mobile apps

Cybersecurity firm Group-IB has identified RemControl, a new Android banking trojan distributed through fake TVTap streaming apps. The malware uses AI-generated phishing overlays to trick users into entering banking PINs and credentials, which are then stolen. Security researchers are warning Android users to avoid unofficial app sources as the trojan spreads.

Rosetta Stone is rolling out Sapphire, a revamped language learning product aimed at today's smartphone users, as it tries to stay relevant in a market dominated by newer, app-first competitors. The company says the update is designed to appeal to modern learners who want shorter, more flexible lessons on their phones. The move is drawing attention as the veteran education brand attempts a comeback.

F-Droid recently displayed a popup warning in its app shop about pending changes Google plans for Android. The warning linked to a GitHub page, run by F-Droid itself, with detailed instructions on how users can adjust their mobile device, particularly as developers, to keep sideloading and installing apps working. Users are sharing and discussing these instructions.

F-Droid 2.0 has drawn attention in free software circles, with commentary arguing that the project's new version shows the fight for software freedom on smartphones goes beyond interface design. Supporters frame it as a defence of the fundamental right to run code of one's choosing on one's own device, in the face of pressure from dominant app store ecosystems.

Truecaller has launched a new tool called Scam Checker, designed to help users detect fraud attempts. The feature lets users check links, phone numbers and suspicious messages for signs of scams such as phishing. The tool is being discussed in connection with both iOS and Android versions of the app.

Kevin Boone has published a technical guide on setting up ad-blocking at the system level in Android, covering methods that block ads across all apps rather than just in browsers. The piece is being shared and discussed in tech and privacy-focused communities, where interest in limiting mobile tracking and advertising continues to grow.

A developer reviewed several Gopher client apps for Android and found them all incomplete, awkward, or losing compatibility with the old hypertext protocol. In the end he returned to Lagrange, a Gemini browser that handles Gopher well, comparing it favorably to how Netscape once handled the early web. The post highlights the fragile state of niche retro-protocol software on modern mobile platforms.

Bouygues Telecom is deploying an AI-powered anti-spam feature for its subscribers in France, raising questions about whether third-party call-blocking apps are still needed. The operator says the built-in tool will automatically filter unwanted calls and scam attempts, prompting coverage from tech outlets like ZDNET about how it compares to existing solutions and what it means for customers' privacy and choice.

GrapheneOS has released version 16 of its Messaging app, the secure messaging application developed alongside its privacy-focused Android operating system. The release notes summarize improvements over the previous version, with a full changelog available on GitHub and a forum thread open for user discussion. Users of the hardened mobile platform are discussing the update in privacy and security communities.

Bus passengers who do not use smartphones say they are being charged more than those who pay via mobile apps, raising concerns about exclusion of older and less tech-savvy travellers. The issue, highlighted in a Guardian money column, has prompted debate about whether digital-only discounts and app-based ticketing unfairly penalise people who prefer or need to pay with cash or traditional tickets.

A Guardian money article asks why bus passengers who do not use smartphones should have to pay more for their tickets. It highlights how cheaper digital fares and app-based ticketing leave passengers without mobile phones facing higher prices. Readers are debating the fairness of smartphone-only discounts and what it means for older or low-income travellers who rely on cash and paper tickets.

Apple announced that Final Cut Camera now supports variable aperture on the iPhone 18 Pro, alongside additional pro-level camera controls arriving with iOS 27. The update gives filmmakers finer control over depth of field and exposure directly from the app, extending the iPhone's professional video production capabilities. The news is drawing attention from mobile videographers and content creators tracking Apple's camera software push.

Google has begun deploying its Android developer verification requirement, a new security measure requiring app developers to verify their identities before distributing software. The change, announced via the Android developer portal and Google's developer blog, is intended to elevate Android security and reduce malicious apps. The news is circulating alongside reports of Apple issuing emergency security patches, making mobile platform security a hot topic this week.

Roblox is recruiting a Senior Software Engineer for its Consumer App Foundations team at its San Mateo, California headquarters. The full-time role focuses on C++ development across Android and iOS platforms, aimed at strengthening the mobile experience behind the popular gaming platform.

A developer writing under the Muffle project name has published lessons on implementing geofencing on Android without excessive battery drain. The write-up, tagged for Android, Kotlin and mobile development, frames its lessons in an inclusive, community-oriented setting and targets software engineers building location-aware mobile apps.

A developer says they have a couple of mobile apps in progress and wants to target Android, but is unfamiliar with the platform and needs a device for testing. They are asking for recommendations on the cheapest phone good enough for development work, saying second-hand options are fine.

A reported leak suggests T-Mobile is preparing three new plan tiers that would give customers more flexibility in how they combine service options, alongside a new approach to perks and a refreshed app. Details remain unconfirmed, and the company has not officially commented on the plans or when they might launch.

AppLovin Corporation (APP) shares are being tracked closely by investors following its market performance. The adtech company, known for its mobile advertising and gaming software platform, has been one of the more volatile technology stocks in recent trading sessions. Market watchers are monitoring the share price and company news as part of broader interest in high-growth advertising technology names.

The Verge has published an explainer on 'microdramas', the short-form vertical video dramas delivered through apps such as ReelShort and DramaBox. The format has been growing quickly, with serialized episodes of a minute or so aimed at mobile viewers. The article examines what defines the format, how it differs from traditional TV, and why studios and streaming players are taking notice.

A user has raised an improvement request for the Mastodon iPhone app, complaining that refreshing the feed requires an awkwardly long pull-down gesture. When reaching the end of the timeline, the swipe needed to load new messages is too tall to reach comfortably with a thumb, forcing users to shift their grip or use another finger. The feedback adds to ongoing discussion about small usability issues in the decentralized social network's mobile apps.

MoviePro 10, a video recording app for iPhone, has been highlighted in mobile coverage. The app is aimed at filmmakers who want more manual control over iPhone video capture than the built-in camera offers. Little detail beyond the release or mention is available, and user reaction to this version has not been widely reported yet.

Starting with version 0.76 of React Native, the new architecture is enabled by default for applications on Android and iOS. Developers are discussing the shift, with commentary analyzing the Turbo Native modules and what the change means for app development workflows and compatibility with existing projects built on the older architecture.

Google has introduced Android Security State Libraries, a set of tools that allow developers to perform security verification at the component level of Android applications. The libraries aim to make it easier to assess the security posture of individual app components rather than whole applications. The announcement was reported by InfoQ, though details on adoption and developer response are not yet available.