You can now join a WhatsApp call without an account

9to5google.com Oct 15, 2026

You can now join a WhatsApp call without an account

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 15, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

WhatsApp announced a new feature that lets anyone join a voice or video call without a WhatsApp account. Users create a call link in the Calls tab, share it, and recipients open the URL in a web browser, enter a name and request to join. The host admits them, and the call supports up to 32 participants, preserving end‑to‑end encryption and core tools such as hand‑raising and screen sharing. Only account holders can generate links, but guests enjoy the same free, unlimited‑duration experience as regular users. WhatsApp says the links will soon integrate with Google Calendar and Outlook via a plugin, streamlining scheduling for work, school and personal meetings. The rollout was detailed in a blog post today globally now.

💡 Why It Matters

· It removes the platform barrier, letting non‑users tap into WhatsApp’s encrypted calling ecosystem with a single click.

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Apple Maps Detailed City Experience comes to Austin, Texas ahead of F1…

Apple has added its Detailed City Experience to Austin, Texas, ahead of the October 25 Formula 1 Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. The update includes Pixar‑style 3D graphics for the track, nearby attractions, and city landmarks such as the Apple Domain Northside, Black’s Barbecue, and the LBJ Presidential Library. Enhanced navigation data—grandstand locations, entry gates, rideshare pick‑ups, and pedestrian walkways—helps racegoers navigate the venue. A new Apple Maps Guide highlights Dylan Gossett’s Austin spots, adding local cultural context.

💡 The rollout showcases Apple’s strategy to integrate its mapping and streaming services, offering a richer, immersive experience that could set a new standard for event‑specific navigation.

9to5mac.com · Oct 14

Apple Invites update makes it easier to manage guests and track RSVPs

Apple released version 1.12.1 of its Invites app, adding RSVP enhancements and a larger Home‑Screen widget that utilizes the new extra‑large widget format introduced with iOS 27. The update follows a recent release that enabled full‑resolution photo sharing and Image Playground features. The new RSVP tools streamline guest management, allowing users to track responses more efficiently. Apple’s release notes detail the changes and encourage users to download the updated app from the App Store.

💡 By simplifying RSVP tracking, Apple strengthens Invites’ position as a primary event‑planning tool, potentially increasing daily active usage and encouraging deeper integration with its ecosystem.

androidcentral.com · Oct 14

Samsung Health update is all treats: Sleep and Running Coaches get needed…

Samsung announced an October rollout of updates to its Health app’s Sleep and Running coaches. The Sleep Coach now requires only three days of data from the past two weeks, down from the previous seven‑day, one‑month minimum, and adds a Sleep Balance graph that displays sleep time, regularity, night awakenings, satisfaction and an Energy Score. Users must also complete a survey on sleep regularity, caffeine intake and interruptions, after which the coach generates an eight‑week program. The Running Coach expands its training tiers from ten to twelve levels, targeting runners with benchmarks. Samsung deepens its Strava integration, allowing imported running, trail and cycling routes to appear in the Health app. The changes aim to simplify guidance and improve user engagement.

💡 Reducing the data threshold makes personalized sleep coaching instantly attainable, likely driving higher daily use of Samsung Health.

9to5google.com · Oct 14

Pocket Casts app now available on Android TV

Pocket Casts has launched a native Android TV and Google TV app, following its earlier debut on Apple TV. The new version syncs users’ accounts via QR code, mirroring the Apple TV interface and offering a “Made for TV” section for video podcasts. Playback continues in the background, and queued episodes appear as quick links for seamless switching. Availability required a few weeks of rollout, and users may need to install the app through the Play Store manually.

💡 By extending its platform to Android TV, Pocket Casts taps a growing smart‑TV audience, enhancing podcast accessibility beyond mobile devices. This move positions the service as a competitive player in the expanding home‑media ecosystem.

9to5google.com · Oct 14

Chrome 155 for Googlebook brings expanded web app installs, integration

Google released Chrome 155 for Googlebooks, the Chrome variant that offers features. The update removes the previous restriction that only sites with a proper web‑app manifest could be installed, allowing users to manually install any webpage as an app from the browser. Installed apps now appear in the launcher, can be pinned to the taskbar or homescreen, and inherit the shared Google Account login, cookies, site permissions and extensions. Google advises users to delete older browser‑tab shortcuts before reinstalling. Additionally, Chrome Settings is no longer forced into full‑screen mode on mobile; it opens in a separate tab, making it easier to reference pages while adjusting preferences. Version 155.0.8059.79 is rolling out via the Play Store and is on tested devices.

💡 Enabling any webpage to run as a standalone app gives developers a frictionless route to reach users across devices, effectively turning the web into a universal app platform.

windowslatest.com · Oct 13

Microsoft Publisher begins disappearing from PCs after 35 years, and your .pub…

Microsoft Publisher, a 35‑year‑old Office application, has been retired and is no longer supported on Microsoft 365 subscriptions as of October 1, with perpetual versions losing support on October 13. Users who still have Publisher installed can back up their .pub files and convert them to PDF, either manually or via a PowerShell script. Microsoft recommends using Word or PowerPoint as functional substitutes for most Publisher tasks, though editing complex layouts remains challenging.

💡 The abrupt end of Publisher forces small offices and non‑profits to re‑evaluate their document workflows, potentially increasing reliance on Word and PowerPoint and prompting a shift toward PDF‑centric workflows.