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Android adds new scam protection for phone calls

Google is introducing new protections on Android devices to combat phone call scams, particularly those involving screen-sharing and app installations. Users will see warning messages if they attempt to change settings during a call and Android will also block the deactivation of Play Protect features.

The system will now block users from sideloading apps or granting accessibility permissions while on a call with unknown contacts.

The new tools are available on devices running Android 16 and select protections are also rolling out to older versions, starting with Android 11

A separate pilot in the UK will alert users trying to open banking apps during a screen-sharing call, prompting them to end the call or wait before proceeding.

These features expand Android’s broader efforts to prevent fraud, which already include AI-based scam detection for phone calls and messages.

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Audible and Spotify embrace AI to scale audiobook production

Audible, Amazon’s audiobook service, announced this week that it is partnering with publishers to convert print and e-books into AI-narrated audiobooks. The move is part of Audible’s strategy to expand its catalogue quickly as competition heats up with platforms like Apple and Spotify.

Using Amazon’s AI technology, Audible now offers publishers access to more than 100 synthetic voices across English, French, Spanish, and Italian, including various accents and dialects. More language options are expected to roll out over time.

Audible also revealed plans to launch a beta version of AI-powered translation services later this year. The tool will support both text-to-text and speech-to-speech translations from English into Spanish, French, Italian, and German.

Publishers will be able to request professional linguists to review the AI translations for accuracy. Amazon began experimenting with synthetic narration in 2023, launching an invite-only virtual voice tool for self-published authors.

The tool enables authors to transform their e-books into audiobooks using AI-generated speech. Audible also allowed a group of voice actors to train AI models using their voices.

Currently, more than 50,000 titles on Audible are listed as being ‘Narrated By: Virtual Voice’, indicating strong adoption by authors who may lack the budget or resources for traditional audiobook production.

Still, the rise of AI narration has sparked debate within the publishing world. Critics argue that automated voices could compromise the emotional nuance and performance quality that listeners expect from professional narrators.

Audible’s chief rival, Spotify, is also investing in AI-powered audiobooks. In February, Spotify partnered with voice AI company ElevenLabs to accelerate audiobook production across its platform.

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Instagram calls for EU-wide teen protection rules

Instagram is calling on the European Union to introduce new regulations requiring app stores to implement age verification and parental approval systems.

The platform argues that such protections, applied consistently across all apps, are essential to safeguarding teenagers from harmful content online.

‘The EU needs consistent standards for all apps, to help keep teens safe, empower parents and preserve privacy,’ Instagram said in a blog post.

The company believes the most effective way to achieve this is by introducing protections at the source—before teenagers download apps from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Instagram is proposing that app stores verify users’ ages and require parental approval for teen app downloads. The social media platform cites new research from Morning Consult showing that three in four parents support such legislation.

Most parents also view app stores, rather than individual apps, as the safer and more manageable point for controlling what their teens can access.

To reinforce its position, Instagram points to its own safety efforts, such as the introduction of Teen Accounts. These private-by-default profiles limit teen exposure to messages and content from unknown users, and apply stricter filters to reduce exposure to sensitive material.

Instagram says it is working with civil society groups, industry partners, and European policymakers to push for rules that protect young users across platforms. With teen safety a growing concern, the company insists that industry-wide, enforceable solutions are urgently needed.

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Spotify adds voice interaction to AI DJ in 60+ markets

Spotify is giving its AI DJ a major upgrade, allowing users to make voice requests for music, mood changes, and genre shifts. Previously a passive listening experience, the AI DJ now offers interactive features for Premium subscribers in more than 60 markets.

Users can now ask the AI DJ to play songs by a specific artist, switch genres, or change the vibe of a playlist entirely. The feature supports English voice commands at launch, with more languages likely to follow.

To access it, type ‘DJ’ in the Spotify search bar, then hold the DJ button in the bottom-right corner to issue a voice request. For quick changes without speaking, users can simply tap the DJ button.

Spotify first introduced the AI DJ in February 2023 in the US and Canada, later expanding the feature globally in August. In late 2023, the company also added a Spanish-speaking AI DJ to its lineup.

The new voice interactions mark Spotify’s latest step in personalising the streaming experience through AI.

Alongside the AI DJ, Spotify also offers another AI tool that allows users to create playlists using text prompts—highlighting the company’s ongoing push to integrate generative AI into music discovery and curation.

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Apple partners with BCI developers to expand accessibility

Apple has announced a new set of accessibility features arriving later this year, including a breakthrough initiative that allows users to control their devices using brain signals. The company also plans to streamline its Personal Voice tool and expand accessibility support across its platforms.

In partnership with Brain Computer Interface (BCI) developers like Synchron, Apple is working to enable users to navigate iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro using neural input.

Synchron’s device, called the Stentrode, is a stent-like implant placed in a vein near the brain’s motor cortex via a minimally invasive procedure. It reads brain signals and translates them into commands for digital interfaces.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple is building system-level support for BCIs in iOS 19 and visionOS 3, including a new protocol compatible with Switch Control.

This will allow users to operate Apple devices without physical interaction, an innovation aimed at supporting individuals with conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

One early tester of the technology, Mark Jackson, who has ALS, described using his Stentrode in conjunction with Apple’s Vision Pro headset to virtually explore environments like the Swiss Alps.

While Jackson noted limitations in cursor control and speed, the collaboration marks a significant step forward in assistive technology.

In addition to brain control support, iOS 19 will enhance Apple’s Personal Voice feature, originally introduced in iOS 17. This feature enables users at risk of losing their speech to create a personalised synthetic voice.

Previously, the tool required users to record 150 phrases and process them overnight. In iOS 19, the process has been reduced to just 10 phrases, with the model processed in under a minute. Apple says the updated output will sound smoother and more natural.

Other upcoming accessibility features include a Magnifier app for Mac and App Store Nutrition Labels to help users assess the accessibility of third-party apps.

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Amazon to invest in Saudi AI Zone

Amazon has announced a new partnership with Humain, an AI company launched by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to invest over $5 billion in creating an ‘AI Zone’ in the kingdom.

The project will feature Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure, including servers, networks, and training programmes, while Humain will develop AI tools using AWS and support Saudi startups with access to resources.

A move like this adds Amazon to a growing list of tech firms—such as Nvidia and AMD—that are working with Humain, which is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. American companies like Google and Salesforce have also recently turned to the PIF for funding and AI collaborations.

Under a new initiative supported by former US President Donald Trump, US tech firms can now pursue deals with Saudi-based partners more freely.

Instead of relying on foreign data centres, Saudi Arabia has required AI providers to store data locally, prompting companies like Google, Oracle, and now Amazon to expand operations within the region.

Amazon has already committed $5.3 billion to build an AWS region in Saudi Arabia by 2026, and says the AI Zone partnership is a separate, additional investment.

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TikTok unveils AI video feature

TikTok has launched ‘AI Alive,’ its first image-to-video feature that allows users to transform static photos into animated short videos within TikTok Stories.

Accessible only through the Story Camera, the tool applies AI-driven movement and effects—like shifting skies, drifting clouds, or expressive animations—to bring photos to life.

Unlike text-to-image tools found on Instagram and Snapchat, TikTok’s latest feature takes visual storytelling further by enabling full video generation from single images. Although Snapchat plans to introduce a similar function, TikTok has moved ahead with this innovation.

All AI Alive videos will carry an AI-generated label and include C2PA metadata to ensure transparency, even when shared beyond the platform.

TikTok emphasises safety, noting that every AI Alive video undergoes several moderation checks before it appears to creators.

Uploaded photos, prompts, and generated videos are reviewed to prevent rule-breaking content. Users can report violations, and final safety reviews are conducted before public sharing.

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Harvey adds Google and Anthropic AI

Harvey, the fast-growing legal AI startup backed early by the OpenAI Startup Fund, is now embracing foundation models from Google and Anthropic instead of relying solely on OpenAI’s.

In a recent blog post, the company said it would expand its AI model options after internal benchmarks showed that different tools excel at different legal tasks.

The shift marks a notable win for OpenAI’s competitors, even though Harvey insists it’s not abandoning OpenAI. Its in-house benchmark, BigLaw, revealed that several non-OpenAI models now outperform Harvey’s original system on specific legal functions.

For instance, Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro performs well at legal drafting, while OpenAI’s o3 and Anthropic’s Claude 3.7 Sonnet are better suited for complex pre-trial work.

Instead of building its own models, Harvey now aims to fine-tune top-tier offerings from multiple vendors, including through Amazon’s cloud. The company also plans to launch a public legal benchmark leaderboard, combining expert legal reviews with technical metrics.

While OpenAI remains a close partner and investor, Harvey’s broader strategy signals growing competition in the race to serve the legal industry with AI.

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iOS 18.5: Satellite SOS, Screen Time alerts, and bug fixes

Apple has released iOS 18.5, bringing its life-saving satellite emergency features to iPhone 13 models for the first time. Previously available only on iPhone 14 and newer, the feature allows users to connect with emergency services via satellite when cellular or Wi-Fi networks are unavailable.

The update expands access to satellite services provided by mobile carriers, including those like T-Mobile working with Starlink. iPhone 13 users can check for availability by visiting the Cellular menu in Settings.

The satellite feature has already been credited with multiple life-saving interventions, including rescuing hikers, wildfire victims, and others in remote areas. With this update, a wider group of users can now benefit from the added layer of safety.

Alongside the satellite expansion, iOS 18.5 introduces several smaller but notable features. Screen Time now alerts parents if a child successfully guesses the parental passcode to override restrictions. The Mail app has been updated with a dedicated ‘All Mail’ tab for easier navigation.

Other changes include a new Pride wallpaper, a simplified method for subscribing to Apple TV content on smart TVs, and a fix for a bug that caused Apple Vision Pro to launch with a black screen. The update also resolves issues with Siri, enterprise app performance, and other minor bugs.

iOS 18.5 launched alongside updates for iPadOS (18.5), watchOS (11.5), visionOS (2.5), and security patches for macOS Ventura and Sonoma.

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Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses priced at ₹29,990 for Indian market

Meta has announced that its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses will go on sale in India starting 19 May, with prices starting at ₹29,990 (approximately $353). The glasses are currently available for pre-order via Ray-Ban’s official website and will be available in Ray-Ban retail stores across the country at launch.

The smart glasses support Meta AI, allowing users to ask questions about their surroundings, send messages, make phone calls, and even translate languages in real time. The AI assistant can process both visual and audio input and operate even while the user is offline.

At present, live translation features are available for English, French, Italian, and Spanish, though Meta has not yet added support for Indian languages. The glasses also integrate with music apps such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Shazam for on-the-go audio playback.

Meta says it has sold around 2 million pairs globally since the smart glasses first launched in 2023. The debut in India marks a major expansion into a key global market, though support for regional language features remains a limitation for now.

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