Apps

Apple levels up streaming with Lossless Audio, Spatial Audio

Coming in the next iOS update!

Published

May 21, 2021

Mark Manera

Everyone loves music, from classical to modern hip-hop, we have different preferences of the music we love. Now, Apple wants to rock your world with a new addition to the Apple Music streaming service — Lossless Audio and Spatial Audio.

Spatial Audio

Any user with AirPods or Beats headphones equipped with the H1 or W1 chip will be able to experience the immersive sound produced by audio engineers. The progression to produce Dolby Atmos tracks only on Apple Music is on the move.

By the launch date, thousands of Dolby Atmos tracks will be available, with Apple slowly adding new tracks over the next few months. To differentiate the albums that are available in Dolby Atmos, a small badge will be provided for easier discovery. You can enjoy the songs from different genres in the likes of classical, Latin and pop just to name a few.

Apple-Dolby initiative

Apple and Dolby are taking charge by doubling Dolby-enabled studios in the massive market of the music industry. They now provide educational programs for improving one’s skills, and resources for independent artists, ensuring equal opportunity. This is a huge step for Apple as they are not only improving their streaming services, this also helps other labels and studios create better quality music.

Lossless audio

The goal is to preserve the original audio file of the music you listen to. This is made possible by Apple’s new ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec). Subscribers will be able to share the identical audio experience with their favorite performers.

With the release of iOS 14.6 next month, users will be able to modify the quality of music using the settings menu. After the update, subscribers will then see a new audio quality section available. To locate, go to settings > music > audio quality. Finally, you can select the audio qualities that you desire.

The various audio qualities offered starts with CD quality, and the options are 16bit at 44.1kHz (kilohertz), and 24bit at 48kHz — this is exclusive to Apple devices. Additionally, if you really love music, there is another quality you can select and that is the Hi-Resolution Lossless which is 24bit at 192kHz.1. You can choose different resolutions for your connections such as cellular, Wi-Fi or download.

Lossless audio will be readily available to 75 million songs in the Apple Music app on launch day.

Availability

Spatial Audio and Lossless Audio will be available simultaneously with the iOS 14.6 update by June 2021 with no additional cost.

If you are not yet subscribed to Apple Music, check out their website as they offer a free trial. In fact, you can also access apple music through various devices including android and samsung tv!

Why only take one when you can take four! With Apple One, you can have premium access to Apple Music and various apps including iCloud. Available for individual and family packages.

Apps

Google, on Android adopting Liquid Glass: “Not happening!”

Just in case you were wondering.

Published

May 7, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Google is slightly moving away from Material Design. Last week, a set of icon changes saw Android adding splashes of gradients to its formerly flat app icons. To poke fun at Android’s move away from flat designs, a user on X created a mockup of Android running Apple’s Liquid Design. Google, however, had a response ready in the chamber.

On X, @Micetor made a mockup of Android, specifically on the upcoming Pixel 11, using Apple’s latest Liquid Design aesthetics. It looked much like what an iPhone does except with Google’s icons and fonts.

Clearly, Google does not need to reply to any unsubstantiated mockups about its ecosystem. But they still did.

Sameer Samat, Google’s head for the Android ecosystem, personally replied to the mockup with a simple rebuttal: “Not happening!”

Not happening! Y'all are wild. 😂

— Sameer Samat (@ssamat) May 5, 2026

Despite using the design language for over a decade, Google does not want to drop Material Design altogether. Though the new gradients have revitalized the design language somewhat, the essence of flat design is still there.

Apple, on the other hand, wants a return to 3D. Liquid Design mimics the transparent aesthetics of Windows Vista. Though a bunch of users have found the design polarizing, other brands have started copying the design for themselves, incorporating elements on Liquid Design on their interfaces.

Whatever Google is doing, it’s coming in due time. The company is hosting its annual Google I/O on May 12 to showcase new developments coming to the Android ecosystem, including its design.

Apps

iOS 26.5 will support end-to-end encryption RCS messaging

The final update should come out within the month.

Published

May 5, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Back in 2023, Apple finally adopted the RCS messaging standard, ensuring that iOS and Android users could communicate more seamlessly despite being on different platforms. This year, the platform is adding an improvement to the feature: end-to-end encryption.

Starting with the upcoming launch of iOS 26.5, Apple will now support end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between iOS and Android users (via 9to5Mac). Besides the seamless communication, users on both platforms can start enjoying secure messaging with one another.

Apple has been testing the feature since February. Now, the company is confident enough to release the encryption technology in a new build for iOS 26.5 meant for developers. At this point, it’s just waiting for an actual release.

Why is this a big deal? Encryption adds an extra layer of security for your messages. Plus, end-to-end encryption means that messages is encrypted and decrypted only by the sender and the receiver. Third parties, which includes Apple, cannot intercept and access your information.

With the feature on, both messaging platforms on Android and iOS will show a lock icon to signify that, yes, your messages are encrypted.

Though the current build isn’t meant for end users just yet, it’s expected that iOS 26.5 will launch within the month, if not by next week.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone 17e review

Apps

YouTube makes picture-in-picture mode free for everyone globally

The update is rolling out globally now.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Picture-in-picture (or PiP) mode is a godsend for multitaskers. The feature lets users watch videos in a tiny floating window while doing other tasks. However, the feature isn’t readily available for all users. Or wasn’t, at least. YouTube is now rolling out PiP mode for free globally.

Previously, PiP mode was exclusive to YouTube users who pay for Premium or Premium Lite. It was also exclusive to the United States.

Now, YouTube is making the feature completely free for users all over the globe. It will be available for both iOS and Android versions of the app.

There’s still a catch, though. The free version is available only for “longform, non-music content.” The same goes for Premium Lite subscribers. Music is still an exclusive feature for those who pay for the regular version of Premium. Basically, there is no change for paying users or users in the United States.

Using PiP mode is simple. All you need to do is load up a video you want to watch in the background. Then, just exit the YouTube app and go about your other tasks. The video will be inside a floating, resizable window while you look at other things.

There’s no timeline on when the update will reach your device. However, YouTube has promised that it will roll out globally within the coming months.