Global Mobile News Digest, May 23rd

We take a weekly look at mobile and tech stories from around the world. Headlines include… EU Targets TikTok Over Opaque Ad Practices, U.S. Hits Back at EU’s Tough Mobile Platform Rules, Crypto and AI-Linked Scams Exploit Meta’s Ad System and much more… Alternatively listen On MEF Radio.

Google finally launches NotebookLM mobile app at I/O: hands-on, first impressions

Venturebeat

At the 2025 Google I/O developer conference, one of the most significant announcements for enterprise users is the expansion of NotebookLM — Google’s AI-powered conversational tool — to mobile platforms. Previously available only on the web, NotebookLM will now be accessible via the Google Play and Apple App Stores.

Initially launched as a document-query tool, NotebookLM has evolved into a versatile AI assistant and podcast generator. It allows users to upload PDFs, links, and YouTube videos, and generates human-like conversations using its two signature AI voices. This mobile rollout makes NotebookLM more accessible for professionals on the go.

Microsoft blames Apple for its delayed Xbox mobile store

The Verge

Microsoft’s long-anticipated Xbox mobile web store, originally slated for launch in July 2024, has yet to materialize — and now the company is pointing to Apple as the main obstacle. In a newly filed amicus brief supporting Epic Games in its legal battle against Apple, Microsoft criticizes Apple’s efforts to overturn an injunction that permits developers to promote alternative payment options outside the App Store, sidestepping Apple’s commission fees.

This ruling, which enabled Fortnite’s return to iOS with direct payment links, is critical to Microsoft’s own plans for its Xbox mobile store. The company argues its progress has been “stymied by Apple,” effectively delaying its ambitions to offer an open, browser-based mobile storefront for Xbox content.

How Europe is shaping the future of digital identity

The Paypers

John Peart from the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology shared the nation’s progress toward a trusted digital identity ecosystem, highlighting the rollout of GOV.UK One Login and the pilot of a GOV.UK Wallet for storing digital credentials like mobile driving licences and veterans’ cards. According to the 2024 Digital Identity and Attributes Assessment, widespread adoption could unlock £701 million in annual economic benefits. However, trust remains the biggest barrier. Peart emphasized the need for consistent standards, clear compliance processes, easy-to-understand trust indicators for users, and government-backed access to official data under a regulated, consent-based framework.

Philippines partners with GCash to drive national ID and mobile wallet uptake

Biometric Update

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has partnered with GCash in a mobile registration initiative to boost the country’s digital ID adoption. The colocation strategy enables Filipinos to register for the National ID and open a GCash mobile wallet account in one visit. The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement signed at the PSA headquarters in Quezon City. GCash uses biometric verification technology from Zoloz for onboarding. PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa emphasized that the collaboration supports inclusive financial access by linking the National ID system with GCash’s services. Currently, 56% of GCash users verified accounts using the National ID.

Redefining success: Lessons from Moloco’s report on top mobile gaming apps

VentureBeat

Mobile gaming’s future lies beyond scale. Although revenue is projected to hit $126 billion by 2025 and players could number 2.4 billion by 2029, top developers are shifting focus toward deeper engagement, sustainable growth, and diversified monetization. Following a decade of rapid expansion and a recent market correction, game publishers are prioritizing long-term player value over aggressive user acquisition. According to new research from Moloco on in-app purchases among top mobile gaming advertisers, the most successful developers are those fostering stronger, more adaptable connections with players—positioning themselves for durable growth in an increasingly competitive and mature market.

How recent regulations are transforming mobile app payments — what developers need to know and how Worldline supports your strategy

WorldLine

Regulators worldwide are taking action to reduce the dominance of mobile app gatekeepers and promote a more open, competitive digital ecosystem—particularly in the area of app payments. New rules in the EU and the US are empowering developers and content creators to offer alternative payment methods, communicate directly with users, and keep a larger share of their earnings. These changes mark a shift in how app marketplaces function, giving developers new freedom to innovate and monetise. By rebalancing long-standing fee structures, regulators are opening up opportunities for creators to reshape their strategies and thrive in a fairer environment.

Telstra plans Starlink messaging in coming months

MWL

Telstra, Australia’s largest telecom operator, is preparing to launch a messaging service powered by SpaceX’s Starlink satellite-to-mobile technology in the coming months. The company has begun live trials with regional teams to test the capability in areas beyond its traditional mobile coverage. According to Telstra’s executive Channa Seneviratne, the trials are evaluating how quickly SMS messages can be sent and received, ease of satellite connectivity, and device performance when mobile networks are unavailable. Aimed at users in remote and regional areas, the service is positioned as a vital “just-in-case connectivity layer” for staying in touch when off the grid.

One carrier is responsible for most RCS messages in the US (Update: Not so fast?)

Android Authority

Google recently revealed that over one billion RCS (Rich Communication Services) messages are sent daily in the US — and T-Mobile is responsible for the majority. In 2025, T-Mobile customers, including a “small percentage” of users on MVNOs like Mint Mobile, Google Fi, and Metro, are sending an average of 613 million RCS messages per day. That’s nearly triple the 224.5 million daily messages recorded in 2020. RCS, a modern alternative to SMS, supports features like high-quality media sharing, typing indicators, and location sharing. Adoption surged following Apple’s decision to support RCS in iMessage for Android users last year.

Ubisoft reveals new Asia mobile games deal as platform accounts for 22% of bookings in Q4

PocketGamer

Ubisoft’s mobile division saw a significant boost in Q4, accounting for 22% of the publisher’s net bookings by platform, up from just 4% the previous year. For the full fiscal year, mobile represented 16% of net bookings, compared to 6% the year before. Ubisoft hasn’t specified the reasons behind the mobile division’s strong performance, but the delayed launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows until March 20 likely impacted sales on other platforms. Meanwhile, console net bookings dropped from 46% to 35%, and PC bookings declined from 44% to 38%. The mobile idle RPG Invincible: Guarding the Globe has also contributed to revenue growth.

Signal’s new Windows update prevents the system from capturing screenshots of chats

Tech Crunch

Signal announced an update to its Windows app that prevents screenshots from being captured, protecting user privacy. This new “screen security” feature is enabled by default on Windows 11 and is designed to block Microsoft’s Recall feature, which continuously takes screenshots of your activity to help you revisit past content. Although Microsoft paused Recall last year due to backlash, it resumed testing the feature in April as opt-in, with options to pause it. Signal says Recall can still capture sensitive information, so with the new setting enabled, attempts to take screenshots in Signal will only show a blank screen.

Google, Samsung partner on XR smart glasses for 2025

Tech In Asia

Google and Samsung are teaming up to create new Android-based extended reality (XR) smart glasses, aiming for a launch by the end of 2025. This project, named Moohan, marks Google’s return to smart eyewear since ending Google Glass in 2015. Samsung will handle hardware development, while Google collaborates with design partners Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. The glasses will include built-in cameras, microphones, speakers, and optional display lenses, enabling hands-free access to apps and information. Powered by Google’s Gemini AI, they will offer real-time contextual features like navigation and translation.