Today at CES 2025, ASUS announced a significant expansion of its Copilot+ PC lineup, delivering AI-enabled computing to a broader audience. The new models are designed to meet the growing demand for affordable, efficient, secure, and fast laptops that enhance both personal and professional workflows. Powered by the latest AI-enabled processors from Qualcomm, AMD, and Intel, these devices come in various styles and form factors, making AI technology more accessible.

ASUS introduced the all-new Zenbook A14 and refreshed versions of the Zenbook Duo and Zenbook 14, all powered by the latest processors, delivering up to 45 TOPS AI performance and extended battery life for multitasking.

Zenbook A14 (UX3407)
The Zenbook A14, the world’s lightest Copilot+ PC at under a kilogram, features Snapdragon X Elite and X processors with advanced on-device AI capabilities. It offers up to 32-hour battery life, a full array of I/O ports, and a tone-on-tone minimalist design using Ceraluminum™, a lightweight, scratch-resistant material.

Zenbook Duo (UX8406CA) and Zenbook 14 (UX3405CA)
The Zenbook Duo boasts twin 14-inch 3K 120Hz OLED HDR touchscreens and the latest Intel Core Ultra processors. The Zenbook 14, with its environmentally conscious design, features Intel Core Ultra 9 processors and Intel Arc graphics, offering a vivid 14-inch 3K 120Hz OLED touchscreen.

Zenbook 14 (UM3406KA)
Powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300 series processors, the refreshed Zenbook 14 offers 50 TOPS AI performance, enhancing the Copilot+ PC experience. Its thin-and-light design houses a 14-inch 3K 120Hz OLED NanoEdge display.

AI-Optimised Mini PCs
ASUS has also introduced the NUC 15 Pro and NUC 15 Pro+ mini PCs, featuring Intel Core Ultra processors and Intel AI Boost for high-demand business environments. The NUC 14 Pro AI+ mini PC offers quick AI access with a dedicated Copilot button, built-in microphones, and a sustainable E-ink display.

ExpertCenter PN54
The ExpertCenter PN54 Mini PC delivers high-level AI performance in a compact chassis, powered by AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processors. It offers rapid connectivity, tool-less upgradability, and robust AI acceleration for a variety of computing needs.

These new models highlight ASUS’s commitment to making AI technology universally accessible, offering powerful performance, extended battery life, and premium designs to meet the needs of modern users.

Google has announced the launch of Veo 2, along with updates to its Imagen 3 model and a new Whisk experiment, showcasing its latest advancements and the Gemini model. Veo 2, a follow-up to the model first introduced at I/O 2024 in May, features enhanced capabilities including an improved understanding of real-world physics and the nuances of human movement and expression, resulting in more detailed and realistic video generation.

Users can now specify various genres, lenses, and cinematic effects in their prompts, such as low-angle tracking shots or close-ups. Veo 2 also includes the ability to craft wide-angle shots with specified lens types and blur backgrounds with a shallow depth of field while hallucinating less frequently and embedding an invisible SynthID watermark for authenticity.

The rollout of Veo 2 is currently underway through VideoFX in Google Labs. An expansion plan to increase user access is in place, although there remains a waitlist. It is expected to reach YouTube Shorts and other products next year.

Additionally, Google announced enhancements to its Imagen 3 model. The new model produces brighter, better-composed images with richer details and textures, capable of rendering more diverse art styles more accurately. This updated model is now available globally through ImageFX.

Furthermore, Google Labs introduced a new experiment named “Whisk,” which allows users to prompt with images. This experiment is designed to highlight the improved visual understanding and descriptive capabilities of the updated Imagen 3 and Gemini.

Apple has taken its first steps into the generative AI space with the introduction of Apple Intelligence for iPhone and Mac platforms. Currently, only a limited number of the proposed AI apps are available, with a significant update expected in December when ChatGPT will be integrated into iOS and macOS.

This move marks an unusual moment for Apple, a company known for building proprietary systems to control user experience and data usage. The inclusion of ChatGPT signifies Apple’s intent to engage with the broader generative AI community. However, it also highlights Apple’s position lagging behind its competitors in the AI race.

The integration of ChatGPT into Apple Intelligence comes with costs that users must pay to fully benefit from the features. The second beta version of iOS 18.2, scheduled for a December release, introduces the next wave of Apple Intelligence apps. System settings now display a daily limit for ChatGPT usage, with an option to upgrade to the paid ChatGPT Plus plan or revert to an older AI model.

Existing ChatGPT Plus users can sign in on their iPhones, while new users can choose to upgrade. It remains to be seen if Apple will impose its usual 30% fee on the $19.99 monthly subscription for ChatGPT Plus.

While OpenAI has long offered a tiered pricing structure for ChatGPT, Apple’s decision contrasts with other smartphone AI platforms. Google and Samsung, for instance, have provided free AI-powered tools to enhance platform utility. Although Apple is adopting a freemium model, Google and Samsung’s AI services may eventually become chargeable.

Apple’s slow introduction of generative AI contrasts with the marketing surrounding Apple Intelligence. The iPhone 16 series launched a month before Apple Intelligence became publicly available, but this delay was not evident in promotional materials. Mobile networks in the UK have even had to clarify the delayed AI features in their marketing.