display technology and protective film, likely an evolution of Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) 3.0, to improve durability. However, due to the complexity of manufacturing such a device, Samsung is expected to limit production volumes, positioning the tri-fold as an experimental, high-end product rather than a mainstream release.
Possible Name and Pricing
Leaked reports suggest that Samsung might introduce a new branding strategy, potentially calling this device the “Samsung Galaxy G Fold” instead of following the Z Fold naming convention.
As for pricing, it won’t come cheap. The Huawei Mate XT, one of the first tri-fold devices, launched at nearly $2,800 in China. Given Samsung’s premium materials and limited production, its tri-fold could land in a similar price range, making it one of the most expensive foldables on the market.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: A Bigger and More Practical Cover Screen
Alongside its ambitious tri-fold project, Samsung is also refining its traditional book-style foldable with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. One of the biggest complaints about previous Fold models has been the narrow cover screen, making it less convenient for quick tasks. But with the Z Fold 7, Samsung is finally addressing this issue.
Larger Cover Display for Better Usability
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 will feature a 6.49-inch cover screen, matching the tri-fold device and the rumored Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition. This suggests that Samsung is moving away from its compact cover displays, which were often seen as impractical for everyday use.
Comparing previous Fold models:
Galaxy Z Fold 5: 6.2-inch cover display
Galaxy Z Fold 6 (expected): Slightly larger at 6.3 inches
Galaxy Z Fold 7: 6.49-inch cover display (wider aspect ratio)
With this larger, wider screen, the Z Fold 7 will offer a more natural smartphone experience when closed, eliminating the need to unfold it for simple tasks.
Durability and Hinge Improvements
Samsung is expected to enhance durability on the Z Fold 7, incorporating refinements from the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition. This could mean a more robust hinge, better crease management, and improved Ultra Thin Glass (UTG). While details on weight and thickness remain scarce, Samsung is likely aiming for a lighter, thinner design to compete with foldables from Huawei and Xiaomi.
iQOO Z10 Teased: Ultra-Slim Design, Massive Battery, and Amazon Availability
Apple Exploring Camera-Equipped Apple Watches to Enhance AI Capabilities
