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Xiaomi and Qualcomm energy into the long run along with a multi-year extension
What it’s essential know
- Xiaomi and Qualcomm have prolonged their partnership for an additional 15 years, constructing on a collaboration that started in 2011.
- This makes Xiaomi proceed to characteristic Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 collection in its flagship smartphones.
- The collaboration extends past smartphones, because it additionally contains a wider vary of Xiaomi’s product ecosystem, similar to AR/VR glasses, wearables, tablets, sensible house gadgets, and electrical autos.
Xiaomi has all the time been a frontier relating to adopting Qualcomm’s newest and best chips throughout its merchandise. The partnership is additional increasing as each firms have introduced a multi-year settlement.

Just like yearly, Xiaomi will once more be one of many first to undertake the next-generation flagship Snapdragon 8 collection for its premium smartphones later this — each for and international markets, as each manufacturers introduced in a shared press launch.

This comes as each firms lengthen their collaboration for the following 15 years, and Xiaomi’s smartphones shall be launching premium smartphones by Snapdragon 8 collection for a number of generations, with “quantity growing every year of the settlement.”

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“Qualcomm Applied sciences has all the time been one among Xiaomi’s most trusted and important companions, supporting our journey from a startup to a world know-how chief. We look ahead to persevering with the following 15 years of our collaboration and leveraging Qualcomm Applied sciences’ cutting-edge Snapdragon® platforms and applied sciences to ship much more progressive and high-quality merchandise to our prospects worldwide,” mentioned Lei Jun, CEO of Xiaomi.

(Picture credit score: Android Central)

Going ahead, Xiaomi and the chipset maker will work in collaboration to launch not simply smartphones but additionally AR/VR glasses, wearables, tablets, and several other others.

“We worth the connection we’ve got constructed ensuing from 15 years of shut collaboration and are excited to proceed this journey for a few years to come back, with Snapdragon platforms powering Xiaomi’s premium smartphones. We look ahead to increasing our work collectively in automotive, sensible house merchandise, wearables, AR/VR glasses, tablets, and extra, ” mentioned Cristiano Amon, president and CEO of Qualcomm.

(Picture credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

For the unaware, Xiaomi first partnered with Qualcomm again in 2011, virtually 15 years in the past with the launch of its Mi 1. And for the previous decade, each flagship from Xiaomi has been comprising the premium Qualcomm chipset, together with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, which was one of many first handset to characteristic the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. The development shall be persevering with for the following 15 years as nicely.

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Xiaomi has included Qualcomm platforms just like the Snapdragon Cockpit platform for its SU7 — the primary automobile launched by the corporate in 2023. The automobile additionally contains Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Auto 5G Modem-RF resolution for higher processing and exact positioning.

Moreover, Xiaomi’s sensible house merchandise have been incorporating the chipset maker’s Wi-Fi options, together with the newest Wi-Fi requirements. Wearables from the corporate, just like the Xiaomi Buds 5 Professional, are additionally powered by Snapdragon S7 and S7 Plus Gen 1 sound platforms, whereas the Watch 2 Professional is supplied with Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1 wearable platform.
2025-05-20
Google launches stand-alone NotebookLM apps for Android and iOS

Google announced on Monday that it has formally launched the NotebookLM apps for Android and iOS, a day earlier than Google I/O 2025 and a day earlier than the corporate said it would roll out.

Since its launch in 2023, the AI-based note-taking and analysis assistant has solely been accessible through desktop. Google has now made the service out there on the go.

NotebookLM is designed to assist individuals higher perceive advanced info by means of options like sensible summaries and the flexibility to ask questions on paperwork and different supplies.

Picture Credit:Google

The app offers entry to Audio Overviews, that are NotebookLM’s AI-generated podcasts based mostly on the supply supplies you’ve got supplied. There’s background playback and offline help for Audio Overviews.

The app additionally permits individuals to create new notebooks and examine those they’ve already created. Plus, while you’re viewing an internet site, PDF, or YouTube video in your machine, you possibly can faucet the share icon and choose NotebookLM so as to add it as a brand new supply. Customers also can view sources that they’ve already uploaded in every of the notebooks.

NotebookLM on Android and iOS additionally encompasses a gentle and darkish mode that’s utilized based mostly on the person’s machine’s system settings.

Given the timing of the launch, Google might share extra in regards to the app through the firm’s I/O keynote Tuesday.
2025-05-19
Microsoft open sources a command-line textual content editor and extra at Construct

At its Construct 2025 convention, Microsoft open sourced plenty of apps and instruments, together with a brand new command-line textual content editor for Home windows referred to as Edit.

Open supply software program could not earn the corporate direct income, however it could possibly function a type of market analysis — and a funnel to paid purposes and providers. By contributing to the open supply neighborhood, Microsoft beneficial properties invaluable information and product options, in addition to concepts for future instructions.

Edit, which might be put in by default on Home windows through the Home windows Insider Program starting this summer season, will permit builders to edit information instantly within the command line by operating the command “edit.” The purpose is to attenuate pointless context switching and let builders keep of their present flows, says Microsoft.

Elsewhere, Microsoft is open sourcing GitHub Copilot in VS Code, its assistive coding extension for Visible Studio Code. Over the subsequent few months, AI-powered capabilities from the GitHub Copilot extension will migrate to the VS Code open supply repository, says Microsoft.

Lastly, Home windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), the function in Home windows that enables customers to run a Linux setting instantly on their Home windows system, might be open sourced, says Microsoft. This may permit builders to entry the supply code and make any modifications they might want for a specific use case.
2025-05-19
I used Govee’s pixel display, and it is fabulous

I’ve a half-dozen Govee merchandise, together with wall lights, TV backlights, gaming-focused lights, and curtain lights, and the model persistently does an important job delivering helpful options and rock-solid connectivity. Govee’s newest product is the Gaming Pixel Gentle, and it’s principally a pixel gentle grid that is extremely customizable.

(Picture credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

The Gaming Pixel Gentle is offered in two sizes — a 32×32 grid that measures 5.3 x 5.3 inches, and a 52×32 grid that is available in at 8.5 x 5.3 inches — and Govee despatched each fashions over. I desire the 52×32 because it has a much bigger canvas. Curiously, each fashions get a 3W audio driver, and you will get alerts by way of the machine itself. There is a stand included within the package deal that allows you to put the Gaming Pixel Gentle in your desk, and it’s wall-mountable.

(Picture credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

Govee showcased the product in January, and it went on sale beginning Could 19. The 32×32 variant of the Gaming Pixel Gentle (H6630) is on Amazon at $119, and the 52×32 model (H6631) costs $139. Each fashions are available on Govee’s website as properly, they usually value the identical as Amazon.

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(Picture credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

The thought behind the Gaming Pixel Gentle is that you may put it up in your desk and have it scroll by way of varied scenes; it serves as an analog or digital clock, reveals real-time climate (you will must enter town title), and there is a nifty countdown timer as properly. And in case you’re invested in all issues blockchain, you even get the power to view real-time Bitcoin pricing (it refreshes each 5 minutes).

(Picture credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

I like the power to make use of it as an analog clock, however because it does not present the seconds hand, I switched to climate mode as a substitute, and it was fairly nifty. What’s significantly nice is that you should utilize the pixel grid to point out varied scenes; there are over 150 scenes programmed within the Govee app, and also you get an unlimited number of decisions. One of the best half about utilizing Govee merchandise is that they are often built-in into Residence Assistant, and it’s a huge motive why I desire utilizing the model.

(Picture credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

The pixelated grid is decidedly retro, however the LED colours are uniform, and you’ll alter the brightness of the panel. There is a music mode as properly that adjustments the patterns dynamically primarily based on music enjoying within the neighborhood (it has a built-in mic), and my favourite characteristic is the power to make use of your personal pictures or movies on the panel.

(Picture credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

Like all the pieces else as of late, you get an AI-assisted characteristic that allows you to create new scenes by speaking to the Govee AI assistant. I requested it to create a Pac-Man scene, and it did a semi-decent job. To spherical out the options, you get a finger drawing mode that allows you to sketch out a sample to make use of on the panel.

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(Picture credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

The design itself ties in with a gamer-focused aesthetic, with the black design intersected by jagged edges and inexperienced etched traces. The speaker is housed on the again, and you’ve got controls up prime to modify the panel on or off, alter quantity, and alter scenes.

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The one limitation with the Gaming Pixel Gentle is that it must be plugged in — there is no built-in battery. That clearly curbs its usability as you will want to deal with it in a location with quick access to a wall plug, and I might’ve favored a really moveable unit with a battery.

(Picture credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

Apart from that, the Gaming Pixel Gentle is faultless. If you happen to grew up enjoying 8-bit video games and desire a pixel grid that is extremely customizable, that is the one to get. Govee did a improbable job with the panel, but it surely’s the customizability the place the Gaming Pixel Gentle really shines. If you happen to’re eyeing this product, I would recommend getting the 52×32 mannequin.

Govee Gaming Pixel Gentle

With a vibrant pixel grid and unmatched customizability, Govee’s Gaming Pixel Gentle is a good alternative in case you want a retro-styled desk accent.
2025-05-19
Google I/O 2025: What to expect, including updates to Gemini and Android 16

Google I/O, Google’s greatest developer convention of the , is almost upon us.

Scheduled for Might 20 to 21 on the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, I/O will showcase product bulletins from throughout Google’s portfolio. Anticipate loads of information regarding Android, Chrome, Google Search, YouTube, and — after all — Google’s AI-powered chatbot, Gemini.

Earlier this week, Google hosted a separate occasion devoted to Android updates: The Android Show. The corporate introduced new ways to find lost Android phones and other items, additional device-level features for its Advanced Protection program, security tools to protect against scams and theft, and a new design language called Material 3 Expressive.

Right here’s what else you possibly can anticipate.

Extra Android 16

The brand for Android 16.Picture Credit:Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Photos/LightRocket / Getty Photos

We’ll seemingly find out about different features of Android 16 throughout I/O correct.

Android 16 is predicted to convey with it improved notifications. In any other case, it’s largely a quality-of-life replace, judging by reviews. It’ll introduce assist for Auracast, which ought to make it simpler to change between Bluetooth units. Additionally in tow are lock screen widgets and a range of new accessibility features.

Google might also highlight capabilities within the newest variations of Android XR, its blended actuality working system, and Put on OS, the corporate’s software program for wearables.

Gemini and AI

Picture Credit:Thomas Fuller/SOPA Photos/LightRocket / Getty Photos

AI is the tech du jour, and Google, like its rivals, has been investing closely in it.

A shoo-in for I/O is a brand new addition (or a number of) to Google’s flagship Gemini household of AI fashions. Leaks over the previous few weeks recommend that an up to date Gemini Extremely mannequin is on the way in which, Gemini Extremely being Google’s top-of-the-line Gemini providing.

With this upgraded Gemini Extremely might come a pricier Gemini subscription.

Google affords a single premium tier, Gemini Superior ($20 per 30 days), to unlock further capabilities in its Gemini chatbot, which is powered by the corporate’s Gemini fashions. However Google might quickly launch two new plans, Premium Plus and Premium Pro. It’s not but clear what advantages may be hooked up and the way these plans may be priced relative to Gemini Superior.

Google will nearly definitely discuss Astra, its wide-ranging effort to construct AI apps and “brokers” for real-time, multimodal understanding. Additionally most likely on the agenda is Project Mariner, Google’s AI “brokers” that may navigate and take motion throughout the online on a person’s behalf. Of us on X spotted references to “Laptop Use” within the code for Google’s AI Studio developer platform, which may effectively pertain to Mariner.

Every part else

Going by the official I/O schedule, Google could have loads to debate following The Android Present and I/O keynote addresses.

The schedule lists classes devoted to Chrome and Google Cloud, Google Play (the Android app retailer), Android growth instruments, and Gemma, Google’s assortment of “open” AI fashions.

Final , Google unveiled a number of AI-themed surprises at I/O, together with a set of fashions fine-tuned for schooling purposes referred to as LearnLM. An improve to Google’s viral podcast-generating NotebookLM could possibly be one such shock. Leaked code reveals a “Video Overviews” instrument that presumably would create video summaries, most certainly leveraging Google’s Veo 2 video-generating mannequin.

Up to date: 3:19 p.m. Pacific: Added a listing of latest Android options introduced throughout The Android Present.
2025-05-16
Epic Games says Apple is blocking Fortnite from the US and EU App Stores

Epic Video games claims that Apple is obstructing its Fortnite app from the U.S. and EU App Shops.

After winning a decisive victory for app developers in a authorized battle with Apple, forcing the tech big to permit exterior funds in its U.S. App Retailer with out charging fee, Epic Video games tried to resubmit Fortnite to the U.S. App Store on Could 9, 2025.

Nonetheless, Apple failed to simply accept its submission for per week, main Epic Video games to tug its request and take a look at once more. In response to Epic Video games CEO Tim Sweeney, the update was pulled because Epic Video games must launch a weekly Fortnite replace with new content material, and all platforms should be up to date concurrently.

The corporate then submitted a brand new model to the U.S. App Retailer for assessment on Wednesday, Could 14, with the up to date content material.

In a Friday morning put up on X, Fortnite stated that Apple has blocked its newest U.S. submission and has made it so Epic Video games can’t launch its app to the European Union, both.

“Now, sadly, Fortnite on iOS can be offline worldwide till Apple unblocks it,” the post from Fortnite reads.

TechCrunch reached out to Epic Video games and Apple for remark.

Apple disputed Epic Video games’ characterization of the problem. A spokesperson for Apple stated the next:

“We requested that Epic Sweden resubmit the app replace with out together with the U.S. storefront of the App Retailer in order to not influence Fortnite in different geographies. We didn’t take any motion to take away the reside model of Fortnite from different distribution marketplaces within the EC.”

Up to date after publication with Apple’s remark.
2025-05-16
TikTok rolls out a new meditation feature to help you get off the app and sleep

TikTok is launching in-app guided meditation workout routines, the social community introduced on Thursday. The corporate started testing the meditation exercises with choose teenagers earlier this yr and is now making the function out there to all customers on its app.

The concept behind the function is to assist customers enhance their sleep high quality and encourage them to place the app down throughout these late-night limitless scrolling periods.

For teenagers beneath the age of 18, meditation will probably be turned on by default. If a teen is utilizing the app after 10 p.m., their For You feed will probably be interrupted by a guided meditation train that encourages them to wind down for the evening. The meditation encompasses a calming display and smooth music alongside respiratory workout routines.

Picture Credit:TikTok

If teenagers select to disregard the message and proceed to make use of the app, they’ll see a second full-screen immediate that can nudge them to fall asleep.

TikTok has been introducing new teen security options over the previous few years in response to considerations over the app’s impact on its youngest customers. The brand new meditation function marks the corporate’s newest effort to appease lawmakers.

Adults who’re within the meditation function can flip it on by navigating to the app’s Display Time settings web page. From there, you simply must toggle on the “sleep hours” function. You’ll be able to select what time you need to see the meditation train every evening.

TikTok additionally introduced that it’s going to donate $2.3 million in advert credit to 31 psychological well being organizations in 19 international locations around the globe as a part of its Psychological Well being Schooling Fund.
2025-05-15
Google rolls out new AI and accessibility features to Android and Chrome

Google announced on Thursday that it’s rolling out new AI and accessibility options to Android and Chrome. Most notably, TalkBack, Android’s display screen reader, now helps you to ask Gemini about what’s in pictures and what’s in your display screen.

Final yr, Google introduced Gemini’s capabilities to TalkBack to present people who find themselves blind or have low imaginative and prescient entry to AI-generated descriptions for pictures, even when Alt textual content isn’t obtainable. Now, folks can ask questions and get responses about their pictures.

Picture Credit:Google

For instance, if a buddy texts you a photograph a their new guitar, you may get an outline of it and ask questions in regards to the model and colour. As well as, now you can get descriptions and ask questions on your complete cellphone display screen. So, should you’re procuring in an app, you possibly can ask Gemini in regards to the materials of an merchandise you’re involved in or if there’s a low cost obtainable.

Google additionally introduced immediately that it’s updating Expressive Captions, Android’s real-time captions function that makes use of AI to seize what somebody says, and the way they are saying it.

Google says it’s conscious that one of many methods folks categorical themselves is by dragging out the sound of their phrases, which is why it has developed a brand new length function on Expressive Captions. Now, you’ll know if a sports activities announcer is asking out an “amaaazing shot” or when somebody isn’t merely saying “no” however “nooooo.” You’ll additionally begin to see new labels for sounds, comparable to when an individual is whistling or clearing their throat.

Picture Credit:Google

The replace is rolling out in English within the U.S., U.Okay., Canada, and Australia for units operating Android 15 and above.

Google can be making it simpler to entry PDFs on Chrome. Till now, you wouldn’t have the ability to use your display screen reader to work together with a scanned PDF in your desktop Chrome browser. Now, Chrome mechanically acknowledges some of these PDFs, permitting you to focus on, copy, and seek for textual content like some other web page and use your display screen reader to learn them. That is due to the introduction of Optical Character Recognition (OCR), Google says.

Plus, Web page Zoom on Chrome on Android now helps you to enhance the dimensions of the textual content you see with out affecting the web-page structure. You possibly can customise how a lot you wish to zoom in after which select to use the choice to the entire pages you go to, or simply sure ones. You possibly can entry this function by tapping the three-dot menu within the top-right nook of Chrome.
2025-05-15
Acorns acquires family wealth and digital memory platform EarlyBird

Financial savings and investing startup Acorns has acquired EarlyBird, an funding gifting platform for households, the corporate informed TechCrunch completely. The monetary phrases of the deal weren’t disclosed.

As a part of the acquisition, EarlyBird will shut down, and all buyer accounts will formally shut on June 23. Prospects’ funds will probably be returned to the checking account related to their account.

Based in 2019, EarlyBird launched a product that mixed monetary investing with group. The app allowed households and mates to present investments to youngsters whereas preserving reminiscences via a digital time capsule. The investments would turn out to be the kid’s as soon as they turned 18, they usually may use funds for issues like paying for faculty, paying a down cost on a house, or seeding their first enterprise.

“Once we based EarlyBird, we envisioned making a platform that may remodel how households depart lasting legacies for his or her youngsters,” mentioned EarlyBird CEO and co-founder Jordan Wexler in a press release. “The chance to hitch Acorns not solely reaffirms our imaginative and prescient, however expands our affect to tens of millions of households who additionally care deeply about constructing their youngsters’s monetary futures.”

Wexler and co-founder Caleb Frankel will be part of the Acorns crew to assist construct out Acorns Early, the startup’s good cash app for teenagers. Acorns Early presents a debit card designed for teenagers and youths to assist them develop monetary literacy and handle their cash. The corporate launched Acorns Early following its acquisition of GoHenry, a startup targeted on offering cash administration and monetary schooling providers to 6- to 18-year-olds.

Acorns believes that by bringing on Wexler and Frankel, the corporate will be capable to leverage their expertise and fervour for the area to boost Acorns Early.

“Our imaginative and prescient is to construct a monetary wellness system for the entire household, creating compound progress at each life stage,” Acorns CEO Noah Kerner mentioned in an e mail to TechCrunch. “The shared experiences and insights between our two groups will allow us to ship this imaginative and prescient sooner and higher in order that we create most worth for on a regular basis American households.”

Present EarlyBird prospects will probably be supplied a free one-year subscription to “Acorns Gold,” a plan that provides entry to all Acorns merchandise, together with Acorns Early. Prospects will obtain an e mail detailing the sign-up course of.

Acorns notes that EarlyBird customers won’t be able to switch their EarlyBird funds over to Acorns Early. If customers wish to proceed their investing journey with Acorns, they should withdraw their funds from EarlyBird and open a brand new account with Acorns.

The corporate plans to combine EarlyBird’s digital time capsule function into the Acorns Early app at a later date. On EarlyBird, the function allowed customers to construct out time capsules by recording movies at memorable moments of their lives. For instance, if a mom obtained a promotion and needed to present a one-time funding to her youngster, she may document a video speaking to her youngster about it to commemorate and bear in mind the second.

The acquisition comes as Acorns has doubled its prospects on Acorns Gold, its $12 per thirty days subscription plan, over the previous .

“Our Gold Plan would be the place to ship monetary wellness for the entire household — merchandise for fogeys, children, and all of the connective material between the household unit,” Kerner mentioned. “This would be the place the place the entire household can handle their cash as they develop good cash habits collectively.”

Acorns raised $300 million in March 2022 and was valued at $2 billion on the time. The corporate didn’t present an up to date valuation.
2025-05-15