mobile apps

Russian bank T-Bank has presented a new version of its mobile application, featuring a simplified interface and built-in AI tools for analysing personal finances. The update, reported by tech outlet Rozetked, is drawing attention as Russian banks increasingly add AI-powered financial management features to their consumer apps.

A technical guide on implementing system-wide ad blocking in Android is drawing attention, detailing how device-level filtering can block ads across all apps rather than in a single browser. Readers are discussing the practicality of the approach, the permissions and configuration required, and what it means for the ongoing tension between users blocking ads and publishers relying on ad revenue.

A developer has launched Pocketty, an iPhone app that works as an SSH terminal and sends push notifications when an AI coding agent gets blocked and needs input. The tool is aimed at people running long-running agent sessions who do not want to watch the terminal constantly. It is being shared on Hacker News under the Show HN format, where makers present new projects for feedback, and discussion is focused on the notification feature and its usefulness for agent-driven workflows.

The Government of India has officially removed BitChat, the Bluetooth-based offline messaging app developed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, from Apple's App Store. The move is drawing attention because the app allows communication without internet or mobile networks, and it is not yet clear whether the removal was tied to regulatory, security, or content concerns. Dorsey himself is among those commenting on the decision.

Gizmodo has published a roundup of the best VPN apps for iPhone in 2026, naming five iOS services it says it tested. The piece ranks the options for iPhone users looking to protect their privacy and browse securely. It joins a steady stream of year-ahead VPN guides aimed at mobile users comparing security apps.

Scotiabank customers across Canada are reporting problems with the bank's app, online banking and mobile services, driving searches for Downdetector to confirm whether the bank is down. Outage-tracking pages show a wave of complaints, and users are turning to social media to ask if others are affected and when service will be restored.

Amsterdam's Witkar project of the 1970s offered a fleet of small electric cars that members could pick up and drop off at city stations, functioning much like modern car-sharing services decades before smartphones and app-based rentals. The system relied on electronic booking and credit-based payments, making it remarkably forward-thinking. It ultimately faded away, but it is now being remembered as a pioneering ancestor of today's shared mobility services.

DriveTestIQ has released iPhone and Android apps along with an upgraded website offering practice tests for driver's license and commercial driver's license (CDL) exams. The company says the expanded platform makes test preparation more accessible on mobile devices. The announcement was carried on Yahoo Finance, reaching a broad business and consumer audience.

Messaging app LINE has announced an update to its supported system requirements, effective Wednesday, November 4, 2026. The notice, shared on a Japanese Android and iOS information blog, affects users of the app on both mobile platforms. Users are being reminded to check whether their device's operating system version will remain compatible, as unsupported versions typically lose access to updates and features.

The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal has published a round-up of the latest business news from Lubbock, Texas. The roundup includes coverage of a new restaurant and a mobile app created by Texas Tech University students, among other local business developments. The digest offers residents a snapshot of commercial activity in the West Texas city.

A technical write-up by Kevin Boone explains how to set up ad-blocking at the system level on Android, bypassing per-app blockers. It covers the trade-offs, including DNS-based filtering options and what they can and cannot block. The piece is picking up attention among tech readers interested in regaining control over ads and tracking on their phones.

Security coverage is reminding smartphone users that a software update alone does not fully protect their device. After installing the latest version of their phone's operating system, people are advised to review other settings, such as automatic updates, app permissions, and security features that may need to be switched on manually.

The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration has launched a new mobile application called "My Arkansas." The app is intended to give residents digital access to state services and government-related information from the Department of Finance and Administration. The announcement was reported by local outlet KATV, drawing attention from Arkansas residents interested in how the state is expanding its digital offerings.

Egyptian startup SAYR has launched a public transport app designed for first-time and less confident users, aiming to make navigating buses and other transit simpler. The launch was reported by Disrupt Africa, which covers early-stage tech companies across the continent. No details on funding, download numbers or coverage beyond Cairo were provided, and reaction from commuters or transport authorities has not yet been reported.

Acrylic figures covering every character from the mobile game White Cat Project NEW WORLD'S go on sale October 7, with the first and second waves featuring 106 characters in total. The merchandise announcement is circulating among Japanese mobile gaming and smartphone app audiences, who follow the franchise's collectible releases.

An Engadget guide explains how iPhone and Android users can reduce unwanted spam calls. The walkthrough covers built-in tools such as call screening, silencing unknown callers, and third-party blocking apps, reflecting growing frustration among mobile users with robocalls and scam attempts.

Anonymous email forwarding service addy.io has released comprehensive updates to its mobile apps, launching iOS 2.7 and Android 6.6 after rewriting the code entirely. The updates include native search to find aliases, DNS verification for domains inside settings, one-tap sender blocking, and a reduced app size. Users of the privacy-focused service are being encouraged to update their apps.

A tech roundup is highlighting six of the best free scanner apps available for iPhone and Android, aimed at users who want to digitise documents without paying for software. The list is drawing attention among mobile users looking for practical alternatives to paid scanning tools.

Wero, the European mobile payment service backed by major banks, is moving into recurring payments, a space long dominated by credit cards. Reports say the service now wants to attack the classic credit card subscription model, letting users handle regular payments directly through the app instead of a card.

Singapore's OCBC Bank has added platinum and palladium to the precious metals trading available on its mobile app, giving retail investors direct access to the two metals alongside gold and silver. The move widens options for ordinary customers wanting exposure to industrial and precious metals without going through specialist brokers or physical purchases.

The mobile RPG Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Lost Stories will shut down its online service on December 7 at 3pm, according to an announcement from the game's operators. An offline version of the app is being prepared so players can keep accessing content after the servers close.

Nintendo has released two free mobile apps, Hello, Peach! and Hello, Luigi!, as reported by Eurogamer. The apps star Princess Peach and Luigi, expanding Nintendo's lineup of mobile offerings. Details on the apps' features and availability by region were not included in the initial report.

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.

New guidance highlights that blocking spam calls on iPhone and Android devices is now easier than ever, with native operating system features able to handle unwanted calls autonomously. Users are being shown how to activate these built-in tools to filter robocalls and telemarketers without third-party apps. The topic is drawing attention from mobile users tired of constant unwanted calls on both platforms.

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.