Technologies
What Google Needs to Do For Android to Overcome Apple and iPhone in 2023
Google’s Android has fallen to second place to Apple’s iPhone and iOS for the first time in over a decade. Here’s what the search giant needs to do to gain back the top spot.

Google has fallen second place to Apple in the Android vs. iPhone war for the first time in over a decade. The free and open-source operating system, which still powers the majority of the world’s phones, can be found on devices from Samsung, OnePlus and Motorola. Even when combined with budget brands such as Nokia, TCL and Blu, Android-loaded handsets can’t outsell the iPhone stateside.
From a global perspective, Apple’s dominance is an outlier. The US, Canada and Japan are the only countries where Apple has an edge over Android. Everywhere else Android leads, usually by a wide margin.
Android falling behind speaks to the cachet Apple has built up around the iPhone franchise. From celebrities photographed at cafes with iPhones to their ears to late-night hosts engaging in repartee with an Apple Watch cuffed to their wrist, Apple products are both function and fashion of America’s aristocratic class. And thanks to iMessage, Apple has created messaging partition, with the «haves» enjoying blue bubble gardens and the «have nots» being relegated to green squalor. Heck, even movie villains can’t be filmed using an iPhone.
But there’s reason to be optimistic about Android’s attempts to retake the crown in the US. Google is building out an ecosystem to surround the Pixel 7, including with the introduction of the Pixel Watch. A Pixel tablet is coming next year. And Android does have its own base of rabid fans — even if they’re not on a Hollywood set.
So what can Google do to make Android relevant in the US again? Here are a few ways.
Double down on ecosystem
Google took too long to release the Pixel Watch, letting the Apple Watch act as a Trojan Horse and keep people locked inside Apple’s garden.
«Apple has such a sticky ecosystem. Especially the Watch, once you buy that watch, you’re locked into an iPhone,» said Techsponential analyst Avi Greengart. Google hasn’t had that up until this year. «And even then, its first watch is really a 1.0 product.»
Google’s slow trudge bringing the Pixel Watch to market means that the Apple Watch remains far ahead. At least now there’s an option for Pixel owners to keep them from feeling left behind.
The US market differs from the rest of the world in that there’s far less competition in the Android space. Concerns about Chinese tech companies tracking American consumers have essentially made it impossible for brands like Huawei, Xiaomi and Oppo to operate in the US. That leaves a handful of brands that can sell alternatives outside of Samsung and Google.
«Having more devices in the market also gives the carriers more choices on devices they can give away for free or do more promotions on,» said Anshel Sag, an analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy.
The lack of manufacturer diversity is only one problem Google is facing. The iPad line continues to remain a popular second-screen device, acting as an internet gateway for both toddlers and the elderly. Only one high-quality Android tablet comes to mind with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus, but its software is nowhere near as refined as iPad OS, with it often feeling like a big screen version of Android. Google has already announced a «premium» Pixel tablet for 2023, but it really will need to impress to draw in the throngs of consumers trained to look at iPads as the tablet.
Unfortunately, one area Google might not be able to offer a viable competitor to Apple is in laptop and home computing. Google’s Chromebooks are excellent affordable laptops for basic tasks, but lack the horsepower and flexibility to offer the functionality found with MacOS and Windows. It’s a market that’s already been carved up by Apple and Microsoft, making it difficult for Google to create a viable alternative. Even if it did, the installed base would be so small that it wouldn’t attract top developers. Here, Google’s best option is to continue integrating its products better with Mac and Windows machines to offer a comparable experience to iPhone and Mac.
Matter matters
One area that Google has dominance over Apple is in smart home. Cupertino is seldom quick to jump into new product categories, which is evidenced by years of rumors surrounding Apple’s supposed VR/AR headset and the Apple car. Apple did try to make an effort at home devices with HomeKit, but it’s largely been left forgotten. Google, on the other hand, has a heavy presence in the smart home with its voice assistant-backed displays, such as the Nest Hub, and its Nest WiFi, Doorbell and camera products.
Unfortunately, the smart home industry has stagnated with a dizzying array of competing products confusing consumers. A person who owns an Amazon Alexa smart speaker might be unsure if it will cooperate with their Google Nest doorbell.
Enter Matter, a universal smart home standard that will allow new home devices, regardless of brand, to communicate with one another. Even Apple, the company that enjoys creating walled gardens, has joined the Connected Standards Alliance, along with Amazon, Google, Samsung, Ikea, Lutron, Signify and others.
«That is an area where Google could take some advantage, building more of those controls or just exposing them more in Android,» Greengart said. This includes building out a person’s homepage, widgets and making connections between multiple devices. Greengart said it’ll be up to Google to let people know that smart home interoperability can be done best on Android.
Beat Apple to innovation
Google’s product events continue to get better, bringing greater production value and fanfare, but still can’t capture the same magic as Apple. The Cupertino, California-based company still has that ability to drum up excitement over its family of products and services. Enthusiastic rhetoric from executives mixed with high production value can make a person believe that Apple is bringing the latest in tech and innovation, even if that isn’t always the case.
High refresh screens to optical image stabilization and laser autofocus, all features Apple breathlessly crows about, came to Android first.
There are, however, consumers who see past the fancy macro shots and do want to be the first to new tech. This is an area Google should double-down on to entice enthusiasts.
Already, rumors are surfacing of a Pixel foldable device, one that could compete with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4.
«I think [Samsung’s] really starting to gain momentum there. And I think it’s showing, but the problem is the price, right?,» Sag said. If Samsung can continue pushing the price of foldables down, it’ll help increase the category’s popularity, bringing more competition. «As a result, competition will probably equal more sales and more competitive pricing.»
Google has also been heavily advertising Pixel features, such as live translate in its 2022 World Cup commercial. The Pixel 7 is also the official «fan phone» of the NBA this season, with a commercial featuring player Giannis Antetokounmpo and actor Simu Liu. Google has also reportedly placed the largest order of Pixel 7 devices, more than any prior iteration. Regardless of sales and celebrity endorsement, Google needs to make Pixel feel premium and exclusive, almost anathema to Android’s core vision as a free and open-source operating system. Because, if Apple’s success is any indication, people like feeling as if they’re in the «in crowd.»
Technologies
Grok Now Remembers What You Talked About, and Here’s How to Make It Stop
The chatbot’s memory is in beta and now available on Grok.com and the official iOS and Android apps.

Elon Musk’s artifical intelligence company xAI has added memory to its flagship AI known as Grok. The announcement was posted on Musk’s social media platform X on Wednesday, along with information about how the memory functions work, which is similar to other AI models. When you speak to Grok, it’ll pick up tidbits about your likes, dislikes, preferences and interests, and then use that information to tailor its responses directly to you.
Chat GPT and Google’s Gemini AI both added memory in 2024, and both can now remember conversations long-term to give you more personalized answers. In the example from xAI, the user asks Grok for a workout routine. The AI responds by mentioning that the user had previously asked about «dynamic, high-energy activities and fitness trends like jump rope and weightlifting.» Grok then makes a workout routine that incorporates those elements.
When referencing old conversations, Grok’s UI has a button that lets you see which previous conversations it references. Users can also view what Grok remembers about them and can tune that manually to make Grok forget what it learned. Grok’s new memory is available in beta on Grok.com along with the official iOS and Android apps. It is available for both free and premium Grok users.
Read more: Best AI Chatbots of 2025
How to turn the memory off
Despite being in beta, the feature is enabled by default, or at least it was when we tried it. The good news is that you can toggle Grok’s conversation history mode on and off at will. So, if you don’t want Grok to remember everything you tell it, here’s how to make it stop.
-
Grok.com: Tap your profile picture and then Settings. Navigate to Data Controls. The feature is «Personalize Grok with your conversation history.» Toggle it off to disable.
-
Android and iOS apps: Open the Settings, navigate to Data Controls. Here, the feature is «Personalize with memories.» Toggle it off to disable the feature.
In addition, users can toggle the private chat mode by using the ghost icon in the chatbox. Grok will not store the details of your conversation in private chat mode. While you are in the app’s Data Controls, you can also disable Grok from using your X history during conversations.
Technologies
Grab a Certified Refurbished Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $580 With This Woot Deal
Save over $200 by opting for a refurbished Apple Watch that includes a year of warranty from Apple.

Last year, the original Apple Watch Ultra was succeeded by the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The headline change is a new sleek black titanium option, but there are some other minor tweaks. If you’re after a high-performance smartwatch at a reduced price and don’t mind a refurbished model, there’s an excellent deal available. You can currently purchase a certified refurbished Apple Watch Ultra 2 for just $580 at Woot — down from its original price of $799. Since this is an Apple Certified Refurbished unit, it includes a full 1-year warranty from Apple. However, this offer is only available while supplies last, so if you’re interested, it’s best to act quickly to secure one at this discounted rate.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is one of the best smartwatches you can buy, with CNET reviewer Lexy Savvides complimenting its «searingly bright screen and faster responses.» It originally retailed for $799, but with this deal, you receive a certified refurbished model that has undergone Apple’s rigorous refurbishment process. This includes a thorough inspection, replacement of any defective parts, and a comprehensive cleaning. The watch comes with a new battery and outer shell, ensuring it looks and functions like new. It also includes a magnetic charging cable and is packaged in a new white box. As an Apple Certified Refurbished product, it qualifies for AppleCare and comes with a standard 1-year warranty.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
If you’re comfortable with a refurbished device, this is a fantastic opportunity to own Apple’s most rugged and feature-rich smartwatch at a significant discount. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers the same 49mm titanium case as the 1st-gen, an always-on Retina display with up to 3,000 nits brightness, and advanced GPS capabilities for outdoor adventures. It offers up to 36 hours of battery life on a single charge, extendable to 72 hours in Low Power Mode. Health and safety features include heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, fall and crash detection and a built-in siren for emergencies. With cellular connectivity, you can make calls, send messages and use Apple Pay directly from your wrist, even without your iPhone nearby.
Read more: Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: Rugged Watches Compared
If refurbished items aren’t your thing, be sure to check out our roundup of other Apple Watch deals currently available.
Why this deal matters
Purchasing refurbished products is an excellent way to save money without compromising on quality. Apple’s Certified Refurbished program ensures that each device meets strict standards and includes a full warranty for peace of mind. If you’ve been wanting to upgrade without paying full price, this is a deal worth taking before supplies run dry.
Technologies
Meta Removes Use of Apple Intelligence in Its Apps on iPhone
Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and Threads no longer have access to the writing features of Apple Intelligence.

Meta is removing the option to use Apple Intelligence writing tools for four of its apps, CNET confirmed Thursday. These options were originally enabled across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads, but seem to have been removed for some users.
It appears that Meta’s removal of Apple’s AI features may have begun as early as December of 2024, bringing confusion to iPhone owners who may have relied on the feature within its apps. Meta and Apple did not respond to requests for comment.
CNET senior writer Abrar Al-Heeti dug deeper. When she attempted to highlight text on Instagram to be rewritten, she saw only a «Write with AI» option, which instead of Apple Intelligence leads to a Meta AI window. On Threads and WhatsApp, she did not see the option to alter her text with AI at all.
Spotted earlier by sorcererhat, AppleInsider did a bit more digging into the Apple Developer documentation to confirm that iOS and iPadOS apps need to manually enable the feature along with the findings from the Apple Support Forums.
In a moment where artificial intelligence is everywhere and each massive tech company is building up their own solutions from the ground up to compete with each other, Meta’s decision to remove the use of Apple Intelligence writing tools may not be incredibly surprising, and certainly will not be in hindsight if a similar feature arrives on Meta’s own apps for iOS.
-
Technologies2 года ago
Tech Companies Need to Be Held Accountable for Security, Experts Say
-
Technologies2 года ago
Best Handheld Game Console in 2023
-
Technologies2 года ago
Tighten Up Your VR Game With the Best Head Straps for Quest 2
-
Technologies4 года ago
Verum, Wickr and Threema: next generation secured messengers
-
Technologies4 года ago
Google to require vaccinations as Silicon Valley rethinks return-to-office policies
-
Technologies3 года ago
Olivia Harlan Dekker for Verum Messenger
-
Technologies3 года ago
Black Friday 2021: The best deals on TVs, headphones, kitchenware, and more
-
Technologies4 года ago
iPhone 13 event: How to watch Apple’s big announcement tomorrow