Apple releases iOS 26.5 dev beta 1 for iPhones: What's new, how to update

Apple releases iOS 26.5 dev beta 1 for iPhones: What's new, how to update



Apple has released the first developer beta of iOS 26.5 for eligible iPhones, bringing a mix of small feature updates and some background improvements. According to a report by 9To5Mac, the update reportedly doesn’t include the anticipated Siri upgrades, but it introduces tweaks across Apple Maps, messaging, App Store billing, and more. The build (23F5043g) is currently limited to developers, with a public beta expected soon. Here’s a closer look at what’s new in the update:


iOS 26.5 developer beta 1: What’s new


Apple Maps: As per the report, one of the more visible additions in iOS 26.5 developer beta 1 is a new “Suggested Places” feature in Apple Maps. This tool shows recommendations based on what’s trending nearby, along with your recent searches. The feature appears directly in the search tab inside the Maps app, making it easier to discover nearby locations without typing specific queries.

 
 


Ads in Maps: Apple is reportedly preparing for ads in Maps. According to 9To5Mac, the update includes backend changes that suggest Maps could show local ads based on your location, search activity, or what you’re viewing on the map. This aligns with Apple’s earlier announcement that ads would arrive in Maps sometime this year.

 


RCS encryption: Apple is once again testing end-to-end encryption for RCS messages in iOS 26.5 developer beta 1. The feature was first seen in iOS 26.4 beta but didn’t make it to the final release. With this update, encryption is back in testing, though it’s still unclear whether it will be included in the public rollout.

 


New App Store subscription options: The update also hints at changes in how subscriptions work on the App Store. Developers may get the option to offer monthly billing plans tied to a 12-month commitment. Apple hasn’t shared full details yet, so it’s not entirely clear how this will work for users or developers.


EU-specific features in testing


In the European Union, Apple continues testing features tied to third-party accessories. These include support for Live Activities on external devices, along with improvements to notifications and proximity pairing. There’s no confirmation yet on when these features will roll out publicly or which accessories will support them.

 


Others


  • Accessories like Magic Keyboard, Mouse, and Trackpad now stay connected via Bluetooth when plugged in, and there’s a new Inuktitut keyboard.

  • Apple Books may get a “Year in Review 2026” feature with reading badges.

  • Additionally, when transferring data from iPhone to Android, users now get more control over how long message attachments are shared.


iOS 26.5 developer beta 1: Eligible models


  • iPhone Air

  • iPhone 17 series: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max

  • iPhone 16 series: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16e

  • iPhone 15 series: iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max

  • iPhone 14 series: iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max

  • iPhone 13 series: iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max

  • iPhone 12 series: iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max

  • iPhone 11 series: iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max

  • iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)


iOS 26.5 developer beta 1: How to update


  • Sign in to Apple Developer website and enroll for the iOS 26 beta program

  • Make sure that your iPhone is signed in with the Apple Account you used to sign into to the Apple Developer website

  • On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update

  • Go to ‘Beta Updates’ and choose iOS 26 developer beta

  • When iOS 26.5 developer beta is available for your iPhone, install it from Software Update.



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Vivo X300 Ultra with two 200MP cameras unveiled, X300s tags along: Details

Vivo X300 Ultra with two 200MP cameras unveiled, X300s tags along: Details



Vivo has launched the Vivo X300 Ultra and Vivo X300s in China, expanding its X300 lineup with two imaging-focused flagship smartphones. The X300 Ultra stands out as the first smartphone to feature dual 200MP cameras—one serving as the primary sensor and the other dedicated to periscope zoom—while the X300s adopts a more standard camera configuration. Both devices have been developed in collaboration with Zeiss. The Vivo X300 lineup now comprises X300, X300 Pro, X300 Ultra, and X300s.

 


According to a report by 91Mobiles, the Vivo X300 Ultra is expected to be launched in India as well. If it holds true, then this will be the first time that Vivo releases its Ultra variant in regions outside China. Notably, OPPO has also announced that this year, for the first time, it will be releasing its flagship Ultra variant outside China.

 


Vivo X300 Ultra: Details


The Vivo X300 Ultra features a 6.82-inch AMOLED display with a 2K ZEISS Master Colour screen, supporting Ultra XDR, a 144Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, HDR Vivid, and HDR10+. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5X Ultra RAM and storage options going up to 1TB UFS 4.1.

 


For imaging, the smartphone comes equipped with a triple rear camera setup comprising a 200MP primary sensor, a 200MP periscope telephoto lens, and a 50MP ultra-wide camera, while the front houses a 50MP sensor for selfies. Additionally, the camera system can be equipped with Vivo ZEISS G2 Ultra and G2 teleconverters with 400mm and 200mm equivalent focal lengths, respectively, forming what the company calls the ZEISS master lens group.

 


The device runs on Android 16-based OriginOS 6 and is backed by a 6,600mAh battery with support for 100W wired flash charging and 40W wireless flash charging. In terms of durability, the phone carries IP68 and IP69 ratings, and is offered in Film Green and Silver Tone colour options.


Vivo X300 Ultra: Specifications


  • Display: 6.82-inch AMOLED, 2K ZEISS Master Colour screen, Ultra XDR, 144Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, HDR Vivid, HDR10+

  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

  • RAM: 12GB, 16GB LPDDR5X Ultra

  • Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB UFS 4.1

  • Rear camera: 200MP + 200MP telephoto + 50MP ultra-wide

  • Front camera: 50MP

  • OS: Android 16-based OriginOS 6

  • Battery: 6,600mAh

  • Charging: 100W wired flash charging, 40W wireless flash charging

  • Durability: IP68, IP69

  • Colour: Film Green, Silver Tone


Vivo X300s: Details


The Vivo X300s sports a 6.78-inch AMOLED ZEISS Master Colour display with 1.5K resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+/HDR Vivid support, and is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chip paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5X Ultra RAM and up to 1TB UFS 4.1 storage.

 


It features a triple rear camera setup comprising a 200MP primary sensor, a 50MP telephoto, and a 50MP ultra-wide lens, along with a 50MP front camera. The device runs Android 16-based OriginOS 6 and packs a 7,100mAh battery with 90W wired and 40W wireless charging support. It also comes with IP68 and IP69 ratings and is offered in Film Green, Dream Core Purple, Silver, and Titanium Black colour options.


Vivo X300s: Specifications


  • Display: 6.78-inch AMOLED, ZEISS Master Colour screen, 1.5K resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, HDR Vivid

  • Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 9500

  • RAM: 12GB, 16GB LPDDR5X Ultra

  • Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB UFS 4.1

  • Rear camera: 200MP + 50MP telephoto + 50MP ultra-wide

  • Front camera: 50MP

  • OS: Android 16-based OriginOS 6

  • Battery: 7,100mAh

  • Charging: 90W wired flash charging, 40W wireless flash charging

  • Durability: IP68, IP69

  • Colour: Film Green, Dream Core Purple, Silver, Titanium Black

 



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Sony halts CFexpress and SD card sales as AI demand squeezes memory supply

Sony halts CFexpress and SD card sales as AI demand squeezes memory supply



Sony has announced that it is temporarily suspending orders for a large portion of its memory card lineup, citing ongoing global shortages of semiconductor memory. The move affects both professional-grade CFexpress cards and consumer SD cards, and will remain in place until supply conditions improve.

 


The company said it will stop accepting orders from authorised dealers as well as customers via the Sony Store starting March 27. It has not provided a timeline for when orders will resume.


What Sony has announced


In a notice published on its website, Sony said that supply constraints linked to the global semiconductor (memory) shortage mean it is “anticipated that supply will not be able to meet demand… for the foreseeable future.”

 
 


As a result, the company has decided to halt new orders across most of its memory card portfolio. Sony added that it will monitor the situation and announce any updates regarding resumption separately.


The company also issued an apology, stating that it “sincerely apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.”


Products affected


The suspension covers nearly all of Sony’s mainstream CFexpress and SD card lineup, including:

 


CFexpress Type A memory cards


  • CEA-G1920T

  • CEA-G960T

  • CEA-G480T

  • CEA-G240T


CFexpress Type B memory cards


SDXC/SDHC memory cards


  • SF-G256T

  • SF-G128T

  • SF-G64T

  • SF-M512T

  • SF-M256T

  • SF-M128T

  • SF-E256

  • SF-E128A

  • SF-E64A


Why Sony is doing this


The suspension is linked to the broader global memory shortage, which has been intensifying due to demand from AI infrastructure.

 


For years, memory components such as NAND flash and DRAM were relatively stable and often became cheaper over time. That trend has now reversed. Memory supply is increasingly being redirected toward data centres, cloud providers and companies building AI systems.

 


As a result, manufacturers are prioritising higher-margin products such as high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and server-grade chips, which are critical for AI workloads. This shift has reduced the availability of consumer-grade memory used in devices like cameras, smartphones and PCs.


The practical impact is that less capacity is available for products like SD and CFexpress cards, even as demand for storage continues. In some cases, companies are choosing to pause production or orders entirely rather than operate under constrained supply.

 


Sony appears to be one of the first companies in the segment to take this step, indicating how supply pressures are beginning to affect not just pricing but also product availability.

 


While existing stock may still be available through retailers for now, restocking is expected to remain uncertain until the supply situation stabilises.



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NIT Rourkela develops AI system for accurate sleep posture tracking

NIT Rourkela develops AI system for accurate sleep posture tracking



In a breakthrough that could transform patient care, researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela, have developed an AI-powered system capable of accurately tracking sleep postures, even under blankets, without compromising privacy.

 


The research findings, published in the IEEE Sensors Journal, are expected to significantly improve patient monitoring in hospitals and home-care settings. The innovative AI system appears to have addressed a long-standing challenge in healthcare — monitoring patients continuously without intrusive cameras or uncomfortable wearable devices, while ensuring high accuracy and dignity.

 


The NIT Rourkela team has designed a non-intrusive system that combines three complementary sensing technologies — long-wave infrared (LWIR) sensors, depth sensors and pressure sensors. The LWIR sensors can capture body heat without revealing visual identity, while the depth sensors map body shape and posture. The pressure sensors track weight distribution on the bed.

 
 


“These inputs are processed through an advanced AI pipeline that integrates a generative model and a graph-based neural network. Our system leverages generative AI and multimodal sensor fusion to detect sleeping postures without directly using visual images. It first fuses multimodal data, then reconstructs a clear representation of the human body before identifying joint positions and overall posture,” Prof Saptarshi Chatterjee, co-author of the research, said.

 


Poor sleeping posture is often recognised as a major contributor to long-term health complications. Several studies indicate that sustained uneven pressure on the spine, joints and nerves during sleep can lead to chronic musculoskeletal pain, spinal degeneration and conditions such as obstructive sleep apnoea. Incorrect posture can also cause pressure ulcers, commonly known as bedsores, for bedridden patients.

 


Currently, patient posture monitoring is mostly done manually, which can be inconsistent and prone to human error. Wearable sensors are another option, but they are often expensive and uncomfortable for patients. Existing camera-based systems also face challenges such as low lighting, obstruction due to blankets and privacy concerns, making them less suitable.

 


According to the new research, the AI model can achieve an accuracy of 98.46 per cent, outperforming existing state-of-the-art systems in in-bed pose estimation. By combining heat-based imaging, body shape data, and pressure information, the system can deliver accurate results.

 


The system has the ability to function effectively under real-world conditions, including low lighting and heavy occlusion caused by blankets. Unlike conventional camera-based monitoring, the system does not rely on RGB imaging and ensures patient privacy.

 


“The automated nature of the system can reduce the workload of caregivers and allow continuous monitoring. At the same time, since it does not rely on visual imaging, it helps protect patient privacy,” said Debangshu Dey, another co-author.

 


The technology has been designed for seamless integration into hospital beds and home-care systems, enabling continuous, automated monitoring of patients, elderly individuals, and those suffering from sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea.

 


The estimated cost of the system is around ₹30,000, and it could be reduced further through large-scale production. Its automated nature could significantly reduce the workload on caregivers while improving the accuracy of patient observation.

 


Researchers have planned to expand the system’s capabilities to identify specific posture-related health risks and detect disease conditions linked to sleep behaviour. The study also highlights the potential of such multimodal AI systems in broader healthcare applications, including fall-risk assessment and seizure monitoring.

 


“With further refinement and real-world testing, the technology can move closer to practical deployment across healthcare settings. While the current model requires substantial computational resources, future work will focus on optimisation techniques to enable deployment in resource-constrained environments,” said Shiladitya Mondal, a BTech student.


Sleep posture monitoring through AI system

 



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Tech Wrap, March 30: OPPO Find X9 Ultra, WhatsApp on CarPlay, Blaupunkt

Tech Wrap, March 30: OPPO Find X9 Ultra, WhatsApp on CarPlay, Blaupunkt


 


OPPO has announced that its upcoming OPPO Find X9 Ultra will boast a 50MP 10x optical telephoto camera. In a recent post on X, OPPO Chief Product Officer Pete Lau outlined the working of the smartphone’s imaging system. As per Lau, the new telephoto camera setup will help in preserving more detail in the image and improve long-distance photography. As per Lau, the 10x optical zoom on the Ultra model will offer the same clarity that the Find X9 Pro gets when paired with a teleconverter, which is sold as an additional accessory.

 
 

 


WhatsApp is reportedly working on a native CarPlay app for iPhone users to make messaging and calling more accessible while driving. According to a report by WABetaInfo, the feature is currently being tested with iOS beta users and brings a proper app interface to CarPlay. Instead of relying only on Siri for voice-based interactions, users can now view recent chats, choose contacts, and initiate messages or calls directly from their car’s display. The update is expected to offer a more structured and controlled experience, while still keeping safety in mind by limiting full chat access.

 

 


Blaupunkt has launched a new party speaker in India, the Rock & Roll Ibiza, with a built-in recording feature. According to the company, the speaker is designed for karaoke and live sessions, allowing users to record performances directly onto a USB drive. It also comes with 180W RMS output, dual 8-inch woofers, and a bundled wireless microphone, positioning it as an all-in-one portable audio system for indoor and outdoor use.

 

 


OnePlus India is reportedly moving toward an online-first sales strategy while scaling back its offline retail presence, even as it expands its after-sales service network by leveraging parent company Oppo’s infrastructure. According to a Moneycontrol report, the company has initiated a strategic shift that could see most of its offline sales channels phased out in the coming weeks.

 

 


YouTube is reportedly rolling out support for Android Auto, bringing basic playback controls for users who listen to content while driving. According to a report by 9To5Google, the update allows users to manage background audio directly from their car’s interface. However, it does not bring a full YouTube app experience to car screens.

 

 


Meta is reportedly planning to expand its Ray-Ban smart glasses lineup with a focus on users who wear prescription lenses. According to a report by 9To5Google, citing Bloomberg, the company is preparing to launch two new smart glasses designed specifically for vision correction needs. The report said these upcoming models will feature “rectangular and rounded styles” and are being developed with prescription users in mind, rather than adapting existing designs.

 

 


Samsung has confirmed to TechRadar that the Galaxy S26 Ultra features slightly lower brightness when compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The South Korean consumer electronics maker indicated that this trade-off in brightness is linked to the new Privacy Display, which prevents people from looking at your screen from a side angle.

 

 


Apple is reportedly sending urgent security notifications to iPhone users running older versions of iOS, warning them about ongoing cyber threats. According to a report by MacRumors, these alerts are appearing as a “Critical Software” notification within the Settings app. The notification warns that Apple “is aware of attacks targeting out-of-date iOS software, including the version on your iPhone,” and advises users to install the latest update.

 

 


The government is reportedly planning to extend the deadline for messaging platforms to comply with SIM binding rules after companies failed to meet earlier timelines and raised technical concerns. According to a report by Hindustan Times, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is now considering a phased rollout, with compliance expected by December-end. The move comes as platforms like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram flagged challenges related to testing, operating system limitations, and user experience while implementing the directive.

 

 


Bethesda has reportedly confirmed that it will shut down servers for The Elder Scrolls: Blades on June 30, effectively bringing an end to the free-to-play mobile title. According to a report by Engadget, citing an in-game screenshot shared on Reddit, the game will be permanently shut down on the aforementioned date. What solidified this news was the fact that the game has already been delisted from both the App Store and Google Play Store.

 

 


Google recently rolled out Android 17 beta 3 to eligible Pixel phones. This beta update brings several changes and improvements, including bubbles for several apps, a redesigned screen recording toolbar, hidden home screen app labels, and more. The Android 17 beta 3 update is now available for download.

 

 


The government is in dialogue with hi-tech industry associations on the West Asia conflict and its impact on the ecosystem, and industry bodies have not reported any adverse impact on their operations, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Monday.

 

 


DeepSeek’s chatbot suffered a major outage of more than seven hours overnight in China, forcing the AI pioneer to deploy several updates to rectify the issue. Users began reporting faults on Sunday evening, according to Downdetector. The startup’s own status page acknowledged an initial issue at 9:35 pm before marking the incident resolved two hours later. Subsequent updates on Monday showed DeepSeek addressing another case of performance issues that took until 10:33 am to be fixed.



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Govt proposes IT rule changes to make advisories binding on tech platforms

Govt proposes IT rule changes to make advisories binding on tech platforms


Representative image from file.


​India on Monday proposed changes to ​its IT law to make advisories and ‌clarifications legally binding on internet platforms such as Meta, Google and X, the latest in a string of stricter compliance requirements for tech giants.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government this year compressed the timeline for platforms to take down content flagged by authorities to three hours, from 36 hours previously, and has imposed ‌new obligations around AI-generated content and deepfakes.


Currently, the IT ministry’s advisories to platforms – on issues ranging from deepfake labelling to content takedown practices – have functioned as guidance without explicit legal consequences.

 


In new proposed rules on Monday, the government said ​non-compliance with advisories or guidelines issued by the IT ministry would ‌be treated as a failure to meet the conditions for safe harbour – the ​legal ‌shield that protects platforms from liability for content posted ‌by their users.


The changes were being proposed to “strengthen enforceability” of directions and “improve legal certainty”, the ‌ministry said ​in a notice ​inviting public feedback by April 14.


Meta, Google and X did not immediately respond to ‌requests for ​comment.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Mar 30 2026 | 6:55 PM IST



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