Techin' Geek

During Google’s virtual Android Show: I/O Edition event held on Tuesday, the tech powerhouse revealed a collection of future updates and functionalities, featuring enhanced Gemini Intelligence capabilities; fresh hardware named Googlebook; alongside various improvements to Android, such as vibe-coded widgets, Gemini for Chrome, and new emojis.

These features will be rolled out prior to Google’s yearly developer conference scheduled for this month, which will primarily concentrate on AI, similar to last year’s focus.

Below, we’ve gathered all of Google’s announcements in one location for your convenience.

Googlebook

Google presented the Googlebook, its latest range of laptops designed with Gemini at the heart of their functionality. The tech giant is collaborating with partners such as Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo to manufacture the inaugural Googlebooks in various models and configurations.

The company stated that the Googlebooks, which are set to launch this fall, represent the first laptops engineered from scratch for Gemini Intelligence, offering personalized and proactive assistance.

These laptops will come equipped with “Magic Pointer,” a novel cursor integrated with Gemini; compatibility with Android smartphones that enables users to access apps from their phones directly on their Googlebook; the ability to create custom widgets; and additional features.

Google introduced a new “Create My Widget” capability enabling users to vibe-code their personalized widgets. This functionality will initially launch on the latest Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones this summer.

Users will have the ability to generate widgets by articulating their desires in natural language. For instance, one might request the feature to “suggest three high-protein meal prep recipes every week” to obtain a tailored dashboard that can be added and resized on the home screen.

Updates to Android Auto

Android Auto is receiving a makeover that introduces greater personalization, widgets, and an edge-to-edge interface designed to fit any display, whether it’s an ultra-wide perspective, circular, or uniquely shaped. Users can integrate widgets that enable them to view essential information at a glance, even when navigation is active.

Media applications such as YouTube Music and Spotify are also undergoing interface redesigns aimed at simplifying their usage in vehicles.

Moreover, for the first time on Android Auto, you’ll soon have the option to watch videos on platforms like YouTube in 60 fps full HD in compatible vehicles starting this year, commencing with brands like BMW, Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Škoda, Tata, and Volvo.

Google announced that Gemini is now widely available on Android Auto, allowing drivers to ask questions, brainstorm concepts, or learn about subjects hands-free while driving. The company also mentioned that users will gain the capability to place food orders from the car, initiating with DoorDash.

3D Emoji

Google declared that all 4,000 Android emojis have been enhanced to better reflect their actual representations. Launching later this year, the revamped emojis will be crafted to seem less flat and embody more expressiveness and realism.

Features for creators

Android is introducing a “Screen Reactions” feature that captures you and your screen simultaneously, a format commonly seen on TikTok and Instagram Reels. This capability will initially be available on Pixel devices this summer.

Google has also collaborated with Meta to introduce premium Instagram features to its Android devices, including Ultra HDR, native stabilization, and night mode. Additionally, the company has optimized the process from capture to upload to ensure your photos and videos retain clarity upon posting.

The tech giant is providing new tools within Meta’s Edit app, exclusively on Android, including “smart enhance” for photo upscaling and “sound separation” for amplifying and removing audio.

Gemini’s agentic features

With Gemini Intelligence, the assistant will be capable of using data from one application to execute multistep tasks across various apps. For example, users could photograph an event flyer and request the assistant to find that event on platforms like Expedia.

This feature allows users to summon the assistant with their grocery list displayed and ask it to compile a shopping cart based on those items within the selected shopping application.

Gemini in Chrome

The company is now launching Gemini in Chrome for Android, following earlier releases on iOS and desktop, enabling users to summarize content or inquire about what they observe on the web page. Android users will also gain access to the experimental auto-browse feature, capable of navigating websites and completing actions like booking a ticket on a user’s behalf.

Form filling

Gemini will utilize data from Personal Intelligence to assist users in filling out intricate forms on mobile devices through an opt-in feature.

Dictation

Google has introduced a new functionality within Gboard called Rambler, which converts your spoken words into neat text — similar to applications like Wispr Flow and Monologue. This feature eliminates filler phrases like “ums” and “ahs” and also captures the intent behind statements, such as “Let’s meet at 3 p.m. … um, 2 p.m.” and outputs “Let’s meet at 2 p.m.” as the final text.

Extended AirDrop support

Last year, Google found a method for Pixel devices to share images and files with iPhones by enabling Quick Share to integrate with AirDrop. The company announced that this year, the feature will be accessible to users from other smartphone brands, including Samsung, Oppo, OnePlus, Vivo, Xiaomi, and Honor.

Furthermore, if you lack a compatible device, you can utilize Quick Share on any device to generate a QR code, which will allow you to share files with an iPhone via the cloud.

Additionally, Google stated that users will soon have the ability to access Quick Share within apps such as WhatsApp.

Easier iPhone-to-Android transfer

Google is set to roll out a new transfer option from iOS to Android, enabling you to bring over your passwords, images, messages, favorite apps, contacts, eSIM, and your home screen arrangement from your iPhone to your new Android device. This functionality is anticipated to launch on Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices this year.

Pause Point

A new Android feature will permit you to pause when launching an app that you’ve flagged as one of your distractions. Before you can browse, game, or engage in any time-consuming activities, you’ll need to take a 10-second interval to consider alternative choices you could select instead — such as launching your Google Play Books app for reading. Additionally, you can optionally set a timer that will cut you off from using the app before you dive in.

Improved threat-protection features

Google is also rolling out its default theft protections to all Android users globally following initial trials in Brazil. These protections will automatically activate on all new Android 17 devices, as well as devices that have been freshly reset or updated to the latest operating system.

When enabled, features such as Remote Lock and Theft Detection Lock will be turned on by default, and Google is limiting the number of attempts a thief can make to guess a user’s PIN or password. Additionally, there will be extended intervals between failed attempts. Law enforcement officials will now have the ability to access the device’s IMEI from the lock screen on Android 12 and above, thus allowing them to verify device ownership more efficiently if stolen.

Moreover, theft protections will be available for devices running Android 10 and upward in select regions, including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and the U.K.

Pixel users with up-to-date software and Advanced Protection Mode enabled will now benefit from Intrusion Logging, a security feature designed to assist in investigating suspected spyware attacks and device compromises.

Google is introducing a new optional feature in Android aimed at assisting security researchers in examining spyware incidents.

This feature, termed “Intrusion Logging,” is part of Android’s Advanced Protection Mode, introduced last year. This opt-in security mode activates specific functionalities to enhance device security against hacking attempts. Advanced Protection Mode seeks to mitigate government spyware attacks and forensic tools used by law enforcement to extract information from individuals’ phones.

These two forms of attacks can occur in tandem. In at least one reported instance in Serbia, authorities utilized a forensic tool from Cellebrite to access a device, subsequently installing spyware to maintain surveillance on the target. 

The release of Intrusion Logging marks the first occasion a device manufacturer has developed a feature specifically intended to aid security researchers in probing spyware incidents. To make this happen, Android’s Intrusion Logging generates a novel log type that catalogs errors and gathers evidence when irregularities occur within the software, offering insights into suspected spyware attacks. 

Amnesty International, which collaborated with Google to create this feature, described Intrusion Logging as “a significant transformation in the quantity and quality of forensic information accessible on Android devices.”

“Historically, forensic investigations relied on logs that were never intended for intrusion detection,” Amnesty noted in a blog entry providing detailed information on how Intrusion Logging operates. Consequently, previous logs lacked utility for researchers as they were stored temporarily and frequently overwritten, effectively obliterating any potential evidence of attacks.

Donncha Ó Cearbhaill, head of Amnesty’s Security Lab, indicated to TechCrunch that Android’s technical constraints “have hindered in-depth analysis of system logs and files for indications of compromise, unlike iOS.”

“These constraints have prevented us from reliably recognizing known threats against Android,” stated Ó Cearbhaill, who has investigated numerous spyware abuse cases globally over the years. 

The capability to more effectively recognize spyware attacks is expected to enhance with Intrusion Logging. Google announced this feature a year ago, but is now initiating its deployment. In a blog post on Tuesday, Google stated that Intrusion Logging “is currently being rolled out to all devices operating on the Android 16 December update and newer.”

How Intrusion Logging operates

Intrusion Logging monitors events related to security and possible breaches. Initially, the feature compiles and records logs daily, storing them securely in a users’ Google account in the cloud. By uploading logs to the cloud, it potentially shields evidence of device compromise from being erased by spyware. The logs are also encrypted to ensure that only the user can access them and share them with investigators, preventing Google from accessing the data.

The events tracked by Intrusion Logging include instances of phone unlocking; installation and uninstallation of applications; connections made to websites and servers; whether someone connected via Android Debug Bridge, a tool that enables a computer or forensic device like Cellebrite to link to an Android device; and efforts to erase logs associated with these events, which may suggest attempts to conceal evidence of an attack. 

In the context of a spyware breach, these logs can assist investigators in understanding when and how authorities might have compromised or forcibly accessed an individual’s device, linked it to a forensic tool, or used it to implant spyware or stalkerware. The logs may also reveal if a device connected to a malicious site aimed at exploiting visiting devices or accessed servers intended for data extraction from the phone. 

Although it’s a positive development, Intrusion Logging has certain limitations. Currently, in addition to needing to activate Advanced Protection Mode, this feature requires the latest Android software version, is exclusively available for Google-produced Pixel devices, and necessitates linking the device to a Google account. Intrusion Logging maintains records of browsing history and connections, which some individuals may hesitate to share with investigators. 

Google asserts that Advanced Protection Mode and Intrusion Logging cater to individuals who might be vulnerable to spyware and forensic device attacks, including human rights advocates, activists, journalists, and dissidents. Advanced Protection Mode is akin to Lockdown Mode for Apple devices, also designed for high-risk users and regarded as an effective strategy against spyware. 

As recently as March, Apple stated it has never found a successful attack against users who enabled Lockdown Mode. In 2023, security researchers from Citizen Lab reported that Lockdown Mode successfully thwarted an attempt to compromise a target with NSO’s spyware. 

In its blog post, Amnesty provided comprehensive instructions on retrieving the logs if a user suspects or has been alerted to being targeted by spyware. Apple, Google, and Meta have been notifying users about threats for years, which researchers indicate has been vital for identifying and exposing abuse cases.

Google unveiled several new AI functionalities under the Gemini Intelligence brand during its Android Show: I/O Edition event on Tuesday. Among these enhancements are the capabilities for AI to perform tasks across different applications, navigate the web, fill in forms, articulate speech, and even enable you to vibe-code customized Android widgets.

Gemini becomes more robust

Earlier this year, at the Samsung Galaxy S26 launch, the company introduced some agentic abilities like ordering food or securing a ride for Gemini. During that event, Google revealed that Gemini would soon gain the ability to carry out more intricate tasks, such as reserving a front-row bike for a spin class, retrieving a class syllabus from Gmail, and searching for books relevant to that subject.

Now, Google’s AI assistant will handle a multi-step process, such as copying a grocery list from your notes app and adding items to your shopping app’s cart. To access this function, you’ll press the power button on your phone and state the task. Meanwhile, the content displayed on the phone’s screen provides context for the assistant. Google emphasized that Gemini will wait for your final approval before completing the checkout.

Moreover, a feature introduced in January allowed Gemini to browse the web and complete tasks such as scheduling appointments, as part of an experimental rollout. Today, Google announced that this auto-browse functionality will also be available on Android.

By late June, Android devices will see the addition of Gemini in Chrome, an AI feature designed to assist users in summarizing content or posing questions about web page materials, similar to the existing functionality of Gemini in Chrome on desktops.

Additionally, Gemini will be able to fill out forms on your behalf by acquiring personal information through Personal Intelligence. (Google mentioned that this feature is opt-in and can be disabled through settings at any time.)

Furthermore, Gemini will integrate with Android’s Gboard keyboard. Google is leveraging Gemini’s multimodal capabilities by introducing a feature called Rambler within Gboard, akin to those found in other AI-driven dictation applications. This feature will allow users to express themselves naturally, transcribe their speech, and refine it by eliminating filler phrases.

Vibe-coding applications are gaining momentum, and Google aims to offer Android users an experience of this innovation as well.

The company is implementing a method for users to create Android widgets by articulating them using natural language. For instance, users can generate a meal-planning widget with query phrases like, “Recommend three high-protein meal prep recipes weekly.”

The concept of widget creation is not new to Gemini. Notably, the hardware start-up Nothing also launched a comparable tool the previous year.

Google indicated that Gemini Intelligence will adhere to the company’s Material 3 expressive design standards in its functionalities.

The company stated that these AI-driven features will initially launch on the latest Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices this summer and will subsequently be accessible on other Android devices later this year.

On Tuesday, Google introduced a new “Create My Widget” feature for Android, enabling users to code their personalized widgets. This feature will debut on the latest Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices this summer.

Users can create a widget by articulating their desires in natural language. For instance, one might request the feature to “recommend three high-protein meal prep recipes every week” to generate a custom dashboard that can be added and resized on the home screen.

Alternatively, if you’re a cyclist focused solely on wind speed and rain, you can create a weather widget that displays only those specific metrics on your home screen.

Gemini also has the ability to retrieve information from the internet and integrate with Google applications such as Gmail and Calendar to assemble a unified, personalized dashboard. For example, if you’re organizing a family reunion in Berlin, it can compile your flight and hotel information, highlight restaurant bookings, and even include a countdown.

This feature represents Google’s latest effort to integrate generative AI more deeply into the Android ecosystem, as technology firms compete to enhance customization tools for everyday users.

“It’s akin to asking your personal assistant a question and having them repeatedly deliver the answer,” stated Ben Greenwood, director, PM, Android Core Experiences, during a briefing with reporters. “Consider it as querying Gemini about the world, its understanding of current events, and aspects related to your personal data. These two categories unlock a wealth of use cases that we’re incredibly enthusiastic about.”

The company announced this new functionality alongside the introduction of Gemini Intelligence, which will offer more utilities like advanced autofill, a voice dictation feature powered by AI for Gboard, and other capabilities.

On Tuesday, Google introduced Googlebook, a new series of laptops centered on Gemini, Google’s premier collection of AI models. The technology giant is collaborating with companies like Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo to produce the initial Googlebooks in several shapes and configurations.

According to the company, the Googlebook, scheduled for release this fall, is the first laptop meticulously crafted around Gemini to provide personal and proactive assistance.

Googlebooks will come equipped with “Magic Pointer,” an innovative AI-enabled cursor integrated with Gemini. Instead of merely pointing and clicking, moving the cursor will reveal quick, contextual recommendations based on the content displayed on your screen. For instance, if you hover over a date in an email, you can quickly arrange a meeting. Alternatively, if you select two pictures, such as your living room and a new sofa, you can visualize them together.

“We believed that we could harness Gemini Intelligence to create a truly smart and intuitive pointer,” stated Alexander Kuscher, Google’s senior director of Android tablets and laptops, during a press briefing. “As you navigate across the screen, it will inform you of the interactions possible and contextually suggest the actions you can take… It truly showcases our vision for AI features throughout Googlebooks. They are integrated, yet subtle.”

The new laptops will also work seamlessly with Android smartphones, enabling users to run apps directly from their phones on their Googlebook. For instance, if you’re using your laptop and recall that you need to finish your daily Duolingo session but prefer not to grab your phone, you can launch the app right on your laptop instead.

Moreover, users will have the capability to effortlessly access documents from their phones directly via Googlebook’s file management system, enabling them to view, search, or insert files into their laptop’s workspace.

Users will also be able to utilize Google’s new “Create your Widget” function on Googlebook to design personalized widgets by interacting with Gemini. Gemini can also extract data from the web and connect with Google applications such as Gmail and Calendar to create a unified, customized dashboard. For instance, if you are organizing a family reunion in Berlin, it can collect your flight and hotel information, highlight restaurant bookings, and even provide a countdown timer.

A larger narrative surrounding Googlebook may involve what it will replace. The announcement of Googlebook arrives 15 years after Google launched the Chromebook — the budget-friendly, browser-centric laptop that became a staple in educational institutions and workplaces globally. The new Googlebooks will effectively take the place of the Chromebook, although the company is hesitant to state this directly. A representative from Google informed TechCrunch via email that the company intends to continue assisting existing Chromebook users, ensuring that devices receive updates throughout their current support period. The company further noted that numerous Chromebooks will be eligible to upgrade to the new experience but did not provide specific details on how this process would occur.

Google is not merely refreshing its laptop offerings — it is embarking on a gradual shift away from ChromeOS, the platform upon which it established its laptop presence, towards a new Android-centered operating system integrated with AI at its core. With major names in PC hardware already aligned, this strategy is as much about platform development as it is about hardware — and serves as a direct counter to Microsoft, which has been advocating its own AI-driven Copilot+ PCs since 2024.

An anti-doomscrolling mechanism has now been integrated into Android. (Indeed, the situation has become that dire.)

On Tuesday, Google revealed Pause Point, a feature aimed at preventing users from becoming absorbed in addictive applications on Android, the mobile operating system that powers Google’s Pixel devices, Samsung smartphones, and more.

Pause Point operates by mandating a 10-second delay after opening any app identified as a distraction by the user. TikTok, Instagram, X, and even Google’s YouTube might be categorized as “distracting” by Android users concerned about the influence of time-consuming algorithms on their daily routines.

With this feature, Google isn’t solely focused on users’ well-being.

It is also responding to mounting regulatory scrutiny regarding social media risks and algorithmic threats. Presently, numerous countries and U.S. states have enacted legislation to restrict or prohibit minors from accessing social media, as the effects of these applications on the mental health of young individuals have become more apparent.

Google can now highlight a feature like Pause Point to assert its role in being part of the solution rather than the issue.

“Android is more advanced than ever, but we also want to provide you with the tools to disconnect when necessary,” said Dieter Bohn, former executive editor at The Verge and current director of product operations for Google’s Platforms & Ecosystems team, during a press briefing regarding the Android 17 update.

“I believe we are all guilty of picking up our phone and opening an app, only to get stuck in autopilot, with an hour disappearing,” he mentioned.

Until now, social media application developers, including YouTube, have turned to app timers to remind users to take breaks or stop scrolling. Pause Point reverses that concept, interrupting app launches — and the dopamine rush that ensues — to compel users to pause and reconsider if this is truly what they wish to do, or merely a habit they want to overcome.

Google suggests you could utilize the time allowed by Pause Point to engage in a brief breathing exercise or to contemplate alternative activities instead of scrolling. For example, the feature can recommend more productive applications, such as a preferred fitness app, an audiobook application, the Kindle or Google Play Books application, and others.

Alternatively, you can browse through some favorite photos for inspiration — perhaps ones that remind you of other enjoyable activities, such as walking outdoors, spending time with your pets, or engaging in crafts.

Additionally, Pause Point allows users to set an app timer before they begin, making the time spent in the app feel more deliberate from the outset. This could be more effective than a standard timer, which is fixed for the same duration, regardless of the situations prompting you to take a break from scrolling.

The feature is also more challenging to disable than typical app timers, many of which can be easily ignored. In contrast, Pause Point requires a phone restart to turn it off, according to Google, which also encourages reflection before deactivation.

While Pause Point may not be as entertaining (or charming) as screen-time-focused or self-care applications like Finch or Hank Green’s Focus Friend, it benefits from being integrated into Android itself, which could enhance its adoption.

On Tuesday morning at the Android Show: I/O Edition 2026, Google introduced Rambler, an innovative AI-driven voice dictation feature for Gboard — its popular Android keyboard application. This debut places Google in direct rivalry with emerging AI dictation applications like Wispr Flow and Typeless, which have been gaining popularity on both desktop and mobile platforms recently, with most not yet solidified in the Android ecosystem.

Similar to other dictation tools, Rambler eliminates filler phrases such as “ums” and “ahs.” It also comprehends corrections made mid-sentence, as in, “I am going to meet you on Wednesday at our usual coffee shop at 3 p.m. … um, 2 p.m.”

Google revealed that it employs Gemini-based multilingual models that facilitate code switching. Code switching allows users to transition between languages within a single sentence — for example, from English to Hindi — with Rambler maintaining context throughout. This feature mirrors how many multilingual speakers naturally converse, whereas most Western dictation applications have been slow to adapt.

The corporation stated that Gboard will visibly inform users when the Rambler feature is activated. It does not retain any audio recordings and solely utilizes the audio to transcribe spoken words. Google emphasized during the presentation that, since users can utilize the Rambler functionality across all applications, it can be viewed as “reinventing the keyboard.”

Regarding privacy, Ben Greenwood, director of Android Core Experiences, articulated that Google combines on-device and cloud processing and has “significantly invested over many years” to ensure features are “safe and private” — a strategic note for users comparing Rambler against third-party dictation solutions that may manage data differently.

Recently, a variety of dictation applications — Wispr Flow, Willow, Superwhisper, Monologue, Handy, and Typeless — have emerged. However, until now, much of this development has occurred on desktop and iOS platforms, leaving Android relatively neglected. Last month, Google itself launched AI Edge Eloquent, an offline-first dictation application powered by its on-device Gemma AI models, on iOS.

Rambler represents Google’s most pronounced move to bridge this divide. Initially, these features will be exclusive to Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones for a summer rollout, but they will eventually be available on other Android devices. The primary advantage here is distribution: Gboard is the default keyboard for a vast number of Android users globally, which means Rambler is installed by default for hundreds of millions. When a platform provider enters a market on the operating-system level, standalone applications require significant incentives — improved accuracy, enhanced features, or stronger privacy assurances — to warrant a distinct download.

For dictation startups, the challenge is no longer if they can create a high-quality product — it’s whether they can produce something compelling enough for users to actively seek it out.

On Tuesday, Anthropic revealed that it is introducing a range of new chatbot functionalities aimed at delivering automated support to legal firms. These enhancements broaden Claude for Legal — the law-focused plug-in that was launched earlier this year — providing users with an updated suite of legal plug-ins and MCP connectors tailored for particular legal domains.

These latest tools emerge amidst fierce competition in the legal AI arena. In March, the AI law startup Harvey, which leverages agentic AI for legal workflow automation, secured $200 million at a valuation of $11 billion. Just last month, another startup, Legora, completed a $600 million Series D funding round and kicked off an eye-catching advertising campaign featuring Jude Law. Legora provides services akin to those of Harvey — automated solutions designed to streamline the often convoluted legal processes that previously required entire teams of people.

The tools from Anthropic aim to assist legal firms in automating specific administrative tasks — such as document searching and reviewing, accessing case law, preparing for depositions, drafting documents, and other related areas. The plug-ins — which encompass a collection of functions and automated tools — are crafted to function across various legal domains like commercial, privacy, corporate, employment, product, and AI governance, as stated by Anthropic.

Additionally, Anthropic is providing several model context protocol connectors. MCPs link distinct data sources and external systems to AI models, enabling direct interaction with them. In this context, the new MCP connectors integrate Claude into numerous software applications routinely utilized by law firms — such as document management tools like Docusign and file search systems like Box. Legal research platforms like Thomson Reuters (which runs Westlaw) can also be integrated.

According to the company, the new connectors and plug-ins will be accessible to all Claude subscribers. These new functionalities also build upon previous plug-ins tailored for the legal sector that the company introduced in February.

“The legal industry is under increasing pressure to embrace AI, and the firms and in-house teams that take initiative are advancing quickly,” stated a company spokesperson. “Claude is making a significant move into knowledge work, with the legal field emerging as one of its most important and rapidly growing sectors.”

As AI companies have attempted to attract law firms, failures related to AI have led to notable complications in court. Numerous lawyers have been discovered using AI to create documents filled with errors, including at least one prominent law firm. Last year, California imposed a pioneering fine on an attorney who used ChatGPT to draft an appeal filled with fabricated quotes. Federal judges have also been detected using it to prepare rulings, a trend that attracted the attention of congressional leaders last year. Furthermore, it is reported that AI-generated lawsuits are congesting the judicial system — inundating courts with piles of poorly argued legal “slop.”

Looking to leave billionaire-controlled social media but unsure of how to begin? A new application named Indigo is being launched today to enable users to navigate the open social web across various platforms, all within a single application.

Decentralized social media is gaining traction, as a growing number of individuals recognize their desire for control over algorithms, feeds, moderation preferences, and other elements of engaging in online communities. Nevertheless, numerous options exist. Users can select decentralized servers that form the social network Mastodon, utilizing the older ActivityPub protocol (also currently implemented by Meta’s Threads), or they can choose the newer social platform Bluesky, which operates on the AT Protocol.

Indigo does not compel users to make a choice. Rather, the app integrates the distinct social networks into a cohesive experience, featuring a synchronized timeline across devices and a composer that enables simultaneous cross-posting to both platforms.

Created by Soapbox Software — the same group responsible for the cross-posting application Croissant, which simplifies posting to Mastodon, Bluesky, and Threads from a single interface. Indigo co-creator Ben McCarthy, who also developed the Obscura apps and more, mentioned to TechCrunch that the new app leverages the team’s prior experience with Croissant while enhancing it with additional features that make it an excellent stand-alone solution for users on both open social networks.

When utilizing Indigo, it is possible to differentiate between Bluesky and Mastodon posts in your timeline: Bluesky profiles are highlighted in blue, while Mastodon profiles are marked in purple.

The application also features additional tools and functionalities, such as options that allow users to automatically scroll to the top when new posts arrive, conceal NSFW content, mute specific users or keywords, filter visible replies, activate a dark mode, and more.

Additionally, you can manage all your curated feeds and lists from both social networks through the app’s “more” menu, keep track of your notifications across both platforms, and conduct searches across Bluesky and Mastodon utilizing Indigo’s universal search feature.

The ability to cross-post, synchronize timelines across devices, and monitor trends between networks requires a subscription fee of either $4.99 monthly or $34.99 annually. (There’s a $119.99 one-time purchase available for those committed to the open social web.) Presently, Indigo is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and Mac.