Xiaomi Corp. is advancing plans to develop its own mobile processor for future smartphones, aiming to reduce dependency on foreign suppliers such as Qualcomm Inc. and MediaTek Inc.

This initiative reflects the company’s effort to increase self-sufficiency and differentiate itself in an Android market largely dominated by Qualcomm-backed brands.

The in-house designed processor is slated for mass production in 2025, according to individuals familiar with the project who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the information.

This timeline highlights Xiaomi’s intention to align with the growing trend of major technology firms investing in semiconductor development, an area of strategic importance for Beijing amid its technological rivalry with the United States.

Chinese authorities have consistently urged domestic companies to minimize reliance on overseas technology, and Xiaomi’s initiative is a step in that direction.

For Xiaomi, this marks a significant move into a cutting-edge industry in a year that has already seen substantial investment in electric vehicle (EV) development.

Venturing into the smartphone chip market is a challenging endeavor. Even prominent players like Intel Corp. and Nvidia Corp. have struggled to compete effectively in this space.

Xiaomi’s domestic competitor Oppo also faced hurdles, while only a few companies, including Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google, have successfully transitioned their full product ecosystems to proprietary silicon.

Even Samsung Electronics Co., a global leader, continues to rely heavily on Qualcomm chips for superior efficiency and connectivity.

Developing proprietary chipmaking capabilities not only enhances Xiaomi’s competitiveness in smartphones but also supports its broader ambitions in EVs, where smarter and more connected technologies are crucial.

Xiaomi’s decision to enter the automotive sector was partly spurred by sanctions imposed during the Trump administration, though those restrictions were later lifted.

Xiaomi’s early-stage semiconductor efforts could introduce complications for the contract manufacturer tasked with producing these chips.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the industry leader, faces growing pressure from U.S. authorities to limit collaborations with mainland Chinese companies, adding complexity to this endeavor.

Despite these challenges, Xiaomi has historically worked closely with Qualcomm, a key early investor in the company.

Xiaomi has primarily focused on optimizing Qualcomm processors with enhancements in power management and graphics capabilities to improve performance.

Looking ahead, Xiaomi plans to allocate approximately 30 billion yuan ($4.1 billion) for research and development in 2025, marking an increase from this year’s 24 billion yuan investment.

According to Chairman and CEO Lei Jun, who co-founded the company nearly 15 years ago, the funding will prioritize core technologies, including artificial intelligence, operating system enhancements, and semiconductor development. Lei shared these plans during a live-streamed company event last month.

Sony is reportedly developing a new handheld gaming device, described as a potential successor to the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and PS Vita.

This upcoming handheld is rumored to complement the PS5 and could position itself as a competitor to the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 and Valve’s Steam Deck.

According to Bloomberg, this PS5-compatible handheld is still in the early stages of development and may be years away from release—if it materializes at all. There remains the possibility that Sony might abandon the project.

The report indicates that the PlayStation Portal, originally envisioned as a standalone product similar to the Steam Deck, later evolved into a device dependent on streaming via a PS5 console.

However, recent updates to the PlayStation Portal have introduced a cloud-streaming beta for PS Plus Premium members, enabling the device to play games without requiring a PS5 console.

Sony’s interest in re-entering the handheld gaming market aligns with broader industry trends.

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has openly expressed interest in developing an Xbox handheld, although such a device is also “a few years out” and may never reach production.

Meanwhile, Nintendo is expected to reveal the Switch 2 in the coming months, with the company confirming earlier this month that the new system will support backward compatibility with the current Switch library.

If realized, the PS5 portable system would mark Sony’s return to the handheld gaming space for the first time since the PS Vita’s release.

The PS Vita launched in Japan in 2011 and arrived in North America in early 2012. Despite a strong start, the system was discontinued in Japan in early 2019, shortly before the PS5’s debut.

Sony’s earlier handheld, the PlayStation Portable (PSP), made its debut in Japan in 2004 and North America in 2005.

During its lifespan, the PSP competed with Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS, remaining a prominent player in the handheld gaming market throughout the mid-to-late 2000s.

The most popular creation for The Witcher 3 is an impressive HD texture pack, boasting an astounding 5.6 million downloads.

This project revamps a vast array of the game’s models and textures, enhancing their quality while preserving the artistic vision originally crafted by CD Projekt Red.

This mod increased an already visually stunning game to new heights, and with CDPR’s next-gen update, it now has a sequel.

If you’ve been considering a replay of Geralt’s journey in preparation for The Witcher 4, this mod provides the perfect opportunity.

Titled The Witcher 3 HD Reworked Project Next Gen Edition, the mod focuses on visual enhancement.

Created by modder ‘Halk Hogan,’ it completely overhauls the game’s visuals, including textures, models, materials, and more, delivering a level of detail that’s unprecedented.

Hogan describes the updates as being “counted in thousands,” emphasizing that the changes aim to make the game more detailed, realistic, and consistent while faithfully capturing the gritty, immersive atmosphere of the Witcher’s world.

Though the next-gen update already improved the game’s graphics, this mod pushes them to an entirely new level.

Hogan has upgraded many of The Witcher 3’s textures to 4K resolution, refining even the smallest details, from moss-covered rooftops to the polygons of a wheel.

Whether you’re going through the RPG’s world up close or admiring it from a distance, everything appears noticeably more detailed. Hogan assures that the updates align with the original artistic vision of CDPR, and the results speak for themselves.

All of Hogan’s revamped assets feature custom shaders and materials, lending objects an even more realistic appearance.

While it may be challenging to spot these upgrades at first glance, side-by-side comparisons highlight the remarkable improvements brought by the mod.

You can download Halk Hogan’s The Witcher 3 visual overhaul mod, complete with installation instructions, directly from its official page.

For those still playing the older version of The Witcher 3, Hogan previously released an HD rework mod for the base game in 2020, ensuring you can enhance Geralt’s world regardless of your game version. Otherwise, it’s a waiting game until the release of The Witcher 4.

Hogan’s dedication extends beyond The Witcher 3. They’ve also developed HD rework projects for other titles, including Starfield and Cyberpunk 2077, offering improved visuals for those games as well.

If you’ve yet to experience Geralt’s latest adventure on PC, this mod might spark your curiosity.

To prepare, you can review The Witcher 3 system requirements and ensure your rig meets the specs. Don’t forget to optimize your settings for maximum FPS to enjoy the best experience possible.

Microsoft is revealing new hardware today, diverging from its usual Surface product lineup.

The Windows 365 Link, launching in April at $349, is a compact desktop PC designed solely for accessing the Windows 365 cloud service, as opposed to running Windows natively.

Design and Build

The Windows 365 Link is a minimalist black plastic box with a Windows logo embossed on the top.

Its appearance resembles a smaller, more compact version of the Windows Dev Kit 2023—an Arm desktop Microsoft introduced for developers a few years ago.

The device features a single USB-A port on the front for quick access, while the rear panel houses:

• One USB-C 3.2 port
• Two additional USB-A ports
• A full-size DisplayPort
• A full-size HDMI port
• An Ethernet port
• A power jack

Internal Specifications and Functionality

According to Windows Central, the fanless device uses an Intel processor (specific details undisclosed) and includes 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.

It runs a streamlined version of Windows tailored exclusively for connecting to peripherals and the Windows 365 cloud.

When disconnected from the Internet, the device is largely non-functional, though it likely offers basic functionality for configuring networks and managing accessories.

Despite its limited local capabilities, the hardware is well-suited for thin-client tasks.

Microsoft states the Windows 365 Link can support two 4K displays simultaneously and features Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity for wireless peripherals, such as keyboards, mice, headsets, and more.

The device also handles video encoding and decoding locally to ensure smooth videoconferencing.

Thin Client Concept

The Windows 365 Link is Microsoft’s foray into “thin client” computing, a concept familiar to IT professionals.

Thin clients rely on minimal local hardware and a lightweight operating system, connecting users to powerful remote servers where data, applications, and settings reside.

This approach simplifies IT management, allowing administrators to upgrade or replace hardware without impacting user data or configurations.

End users, in turn, can access their work environment seamlessly from any compatible thin client.

Future Plans

Microsoft emphasizes that the Windows 365 Link is just the beginning of its Cloud PC product line.

“We’ll build more endpoints and form factors, scaling with our OEM partners to unlock more value and options,” Microsoft’s Anthony Smith stated in a company blog post FAQ, hinting at a broader ecosystem of devices in development.

Market Target and Outlook

Currently, the Windows 365 Link is aimed at businesses willing to invest in Windows 365 subscriptions, which start at $31 per user per month.

However, Microsoft reportedly envisions a consumer version of Windows 365, suggesting that the Link device could eventually play a role in making cloud PCs accessible to a broader audience. Pricing and availability for a potential consumer variant remain unannounced.

With the Windows 365 Link, Microsoft is positioning itself as a key player in the evolving space of cloud-based computing, offering businesses an efficient and scalable solution for managing user environments.

Samsung has officially introduced a free mobile gaming platform for Galaxy devices across North America, marking a significant expansion in the mobile gaming space.

The platform, which has been in beta testing since last year, is accessible through Samsung’s Game Launcher app, now rebranded as Samsung Gaming Hub.

At launch, the service will feature 23 games, including popular free-to-play titles like Monopoly Go, Candy Crush Saga, Homescapes, and Honor of Kings.

A Free Gaming Experience

Unlike many other cloud gaming services, Samsung’s platform offers unrestricted access to all available games.

“There is no content gated behind a paywall and no monthly subscriptions for users to access these games via our cloud streaming tech,” said Jong Woo, Samsung’s vice president and head of game services, in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz.

How It Works

Users can access the games through various channels, including links in Galaxy Store listings, the Samsung Gaming Hub, and advertisements.

The Galaxy Store, which is pre-installed on all Samsung phones and tablets, functions as the runtime client for the gaming service.

Promising Engagement Metrics

During the beta phase, Samsung reported impressive engagement, with 50% of players who clicked on a mobile cloud game ad or listing proceeding to play the linked title.

This strong response underscores the potential of the platform to drive player activity through seamless accessibility.

Woo emphasized the advantages of cloud gaming’s frictionless experience, highlighting its ability to eliminate the need for downloads.

He added, “This will help Samsung significantly disrupt how game publishers scale their mobile games.”

Expanding in Cloud Gaming

This mobile platform builds on Samsung’s growing investments in cloud gaming. The company has already made significant strides with its Smart TVs, leveraging partnerships with major players like Xbox and other services, such as Boosteroid.

Lessons from Past Experiments

Samsung has previously ventured into the cloud gaming arena with its PlayGalaxy Link service, designed for PC and select Galaxy devices.

However, this project was discontinued before it officially launched, providing valuable insights for the current initiative.

With the launch of Samsung Gaming Hub, the company is poised to redefine mobile cloud gaming by offering a free and seamless experience to Galaxy users, further solidifying its foothold in the evolving gaming industry.

Apple has rolled out critical security updates for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, visionOS, and the Safari web browser to mitigate two actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities.

These vulnerabilities, which have been observed in the wild, are detailed as follows:

• CVE-2024-44308 (CVSS score: 8.8): A vulnerability in JavaScriptCore that allows arbitrary code execution when processing malicious web content.
• CVE-2024-44309 (CVSS score: 6.1): A WebKit cookie management vulnerability enabling cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks through malicious web content.

Apple resolved these flaws using improved checks for CVE-2024-44308 and enhanced state management for CVE-2024-44309.

While specific exploitation details remain sparse, the company acknowledged that these vulnerabilities “may have been actively exploited on Intel-based Mac systems.”

Discovery and Attribution

Clément Lecigne and Benoît Sevens from Google’s Threat Analysis Group (TAG) discovered and reported the vulnerabilities.

Their involvement suggests these flaws were likely exploited in highly targeted attacks, potentially linked to government-backed or mercenary spyware campaigns.

Devices and Updates

The updates apply to the following devices and operating systems:

• iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1
  • iPhone XS and later
  • iPad Pro 13-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later)
  • iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
  • iPad (7th generation and later)
  • iPad mini (5th generation and later)

• iOS 17.7.2 and iPadOS 17.7.2
  • iPhone XS and later
  • iPad Pro 13-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation and later)
  • iPad Pro 10.5-inch
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later)
  • iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
  • iPad (6th generation and later)
  • iPad mini (5th generation and later)
• macOS Sequoia 15.1.1
  • Applicable to all Macs running macOS Sequoia
• visionOS 2.1.1
  • Exclusively for Apple Vision Pro
• Safari 18.1.1
  • Macs running macOS Ventura and macOS Sonoma

Broader Context

These updates mark the fourth set of zero-day vulnerabilities addressed by Apple in 2024.

Earlier in the year, Apple patched CVE-2024-27834, a vulnerability demonstrated at the Pwn2Own Vancouver hacking competition, alongside others resolved in January and March.

User Advisory

To mitigate potential threats, users are strongly encouraged to update their devices to the latest versions immediately.

These updates not only address the zero-day vulnerabilities but also ensure the security and stability of Apple’s ecosystem.

WhatsApp is launching a new transcription feature designed to make voice messaging more accessible and convenient.

Rolling out globally to Android and iOS users over the coming weeks, this feature will automatically generate a text version of voice messages, displayed beneath the audio clip.

This is particularly useful for situations where listening to voice messages isn’t practical, such as when you’re on the go or in a noisy environment.

The new feature strikes a perfect balance between the advantages and disadvantages of voice messages.

While voice messages are quicker and easier to record than typing long conversations, they can sometimes be inconvenient to listen to. With this update, users can enjoy the best of both worlds.

However, only recipients with the transcription feature enabled will be able to view the text versions of the voice messages.

For those who dislike listening to voice messages in chats, this is a game-changer.

WhatsApp ensures privacy with this feature, noting that voice message transcripts are generated directly on the device.

This means “no one else, not even WhatsApp, can hear or read your personal messages,” as stated in the company’s announcement.

The transcription feature will be turned off by default once it becomes available. Users can enable it by going through to WhatsApp settings, selecting “Chats,” and then choosing “Voice message transcripts.”

Initially, language support for Android devices will include English, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, and Hindi.

iOS users will have access to a broader range of supported languages, as detailed on WhatsApp’s support page. The platform plans to expand language availability further in the coming months.

Fortnite has introduced a fresh cosmetic feature for its characters—Kicks, which, in simple terms, are customizable shoes.

The debut pair of Kicks, Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG ‘Black Toe Reimagined,’ has been accessible in Fortnite since the launch of the current Chapter 2 Remix season. Players can unlock these trainers as part of the ongoing battle pass.

Starting today, Kicks can now be equipped by many (though not all) Fortnite character skins. Alongside this functionality, additional footwear options are now available for purchase in the in-game store.

Available for Purchase Today:

• Nike Cortez Leather OG – 800 V-Bucks
• Nike Air Foamposite One ‘Galaxy’ – 1000 V-Bucks
• Nike Shox R4 ‘Comet Red’ – 1000 V-Bucks
• Chomp Stompers – 600 V-Bucks

Available Starting Tomorrow:

• Air Jordan 3 Retro ‘Palomino’ – 800 V-Bucks
• Air Jordan 3 ‘Black Cement-Gray’ – 1000 V-Bucks
• Air Jordan 11 ‘Black/Gym Red’ – 1000 V-Bucks
• Air Jordan 4 Retro ‘Manila’ – 1000 V-Bucks

One of the standout options, the Chomp Stompers, costs just 600 V-Bucks (around £3) and features playful shark slipper designs. These Fortnite-original Kicks are more affordable than the licensed brands, which are priced up to 1000 V-Bucks—the same cost as a battle pass.

Fortnite’s developer, Epic Games, has confirmed that Kicks are already compatible with over 500 character skins, with plans to expand compatibility to 95% of the skin library by spring next year.

This addition comes alongside yesterday’s announcement of changes to Fortnite’s battle pass system and the introduction of a new, separate battle pass for Fortnite OG, a permanent mode featuring the game’s original map.

Epic Games has announced that Fortnite’s upcoming permanent OG Mode will feature its own distinct battle pass, separate from the main Fortnite Battle Royale battle pass.

The developer previously confirmed that the original Fortnite map, which became a fan favorite, will return permanently in December as a separate mode.

This mode is expected to cycle through its various seasonal versions. This decision follows the map’s successful temporary return last year, which helped the game achieve its highest-ever player count of 44.7 million players within a 24-hour period.

In a recent blog post, Epic Games revealed that the new OG Pass, along with the main Fortnite Battle Royale Battle Pass, and upcoming iterations of the Music Pass and Lego Pass (each priced at 1400 V-Bucks), will all be included in the existing Fortnite Crew subscription moving forward.

This is a significant enhancement for players currently paying £10/$12 per month for Fortnite Crew.

The updated subscription will soon offer four battle passes at the same price, instead of just the main Battle Pass.

Additional changes include a slight price adjustment for the main Fortnite Battle Pass, which will now cost 1000 V-Bucks, up from its previous price of 950.

Also, new Fortnite Crew subscribers after December 1st will only be able to claim battle pass rewards as long as their subscription remains active.

Details about the contents and cost of the new OG Pass will be revealed closer to its launch on December 6th.

At the same time, Fortnite will release a new Chapter 6 version of its battle royale, which is expected to feature a Japanese theme.

Apple TV+ recently marked its fifth anniversary, boasting a small yet high-quality library of content.

Despite its impressive accolades, including thousands of awards and critically acclaimed shows, the financial equation to sustain the streaming service appears less than ideal.

Now, Apple may be considering a strategic pivot in its approach to distributing movies.

Apple is going through licensing its films to third-party platforms, such as international TV networks and digital stores, where viewers could rent or purchase them.

While original TV series are set to remain exclusive to Apple TV+, the company could begin offering movies like Wolfs, Napoleon, CODA, and others on external platforms.

The company has spent billions of dollars on original films and TV shows and has received strong reviews and praise from critics.

Yet few of its titles have attracted a large audience and its streaming service doesn’t make money.”

This move could mark the beginning of Apple’s efforts to turn a profit with its streaming division.

Recently, the company added Apple TV+ as a standalone channel on Amazon Prime Video, giving its content a prominent spot on another widely used platform.

While the Apple TV app offers a hub for multiple streaming services, integrating with Amazon Prime Video brings additional visibility to Apple’s offerings.

Other industry players have already embraced similar strategies. For instance, Warner Bros. licenses certain HBO content, available on Max, to platforms like Netflix.

By following this model, Apple could potentially enhance the profitability of its films by sharing them across additional services.

Despite Apple’s ongoing push for original content and bundling options through its Apple One subscription, Apple TV+ has yet to achieve the level of success seen with Apple Music.

The company has also scaled back budgets for several productions as it redefines its goals for the streaming service, signaling a new chapter for Apple TV+.

Circle to Search has quickly become one of my favorite Android features of 2024. The ability to search for anything on your screen from anywhere within Android is incredibly convenient.

Fortunately, Google is expanding this feature beyond just Samsung and Pixel devices. A recent report suggests that, along with this expansion, Google may also be introducing subtle changes to the Circle to Search user interface (UI).

According to Android Authority, Google is working on adding an app drawer to Circle to Search.

The publication discovered this redesigned UI in the beta version of the Google app (v15.45.43.ve.arm64), which indicates that Google is refining the Circle to Search experience with several small UI improvements.

The updated UI for Circle to Search looks noticeably different from the current version.

UI elements like the search bar and the Song Search icon are now enclosed in a rounded box, and the icons themselves appear slightly larger.

The most prominent change, however, is the addition of an app drawer button.

In its current form, Circle to Search displays features like Translate and Song Search directly alongside the search bar.

In the new version, these features may be moved behind the app drawer button. Tapping the button would reveal additional options, including the return of the previously removed Google Lens shortcut.

Although this change may require an extra step to access some features, it could also indicate that Google plans to add more functionality to Circle to Search.

It would be even better if Google allowed us to customize this menu for quicker access to the actions we use most often.

Since the feature hasn’t officially launched yet, there’s still a possibility that Google could add this customization option in the final version.

The revamped UI isn’t the only upgrade in development. Reports also suggest that Google is working on a feature that would allow users to search within videos.

While there is no official timeline for the release of either feature, it’s exciting to see Google continue to enhance this already useful tool.