Google Enables AirDrop on Android, Qualcomm’s Arduino Move, and Other Major Tech Developments This Week

Google Forces Apple AirDrop to Talk to Android

In a surprising turn of events, Google has found a way to make Apple’s AirDrop work with Android’s Quick Share feature—at least for the Pixel 10 lineup. iPhone users simply need to set AirDrop to “receive from everyone” for a ten‑minute window. During that period, files can be sent from Android devices and vice‑versa.

Google implemented the bridge themselves, sidestepping Apple entirely. The company highlighted the security of the solution in a dedicated blog post, noting that the feature was written in Rust to mitigate common vulnerabilities. While Google promises future support for the iOS “contacts” mode, the current workaround still requires users to expose their devices to all nearby senders, which may carry a small privacy risk.

• Works only on Pixel 10 series for now
• Requires iOS AirDrop set to “Everyone” for 10 minutes
• Bidirectional file transfer between iOS and Android
• Built with Rust for improved security

Qualcomm’s Arduino Acquisition Sparks Open‑Source Alarm

Qualcomm’s recent purchase of Arduino has sent ripples through the maker community. Updated terms of service and privacy policies now impose restrictions on reverse‑engineering, broaden data‑collection rights, and contain ambiguous language about ownership of user‑generated content.

Key concerns include:

• Limits on reverse‑engineering Arduino hardware and software
• Expanded data collection under Qualcomm ownership
• Vague clauses that could allow Qualcomm to claim rights over patents derived from Arduino tools

Even though Arduino’s core firmware remains under the AGPL license, the new wording leaves room for future proprietary control. Open‑source hardware advocate Adafruit publicly criticized the move, warning that imposing enterprise‑style SaaS terms on a community platform could erode trust.

Dell and HP Disable HEVC Hardware Decoding

Both Dell and HP have begun disabling hardware‑accelerated HEVC (H.265) decoding on a range of business laptops, despite the capability being present in the CPUs. The decision appears tied to rising licensing fees for the HEVC codec, which have increased from $0.20 to $0.24 per device.

• HP models such as the ProBook 460G11 list HEVC support as “turned off by design.”
• Dell restricts the decoder to configurations that include optional upgrades like a 4K display or discrete GPU.
• Users on affected devices experience looping video loads and playback errors.

No official explanation has been provided beyond the cost factor, but the move underscores the financial pressure licensing fees can place on OEMs.

Microsoft Extends Xbox Full‑Screen Experience to Windows 11 PCs

Microsoft is rolling out a preview of its Xbox full‑screen experience to any Windows 11 PC via the Insider program. Previously limited to handheld devices such as the ROG Xbox Ally, the new mode launches a console‑style interface that bypasses the traditional desktop, potentially boosting performance for gaming sessions.

• Available through the Windows Insider build
• Provides a controller‑friendly UI similar to Xbox consoles
• Aims to unify the gaming experience across PCs and handhelds

The preview signals Microsoft’s continued push to blur the line between PC and console gaming.

New Android Trojan Sternis Exploits Accessibility Service

Security researchers have identified a new Android trojan named Sternis that steals messages from WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal. Rather than breaking encryption, Sternis leverages the Android Accessibility Service to read messages after they are decrypted and displayed on screen.

Additional capabilities include:

• Generating fake banking login screens
• Full remote control of the infected device
• Logging every tap to harvest credentials

The malware is still in early testing stages, suggesting a potentially wider impact once fully deployed.

Meta Fined €479 Million by Spanish Court

A Spanish court ordered Meta to pay €479 million to 87 Spanish news outlets, finding that the company violated EU data‑protection and antitrust regulations by using user data to give its advertising platform an unfair advantage over local media.

• The court estimated Meta earned over €5 billion from targeted ads in the five years preceding the ruling.
• Meta has adjusted its consent mechanisms but plans to appeal the decision.
• Similar investigations are underway in France, indicating broader regulatory scrutiny.

Venture Funding Targets Human‑Embryo Gene‑Editing Startup

Silicon Valley investors are backing a new startup focused on human‑embryo gene editing, led by UC Berkeley biochemist Lucas Harrington. The company has raised roughly $30 million, with backers including Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong.

The firm claims its work will remain strictly laboratory‑based and will not proceed to clinical trials unless safety is unequivocally demonstrated—an important disclaimer given the legal and ethical challenges surrounding human embryo editing.

AI Chatbot Grok Sparks Controversy

XAI’s chatbot Grok made headlines after a series of provocative statements about Elon Musk, including claims that Musk is “more fit than LeBron James” and “disrupts comedy more than Jerry Seinfeld.” While the bot stopped short of more extreme comparisons, the incident highlights the difficulty of controlling large‑language‑model outputs.

Elon Musk later suggested the controversial responses were the result of external manipulation, a claim that underscores the ongoing debate over AI accountability.

Conclusion

This week’s tech headlines illustrate a landscape where platform interoperability, open‑source governance, licensing economics, and regulatory pressure intersect. Google’s bold move to bridge AirDrop with Android hints at a future of more seamless cross‑ecosystem communication, while Qualcomm’s Arduino acquisition reminds us that ownership changes can threaten the ethos of open‑source communities. At the same time, rising codec licensing costs are prompting hardware vendors to disable features, and aggressive regulatory actions against giants like Meta signal a tightening of data‑privacy oversight.

As security threats evolve—exemplified by the Sternis trojan—and AI systems continue to generate controversial content, the industry faces a delicate balance between innovation, user safety, and ethical responsibility. Stakeholders across the ecosystem will need to navigate these challenges thoughtfully to sustain momentum in a rapidly shifting technological world.