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Apple Tests Encrypted Messages, Podcasts Get Video Upgrade

Airbnb has globally launched its "Reserve Now, Pay Later" feature, allowing users to book accommodations without immediate payment, while Apple is testing end-to-end encrypted RCS messages on iPhones and upgrading its Podcasts app to support seamless switching between audio and video shows, according to reports from multiple sources. The moves signal advancements in both travel and technology, with the potential to impact consumer behavior and platform functionality.

Airbnb's "Reserve Now, Pay Later" feature, which debuted in the U.S. last year for domestic travel, allows users to secure bookings and cancel them without upfront financial loss, according to TechCrunch. Properties with flexible or moderate cancellation policies are eligible for the feature, with charges occurring closer to the check-in date. The company reported a 70% adoption rate for eligible bookings since the initial launch. This mirrors the popularity of "buy now, pay later" plans in e-commerce, making travel more accessible by spreading out costs.

Apple is also making significant moves. The company is testing end-to-end encrypted RCS messages with the developer beta of iOS 26.4, as reported by The Verge. This feature, once fully available, will enable encrypted RCS messaging between iPhone and Android users. Additionally, Apple's Podcasts app will be upgraded to allow users to seamlessly switch between audio and video podcasts using HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology, also according to The Verge. Users will be able to switch to a horizontal video version of a podcast while listening and download video versions for offline viewing.

In other tech news, startup Ricursive Intelligence, founded by former Google Brain employees Anna Goldie and Azalia Mirhoseini, secured $335 million at a $4 billion valuation just four months after launching, according to TechCrunch. The co-founders, known for their AI expertise, previously worked on the Alpha Chip, an AI tool that could generate chip layouts in hours.

These developments highlight ongoing trends in the tech industry, including the expansion of flexible payment options in travel and the continued evolution of messaging and media consumption on mobile devices.

AI-Assisted Journalism

Synthesized from multiple sources. Reviewed for accuracy.

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