News/Mobile
Hohem’s iSteady M7 gimbal brings AI tracking and pro stabilization to smartphone filmmakers
Hohem's new iSteady M7 smartphone gimbal elevates content creation with advanced AI features and professional stabilization capabilities that go beyond what even the best smartphone cameras can deliver on their own. While modern phones have improved their built-in stabilization, the M7 offers the precision hardware control and tracking features that serious content creators need to achieve truly cinematic, professional-grade video production with smoother camera movements and enhanced creative possibilities. The big picture: Hohem's iSteady M7 combines professional-grade stabilization with AI tracking capabilities and integrated lighting to help content creators produce more polished videos. The gimbal features an orthogonal 3-axis design...
read Apr 11, 2025Google’s Pixel 9A offers same chip but stripped-down AI due to memory limits
Google's Pixel 9A brings the same Tensor G4 chip as its premium siblings but includes significant limitations to its AI capabilities due to hardware constraints. The midrange device comes with a stripped-down version of Google's Gemini AI that only processes text, highlighting how memory constraints increasingly determine AI feature availability in smartphones, even when devices share the same processor. The big picture: The Pixel 9A features a text-only version of Gemini AI due to its more limited 8GB of RAM, compared to the 12GB in the Pixel 9 and 16GB in the Pro models. The device runs an even smaller...
read Apr 11, 2025Apple’s hardware strategy may overshadow its AI struggles through 2025
Apple is navigating AI development challenges while leveraging its core strengths in hardware and software innovation. Despite lagging behind competitors like OpenAI and Google in AI advancements, Apple's upcoming product lineup and software redesigns position the company to weather its current AI struggles. The delayed "new Siri" may impact Apple's competitive stance in the short term, but the company's traditional focus on integrated hardware-software experiences remains its primary business driver, with most consumers still prioritizing these aspects over AI capabilities when making purchasing decisions. The big picture: Apple's AI struggles are real but may prove less consequential than critics suggest...
read Apr 11, 2025Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra boosts flagship experience with AI and subtle refinements
Samsung's latest Galaxy S25 Ultra smartphone elevates the flagship Android experience through significant AI advancements and thoughtful refinements to an already successful formula. While positioned as an incremental upgrade rather than a revolutionary overhaul, the device maintains Samsung's leadership position by delivering comprehensive excellence across performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and software features. The expanded AI toolkit and continued S Pen integration highlight Samsung's commitment to both productivity and ecosystem development in the premium smartphone market. The big picture: The Galaxy S25 Ultra refines rather than reinvents Samsung's premium smartphone offering, focusing on enhanced AI capabilities and subtle design improvements...
read Apr 9, 2025Mobile ad market to reach $564 billion by 2029, growing at 15% annually
The mobile advertising market is experiencing explosive growth, projected to nearly double from $277.73 billion in 2024 to $563.97 billion by 2029. This rapid expansion reflects fundamental shifts in digital consumption patterns, with smartphones becoming the primary gateway to online experiences. As advertisers increasingly leverage artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, and emerging technologies like augmented reality, understanding the market's trajectory has become essential for businesses seeking to effectively reach mobile-first consumers in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. The big picture: The mobile advertising market is expanding at a remarkable pace, growing from $277.73 billion in 2024 to an anticipated $320.95...
read Apr 8, 2025Do you see what I see? Google’s Gemini adds screen-aware AI to transform Android experience
Google's Gemini is advancing the Android user experience with innovative screen-aware AI capabilities that essentially turn the assistant into an interactive visual companion. Scheduled to roll out to Gemini Advanced subscribers later this month, these features represent a significant shift in how users interact with their devices, moving beyond simple voice commands to contextual visual understanding. This evolution positions Gemini as a more intuitive assistant that can respond to what users see rather than just what they say. The big picture: Google is enhancing Gemini with screen-sharing functionality that allows users to ask questions about content visible on their Android...
read Apr 8, 2025Google’s Pixel 10 to feature Pixel Sense AI that analyzes data across all apps
Google's upcoming Pixel 10 series is set to feature a deeply integrated AI system called Pixel Sense, which will analyze user data across nearly all Google apps to create highly personalized experiences. This evolution of Google's earlier Pixie project represents a significant advance in contextual computing, where smartphones attempt to anticipate user needs by processing vast amounts of personal data and usage patterns. The big picture: Google plans to launch Pixel Sense as a flagship feature for its Pixel 10 smartphones later this year, leveraging data from virtually every Google app to create predictive, personalized experiences. The system represents a...
read Apr 7, 2025Telecoms industry shifts from theory to practice with Open RAN, NTN, and AI
The telecoms industry is shifting from theoretical possibilities to practical implementations across several key technologies. At Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2025, industry leaders highlighted the growing maturity of Open RAN networks, the commercial reality of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), and the practical applications of AI in solving real-world telecoms challenges. This evolution represents a significant transition as operators now focus on building the fundamental infrastructure necessary to support these innovations long-term. The big picture: Open RAN technology has moved beyond discussions of theoretical potential to demonstrating real-world maturity and ecosystem growth. "Maturity is not a discussion anymore, I think we...
read Apr 7, 2025Google’s Gemini replacing Assistant by end of 2025—what users need to know
Don't let the phone case slam you on your way out, Assistant. Google's transition from Assistant to Gemini marks a significant evolution in the company's AI strategy, creating disruption for millions of users while promising more advanced capabilities. This shift represents a fundamental reimagining of Google's voice assistant technology, forcing users to adapt to new features and limitations while potentially leaving some older devices without support. Understanding what's changing and how it affects different devices is crucial for the millions who rely on Google's voice assistant technology daily. The big picture: Google is replacing its nine-year-old Assistant with Gemini, an...
read Apr 7, 2025Apple’s SeedLM compression technique could make AI models run faster on phones
Apple researchers have developed a new compression technique for large language models that could significantly accelerate AI deployment on memory-constrained devices. SeedLM represents a novel approach to model compression that maintains performance while reducing memory requirements, potentially enabling more efficient AI systems across a range of hardware platforms. The technique's data-free approach and ability to maintain accuracy even at high compression rates could help address one of the most significant barriers to widespread LLM implementation. The big picture: Apple researchers have introduced SeedLM, a post-training compression method that efficiently encodes model weights using seeds from a pseudo-random generator, addressing the...
read Apr 7, 2025Skip recap? Amazon’s new AI-powered Kindle Recaps helps readers catch up on book series
Amazon's new Kindle Recaps feature uses AI to help readers quickly catch up on book series, providing summaries similar to TV's "previously on" segments. This solution addresses common reading pain points like forgetting plot details or needing a refresher when returning to a series after a long break, expanding Amazon's growing portfolio of AI-powered entertainment tools that streamline content consumption experiences. The big picture: Amazon is rolling out "Recaps," an AI-generated feature for Kindle devices that provides short summaries of previous books in a series, helping readers catch up before starting a new installment. The company confirmed to TechCrunch that...
read Apr 7, 2025Google’s Pixel 9a contradicts itself with 7-year updates but only 8GB RAM for AI
Google's Pixel 9a offers an impressive seven-year update promise at the budget-friendly price of $499, but its 8GB of RAM creates a serious contradiction in Google's strategy. While Google positions this device as an AI-capable phone that will remain viable for seven years, current AI applications already strain 8GB of memory, and this limitation will become increasingly problematic as AI technology advances. This mismatch between hardware specifications and long-term software support raises important questions about what constitutes true value in budget smartphones marketed for extended use. The big picture: Google's Pixel 9a offers the same seven-year OS and security update...
read Apr 7, 2025Siri’s dramatic decline forces Apple to rethink its voice assistant strategy
Apple's virtual assistant Siri has deteriorated significantly over time, while user expectations and competitor capabilities have surged forward. This growing gap has prompted calls for Apple to either completely overhaul its approach to voice assistance or embrace deeper integration with third-party AI assistants, as the current system falls increasingly short despite its privileged position as the iPhone's native voice assistant. The big picture: Siri has transformed from groundbreaking technology in 2011 to a consistently frustrating experience that fails at even basic tasks, creating a widening gap between Apple's voice assistant and more advanced AI alternatives. The quality of Siri's performance...
read Apr 6, 2025Pixel 9a’s 8GB RAM bottleneck forces Google to limit on-device AI features
Google's Pixel 9a demonstrates how hardware limitations directly impact AI capabilities, even in devices running the same processor. While the new mid-range Pixel shares the Tensor G4 chip with its premium siblings, its 8GB RAM constraint forces significant compromises in on-device AI functionality. This situation highlights a growing challenge in smartphone design: balancing affordable hardware with increasingly memory-intensive AI features that consumers increasingly expect. The memory constraint: Google's Pixel 9a uses a more limited AI model due to its 8GB RAM ceiling, compared to the 12-16GB found in premium Pixel 9 models. The device must run Gemini Nano 1.0 XXS...
read Apr 5, 2025iPad Mini 7 review: Portable entertainment powerhouse despite limited AI and $500 price
The iPad Mini 7 offers unmatched portability in Apple's tablet lineup despite its limited AI capabilities and modest upgrades over previous generations. This compact powerhouse has found a surprising niche for entertainment on the go, though its $500 price tag may be difficult to justify for power users seeking a productivity device. With the current $100 discount, it represents a more compelling value proposition for those prioritizing convenience over raw performance. The big picture: The iPad Mini 7 carves out a unique position in Apple's tablet ecosystem with its ultraportable 8.3-inch display that slips easily into bags without adding significant...
read Apr 3, 2025Google launches AI travel tools that analyze screenshots and plan your trips
Google is expanding its AI-powered travel planning capabilities with new features that analyze users' screenshots and generate personalized itineraries. These tools reflect Google's continued integration of AI across its product ecosystem, with the company focusing on helping users organize travel information while maintaining privacy through on-device processing. The updates arrive just as summer travel planning begins, positioning Google to enhance its role in the increasingly competitive digital travel planning space. The big picture: Google is launching new AI features in Maps that can analyze screenshots to identify travel destinations, alongside expanded AI Overviews for trip planning. The screenshot list feature...
read Apr 3, 2025Apple Intelligence bested by Google, Samsung as features aren’t compelling enough to drive iPhone upgrades
Apple Intelligence features, while innovative, haven't proven compelling enough to make a tech journalist switch his primary iPhone, highlighting a critical challenge for Apple's AI strategy. Despite some useful tools like email summaries and Visual Intelligence, most features lack the essential quality that would drive widespread adoption and hardware upgrades—a potential concern as Apple expands its AI offerings to more markets. The big picture: Apple's AI features remain in an optional rather than essential category for many users, despite the company's significant investment and Tim Cook's claims that iPhone 16 models sell better in markets where Apple Intelligence is available....
read Apr 3, 2025Google’s Pixel 9a markets AI features but hides best ones behind a paywall
Google's latest budget smartphone, the Pixel 9a, prominently features AI capabilities in its marketing but doesn't include the premium Gemini Advanced subscription that powers many of these advertised features. Unlike the Pixel 9 Pro, which comes with a full year of Gemini Advanced ($240 value), Pixel 9a buyers only receive the standard one-month free trial available to all new users. This highlights the growing trend of AI features becoming subscription-based services across the smartphone industry, forcing consumers to decide which AI capabilities are worth paying for after promotional periods end. The big picture: Google heavily promotes AI features on the...
read Mar 28, 2025Perplexity brings Circle to Search-like feature to more Android devices
Perplexity's new Android feature mimics Google's Circle to Search functionality, allowing users to interact with on-screen content without leaving the app. This innovation represents a significant enhancement for Android users, potentially expanding this intuitive search capability to devices that couldn't previously access it while keeping users within Perplexity's ecosystem, which some reviewers have found superior to Google's Gemini for certain tasks. How it works: Perplexity's implementation allows users to circle content on their screen and ask follow-up questions about it while staying within the Perplexity app. In the demonstration shared by CEO Aravind Srinivas, a user circled text about Roger...
read Mar 28, 2025Instacart uses AI vision to solve out-of-stock grocery frustrations, satiate consumers
Instacart's new AI vision technology aims to solve a persistent grocery shopping frustration: out-of-stock items. By combining computer vision and predictive algorithms, the company is creating a more accurate real-time inventory system that benefits both shoppers and delivery workers. These innovations represent a significant advancement in how e-commerce platforms bridge the gap between digital shopping interfaces and physical store realities. How it works: Instacart's new Store View feature uses AI and computer vision to analyze footage of store shelves taken by delivery workers to identify what products are currently available. Eligible Instacart Shoppers can earn additional income by filming store...
read Mar 28, 2025Have screenshot, will travel: Google Maps uses AI to turn your screenshots into travel plans
Google Maps is rolling out a new feature that leverages screenshots to simplify travel planning, allowing users to extract points of interest from images saved on their devices. This innovation represents a significant shift in how smartphones utilize screenshots, transforming them from simple image captures into actionable planning tools that integrate with location-based services for more seamless travel preparation. The big picture: Google is enhancing Maps with AI-powered screenshot analysis that can identify travel destinations from images and organize them into lists for future reference. The feature automatically detects points of interest in screenshots taken from social media, blogs, or...
read Mar 26, 2025Google’s Pixel Studio now generates images of people, but with unsettling flaws
Google's Pixel Studio AI image generator has finally added the ability to create images of people, but the technology shows significant limitations in its early implementation. The update to the Pixel 9's exclusive image generation app represents Google's step toward competing with more advanced AI image generators like Midjourney and Apple's Image Playground, though the inconsistent quality of its human representations—particularly when generating certain professions—highlights the ongoing challenges in AI-generated human imagery. The key update: Google has expanded Pixel Studio to generate images of people, a capability previously absent from the AI image generation tool exclusive to Pixel 9 phones....
read Mar 26, 2025iPad Mini 7 now $100 off: Tiny tablet packs A17 Pro chip in purse-friendly design
The iPad Mini 7 combines ultra-portability with the power of Apple's A17 Pro chip, making it an appealing entertainment device for on-the-go use. Currently discounted by $100, this compact tablet offers a convenient form factor that fits easily into bags and purses, though its value proposition centers more on portability than its still-developing AI capabilities or productivity features. The big picture: The iPad Mini 7 is currently available for $400, a $100 discount from its regular $500 price tag, marking the lowest price point so far this year. Key details: The 8.3-inch tablet packs Apple's A17 Pro chip in a...
read Mar 21, 2025Hugging Face launches offline object recognition AI app for iPhone that never sends your data to the cloud
Hugging Face's new HuggingSnap iOS app brings offline visual AI capabilities to iPhone users, offering instant scene descriptions and object recognition without sending data to the cloud. This privacy-focused approach stands out in a landscape where most AI vision tools require internet connectivity, demonstrating the growing potential of on-device artificial intelligence while highlighting both its current capabilities and limitations. How it works: HuggingSnap analyzes whatever your iPhone camera sees using Hugging Face's on-device vision model called smolVLM2, providing real-time descriptions without any cloud connection. The app can recognize objects, describe scenes, and read text completely offline, making it useful in...
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