News/Mobile
Google Pixel Fold drops $300 for Memorial Day sale
Google's latest foldable device, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, delivers significant improvements over its predecessor with a slimmer design and enhanced AI capabilities tailored for larger screens. Priced at $1,799 (though currently available for $300 less), this premium device earns ZDNET's Editors' Choice by successfully balancing portability with the productivity benefits of a tablet-like experience, all while leveraging Google's AI ecosystem to create unique functionality not found on other foldables. The big picture: The Pixel 9 Pro Fold represents Google's refined approach to foldable smartphones with a thinner profile and taller design that opens to reveal an 8-inch internal display....
read May 21, 2025Google brings NotebookLM to Android, upgrading mobile note-taking
Google's NotebookLM has made the leap from desktop experiment to mobile app, bringing its AI-powered research capabilities directly to Android devices. This expansion makes sophisticated document analysis and idea synthesis accessible on the go, allowing users to extract insights from their materials wherever they work. By combining Google Drive integration with advanced AI capabilities, NotebookLM represents a significant advancement in personal knowledge management that could change how researchers, students, and professionals interact with their collected information. The big picture: Google has launched NotebookLM as a mobile app for Android, transforming the previously desktop-only AI research assistant into a portable tool...
read May 21, 2025Delayed features and lawsuits undercut Apple’s position in the AI race
Apple's branding dilemma with Siri and Apple Intelligence highlights a deeper crisis in the company's AI strategy. Once a pioneer with Siri's 2011 launch, Apple now finds itself struggling with broken promises, delayed features, and mounting consumer frustration. The company's attempt to bifurcate its AI offering between the legacy Siri brand and the newer Apple Intelligence moniker has backfired spectacularly, creating confusion while failing to deliver advertised capabilities. This situation has escalated beyond mere disappointment, evolving into a reputational challenge that may require a complete brand reset. The big picture: Apple's AI branding strategy has collapsed under the weight of...
read May 20, 2025AI on the trail: Google Lens can tell you if what you’re looking at is poison ivy
AI tools have transformed the way we interact with and identify potential dangers in the natural world, offering new solutions for age-old outdoor problems. Smartphone-based AI applications now provide hikers, gardeners, and outdoor enthusiasts with reliable ways to identify poison ivy before accidental contact leads to painful, itchy rashes. This technological advancement addresses the notorious difficulty of distinguishing poison ivy from harmless lookalikes, making outdoor adventures safer and more enjoyable for everyone. 1. Use Google Lens for instant identification Google Lens offers perhaps the most seamless method for identifying poison ivy in real-time through your smartphone's camera. The app compares...
read May 19, 2025AI assistant Gemini coming to Samsung and Sony earbuds
Google plans to expand Gemini AI assistant access to various audio devices across its ecosystem, marking a strategic shift away from Google Assistant as the company pushes its newer AI technology to more hardware. This expansion brings enhanced AI capabilities to earbuds and wearables, allowing for more sophisticated interactions than previously possible with Google Assistant. The big picture: Samsung will bring Gemini to its Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Watches in the "coming months," while Sony earbuds will also gain Gemini integration as part of Google's broader expansion to cars, TVs, and Pixel Watches. Key capabilities: Gemini on these audio...
read May 19, 2025Android devices gain major Gemini AI boost across cars and watches
Google is bringing Gemini, its conversational AI assistant, to virtually every Android-compatible device in a sweeping ecosystem expansion. This integration will transform how users interact with their technology, enabling more natural, context-aware assistance across smartwatches, cars, televisions, and XR devices. The comprehensive rollout represents Google's strategic push to embed AI capabilities more deeply throughout its product lineup ahead of its annual developer conference. 1. WearOS integrationGemini will arrive on WearOS smartwatches later this year, offering hands-free conversational assistance directly from users' wrists. This update allows users to access Gemini's capabilities without needing their phones nearby, particularly useful when hands are...
read May 19, 2025Siri, why are you procrastinating? Apple may delay assistant upgrades until after WWDC
Apple's troubled AI voice assistant development is facing further delays, with no plans to showcase improvements at next month's WWDC event. This setback comes amid internal turmoil described by some Apple employees as a "crisis," highlighting the growing gap between Apple's AI capabilities and those of its competitors. The strategic shift toward a new LLM-based Siri architecture demonstrates Apple's acknowledgment that fundamental changes are needed to keep pace in the increasingly competitive AI assistant landscape. The big picture: Apple will not present any Siri voice assistant improvements at WWDC in June, focusing instead on other Apple Intelligence features like the...
read May 17, 2025Android 16 may add Gemini-powered ‘Magic Actions’ to notifications
Android is poised to make notifications smarter with a significant AI upgrade in its next major release. Google appears to be enhancing its notification system by integrating Gemini AI technology through a feature called "Magic Actions," which could transform how users interact with alerts on their devices. These AI-powered contextual actions would represent a major evolution of Android's notification intelligence, potentially offering far more personalized and situation-aware response options than the current Smart Actions and Smart Reply features. The big picture: Android 16 code reveals Google is developing "Magic Actions," an AI-powered enhancement to replace Smart Actions in notifications with...
read May 16, 2025Airtel deploys AI fraud detection system in North India’s Haryana
Airtel's new AI-powered security solution marks a significant advancement in telecom cybersecurity, offering real-time protection against digital fraud across multiple communication platforms. As online scams grow increasingly sophisticated beyond simple OTP fraud schemes, this preventative approach to blocking malicious websites before users can access them represents a shift from reactive to proactive security for millions of mobile and broadband customers. The solution's automatic integration for all Airtel users in Haryana, at no additional cost, signals a potential new standard in telecom security offerings. The big picture: Airtel has launched what it claims is the world's first AI-powered real-time fraud detection...
read May 16, 2025Too much of a good thing? Motorola Razr 2025 impresses, but AI features overwhelm
Motorola's 2025 Razr lineup resurrects an iconic design with impressive hardware innovation but stumbles with its AI implementation. The new foldable phones combine nostalgic appeal with modern technology through spectacular displays, pocket-friendly form factors, and distinctive design elements. While the phones excel in style and usability, Motorola's excessive AI features and limited long-term support policy detract from an otherwise compelling package that might just be the coolest option on the market despite its compromises. The big picture: Motorola has refined its foldable Razr series into stylish, functional devices that balance nostalgia with cutting-edge technology. The 2025 Razr models feature large...
read May 16, 2025Qualcomm unveils AI-powered Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip
Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset marks a significant mid-range processor upgrade, promising substantial performance improvements and bringing generative AI capabilities to more affordable smartphones. Built on a 4nm process, this new platform narrows the gap between mid-range and flagship devices with its upgraded CPU architecture, enhanced graphics capabilities, and expanded AI features. The announcement signals Qualcomm's continued push to democratize advanced mobile technologies beyond premium devices. The big picture: Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 mobile platform delivers significant performance upgrades while bringing generative AI capabilities to mid-range smartphones. The 4nm chipset promises 27% faster CPU performance, 30%...
read May 15, 2025Apple explores mind-controlled iPhones for greater access for the disabled
Apple's brain-computer interface technology represents a groundbreaking approach to accessibility, potentially transforming how people with severe physical limitations interact with digital devices. By integrating thought-controlled navigation with AI voice synthesis, Apple is pioneering technology that could allow people with conditions like ALS to not only operate devices hands-free but also communicate through synthetic versions of their own voices—effectively bridging the gap between intention and expression for those physically unable to interact with technology through conventional means. The big picture: Apple plans to support Switch Control for brain-computer interfaces, allowing people with conditions like ALS to control iPhones, iPads, and Vision...
read May 14, 2025AI-powered Lenovo, AMD ThinkPad elevates mobile productivity
Lenovo's new ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 brings powerhouse AI capabilities to an ultra-portable business laptop, targeting professionals who need performance without sacrificing mobility. Weighing just over 2 pounds, this AMD Ryzen AI-powered device represents a significant evolution in the ThinkPad lineup, combining the brand's legendary durability with neural processing capabilities that can handle up to 50 trillion operations per second. As AI-enabled computing becomes increasingly essential for business users, this device highlights how hardware manufacturers are integrating dedicated AI acceleration into mainstream professional laptops. The big picture: Lenovo is positioning its lightest-ever ThinkPad as a premium AI PC designed specifically...
read May 13, 2025Google I/O 2025: Key announcements and viewing guide
Google's annual I/O developer conference is breaking new ground this year with a split schedule—an Android-focused show on May 13 followed by the main event on May 20. This unconventional approach suggests Google is prioritizing AI as the centerpiece of its major announcements while giving Android its own dedicated spotlight. The dual-format structure provides a glimpse into Google's strategic priorities as it continues to evolve its ecosystem across mobile, AI, and potentially new hardware categories. The big picture: Google I/O 2025 will feature two separate livestreamed events, beginning with "The Android Show: I/O Edition" on May 13 at 10 a.m....
read May 13, 2025Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge preorders open with early deals
Samsung's ultra-thin Galaxy S25 Edge is set to launch on May 30, positioning itself as a direct competitor to Apple's rumored iPhone 17 Air expected to be announced at WWDC in June. This high-end phone, priced at $1,099.99, represents Samsung's thinnest mobile device ever and joins the well-received S25 lineup, which has garnered praise for its performance, build quality, and display technology, with the S25 Ultra even earning an Editors' Choice award from PCMag. The big picture: Initially teased in January and delayed due to South Korean political unrest, the Galaxy S25 Edge offers premium specifications in an extraordinarily slim...
read May 13, 2025Apple Intelligence boosts iPhone battery life in iOS 19 update
Apple is developing an AI-powered battery optimization system for iOS 19 that promises to intelligently extend iPhone battery life through personalized usage analysis. This advancement builds upon existing battery management features but takes a significant leap forward by leveraging machine learning to make real-time power adjustments based on individual usage patterns. The technology appears strategically timed to support the rumored ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, where battery capacity may be constrained by design limitations. The big picture: Apple will unveil an AI-powered battery management tool in iOS 19 that analyzes individual device usage to conserve energy and extend battery life. The...
read May 12, 2025Google AI transforms photos into videos on Honor phones, though amusing errors persist
Honor debuts Google's Veo 2 image-to-video AI on smartphones before the technology reaches Gemini users, offering a glimpse into how AI video generation is becoming more accessible. This notable early implementation showcases both the potential and current limitations of consumer-facing AI video tools, while establishing a precedent for how similar features might be monetized as they become more widely available. The big picture: Chinese phone manufacturer Honor has integrated Google's Veo 2 image-to-video AI generator into its latest smartphones before the technology is widely available to Google's own Gemini users. The feature will debut on Honor 400 and 400 Pro...
read May 8, 2025How to claim your payout as Apple settles $95M Siri lawsuit
Apple's decision to settle a $95 million lawsuit over Siri's unauthorized voice recordings marks a significant development in the growing tension between voice assistant technology and privacy rights. The settlement offers compensation to millions of Apple users whose private conversations may have been inadvertently captured by Siri between 2014 and 2024, highlighting how even accidental data collection can trigger substantial legal consequences for tech companies. The big picture: Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle claims that Siri recorded private conversations without user consent, potentially affecting millions of customers who owned Siri-enabled devices over a ten-year period. The...
read May 8, 2025Netflix redesign sparks user backlash on social media
Netflix is radically transforming its user interface across TV and mobile platforms, shifting toward a more algorithm-driven content discovery system that prioritizes visual impact and personalization. The redesign represents one of the streaming giant's most significant interface overhauls in years, arriving at a time when competition for viewer attention has never been fiercer. Early user reactions suggest Netflix may face resistance to changes that alter familiar navigation patterns, particularly the decision to relocate genre-specific browsing options away from the main screen. The big picture: Netflix has unveiled a major redesign of its TV interface alongside experimental AI-powered features for mobile...
read May 8, 2025FCC Chair urges faster spectrum allocation for wireless growth at DC event
US wireless industry leaders are emphasizing the critical relationship between spectrum allocation, artificial intelligence, and national technological leadership. At CTIA's 5G Summit in Washington, DC, industry figures highlighted how spectrum shortages could hamper America's ability to compete globally in wireless technology—an issue with implications across sectors from economic development to national security, particularly as AI becomes increasingly mobile. The big picture: Former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, now CTIA's president and CEO, positioned wireless leadership as fundamental to broader technological dominance, declaring that "countries that lead the world in wireless will lead in every technology-enabled sector that will define the next...
read May 7, 2025AI could make iPhones obsolete by 2035, Apple exec suggests
Apple executive Eddy Cue's prediction about iPhones potentially becoming obsolete by 2035 highlights how AI advancements might fundamentally reshape our device ecosystem. While testifying in Google's antitrust case, Cue made this striking claim about Apple's flagship product, suggesting that significant technological disruption could dramatically alter the consumer technology landscape over the next decade. The big picture: Apple's Senior Vice President of Services, Eddy Cue, speculated during court testimony that artificial intelligence could make iPhones unnecessary within a decade. "You may not need an iPhone 10 years from now as crazy as it sounds," Cue stated during the Google antitrust trial...
read May 7, 2025Netflix launches AI search and TikTok-style redesign
Netflix is reinventing its user interface with AI-driven features and a design that better accommodates its expanding content offerings beyond traditional shows and movies. The overhaul, the largest in over a decade, introduces conversational AI search capabilities, vertical video scrolling for mobile users, and improved infrastructure for live events and sports. This redesign positions the streaming giant to compete more effectively against attention-grabbing platforms like TikTok while supporting Netflix's strategic expansion into gaming, live programming, and sports content. The big picture: Netflix's redesign represents its most significant user experience update in more than a decade, fundamentally reimagining how viewers discover...
read May 5, 2025ANEMLL launches new open-source AI machine learning library
ANEMLL represents a significant open-source initiative to make Large Language Models (LLMs) run efficiently on Apple devices by leveraging the Apple Neural Engine (ANE). This project addresses the growing demand for on-device AI that can operate without cloud connections, providing privacy benefits while enabling AI capabilities on edge devices like iPhones and Macs. The big picture: ANEMLL provides a complete open-source pipeline for converting and running LLMs on Apple's specialized AI hardware, enabling private, secure, and efficient on-device inference. The project aims to democratize access to on-device AI by simplifying the process of porting Hugging Face models to Apple's Neural...
read May 5, 2025Motorola app disrupts Spotify’s personalized music recommendations
Motorola's new Playlist Studio introduces AI music curation that provides a refreshing alternative to the algorithmic limitations of major streaming services like Spotify. This innovative feature generates customized playlists based on creative prompts, potentially addressing a common frustration among streaming users: algorithmic recommendations that become too predictable and repetitive over time. However, the feature's exclusivity to Amazon Music presents a significant limitation for users invested in other streaming platforms. The big picture: Motorola has entered the AI race with its Razr 2025 series, offering features beyond the standard AI toolkit that most manufacturers implement. While the company includes expected AI...
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