For years, desktop Chrome users have enjoyed the ability to tweak the New Tab Page with custom backgrounds and themes. The Android version, however, lagged behind, offering only a stark default look or whatever the browser’s standard theme dictated. That changes now with this server-side update, which brings a measure of personalization to mobile browsing that many users have been requesting.

What the new feature offers

According to the report, Chrome for Android now includes a dedicated “Customize new tab page” menu inside the standard three-dot overflow menu. Tapping it reveals a set of options that were previously unique to desktop Chrome. Users can pick from a selection of preloaded color swatches, choose from a gallery of high-quality images, or upload a photo from their device. The choices are immediately applied to the New Tab Page, so you can preview how they look before you settle on one.

Perhaps the most interesting addition is the ability to set the background to refresh daily. When enabled, Chrome will swap the background image every day, pulling from a curated set of images. This mirrors the “Daily refresh” feature that Chrome on desktop has had for some time. It’s a simple way to keep the New Tab Page feeling fresh without having to manually change the background every time you open a new tab.

How to find and use the new customization menu

To access the new feature, follow these steps:

• Open Chrome on your Android device.
• Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
• Select “Customize new tab page” from the dropdown menu.
• Choose between colors, images, or upload your own photo.
• Optionally enable “Daily refresh” to change the background automatically.

If you don’t see the option yet, don’t worry. Google often rolls out features in stages, and it may take a few days or weeks for the update to reach all devices. You can check whether Chrome is up to date by visiting the Play Store page for Chrome, but the feature is controlled server-side, so an app update may not make it appear immediately.

Background context: Chrome’s customization journey

Chrome’s New Tab Page has evolved significantly since the early days of Android. Originally, Chrome on Android displayed a simple white page with the Google logo and a search bar. Over time, Google added shortcuts to frequently visited sites, article suggestions, and clutter-clearing options such as “Cards” and “Feed.” But the ability to change the background itself remained conspicuously absent.

Meanwhile, desktop Chrome has offered themes in the Chrome Web Store for more than a decade. Those themes replace the background of the New Tab Page and often change the color of the browser’s frame. Yet they don’t provide the same level of granular control that the new mobile settings do. On desktop, you can also right-click the New Tab Page to select “Customize Chrome,” which opens a menu with themes and background categories. This new Android feature brings mobile much closer to that desktop experience.

Third-party browsers have also offered such flexibility for years. For instance, Firefox for Android has long supported custom new tab backgrounds via extensions or built-in settings. Samsung Internet, which ships as the default browser on many Samsung phones, includes a rather extensive selection of wallpapers and themes. Chrome’s move is therefore less of an innovation and more of a catch-up, but it is still a welcome one for users who rely solely on Chrome and don’t want to install additional browsers or extensions.

Why the feature matters for Android users

Personalization is a major part of the smartphone experience. From changing wallpapers to applying icon packs and third-party launchers, Android users are accustomed to making their devices look and feel like their own. A browser’s New Tab Page is one of the most frequently seen surfaces, so the ability to customize it can have an outsized impact on daily satisfaction.

Beyond aesthetics, there are usability benefits. Some users find a bright white background glaring in dimly lit settings, and a darker or more colorful background could ease eye strain. Others may want to display a family photo, a motivational quote image, or a scenic landscape to personalize their browsing space. The “Daily refresh” feature also adds an element of discovery—sometimes you’re presented with an image of a picturesque location that you might not have otherwise searched for.

How the “Daily refresh” works

On desktop Chrome, enabling “Daily refresh” makes the browser pull a new background image from Google’s collection each day. The images are typically unsplash-style photography, including landscapes, urban scenes, nature, architecture, and abstract patterns. The Android feature appears to work in the same way, though it is not yet clear exactly how many categories or images are available or whether Google will personalize the rotation based on your past choices.

It’s also worth noting that if you upload your own photo, the “Daily refresh” option becomes unavailable because the refresh is meant for curated images. That makes sense—Google isn’t going to rotate through your personal photos unless you explicitly set up such a feature. Instead, the daily refresh is best seen as a dynamic wallpaper service built into the browser.

Potential issues and limitations

As with any new feature, there are some limitations to be aware of. First, the background customization may not apply to the entire app; it only affects the New Tab Page, not the browser’s toolbar or overall theme. So while the page itself can be colorful, the rest of Chrome will retain its standard look (unless you also install a theme from the Play Store, which is a separate and somewhat limited process).

Second, the feature appears to roll out first to users on the stable channel of Chrome for Android, but there is no official word on a release schedule for other channels like Beta or Dev. Additionally, some enterprise-managed devices may not receive the feature immediately due to policy restrictions, though those policies usually only affect certain kinds of customization.

Third, there is the inevitable issue of battery life. If you choose a vivid, high-resolution image as your background, it might consume slightly more battery when rendering, especially on OLED screens where brighter pixels draw more power. However, the impact is likely minimal, and most users won’t notice any difference.

What users have been asking for

Chrome users have long requested better customization options on mobile. On the Chrome help forum, threads asking for custom new tab page backgrounds date back to 2015. Some users have even turned to workarounds, such as using HTML files stored locally or third-party browser themes that modify the new tab page. A popular workaround involved setting a local file as the homepage and new tab page, but that hack has its own quirks and limitations.

Over the years, Google has responded with incremental improvements. In 2018, Chrome for Android introduced a dark mode that also affects the New Tab Page. In 2020, Google added a “Customize” button on the mobile new tab page that allowed for toggling shortcuts and cards, but still no background. Now, with this new update, the remaining gap has been filled.

Comparison with other browsers

It’s helpful to compare Chrome’s new feature with what other mobile browsers already offer. Firefox for Android offers a “Customize” section in its settings where you can set a new tab page wallpaper, though its selection is more limited. Opera’s mobile browser has a speed dial page that supports backgrounds, but it is often tied to the browser’s default themes.

Apple’s Safari on iOS, for the sake of completeness, does not allow users to change the New Tab Page background at all—though on macOS Big Sur and later, Safari does have a start page that can be customized. In that sense, Chrome for Android is actually ahead of iOS Safari, which is not something that happens often. This may put pressure on Apple to eventually add similar customization options to mobile Safari.

How to get the most out of the new feature

If you’ve already received the update, there are a few tips to get the most out of it:

• Choose an image with the right aspect ratio. The New Tab Page on your phone may display the image differently depending on orientation, so try to select a photo that looks good in both portrait and landscape.
• Consider your reading habits. If you frequently read articles on your phone, a busy background might make text harder to read. A solid color or a simple gradient may be a better choice.
• Use the daily refresh to discover new photography. It’s a nice way to see something different every time you open a new tab.
• Combine it with a dark theme. If you enable Chrome’s dark mode, the New Tab Page will have a dark overlay on the background, which can improve readability at night.

The addition of custom new tab page backgrounds to Chrome for Android is a small but meaningful feature. It’s a sign that Google is listening to user feedback and is willing to bring some of the desktop browser’s comfort to mobile. For people who spend a significant part of their day on their phone’s browser, a personal touch can make the experience a little more enjoyable.

More changes on the horizon

This background customization is just one of several recent changes to Chrome for Android. Earlier this year, Google introduced a new bottom toolbar for Chrome on Android that makes it easier to switch tabs, and the company has been experimenting with an AI-powered search history feature. Google has also been working on a Google Lens integration that allows you to search for content you see on your new tab page, though that hasn’t rolled out broadly yet.

Given the pace of development, it’s likely we’ll see even more personalization options in the future. The desktop version of Chrome, for example, has a “Follow” button on the new tab page that lets you track topics and authors, and it’s reasonable to expect that feature to appear on mobile as well—indeed, the new tab page already shows suggested articles and a Google feed. Perhaps the next step is letting users organize that feed more freely.

As of now, the custom background feature is a nice start. It brings Chrome for Android in line with what users have come to expect from a modern mobile browser. If you haven't seen it yet, check your Chrome app over the coming days. The “Customize new tab page” option might be waiting for you in the three-dot menu, ready to transform your new tab into something uniquely yours.

Source: The Verge News

What started as a niche experiment has quickly turned into a viral showcase of what Nvidia’s next-generation AI graphics technology might do when applied beyond its intended titles. Videos are circulating that show characters’ faces becoming more defined, lighting shifting from warm to cool, and shadows growing more pronounced. But these transformations are not just aesthetic—they come with heavy computational costs, and the reception among players is sharply divided.

How the DLSS 5 Leak Was Discovered

The journey began when modders noticed that an early-access build of NBA 2K27 contained files related to Nvidia’s DLSS 5, specifically the “Neural Rendering” component. This is the same technology Nvidia demoed in March, when it announced DLSS 5 and its ambitious plan to use AI to generate photoreal lighting, materials, and even character details in real-time. The inclusion of these files in a sports game was unexpected, but enough for the RenoDX Discord community to extract them and start experimenting.

Reports from Notebook Check and VideoCardz first highlighted the modders’ work. The initial successful test was done in Control, where the Neural Rendering settings were applied to protagonist Jesse Faden’s face. From there, the mod spread to other titles, with enthusiasts eager to see how the AI technology would adapt to different art styles, engines, and older games.

How the Unofficial DLSS 5 Mod Works

The leaked DLSS 5 file is not a complete driver or a ready-to-use plugin. Instead, modders are essentially taking the Neural Rendering component and inserting it into games that were not built for it. Using tools like ReShade and custom wrappers, they can enable sliders for features such as “Neural Uplift,” which seems to be the key setting responsible for the dramatic changes to character faces and lighting.

A demonstration in Control shows what happens when Neural Uplift is toggled on and off. With the setting disabled, Jesse Faden’s face looks smooth and relatively generic. When enabled with a particular preset, her features become more pronounced—laugh lines appear, her skin looks paler, and there is a subtle but noticeable addition of what appears to be makeup around the eyes. The effect is striking, but it also raises a question: is this what the game’s developers intended? For many players, the answer is no.

Another modder applied the DLSS 5 effect to GTA: San Andreas, a game from 2004. There, the mod seems to act like a filter over the entire world, making CJ’s face more detailed and enhancing the textures of the city. The lighting changes from a warm golden hue to a cooler, more clinical tone as the modder adjusts sliders. Similarly, a video featuring Palworld shows the game’s cartoonish characters gaining more definition, while a clip from GTA V demonstrates frames per second plummeting from 90 to 29 when the AI settings are tweaked.

Performance Costs and Hardware Requirements

Early reports from modders indicate that running DLSS 5’s Neural Rendering is expensive. One user testing the mod in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth said it “halves” their FPS and that “swapping between presets eats a TON of vram.” That is a significant trade-off for visual enhancements that are, in many cases, subtle or even debatable in their artistic merit.

Initially, the leaked DLSS 5 files only appeared to work on RTX 50-series graphics cards, which are Nvidia’s latest generation. However, several modders have reported getting the unofficial version running on RTX 4090 and RTX 4080 GPUs as well, according to VideoCardz. The ability to run on older hardware is impressive, but the performance hit suggests that DLSS 5’s full intended experience may still demand the newest silicon—especially when combined with other demanding settings.

Mixed Reactions from Players and Critics

The response to these unofficial DLSS 5 applications is far from unanimous. Some players have praised the mods for bringing a new level of realism to older games. For them, the enhanced facial details and lighting make beloved titles feel fresh on modern hardware. They see it as a clever repurposing of cutting-edge AI tech, a kind of bonus feature for the modding community.

Others are less impressed. The term “AI slop” has been thrown around, and many viewers have noted that the results look like a generic AI-enhancement filter, similar to those found in image-editing apps. The concern is that the AI’s interpretation of what a character should look like overwrites the artistic direction of the original developers. Why does Jesse Faden suddenly have more wrinkles and smudged makeup? Why does the lighting in GTA: San Andreas shift from warm to cold? These changes are not necessarily improvements—they are just changes.

This backlash mirrors the reaction to Nvidia’s official DLSS 5 announcement back in March. The company’s demos, which featured Resident Evil Requiem, Starfield, and Hogwarts Legacy, were met with criticism from gamers who complained that characters looked “yassified” or entirely too generic. The AI seemed to smooth away distinctive facial features and replace them with a more conventional, often Instagram-like aesthetic. That criticism quickly spread across social media, forcing Nvidia to respond.

Nvidia’s Position and Jensen Huang’s Defense

In an interview following the reveal, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang addressed the negative feedback directly. “Well, first of all, they’re completely wrong,” he said, when asked about those who claimed DLSS 5 would ruin game art. He argued that the tool “doesn’t change the artistic control” and that developers would still be able to steer the AI to achieve their intended look. According to Huang, DLSS 5 is meant to be a tool for creators, not a replacement for them.

That may be true in the official implementation, where Nvidia will provide APIs and support for developers to integrate DLSS 5 into their games with careful tuning. But the leaked mods are a different story. They are untamed, raw, and applied without any artistic oversight. The results are what happens when you let an AI run loose on a game’s rendering pipeline, and they are a glimpse into both the potential and the pitfalls of AI-driven graphics.

Nvidia has long positioned DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) as a marquee feature of its graphics cards. The technology first debuted with the RTX 20 series, using dedicated tensor cores to upscale lower-resolution images in real-time. Over the years, DLSS has evolved to include frame generation and ray reconstruction, becoming a standard feature for high-end PC gaming. DLSS 5, however, promises to go much further by using neural networks to generate entire visual elements—like lighting, textures, and even character features—rather than simply upscaling pixels.

That shift is fundamental. Historically, DLSS was seen as a performance booster—a way to get higher frame rates while maintaining image quality. DLSS 5, as Nvidia describes it, is more like a creative tool. It can synthesize visuals in ways that go beyond what traditional rendering can achieve. This has sparked a broader debate about the role of AI in gaming, not just as a way to optimize performance, but as a force that could redefine how games look and feel.

What This Leak Means for Gaming’s Future

The fact that modders can take DLSS 5 and apply it to games like Skyrim and GTA V shows how accessible AI-powered graphics have become. Modding communities have always pushed the boundaries of what games can do, and this is no exception. Yet it also demonstrates how little control developers—and even Nvidia—might have over how their technology is used once it becomes public.

For players on older GPUs, the leak might be a tantalizing preview of what is to come. RTX 40-series owners are already seeing some results, and the fact that RTX 4080 and 4090 cards can run the mod suggests that DLSS 5 may not require the absolute latest hardware. But the performance hit is a reminder that AI rendering is not free. The tensor cores on those GPUs are working overtime, and the VRAM usage is substantial.

There is also the question of whether DLSS 5 is actually ready. The leak comes from an early-access build of a sports game, which means the code is likely not final. Nvidia has said DLSS 5 is set to officially launch this fall, so the company still has time to refine the feature, address performance concerns, and work with developers to ensure it doesn’t overwrite their artistic vision.

In the weeks since the leak, modders have continued to experiment, and more videos are appearing online. Every new application shows another aspect of what the AI can do—and another possible failure mode. The modded Control footage, the GTA: San Andreas lighting shifts, and the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth performance issues are all data points in a larger conversation about how AI will shape the future of gaming.

Nvidia’s official position is that DLSS 5 will give developers more control, not less. But the leaked mods suggest that AI can easily produce results that feel alien and sometimes wrong. The technology is impressive, but it is also raw. As more games integrate DLSS 5 officially, we will see whether Nvidia and developers can strike the right balance. Until then, modders will keep pushing the leaked code into every corner of the gaming world, showing us both the promise and the peril of putting AI effects on everything.

Source: The Verge News

Although the Z Flip 8’s hardware is almost unchanged year-on-year, Samsung has fundamentally rethought how this phone is meant to be used when shut. The cover screen feels more like a regular Android phone, with easier access to the full versions of every single app, letting you browse social media, watch movies, and play games without ever opening the phone. Not every app works well on a tiny square screen with two cameras in the middle of it, but even when they don’t, that friction between you and the distractions of your phone still feels as much a feature as a bug.

A cover screen that acts like a phone

Everything exciting about the Z Flip 8 lies in its 4-inch cover screen, which is now more versatile than ever thanks to a homescreen redesign. Swiping down from the top left now brings up your notifications, while swiping from the top right instead shows a cover-screen-optimized version of the Quick Settings panel. Immediately, this feels more like a phone.

More exciting is what happens when you swipe up from the bottom: you get an app drawer. By default, this is populated with a selection of Samsung’s own apps that are optimized for the square screen, plus a “Labs” section with third-party options including Netflix and WhatsApp. But right below that, Samsung has included an easy prompt to install MultiStar, the Good Lock module that lets you run any app you’d like on the outer screen.

Samsung used to bury the option deep in the phone’s settings, only to be found by those who knew to look for it. The bottom of the app drawer isn’t quite front and center, but it’s much more prominent than it used to be. This is a clear signal that Samsung is no longer trying to limit the cover screen’s capabilities — it wants users to experiment.

Running any app on the cover screen

You can still run apps in three forms: full-screen, with the cameras blocking part of the software; a square display that stops just above the level of the cameras; or a thin portrait-aspect ratio that letterboxes the sides. A small virtual button at the bottom of the screen lets you cycle through them.

Good performance isn’t guaranteed. Some apps, like Withings’ health tracker companion app, are almost impossible to use on the cover screen, with no configuration that leaves enough space for its graphs to fit. Google Maps is only a bit better — the idea of quickly checking a walking route without opening the phone is appealing, but there are so many floating interface elements that it’s unwieldy at best. Others work smoothly, but feel pointless: streaming HBO Max on the tiny outer display is technically possible, but not something most people would ever want to do.

But for other apps, the new cover screen options feel genuinely freeing. Opening Todoist to tick off a task, dipping into WhatsApp to send a message, or using MyFitnessPal to log a snack are quick actions that work well enough on the small screen. And because other apps — Instagram in particular — don’t work perfectly, users can dive into them without the risk of getting dragged into doomscrolling. That little bit of friction is just enough to save from wasting 20 minutes that will never be gotten back.

Hardware: mostly the same, slightly better

As for the hardware, little has changed. The Z Flip 8 is 0.6mm thinner and 8g lighter than its predecessor. This is the thickest of Samsung’s three current foldables, but it’s more compact than Motorola’s Razrs, its only real rivals.

Samsung didn’t upgrade the Z Flip 8 with the thinner, tougher titanium display stack found in the two new Z Fold 8 phones, which also means this has just as visible a crease as ever. It rarely bothers most users and is hard to see head-on, but some may notice it more. The IP48 rating is a more objective issue: while this phone is mostly safe from water, it’s still vulnerable to dust.

On the inside, you’ll find the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 if you’re in the US, though the UK model runs Samsung’s Exynos 2600. Exynos chips get a bad reputation, but performance has been smooth so far, with no major complaints.

As with the Z Fold 8 phones, Samsung switched to more energy-dense silicon-carbon batteries for the Z Flip 8. Unlike those phones, it didn’t actually increase the battery capacity, but instead used smaller cells with the same 4,300mAh capacity — the key to shrinking the phone itself. Still, battery life is solid, reliably lasting the full day with battery to spare. The charging — 25W wired, 15W wireless — is relatively unimpressive, and the only way to get Qi2 charging is still by using a compatible magnetic case.

Storage and RAM remain the same as on the Z Flip 7; the screens do too, apart from small bumps to peak brightness, and the cameras are also identical to last year’s. The 50-megapixel main camera is impressive, and especially helpful since the form factor means you can use it for selfies too. The 12-megapixel ultrawide and 10-megapixel inner camera aren’t remarkable, but they get the job done. A slab phone at this price would have better cameras, and most likely a telephoto lens, but the lenses here are good enough.

Price and value: a hard sell for Z Flip 7 owners

The question is whether it’s all good enough for the price, given Samsung has bumped the Z Flip 8 up to $1,199.99, a $100 increase. Z Flip 7 owners certainly shouldn’t upgrade, and anyone else should consider buying that phone instead, since the difference between the two is slight.

After all, the big upgrades are software, and unlikely to remain exclusive. Last year’s Z Flip 7 hasn’t yet been updated to One UI 9, but since its outer screen is almost identical, it seems likely to get the upgraded software, giving one less reason to opt for the new model. The Z Flip 6 and earlier, with their smaller cover screens, seem more likely to miss out.

Other software upgrades

Most of the other software upgrades aren’t even Flip-specific. Customizable, AI-powered cards have been added to the daily Now Brief; My FanCam lets you crop video to focus on a specific subject; and Audio Eraser can now dim background noise and highlight dialogue in apps like YouTube and Netflix. You’ll find those features across all of Samsung’s new foldables, plus the new Galaxy S26 FE.

Modest as the Z Flip 8’s hardware upgrades are, it feels like a turning point for Samsung, which is mostly done trying to limit the ways people use the cover screen. Given the speculation that the short, wide Z Fold 8 could replace the Flip form factor as Samsung’s “small phone that unfolds to a big phone,” it makes sense to close the gap between them.

Comparison with the Z Fold 8

The Z Fold 8 is a more capable phone than the Z Flip 8 when closed, its squat screen more usable than the Flip’s tiny one, despite Samsung’s software upgrades. But the Flip form factor is tiny and pocketable when closed and a normal, almost compromise-free flagship phone when open — and endlessly satisfying to flip shut.

More than that, the Z Flip 8’s friction is part of its identity. Samsung’s move to make it easier to use full apps on the cover screen is welcome, but the fact that it will never be entirely successful is also welcome. Some apps simply don’t work on a screen this size, and the Z Flip 8 is all the better for it. This is a phone that encourages you to be more intentional with your attention, even as it opens up new possibilities.

Source: The Verge News

For musicians, especially those working in the technology-forward world of electronic dance music (EDM), the question of what is real and what is generated has become both personal and urgent. Professional courtesy often complicates things: listeners can call out performers they suspect of using gen AI, but it’s much harder for artists to publicly accuse their peers. Yet some are taking a stand. Among them is 26-year-old EDM producer Max “H4RRIS” Harris, who creates videos calling out anyone he believes is trying to pass off AI slop as human-made art.

Max H4RRIS: “A Decoy Art Form”

Harris, originally from Maine, told a reporter that he sees AI-generated music as “a kind of decoy art form.” He thinks the people making it don’t have anything meaningful to say with their creations. “I don’t consider AI-generated material to be art, and I don’t think this technology is really advancing art in any meaningful way,” he said. “It’s a technological advancement that’s giving people a way to steal real art and pass it off as their own.”

Harris describes his own workflow as a highly deliberate process of creative decisions. He starts with a core concept, then “throw[s] more ideas down until I find something that sticks.” His production setup includes Ableton Live, a Novation Launchkey 49 MIDI controller, Ableton Push 3, Launchpad X, a couple of analog synthesizers, Serum, Diva, and the software sampler Kontakt. To an outsider, it may look complex, but Harris insists it’s “really just me making creative decisions” that culminate in a sound that feels right. “Each of those decisions — and there’s hundreds of them to go into each song — brings me closer to evoking a specific kind of idea or emotion,” he explained. “And then once I have a song mapped out, I have to start making even more choices about how to mix it in a way that makes it sound good and presentable.”

In Harris’s view, being a real artist means being able to make experimental but informed creative decisions using a studied understanding of the medium. One of his biggest issues with gen AI is that it eliminates the need to think about how songs, books, films, or podcasts come together. But he is equally dismayed by how AI posers muddy the listening audience’s understanding of what human-made EDM actually sounds like.

The Sonic Tells of AI Music

So what does AI-generated music sound like? Harris points to some common traits. “Aside from the similar vocals, you can usually hear a sharp hissing throughout the track,” he said. “I think that comes from the way that these models often work by starting with a big white noise block and then making guesses about waveforms by referencing data taken from real songs.”

He also notices that vocals and melodic elements often stutter at the exact same time. “Something I’ve noticed with a lot of Suno-generated tracks is that a lot of the time, you’ll hear the vocals and other melodic elements will start stuttering at the same exact time,” Harris explained. “These models still have a hard time fully separating different parts of the songs they’re trained on, and they treat these elements like one big instrument. As a music producer, all of these things come across like choices that a human just wouldn’t make with their compositions because it just doesn’t make sense.”

Visual tells can be just as damning. AI-created characters often have fingers that vanish and reappear, and overly glossy videos immediately scream “AI slop” to discerning viewers. Harris points to evangelical Christian AI persona Lionsaddle and Christian house musician Midnite Manna as examples where the visuals make obvious that generative tools were used.

Harris specifically names MANSA’s “Midnight on My Mind” and Danny and Ian Asher’s “Take Me (To The Moon)” as what he believes are examples of AI-produced songs that embody what he jokingly calls “the AI revolution” polluting the EDM space. Neither act has publicly commented on whether they use generative tools, and there is no definitive evidence that these songs were AI-generated. Harris may be wrong about those specific tracks, but his insistence reflects a larger culture of mistrust that has developed in response to AI content online.

Nihil Young and the Backlash

Harris’s callout videos were inspired by the Threads posts of Nihil Young, a 39-year-old Italian turntablist-turned-producer. Young has spent months watching EDM newcomers rise after posting music he believes was generated with tools like Suno. While he isn’t usually one to engage in online discourse, he felt it was important to speak out about the flood of AI tracks. “These songs are the sound of Suno, which to me means that the people behind the songs are just straight up uploading original, copyrighted tracks of artists like Madonna and asking the platform to remix them,” Young said. He cited Josh Fawaz’s “Like a Prayer” cover, which now includes AI credits after a wave of online backlash. “If they can do it with major artists like her, they can do it with you, me, and everyone else, which just isn’t cool. They can take your entire catalog, feed it to Suno, and generate ‘new’ songs from that stolen work.”

Young’s advocacy came at a cost. He told a reporter that he received multiple hacking attempts and a wave of online harassment from AI defenders. He also suspects that people bought fake followers to boost his Spotify numbers as a way of casting doubt on his authenticity. Spooked and dealing with the pressures of raising a young daughter and promoting a new album, Young has taken a break from callouts. But he still believes it’s important to understand how AI music is harming human artists.

The financial impact has been real. “Music production is where most of my income comes from, and almost as soon as AI began rolling out, I started losing many of my clients,” said Young, who has done audio mixing and mastering work for Sony Music, Warner, and Universal. “I can only imagine what it’s been like for singers, graphics artists, and people working in other creative fields.”

Young emphasizes how easy it is to generate entire songs. Suno’s Simple Mode allows users to select a musical genre and click a button, requiring virtually no creative input. In his opinion, most people using AI to make music “aren’t actually doing anything creative and they don’t have a true artistic process.” (Suno hasn’t responded to requests for comment.)

The Mainstreaming of AI Music

Despite the objections of traditional artists, AI-generated tracks are making their way into the mainstream. In 2024, Metro Boomin took shots at Drake with a beat sampling comedian King Willonius’s “BBL Drizzy” — an AI track generated by AI music startup Udio. Metro Boomin posted the beat to SoundCloud and invited other performers to rap over it. Drake subsequently rapped over it on Sexyy Red’s “U My Everything,” peaking at No. 44 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Wholly AI-generated songs and artists are finding success, too. Last summer, Vinih Pray’s Suno-created “A Million Colors” peaked at No. 44 on TikTok’s Viral 50 chart. AI artists Breaking Rust and Cain Walker made it onto Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales chart. Hallwood Media, a label founded by former Geffen Records president Neil Jacobson, signed AI avatar Xania Monet to a $3 million recording deal.

There’s serious money in this space. Kapwing estimates that the top 10 most-followed or most-streamed AI music creators on Spotify and YouTube collectively took in over $6 million in 2025. And with platforms like Deezer reporting that AI songs now account for more than 50 percent of new uploads, generative music is becoming harder to avoid — even if many listeners can’t recognize it. While streaming platforms are beginning to label AI content more clearly, surveys suggest that many users can’t hear the difference between generative and human-made tracks.

The Future of Authenticity

Aside from the people uploading these songs, no one can be absolutely certain whether a track was generated with AI or made by an actual artist. AI music detection tools may offer a solution, but it’s unclear how listeners might integrate them into their daily habits. Given the billions of streams earned by AI-generated material, there are clearly listeners who don’t mind the sound of Suno and Udio.

Young knows that most people’s ears aren’t well-attuned to identifying audio slop, but he still believes music lovers owe it to themselves to find real, human artists. “In my opinion, it becomes obvious that you’re listening to AI-generated music when you put on a good pair of headphones,” Young said. “But I also think that a lot of people these days are consuming music like fast food and listening to it through the speakers on their phone. Or they just have it on a background noise, and they don’t necessarily care what it sounds like.”

Source: The Verge News

This move marks another step in Samsung's efforts to make Now Brief a central hub for personalized information, blending calendar events, weather updates, news, and now entertainment suggestions into one glanceable interface. By integrating with Netflix, Samsung is leveraging its on-device AI and user preferences to offer a more convenient way to decide what to watch next.

What is Now Brief?

Now Brief is a feature introduced as part of Samsung's One UI 7 and further refined in later versions. It is essentially a smart notification and information feed that consolidates relevant content throughout the day. The Brief provides quick updates in the morning — such as weather, schedule, and news — and evolves into an evening briefing that can summarize the user's day. It uses Galaxy AI to analyze usage patterns and contextual data, delivering useful information at the right time.

Initially, Now Brief offered widgets for weather, calendar, Samsung Health, and news. With each One UI beta iteration, Samsung has added more third-party integrations and customization options. The addition of Netflix is particularly notable because it marks a deeper partnership with a streaming platform, allowing Samsung to extend its AI recommendations beyond its own services.

How the Netflix integration works

According to recent reports, the new feature is discovered in the One UI 9 Beta 7 for the Galaxy S26 family. Users can find the new toggle by navigating to Galaxy AI > Now Brief > Contents. Once the Netflix option is enabled, it appears as one of the content sources for Now Brief. The system then begins to display a card titled “Top picks for you,” which presents movie recommendations generated by Galaxy AI.

The recommendations are likely based on a combination of user viewing history, preferences, and perhaps even contextual signals like time of day or location, though Samsung has not revealed the exact algorithm. The key benefit is that the card appears directly in the Now Brief feed, meaning users don't need to open the Netflix app to see these suggestions. This seamless integration is designed to reduce friction, making it easier for users to discover new content while they're already reviewing their daily brief.

The feature is not limited to the Galaxy S26 series. Reports indicate that the stable version of One UI 9 for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Z Flip 8 also includes this integration. This suggests that Samsung is treating Netflix recommendations as a flagship feature for its premium devices, at least initially.

Why Netflix recommendations matter for Samsung

Samsung has been increasingly focusing on AI-driven features to differentiate its Galaxy lineup from competitors. The company's Galaxy AI suite includes features like live translation, generative photo editing, and now proactive recommendations. By partnering with Netflix, Samsung is able to demonstrate the practical utility of its AI in the entertainment domain.

For Netflix, this integration is another channel to engage users and potentially increase watch time. The streaming service has been exploring various ways to deepen its presence on mobile devices, including partnerships with device manufacturers and telecom operators. A built-in recommendation card on Samsung's home screen equivalent — the Now Brief — could be a significant driver for user engagement.

Moreover, the collaboration is a win for consumers who often spend a considerable amount of time browsing through menus trying to decide what to watch. The “Top picks for you” card aims to cut that decision time by leveraging machine learning to curate a shortlist of titles that align with the user's taste. While the feature is currently limited to Netflix, it's plausible that Samsung will eventually integrate other streaming services like Disney+, Prime Video, or YouTube into Now Brief.

Privacy and data considerations

Any feature that relies on user preferences and viewing history raises questions about privacy and data usage. Samsung has stated that Galaxy AI processes much of its data on-device to ensure privacy. However, when it comes to streaming recommendations, there may be a need to share some data with Netflix to generate personalized picks. The exact data flow is not detailed in the update notes, but users can control the integration by simply toggling the feature off in the settings.

The option to enable or disable the Netflix content source gives users a good degree of control. Those who are concerned about privacy can opt out entirely, while those who value convenience can keep it enabled. It's worth noting that the feature is opt-in by default, meaning users must explicitly turn it on before any data is shared or recommendations are shown.

How to enable Netflix recommendations on One UI 9

If you own a compatible Galaxy device and have the One UI 9 Beta 7 (or stable) update, enabling the feature is straightforward. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your Galaxy device.
2. Scroll down and tap on Galaxy AI.
3. Select Now Brief.
4. Tap on Contents.
5. Locate the Netflix toggle and switch it on.

Once enabled, you may need to allow a moment for Galaxy AI to fetch your Netflix profile and generate recommendations. The “Top picks for you” card will then start appearing in your Now Brief feed, typically during morning or evening briefings depending on your usage patterns.

It's important to have the Netflix app installed and logged in for the feature to work. If you don't have the app, the toggle may be greyed out or hidden. Samsung's integration with Netflix requires the user to have an active account and be signed in on the device.

Beyond Netflix: The future of Now Brief

The addition of Netflix to Now Brief suggests that Samsung is committed to growing this feature into a comprehensive AI assistant that anticipates user needs. Future updates could bring integrations with other popular services, such as music streaming platforms, podcast apps, or even fitness programs. The modular nature of Now Brief, with its toggleable content sources, makes it easy for Samsung to expand the ecosystem.

Furthermore, the rollout of this feature in a beta version signals that Samsung is still fine-tuning the user experience. The company is likely gathering feedback from beta testers to refine the recommendation algorithm and the presentation of the card. Early reports suggest that the card displays movie posters with a brief description, making it visually appealing and easy to scan.

It's also worth noting that this integration is part of a broader trend of AI-driven recommendations across the tech industry. Google, Apple, and other major players are all integrating AI into their operating systems to offer proactive suggestions. Samsung's Now Brief is one of the more advanced implementations in the Android space, and the Netflix partnership shows that Samsung is willing to collaborate with third-party service providers to offer more value to users.

Availability and rollout

One UI 9 Beta 7 is currently available to users enrolled in Samsung's beta program for the Galaxy S26 series. The stable version of One UI 9 is expected to roll out to more devices in the coming weeks and months. The Netflix feature has been confirmed to be included in the stable version for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Z Flip 8, according to reports. It's likely that other flagship models, such as the Galaxy S25 series, will also receive the feature in future updates, though Samsung hasn't officially confirmed a timeline.

For now, users of the latest Galaxy foldables and S-series flagships can take advantage of this new integration. The feature adds another layer of personalization to Now Brief, which already serves as a smart assistant for daily planning, news, and productivity. With Netflix recommendations, it now also becomes a tool for entertainment discovery.

The integration is a clear signal that Samsung is looking to make its AI more useful in everyday life. Instead of asking users to actively search for content, Now Brief proactively delivers it. As the feature matures, it will be interesting to see how Samsung balances personalization with privacy, and whether it expands the concept to other types of content.

Ultimately, the addition of Netflix recommendations to Now Brief underscores a larger movement toward predictive and personalized experiences on smartphones. By bringing movie recommendations into a notification-style feed, Samsung is eliminating the need to switch between apps, saving users time and effort. Whether you're looking for something to watch during a commute or planning a movie night, the new Now Brief card could become one of the most convenient parts of your Galaxy device.

Source: Android Authority News

What is Spotify Jam?

Jam is a fully collaborative real-time playlist designed for group listening sessions. The feature was introduced in September 2023 as a natural extension of Spotify’s Blend, which let two people merge their music tastes into a single playlist. Jam took that concept further by allowing a much larger group to interact with a shared queue. Anyone who joins a Jam can see what’s playing, add songs to the queue, and reorder tracks, depending on the host’s settings. It quickly became one of Spotify’s most praised social features, especially for parties, road trips, and group study sessions.

For the past three years, however, the feature has operated under a clear divide. Joining and participating in a Jam has always been free. If a friend invites you to their Jam, you don’t need a paid subscription to add songs or see the track list. But starting a Jam and controlling the experience has required Spotify Premium. The upsell message was straightforward: “Get Premium to start your own Jam and play any song, any time.” That paywall made sense from a business perspective, but it also frustrated free-tier users who wanted to host their own listening parties.

The code change that hints at the shift

In the latest version of the Spotify Android app, version 9.1.82.19, a teardown of the application files revealed altered wording in several key strings. These strings are the text snippets that appear in the interface when a free user attempts to do something reserved for Premium subscribers. Earlier versions of the app used messages like “Get Premium to start your own Jam and skip as much as you want.” The new strings, however, remove the direct reference to starting a Jam. Instead, they focus on the loss of control once a Jam is already underway. For example, one updated string reads, “Get Premium to take full control over what plays next.” Another says, “Get Premium to skip as much as you want.”

This subtle wording change may not seem dramatic at first, but it strongly suggests that the act of hosting a Jam is no longer being framed as a Premium-exclusive action. Instead, the paywall text is now oriented around the premium benefits within a Jam, such as full control and unlimited skips. That aligns with a scenario where free users can host Jams, but the experience is intentionally more limited than what Premium hosts can offer.

Additional strings reveal limitations for free-hosted Jams

The evidence becomes even more compelling when looking at other code strings found in the same app version. Spotify appears to have added messages that describe what happens when a Jam is hosted by someone on the free plan. One string reads, “You can’t skip songs in this Jam anymore as the host is on the free plan.” Another reads, “Songs are now playing in a random order as the host is on the free plan.” A third says, “You can’t queue songs in this Jam anymore as the host is on the free plan.”

These messages were not present in previous versions of the Spotify app. Their appearance suggests that Spotify is actively working on a system where free-tier users can initiate Jams, but the overall experience will be constrained by the limitations of the free plan. The fact that the messages specifically mention the host being on a free plan implies that these restrictions apply to everyone in the Jam, regardless of their own subscription status.

What a free-hosted Jam would look like

If Spotify does roll out this change, free users will finally be able to start their own Jams. However, the experience will be noticeably different from a Premium-hosted Jam. Based on the leaked strings, a Jam hosted by a free user would force the playlist into shuffle mode. Instead of allowing listeners to play songs in any order, all tracks would play in a random sequence. This mirrors the standard free-tier experience on Spotify, where on-demand playback is not available and users must rely on shuffle.

Skipping would also be severely limited. Free Spotify users already face skip limits when listening on mobile, and those same restrictions would carry over to any Jam they host. This would affect Premium participants too, which could be confusing for subscribers who are accustomed to unlimited skips in their own listening sessions. The queue would also be capped or disabled entirely. In a normal Jam, participants can add songs and reorder the queue. But in a free-hosted Jam, the queue feature would be locked, preventing anyone from contributing to the playlist order.

For Premium subscribers, this could be a frustrating experience. Imagine joining a friend’s Jam, expecting the usual collaborative freedom, only to be stuck in shuffle mode with a limited number of skips because the host is not paying for Premium. Spotify appears to be aware of this potential friction. The app strings include messages like “Songs are playing in a random order. Play in any order with Premium.” This suggests that the company would use these limitations as a subtle upsell, encouraging participants to upgrade even though they are not the host.

Why Spotify might be lowering the paywall

Spotify has long used its free tier as a way to attract users and then convert them to Premium through carefully placed limitations. Allowing free users to host Jams could be a natural evolution of that strategy. By giving free users a taste of the social and interactive aspects of the platform, Spotify may create more reasons for them to upgrade. The restriction on queueing and skips might make the experience just limited enough to drive home the value of a paid subscription.

There is also a social context to consider. Jam is turning three years old in September 2026. The timing of this change could be linked to a milestone celebration or a broader push to make social features more accessible. Spotify has been competing with other music platforms that have introduced their own collaborative listening tools. By expanding Jam access, Spotify could position itself as the most socially inclusive streaming service, even for users who are not ready to pay.

The change would also align with Spotify’s efforts to grow its ad-supported user base. Free users who host Jams may spend more time on the app, leading to more ad impressions. The trade-off is that the experience is degraded enough to encourage conversions. This is a classic freemium model, but applying it to a social feature brings a new twist: the limitations are not just felt by the free user, but by everyone who joins their session. That collective pressure could be a powerful driver for Premium adoption.

The potential impact on the Spotify community

For many users, the ability to host a Jam without Premium would be a welcome change. College students, casual listeners, and users in regions where Premium is expensive have long felt locked out of one of Spotify’s most interactive features. Removing the host requirement would democratize the experience and allow more people to organize listening sessions with friends and family. Even with shuffle and skip limitations, the ability to gather a group and share songs in real time adds significant value to the free tier.

However, the limitations could create awkward social dynamics. If a Premium user joins a Jam hosted by a free user, they might feel like their subscription benefits are being taken away. Spotify’s messaging would need to clarify that the host’s plan determines the Jam’s restrictions. Otherwise, it could lead to confusion and frustration. Some users may decide to avoid free-hosted Jams altogether if the experience is too restrictive.

What would need to happen for the rollout

It is important to note that the strings found in an app teardown do not guarantee that this feature will be released. Spotify regularly tests new ideas and changes its mind. Even if the company does launch free-hosted Jams, the final implementation could look different from what the code strings suggest. The feature would likely be controlled by server-side flags, meaning Spotify could silently enable it for a small group of users before a broader rollout. There is also the possibility that the company abandons the idea entirely if it does not perform well in testing.

Spotify has a history of experimenting with social features and then refining them over time. The company introduced Jam as a Premium-hosted experience, and it has slowly expanded related capabilities. For now, the code changes serve as a strong indication that the company is at least considering making Jams accessible to free users. Whether that becomes a public reality depends on factors such as advertising revenue, user feedback, and the overall product roadmap.

As with all early teardowns, the discovery of these strings is just a glimpse into Spotify’s development process. The feature may arrive in the coming months, or it may never see the light of day. But the altered wording and new limitation messages suggest that Spotify is seriously thinking about breaking down the Premium paywall for Jam hosting. If the feature does launch, the music streaming landscape will likely see a new wave of free-tier group listening sessions, complete with shuffle-only playback and limited skips. Whether that trade-off wins over users remains to be seen.

Source: Android Authority News

A new trend: bandless Fitbit Air

According to recent discussions, a growing number of Fitbit Air owners have started popping the tracker body out of its silicone band and taping it directly to their bicep. The technique, which appears to have been independently discovered by multiple users, uses athletic tape or similar skin-safe adhesive to hold the device in place. One user even reported wearing the Fitbit Air inside a sock on their ankle, claiming that the tracker still reads everything as normal.

This trend goes beyond the screenless design that made the Fitbit Air popular. It represents a broader desire for wearables to be truly unobtrusive. A banded device on the wrist is still visible and can clash with watches, bracelets, or professional attire. By removing the band, users can hide the tracker almost entirely.

What is the Fitbit Air?

The Fitbit Air is a budget-friendly wearable designed to provide core fitness tracking features in a lightweight, low-profile package. It has no display, which reduces its physical size and battery consumption. The device tracks steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, and sleep patterns through its sensors and companion app. It is positioned as a passive tracking device, meaning users do not interact with a screen; they simply wear it and check data later.

This approach is not entirely new. Screenless wearables have existed for years, but they have gained renewed attention as consumers look for ways to reduce screen time and digital distractions. The Fitbit Air is one of the most prominent modern examples, offering a simple form factor at a competitive price point.

Why go bandless?

The motivations for going bandless are varied. Some users want to wear an analog watch on the same wrist as their fitness tracker. The Fitbit Air's discreet size already makes this possible, but the band can still add bulk. Removing the band entirely creates a nearly invisible setup that allows users to wear any accessory without worrying about awkward stacking.

Others find the standard silicone band irritating after prolonged wear. Skin irritation, sweat buildup, and discomfort during sleep are common complaints among fitness tracker users. By using tape, these users can position the device on a different part of the body, such as the bicep, forearm, or ankle, where it stays out of the way.

There is also a stealth factor. Taping the tracker to the skin makes it invisible under most clothing. This can be useful for people who work in environments where visible electronics are not allowed, or for those who simply prefer not to advertise that they are wearing a device.

Does it affect tracking accuracy?

The most surprising aspect of this bandless trend is that users report no significant loss of tracking accuracy. According to user accounts, step counting and activity detection continue to function normally even when the device is placed on the upper arm or inside a sock. This is notable because most fitness trackers are calibrated for wrist movement. The algorithms that translate motion into step counts are typically trained on wrist-based motion patterns. However, the accelerometer inside the Fitbit Air appears to be flexible enough to handle alternate placements.

That said, official documentation almost certainly recommends wrist placement. Users who try alternative methods should expect some level of deviation in metrics like calorie burn and sleep stage estimation. The device's optical sensors, if present, are not used for heart rate in the Fitbit Air, which is a purely motion-based tracker. This makes placement less critical than for devices with optical heart rate monitors. Still, the fact that users see normal readings is encouraging for those who want a more personalized wearing experience.

How to safely try bandless wearing

If you want to try this trend, it is important to use the right materials. The adhesive must be designed for skin contact. Athletic tape, kinesiology tape, and medical-grade hypoallergenic tape are appropriate options. Standard duct tape, masking tape, or household adhesives are not safe and can cause skin damage, allergic reactions, or residue that is difficult to remove.

Here are a few tips for a safe and effective bandless experience:

• Clean and dry the area thoroughly before applying the tape.
• Try the tape on a small patch of skin first to test for allergic reactions.
• Position the tracker against the skin with the sensor window facing outward, if applicable.
• Do not wrap tape too tightly around the limb to avoid restricting circulation.
• Remove the tape gently and consider using an adhesive remover wipe to avoid skin irritation.

Potential risks and downsides

Even with skin-safe tape, the practice is not entirely without risks. Adhesive materials can cause contact dermatitis, especially with prolonged use. The tracker itself is not designed to be worn under tape, so moisture and sweat may become trapped, potentially affecting the device's durability. Additionally, the Fitbit Air's warranty may not cover damages caused by unconventional wearing methods. If the device is damaged as a result of being taped to the body, the manufacturer may decline service.

Another consideration is the security of the device. A band provides a certain level of protection against accidental drops. When taped directly to skin, the tracker is more exposed to impact, bending, or snagging. The tape could also loosen over time, and the device could fall off without the wearer noticing.

What this says about the future of wearables

The emergence of this bandless trend illustrates a broader shift in consumer expectations. Wearables are no longer just gadgets; they are becoming integrated into daily life. Users want devices that can adapt to their bodies and lifestyles, not the other way around. The fact that people are willing to hack their wearable by removing the band suggests a demand for more modular and flexible designs.

Future wearables might offer dedicated accessories or adhesive mounts that allow for multiple wearing positions. Health tracking could become even more personalized if sensor algorithms could adapt to different body locations. The success of the Fitbit Air in this context may inspire other manufacturers to explore similar designs or to provide official support for alternative placement.

At the same time, this trend highlights the importance of user-driven innovation. Companies often define how a device is supposed to be used, but real-world usage can diverge significantly from intended use. Manufacturers can learn from these creative workarounds to improve their products and address unmet needs.

If you own a Fitbit Air, have you tried wearing it without the band? Have you used tape or another method to keep it attached? Let us know in the comments.

Source: Android Authority News

A long-awaited RSVP setting

Google announced that it is rolling out a new Calendar setting that gives meeting organizers, or their delegates, control over RSVP email notifications. The option is labeled "Get an email when guests respond," and it appears directly above the description field where organizers can add meeting details. The feature has been in the works for some time, and it directly addresses a pain point that users have raised across community forums and social media.

By default, the setting is enabled. That means current behavior remains unchanged until an organizer chooses to disable it. To opt out, all someone needs to do is uncheck the box. Once turned off, Google Calendar will suppress the automatic messages that are normally sent to the organizer whenever a guest accepts, declines, marks an invitation as tentative, or triggers an automatic out-of-office reply.

What changes when you turn it off

The most immediate benefit is a quieter inbox. However, it is important to understand what happens to RSVP data after the setting is disabled, because it differs depending on the calendar client an attendee uses.

• Google Calendar attendees: You will no longer receive an email each time they respond, but their RSVP status will still appear on the event page. You can still see the running count of attendees and check individual responses whenever you open the event in Google Calendar.
• Third-party calendar attendees: If an attendee uses a non-Google calendar service such as Microsoft Outlook or Apple Calendar, you will also stop receiving RSVP emails. In this case, however, their RSVP status will not appear on the Google Calendar event page. That limitation could be a factor for organizers who rely on external responses to plan headcounts, so it is worth keeping in mind.
• Auto-replies: You will no longer receive any automatic replies from attendees, including out-of-office notifications. This is one of the biggest workflow improvements, since auto-reply chains can quickly become noisy.

This change does not affect other meeting notifications. It only applies to the organizer's inbox, and it does not block direct messages or comments that guests may leave on the event. The event itself remains intact, and attendees continue to receive their usual confirmations and reminders.

Why this matters for event organizers

RSVP emails have a dual nature. For small meetings, they can be helpful: they serve as a lightweight confirmation that someone has seen the invite and intends to attend. For larger gatherings, though, they can become a serious productivity drain. A meeting with 50 invitees can generate dozens of responses, and the resulting inbox clutter can bury important work emails. The issue becomes even more pronounced when an organizer schedules a recurring event and receives repeated responses each time the event series updates.

Many calendar apps have already introduced controls for event notifications, but Google Calendar has lagged behind. The new setting brings the service much closer to what users expect from modern scheduling tools. It also gives meeting organizers more flexibility to decide how much information they need. Not every meeting requires real-time notifications. For routine check-ins, a weekly status update, or an all-hands call, the value of knowing that each individual has responded is often outweighed by the cost of sorting through dozens of near-identical emails.

Delegates will be particularly happy about this change. In larger organizations, assistants and coordinators often manage invitations on behalf of executives. Those delegates now have the same ability to silence RSVP notifications, which means they can keep inboxes clean without losing visibility into attendance.

How to use the new setting

As with many Google Calendar features, the new setting is easy to use. When creating a new event or editing an existing one, scroll to the area above the description box. You'll see a checkbox labeled "Get an email when guests respond." If you want to disable notifications for that event, simply uncheck the box. Keep in mind that this is an event-level setting rather than a global default. You will need to adjust it each time you create a new event, unless Google adds a workspace-wide preference in a future update.

The setting behaves in a specific way for recurring events. Google notes that when you change this setting on a recurring event, it applies to the entire series, not just one instance. That is worth considering before unchecking the box on a series where you may want to see RSVPs for certain individual meetings.

Who can access this update?

Google is making the new setting available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. Since the launch is gradual, you may not see the option immediately. The rollout began today for organizations on rapid release, although smaller teams and individual users should not be surprised if the interface takes a brief time to update. Google says it could take up to 15 days for the new setting to become visible to everyone in the rapid release channel.

For those on the scheduled release track, the rollout will begin on September 10, with full visibility expected in one to three days. Personal Google accounts are typically not tied to a release schedule in the same way as Workspace domains, so individual users should see the feature over the coming days as the update reaches the consumer version of the app.

This update comes as Google continues to refine its Calendar experience for both business and personal use. The company has been making steady improvements to collaboration features, scheduling tools, and notification controls. The new RSVP email option fits into that broader effort by removing one of the most common friction points in meeting planning.

For organizers who regularly invite large groups, this change could save hours of inbox triage. For the countless people who once dreaded opening their email after sending a meeting invitation, the quiet inbox will be a welcome relief.

Source: Android Authority News

A familiar rhythm for Pixel beta releases

QPR2 builds are part of Google's quarterly platform maintenance cycle, separate from the main Android version updates. While the Android 17 QPR1 release is currently being polished ahead of its September Feature Drop, QPR2 is being developed as the larger year-end update, expected to arrive in December. With the release of Beta 4, Google says the software has now reached platform stability, meaning the APIs and app-facing behaviors are locked in, and developers can finalize their apps against the upcoming OS version.

The new builds are identified as CP41.260814.003.A2 and CP41.260814.003.B1, with the exact build depending on the hardware. As usual with beta releases, users can expect a mix of improvements and potential lingering bugs, but this build is focused on ironing out issues discovered in earlier testing.

Device support changes

One important change in this beta is the continued exclusion of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Those devices are outside Google's software update window, and by the time the QPR2 Feature Drop reaches its stable release, they will no longer be eligible for new feature drops. This is a natural progression as Google shifts its support focus to newer hardware.

Interestingly, the Pixel 11, which went on sale last week, has not yet received QPR2 Beta 4, but Google has indicated that compatibility is coming soon. Pixel testers with the Pixel 11 will need to wait a little longer before they can join this particular beta cycle.

Platform stability and what it means

For developers, platform stability is a significant milestone. It signals that the APIs, system behaviors, and app-facing changes are final and unlikely to be altered in future beta releases. This means app developers can update their applications with confidence that they will work with the final version of Android 17 QPR2.

For regular users, the platform stability designation also suggests that the beta is approaching a state close to what will ship to the general public. While there may still be minor fixes and adjustments in subsequent releases, the core experience should now feel largely complete.

Bug fixes and improvements in QPR2 Beta 4

This beta includes a substantial list of fixes, covering a wide range of issues reported by testers over the past few weeks. Some of the notable corrections include:

• Fixing a transparent status bar on the launcher after exiting fullscreen video playback, which occurred when the developer setting for rendering apps below the cutout area was enabled.
• Resolving a thermal management issue that caused devices to overheat and reboot unexpectedly during extended use.
• Correcting an issue that prevented screen mirroring to external USB-C XR glasses.
• Addressing a problem where gesture navigation became unresponsive when apps were rendered below the display cutout.
• Improving the 80% battery limit optimization, which previously caused excessive charge times as the battery approached the final 2% threshold.
• Fixing a launcher UI issue that prevented the app drawer from processing text input when searching for apps.
• Restoring the background blur effect behind the navigation bar when invoking the power menu via hardware buttons.
• Ensuring phone call audio routes correctly to connected Bluetooth devices, instead of defaulting to the phone speaker.
• Addressing a Recents app switcher rendering bug where the first task card could freeze and clip behind other apps during horizontal scrolling.
• Resolving an audio service resource lock triggered during screen recording that stopped microphone access systemwide until a restart.
• Adding the proper power-button screen-off animation when turning off the screen from the home screen, instead of a plain fade.
• Improving the contrast of the connected Wi-Fi settings cog icon in dark mode.
• Fixing a blank screen issue when enabling 3D mode on connected smart glasses.
• Correcting a UI issue that prevented the notification bar from being fully pulled down.
• Resolving a WebGL crash that occurred when combining shadow maps with vertex color attributes, caused by an invalid memory read in the PowerVR GPU driver's texture state processing.
• Fixing a low-light Face Unlock failure that bypassed Fingerprint Unlock and forced users to enter their PIN.

These fixes address both usability and performance concerns, and many of them stem from feedback submitted by beta testers. Google encourages users who encounter bugs to continue reporting them through the official channels, as each report helps refine the final release.

Potential hidden changes

As with past QPR2 updates, there may be subtle visual tweaks, performance improvements, or battery optimizations that are not listed in the official changelog. Beta testers who discover any new features or settings are encouraged to share their findings in community forums, as this often helps surface useful information to the broader user base.

Given that this is the fourth beta in the QPR2 cycle, it is possible that Google is nearing the end of its beta testing phase. However, the company has not confirmed when a Beta 5 might arrive, or when the stable version will be released. Based on previous release patterns, a final QPR2 build could land in December, but that timeline is speculative at this point.

How to get Android 17 QPR2 Beta 4

Pixel users interested in trying out the latest beta can do so by enrolling their device in the Android Beta Program. Once enrolled, the update will be delivered over-the-air, just like a standard system update. It is worth noting that beta software can be unstable, so users should back up their important data before installing it on a primary or daily-driver device.

Users who are already enrolled in the beta program will receive the QPR2 Beta 4 update automatically, assuming their device is still supported. Those who are not yet enrolled can visit the Android Beta Program website and follow the instructions for their specific Pixel model.

For those who prefer to wait for a more polished experience, the stable release of Android 17 QPR2 is expected to arrive as part of the December Feature Drop. That version will bring all the features and improvements tested in the QPR2 beta cycle to all supported Pixel devices.

As always, the beta release is a reflection of Google's ongoing effort to refine Android and deliver a more seamless experience across its hardware ecosystem. With platform stability now achieved, the next steps will likely involve additional bug-fixing and performance tuning ahead of the final release.

Source: Android Authority News

AI is not a business strategy. It is a capability that may support a strategy if the organization has a clear problem to solve, the right data, the right processes, the right governance, and a realistic economic model. Without these foundations, AI projects become expensive experiments that generate interesting demos and little else.

Technology before outcomes

The most frequent failure pattern begins with the solution. An organization decides it needs generative AI, agentic AI, or a new copilot before it defines the business outcome it wants to improve. Instead of saying, “We need to reduce claims processing time by 30 percent,” it says, “We need to use AI.” The distinction matters. When companies skip the business problem and go straight to the tool, they end up with a polished demo that has no operational purpose.

Project charters often use vague phrases such as “improve productivity,” “enhance innovation,” or “modernize knowledge work.” These aspirations may be worthwhile, but they are not requirements. They do not define baseline performance, target metrics, adoption assumptions, cost constraints, risk tolerance, or operational ownership. Finance eventually asks what changed in the business. If the answer is vague, the project was never properly framed.

Successful AI initiatives start with a measurable business problem. They identify a specific workflow, define current performance, and set a realistic target. Only then do they select models, platforms, and frameworks. Technology selection follows strategy; it does not precede it.

Isolated pilots that never connect

A second common failure pattern is the disconnected pilot. A team builds an AI system that can summarize documents, answer policy questions, generate emails, draft code, or search a knowledge base. The demo impresses executives. But when the team attempts to move into production, it discovers the system is not connected to ERP, CRM, supply chain, procurement, HR, finance, claims, manufacturing, or customer service platforms.

That is the moment the project becomes difficult. Enterprise value rarely lives in isolated chat windows. It lives in workflows such as order-to-cash, procure-to-pay, claims adjudication, customer onboarding, sales operations, software delivery, and field service. If AI cannot safely operate inside those workflows, it remains a sidecar application with limited impact.

This is why architecture matters more than model selection. Production systems must handle identity, authorization, audit trails, transaction boundaries, latency, data classification, exception handling, observability, and recovery. A sandbox can ignore those components. An enterprise cannot. Many organizations mistake a successful pilot for a scalable capability. A pilot proves a model can perform a task under controlled conditions. A scalable capability proves the enterprise can integrate, secure, govern, monitor, fund, and operate that task over time.

Amplifying bad data

Generative AI depends on trusted context. If the organization’s data is fragmented, duplicated, stale, mislabeled, inaccessible, or poorly governed, the AI system will not magically fix the problem. It will produce fluent answers based on unreliable context. This is one of generative AI’s most dangerous characteristics. Traditional systems often fail in obvious ways. A report has missing numbers. A dashboard does not reconcile. A data feed breaks. Generative AI can fail and still sound confident, even when it is wrong.

Many companies try to use AI to make up for years of underinvestment in data architecture. They have multiple customer records, conflicting product taxonomies, outdated policy documents, unclassified files, weak metadata, inconsistent retention rules, and unclear data ownership. Then they add retrieval-augmented generation and hope the model can sort it out. It cannot. AI does not make bad data good. It makes bad data easier to consume. That means poor data governance becomes a bigger risk, not a smaller one. If the organization does not know which document is authoritative, which system is the source of truth, or which user can see what data, the AI architecture will inherit that confusion.

Agents without process design

Agentic AI has attracted significant attention, and some of it is justified. Agents can coordinate tasks, call tools, retrieve context, interact with systems, and automate workflows that are more complex than simple chat interfaces. Used correctly, they can deliver real value. However, agents do not fix broken processes; they expose them.

An AI agent cannot turn undocumented, ambiguous, exception-heavy, politically contested, or tribal knowledge-dependent processes into a clean workflow. It will automate the confusion. It may call the wrong system, choose the wrong approval path, trust the wrong data source, or keep looping through actions because the stop condition was never defined. An agent needs clear goals, trusted tools, bounded authority, escalation paths, observability, and rollback procedures. Without these controls, the enterprise is not deploying intelligent automation. It is deploying risk through a conversational interface.

The mistake is treating agents as a substitute for process design. Agents are an automation pattern to apply after a process has been simplified, documented, governed, and instrumented. If humans cannot explain how the work should be done, it is premature to assign that work to an agent.

Misunderstood economics

A surprising number of generative AI projects look cheap in the lab. Usage is low, prompts are short, the user base is small, and the architecture is simple. Then the system scales, and the economics change. Long prompts consume more tokens. Retrieval introduces embedding, storage, search, and orchestration costs. Agents may call models repeatedly. Model chains multiply inference charges. Security filtering, logging, monitoring, evaluation, and high availability add additional costs. A pilot that seemed inexpensive can suddenly become a production cost problem.

Enterprises need to measure cost per interaction, cost per completed workflow, cost per resolved case, and cost per business outcome. The plan also needs model routing, caching, prompt optimization, workload segmentation, and policies that determine when a smaller or cheaper model is sufficient. Suppose a new AI system saves a worker two minutes, translating to X dollars in savings. That sounds good on paper. But that is only half the equation. If the system costs more than X dollars in inference, infrastructure, and operations charges, the project loses money. Someone must answer that question before go-live.

Governance after the fact

Security, compliance, governance, and operations are often brought in after the demo is built. That is one reason AI projects die just before production. Enterprise AI systems touch customer records, regulated data, intellectual property, legal documents, financial recommendations, employee information, and operational controls. These are not casual workloads.

When governance is done correctly, it is an enablement system, not a brake pedal. It defines what can move quickly, what requires review, what must be logged, what needs human approval, and what should never be automated. AI systems must also account for change. Models change. Prompts change. Data changes. Regulations change. User behavior changes. Business policies change. Someone must own the outcome after deployment, not just the demo before funding.

Enterprises are at a tipping point with AI. Having the most pilots or the largest budgets does not guarantee success. Organizations that want to win the AI race will connect AI to real business processes, clean data, scalable architecture, measurable economics, security, governance, and disciplined operations. Everyone else will keep producing impressive pilots that never become durable enterprise capabilities.

Source: InfoWorld News

What’s new in ViWizard Streaming Audio Recorder V3.0.0?

Available for Windows and macOS, ViWizard Streaming Audio Recorder combines audio conversion and recording capabilities to manage digital audio content from multiple sources. It includes converters for 11 supported platforms, such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music, to convert platform-based content and an audio recording tool to capture streaming audio from platforms, websites, and applications. The release comes as more listeners seek free audio resources for entertainment, education, and information with offline access.

Key Features of ViWizard Streaming Audio Recorder V3.0.0:

•          Download podcasts and access radio content from the built-in archive;

•          Manage streaming audio from 11 popular platforms in one toolkit;

•          Convert audio contents into MP3, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, M4A, and M4B formats;

•          Record streaming audio from platforms, websites, and applications;

•          Customize audio output settings for different playback needs;

•          Organize streaming audio content in one centralized library.

How does the new podcast and radio support work?

With podcast and radio archive support, users can explore content across categories including entertainment, current events, professional topics, music, discussions, and live programs. Resources such as BBC World Service provide additional audio options that can be managed alongside content captured from other platforms.

ViWizard Streaming Audio Recorder separates podcast saving and radio recording based on the nature of each content type. Podcasts can be saved directly in supported formats, including MP3, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, M4A, and M4B, while radio stations require real-time recording through ViWizard Audio Capture support. Also available as a standalone tool in the “Tools” section, ViWizard Audio Capture records system audio from platforms, websites, and applications. Together, ViWizard Streaming Audio Recorder offers a broader solution for users looking to organize streaming audio content in one place.

Steps to Save Podcasts from ViWizard Streaming Audio Recorder

1. Download and install ViWizard Streaming Audio Recorder on your computer. The program supports both Windows and macOS. Once installed, launch the software to access the built-in audio resources and start saving podcasts.
2. Open the Podcast section from the built-in archive and browse available shows. You can explore categories including comedy, true crime, news, society and culture, sports, business, and more. To find a specific episode, click "See All" and search with the podcast title or related information.
3. Select a podcast episode and open its details page. Review the episode information before downloading to make sure you choose the correct content.
4. Set the output format and adjust output settings before saving the file. Click Settings in the lower-left corner, go to the Podcasts section, and select a format under "Output Format", including MP3, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, M4A, and M4B. You can also customize the audio channel, bitrate, sample rate, and output folder.
5. Download the podcast episode. Since podcasts are pre-recorded content, ViWizard can process and save episodes directly without real-time recording. You can download all episodes using the "Download All" button or save individual episodes with the download icon.
6. Wait for ViWizard to complete the process. Once finished, the saved files will appear in the output folder, where you can listen offline or organize them with your other audio collections.

Steps to Record Radio from ViWizard Streaming Audio Recorder

1. Download and install ViWizard Streaming Audio Recorder on your computer. After opening the program, you can access the built-in radio archive or use the recording feature to capture audio from online sources.
2. Open the Radio section and browse available stations by genre. You can find radio content across categories including pop, news and talk, sports, hip hop, dance and electronic, classic rock, and more.
3. Select a radio station and start the live stream. Since radio broadcasts in real time, ViWizard captures the stream while it plays. The recording feature can capture audio from platforms, websites, and applications, allowing you to save live radio programs.
4. Set the output format and customize recording settings before saving the file. Click Settings in the lower-left corner, go to the Radio section, and select a format under "Output Format", including MP3, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, M4A, and M4B. You can also adjust settings such as "Auto-play radio when recording starts," "Auto-split file every xxx minutes," and "Auto-stop recording after xxx minutes."
5. Start recording the radio content. Open your preferred station, click the Record icon at the bottom, and let ViWizard capture the radio stream while you continue listening.
6. Stop or pause the recording when finished. You can pause or stop recording at any time, while the radio station continues playing. After recording, review the saved audio file before further management.
7. Find your recorded radio files in the output folder. You can listen to the saved recordings offline and organize them with other streaming audio content captured through ViWizard.

For more information, visit the product page: https://www.viwizard.com/streaming-audio-recorder/. In this video guide, you can see how to use it.

“With the evolution of digital audio consumption, we have developed ViWizard Streaming Audio Recorder as an integrated audio toolkit that combines music conversion, audio recording, and media management features across platforms,” said Adam Gorden, Marketing Manager at ViWizard. “Our goal is to bring audio capture, conversion, and management features together in a single solution to help users organize and manage their streaming audio content.”

About ViWizard

ViWizard develops digital media solutions that help users overcome challenges related to platform restrictions, format compatibility, and device limitations. With expertise in media conversion and processing, ViWizard creates practical tools that help users access, manage, and enjoy their favorite content across different platforms and formats.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@viwzard

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/viwizardsoft/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/viwizard_soft

Né à Singapour, Shou Zi Chew a fréquenté la prestigieuse école Hwa Chong, avant de s'envoler pour l'Europe pour étudier l'économie à l'University College London. Toujours à Londres, il a endossé le costume de banquier pour Goldman Sachs et a également effectué un stage chez Facebook, avant d'obtenir un MBA à la Harvard Business School.

Un parcours fulgurant

Après plusieurs années passées au sein de la société d'investissement DST, Shou Chew, qui parle couramment le mandarin et l'anglais, a été nommé en 2015 directeur financier du géant chinois de la téléphonie Xiaomi. Il a rejoint ByteDance, la société mère de TikTok, en mars 2021 et a rapidement pris la direction de l'application, après la démission soudaine de son prédécesseur, l'Américain Kevin Mayer.

Si M. Chew dirige l'entreprise depuis Singapour, selon TikTok, on ne sait toutefois pas exactement quel est son pouvoir de décision par rapport au fondateur de ByteDance, Zhang Yiming, et à d'autres cadres de la société mère. Cette ambiguïté alimente les inquiétudes des régulateurs américains, qui soupçonnent l'application de donner accès à Pékin aux données des utilisateurs, ce que TikTok a toujours nié.

Des pressions politiques des deux côtés de l'Atlantique

Depuis plusieurs mois, le dirigeant singapourien au look décontracté doit faire face à une pression politique qui est montée en flèche des deux côtés de l'Atlantique. La Maison Blanche, la Commission européenne et les gouvernements canadien et britannique ont interdit à leurs fonctionnaires d'utiliser la plateforme de vidéos courtes et virales, très populaire parmi les jeunes.

La Maison Blanche a laissé entendre que si TikTok - qui dépasse les 150 millions d'utilisateurs mensuels aux États-Unis - restait dans le giron de ByteDance, elle serait interdite. De nombreux régulateurs soupçonnent l'application de donner accès à Pékin aux données des utilisateurs, ce qu'elle a toujours nié. Et des élus craignent aussi que l'application ne serve de cheval de Troie au Parti communiste chinois pour manipuler l'opinion.

Les déclarations clés de l'audition

"Permettez-moi de l'affirmer sans équivoque : ByteDance n'est pas un agent de la Chine ni d'aucun autre pays", a déclaré M. Chew aux élus du Congrès américain, selon des commentaires rendus publics avant l'audition. "TikTok n'a jamais partagé ou reçu de demande de partage de données d'utilisateurs américains avec le gouvernement chinois. TikTok n'honorerait pas non plus une telle demande si elle était formulée", a-t-il ajouté.

Le patron de TikTok a également insisté sur les efforts de l'entreprise pour protéger les données de ses utilisateurs américains, notamment par le biais du projet "Texas", qui vise à stocker les données sur le sol américain et à les contrôler par une entité indépendante. Malgré ces garanties, les élus républicains comme démocrates se montrent sceptiques, certains réclamant une vente forcée de l'application à une entreprise américaine.

Un patron au profil bas, mais très investi

Shou Zi Chew lui-même n'est pas un grand utilisateur de TikTok : il a publié une vingtaine de vidéos depuis l'année dernière et ne compte que près de 20 000 abonnés. Sur son compte, certaines vidéos le montrent en train d'assister au spectacle de la mi-temps du Superbowl ou de danser avec la chanteuse Ciarail, tandis qu'il partage dans d'autres extraits sa visite au British Museum ou son costume porté à l'occasion d'Halloween.

Le dirigeant de TikTok est marié à Vivian Kao, PDG d'une société d'investissement, une ancienne camarade de classe de la Harvard Business School avec qui il avait commencé par échanger par mail en 2008, peu après leur admission. Selon un article publié sur le site web de l'école, ils ont deux enfants et sont si proches qu'ils "finissent souvent les phrases l'un de l'autre".

Comme la plupart des hommes de Singapour, M. Chew a effectué son service militaire dans sa jeunesse, avec un tel succès qu'il a été nommé officier, selon le journal Straits Times. Selon la loi singapourienne, cela signifie qu'il est tenu de rester réserviste de l'armée jusqu'à l'âge de 50 ans, soit dix ans de plus que les hommes d'autres rangs.

Un enjeu crucial pour l'avenir de TikTok

Cette audition est un moment charnière pour TikTok, qui est devenu un phénomène culturel aux États-Unis. Selon les données de marché, l'application a déjà dépassé YouTube, Twitter, Instagram et Facebook en "temps passé" dessus par les adultes américains, et talonne désormais Netflix. La plateforme est particulièrement populaire auprès des 18-24 ans, qui l'utilisent pour découvrir de la musique, des tendances et des contenus de divertissement.

Au-delà de la question de la sécurité nationale, se joue aussi un enjeu économique majeur. TikTok représente une manne financière pour les créateurs de contenu américains, qui gagnent leur vie grâce à la plateforme. Une interdiction totale aurait des conséquences désastreuses pour eux, mais aussi pour les petites entreprises qui utilisent l'application pour faire la promotion de leurs produits.

Les analystes estiment que le gouvernement américain cherche avant tout à obtenir des garanties concrètes sur la protection des données. Le précédent de 2020, lorsque l'administration Trump avait tenté d'interdire TikTok sans succès, montre que la voie juridique est complexe. Cependant, la donne a changé : la montée des tensions géopolitiques entre les États-Unis et la Chine rend la position de TikTok plus fragile que jamais.

Un précédent jurisprudentiel incertain

En août 2020, Donald Trump avait signé un décret ordonnant à TikTok de céder ses activités américaines sous 90 jours, invoquant des risques pour la sécurité nationale. La justice américaine avait finalement bloqué ce décret, estimant que la procédure n'avait pas respecté les droits de la défense. Depuis, plusieurs tentatives de négociation ont eu lieu, sans aboutir à un accord définitif.

Aujourd'hui, le Congrès semble déterminé à aller plus loin. Plusieurs propositions de loi bipartisanes ont été déposées pour autoriser le gouvernement à interdire les applications jugées dangereuses. Si ces textes aboutissent, TikTok pourrait être contraint de se séparer de ses activités américaines ou de cesser purement et simplement d'opérer sur le sol américain.

Face à cette menace, Shou Zi Chew a adopté une stratégie de transparence. Il a rencontré des élus, visité des bureaux de TikTok aux États-Unis et multiplié les interviews. Sa comparution devant la commission de l'énergie et du commerce de la Chambre des représentants était très attendue. Il a répondu pendant près de cinq heures à des questions parfois agressives, ce qui montre sa détermination à défendre l'application.

Les critiques venues d'Europe

La pression ne vient pas seulement des États-Unis. En Europe, la Commission européenne a également interdit le réseau social à ses employés en février 2023. Le Parlement européen et le Conseil de l'Union européenne ont emboîté le pas. Plusieurs États membres, comme la France, l'Allemagne et les Pays-Bas, ont pris des mesures similaires à l'égard de leurs fonctionnaires.

Les régulateurs européens s'inquiètent notamment des risques de fuite de données personnelles et de l'influence potentielle de Pékin sur les contenus. TikTok a répondu en annonçant le lancement de centres de données en Europe et le renforcement de ses équipes chargées de la modération. Cependant, les autorités restent vigilantes et n'excluent pas de nouvelles restrictions à l'avenir.

Dans ce contexte, Shou Zi Chew doit naviguer entre les exigences des gouvernements occidentaux et les intérêts de son entreprise. Il est perçu comme un homme de dialogue, capable de parler le langage des affaires comme celui des politiques. Son profil d'ancien banquier de Goldman Sachs et de diplômé de Harvard rassure une partie des élus, mais ne suffit pas à dissiper les soupçons.

Quel avenir pour TikTok ?

Plusieurs scénarios sont possibles à l'issue de cette audition. Le premier est que le Congrès vote une loi autorisant l'interdiction de TikTok, ce qui contraindrait ByteDance à vendre la plateforme à un investisseur américain. Le deuxième est que TikTok accepte de se séparer de sa maison mère et de créer une entité indépendante, comme l'a fait Facebook avec Instagram ou WhatsApp. Le troisième est que le gouvernement américain se contente des engagements pris par l'entreprise et laisse la situation en l'état.

Shou Zi Chew a clairement plaidé pour la troisième option, en réaffirmant son engagement à protéger les données des utilisateurs américains. Il a proposé de renforcer encore les contrôles et de créer un comité consultatif composé d'experts indépendants. Mais les élus sont restés circonspects, certains allant jusqu'à le qualifier de "représentant d'une dictature".

Quoi qu'il advienne, cette audition marque un tournant dans les relations entre les grandes entreprises technologiques chinoises et le monde occidental. Elle montre que les questions de sécurité nationale et de protection des données sont devenues des enjeux géopolitiques majeurs, qui dépassent largement le simple cadre de la concurrence économique. Shou Zi Chew, lui, rentre à Singapour avec la certitude d'avoir défendu son entreprise du mieux qu'il a pu, mais aussi avec la conscience que la bataille pour l'avenir de TikTok est loin d'être terminée.

Dans les mois à venir, les regards se tourneront maintenant vers les autres marchés où TikTok est présent. L'Inde a déjà interdit l'application depuis 2020. Le Canada et l'Australie envisagent des restrictions similaires. Si les États-Unis venaient à interdire le réseau social, d'autres pays pourraient suivre, ce qui représenterait un coup dur pour ByteDance et ses 1 milliard d'utilisateurs dans le monde.

En attendant, Shou Zi Chew peut retenir une victoire symbolique : il est ressorti de cette audition sans avoir commis de faux pas majeur, et il a réussi à faire passer son message. Son avenir à la tête de TikTok reste toutefois conditionné à l'évolution du rapport de force entre le Congrès américain et la Chine. Une chose est sûre : le discret patron de TikTok ne pourra plus jamais se faire discret.

Source: ABC Bourse News

The Palace label was created in 2010 to go beyond the standard five-star rating and identify French luxury hotels that deliver an experience of global excellence. It is not an easy distinction to earn. Properties must be existing five-star hotels that demonstrate exceptional international reputation, unique architectural or historical features, and a level of personalized service that goes beyond conventional luxury standards. The label is awarded by Atout France, the national tourism development agency, after rigorous evaluation. Receiving the label brings no direct financial benefit, but it carries immense prestige and serves as a powerful marketing tool in the competitive world of high-end travel.

In June 2026, six new establishments were added to the list, bringing the total number of Palace-labeled hotels in France to 33. Alongside Cheval Blanc Paris, the Palace family gained three Parisian addresses: The Fouquet's, Hôtel Bulgari, and Cheval Blanc Paris. The other winners were located outside the capital. Each of these hotels was judged to meet the strict criteria set by the commission, which considers factors such as location, history, architecture, service quality, and contributions to the influence of France on the international tourism stage.

An exceptional Parisian location with a storied past

Cheval Blanc Paris occupies the top floors of the famous Samaritaine building, an architectural emblem that has overlooked the Seine for over a century. The original department store was founded in 1870 by Ernest Cognacq and Marie-Louise Jaÿ on the site formerly known as the Grande Samaritaine. Over the years, it became a beloved Parisian institution, celebrated for its innovative retail concept and its breathtaking Art Nouveau and Art Deco interiors. The store was heavily damaged over time and eventually closed in 2005 due to safety concerns, after years of negotiations and preservation battles.

In 2010, LVMH acquired the iconic building with plans to restore it to its former glory. The renovation project, led by Japanese architecture firm SANAA in collaboration with the heritage-preservation agency Ateliers de France, was among the most complex and ambitious in the city. The goal was to preserve the historic facades and signature glass roof while transforming the interior into a modern mixed-use complex that would include offices, shops, and a luxury hotel. After years of construction and some legal challenges, the Samaritaine reopened in 2021, much to the delight of Parisians and visitors alike.

The hotel itself is tucked into the upper floors of the Samaritaine, with its own private entrance at 8 quai du Louvre. The location cannot be beaten: guests look out over the Seine, the Louvre, and the Île de la Cité, with Notre-Dame Cathedral visible in the distance. This unique vantage point offers an intimate perspective on Parisian landmarks that few other hotels can match. The address has long been considered one of the most desirable positions in the capital, combining the energy of the city with the tranquility of a riverside retreat.

An intimate hotel designed by Peter Marino

Cheval Blanc Paris was designed by the renowned American architect Peter Marino, known for his work on some of the world's finest luxury stores and hotels. Marino's approach to the hotel combines classical French elegance with contemporary sophistication, using rich materials such as bronze, oak, and marble to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. The hotel comprises only 72 keys, including rooms and suites, which makes it one of the most exclusive addresses in the city. Each room is uniquely configured, many featuring sweeping views of the river or the rooftops of Paris.

The intimacy of the hotel is one of its defining characteristics. Unlike many large luxury hotels, Cheval Blanc Paris offers a sense of privacy and discretion that appeals to a discerning clientele. Service is tailored to the individual, with a high staff-to-guest ratio and a dedicated team that anticipates needs before they are spoken. The hotel also includes a renowned spa, a fitness center, and a heated indoor pool, all designed to promote relaxation and wellness. These amenities, combined with the hotel's architectural splendor, have quickly established it as a destination in its own right.

Gastronomy that has reached the stars

From its opening, Cheval Blanc Paris made a bold statement in the culinary world. Its flagship restaurant, Plénitude, is helmed by chef Arnaud Donckele, who previously earned three Michelin stars at La Vague d'Or in Saint-Tropez. Donckele's cuisine is intensely personal, drawing inspiration from the ingredients and techniques of the French Riviera while embracing the bounty of Parisian markets. Within months of opening, Plénitude was awarded three Michelin stars, an extraordinary achievement for such a young establishment. The restaurant occupies a luminous space on the hotel's ground floor, where chef Donckele offers a seasonal tasting menu and an exceptional wine pairing curated by an expert sommelier team.

In addition to Plénitude, the hotel houses Hakuba, a Japanese restaurant conceived by Arnaud Donckele and master chef Takuya Watanabe. Hakuba, which means "white horse" in Japanese, is a subtle nod to the hotel's name and a celebration of Japanese-French culinary dialogue. The restaurant focuses on omakase-style dining, featuring the finest fish flown in from Japan and a meticulous attention to detail. In 2026, Hakuba was elevated to two Michelin stars, bringing further acclaim to the hotel's gastronomic portfolio. Together, these two venues place Cheval Blanc Paris firmly among the best dining destinations in the French capital.

A reflection of Bernard Arnault's luxury vision

Cheval Blanc Paris is part of the luxury hotel division of LVMH, the world's largest luxury goods conglomerate, which is controlled by French billionaire Bernard Arnault. Arnault, who has transformed LVMH into an empire that includes Louis Vuitton, Dior, Moët & Chandon, and dozens of other heritage brands, has long seen hospitality as a natural extension of the group's high-end lifestyle offerings. The Cheval Blanc brand was launched in 2006 with the opening of a hotel in Courchevel, followed by properties in Saint-Barthélemy and, later, in the Maldives. Paris was always intended to be the crown jewel, given the city's status as a global center of fashion, art, and culture.

The acquisition and restoration of the Samaritaine demonstrated Arnault's commitment to preserving French heritage while creating modern luxury experiences. The project was not without controversy; heritage groups and some local residents raised concerns about the scale of the redevelopment and the potential impact on the neighborhood. However, the final result has been widely praised for its architectural sensitivity and its successful integration of contemporary design into a historic framework. The hotel now serves as a symbol of LVMH's ability to merge tradition and innovation, a philosophy that resonates throughout its entire portfolio.

Bulgari Paris: another LVMH success

Cheval Blanc Paris was not the only LVMH-affiliated hotel to receive the Palace label in 2026. The Hôtel Bulgari Paris, which opened in 2021 on the prestigious Avenue George V, was also added to the list. The hotel is the result of a joint venture between LVMH and the Bulgari jewelry house, and it has become one of the most sought-after addresses in the city. It offers 76 rooms and suites, including a spectacular penthouse of approximately 1,000 square meters, which can be reserved for a staggering 50,000 euros per night. The hotel also features a 1,300-square-meter spa, the largest in Paris, and an Italian fine-dining restaurant, Il Ristorante, led by chef Niko Romito.

The general manager of Bulgari Paris, Rodolphe Callewaert, described the Palace label as a source of "great pride" in comments following the announcement. He acknowledged that the direct impact on bookings is difficult to quantify, but he noted that the recognition carries particular weight with international travelers, especially those from the United States, who often view the Palace as a mark of ultimate quality. The label has a powerful resonance in the luxury travel market, and for a hotel like Bulgari, it solidifies its position alongside legendary Parisian names such as the Ritz, the Four Seasons George V, and the Plaza Athénée.

Strengthening LVMH's position in luxury hospitality

With two hotels added to the Palace list in 2026, LVMH has significantly strengthened its presence in France's most exclusive hospitality segment. The group now operates several hotels under the Cheval Blanc and Bulgari brands, as well as other properties under the LVMH Hotels division. This expansion reflects a broader trend among luxury goods conglomerates, which increasingly view hotels as a way to immerse clients in their world and build lasting emotional connections with their brands. For LVMH, a Palace label is more than a trophy; it is validation that its investments in architecture, gastronomy, and service have met the high standards expected by the group's clientele.

For Cheval Blanc Paris, the label represents both a recognition of past achievements and a promise for the future. Five years is a relatively short time for a hotel to establish itself at the highest level of luxury hospitality, but Cheval Blanc has done so with remarkable speed. The combination of an extraordinary location, curated design, exceptional dining, and the backing of Bernard Arnault's luxury empire has created a unique proposition that resonates with travelers from around the world. The Palace label now gives the hotel a permanent place in the pantheon of French hospitality, ensuring that it will be mentioned in the same breath as the most prestigious addresses in the country.

The hotel's journey is far from over. As it moves into its next chapter, Cheval Blanc Paris will continue to refine its offerings, explore new gastronomic concepts, and push the boundaries of what a luxury hotel can be. The Palace distinction will undoubtedly bring more visibility and a greater expectation of excellence, but for a property that has already achieved so much in five years, that is a challenge it appears ready to embrace. With its idyllic perch above the Seine and the support of some of the most creative minds in the industry, Cheval Blanc Paris is poised to remain one of the most exclusive and desirable addresses in the capital for years to come.

Source: MSN News

Ambani, 65, is one of the most recognizable business figures in Asia. According to Forbes, he is the second-richest man in India, with an estimated fortune of $88 billion. His company, Reliance Industries, has deep roots in the Indian economy and has repeatedly reinvented itself to stay at the forefront of the country's development. But behind the towering glass headquarters in Mumbai and the 27-story private residence known as Antilia lies a story of inheritance, rivalry, political maneuvering, and relentless expansion.

From Textiles to a Diversified Conglomerate

Born into a family of modest origins, Mukesh Ambani is the eldest son of Dhirubhai Ambani, who founded Reliance in 1966 as a small textile company. After studying business management at Stanford University, Mukesh returned to India to help his father set up a polyester production plant. Historian Arhundati Virmani, an India specialist at the École des hautes études en sciences sociales, points out that Mukesh did not simply inherit wealth; he actively participated in the family's dramatic rise. He helped his father during the early days of the polyester factory and witnessed the transformation of the family's fortune from modest beginnings to industrial prominence.

Reliance initially made its mark in textiles, but under Mukesh Ambani's stewardship, it diversified aggressively into hydrocarbons, chemicals, and petrochemicals. The company built some of the world's largest refining complexes, including the Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat, which became a cornerstone of India's energy security. More recently, Reliance has pivoted toward the energy transition, investing in solar manufacturing, green hydrogen, and cleaner fuel technologies. It has also entered organized retail, challenging domestic and international competitors across thousands of Indian towns and cities.

Jio and the Telecom Disruption

One of Reliance's most transformative bets has been Jio, its telecommunications subsidiary. Launched in 2016, Jio disrupted the Indian mobile market by offering free voice calls and extremely cheap data plans. The strategy forced rivals to consolidate, merge, or exit the market. Pooja Jain, a researcher associated with the Asia Center, observes that Reliance today is synonymous with technology in India. The company has expanded into information technology, 4G, and 5G, and Ambani has publicly promised to equip India with high-speed 5G connectivity on a massive scale.

Jio's success also attracted major global investors. Meta and Google are among the tech giants that have invested in Jio Platforms, giving Reliance a powerful foothold in India's digital economy. The telecom arm has become the backbone of Reliance's broader strategy, connecting millions of Indians to the internet and enabling data-driven businesses ranging from e-commerce to streaming services. Ambani's ambition, analysts say, is to create a fully integrated digital ecosystem that touches every aspect of everyday life: communication, entertainment, shopping, finance, and education.

Family Feud and the Battle for Succession

Mukesh Ambani's path to the top was not without conflict. After their father Dhirubhai suffered a stroke in 2002 and later died without leaving a clear will, Mukesh and his younger brother Anil fought bitterly over control of the family empire. The dispute became public, spilling into boardrooms, media headlines, and even parliament. Their mother, Kokilaben, eventually intervened and brokered a settlement that divided the Reliance group between the two brothers. Mukesh retained control of the core businesses, including oil refining, petrochemicals, and the increasingly important telecom arm, while Anil took over financial services, power, and telecommunications in the form of Reliance Communications.

The rivalry between the brothers was legendary. Anil was once considered the more charismatic and socially visible of the two, while Mukesh was seen as the quieter, more meticulous operator. Historian Arhundati Virmani notes that Mukesh is someone who works extensively on details and files, unlike his brother who had a more flamboyant, glamorous public persona. Over time, Mukesh's methodical approach proved more successful. His businesses prospered, while Anil's ventures struggled under debt and regulatory pressure. Today, Mukesh Ambani stands as the undisputed heir to the Reliance legacy, and his company is significantly larger and more influential than the entities run by his brother.

Political Connections and Business Strategy

Reliance's success cannot be understood without examining its relationship with political power. Mukesh Ambani's family originates from Gujarat, the same state as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Observers have long noted the convergence between the Ambani business agenda and the Modi government's economic priorities. Both emphasize the need for India to grow rapidly, reduce reliance on imports, embrace technological development, and eventually become the world's third-largest economy. As Arhundati Virmani puts it, they share the same mantra.

This closeness to power is nothing new. Dhirubhai Ambani, the founder of Reliance, was also known for cultivating political connections. In the 1970s and 1980s, he maintained close ties with the Congress party, which was then the dominant force in Indian politics. Researcher Pooja Jain points out that Reliance Industries has long been known for its ability to maneuver, secure political support from whichever government was in power, and mobilize resources. Whether it was obtaining import licenses, winning technology approvals, or accessing bank financing, Reliance consistently proved more adept than its competitors. This pragmatism, critics say, has blurred the line between legitimate business advocacy and undue political influence.

Succession and the Next Generation

In 2022, Mukesh Ambani began to formalize his succession plans. He has three children: Isha, Akash, and Anant. Each has been assigned a major pillar of the Reliance empire. Akash Ambani has been closely involved with Jio and its telecom expansion, Isha Ambani has taken on a leading role in retail and the group's consumer businesses, and Anant Ambani has been associated with the group's new energy ventures. The orderly succession is designed to avoid the kind of family discord that marked the previous generation. But Mukesh Ambani has made it clear that he is not stepping aside anytime soon.

Speaking at the Reliance Family Day in December 2022, Ambani promised that his company would continue to grow. He compared Reliance to the legendary Banyan tree, whose branches keep spreading and whose roots keep deepening. He declared that Reliance would influence the lives of a growing number of Indians, enriching them, emancipating them, feeding them, and taking care of them. His stated mission, he said, is to make India prosperous. These grand pronouncements reflect a long-standing belief in the power of corporate growth to drive national development.

Wealth, Lifestyle, and Criticism

Mukesh Ambani's personal wealth is as striking as his company's scale. His residence, Antilia, is a 27-story building in Mumbai that has been described as one of the most expensive private homes in the world. It includes multiple swimming pools, a ballroom, a yoga studio, and parking space for dozens of cars. Ambani also owns the Mumbai Indians, a highly successful cricket team in the Indian Premier League, further cementing his status among India's cultural and sporting elites.

Despite the stark inequalities visible in India, Pooja Jain suggests that many Indians tolerate or even admire Ambani's empire. This acceptance, she argues, is rooted in a cultural appreciation for entrepreneurial spirit and hard work. She adds that Ambani benefits from a carefully cultivated image of personal virtue: he is said to be vegetarian, does not drink alcohol, and presents himself as disciplined and devoted to his work. This wholesome public image contrasts sharply with the ostentatious lifestyles of some other billionaires and helps soften criticism about vast wealth concentrated in a single family.

Yet Ambani has not escaped controversy. During the farmers' protests against India's agricultural reform laws in 2020-2021, effigies of Mukesh Ambani and other prominent billionaires were burned by angry demonstrators. The reforms, which the government claimed would liberalize agricultural markets, were seen by many farmers as a threat to their livelihoods, and Reliance was viewed as one of the conglomerates poised to benefit at their expense. The episode served as a reminder that even the most powerful businessman in India remains a polarizing figure, honored by some as a visionary and resented by others as a symbol of concentrated corporate power.

Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries continues to expand into new sectors, from artificial intelligence to green energy, while his political connections remain as strong as ever. His legacy is still being written, but one thing is certain: the son of a modest textile trader has become one of the most influential industrialists in the world, shaping both the Indian economy and the broader global business landscape.

Source: RFI News

Une nouvelle dynamique d'investissement

Depuis 2023, Berkshire Hathaway avait accumulé un trésor de guerre impressionnant, atteignant 369 milliards de dollars de liquidités à la fin de l'année 2025. Cette somme, suffisante pour racheter n'importe quelle entreprise du CAC 40, reflétait la frilosité de Warren Buffett, qui estimait que les marchés actions étaient globalement surévalués. Les ventes d'actions avaient systématiquement dépassé les achats au cours de chaque trimestre de 2023, 2024 et 2025, comme l'avait illustré le Financial Times dans une infographie. Cette prudence avait d'ailleurs conduit Berkshire à sous-performer le S&P 500, avec une hausse de 15,8 % en 2023 contre 26,3 % pour l'indice, et de 10,9 % en 2025 contre 17,9 %.

Le deuxième trimestre de 2026 marque une rupture nette. Les achats d'actions ont dépassé les ventes à hauteur de 20 milliards de dollars, une première depuis plus de trois ans. Bloomberg rapporte également que Berkshire a racheté pour 4,5 milliards de dollars de ses propres actions. En conséquence, la trésorerie du groupe est passée de 397 milliards de dollars à la fin mars à 365,5 milliards de dollars à la fin juin. Cette diminution, bien que modeste au regard de l'ensemble, témoigne d'une volonté de réallouer le capital accumulé.

Alphabet devient un pilier du portefeuille

L'opération la plus emblématique de ce trimestre est sans conteste le renforcement massif dans Alphabet. Berkshire Hathaway a acheté 57,8 millions d'actions de la maison mère de Google, portant le total à 106 millions de titres. Au cours actuel, cette participation représente environ 36,8 milliards de dollars. Alphabet se hisse désormais à la troisième place des plus importantes lignes du portefeuille de Berkshire, derrière Apple (71,4 milliards de dollars) et American Express (44 milliards de dollars).

Cet investissement n'est pas une surprise pour les observateurs attentifs. Warren Buffett avait exprimé en 2018 des regrets de ne pas avoir investi plus tôt dans Alphabet. « J'ai foiré », avait-il déclaré à CNBC, expliquant qu'il avait vu le produit fonctionner et qu'il connaissait les marges, mais qu'il ne maîtrisait pas suffisamment la technologie pour évaluer la durabilité de l'avantage concurrentiel de Google face à ses rivaux. En 2025, Berkshire avait déjà pris une participation initiale dans Alphabet, mais ce nouveau mouvement témoigne d'une conviction renforcée.

La performance d'Alphabet et la course à l'IA

Alphabet a connu une année 2026 mouvementée. En juillet, le groupe a publié des résultats records avec un bénéfice net de 112 milliards de dollars et une croissance de 82 % dans le cloud. Cependant, le marché avait mal réagi à la révision à la hausse des dépenses d'investissements dans l'intelligence artificielle, provoquant une baisse temporaire du titre. Malgré ce contretemps, l'action Alphabet affiche une progression de 10,5 % depuis le début de l'année et de 70 % sur un an.

Cette performance repose en grande partie sur les avancées du groupe dans l'IA. Au-delà de la croissance spectaculaire de son activité cloud, Alphabet est revenu dans la course grâce aux bonnes évaluations de son grand modèle de langage Gemini. La société a également développé ses propres puces d'IA, les unités de traitement tensoriel (TPU), qui constituent un avantage compétitif majeur. Bank of America soulignait dans une note publiée en juillet que « Gemini et les TPU restent des avantages compétitifs, soutenant la croissance de la marge du cloud et les gains de parts de marché continus ».

Pour Berkshire, cet investissement dans Alphabet s'inscrit dans une logique de long terme. Le conglomérat privilégie les entreprises avec des fondamentaux solides, des avantages concurrentiels durables et une capacité à générer des flux de trésorerie importants. Alphabet coche toutes ces cases, malgré les inquiétudes liées aux dépenses massives dans l'IA.

Greg Abel face à l'héritage de Warren Buffett

Ce changement de stratégie intervient dans un contexte de transition à la tête de Berkshire Hathaway. Greg Abel, l'actuel directeur général, a succédé à Warren Buffett le 1er janvier dernier, après des années de préparation. Le milliardaire, âgé de 95 ans, reste président du conseil d'administration et actionnaire de référence avec entre 16 % et 17 % du capital. Mais la gestion quotidienne est désormais entre les mains d'Abel.

Les défis qui l'attendent sont colossaux. Comme l'avait expliqué Antoine Peulet, gérant chez Monocle AM, dans une interview en 2024, Warren Buffett avait écrit dans sa lettre aux actionnaires que le succès de Berkshire Hathaway reposait sur « douze décisions d'investissement, douze en soixante ans ». La question est de savoir si cette performance est réplicable par une nouvelle équipe de direction. Peulet soulignait également que Berkshire croît chaque année, avec environ 10 milliards de dollars de cash qui arrivent chaque trimestre et qu'il faut réallouer. « Cela veut dire que Greg Abel, dans les dix années après Buffett, aura à allouer beaucoup plus de capital que Warren Buffett durant toute sa vie », prévenait-il.

Russ Mould, d'AJ Bell, avait quant à lui estimé que les investisseurs n'étaient peut-être pas encore convaincus que Berkshire puisse rester un champion de l'investissement sans Buffett à sa tête. Le mouvement dans Alphabet pourrait contribuer à rassurer ces derniers, en montrant que la nouvelle direction est capable de prendre des risques calculés et de saisir des opportunités lorsque les valorisations le justifient.

Autres mouvements notables

Outre Alphabet, Berkshire Hathaway a également renforcé sa participation dans Delta Airlines et la chaîne de grands magasins Macy's. Ces prises de position reflètent une approche diversifiée, visant des secteurs variés de l'économie américaine. À l'inverse, le conglomérat s'est délesté de sa participation dans le producteur de boissons Constellation Brands. Ces ajustements montrent une gestion active du portefeuille, même si les grands équilibres restent stables.

La décision de réduire la trésorerie, même de manière limitée, est un signal fort envoyé au marché. Pendant des années, la montagne de cash de Berkshire a été perçue comme un indicateur de l'avis de Warren Buffett sur les valorisations boursières. Sa prudence avait été critiquée par certains investisseurs, qui y voyaient une opportunité manquée de profiter de la hausse des marchés. Avec Greg Abel, Berkshire semble désormais adopter une approche plus offensive, tout en restant fidèle aux principes fondamentaux de l'investissement value.

L'avenir dira si ce virage portera ses fruits. Mais une chose est certaine : la société de Warren Buffett n'est plus la même. Elle puise enfin dans son trésor de guerre pour se renforcer sur des valeurs comme Alphabet, signalant que la nouvelle direction est prête à prendre le relais avec une stratégie claire et ambitieuse. Les actionnaires de Berkshire, qui ont longtemps bénéficié de la sagesse de l'« Oracle d'Omaha », peuvent désormais observer la manière dont Greg Abel imprime sa marque, avec la lourde responsabilité de prolonger un héritage exceptionnel.

Source: BFM Bourse News

The timing also makes this deal stand out. Google recently held its Made by Google event, where new Pixel devices were announced. The Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Fold are expected to arrive in the coming weeks, and they will likely bring improved cameras, faster processors, and more advanced AI tools. But new flagship phones also come with premium prices. For many shoppers, the budget-focused Pixel 10a remains the smarter purchase, especially when it is discounted.

Why the Pixel 10a deserves attention

Google's a-series phones have always focused on delivering the most important parts of the Pixel experience at a more accessible price. The Pixel 10a continues that tradition. It offers the signature Pixel camera quality, clean Android software, and several AI-powered features that are often reserved for more expensive models. The phone feels close to the flagship experience without the high cost.

The Pixel 10a is powered by Google's Tensor processor, which is designed to handle both everyday tasks and more demanding AI workloads. This chip helps power features like Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Live Translate, and other Gemini-powered tools. Tensor also improves voice recognition, call processing, and computational photography. In real-world use, the phone feels smooth while navigating apps, taking photos, and managing notifications.

With 256GB of internal storage, the model included in this deal provides plenty of room for apps, photos, videos, and offline downloads. Users no longer need to worry about running out of space after a few months of use. This is especially useful for people who capture lots of images or like to keep music playlists stored locally.

A camera that punches above its price

The camera is one of the strongest reasons to buy a Pixel phone, and the Pixel 10a delivers in this area. The rear camera system combines a high-resolution main sensor with an ultra-wide lens, making it easy to take sharp and detailed photos in different conditions. Google's computational photography is the real star here. Night mode, HDR, and portrait effects are processed in a way that makes images look polished and natural.

Many budget phones struggle with low-light photos, but the Pixel 10a handles these situations with confidence. The main camera captures more light and uses AI to reduce noise, so evening shots and indoor photos remain bright and colorful. The ultra-wide camera is useful for group photos, landscape views, and close-up architectural shots. On the front, the selfie camera delivers clear results for video calls and social media posts.

Pixel-exclusive AI editing tools add even more value. Magic Eraser lets users remove unwanted objects or people from the background in just a few taps. Photo Unblur helps rescue images that are slightly blurry. These features are easy to use, which makes the Pixel 10a a good option for casual photographers and content creators alike. The combination of a strong camera system and intelligent software means users can take impressive photos without needing manual expertise.

Battery life, display, and durability

Battery life is another important feature for any smartphone, and the Pixel 10a performs well here. According to Google, the phone offers more than 30 hours of battery life on a full charge. The power-efficient display and processor help extend usage over a full day, even with moderate to heavy activity. This makes the phone particularly useful for students, commuters, and travelers who may not always have access to a charger.

The display is also impressive for a budget phone. The Actua display has a peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits, which means it stays readable even in direct sunlight. This is a significant advantage for people who use their phones outdoors, whether for navigation, reading, or messaging. The screen remains clear and vibrant in bright conditions, which is something often expected only in premium phones.

The build quality is another surprise. The Pixel 10a uses Corning Gorilla Glass 7i to resist scratches and handle everyday drops. It also has an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, meaning it can survive being submerged in water up to a certain depth for a limited time. While it is not completely indestructible, the combination of tough glass and water resistance gives users peace of mind.

An unlocked phone with freedom of choice

One of the best aspects of this deal is that the phone is unlocked. This allows buyers to choose their own carrier or switch networks without restrictions. Some retail deals require installment plans or tie the phone to a specific service provider. This unlocked model avoids those limitations. Users can insert a physical SIM card from a major carrier, use a prepaid plan, or activate an eSIM profile depending on their needs.

For international travelers, an unlocked phone is incredibly useful. It makes it easy to use a local SIM card while abroad, which can reduce roaming charges and improve connectivity. The Pixel 10a also supports 5G, so users can take advantage of fast mobile network speeds on compatible plans. The freedom to choose a carrier and plan makes the phone more flexible and future-proof.

Pixel 10a vs. the upcoming Pixel 11

The announcement of the Pixel 11 lineup raises a natural question. Should you wait for the newest devices? The Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Fold will likely bring upgraded hardware, more advanced cameras, and additional AI capabilities. They may also be more expensive, with flagship Pixel phones often priced at $900, $1,000, or more. For those who always want the latest technology, waiting is understandable.

For budget-conscious shoppers, the Pixel 10a at $524 is a strong alternative. It still provides the essential Google Pixel experience, including reliable cameras, clean software, and AI integration. The $75 discount makes it easier to choose this model instead of spending significantly more on a new flagship. The savings can be used for accessories, a protective case, or a screen protector.

Google Pixel phones are also known for receiving updates over several years. Past a-series devices have received major Android version updates and regular security patches. While the exact support period should be confirmed on Google's official support pages, buyers can generally expect the Pixel 10a to remain supported for a meaningful amount of time. This long-term support adds to the value of this deal.

How to grab the deal

To take advantage of this discount, visit Amazon and look for the Google Pixel 10a. As of Aug. 14, the phone is marked down to $524 for the 256GB model. The deal applies to all four colorways, so shoppers can pick the color they prefer without paying extra. With a list price of $599, the $75 savings brings the phone into an even more accessible price range.

Deal pricing and availability are subject to change after the time of publication. Sales like this one can end without notice, and stock may run out quickly. Shoppers who are interested in the Pixel 10a should act soon if they want to secure the discount. Once the price returns to normal, the phone will still be a solid option, but the current price makes it an especially appealing buy.

The Pixel 10a is a well-rounded smartphone that checks many important boxes. It has a durable design, strong battery life, smart camera features, and the flexibility of an unlocked device. At $524, it becomes one of the best budget phone deals of the season.

Source: Mashable News

The 60th Anniversary Sale arrives at a time when consumers are particularly price-conscious. With back-to-school season just around the corner and new devices hitting the market, the timing couldn't be better. Best Buy is positioning the event as a direct alternative to Amazon's Prime Day, with discounts that rival — and in some cases exceed — what we saw just a few weeks ago.

What to expect from Best Buy's 60th Anniversary Sale

According to the initial wave of deals, the sale covers a broad range of products. Shoppers can expect significant price drops on Apple iPads, Windows laptops from brands like Dell and HP, and a wide selection of televisions, including QLED and OLED models from TCL, LG, and Hisense. The sale is structured as a weeklong event, meaning deals will refresh over time, but many of the best discounts are available right now.

Early highlights include up to $1,000 off select 65-inch TCL mini QLED TVs and LG OLED TVs. These are the same TV deals that popped up during Prime Day, but they've been extended into Best Buy's anniversary celebration. For anyone who hesitated last time, this is a second chance to lock in a substantial discount on a premium display.

Apple products are also front and center. iPads are seeing some of the steepest markdowns, especially the iPad Air and iPad Pro models. Laptops are another key category, with discounts reaching as high as 50% on select Windows machines. Even Bose headphones and other audio gear are included, making this a well-rounded sale for anyone looking to upgrade their entire setup.

How does this compare to Prime Day?

Best Buy has historically run its own sales in parallel with Prime Day, and this 60th Anniversary Sale follows that pattern. The retailer has rolled some of the best Prime Day deals directly into its anniversary event, which means shoppers aren't missing out by choosing Best Buy over Amazon. In fact, for certain categories like televisions and laptops, Best Buy often offers better prices or additional perks like free installation and extended warranties.

The key difference this time is the extended duration. While Prime Day typically lasts 48 hours, Best Buy's 60th Anniversary Sale is designed to last a full week. That gives shoppers more time to research products, compare prices, and make purchasing decisions without the usual pressure of a flash sale. It also means the deals are likely to evolve, with new discounts being added as the week progresses.

Best deals to shop right now

While the full list of deals is extensive, a few stand out as particularly compelling. In the TV category, the 65-inch TCL mini QLED models are seeing discounts of up to $1,000, bringing some of last year's premium sets down to entry-level prices. LG OLED TVs are also heavily discounted, making this an ideal moment to upgrade to a cinema-quality display at home.

For laptops, the sale includes a mix of ultraportables, gaming laptops, and 2-in-1s. Several Windows machines from HP, Dell, and Lenovo have been marked down by as much as 50%. If you're looking for a Chromebook or a budget laptop for school, there are plenty of options under $300. On the premium end, you'll find discounts on Intel Core Ultra and AMD Ryzen models that can handle everything from creative work to gaming.

Apple's iPad lineup is also heavily represented. The standard iPad, iPad Mini, and iPad Air all have notable discounts, with the higher-end models seeing the largest dollar savings. Whether you need a tablet for note-taking, media consumption, or creative work, the anniversary sale offers a rare opportunity to buy at a significant discount.

Why Best Buy's 60th anniversary matters

Best Buy has been a retail staple for six decades, evolving from a small audio components store in Minnesota to the largest consumer electronics retailer in the United States. The company was founded in 1966 by Richard Schulze, who originally opened a store called Sound of Music, specializing in hi-fi audio equipment. Over the years, Best Buy expanded its product range, adopted the big-box retail model, and became one of the most trusted destinations for tech purchases.

The 60th anniversary is not just a marketing hook; it's a reflection of how far the company has come. In an era where e-commerce dominates, Best Buy has managed to remain relevant by focusing on in-store expertise, hands-on product demonstrations, and services like Geek Squad support. This sale is a celebration of that legacy, and the discounts are designed to thank customers for their loyalty.

Tips for navigating the sale

With so many deals available, it's easy to get overwhelmed. To make the most of the 60th Anniversary Sale, start by making a list of the items you actually need. Whether it's a new laptop for work, a TV for the living room, or an iPad for school, having a clear priority list will help you avoid impulse purchases.

Second, keep an eye on price trends. Many of the deals featured in this sale are close to historic lows, but it's still worth checking price comparison tools to ensure you're getting the best value. Pay attention to the original retail price and the sale price to gauge the true discount.

Third, consider the total cost of ownership. For TVs, that means thinking about mounting, calibration, and potentially a soundbar. For laptops, it means factoring in accessories like a mouse, case, or extended warranty. Best Buy often offers bundle deals during these events, so look for options that include these extras at no additional cost.

Finally, don't forget about delivery and return policies. Best Buy offers free shipping on many items, and store pickup is usually available for those who want their purchases the same day. The return window is generally generous, but it's always wise to confirm the policy before making a large purchase.

What are the best categories to watch?

While the sale encompasses a wide range of products, the three headline categories are iPads, laptops, and TVs. These are also the categories where you'll find the most significant markdowns.

• iPads: The iPad Air and iPad Pro are seeing some of the largest discounts, with savings that can exceed $100. If you've been waiting for a new tablet, this is the time to buy.
• Laptops: From budget Chromebooks to high-performance gaming laptops, the sale covers all price points. Windows laptops from major brands are discounted by up to 50%.
• TVs: The biggest steals are in the television department, especially on 65-inch models. TCL mini QLED and LG OLED sets are leading the way with discounts up to $1,000.

In addition to these core categories, shoppers can also find deals on headphones, smart home devices, and appliances. Bose headphones, for example, are part of the sale, offering a chance to pick up premium audio gear at a fraction of the regular price.

How long will the sale last?

Best Buy has confirmed that the 60th Anniversary Sale is a weeklong event. While specific dates were not included in the initial announcement, the sale is currently live and will run through the anniversary week. That means deals will likely be available through the weekend, with new discounts appearing daily. Shoppers should check the Best Buy website or app regularly to stay updated on the latest offers.

For those who prefer to shop in person, most deals are also available in physical stores. This is an advantage that Best Buy has over online-only retailers — you can see the product in action, ask questions to knowledgeable staff, and take your purchase home the same day.

The 60th Anniversary Sale is a significant event for Best Buy, but it's equally significant for consumers. In a summer where many have been waiting for deals, this weeklong sale offers a broad selection of products at prices that are hard to beat. Whether you're upgrading your home theater, replacing an aging laptop, or buying your first iPad, now is the perfect time to make your move.

Source: Mashable News

Why Is XNXX Blocked?

XNXX is one of the most visited adult websites in the world. Because of its popularity, it also becomes a target for internet censorship. There are several reasons why you might encounter a block:

• Government censorship: Some countries impose blanket bans on adult content, citing cultural, religious, or moral grounds.
• ISP-level blocks: Internet service providers may restrict access to adult sites to comply with local laws or to enforce parental controls.
• Workplace and school networks: Many organizations block adult content to maintain a professional environment.
• Regional licensing: Some content may be restricted in certain regions due to distribution agreements.

Regardless of the reason, a VPN can help you bypass these restrictions by masking your real IP address and routing your connection through a server in a location where XNXX is accessible.

What Is a VPN and How Does It Work?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and a remote server operated by the VPN provider. When you connect to a VPN, your internet traffic appears to come from the server's IP address rather than your own. This makes it appear as though you are browsing from the server's location, not your physical location.

VPNs are commonly used for privacy protection, encrypting data on public Wi-Fi, and bypassing geo-restrictions. For accessing adult content, the key features are: hiding your real location, preventing your ISP from seeing your traffic, and effectively unblocking sites like XNXX no matter where you are.

How to Unblock XNXX for Free

You can unblock XNXX for free by taking advantage of free trials and money-back guarantees offered by premium VPN services. Here is the step-by-step process:

1. Choose a reputable VPN provider. Look for one with a strong privacy policy, fast servers, and a money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark are examples of top-tier services that offer these benefits.
2. Sign up for the service. Most premium VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means you can pay for one month, use the service, and request a full refund within the trial period if you are not satisfied. Some also offer free trials for mobile users.
3. Download and install the VPN app. VPN apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and even some routers. Download the app on the device you plan to use for watching content.
4. Open the app and connect to a server. To unblock XNXX, select a server location where the site is not blocked. For example, if you are in a country with restrictions, connect to a server in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, or another country where XNXX is available.
5. Visit XNXX. Once connected, open your browser and navigate to XNXX. The site should load without any errors.
6. Use the service within the refund window. If you are only temporarily away from a secure network, you can cancel after your trip and get a full refund. This makes the process effectively free.

It is important to note that free VPNs are generally not recommended for this purpose. Many free VPNs have slow speeds, data caps, and poor encryption. Worse, some free VPNs log your browsing activity and sell it to third parties. For privacy-sensitive activities like accessing adult content, a premium VPN with a no-log policy is always safer.

What Is the Best VPN for Porn?

ExpressVPN is widely considered the best VPN for unblocking adult sites like XNXX. Here are the reasons why:

• Global server network: ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries, making it easy to find a location where XNXX is accessible.
• High-speed connections: Streaming adult videos requires fast speeds. ExpressVPN offers optimized servers that minimize buffering and throttling.
• Strong encryption: With AES-256 encryption, your traffic is fully protected from prying eyes, including your ISP and hackers.
• No-log policy: ExpressVPN does not track or store your online activities, so your browsing history remains private.
• Wide device support: Apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, smart TVs, and even routers. You can use it on up to eight devices simultaneously.
• 30-day money-back guarantee: You can try ExpressVPN risk-free. If it doesn't meet your needs, you can get a full refund within 30 days.

Other reputable VPNs for this purpose include NordVPN and Surfshark. NordVPN offers a large server network and strong privacy features. Surfshark is a budget-friendly option that supports unlimited simultaneous connections. However, ExpressVPN's combination of speed, reliability, and simplicity makes it the top recommendation for accessing XNXX without hassle.

Why You Shouldn't Use a Free VPN for Adult Content

While the idea of a free VPN seems appealing, there are significant downsides that can compromise your privacy and experience:

• Data caps: Free VPNs often limit the amount of data you can use per month, making them unsuitable for video streaming.
• Slow speeds: Because free VPNs have limited server capacity, they become congested and slow during peak hours.
• Ads and tracking: Many free VPNs display intrusive ads and track your online behavior to generate revenue.
• Security risks: Some free VPNs have been caught selling user data, injecting malware, or using weak encryption.
• No access to blocked sites: Some free VPNs are themselves blocked in countries with heavy censorship, or they refuse to allow access to adult content due to Play Store policies.

For these reasons, it is always better to use a premium VPN with a money-back guarantee. That way, you can get the same level of protection and speed as paying customers, but still enjoy a free trial period.

Other Ways to Unblock XNXX

Besides using a VPN, there are alternative methods to access XNXX, though they are generally less secure:

• Proxy websites: Web proxies can hide your IP address and bypass simple geo-blocks. However, they often lack encryption and can inject ads.
• Smart DNS: Some services offer Smart DNS, which can bypass geo-restrictions without encrypting your entire connection. This is useful for devices that do not support VPN apps.
• Tor browser: The Tor network routes your traffic through multiple nodes, making it difficult to trace. However, Tor is slow and may be blocked by some networks.
• Changing DNS servers: Sometimes, changing your DNS server to a public one like Google DNS or Cloudflare can bypass ISP-level blocks.

These methods can work in certain situations, but they do not offer the same level of privacy, security, and reliability as a VPN. For example, proxy sites are not encrypted, meaning your ISP can still see the websites you visit. Tor is too slow for streaming high-definition video. Smart DNS does not hide your IP address from your ISP.

Legal and Safety Considerations

It is essential to understand the legal implications of bypassing content restrictions in your country. In many places, accessing adult content is perfectly legal for adults over the age of 18. However, some countries have strict laws that prohibit VPN use or adult content consumption. Before using a VPN to unblock XNXX, you should check local laws to ensure you are not violating any statutes.

Using a VPN itself is legal in most countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and much of Europe. However, in countries like China, Russia, and Iran, VPN use is heavily regulated or banned. If you are traveling to such countries, be aware that using a VPN may carry legal risks.

Also, keep in mind that adult content should only be accessed by people aged 18 and above. Many VPNs include features like kill switches and split tunneling that can help you protect your privacy, but they do not replace responsible browsing habits.

How to Set Up ExpressVPN for XNXX

If you decide to use ExpressVPN, here is how to get started:

1. Visit the ExpressVPN website and choose a subscription plan. The two-year plan is the most cost-effective, with a current discount that brings the price down significantly. You can also choose a one-month plan for more flexibility.
2. Create an account by providing your email address and choosing a payment method. ExpressVPN accepts credit cards, PayPal, and even cryptocurrency for added privacy.
3. Download the app for your device. ExpressVPN offers apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and more. The installation process is straightforward and takes only a few minutes.
4. Log in and connect to a server in a location where XNXX is accessible. For best results, choose a server in a country with no adult content restrictions, such as the Netherlands, Switzerland, or the United States.
5. Verify your IP address using an online tool to ensure it matches the server location. Then open XNXX and start streaming.

ExpressVPN also offers a feature called the kill switch, which automatically disconnects your internet if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address from being exposed, which is especially important when accessing sensitive content.

Understanding VPN Speeds and Streaming Quality

Video streaming requires stable and fast internet speeds. A high-quality VPN will not significantly slow down your connection, but some VPNs can reduce your speed by 20–50%. To ensure smooth playback of adult videos on XNXX, choose a VPN that offers:

• Unlimited bandwidth: Avoid VPNs with data caps, as they will interrupt streaming.
• High-speed servers: Look for VPNs that use 10 Gbps servers and have optimized servers for streaming.
• Lightway protocol: ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol is designed to be fast and reliable, especially on mobile devices.
• Server proximity: Connecting to a server that is geographically close to your actual location usually results in better speeds, but for bypassing geo-blocks you may need to choose a server in a different country. In such cases, pick a server in a country with strong internet infrastructure.

If you encounter buffering, try switching to a different server location or using a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi. You can also close background applications that consume bandwidth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to use a VPN to unblock XNXX?

Using a VPN is legal in most countries, but the legality of accessing adult content varies by jurisdiction. Always check your local laws. In countries where adult content is banned, using a VPN to access it may be illegal. In countries where adult content is legal, using a VPN is generally permitted.

Can I use a free VPN to unblock XNXX?

Technically, yes, but it is not recommended. Free VPNs often have slow speeds, data limits, and poor privacy policies. Some free VPNs are also blocked by adult websites or are refused service to such sites due to ethical guidelines. For a reliable and safe experience, use a premium VPN with a money-back guarantee.

Can I unblock XNXX on my phone?

Yes. Most VPN providers offer apps for both iOS and Android. Simply install the VPN app, connect to a server, and then access XNXX through your mobile browser. Some VPNs also support split tunneling, allowing you to choose which apps use the VPN.

Will a VPN slow down my internet connection?

All VPNs add some overhead, which can slightly reduce your internet speed. Premium VPNs like ExpressVPN minimize this impact by using optimized servers and advanced protocols. In many cases, the speed difference is negligible and not noticeable during streaming.

What devices can I use to watch XNXX with a VPN?

You can use a VPN on a wide range of devices, including Windows PC, Mac, iPhone, Android phone, tablet, smart TV, and Amazon Fire Stick. Some VPNs also allow configuration on routers, which means every device on your network is protected without installing apps individually.

Unblocking XNXX for free is entirely possible with the right approach. By using a premium VPN's money-back guarantee, you can enjoy unrestricted access to adult content without spending a cent. Always prioritize your privacy and choose a VPN with a strict no-log policy, strong encryption, and fast servers. Whether you are at home, traveling, or on a restrictive network, a reliable VPN ensures that XNXX remains just a click away.

Source: Mashable News

The offer is a departure from the usual $130 perpetual license price, and it undercuts the cost of an annual Microsoft 365 subscription, which currently runs $99.99 per year. At $32.97, the lifetime license costs less than two years of Microsoft 365, and it never renews. Once users pay, they own the software.

What the lifetime Office license includes

The lifetime license includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other essential Microsoft applications. Users can write documents, build spreadsheets, create presentations, and manage email and calendars without worrying about monthly or annual fees. The exact bundle may vary depending on the retailer and the version of Office being offered, but the core tools are all present.

For those who rely on Microsoft Office for professional tasks, having a permanent license removes the mental overhead of subscription renewals. Many organizations still expect candidates to be fluent in Word and Excel, and using the desktop versions is common in industries ranging from finance to education. A one-time purchase can also be written off as a single expense, which is simpler for freelancers and independent contractors who track their software costs carefully.

Microsoft 365 vs. a one-time Office license

Microsoft 365 includes extras that some users want: cloud storage through OneDrive, regular feature updates, and access to apps across multiple devices. For those who use only the core productivity tools, however, many of those extras go unused. A perpetual license offers a simpler, lower-cost path to the essential programs.

Over a four-year period, a Microsoft 365 subscription costs roughly $400. The lifetime Office license at $32.97 is less than 10 percent of that total. Even if Microsoft 365's price remains flat, the savings are significant. For students, freelancers, small business owners, and anyone who pays for their own software, that difference matters.

The naming can be confusing. Microsoft Office was once the name for the entire suite, sold as a boxed product or a download. Over time, Microsoft shifted its focus to Microsoft 365, a subscription service that packages Office apps with other cloud services. That shift left many users longing for the days when they could buy the software once and use it for years.

This deal restores that option. While a Microsoft 365 subscription provides continuous updates and online storage, a perpetual Office license remains a dependable choice for offline work. Users can type, calculate, design, and present without needing an internet connection for basic functions.

Some may wonder if the software will become outdated. A perpetual license does not include future major feature upgrades, but it does keep working for the life of the install. For many tasks, the versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint available today already handle every essential job with ease.

A brief history of Microsoft Office pricing

Microsoft Office has been around since the early 1990s, evolving from simple word processing and spreadsheet programs into an enormous ecosystem. Word and Excel became industry standards, and PowerPoint became synonymous with presentations. For decades, the standard model was to purchase a license once and install it on one computer.

Then Microsoft released Office 365 in 2011 and later renamed it Microsoft 365 in 2020. The new service promised always-up-to-date software and added cloud features, but it also changed the economics. Instead of paying once, users paid every year. For someone who keeps a computer for five years, that is a major increase in total cost.

Not everyone needs the latest features. Many people use only a fraction of Word's formatting tools or Excel's formulas. A stable, reliable version of Office can serve them for years. That is why perpetual licenses have remained attractive despite Microsoft's push toward subscriptions. The current deal brings that older model back at a price that makes the choice even easier.

Who should buy this lifetime Office deal?

• Students: A one-time purchase can cover an entire degree program, eliminating the need to budget for software each year.
• Freelancers and remote workers: Independent professionals often pay for their own tools, so lower upfront costs are a big advantage.
• Small businesses: Reducing recurring expenses helps keep overhead predictable, especially for basic office tasks.
• Retired users and home users: People who need Word or Excel for personal projects, resumes, budgeting, or newsletters can avoid subscription fatigue.

For these groups, the functional needs are usually straightforward. They want reliable programs for editing documents and managing data. The one-time payment model fits naturally with that mindset.

What to know before you buy

Before buying, it helps to understand the limits of a perpetual license. The software is often tied to one computer, so moving it to a new machine may require deactivating the old install. It also may not include cloud services like OneDrive storage.

Users who need to access their files from a phone, tablet, or another computer should consider how they will use the software. Microsoft 365 offers more flexibility, with web and mobile apps in the same subscription. A lifetime license tends to be desktop-focused.

That said, the price difference is massive. If a user can work on one primary computer, the lifetime license is a smart financial choice. Even if they upgrade after several years, the savings are still clear.

Another consideration is compatibility. Microsoft Office releases are designed for specific versions of Windows and macOS. Buyers should confirm that the software works with their operating system and hardware before completing the purchase. Digital delivery and installation instructions are usually provided right after checkout.

Maximizing your Microsoft Office investment

Once the license is activated, users can start working right away. Word remains the standard for formatted documents, and Excel is the best-known tool for formulas, charts, and data analysis. PowerPoint continues to be the default presentation platform in classrooms and boardrooms.

Buyers should also remember that Office files are stored locally with a perpetual license. Making backup copies of important documents is always wise, whether that means using a cloud drive service, an external hard drive, or both.

The productivity suite works well for a wide range of tasks. A freelance writer can use Word for articles and proposals. An accountant or bookkeeper can use Excel for ledgers and invoicing. A teacher can use PowerPoint for lesson slides and handouts.

Why this deal is worth attention

At $32.97, the deal is dramatically cheaper than the usual retail price for a lifetime Microsoft Office license. Most versions have traditionally sold for around $130, and Microsoft 365 subscription pricing has climbed over time. The discount makes the upfront purchase approachable for nearly any budget.

There is also the peace of mind that comes with ownership. There is no renewal reminder, no credit card on file, and no risk of losing access when a subscription expires. Once the software is installed and activated, it belongs to the buyer.

The deal appears timed for back-to-school season, a stretch when many people are shopping for computers and essential software. It is also a good option for anyone who has grown tired of paying recurring fees for programs they have used unchanged for years.

When comparing Microsoft 365 and a lifetime Office license, it comes down to needs. Users who want the latest features, online backup, and multi-device access may prefer the subscription. Users who want Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and related apps without an ongoing bill should consider the lifetime license.

The current price of $32.97 puts the perpetual license in impulse-buy territory, but it is also a serious productivity investment that can last a decade or more. The software does not stop working after the first year, and it does not ask for a renewal. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more are available now for a one-time payment, making it easier than ever to own the essential Microsoft productivity suite for life.

Source: Mashable News

Key Facts at a Glance

• Call Context surfaces relevant Mail details during phone calls using on-device Apple Intelligence, and it requires an iPhone 15 Pro or newer.
• FaceTime Dual Capture lets iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air users share front and rear camera feeds at the same time during a video call.
• Any device running iOS 27 can view a dual video stream, even if it does not support Dual Capture itself.
• Live Captions in FaceTime now support Traditional Chinese.
• Communication Safety expands beyond nudity to block gore and violence in FaceTime and Messages.
• iOS 27 is in beta testing now and will be released this fall alongside new iPhone models.

Phone App: Call Context

The most significant change to the Phone app in iOS 27 is Call Context. The feature is designed to eliminate the need to search for confirmations, reservation codes, or other account details when calling a business. Instead of scrambling to find an email while waiting on hold, iPhone users can simply start a call and let the system surface relevant information automatically.

When a user calls a company, Call Context scans the Mail app for details that match the phone number being dialed. For instance, calling an airline might bring up a confirmation code for an upcoming flight. Calling a hotel could display a reservation code or check-in information. The feature uses the number itself as a link to relevant messages, so there is no need to tell the assistant why you are calling.

Importantly, Call Context does not listen to the conversation. It runs entirely on-device, meaning no audio or call content needs to be sent to the cloud for processing. Apple designed the feature as part of its Apple Intelligence platform, with privacy as a core focus. The on-device processing also means the feature works quickly and does not require an internet connection for the analysis itself.

Call Context is available on iPhone 15 Pro and newer models because it depends on the hardware capabilities required by Apple Intelligence. Interestingly, the feature also works when a user makes a phone call from an iPad or Mac, as long as the user's account is set up with a supported iPhone. This makes it easier to move between Apple devices without losing access to the contextual information that Call Context provides.

Although Call Context is one of the quieter additions in iOS 27, it could become a practical everyday tool for people who frequently contact customer service lines. By reducing the need to dig through email, the feature saves time and makes phone interactions more efficient. It also fits into Apple's broader push to make intelligence more context-aware while keeping sensitive data on the device.

FaceTime: Dual Capture

FaceTime in iOS 27 receives a major new video feature called Dual Capture. As the name suggests, Dual Capture allows users to broadcast feeds from both the front and rear cameras simultaneously during a FaceTime call. This means the person on the other end can see your face and what is behind you at the same time.

The functionality is available on iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air. This includes the standard iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the iPhone Air. When you are in a FaceTime call on one of these devices, a new option on the camera flip button lets you turn on Dual Capture. Once activated, both video feeds are combined into a single FaceTime stream.

There may be times when you want to show only the back camera view, especially if the front-facing feed is not needed. Users can tap the camera flip button again to turn off the front camera view while keeping the rear camera feed active. This flexibility makes Dual Capture useful for a wide range of scenarios, from sharing a document and talking through it to showing a physical location while keeping a family member or colleague on the line.

One of the best parts of Dual Capture is that the receiving device does not need any special hardware. As long as the person you are calling is running iOS 27, they will be able to see the combined video stream. This is a significant departure from features that require both ends of a call to have the latest hardware. The sender's iPhone handles all of the processing, so the recipient simply sees the dual video feed like any other FaceTime call.

Dual Capture is likely to be popular with people who use FaceTime for remote collaboration, virtual tours, or helping friends and family with tasks at home. It also adds a level of presence that was previously impossible in FaceTime. Instead of switching between cameras, users can now share both perspectives at once without interrupting the flow of the conversation.

Connection Handling and Call Reliability

In addition to new camera capabilities, FaceTime is gaining improvements related to network transitions. Apple says iOS 27 does a better job of handling transitions between Wi-Fi and cellular networks. In the past, moving out of Wi-Fi range could cause a FaceTime call to drop or stutter. With iOS 27, iPhones are better at preserving the call when the network switches.

The update also brings a general improvement to FaceTime call quality when the connection is poor. Apple has not detailed exactly how the new logic works, but the result should be fewer artifacts and less severe degradation during weak-signal moments. For users in areas with inconsistent coverage, this can make a meaningful difference in call reliability.

Live Captions and Communication Safety

Live Captions are getting an important language expansion in iOS 27. The feature now includes support for Traditional Chinese, joining the existing set of languages. Live Captions are designed to automatically transcribe what is said during FaceTime calls, making conversations more accessible for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. With Traditional Chinese support, a larger community of users can benefit from real-time captions during video calls.

iOS 27 also broadens the scope of Communication Safety. Previously, the feature was focused on nudity in Messages and FaceTime. With the new update, Communication Safety will also block graphic content such as gore and violence. This is intended to provide better protection, especially for younger users, when they encounter potentially harmful material in Messages or during FaceTime calls. The system is designed to detect the content and provide warnings or interventions before the user sees it.

iOS 27 Launch and Availability

iOS 27 is currently in beta testing. Developers and public beta testers can download the latest beta versions and try out the new features before the official release. Beta builds are typically installed through the Settings app by navigating to General and then Software Update, provided the device is registered with the appropriate program.

Apple plans to release iOS 27 to the public this fall, alongside the launch of the new iPhone models. Because some iOS 27 features depend on newer hardware, not every feature will be available on every iPhone. Call Context, for example, requires an iPhone 15 Pro or later, while Dual Capture requires an iPhone 17 or iPhone Air. However, many improvements, including the FaceTime connection changes and Communication Safety updates, should work on older devices that support iOS 27.

As always, users should back up their devices before installing beta software, and should be aware that beta versions may contain bugs or performance issues. The final release is expected to bring a polished version of these features, along with many other changes across the operating system.

Source: MacRumors News