Gadgets
Xiaomi Launches the new Mi A1 Smartphone
Reporting from Delhi, India: At a global launch event in Delhi, India, Xiaomi announced the launch of the new Mi A1. The new smartphone is a product of partnership between Xiaomi and Google, through the Android One initiative. The Mi A1 is also Xiaomi’s first device under this program.
The Xiaomo Mi A1 runs on stock Android and though the Android One program was kicked off a long time ago, the program has finally come to fruition with the launch of a mid-range device that offers features by the boatload. The Mi A1 is essentially the rebranded Mi 5X smartphone which was launched by the company in July for the Chinese market.
However, there is one difference – while the Mi 5X was powered by Android 7.1.2 with MIUI 9 OS on top of it, the Xiaomi Mi A1 ships with stock Android 7.1.2 Nougat, without any customized UI on top of it. The company also announced that the Mi A1 will be one of the first devices to get the Android 8.0 Oreo by the end of this year.
The Xiaomi Mi A1 is made entirely out of metal and comes with a set of capacitive buttons below the display. These buttons include overview (multitasking), home and back. The smartphone also features a dual camera system at the back – both are 12-megapixel shooters.
While one of the cameras is an RGB one with a wide-angle lens, the other is a telephoto shooter. On the front, you will also find a 5-megapixel camera for all your selfie needs. Under the hood, the Mi A1 runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 625 processor, comes with 4GB of RAM and offers 64GB of built-in storage. This can be further expanded by using a micro SD card.
The phone is powered by a 3080mAh battery. You also get a fingerprint scanner at the back of the device, just below the dual camera setup. On the front the Mi A1 sports a 5.5-inch full HD (1920-by-1080) display.
You also get an IR blaster, which is included at the very top of this phone. Colour options include Black, Gold and Rose Gold. The Xiaomi Mi A1 measures 155.4-by-75.8-bhy-7.3mm and weighs 165-gms.
Xiaomi announced that the Mi A1 will be available in India starting September 12, 2017 at a price of Rs. 14,999 (AED 900 approx.). The phone will also be launched in 40 other markets around the world, including UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and so on. No dates or local pricing has been mentioned at this point.
Gadgets
Huawei to Launch Next-Generation Foldable Smartphone at Dubai Launch Event
Huawei is set to host a highly anticipated launch event in Dubai this December, where the company will unveil several innovative products that promise to redefine the tech landscape. The event marks a pivotal moment for the brand, unveiling groundbreaking products like the HUAWEI Mate X6, HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4, and HUAWEI nova 13 Series. The new products will set new benchmarks for design, functionality, and user experience in the mobile and audio markets.
As Huawei continues solidifying its position as a leader in the tech industry, this launch will underscore the company’s expanding influence in international markets. Huawei’s latest flagship foldable, the HUAWEI Mate X6, will be unveiled during the Dubai launch. The phone is expected to redefine the future of foldable smartphone technology. It is among the company’s most advanced foldables to date. The Mate X6 is expected to take mobile photography to new heights, building on Huawei’s legacy of pioneering smartphone cameras of the Mate Series.
Besides the Mate X6, Huawei will unveil its next-generation audio products, including the HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4. These earbuds will be the first to feature HUAWEI SOUND, offering an immersive audio experience. They will also include AI-driven noise reduction technology, designed to isolate the wearer’s voice during calls while eliminating environmental noise. This feature significantly enhances call quality, particularly in noisy environments.
Consumers can also look forward to the launch of the HUAWEI nova 13 series, a new midrange smartphone that brings a unique interweaving design and an array of exciting features. The nova 13 series offers significant upgrades over its predecessors, including enhanced camera capabilities, a performance boost, and more. The new HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 will also deliver a paper-like experience, perfect for light office productivity, efficient learning, and everyday tasks.
The Dubai event, scheduled for the 12th of December, will mark the global unveiling of Huawei’s several innovative products. The MEA market is one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic regions for technology, and Huawei is committed to strengthening its regional presence. By continuing to introduce groundbreaking products, Huawei is positioning itself to shape the future of mobile technology while reinforcing its role as a global tech powerhouse.
Gadgets
PS5 Anniversary Update Intros Retro Themes Celebrating Every PlayStation Generation
Sony has delighted gamers with a nostalgic surprise to celebrate PlayStation’s 30th anniversary. In addition to retro hardware that quickly sold out, Sony has released a software update that adds classic boot screens and themes for each generation of PlayStation console. Upon launching the update, users will be prompted to select their favourite generation, with options ranging from the PS1 to the PS4.
This update changes the PS5 dashboard’s menu colours and sounds to match the chosen console’s user interface. Additionally, players can explore other themes through the new “PlayStation 30th Anniversary” item in the settings menu.
However, these themes are available only for a limited time. Sony has not specified when they will be removed, but the decision to make them temporary has raised some eyebrows. While creating a perception of scarcity or avoiding clutter in the settings menu might be strategic, it could be seen as a missed opportunity to let users permanently enjoy the nostalgic themes.
This isn’t the first time Sony has indulged in retro charm. A decade ago, during PlayStation’s 20th anniversary, a free theme transformed the PS4, PS3, and Vita to reflect the PS1’s look and startup sound. As Sony celebrates three decades of gaming excellence, fans are once again treated to a trip down memory lane.
Gadgets
Apple to Retain Titanium Frame for iPhone 17 Pro Series, Says Leaker
According to a recent leak from Weibo user “Instant Digital,” next year’s iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will retain their titanium chassis, contrary to earlier reports suggesting that Apple might shift to aluminium for its 2025 lineup. The Information’s Wayne Ma had previously indicated that Apple’s flagship iPhone 17 Pro models could be the first high-end iPhones to feature an aluminium frame since the lineup’s split into Pro and non-Pro models.
Historically, high-end iPhone models used stainless steel frames until the iPhone 15 Pro introduced a titanium chassis, which was touted as a significant upgrade. However, Ma’s report suggested a return to aluminium for the entire iPhone 17 lineup. Instant Digital, however, disagrees, stating on Weibo (via machine translation), “Of course, the iPhone 17 Pro will still use titanium. Why would anyone believe it would switch to aluminium? Think about it — it’s just not possible. Looking back at recent iPhone models, Apple has consistently emphasized the premium frame materials of the Pro series as one of its key selling points, from ‘surgical-grade stainless steel’ to ‘titanium.’ If they switched to aluminium, how could they even market it?”
The Weibo leaker’s claims, however, lack verification from supply chain information, and Ma’s report details a significant design change involving an aluminium upper back with a rectangular camera bump made of aluminium instead of traditional 3D glass, while the bottom half would remain glass to support wireless charging. Apple has a history of introducing and then discontinuing breakthrough features in its iPhones. For example, the 3D Touch feature introduced with the iPhone 6s in 2015 was phased out with the iPhone 11 in 2019.
Despite Instant Digital’s mixed accuracy record with Apple rumours, the leaker has made some accurate predictions, such as the Yellow iPhone 14 launch in 2023, the frosted back glass on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, the minor refresh for the Apple Watch Series 9, and other notable features. The iPhone 17 series is expected to debut in the fall of 2025, featuring new display sizes, a rumoured ultra-thin model, and ProMotion displays across the lineup. As always, the anticipation for Apple’s latest innovations continues to build.