Power users of Google Photos will appreciate this newly revealed feature.

      Joe Maring / Digital Trends

      If you frequently take pictures with your phone, you likely know how challenging it can be to sift through a large number of images captured quickly. The Google Photo Stacks feature aims to assist with this, but its interface has never been the most user-friendly. A forthcoming update may improve this with a more straightforward contextual menu.

      This update was first noticed by Android Authority during an APK teardown and introduces an arrow next to the photo stack, replacing the need for an upward swipe. This offers an easy way to select your favorite photo and delete the others at once, rather than removing them individually.

      However, it's best to temper your excitement. Google often embeds features in its code that are still being developed or tested, so there's no guarantee that this function will officially launch. Currently, there is no confirmed release date or official announcement regarding this update.

      That said, features discovered in APKs typically see release eventually. Android Authority was able to activate the Photo Stacks feature in version 7.19 of the app, indicating that its arrival may be imminent.

      The complete list of commands includes:

      - Set as top pick

      - Keep this, delete rest

      - Remove from stack

      - Unstack

      - Multi-select

      - Manage stacks

      The team noted that the Multi-select feature remains unchanged, allowing you to select multiple photos simultaneously for more detailed control. While it may not be the most substantial update, for those who use Google Photos to manage their images, this will significantly ease the organization process and assist in finding the ideal shot.

      Patrick Hearn writes about smart home technology like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more.

      This new Google badge assists in identifying untrustworthy VPNs.

      There are numerous VPNs available in the Google Play Store, but not all of them are reliable. To help safeguard your data, Google has introduced a new verification badge that enables users to quickly recognize which VPNs are recommended. Located just beneath the app name, the badge resembles a shield with a checkmark and displays the word "Verified."

      To qualify for this badge, apps must adhere to Google Play's Safety and Security Guidelines and achieve a Mobile Application Security Assessment Level 2 (MASA). You may have seen these badges before since this isn’t the first occasion Google Play has implemented them. There’s also a special badge for identifying government apps.

      If you're searching for the best AI experience on a smartphone, it's likely you'll consider two different AI providers. For the iPhone 16, the answer is Apple Intelligence, while for the Pixel 9 series — and other top Android devices — it's Google’s Gemini. Of course, Gemini is also available as a standalone app on the iPhone, but Apple Intelligence serves as the default AI service.

      Both companies feature nearly identical promises in terms of functionality, yet there are subtle distinctions. Google Gemini primarily focuses on utilizing AI for creating, editing, and generating content. In contrast, Apple Intelligence emphasizes personal use cases and integration across various applications.

      In iOS 18.2, Apple rolled out a notable upgrade to the Mail app by introducing a new Categories feature. This function, available on any supported iPhone, including the iPhone 16, is designed to help users manage their inboxes more efficiently by automatically sorting emails into different categories: Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions. While categorizing emails isn’t entirely new, as applications like Spark and Gmail have long provided similar functionalities, this is the first time Apple has adopted the idea for its native Mail app.

      I was thrilled when Apple initially unveiled iOS 18 and the Mail Categories feature. Although I strive to lessen my dependence on email, it will continue to be a significant aspect of my digital life. If Apple can offer a more effective method for organizing my emails, that would be amazing. Thank you, Tim Cook!