Technologies

T-Mobile Responds to New App Setting That Records Your Phone’s Screen

A T-Mobile spokesperson explains what’s going on with a new setting that could be construed as a privacy risk.

Some T-Mobile customers accessing the carrier’s T-Life app on their phones are discovering a new suspicious-sounding option that’s on by default: Screen Recording Tool. Understandably, a setting that records the contents of your screen raises privacy concerns. That’s especially true lately as Microsoft continues to roll out its controversial Recall AI feature in Windows that stores snapshots in the background.

If you’re a T-Mobile subscriber, you can check if this new option has been turned on by opening the T-Life app, tapping Manage and then tapping Settings (the gear icon). The Screen recording tool option shows up under the Preferences heading.

A T-Mobile spokesperson defended the feature as designed to improve the user experience.

«To help us give customers who use T-Life a smoother experience, we are rolling out a new tool in the app that will help us quickly troubleshoot reported or detected issues,» the spokesperson said. «This tool records activities within the app only and does not see or access any personal information. If a customer’s T-Life app currently supports the new functionality, it can be turned off in the settings under preferences.»

The description in the app for the Screen recording tool echoes the same intent, but the fact that the option is on by default is no doubt what’s making customers justifiably concerned.

It reads: «We use a tool to record how customers use the app to analyze and improve your experience. Only T-Mobile will review and analyze your info. If you turn this toggle on or magenta, we will record your screen while you use the app. If you turn this toggle off or gray, we will not record your screen.»

(The «magenta» and «gray» refer to the color of the toggle switch to indicate whether it’s active or not, respectively.)

According to a post on droidlife, which earlier referenced the issue, the new option shows up on both iPhone and Android phones. However, I’ll note that it hasn’t yet appeared on my test devices.

The T-Life app includes another screen recording feature that is completely separate from this new Screen recording tool. In the app’s settings, under Help & support, is Screen Share, which can be used during a support call. It allows a T-Mobile expert to view your phone’s screen while troubleshooting an issue.

If you’ve ever tried to help a friend or family member over the phone and asked them to describe what’s on the screen, you’ll appreciate how helpful it can be to view what they’re seeing directly.

Technologies

Samsung Launches One UI 8 in Beta. Here’s How to Be the First to Try It

The new One UI 8 software will debut on Samsung’s newest foldables this summer, but you can give it a whirl now with some S25 devices.

Samsung opened its One UI 8 to beta testers Wednesday, giving us our first glimpse of what to expect from the upcoming Galaxy foldable phones.

Based on Android 16, the phone-maker touted the One UI 8’s expanded AI capabilities, allowing it to recognize context and understand what you’re looking at or watching in the moment.

Samsung typically unveils two foldable devices each summer — last summer was the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Galaxy Z Flip 6, when it rolled out AI-powered software features. This summer promises the same with the new AI features.

«One UI 8 will debut on Samsung’s newest foldables this summer and will gradually expand to more Galaxy devices,» the company said in a press release.

For now, the Galaxy S25, S25 Plus and S25 Ultra are the only devices that can download the new update. The Galaxy S25 Edge wasn’t included in this list.

How to install Samsung’s One UI 8

Want to try out One UI 8 for yourself? Here’s how:

Go to the Samsung Members app.
Scroll to the section for beta program updates.
Click Registration for One UI Beta Program.
On your device, select Settings > Software update > Download and install.

Technologies

Want to Try Tesla’s Robotaxi Service? It’s Supposedly Launching in Austin in June

City officials say they’re unaware of Tesla’s plans to roll out self-driving taxis in Texas, according to reports.

Technologies

Microsoft Copilot for Gaming AI Game Assistant Enters Beta on Android, iOS

Your AI-companion is here to help you beat a game.

The Copilot for Gaming beta is rolling out on Wednesday to Android and Apple devices. Microsoft’s AI companion is the company’s extension of its Copilot chatbot that focuses on video games, giving players an in-game assistant.

With the Copilot for Gaming beta, players will be able to ask it about their game and request help. It can also answer questions about their play history and achievements. For those who have a tough time figuring out what to play from their backlog, it can also recommend a game.

Microsoft first revealed Copilot for Gaming last year and unveiled more of the AI’s features back in March. One feature of the AI companion not mentioned in Wednesday’s blog post, but discussed in March, was how it can help catch a player up on a game they haven’t played in a while. Microsoft says Copilot for Gaming is to help solve the time management problem gamers tend to have by making them spend less time on certain tasks and more time on playing games. Copilot for Gaming is also supposed to act as a coach to help a player get better at a game.

Getting access to the beta depends on your region and what device you own. The test is happening in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore and other regions. Those with Android devices can download the beta from the Google Play Store. For iOS device owners, they would have had to sign up for the Xbox beta app on Apple’s TestFlight. There are limited spots, so unless you’ve already signed up, it’s unlikely you can sign up now as it’s currently full. Microsoft says Copilot for Gaming beta will soon come to the Game Bar on Windows PCs.

Microsoft didn’t say how long the beta would last, or if it would come to the Xbox Series consoles instead of having it on a phone or tablet.