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Xiaomi unveiled the Pad 9 Pro Max, a flagship Android tablet powered by its own XRing O3 processor, offering up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. The 13.3-inch, 144Hz display supports six-app split-screen multitasking via HyperOS 4, and the device can also function as an external monitor through video input. Priced from roughly $715, it's currently available only in China.
Arm has introduced its new Mali G2 series of mobile GPUs, led by the G2-Ultra, which brings neural network-based resolution upscaling to smartphones for the first time. The chip also delivers modest rasterization gains of roughly 9-14% in gaming benchmarks over the previous G1-Ultra, alongside a reworked execution engine with doubled shader registers that better supports advanced rendering techniques like Unreal Engine 5's Lumen and Nanite.
Arm has introduced its CSS for Mobile 2 platform for chipmakers, featuring a redesigned GPU called the Mali G2-Ultra NX that it describes as its first AI-native graphics processor. The chip uses three AI techniques—neural super sampling, frame rate upscaling, and denoising—to boost resolution and frame rates directly within the graphics pipeline, while updated CPU clusters target AI agent workloads. The technology is expected to appear in premium Android phones starting in 2027.
General Motors is removing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from most of its gas and electric vehicles, replacing them with a native infotainment system built around Google's Gemini AI assistant. However, the 2027 Cadillac Lyriq EV will reportedly retain support for both phone-mirroring platforms, making it the only GM electric vehicle sold in North America to do so.
Retroid, maker of Android gaming handhelds, posted a short teaser video announcing a new device called the Retroid Pocket Duo. The clip shows only a silhouette featuring two built-in screens without hinges or cables, resembling a Nintendo 3DS shape but with larger displays. No specs, price or release date were disclosed.
GrapheneOS announced it is issuing a new OS build to fix a volume bar UI bug introduced by an upstream Android security patch, along with a Private Space interface issue. As a result, the long-in-development overhaul of its Messaging app, which the team has worked on for months, will now arrive after this maintenance release rather than alongside it.
Nothing has relaunched its Community Review Program, inviting fans to apply for early access to its upcoming hardware and software. The London-based phone maker is especially seeking applicants skilled in 3D animation, graphic design, sound production, or reviewing, though it welcomes any enthusiastic tech fan. Selected members must share first impressions, post creative content, and publish full reviews once products officially launch, with applications open until September 10, 2026.
Google is shortening the grace period for deleted photos backed up to Google Photos from 60 days down to 30 days, matching the retention limit already used for locally stored images. The company has updated its support documentation and started notifying Android users within the app about the change.
Developers of the Android PS3 emulator ARMSX3 released version 0.9.7, addressing wasted CPU cycles that caused phones to overheat during use. The update also resolves a freezing bug that occurred when users tried to close the emulator, previously leaving audio playing with no way to exit the game.
Sony has begun pushing Android 17 to the Xperia 1 VIII, with the update also arriving for the Xperia 1 VII and Xperia 1 VI. The release adds a Desktop mode for connecting phones to external displays like a PC, along with new wallpaper and icon customization, a redesigned Quick settings panel, and upgraded screen recording that captures full-screen or single-app video with audio. The Xperia 1 VIII also gains the ability to save and name up to three custom looks in its AI Camera Assistant.
Android Auto, used by roughly 250 million people worldwide, sometimes drops apps from its launcher without explanation. This typically happens because a phone's battery optimization feature deactivates the app in the background rather than removing it entirely. Users can restore hidden apps or manually hide unwanted ones through their device settings in just a few steps.
Snapseed version 4.1.6 for Android now includes a Color Grade tool that lets users adjust tones and colors for specific artistic effects, along with a dedicated search bar to help locate editing tools among the app's many options. The update also swaps the app's old googly-eyed loading animation for a new leaf fan spinner design.