Google Find Hub tags adding NFC support, better registration

9to5google.com Oct 6, 2026

Google Find Hub tags adding NFC support, better registration

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 6, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Google Play services version 26.39 adds two new features to Find Hub tags. Devices that support NFC can now be tapped with a phone to display details, settings, or identify lost tags, eliminating the need to manually activate identification mode. The update also streamlines initial registration, allowing users to assign a category, rename tags, and adjust settings directly during setup instead of through the Find Hub app. These changes improve usability and hint at broader NFC adoption among third‑party trackers.

💡 Why It Matters

· By enabling NFC taps, Google lowers the barrier to locating lost items, making the ecosystem more user‑friendly.
· The streamlined setup process also reduces friction, encouraging wider adoption of Find Hub tags.

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Apple invites developers to submit iPhone Duo-ready apps to the App Store

Apple has begun accepting iPhone Duo‑optimized apps and games for the App Store, following the release of Xcode 27.1 Release Candidate 1. Developers can now build, test, and submit Duo‑ready titles via App Store Connect, where a badge will indicate optimization. Starting April 2027, all submissions must include Duo screenshots. Apple offers resources, including Device Hub for pose visualization and upcoming in‑person workshops. The iPhone Duo will be available for pre‑order on October 16, with retail deliveries beginning October 23.

💡 The new submission requirements force developers to adapt quickly, ensuring a robust app ecosystem for the Duo’s dual‑screen experience. This shift could accelerate feature innovation and set a precedent for future multi‑display devices.

androidcentral.com · Oct 6

Google Messages struggles to send media in RCS—but a fix is coming

Google Messages users report a recurring bug that prevents media from sending via RCS, causing messages to either fail outright or deliver all files at once. The issue surfaced after the August update on Pixel devices and has persisted for several days in some cases. Google acknowledges the problem and is deploying a fix that may take a couple of weeks. The glitch echoes last year’s similar media‑sending failure, which was resolved with a server‑side patch.

💡 The outage disrupts everyday communication for millions of Android users, underscoring the fragility of RCS infrastructure and the need for timely vendor responses.

appleinsider.com · Oct 6

macOS development continues to hint at touchscreen MacBooks

Apple’s macOS 27.2 beta introduces new touch‑gesture code for Safari, Notes, and QuickLook, hinting at expanded touch support for both Sidecar and a forthcoming touchscreen MacBook Pro. The beta references “ICTouchPressGestureRecognizer,” “dragTouch,” and a “touch sentinel recognizer,” though the gestures are currently only in the code. If implemented, these features would allow iPad users to control a Mac with touch and could enable a touch‑enabled MacBook Pro slated for late 2026. The update suggests Apple is consolidating touch capabilities across its ecosystem.

💡 The move signals Apple’s commitment to integrating touch into macOS, potentially redefining how users interact with Mac hardware and expanding the appeal of the MacBook Pro line.

androidcentral.com · Oct 6

Googlebooks are here, but Google says some laptops might struggle with app…

Google announced that its new Googlebooks laptops will not support all Android apps on models with Intel processors, citing compatibility issues with ARM‑optimized applications. The company warned that Acer, ASUS, and Lenovo devices using Intel Core Ultra 5 chips may experience glitches or limited functionality for certain complex apps, while HP and Dell models powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite will run the full Play Store without problems. Pre‑orders began September 21, with full launch on October 4 (U.S.) and 5 (U.K.). Google is collaborating with developers and chip makers to address the gaps.

💡 Consumers buying Intel‑based Googlebooks risk encountering app incompatibilities, potentially undermining the promised Android experience and affecting device value.

appleinsider.com · Oct 6

Second October ‘event’ possible with new Macs as the focus

Apple is poised for a busy October, with an unannounced product reveal slated for October 13 and rumors of a second launch by month‑end. Sources say the later event could introduce new Macs featuring the M6 processor and OLED MacBook Pros with touchscreens. The October 13 show is expected to focus on Apple TV, HomePod mini, and Home Hub, likely via a press release and video rather than a live event. No official confirmation has yet been issued.

💡 The potential late‑month Mac launch could reshape Apple’s hardware lineup, offering a competitive edge in performance and display technology. This timing may also influence consumer expectations and market dynamics ahead of the holiday season.

9to5google.com · Oct 6

Googlebooks can’t install the Slack web app on day one

Googlebook, a new Android‑based device, launched with a full retail rollout but immediately faced a critical issue: the Slack web app cannot be installed as a progressive web app (PWA). While native Android apps and other PWAs like Photopea and Squoosh work, Slack’s PWA triggers an error stating “this app cannot be installed.” Users can create a Chrome tab shortcut, but it lacks a standalone window. Slack’s absence on day one may disappoint early adopters who rely on the platform for workplace communication.

💡 The failure to support Slack—a cornerstone of modern business collaboration—on a new device signals potential compatibility gaps that could deter professionals from adopting Googlebook.