Christopher Nolan's engrossing take on The Odyssey dominated at the box office and spurred a newfound interest in classic literature among filmgoers. But a new retelling of the story made entirely with AI is so bad that it might just make viewers hate the original tale altogether.

The new film, called Odysseus: The Fall, comes via AI firm Fountain 0 and is written and directed by company cofounder Ash Koosha, who also lent his likeness to the title character and created all of the music. (The film's credits are very short.) The studio's only previous work is an AI film called Dreams of Violets that made it into Tribeca earlier this year. Th …

Read the full story at The Verge.

When Paul W.S. Anderson's Resident Evil hit theaters in 2002, video game movies were largely seen as a niche. Films like Mortal Kombat and Tomb Raider had proven that big-screen game adaptations could be successful, but the commercial and critical failure of projects like the 1993 Super Mario Bros. still cast a long shadow. And while Anderson's vision of Raccoon City might have captivated audiences on the whole, many hardcore fans of Capcom's games were left disappointed by the way the original movies wildly deviated from the source material.

Weapons director Zach Cregger's new take on Resident Evil is a return to the franchise's fundamenta …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Nintendo has gotten quite good at making open-ended games. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild upended the idea of what a Zelda game could be by giving the player free rein to tackle any part of the map, a philosophy iterated upon with Tears of the Kingdom. On the Switch 2 this idea expanded to Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. Now, Nintendo has brought this philosophy to Fire Emblem with Fortune's Weave. It works really well; with its many ways to progress through the game and tailor teams to your liking, Fortune's Weave has become my favorite game on the Switch 2 so far.

Fortune's Weave's structure is a big reason why it feels …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Fun camera features help make these candy bar iPhones stand out from the dazzle of the folding iPhone Duo.

Fun camera features help make these candy bar iPhones stand out from the dazzle of the folding iPhone Duo.

AYN Thor is not trying to win attention simply by putting a faster processor inside a conventional handheld. Its defining feature is the clamshell design: a large 6-inch AMOLED screen sits above a second display, giving the device a layout that is much closer to a portable dual-screen gaming system than a traditional Android game console.

The Banggood configuration covered here pairs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 platform with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, while the wider Thor lineup also includes higher-memory versions. AYN’s own current product information lists the standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 configurations alongside a 6-inch AMOLED main display, a 3.92-inch secondary AMOLED screen, Android 13 and a 6000mAh battery.

That makes the Thor interesting for a very specific reason: the second screen can change how certain games and emulators are played, rather than merely adding another display to the specification sheet.

The Second Screen Is the Real Story

Most Android gaming handhelds use a single display and place all controls around it. The Thor takes a different route.

Its upper panel is a 6-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, while the lower section provides a smaller 3.92-inch AMOLED touchscreen. The primary display runs at 1920 × 1080, while the secondary panel uses a 1080 × 1240 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate.

The difference in refresh rate is actually useful to understand. The top screen is optimized for the main gaming experience, while the lower screen is better thought of as a companion interface.

That opens up several possibilities. In dual-screen emulation, one display can show the main game while the second handles maps, menus, touch controls or other information. For games designed around two screens, the physical arrangement can also feel considerably more natural than trying to reproduce the same layout on a single panel.

This is where the Thor has a clearer identity than another Android handheld with similar processing hardware.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Gives the Thor Plenty of Headroom

The 8GB/128GB configuration uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the same platform used by several other high-performance Android handhelds. AYN’s specifications identify the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 versions as the Base, Pro and Max models, with RAM and storage increasing depending on configuration.

For the Thor, the processor is less interesting as a headline number than what it enables.

Android gaming, retro emulation and game streaming can all benefit from additional processing headroom, but the dual-screen design is where the hardware becomes more purposeful. The system has to manage two displays and the associated touch input while still maintaining a responsive gaming interface.

The 8GB configuration therefore makes sense as the entry point for users who want the Thor’s unusual hardware without necessarily moving to one of the larger storage variants.

Android 13 Keeps the Platform Flexible

The Thor runs Android 13, which gives it access to the broader Android gaming and emulation ecosystem rather than locking it into a proprietary game library. AYN’s product information also confirms that games are not preinstalled, meaning buyers should think of the device as an Android gaming platform rather than a ready-made retro library.

That distinction matters.

The real value of an Android handheld is often determined by how well its software environment fits the user’s preferred games and emulators. With the Thor, there is an additional consideration: configuring software to take advantage of two physical screens.

For example, a dual-screen setup can be particularly useful for systems and games that were originally designed around separate gameplay and information displays. Retro Game Corps’ setup guide specifically covers the additional considerations involved in configuring dual-screen Android handhelds such as the Thor.

Hall-Effect Sticks Are a Practical Hardware Choice

The Thor also uses Hall-effect joysticks, which detect stick movement magnetically rather than relying on traditional mechanical contact for position sensing. AYN lists Hall sticks among the device’s hardware features.

For an Android gaming handheld, this is more relevant than it might initially appear.

The controls are likely to see much more use than many of the device’s headline specifications. Precise analog input matters for action games, racing titles and 3D emulation, while the absence of conventional contact-based sensing can help reduce one common source of stick-position problems over long-term use.

It also reinforces the idea that the Thor is designed as a serious gaming device rather than simply an Android tablet folded into a portable shell.

A 6,000mAh Battery Balances the Dual-Screen Hardware

A 6,000mAh battery sits inside the Thor, according to AYN’s current specifications. The device also supports 27W charging.

Battery capacity alone does not tell the whole story, especially on a dual-screen handheld.

The actual runtime will depend heavily on brightness, refresh rate, emulator workload, wireless connectivity and how frequently the secondary display is active. More demanding games will naturally place a greater load on the Snapdragon platform than lightweight retro titles.

For this reason, the Thor’s battery should be viewed as part of a larger power-management equation rather than judged only by the 6000mAh figure.

The Flip Design Solves a Portability Problem

There is another advantage to the clamshell construction that has little to do with gaming performance: screen protection.

When the Thor is closed, the two displays face inward. That gives the handheld a natural protective position when it is placed inside a bag or carried between locations.

The closed form also makes the Thor visually distinct from the large number of slab-style Android gaming handhelds now available.

However, the hinge introduces its own design considerations. Users who want the device primarily for traditional single-screen Android gaming may not need a second display or a clamshell mechanism. The dual-screen architecture becomes much more valuable when the software can actually make use of it.

8GB + 128GB Is the More Straightforward Configuration

The Banggood listing specifically covers the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage version.

That capacity should be enough for a focused Android gaming setup, but storage requirements can grow quickly once users begin adding large game files, emulator libraries and multiple applications.

AYN’s wider lineup includes a 12GB/256GB model and higher-end 16GB configurations with substantially more storage.

This makes the 8GB/128GB model easier to understand as an entry configuration rather than the only version of the Thor. Buyers who plan to maintain a large local game library should pay particular attention to storage before choosing between variants.

Who Actually Benefits From Two Screens?

The Thor makes the most sense for users whose gaming habits can take advantage of its unusual layout.

Dual-screen emulation is an obvious example. Systems that originally used two displays can be represented more naturally when the handheld itself physically provides two panels.

The secondary display can also be useful for touch-based controls, menus or supplementary information while the main display remains dedicated to gameplay.

For ordinary Android games that only need one screen, however, the second panel becomes less important. In that situation, the Thor’s main advantage is its unusual form factor rather than a fundamental change in gameplay.

That distinction is worth keeping in mind when comparing it with conventional single-screen Android handhelds.

A Different Kind of Android Gaming Handheld

The AYN Thor gaming handheld ‘s most interesting feature is not the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 by itself, nor is it simply the 120Hz AMOLED display.

It is the combination of a 6-inch 120Hz AMOLED main screen, a secondary AMOLED touchscreen, Hall-effect controls, Android 13 and a 6000mAh battery inside a foldable chassis.

That combination gives the Thor a specific purpose.

For users who mainly want a standard Android gaming handheld, its dual-screen construction may be more hardware than they need. But for players interested in DS/3DS-style emulation, dual-screen interfaces or experimenting with different Android gaming layouts, the second display provides a capability that conventional handhelds simply cannot reproduce in the same physical way.

The result is a device that stands apart not because it has the longest specification sheet, but because its hardware is built around a different idea of what a portable gaming console can be.

The post AYN Thor Review: Why Its Dual-Screen Design Makes This Android Handheld Different appeared first on IGeeKphone China Phone, Tablet PC, VR, RC Drone News, Reviews.

Small RC cars often have to make a compromise between portability and driving performance. The ZLL SG616 PRO/MAX takes a different approach, packing four-wheel drive, proportional controls and a relatively aggressive power system into a 1:24-scale chassis.

1:24 scale also changes where the car makes the most sense. Rather than requiring a large dedicated driving area, its compact dimensions make it easier to use on driveways, compact outdoor spaces and other locations where a larger 4WD RC car would be inconvenient.

What makes this model particularly interesting is that buyers can choose between a brushed version and a brushless version. The brushed model is rated for up to 30 km/h, while the brushless configuration raises the claimed top speed to 38 km/h.

A Compact RC Car With Serious Speed

At 208 × 113 × 80 mm, the SG616 is small enough to transport easily, but its specifications are closer to what enthusiasts expect from a performance-oriented RC vehicle than a basic toy-grade car.

The 1:24 scale also changes where the car makes the most sense. Rather than requiring a large dedicated driving area, its compact dimensions make it easier to use on driveways, compact outdoor spaces and other locations where a larger RC truck would be inconvenient.

The 12 mm ground clearance is modest, so the SG616 is not designed to behave like a full-size crawler. Its appeal is instead centered on quick acceleration, directional control and short off-road runs.

Brushed or Brushless: The Important Buying Decision

The biggest difference between the SG616 PRO and MAX configurations is the power system.

The brushed version uses an RC180 motor and has a claimed maximum speed of 30 km/h. The brushless version moves to a 2030 4500KV motor and is rated for up to 38 km/h. Both configurations use an integrated 35A ESC.

That distinction matters because the brushless model is not simply a cosmetic upgrade. Its higher claimed speed makes it more suitable for users who want a faster RC driving experience, while the brushed version may make more sense for someone who values a simpler setup.

The brushless configuration also gets an all-metal driveshaft, giving it a mechanical upgrade beyond the motor itself.

Four-Wheel Drive and Independent Suspension

The SG616 uses a 4WD drivetrain with planetary differential gearing and independent suspension. Combined with a 45-degree steering angle, these features are intended to give the small chassis more flexibility when changing direction or dealing with uneven surfaces.

The car also uses ball bearings throughout, while an aluminum motor heatsink helps manage heat around the power system.

This combination is more important than the headline speed. A fast RC car is only enjoyable when the chassis can translate that power into controllable movement. The SG616’s proportional throttle and four-wheel-drive layout are therefore two of its more meaningful features.

Full-Proportional Control Makes a Difference

The included 2.4GHz transmitter provides four control channels and a claimed control distance of around 80 to 100 meters, depending on the configuration or listing specification.

More importantly, the car supports full-proportional control. Instead of limiting the vehicle to simple forward, reverse and steering commands, proportional control allows the driver to vary throttle input more precisely.

That is useful when moving through tighter spaces. It also gives the SG616 a more controllable feel when approaching corners or transitioning between slower technical driving and high-speed runs.

Battery Life Is Designed Around Short Sessions

The SG616 uses a 7.4V Li-ion battery, with the brushed and brushless versions using 500mAh and 800mAh capacities respectively according to the current listing. Charging takes approximately 1.5 hours, while the advertised running time is around 30 to 40 minutes.

These numbers suggest that the car is better suited to several relatively short driving sessions than continuous long-distance running.

The included USB charging cable also keeps the package straightforward. Buyers receive the car, battery, transmitter, charging cable, manual, spare R-clips and screwdriver, so there is no need to assemble a separate basic control system before getting started.

Designed for Outdoor Driving

The SG616 has several details aimed at reducing the limitations of a compact RC chassis.

Its circuit board and steering servo are listed as waterproof, while the front bumper integrates LED lights for a more distinctive appearance during low-light driving. The 47 mm tires and independent suspension also help the car deal with surfaces that are less predictable than a smooth indoor floor.

However, waterproof electronics should not automatically be interpreted as a license for deep-water driving. The practical advantage is better resistance to splashes and wet conditions rather than treating the car as a fully submersible vehicle.

What Kind of RC Driver Is It For?

The ZLL SG616 PRO/MAX occupies an interesting middle ground.

It is substantially more performance-focused than a basic toy RC car, yet its 1:24 scale keeps it much easier to carry and deploy than a larger hobby-grade truck. The brushless version is particularly notable for its claimed 38 km/h maximum speed, while the proportional controls and 4WD system give the driver more control than a simple entry-level model.

For buyers deciding between the two versions, the choice largely comes down to driving priorities. The brushed model provides a lower-speed configuration, while the brushless model targets users who specifically want more speed and the additional mechanical hardware that comes with that configuration.

Final Takeaway

ZLL SG616 PRO/MAX is interesting because it does not rely on one headline specification. Its appeal comes from how several features work together: a compact 1:24 chassis, 4WD, independent suspension, proportional throttle, 2.4GHz control and two different motor configurations.

The brushless version’s 38 km/h claim is certainly the attention-grabbing number, but the proportional controls, drivetrain design and compact dimensions may ultimately have a greater impact on everyday usability.

For shoppers comparing small off-road RC cars, the SG616 is therefore worth looking at as a performance-focused compact model rather than simply another inexpensive remote-control toy.

The post ZLL SG616 PRO/MAX Review: A 1:24 4WD RC Car Built for Fast Off-Road Runs appeared first on IGeeKphone China Phone, Tablet PC, VR, RC Drone News, Reviews.

AULA F75 MAX keyboard is designed for users who want more than a basic compact mechanical gaming keyboard. Instead of focusing on a single headline feature, it combines a space-saving 75% layout with a dedicated TFT screen, rotary knob, hot-swappable switches, gasket mounting and three connection modes.

That combination makes the F75 MAX interesting for both gaming and everyday desktop use. Its design also reflects a broader trend in mechanical keyboards: smaller layouts are becoming more feature-rich without completely sacrificing the controls that PC users rely on.

Why the 75% Layout Makes Sense

The F75 MAX uses an 80-key 75% layout, keeping the function row and arrow-key cluster while removing the large gaps and dedicated number pad found on full-size keyboards.

For a gaming setup, this layout can free up more desk space for mouse movement. At the same time, it remains practical for productivity because users do not have to give up the dedicated arrow keys and function row.

The trade-off is the missing number pad. Anyone who regularly enters large amounts of numerical data may still prefer a full-size keyboard, but for gaming, general typing and compact workstations, the 75% format is a useful middle ground.

The TFT Screen Is More Than Decoration

One of the F75 MAX’s most noticeable design elements is its built-in TFT screen. Instead of relying entirely on RGB lighting for visual customization, the keyboard adds a small display that gives the top section a more personalized appearance. Banggood specifically lists a GIF-capable TFT screen interface.

This feature does not fundamentally change typing performance, but it gives the keyboard a distinct identity. For users who enjoy customizing their desktop setup, the screen can make the F75 MAX feel more like a configurable gadget than a conventional mechanical keyboard.

The separate metal knob also adds a practical control point, giving users a physical way to interact with supported functions instead of relying entirely on keyboard shortcuts.

Gasket Mounting Targets a Softer Typing Feel

The keyboard uses a gasket-mounted structure with multiple layers of sound-dampening material. AULA lists five layers of dampening, while the product listing describes a six-layer sound-absorbing structure, so the exact terminology varies between listings.

The important part is what this construction is intended to achieve. A gasket-mounted keyboard isolates the plate from parts of the case, allowing slightly more flex while reducing some of the direct vibration transferred through the chassis.

Combined with the F75 MAX’s foam and silicone layers, the design is aimed at producing a deeper and less harsh typing sound than a basic rigid keyboard.

That makes the keyboard potentially more appealing to people who care about typing acoustics as well as gaming performance.

Hot-Swappable Switches Make Future Upgrades Easier

Another useful feature is the hot-swappable PCB, which supports 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches according to AULA’s specifications.

This means owners are not necessarily locked into the factory switch configuration. Users who prefer a lighter linear feel, a different actuation characteristic or another sound profile can experiment with compatible switches without replacing the entire keyboard.

The F75 MAX comes with LEOBOG Reaper linear switches. AULA lists them as factory-lubed, while EPOMAKER’s specifications give the switch a 45±3gf trigger force and 3.6±0.3mm total travel.

For someone buying a mechanical keyboard as a long-term platform, this upgradeability may be more meaningful than RGB effects alone.

Tri-Mode Connectivity Covers Different Setups

The F75 MAX supports USB-C wired, 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth 5.0 connections.

That gives the keyboard three distinct use cases. Wired mode is suitable for a desktop gaming setup, 2.4GHz wireless keeps the desk cleaner while maintaining a low-latency connection, and Bluetooth is convenient when switching between compatible computers or mobile devices.

AULA rates the keyboard at up to 1000Hz polling through USB and 2.4GHz, while Bluetooth is listed at 125Hz. The manufacturer also lists latency of around 3ms over USB, 7ms via 2.4GHz and 18ms through Bluetooth.

For competitive gaming, the wired and 2.4GHz modes are therefore the more relevant choices.

4000mAh Battery Gives Wireless Mode Some Flexibility

The built-in 4000mAh battery is another reason the F75 MAX works well as a wireless desktop keyboard. AULA rates battery life at approximately 30.5 hours with the RGB backlight enabled and up to 80 hours with the lighting switched off.

Actual endurance will depend on lighting brightness, connection mode and usage patterns, so these figures should be treated as manufacturer ratings rather than guaranteed real-world results.

Still, the option to turn off RGB lighting when maximum battery life matters gives users more control over how they use the keyboard.

PBT Keycaps and South-Facing RGB

The F75 MAX uses double-shot PBT keycaps and south-facing per-key RGB lighting.

PBT is commonly chosen for mechanical keyboards because it generally resists the glossy wear that can develop on frequently used ABS keycaps. The south-facing RGB arrangement also works well with the keyboard’s overall enthusiast-oriented design.

AULA lists support for more than 16 million RGB colors and multiple lighting effects, although the visual customization is ultimately secondary to the keyboard’s typing and connectivity features.

A Compact Keyboard With Room to Experiment

AULA F75 MAX is best understood as a feature-rich 75% mechanical keyboard rather than simply another RGB gaming board.

Its strongest combination is the compact layout, gasket construction, hot-swappable PCB and tri-mode connectivity. The TFT display and rotary knob then add a layer of customization that separates it from more conventional 75% keyboards.

For gamers, the 2.4GHz connection and 1000Hz polling rate give the keyboard a performance-oriented side. For enthusiasts, the hot-swap PCB and gasket structure leave room for future customization. And for everyday users, the 75% layout provides a useful balance between desk space and functionality.

The main compromise is straightforward: users who need a dedicated number pad will need a larger keyboard. But for anyone comfortable with the 75% format, the AULA F75 MAX offers a combination of customization, wireless flexibility and enthusiast-style construction that makes it worth considering.

For the latest specifications and software information, buyers should also check the official AULA product page before ordering, since configurations and regional listings can vary.

The post AULA F75 MAX Review: A 75% Mechanical Keyboard With TFT Screen and Tri-Mode Wireless appeared first on IGeeKphone China Phone, Tablet PC, VR, RC Drone News, Reviews.

TRIMUI Brick Pro TG4040 is aimed at players who want a dedicated retro gaming handheld without carrying a bulky modern console.Its appeal comes from the combination of a compact vertical design, a high-resolution IPS display, physical controls designed for longer sessions, and a Linux-based gaming environment.

The 256GB configuration also targets users who want a large game library available locally. Banggood lists this version with more than 17,000 games, although the actual titles and availability can depend on the included software and storage configuration.

A Small Handheld With a Surprisingly Detailed Display

The Brick Pro uses a 3.95-inch IPS panel with a 1024 × 768 resolution, giving it a 4:3 aspect ratio that suits many classic games particularly well. The official TRIMUI specifications also list a 60Hz refresh rate and full lamination.

That resolution is more important than simply looking at the screen size. Retro games were generally designed around lower-resolution displays and 4:3 layouts, so the Brick Pro’s screen can preserve that traditional presentation without requiring an oversized handheld.

The relatively compact display also keeps the device portable, making it easier to use during travel, commuting or short gaming sessions.

Dual Hall Joysticks Focus on Long-Term Control

One of the more practical hardware choices is the inclusion of dual Hall-effect joysticks. Unlike conventional analog sticks that rely on physical contact for position sensing, Hall-effect controls use magnetic sensing technology.

For a retro handheld, the benefit is less about chasing headline specifications and more about control consistency. Players who frequently switch between arcade titles, platformers and games that require analog input can benefit from having two proper sticks instead of relying entirely on a directional pad.

The official TRIMUI specification lists the Brick Pro with JF15 dual Hall-effect joysticks, along with L3 and R3 click functions.

The 256GB Version Is Built Around a Large Game Library

Storage is another major reason to consider this particular configuration.

The 256GB TRIMUI Brick Pro is advertised with more than 17,000 games, while other Brick Pro configurations are sold with different storage capacities and game counts. Banggood’s product listings show 64GB, 128GB and 256GB versions, giving buyers several ways to configure the handheld around their preferred library size.

For users who mainly want a ready-to-play retro machine, the larger storage option reduces the need to constantly manage space. At the same time, buyers should check exactly what game content is included with their chosen package rather than assuming that every version contains the same library.

The official hardware also supports a TF card, with storage expansion listed up to 1TB.

CNC Metal Construction Gives the Handheld a Different Character

The Banggood 256GB listing highlights a CNC metal body, which gives this configuration a more substantial positioning than lightweight plastic retro consoles.

This matters particularly for a device intended to be used frequently. A metal exterior can provide a more rigid feel in the hands, although it may also add weight compared with an all-plastic design.

It is worth noting that TRIMUI’s official Brick Pro specification describes the standard product body as ABS+PC plastic, so buyers should pay attention to the exact TG4040 variant and listing configuration when comparing materials.

5,000mAh Battery Makes It Better Suited to Portable Play

The Brick Pro carries a 5,000mAh battery, which is substantial for a compact retro handheld. TRIMUI rates battery life at around 5 to 10 hours depending on workload, while charging is handled through USB-C at up to 10W.

Actual endurance will naturally vary according to the emulator, screen brightness, wireless connectivity and other usage conditions. Still, the battery capacity makes the Brick Pro better suited to longer sessions away from a charger than many smaller retro handhelds.

Linux Keeps the Experience Focused on Gaming

The Brick Pro runs TrimUI’s Linux-based software environment rather than Android. The official specifications list Trim-UI Linux and Trimui OSD, along with support for a broad range of classic gaming systems and arcade platforms.

That approach keeps the device closer to the traditional retro-handheld experience. Instead of functioning as a general-purpose Android tablet, the Brick Pro is primarily designed around emulation, physical controls and quick access to games.

Connectivity includes 802.11 b/g/n wireless networking, Bluetooth 4.2 and USB-C, while the system also provides a 3.5mm headphone jack and stereo speakers.

Who Is the TRIMUI Brick Pro TG4040 For?

The Brick Pro makes the most sense for players who want a dedicated retro handheld rather than a general-purpose gaming device.

Its strongest combination is the 3.95-inch 4:3 display, dual Hall-effect controls, 5,000mAh battery and large-storage option. The 256GB model is particularly interesting for users who prefer having a substantial library available without frequently swapping storage.

However, its Linux-based design also tells you what the device is not trying to be. This is primarily an emulation-focused handheld rather than a replacement for a modern Windows gaming PC or high-end console.

For retro enthusiasts, that focused approach can actually be the main attraction: the Brick Pro puts the screen, controls and game library at the center of the experience while keeping the overall device compact enough to take almost anywhere.

Note: Game counts, included software, storage contents and package configurations can vary by seller and version. Buyers should verify the exact 256GB configuration before ordering.

The post TRIMUI Brick Pro TG4040 Review: 3.95-Inch Display, Hall Joysticks and 256GB Storage appeared first on IGeeKphone China Phone, Tablet PC, VR, RC Drone News, Reviews.

Void Linux enfrenta abandono de 113 pacotes após debate sobre contribuição com conteúdo gerado por IA.

O post Mais de 100 pacotes Void Linux ficam órfãos após disputa sobre uso de IA apareceu primeiro em Blog do Edivaldo - Informações e Notícias sobre Linux.

The System76 Pangolin Pro Linux Laptop wraps a speedy processor, plenty of ports, and a great operating system in a svelte, 16-inch package.

By now you’ve probably heard the promise of iOS 27: it’s a Snow Leopard-like year where Apple spent a lot of time not on big marquee features, but on smaller fixes and enhancements throughout the operating system. And that’s largely true—and largely to the benefit of the platform—but it’s also not the whole story. Because there is, of course, at least one major feature that comes to iOS 27 (and Apple’s other platforms) this year, and it’s a doozy: Siri AI.

The result is an OS that feels like a marked improvement over its predecessor, in everything from design to performance to capabilities. That’s not to say there isn’t still room for improvement—software is a living thing, and those of us who have been using it throughout the beta period this summer can attest to the fact that Apple is constantly at work trying to refine its experiences.

The promise of iOS 27 is that it’ll not only unlock new capabilities but also make your existing workflows smoother and quicker. That’s not a bad proposition for the device that many of us carry more than any other—as long as it can deliver.

Siri & AI: Two okay tastes that taste great together?

The call for Apple to do a major overhaul of Siri has existed almost as long as Siri as existed. Heck, I wrote a story about it back in 2015, more than a decade ago and only four years after the first version of Siri debuted. But even as competitors emerged and Siri moved to more Apple platforms, the voice assistant improved only in relatively small, targeted ways—a testament, perhaps, to the limitations of its underlying technology. With the recent rise of chatbots backed by large language models, it quickly became apparent how much Siri had fallen behind, and so drastic measures were necessary to bring it up to speed.

The good news is that Siri AI is capable: impressively so, at times. In the lowest of low bars, it certainly beats the pants off the previous incarnation of Siri, but its access to your own personal data and all of the apps on your phone also unlocks a host of new possibilities.

But it’s also not without the pitfalls that underlie all LLM-powered chatbots: errors in understanding, hallucinations, and so on. Perhaps the biggest challenge of Siri AI will be getting people who have written off Siri as a limited feature, only to be used for trusted tasks—setting timers, checking the weather, playing music—to be more ambitious about what they ask the assistant.

New Siri is integrated throughout iOS, whether you access it via the traditional press-and-hold of the side button or by saying the wake word, or in its new home integrated with the Spotlight search when you swipe down on the home screen. That last interface is available systemwide, in any app, by swiping down from the center of the top of the screen. The search interface has a new look too: a black liquid glass bubble with silver overtones. You can ask Siri questions by voice, or by simply typing to it.

There’s also a new standalone Siri app that stores all your conversations (with some exceptions). The app itself is pretty barebones, letting you view those conversations in List or Grid layouts, select multiple conversations to delete them, and pin or rename any single conversation. In Settings : Siri, you can choose to either open to the overview or to a new conversation and decide whether old conversations are kept for 30 days, 1 year, or forever. It’s a little strange that one-off queries (“What’s the average height of the Norwegian World Cup team?”) are stored alongside more involved conversations (“Can you help me build a specific RSS feed for this site?”); I also tend to end up with a few orphan blank “New conversation” and “New photo” entries, but it’d be nice if you could filter to find those. Conversations are fully searchable and sync between devices via iCloud.

I’ve had a couple of real “wow” moments with the feature in the months that I’ve spent with the beta. For example, early on I was on a rare long solo car trip when I realized that I wanted to listen to a specific episode of a podcast. This wasn’t a podcast that I listen to regularly or even subscribe to, and to make matters more challenging, it was an older episode. Hard enough to find in the Podcasts app when you’re not driving down the highway, but something I would never have even attempted with old Siri. But hey, now’s the time to give it a shot, so I asked Siri AI, via CarPlay, to play the episode of “The Rest is History” about the American Revolution.

After a moment of chugging—like most of those AIs, the process isn’t exactly fast—Siri came back to report that it had found one episode of the podcast about the American Revolution. “Play that,” I said…and it did. No need to specify the precise title of the episode, which I certainly would not have remembered from earlier in our conversation.

Moments like that make me feel like a Star-Trek-computer-like voice interface is here now. In large part because it does leverage the great strength of Apple’s AI implementation (and I’m not going to spend the time dithering about models and distillation and all that jazz, because the question to me is how do people use it and how does it work). But that strength is that the AI isn’t siloed off in its own website or app, but on your device with all the information that entails.

The same went for when I asked it about the date for a pool party my wife had texted me about, and who would be there. (It even correctly identified an attendee with an ambiguous name based on proximity to their partner’s name.) And when I was viewing a webpage with an upcoming flight that I asked it to add to my calendar. It was also able to identify a movie from an image in a brochure for a local movie theater, give me the performance of the Red Sox over their last ten games¹, and help me figure out which model of IKEA curtain rods I was dealing with. None of them things that I would have even thought about using Siri for prior to this incarnation.

And because of Apple’s integration, your Siri AI experience works right via your AirPods. As I was walking down a hill near my house, I found myself wondering how far away the downtown skyscraper I could see was. Without even pulling out my phone, I asked Siri via my AirPods. After a moment, it gave me back an answer, but I realized it had plotted directions, so I replied “How about as the crow flies?” and it not only understood me, but gave me back a reasonable-sounding answer. And even better, it was completely correct.

Unfortunately, not every moment is like that. Like any LLM-based chatbot, Siri AI sometimes misunderstands or gives confidently wrong answers. For example, when I asked it about when my neighbor said they’d be back from vacation, it found the relevant text message but said that no return date had been mentioned, despite the fact that it was right there in the message. I took a screenshot and asked it to add a bunch of listed panels that I was speaking on to my calendar, and it added only one of them, at the wrong time and in the wrong timezone.² Sometimes it mishears things, as the time I was using my AirPods to tell my wife I was walking past Dunkin’, and it asked me if I meant Duncan.

It’s at times unsettling to realize this is the new normal for dealing with computers in 2026. Is that better or worse than having old Siri’s frequent habit of shrugging at things it simply couldn’t do? I’m not sure that’s an easy qualitative call. In the end, it’s a mode shift: a different experience of how we interact with our voice assistants and chatbots, and we’ll have to see how people adapt.

All of that said, one thing I do appreciate about Siri AI’s implementation is that Apple has done a good job of, for the most part, making sure that the traditional things that Siri has always been good at—setting timers, playing media, adding reminders, controlling smart home accessories, and so on—are, in my experience, no worse than under old Siri. From what I can tell, Siri is mediating these requests and handling those things locally rather than handing them off to the cloud. That also means not every request to turn on lights or play your podcast gets logged into the Siri app as a separate conversation, which is I think the right approach: I certainly don’t need to save a dozen conversations where I’m setting my five-minute tea timer.

In general, I’m bullish on the future of this new enhanced Siri, and fascinated to see what happens as it rolls out to more and more users. Will it be able to sway the habits of those who’ve been using Claude and ChatGPT? Perhaps not for advanced uses like coding—though Siri AI will whip up a Python script for you if you ask it—but for your run of the mill world knowledge queries? That seems eminently plausible. And, more to the point, for questions about your life, contacts, and data? As newly minted CEO John Ternus pointed out as this year’s iPhone event, to get the same results from one of those competing AI chatbots, you’d need to hand it access to all your data. Is that really a better alternative?

One caveat, however. As always, the future is not evenly distributed: on the iPhone side, Siri AI’s only available on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max or later and the iPhone 16 or later. And, of course, due to Apple’s ongoing disagreement with the European Union, it won’t be available there.

All roads lead to Siri

While Apple Intelligence is still apparently a going concern, much of that brand has been subsumed by the “Siri” identity in iOS 27. For example, any time you put a blank cursor in a text field, you’re prompted with a Write with Siri button hovering aboard the keyboard. (Once you start typing, you get the usual word suggestions, and Siri is reduced to just an icon.) As someone who is perfectly happy writing their own text messages and emails, this prompt sometimes feels a little bit aggressive, and I wish you could disable it without turning off all of Siri.

There’s also a Siri mode in Camera, which replaces the previous Visual Intelligence interface. Now it’s just something you swipe to, like Video or Photos. In this mode, the Siri icon replaces the shutter button; snap a picture with that and it’ll attempt to tell you what you’re looking at; there are also image search and ask buttons which, respectively, query a search engine for image results and attach an image of what you’re looking at to a more targeted Siri query. But this mode essentially is just a front end for the Siri app—you can attach an image in a new conversation there too, including snapping one with the camera.

It’s also worth noting that Apple has also ramped up Siri’s vocal stylings, if you’re on an iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro or later and use the English voices with either the American or British accents. You can now tweak both the pace and the “Expressivity” of the voices with sliders, choosing the ones that sound best to you.

I’ve stuck with my standby British Voice 4 at the default “middle” pace, but I dialed the expressivity way up. Does that make me a sicko? Maybe! The good news is it’s my Siri, not your Siri, so I can do whatever I want. As can you. In general, I don’t find the new voices to be groundshakingly better, but there are improvements, and I hope the company quickly rolls out this option for other languages and accents.

Liquid Glass half full

To call iOS 26’s Liquid Glass redesign contentious is an understatement on the proportion of saying that Lionel Messi is good at kicking a ball. In iOS 27, Apple has made two major moves: first, tweaking the overall look and feel of Liquid Glass, and second, providing a way to further fine-tune that look yourself.

In general, the iOS 27 incarnation of Liquid Glass is far easier on the eyes, dialing down the transparency in favor of legibility. Apple’s also imposed some distinction between user interface elements and content. For example, in list views like in Messages and Mail there are now much clearer “toolbar” areas at the top when you start scrolling, even if they still have some degree of translucency. App icons have also gotten a face lift; they’re sharper, and feel more vibrant.

In case you still aren’t happy with the default look, Apple also offers an option for adjusting the glass effect without resorting to the classic accessibility tweaks that can often have unintended design consequences. Settings: Appearance: Liquid Glass offers a slider that goes from More Clear to More Tinted, with a stop at the Default or anywhere in between. You can see right in the scrollable pane above the slider how your choice will look in a live interface, which is a nice touch.³

It’s a rare concession from Apple that there is no one true way that the UI should appear, but given that the company has in recent years allowed far more interface choices (for example, Mail, Safari, and Phone all offering toggles between older styles and newer interfaces), this feels like par for the course. While the most stringent Liquid Glass detractors will likely never be satisfied, the improvements and ability to tweak further thus far feel as though they will satisfy most users.

Performance, no anxiety

Tempting as it might be to spend this entire preview piece talking about Siri AI, there are indeed other things in iOS 27 that are worth your time. Exactly which improvements they are depends on how you use your phone.

That’s because one of the odd things about looking at iOS 27 is that there’s just a ton of small stuff—those “quality of life” improvements that chip away at little frustrations and annoyances. Being able to send a text message while a photo or video attachment is still sending. Faster switching from Wi-Fi to cellular when you walk out of range of your house. The ability to change volume on your alarms independently from system volume.

All of these are just nice enhancements, sanding off rough edges and just generally making things work better. But because they’re so niche, lots of people are going to have different experiences with iOS 27, because it depends on what’s important to them. For example, is anybody going to be as excited as I am that Shortcuts now offers an “else if” option? No, probably not! But that’s okay, because I’m happy enough for all of us.

The good news is there are some places where things are just better across the board. In general, iOS 27 feels peppy. I know, we always talk about snappiness, but given the time Apple has spent on improving performance and removing bugs with this release, it’s reassuring to see that it’s borne out by my experience. Apps launch quickly, photos sync faster via iCloud, AirDrop transfers are especially rapid, browsing my NAS via the Files app was downright speedy compared to earlier versions.

Apple also touted improvements to search, particularly in Mail, an app that I use daily, which has always been a bit lackluster in that regard, especially when compared with Gmail. I do find it improved in iOS 27, even though I do have an inbox of more than 144,000 messages going back nearly 25 years. I have mostly been able to locate emails, even obscure and old ones, within a relatively short amount of time, which is definitely a nice improvement. (That’s also one place that I find Siri AI particularly handy, since it can often find emails that I struggle to locate.)

I’m most intrigued to see how this affects the experience of those using older iPhone models. Apple says that it’s brought its optimized CPU scheduler to devices all the way back to the iPhone 11, which ought to noticeably improve performance even for those who don’t have one of the latest and greatest iPhones.

Photo fit and finish

If there’s one app that always seems to get some love from Apple in its yearly updates, it’s Photos. No surprise there: our cameras document everything about our lives and we take pictures constantly.

The filter menu now lets you choose between sorting by when photos were added versus when photos were captured, as well as providing quick access to photos that were captured by you (as opposed to photos taken by others that you imported). I’m not exactly sure what the rubric there is—when I used that filter, it only showed me images back to 2017, when I have surely been capturing photos—and even just iPhone photos—for a decade before that.

There are some big improvements, particularly in Shared Albums, which now let you share pictures as full resolution, quickly download all photos from an album, and even respond with emoji other than just thumbs up. Keep in mind, though, that all members of a Shared Album will need to be upgraded to iOS/iPadOS/macOS 27 in order for anyone to use the new features.

Ad hoc slideshows have gotten improvements too. When you select a bunch of photos and play them as a slideshow, you can adjust timing and duration as well choose the transition.

For those who missed being able to assign star ratings and keywords to their pictures (shades of iPhoto!), good news, they’re both back. Keywords are accessible by swiping down in the detail view, whereas star ratings need to be specifically turned on in Settings: Photos: View Options, where you’ll find a Show Rating Controls options. To assign a rating, you’ll need to look for a tiny star icon at the top right while looking at a photo (if you have the spatialize feature on, it’s next to that).

There are some smaller niceties too. For example, you can now save out a frame of a video as an image, rather than jumping through hoops of screenshotting or exporting it to a Mac. And you can adjust the metadata on photos both individually and in bulk, if you need to correct the date, time, or location.

And, although Apple has touted that photos will upload to iCloud faster, there’s a new option for those of us for whom that still might not be fast enough. In Settings: Photos: Sync Immediately, you can tell Photos to prioritize syncing new photos over conserving battery life—for the day. Not unlike the AirDrop “Everyone for 10 minutes” option, it’ll turn the feature back off after the day is over. (In a nice touch, when you turn it on, it shows a counter of how many hours are left before it deactivates.)

But of course, Photos isn’t immune to the expansion of AI, either. Previously we got Clean Up, the tool that lets you remove unwanted elements from your photos. Apple says it’s improved that in iOS 27: you can now choose between Fast and High Quality modes, the latter slower but more powerful. The default Auto mode chooses the best option for you based on what edits you’re making.

There are also a pair of new AI features: Extend and Reframe. The former is easier to understand: if you want to zoom out of a photo, whether because you’re trying to fit in a particular shape or simply to tweak the framing of a shot, Extend can generate a little more background, extrapolating from what’s already there. It works best on smaller adjustments with backgrounds that are uniform or predictable. Go too far and you’ll end up with totally invented elements, which can look strange or out of place.

Reframe is a bit harder to grok. Think of it as being able to move the camera after the picture’s been taken. Using the same features the company leverages for creating spatial scenes, it tries to separate out the foreground subjects and the background, and then adjust the perspective. Some pictures work better than others; it seems to help if there’s a clear delineation between foreground and background. Like Extend, it tends to work best for smaller adjustments; go too far and you can end up with some odd-looking artifacts. As tools, they have their utility, though it’s perhaps best used sparingly.

Just browsing

Having had a big year in iOS 26, Safari’s updates are somewhat more modest this year. It has not escaped the application of AI-powered features, with a new automatic tab organization scheme that can group your tabs based on similar themes. The good news is, this is a feature you can turn on or off, though you might have to poke around to find it. When viewing all your tabs, tap the Filter button in the top left. That’ll give you a list of topics it thinks it detects; tap any of those to just see the relevant tabs. Below that in the filter menu, you’ll see an Organize Tabs sub-menu that lets you turn on the automatic grouping.

I found it somewhat helpful, but also kind of random in its groupings. For example it described one set of nine tabs as “Crossword Puzzles,” despite the fact that only one of them was actually a crossword puzzle (all nine, however, were from the New York Times or affiliated sites). Occasionally, I have seen groups rearranged or renamed as you add or remove tabs, which is odd. But I do appreciate that you can quickly close all the tabs in a single group or move them all to a different Safari Tab Group⁴; you can also just drag any tab into or out of one of the automatic groups if you don’t agree with Safari’s decisions. You cannot, however, change the name of an automatic tab organization group.

A new Notify Me feature allows you to set an alert on a page for when content changes. This is a really handy feature, and I like the way Apple implemented it: when you set up an alert, it asks you what it’s looking for. So, for example, if you want to know when tickets go on sale for an event, or an item is back in stock, you just type that in. Then you can choose how often it checks, from hourly to monthly, including on what day or days of the week and what time. That’s it; you’ll get an alert when the thing happens. The only downside is that hourly being the option that checks the most frequently, it might not be fast enough to catch certain high-demand items. I appreciate, though, that whenever you visit the page for which you’ve set an alert, it shows it in a little banner at the top, along with an Edit button. You can also see a full list of the items you’ve got notifications for in Settings: Safari: Notify Me, along with the ability to edit them and, handy, information on the last time it checked.

Finally, there’s a big new Describe an Extension feature in Safari that allows you, as the name suggests, to create an extension just by typing a few lines. It’s a powerful application for bespoke needs—that website that never quite displays the way you want it to, or that feature that nobody’s ever implemented. I appreciate that if you describe functionality offered by an existing extension in the App Store, Safari will suggest that to you to check out—always nice to give a nod to third-party developers. I honestly struggled to find a need for an extension, but that may be just because I’ve already developed most of my own workarounds over the years; but I’m glad this feature exists and that Apple is recognizing that users want to take their customization to an additional level.

What’s the matter, never taken a Shortcut before?

It’s been a little while since Shortcuts got some time in the limelight, but iOS 27 brings a few much appreciated improvements to the automation system, along with one big new feature.

Let’s start with the big news: Describe a Shortcut. Like Safari’s extension feature, this simplifies the process of making shortcuts by allowing you to describe in plain language what you want it to do—Shortcuts then goes and builds it. I’ve been impressed what it can manage for simple workflows, which it can build more or less on its own. I particularly like that the system will ask you questions if it needs clarification, and that it can refine the shortcut with further prompting.

For more complicated Shortcuts, or ones that involve actions from third-party apps, the describe system doesn’t really work, but it can still provide a good jumping-off point. I wanted to see how much of one of my more complex automations it could duplicate, and the resulting basic functionality was much more straightforward in some ways that what I’d designed⁵, so I ended up rebuilding my automation around what Shortcuts had generated.

Despite its limitations, some of which I imagine will be eliminated in future updates, I think this is a great tool that hopefully broadens the appeal of making shortcuts—which, in turn, will hopefully mean more time and attention spent on improving Shortcuts.

Speaking of which, there are a number of smaller improvements too. I already mentioned the existence of an Otherwise If option, which is huge for those of us with complex shortcuts; the editor itself is also speedier and more usable. And automations are now directly integrated into the shortcuts themselves, rather than just being isolated in a separate part of the app. That makes those shortcuts easier to understand and troubleshoot.

Apple’s also added the ability to store persistent data, which even syncs across iCloud, a huge boon to those who want to make more complicated shortcuts without relying on third-party tools. And, in another much appreciated move, there’s a streamlined approach to privacy and permissions, which are now all viewable in a single place within the shortcuts info panel. This should help avoid the pesky repeated prompts for access that could make shortcuts fail.

While there are still issues left to address in Shortcuts, I’m very pleased by the improvements in iOS 27, and even more heartened by the fact that they happened. Shortcuts feels like it’s been lying fallow for some time, and I’m glad to see that Apple has remembered it’s a vital and useful part of its operating systems.

Other features

Apple’s made a big push on child safety across its product lines for the 27 updates. Some small improvements ought to really make the process more usable, such as the ability to convert an Apple account to a child account, default settings for time limits developed in conjunction with the American Academy of Pediatrics, and a much-requested option to lock the Screen Time section of Settings on a device. Taking advantage of some of these features will require you to update all the compatible devices in your family, but you can still use the on-device improvements.

I really love the new button above the keyboard that appears when you’ve copied something to your clipboard, showing you a preview and letting you tap to paste it, though it’s taken me some time to circumvent my deeply ingrained muscle memory of holding to bring up the context menu to paste. (It’s also vastly more useful than the overly aggressive “Write with Siri” prompt that appears when above an empty entry field. I’m not that desperate when I’m writing a text message, guys.)

While Apple announced new Pro photo features for the Camera app on the recently introduced iPhone 18 Pro, the rest of us do still get a nice feature update: you can now edit the controls you want to appear at the top of the app. By default, you get Flash, Live Photo, and Shared Library, but if you tap the controls button to the right of the shutter, you’ll see an Edit button appear at the top of the screen. Tap that, and you’ll be able to remove items from the top menu, or add any of the others for quick access. It’s a nice way to streamline the app or to make sure the features you want available are always there.

Image Playground now has improved image generation and the ability to generate photo realistic images. While some of those results are better, many of them are…unsettling. Even after a couple years, I personally find this feature misguided and off-putting.

During the beta period, Passwords offered an agentic AI feature that would scan your list of compromised passwords and then present you with a list of the ones it believes it can update for you. Apple’s removed that feature for the 27.0 release, saying it will return later. That’s good because, in my experience, it needed a little more time in the oven. Only a handful of the ones it found could be successfully updated. That said, it’s a very cool utility, and should hopefully see improvements as the technology progresses.

If you’ve ever been on a customer service phone call and needed to look up salient details like a flight confirmation number, the Phone app will now surface relevant info during the call. I haven’t been able to thoroughly test this yet, but it seems to be a real potential timesaver. And fun fact: if you call someone on their birthday (assuming you have it in Calendar or Contacts), you’ll get a little animation and note about it.

In a “better late than never” improvement, Calendar now has natural language input when creating new events. Third party apps like Fantastical and Google Calendar have done this for years. I would appreciate if it were a little smarter about some things, such as picking up timezone from a specified location. If you see the event I’m scheduling is in San Francisco and I’m in Boston, maybe at least prompt for which timezone I’d like to use. But I get it: timezones are hard.

For those who love endlessly looking at 3D imagery of cities, Maps gets an improved flyover view with better 3D modeling of buildings and landmarks. Buildings do admittedly look less warped when you get in close, with sharper detail. For some reason, though, the new maps in Boston appear much, much darker than the iOS 26 counterparts; I didn’t see the same results in New York City, for example. Not sure what’s going on there.

FaceTime now lets you show the person you’re talking to your front and back cameras simultaneously. No more endlessly flipping back and forth!

You can also now put an extra large widget—i.e. one that takes up an entire screen—on your home screen. I tried this with Weather for a while and it was…interesting, but ultimately not for me. Still, it feels like the age of the home screen that’s just app icons is slowly dying off.

Conclusion

Every year, I come to the end of the review and have a moment of introspection. Who precisely is such a review for in this day and age? People don’t really need to know if an update is worth installing. Apple’s own stats say 86 percent of iPhones introduced in the last four years are on iOS 26, and 79 percent overall. (And that was for a very divisive year.) For better or worse, the vast majority of people just hit update.

So I think the role of the reviewer has evolved. Consider this less of a review of whether you should get iOS 27, and more as an overview of what to look for, what to try—what works well, what could still use some tweaking. In an update like iOS 27, which has a lot going on, that’s more important to ever. Even I’ve missed features here and there, or found ones that I just haven’t had the time or opportunity to try.

Despite being put forth as a year of small updates, there’s quite a lot in iOS 27, even without including the massive overhaul that is Siri AI. Apple had found itself on its back foot after its first attempt to integrate Apple Intelligence, but my experience is that Siri AI largely delivers on what the company promised—albeit a couple of years later than intended.

But I’m also very bullish on the enhancements and quality of life updates throughout the operating system. The improvements may be small, but they add up. Every time you don’t have to go searching for an email while you’re on a call or a photo shows up faster in your library or you find exactly what you’re looking for in search, well, I’m not going to say an angel gets its wings, but you get less frustrated. And that’s not nothing. In fact, that’s everything. The goal of technology should be to work for us and make our lives easier.

Last year’s macOS release, macOS 26 Tahoe, was a mixed bag. While it added a bunch of solid new productivity features, it also included a half-baked visual update that muddied the entire interface. While I chose to view the glass as half full and accepted the interface imperfections, I understand that a lot of people just gave Tahoe a pass rather than inflict a visual regression on themselves.

No matter how full you think the (liquid) glass was, I have good news: macOS 27 Golden Gate is here, and it’s good. Not only has Apple addressed most of the visual problems with last year’s release, but if you skipped Tahoe, you’re also going to be dazzled by Tahoe features like Apple’s first native clipboard history, Shortcuts automation and AI access, and an improved Spotlight.

For everyone who spent a year grinding in Tahoe, Golden Gate doesn’t just improve the look of the entire system, but offers a host of other improvements. This is an update nobody will have to apologize for liking.

Design takes a step forward

The fact that there are more design changes in macOS than any of Apple’s other 27 updates speaks volumes about how broken many of the Tahoe design decisions were. Apple describes the design as “even more refined,” because in Apple marketing-speak, broken features are never remedied or fixed—past features are just improved. The truth is, Apple has rolled back numerous missteps and made changes to others to mitigate the issues they caused.

Floating glass sidebars inset from window edges—a choice that made sense metaphorically, but looked awful—are gone, essentially reverted to their previous design, sitting at the left edge of windows, with a darker background for contrast and colored icons to boot.

Toolbars, one of the most important interface conventions of macOS, were flattened and ghostly in Tahoe. In Golden Gate, they pick up better shading and are more legible, though (strangely) the toolbar in inactive windows offers more contrast and legibility than in active ones! In Photos, toolbars are actual bars, not horizontal areas of floating glassy buttons—which means the system no longer has to attempt to add shading behind those areas in order to improve legibility. They’re just legible.

In Golden Gate, windows generally just feel… a bit more square. Apple has made window corners more consistent, and not having the curved corners of the sidebar right inside the curved corners of the window edge also helps make it feel a little less like you’re under the tyrannical rule of the Circle King.

Icons look better across the board in Golden Gate, probably because of a new layered icon compositing approach Apple is taking across its platforms. Unfortunately, apps that dare stick any of their extremities out of the mandated squircle shape are still put in a featureless gray box of shame, which makes it harder to identify icons, especially in appearance modes like Clear and Tinted that remove color as an identifier.

The iconic macOS “stoplight” window controls have even gotten a bit of a glow-up, with some Liquid Glass shading added to the three circles in the top left of windows. I think they’re cute. Not only are they more harmonious with the other Liquid Glass design elements in macOS (and all of Apple’s current operating systems), but they also hearken back to the classic Aqua design language that was introduced along with Mac OS X back in the day. I don’t know if I want to lick these stoplight icons, but they do look a little candy-like, and I’m here for it.

To hear Apple tell it, users are split on the transparency effect of Liquid Glass: some people despise it, and some people can’t get enough of it. As a result, all of Apple’s OS 27 updates introduce a slider—it’s in the Appearances pane of Settings on macOS—that lets you customize the transparency from sort-of-mostly-transparent to sort-of-mostly-opaque. Given that this update rolls back a lot of Apple’s decisions from a year ago, I’m inclined to believe that there really are two camps when it comes to Liquid Glass. Giving users an option to adjust the setting is fine—I think in the end I will adjust it just to the opaque side of center.

Siri AI takes the Spotlight

Siri has been a part of the Mac experience for a decade now, arriving on the platform five years after it debuted on the iPhone. While I’m sure that many Mac users have embraced it over the years, it has always been an afterthought at best for me. When I’m sitting at my Mac, I’ve got a keyboard and trackpad to get my job done, so I don’t generally feel the need to talk to my computer. And while you’ve been able to type to Siri for a while now… well, the other problem with Siri has always been that Siri’s results are rarely as useful as the results of typing those words into a search engine or some other tool.

In macOS Golden Gate, as with all the other OS 27-era releases, Apple has upgraded Siri to become Siri AI, with LLM-derived features that promise much better results. On top of that, Apple has finally done what it should have done long ago and merged Siri and Spotlight, so there are no longer two separate “type to find things” interfaces on the platform.

Apple is labeling this feature as a beta within macOS 27.0, though I’m of the opinion that if you ship a feature in your “final” OS version, it’s fair to judge it. Fortunately for Apple, Siri AI actually works quite well. In terms of general-knowledge queries, it’s very good—good enough that if you previously relied on Google Gemini or ChatGPT for basic questions, you probably can just use Siri and be happy.

But part of the appeal of Siri AI is its integration with your personal on-device data. And here, the results are encouraging—but a bit of a work in progress. Siri AI takes advantage of an updated Spotlight index to search files on your Mac, including data in apps such as Mail and Calendar. I found that asking targeted questions can generate good responses, but you need to be aware of the system’s limitations. Some third-party apps aren’t tied into the Spotlight index, and if there isn’t local searchable data (for example, if you use Gmail and aren’t using Apple Mail) you just can’t search that data at all. I ended up setting up Apple’s Calendar and Mail apps on my Mac, even though I use Fantastical and Mimestream for those purposes, just so I could be sure Spotlight and Siri could search through my calendar items and mail.

Still, there are some magic moments to be had. I asked Siri what episodes I should be watching next for the “Magnum, p.i.” podcast I do with friends—yes, I have my finger on the pulse of today’s culture—and it managed to make an intelligent search of my Messages archive and pull out the relevant message that I sent to the group listing what our next episodes were. That felt like magic. It doesn’t happen like that every time—there’s a lot of “here are a bunch of PDFs that might work, good luck”—but it’s all quite promising.

There’s a new Ask Siri entry that’s been added to the top of every contextual menu, and while I don’t mind the idea that Siri can act on just about any context you can think of on the Mac, I don’t love how it’s implemented. It’s at the top of every single context menu (regardless of applicability) and darker than the rest of the menu. If you click on it, it floats forward, the rest of the menu disappears, and you can type in the resulting box. I don’t mind the impulse, but it feels like Apple is trying too hard to push Ask Siri into places it doesn’t belong.

And I don’t want to soft-pedal the Spotlight improvements, even though they were obviously made to benefit Siri AI. Spotlight is also better in Golden Gate, all around. Suggestions are better, and if you use Apple Mail you will find the search function there much improved. Sometimes upgrades made to benefit AI can benefit regular humans, too!

Touchscreen Macs, at last?

One of the most remarkable features of macOS Golden Gate does not really make sense if you take it at face value: Apple has given a major upgrade to Sidecar, the feature introduced in 2019 that allows Macs to use iPads as external Mac displays. As someone who always travels with a 13-inch iPad Pro, that’s a nice feature, though since the 2022 introduction of Universal Control, which lets me use my Mac’s keyboard and mouse on an iPad still running iPadOS, I’ve found very little use for Sidecar.

The big update is that Sidecar, which previously only supported the Apple Pencil, now works with the iPad’s touchscreen. Apple has updated its own apps and supplied third-party apps with the appropriate tools to support full touchscreen support. You can now scroll Mac browser windows with a finger and drag windows around on screen… but only on that iPad you’re using as an extra display.

It’s not hard to read between the lines: As numerous reports have suggested, Apple is planning on releasing its first touch-enabled MacBooks late this year or early next year. Using Sidecar as a way to demo the technology and allow developers to test their apps in advance is really clever.

Beyond that, this feature is delightfully boring. It just does more or less what you’d expect. Adding touch to macOS isn’t going to be revolutionary—it’s been on Windows for ages, and iPads have had optional trackpads and keyboards for six years now. But it’ll be a nice incremental benefit. I still use touch gestures when I’m working on an iPad in laptop configuration, because sometimes it just makes ergonomic sense. If my hands aren’t on the keyboard and I need to scroll something or tap something, a quick poke with my finger does the job. It feels natural—and once you’ve spent some time with that configuration, it’s jarring to use a Mac laptop and realize that you’re poking the screen to no effect.

After a moment’s glee in being able to scroll a Finder window with my finger, using Sidecar with touch to drive the Mac interface just became… normal. Apple has done a good job implementing the feature. Menus drop down reliably. Buttons are tappable. Scrolling works. There’s just not a lot to report, and that’s just fine. It works.

Shortcuts, reduced and enhanced

The Shortcuts app, the cornerstone of Apple’s cross-platform automation technologies, gets a notable upgrade during this cycle. Most of it is probably due to the needs of Describe a Shortcut, a remarkable new feature that lets you input some text and then watch as your device converts it into a Shortcut.

It is, in some ways, a longstanding dream of the computer industry finally realized. You can literally describe what you want your device to do—”every morning show me my to-dos and calendar events for the day”—and it will generate a program to do it and a schedule to run it.

Describe a Shortcut is limited—Shortcuts of great complexity are beyond its ken, as are ones that use actions from third-party apps—but when it works, it’s magical.

Perhaps its best feature is that you can iterate on your Shortcuts. If there’s something it doesn’t do quite right the first time, you can specify changes you’d like to see—”only show me items from my Personal calendar”—and it’ll rewrite the Shortcut to take those changes into account. In that way, it’s emulating the back-and-forth conversations that can make vibe coding so remarkable.

For those of us still building Shortcuts with our own fingers like animals, some of the other improvements will help that work get done. There’s a new Otherwise If statement that can be added to If-Else blocks (you get to it by control-clicking on the Else block and then choosing Add “Otherwise If”), making the structuring of branching shortcuts logic much, much simpler.

There’s also support for persistent data storage, which is kind of huge. You can save data, which syncs via iCloud and is accessible across your devices, and Shortcuts can both access it and update it! That will make Shortcuts capable of behaving more like other apps, all without having to rig up other ways of storing data in iCloud Drive or elsewhere. (Yes, this canonizes Simon Støvring’s Data Jar in Apple’s OS, and that’s a good thing.)

The arrival of Describe a Shortcut has changed the Shortcuts interface a bit. On the Mac, there’s a new three-paned interface, where the third pane is a giant preview of a shortcut’s color, icon, and (this is fun) an AI-generated summary of what the shortcut does. The pane exists because of the text box at the bottom, which lets you type input to Describe a Shortcut to make changes to whatever shortcut you’ve got selected. Fortunately, it’s easy to resize or hide that pane and go back to the more standard Shortcuts look.

New horizons for Photos

There are a bunch of big changes in Photos this year, but the three biggest ones are driven by AI. And they’re a bit of a mixed bag.

Clean Up, which removes unwanted items from the background of photos, has been improved a lot. The new version is much more adept at artfully clipping unwanted items out of an image and filling those areas with in-context backgrounds.

The other two features, Extend and Spatial Reframe, require the use of an advanced diffusion model that’s only available via Private Cloud Compute, and as a result, they take time to execute, since Photos will need to upload your photo, wait for a result, and then download the result.

Extend feels like a good feature, since there are plenty of scenarios where your image needs just a little more headroom or width. However, every pixel you expand the selection increases the jeopardy that what’s going to be generated is weird or fake. Everyone’s mileage may vary, but I found that I was much more comfortable expanding a photo a little bit to gain some headroom than doing it a lot, forcing the AI system to invent more objects or scenes. I was occasionally frustrated that I couldn’t slightly extend the bottom of some images, where subjects’ legs or feet were cut off. Also, you have to be aware of incredible fabrications—extending a graduation photo added a gigantic floating tassel and an invented piece of furniture, and extending a stadium shot added a roof where there isn’t one. Judicious use, carefully analyzed, is my advice.

Then there’s Spatial Reframe, which brings together a load of existing Apple technologies, including the spatial scanning algorithm it used to create spatial photos on Vision Pro. This feature works by scanning your photo locally using that algorithm, inferring a depth map that is then used to build a 3-D version of the image that you can pivot a bit, up and down, and left and right. This is the effect that allows you, on the Vision Pro, to feel like you can move your head and see parallaxes shifting, even though, if you look closely, the exposed content behind a subject is just a simple generative fill. It all happens so quickly, and in service of a live 3-D effect, that it’s often not noticeable, and even when it is, it’s not that big a deal.

The bar is a lot higher for a fixed, 2-D photo at full resolution. So after you use Spatial Reframe to slightly move the perspective of a shot, all the data is sent up to Private Cloud Compute, where a new version of your shot is rendered—including much more advanced generation of all of those pixels that are revealed by parallax or at the edges of the frame.

Some results are more synthetic than others. Unlike Extend, Spatial Reframe changes the entire perspective of the picture, which requires everything visible to be re-rendered at full quality. The result sometimes feels artificial. Again, my first impression is for people to use this feature with care and caution.

Apple has finally updated its Shared Albums feature, which had been compromised since it launched because it didn’t offer the ability to share full-resolution images. Over the years, Apple added other methods of sharing groups of photos via iCloud, and those could include full-resolution images, but this one prominent feature felt stuck in the past.

Now it’s getting a proper upgrade, with support for full-resolution images and allowing for full collaboration with people on other platforms so that everyone can contribute to a shared photo album. I’m relieved that I will soon have to stop explaining the differences among the various ways to share items in Photos and warning people away from Shared Albums.

There are a handful of other nice, new Photos features, including new Captured By Me and Identity Documents sections (quick, find that photo of my passport!), and a triumphant return of star ratings for individual photos if you are the sort of person who wants to assign star ratings to things.

Safari gets organized

Across the 27 OS releases, Safari now sports an AI-driven tab organizer, so if you’re someone who keeps a zillion tabs open, you can have Safari group them into smaller, more navigable clusters. I’m not a zillion-tabs person, so I basically haven’t used this feature. I’m glad it’s there for those who are desperately in need of an injection of tab organization, though.

There’s also a new Notify Me feature that will send you a message if a webpage you’re watching changes. You can specify what kinds of changes you’re looking for using natural language, and it’ll check every hour, day, week, or month. Personally I don’t think I would ever use this feature for anything—nothing has occurred to me in the months I’ve been using the Golden Gate betas!—but if you’re someone who has a seldom-updated site you’re monitoring, maybe something involving a local government or school, I could see it being useful.

What I have found useful, however, is Safari’s exciting new Describe Extension feature. This is essentially “vibe coding” of Safari extensions. The process is fairly simple, kicked off by clicking on the utility icon to the far left of the URL bar and choosing Describe Extension. It works exactly that way: You type out what you want the extension to do, and it’ll build it for you—but first, it’ll also search the App Store to see if there are available Safari extensions that already solve the problem.

If you’re thinking that you don’t know what you’d use this feature for, I get it. But over the summer, I ran into two instances where I was frustrated by what a website was doing, and ended up using Describe Extension to solve my problem. It was extremely satisfying.

I use StrawPoll.com to schedule podcast recording, but the site has two separate scheduling features: Create Poll and Schedule Meeting. Both of them are, of course, tools to create a poll that schedules a meeting. I never remember which one to click on. So I had Safari build me an extension for that website that hides Create Poll from the site’s navigation bar, and redirects all attempts to load the Create Poll page to the Schedule Meeting page instead. It works!

There’s also the Relay podcast networks title-voting page, which offers an archive so I can look back on title suggestions for other shows—but that link appears nowhere in the site’s interface, so I’m always trying to look it up or guess what it is. I had Safari add a link to the page’s nav bar so I never need to look it up again.

When you update to Golden Gate, keep an eye out. There are lots of opportunities for simple customizations to websites you use, once you realize you have the power to describe an extension.

This section is running in the background

In Golden Gate, the Dock now continues to display apps that haven’t quite quit, but are continuing to run in the background, with a note attached to their contextual menu that they are “running in the background” and an option to stop that background processing.

I understand why this might be useful in some circumstances. You might want to know that the app you “quit” is still hanging around. In practice, though, this is entirely contrary to how the Dock is supposed to operate.

The Dock is not a notification board for Apple’s privacy and security systems to warn us about apps doing weird things. It’s a launcher and monitor of apps that are providing a user interface. It’s never been a place to display background apps, and it shouldn’t start being one now.

On top of that, I just can’t figure out why some apps appear in the Dock in this state and some don’t. I understand an app like Photoshop, that sometimes keeps running for a little while after you quit it, being flagged in the Dock until it’s properly quit. (Which it already did, for the record.) I don’t understand fully quitting an app like Shortcuts and having it just sit in the Dock as if it were still running. Is the app misbehaving? Is this a bug? I’m baffled about this choice all the way around.

Wait, there’s more…

There are so many small enhancements in Golden Gate that it’s hard to mention them all, and every time I turn around, I keep bumping into more of them.

• Apple has added some light menu-bar management, specifically to deal with items that overflow the notch on some MacBook models. I’m glad that it’s taken this tentative step, though I wish it were more—it’s okay, Apple, you can sherlock all those menu-bar-management utilities out there—and of course, it should’ve happened back when the notch first appeared (checks notes) three years ago. Better late than never, I guess.

• Both Finder and the document save option in the menu bar will scan the contents of a file and offer up naming suggestions. I didn’t love the suggestions it offered, but your mileage may vary. I’d like to see this feature applied to auto-generated filenames like screenshots, though!

• In June, Apple introduced a feature that injected some agentic AI into the Passwords app, so that the app could automatically change your compromised or easy-to-guess passwords for you. When I tried it, it had about a 8% success rate—not great! Apple has pulled this feature from the first version of Golden Gate, hopefully to make it much better, and will re-introduce it later this year.

• Notes has gotten way more Markdown savvy. You could already import Markdown text format into Notes, but now you can go the other way, copying or pasting the contents of styled notes text as Markdown. As someone who writes everywhere in Markdown, this is a great feature.

Sail through the Golden Gate

The Golden Gate is one of California’s crown jewels, where San Francisco and Marin stand apart and allow the Pacific Ocean to mingle with the San Francisco Bay and the vast river deltas of the Central Valley. And for 89 years it’s been spanned by one of the most recognizable structures in the world.

It’s a lot to live up to. And while macOS 27 can’t possibly do that, it does manage to be a very good update that rectifies macOS 26 Tahoe’s greatest sins, unifies a more useful Siri with Spotlight, and hints at some subtle ways Apple can use on-device models to make using your computer more productive.

Tahoe users will find the entire Mac experience more attractive and cohesive. Those who stuck with macOS 15 Sequoia¹ will pick up those improvements as well as Tahoe’s raft of productivity boosts.

I live about six miles north of the Golden Gate. It’s nice here. And for the next year, It’ll be nice to have the company of a macOS version. Fortunately, it’s shaping up to be a good neighbor that’s focused on beautifying the neighborhood.

Apple arrived slightly late to foldable phones. As per Bloomberg Tech, that delay looks less like a miss and more like a choice.

In a segment titled “Apple’s Foldable iPhone Duo Shows the Upside of Waiting,” Bloomberg News’ Chris Welch walks through an early look at the $1,999 iPhone Duo and argues that Apple’s first foldable already raises the bar rivals spent years chasing. He joins Ed Ludlow to talk hinge, display, and software — the three places earlier foldables most often felt unfinished.

The Duo folds a 7.6-inch inner display into a 5.4-inch cover screen and a passport-like closed shape. Apple priced the 256GB model just under $2,000, with higher storage climbing toward $3,000.

Preorders start October 16; the phone goes on sale October 23. It uses the same A20 Pro chip as the new slab iPhones, carries an IP68 rating, and supports a later Apple Pencil software update.

Watch the video via Bloomberg here.
‎
MacDailyNews Take: Yup.

If and when Apple debuts a foldable iPhone, they’ll be showing the world how it should be done and what to copy going forward. As usual. — MacDailyNews, February 27, 2019

As with fingerprint and facial recognition, when Apple debuts a foldable iPhone, then foldable smartphones will have been done right. — MacDailyNews, January 17, 2019

---

‎
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!

Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.

The post Apple’s foldable iPhone Duo shows the upside of waiting appeared first on MacDailyNews.

The HP HyperX OMEN MAX 16 combines an RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, Core Ultra 9 processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 240Hz 1600p display in a powerful desktop replacement.

I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s I knew the pain of a computer modem connecting to the internet back then. My first computer was an HP Pavilion and that little gray box was my gateway to a bigger world than my small town. I learned about design and “music downloading” on that machine. It was my first computer and it started my journey into the world of technology. 

This review is from the perspective of a Mac user who enjoys gaming on a PC. I don’t live in the world of PC hardware but I do enjoy it and I wanted to share my experience with the HP HyperX OMEN MAX 16 with you.

My first computer was an HP Pavilion. That little gray box was my introduction to the world of technology, and I spent countless hours exploring what it could do. I learned about design, discovered the joys of “music downloading,” and started developing an interest in technology that has stuck with me ever since. Looking back, that first HP computer really was the beginning of my journey into the world of technology.

A few years ago, I found myself getting pulled into gaming again with Call of Duty: Mobile. Playing that title really made me enjoy competitive multiplayer games again, and I began looking at other gaming options. I eventually added a high-end gaming PC to my setup and started investigating gaming laptops that could provide a similar experience without giving up the performance I wanted.

That brings me to the HP HyperX OMEN MAX 16. With its high-end Intel processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 240Hz display, this is about as far removed from that little gray HP Pavilion as you can get. I was curious to see what HP could deliver in a gaming laptop with this much hardware packed into it.

About the HP HyperX OMEN MAX 16

The HP HyperX OMEN MAX 16 is a high-performance gaming laptop designed for users who want desktop-class performance in a portable form factor. It combines powerful Intel Core Ultra processors with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Laptop GPUs, fast DDR5 memory, high-speed SSD storage, and a high-refresh-rate display.

The configuration I tested features an Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU with 24GB of dedicated memory, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 2TB SSD. It also features a 16-inch 2500 x 1600 display with a 240Hz refresh rate, providing a combination of high resolution and fast motion that is well suited to gaming and other demanding applications.

Beyond its performance hardware, the OMEN MAX 16 includes a full-size keyboard with customizable RGB lighting, an illuminated light strip beneath the chassis, integrated speakers with Dolby Atmos support, a 1080p webcam, and connectivity designed to support a wide range of peripherals and accessories.

With its combination of high-end hardware and gaming-focused features, the OMEN MAX 16 is aimed at users who need substantial performance for gaming, content creation, demanding applications, and everyday productivity.

Features & Specifications

• Model: HP HyperX OMEN MAX 16-ah1932nr
• Operating System: Windows 11 Home 25H2
• Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, 2.70 GHz
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU with 24GB dedicated VRAM
• Integrated Graphics: Intel Graphics
• Memory: 32GB DDR5 RAM
• Storage: 2TB SK hynix PCB01 SSD
• Display: 16-inch display
• Display Resolution: 2500 x 1600
• Refresh Rate: 240Hz
• Keyboard: Full-size gaming keyboard with RGB backlighting
• Lighting: Customizable RGB keyboard lighting and under-chassis lighting
• Audio: Integrated speakers with Dolby Atmos support
• Webcam: 1080p camera
• Microphone: Integrated microphone
• Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi
• USB-C: USB-C connectivity with support for external storage and peripherals
• Performance: Designed for high-performance gaming, content creation, multitasking, and demanding applications

Pricing & Availability

The MSRP for the HyperX OMEN MAX 16 is $4,699.99 but at the time of publishing it is being offered for $3,899.99 from hp.com or $4,399.00 on Amazon.

User Experience

My initial experience with the HP OMEN MAX 16 was very positive, particularly when it came to performance and responsiveness. However, there is one thing that became immediately apparent when I started handling the laptop: this is a very large and very heavy machine.

HP lists the OMEN MAX 16 at 6.56 pounds, and you can definitely feel that weight when carrying it. The laptop is also quite chunky compared with more conventional 16-inch laptops. This isn’t a machine that I would casually toss into a bag and carry around all day.

That said, the size makes considerably more sense when you consider what HP is trying to accomplish. The OMEN MAX 16 is essentially designed to serve as a desktop replacement for gaming. Rather than having to build a traditional gaming desktop, monitor, keyboard, and other peripherals, you can have a complete high-performance gaming system contained in a single device.

That portability is still useful, particularly if you need to take your gaming system with you when traveling. You get the computer, display, keyboard, speakers, and other essential components in one package. However, “portable” is probably a better description than “easy to carry.”

The power adapter adds to that consideration. It is also quite large, which isn’t surprising given the amount of power required by the OMEN MAX 16’s high-end hardware. When you’re packing the laptop for a trip, you’re not just accounting for a 6.56-pound computer. You also need to find room for a substantial power adapter.

For me, this is one of the most important things potential buyers should consider. If you’re looking for a laptop that you can easily carry between meetings, classes, coffee shops, or other locations throughout the day, the OMEN MAX 16 is probably not the ideal choice. If you’re looking for a desktop gaming replacement that can be moved when necessary, its size and weight are much easier to justify.

Setting up the laptop as a new Windows 11 PC was relatively straightforward. It took approximately one minute to reach the Windows update process, followed by about 11 minutes of updates and another 17 minutes and 37 seconds to finalize and complete those updates. Once setup was finished, I allowed approximately seven additional minutes for further updates.

I skipped Microsoft’s optional personalization, phone integration, and phone photo backup features and declined the Microsoft 365 and cloud storage offers. This gave me a relatively clean starting point for testing the laptop.

The OMEN MAX 16 remained quiet during basic productivity work, with the fans generally staying off. The fans became audible during intensive benchmarking, multitasking, and gaming, although I didn’t find them particularly loud. The rear of the laptop did become noticeably warm after extended benchmark testing.

The keyboard was responsive, and I had no issues with key recognition during normal typing. However, the compact layout took some adjustment. HP has fit a full-size keyboard into the 16-inch chassis, leaving relatively little space between some of the keys. I frequently found myself reaching for Backspace and accidentally pressing Num Lock instead. The trackpad is also positioned slightly off-center because of the keyboard layout.

The RGB lighting is one of my favorite design elements. The keyboard backlighting looks excellent, and the illuminated strip underneath the laptop adds another nice gaming-oriented touch.

The 16-inch 2500 x 1600 display also made a good first impression. I confirmed its 240Hz maximum refresh rate using the UFO Test, which reported four pixels per frame at 960 pixels per second. The high refresh rate makes movement and scrolling feel very smooth, while the high resolution provides plenty of detail for everyday work and entertainment.

The speakers were another pleasant surprise. I tested them with a Dolby Atmos sound test and 32-bit high-resolution music. Audio was clear, well balanced, and surprisingly loud. Even at approximately 50% volume, the speakers produced plenty of sound, with music, voices, and sound effects all remaining well balanced.

Finally, I tested out the built-in 1080p webcam. It performed adequately for video calls, while the microphone was better than average for a laptop. Both should be perfectly suitable for regular video conferencing.

Benchmark Performance

Benchmarking a laptop like the HP OMEN MAX 16 is a little different from testing a typical productivity machine. This is a system built around high-end hardware, so I wanted to see how the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB SSD performed when put through a variety of workloads.

I used Geekbench 7 for general CPU and GPU performance, Geekbench AI for machine learning workloads, Cinebench to put the processor through a rendering workload, FurMark to stress the graphics hardware, and CrystalDiskMark to evaluate the SSD. The results were generally what I would expect from a laptop with this level of hardware, although they also highlighted just how much heat and power this system can generate when it’s pushed.

Geekbench 7

Geekbench 7 provides a useful look at both single-core and multi-core CPU performance, along with GPU compute performance. I find this combination particularly useful because it gives us an idea of how the laptop should handle everything from everyday applications to workloads that can take advantage of multiple CPU cores or the dedicated graphics processor.

The OMEN MAX 16 produced the following scores:

• Single-Core: 2,709
• Multi-Core: 18,921
• OpenCL: 191,623

The single-core score of 2,709 is a strong result and reflects the performance available from Intel’s Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. For everyday tasks, this means there is plenty of processing power available for things like launching applications, browsing the web, working with documents, and switching between applications.

The multi-core score is where the OMEN MAX 16 really starts to show what it was built for. Its score of 18,921 demonstrates that the processor has plenty of muscle for workloads that can use multiple cores at the same time. Video encoding, rendering, compiling software, and heavy multitasking are all areas where this kind of performance can be useful.

The OpenCL score of 191,623 is on another level compared with the integrated graphics found in most laptops. The RTX 5090 Laptop GPU is a dedicated graphics processor with 24GB of VRAM, and that makes a substantial difference when applications can take advantage of the GPU.

This isn’t a laptop where the graphics processor is simply there to handle the display and occasional light GPU workloads. There is enough graphics horsepower here for demanding creative applications, 3D workloads, GPU acceleration, and gaming. I’ll take a closer look at gaming performance later in the review.

Geekbench AI

I also ran Geekbench AI to see how the OMEN MAX 16 handled workloads specifically designed around artificial intelligence and machine learning. This is an increasingly relevant area for modern PCs, particularly systems equipped with processors and GPUs designed to accelerate AI workloads.

The results were:

• Single Precision: 3,814
• Half Precision: 1,607
• Quantized: 7,016

The quantized result was the strongest of the three. Quantized workloads use lower-precision numerical formats, which can reduce the amount of data that needs to be processed and can be particularly useful for certain AI inference workloads.

These numbers are interesting, but I wouldn’t use Geekbench AI alone to determine how well the OMEN MAX 16 will perform with a particular AI application. AI performance can vary significantly depending on the software, framework, precision being used, and whether the workload is running on the CPU, GPU, or another accelerator.

What is more important here is the hardware available to the system. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus provides substantial CPU performance, while the RTX 5090 Laptop GPU has 24GB of dedicated VRAM. That combination gives the OMEN MAX 16 considerably more flexibility for local AI applications and other memory-intensive workloads than a typical laptop.

For someone experimenting with local AI tools, using AI-assisted applications, or working with workloads that can take advantage of NVIDIA GPU acceleration, there is a lot of hardware available here. The 24GB of VRAM is particularly noteworthy because memory capacity can become a limitation with larger AI models and other demanding GPU workloads.

Cinebench

Cinebench gives us another way to evaluate the processor by putting it through a rendering workload. I ran both the single-thread and multi-thread tests to see how the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus handled workloads using one core versus multiple cores.

The results were:

• Single Thread: 570
• Multi Thread: 5,695

The single-thread score of 570 is consistent with the strong single-core performance seen in Geekbench 7. Applications that aren’t designed to spread work across many processor cores should still have plenty of CPU performance available.

The multi-thread score of 5,695 is more representative of what this processor can do when it’s allowed to use its available resources. Rendering, video production, compiling, and other heavily threaded workloads can put considerable demand on a CPU, and the OMEN MAX 16 handled the Cinebench workload with the kind of performance I would expect from a high-end gaming laptop.

There was a noticeable difference in how the laptop behaved during these heavier tests, though. As I mentioned, the fans kicked on when the system was under significant load, and the back of the laptop became particularly warm. That’s an important part of the experience with a system like this because the hardware is capable of generating considerably more heat when it is being pushed than it does during normal productivity use.

FurMark

Since the RTX 5090 Laptop GPU is one of the biggest reasons to buy the OMEN MAX 16, I wanted to put the graphics hardware through a dedicated stress test as well. FurMark is designed to place a heavy load on the GPU, making it useful for seeing how the system responds when the graphics hardware is pushed hard.

Here are the results:

• 1920 x 1080: 13,453 points
• 2560 x 1440: 10,055 points

As expected, the score decreased when moving to the higher resolution because the GPU has substantially more pixels to process. Even so, the results demonstrate the amount of graphics performance available from the RTX 5090 Laptop GPU.

The 24GB of dedicated VRAM is also worth mentioning. That’s an unusually large amount of graphics memory for a laptop and gives the OMEN MAX 16 plenty of room for high-resolution gaming and demanding GPU-accelerated applications.

FurMark also reinforced what I noticed during the CPU benchmarks. The cooling system becomes much more active under heavy workloads, and the rear portion of the laptop gets quite warm. I didn’t take actual temperature measurements during testing, so I don’t want to assign a specific temperature to it, but the heat was definitely noticeable.

CrystalDiskMark

The 2TB SK hynix PCB01 SSD was another component I wanted to test. Storage speed isn’t necessarily as exciting as CPU or GPU performance, but it has a noticeable effect on things like application launches, file transfers, game loading, and working with large files.

CrystalDiskMark produced the following results:

Test	Read	Write
SEQ 1MiB Q8T1	12,255.08 MB/s	12,131.65 MB/s
SEQ 1MiB Q1T1	5,547.83 MB/s	2,326.02 MB/s
RND 4KiB Q32T1	615.48 MB/s	745.66 MB/s
RND 4KiB Q1T1	79.72 MB/s	140.66 MB/s

The sequential Q8T1 results were particularly impressive, with read and write speeds both exceeding 12,000 MB/s in that particular test. The Q1T1 results were lower, especially on the write side, which is a good reminder that SSD performance can vary significantly depending on the type of workload being measured.

In everyday use, the important thing is that this is a very fast SSD. Windows feels responsive, applications launch quickly, and the system is well equipped to handle large files and other storage-intensive tasks. With 2TB of capacity, there’s also a reasonable amount of space for applications, games, and media without immediately having to add additional storage.

What Do the Results Tell Us?

The benchmark results reinforce what I noticed from the moment I started using the OMEN MAX 16. This is a laptop that has been built around performance first.

The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus provides excellent CPU performance, while the RTX 5090 Laptop GPU is capable of handling workloads that would be completely out of reach for the integrated graphics found in most mainstream laptops. Add 32GB of DDR5 memory and a very fast 2TB SSD, and there isn’t much about the hardware configuration that feels compromised.

The results also help explain why the OMEN MAX 16 is such a large and heavy laptop. All of this hardware needs power and cooling. That’s the tradeoff with this particular design. The benchmarks show that the OMEN MAX 16 has the performance to justify that size. Whether that tradeoff makes sense for you will depend largely on how you plan to use it.

Gaming Performance

Of course, a gaming laptop can have impressive benchmark numbers, but what really matters is how it performs when you’re actually playing games. With the OMEN MAX 16, I spent time playing several different titles to get a better feel for how well its hardware translates into real-world gaming performance.

I tested Gears of War, Call of Duty, and The Finals, giving me a good mix of AAA games, competitive multiplayer, and graphics-intensive titles. I played the games on the OMEN MAX 16’s native 2560 x 1600 resolution and focused on how the system handled gameplay, graphics quality, frame rates, and overall responsiveness. The only thing I added was a gaming mouse rather than using the trackpad.

Gears of War

Gears of War was a good starting point because it gave me an opportunity to see how the OMEN MAX 16 handled a modern AAA title without immediately jumping into one of the most demanding games available.

The RTX 5090 Laptop GPU had no problem handling the game, and the combination of high-end graphics hardware and the Core Ultra 9 processor made for a very smooth experience. I was able to enjoy the game with high-quality graphics without feeling like I needed to make significant compromises to get good performance.

The 16-inch 2560 x 1600 display also worked particularly well here. I’ve found that games like Gears benefit from the additional detail provided by the higher resolution, and the 240Hz refresh rate kept movement looking smooth during both exploration and combat.

This was a good indication that the OMEN MAX 16 isn’t simply capable of running games. It has enough hardware to let you take advantage of the display’s resolution and refresh rate at the same time.

Call of Duty

The next title I tested was Call of Duty. It was probably the game I was most interested in testing because high frame rates are essential for me when I play a first-person shooter. The OMEN MAX 16’s combination of the RTX 5090 Laptop GPU and Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is well suited to this type of workload.

Playing Call of Duty on the OMEN MAX 16 was extremely responsive. Movement was smooth, aiming felt precise, and I never felt like the system was struggling to keep up with what was happening on screen.

The Finals

The Finals gave me another opportunity to push the system with a fast-paced multiplayer game that can put considerable demands on both the CPU and GPU.

The OMEN MAX 16 handled the game very well. The combination of fast gameplay, detailed environments, effects, and destruction didn’t present a problem for the RTX 5090 Laptop GPU. Gameplay remained smooth, and I didn’t experience the type of performance issues that would make me want to significantly reduce the graphics settings.

I also appreciated the display here. The 2560 x 1600 resolution provides plenty of detail, while the 240Hz refresh rate is well suited to the quick movement and action that The Finals delivers.

The system’s cooling became more noticeable during extended gaming sessions, as I would expect from a laptop with this much hardware packed inside it. The fans were audible when the system was working hard, but I didn’t find them excessively loud. The rear of the laptop also became quite warm.

Gaming Performance Overall

After spending time with all three games, I came away with the impression that the OMEN MAX 16 delivers exactly what I would expect from a laptop built around an RTX 5090 Laptop GPU. The benchmark results suggested that it was going to be powerful, but actually playing games made the difference much more apparent.

Gears of War, Call of Duty, and The Finals all ran comfortably. HP essentially built a desktop gaming system that you can pick up and take somewhere else.

Conclusion

The HP HyperX OMEN MAX 16 is the kind of gaming laptop that makes it easy to understand why someone would choose a laptop over a traditional gaming desktop. It packs an impressive amount of hardware into a single machine. While it’s a heavy laptop, HP has designed the OMEN MAX 16 as a desktop replacement, and in that context, the size makes considerably more sense.

For me, the HP HyperX OMEN MAX 16 succeeds because it doesn’t try to disguise what it is. It’s big, heavy, expensive, and extremely powerful. If you want a gaming laptop that can genuinely serve as your primary gaming computer and still be moved when necessary, this is an impressive option. Just make sure you’re comfortable carrying all of that performance with you.

For more information, visit hp.com

Sickness and disability benefits should be made as "easy as possible" to claim as the current system is too "stressful", the long-awaited Government review by Sir Stephen Timms has said.

The post Make Disability Benefits as “Easy as Possible” to Get, Says Labour Review appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

Samsung is resting on its laurels with the midrange S26 FE, with an unwelcome price bump and only a new processor to show for it.

Samsung is resting on its laurels with the midrange S26 FE, with an unwelcome price bump and only a new processor to show for it.

The Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max makes an immediate impression with its 13.3-inch display and 3:2 aspect ratio. The larger screen provides noticeably more workspace, yet the tablet remains surprisingly portable at just 5.67mm thick and 653g. Despite its size, it does not feel like a device that needs to stay on a desk.

The model tested here is the Soft Light Edition. Unlike a standard display designed to deliver higher brightness and more vivid colors, the soft light panel is better suited to extended viewing. This gives the 13.3-inch tablet a clearer focus on productivity, reading, and long sessions.

However, the large display is not necessarily the most interesting part of the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max. The bigger question is how Xiaomi intends users to take advantage of such a large tablet.

Flagship Performance in a Slim Body

The Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max is the first tablet to feature the Xiaomi Xring O3 chip, bringing the company’s flagship-level processor to a tablet form factor. Fitting such a powerful chip into a body measuring only 5.67mm thick makes the device particularly interesting from a hardware perspective.

However, the Xring O3 is not simply about achieving higher benchmark scores or faster gaming performance. Its real value becomes more apparent when combined with the tablet’s large display and software features.

The HyperOS 4 experience introduces large-screen features such as improved multitasking and multi-window functionality. When paired with the floating keyboard and touchpad, the Pad 9 Pro Max starts to feel less like a traditional tablet and more like a flexible productivity device.

Apps such as WPS Office and CapCut also benefit from the additional screen space, giving users more room to work with documents, timelines, and multiple applications. The inclusion of DP-in video input further expands the tablet’s potential use cases, allowing the large display to serve purposes beyond conventional tablet tasks.

This is what makes the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max particularly interesting. Its appeal is not simply based on having a 13.3-inch screen or a powerful processor. Instead, Xiaomi appears to be exploring how hardware, software, and accessories can work together to make a large tablet genuinely useful.

During my experience with the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max, the main question was not how powerful the Xring O3 could be. Instead, I wanted to see whether the combination of the Xiaomi Xring O3, 13.3-inch display, HyperOS 4, keyboard, touchpad, and other accessories could unlock the full potential of a large-screen tablet.

That approach makes the Pad 9 Pro Max more than simply a bigger tablet. It is an attempt to create a device that can adapt to productivity, entertainment, creative work, and other everyday scenarios. The rest of the review will explore whether Xiaomi has successfully achieved that goal.

Design and Screen

The Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max features a large 13.3-inch LCD display with a 3408 × 2272 resolution, delivering a sharp 3.4K viewing experience at 308 PPI. It also supports a 144Hz refresh rate, making scrolling, animations, and everyday navigation feel noticeably smoother.

One of the display’s standout features is its 3:2 aspect ratio. Compared with the more common 16:10 format, the taller screen provides additional vertical space, which is particularly useful for browsing websites, reading documents, and working with productivity apps. The panel also supports the P3 wide color gamut, HDR10, and Dolby Vision, while its peak brightness reaches 1,000 nits. As a result, the display is well suited to both office tasks and multimedia consumption.

The model featured in this review comes in a deep wine-red finish inspired by the Burgundy wine region of France. Its color sits between bright and dark red, giving the tablet a distinctive appearance without looking overly flashy. The overall finish feels refined and premium.

At just 653g, the tablet made an immediate impression with its relatively light weight. Considering its 13.3-inch display, it feels considerably easier to carry than a typical laptop of a similar screen size.

Flip the tablet over and you’ll find an all-metal unibody construction that gives it a sturdy and premium feel. The Xiaomi logo sits in the center, while the camera module is positioned toward the upper-right corner. Three metal contact points can be found near the opposite side for connecting the optional floating keyboard.

These three circular contacts allow the keyboard to attach directly to the tablet. Once the magnetic connection is made, the keyboard is ready to use without requiring additional pairing or complicated setup. It’s a simple but practical design for users who frequently switch between tablet and laptop-style workflows.

The rear camera module uses a rounded rectangular design and houses a 50MP main camera. The upper portion of the module also carries the “XRING” branding, highlighting Xiaomi’s in-house Xuanjie chip platform and giving the rear design a distinctive touch.

Along one side of the tablet, you’ll find the speakers and a USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 port. The port supports DP-in video input and can handle output of up to 3.4K at 120Hz. This expands the tablet’s versatility, allowing it to work as a secondary display when connected to a laptop or as a larger gaming screen when paired with devices such as a Nintendo Switch.

The opposite edge houses the power button, another speaker, and microphone openings. Xiaomi has also added a “Dolby Vision · Atmos” marking to the chassis, reflecting support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos technologies.

Floating Keyboard

The accompanying Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max floating keyboard attaches magnetically and holds the tablet securely in place. Once connected, it is immediately ready for use, allowing the tablet to transition quickly from a traditional touchscreen device into a laptop-style workstation.

With the 13.3-inch display paired with a physical keyboard, tasks such as writing documents, responding to messages, and handling other productivity work become much more comfortable. The setup gives the tablet a laptop-like experience while retaining the flexibility of a detachable design.

The keyboard uses large 16mm keycaps with approximately 1mm of key travel. During typing, the keys provide clear feedback and a relatively crisp response, making the layout more familiar to users accustomed to conventional laptop or desktop keyboards.

The integrated touchpad uses a linear motor to provide tactile feedback and supports multiple gesture shortcuts. This makes navigation more convenient when the tablet is being used in laptop mode without relying heavily on the touchscreen.

The rear of the keyboard cover follows the tablet’s overall material and color scheme, creating a cohesive look when the two are attached. When closed, the cover sits firmly against the tablet and maintains a clean, integrated appearance.

Slim Design and Battery

At only 5.67mm thick, the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max has an exceptionally slim profile for a device of this size. From the side, its thin body gives it an almost plate-like appearance. More impressively, Xiaomi has managed to fit a large 12,000mAh battery and its flagship Xring O3 chip into this slim chassis.

The tablet also comes with a 120W fast-charging adapter. According to Xiaomi’s official figures, the 12,000mAh battery can reach a full 100% charge in approximately 53 minutes. We will put that claim to the test later in the review to see how the real-world charging performance compares with the manufacturer’s specifications.

Hardware and Performance

The Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max is the first Xiaomi tablet to feature the company’s third-generation self-developed Xring O3 chipset. The processor uses a 10-core all-big-core CPU architecture and a 16-core Mali G2-Ultra NX GPU, giving it hardware specifications that are closer to desktop-class performance.

As Xiaomi’s most powerful tablet chipset to date, the Xring O3 achieved more than 5.22 million points in AnTuTu V11 under low-temperature laboratory conditions. In our own testing, we used the latest version of AnTuTu in a 25°C environment, where the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max reached 5.53 million points. This puts the tablet firmly among the highest-performing Android tablets.

Thermal Performance and Cooling

To maintain sustained performance, Xiaomi has equipped the Pad 9 Pro Max with a 3,038 mm² vapor chamber (VC) cooling plate and a massive 10,112 mm² graphite heat-spreading layer. The tablet’s 13.3-inch chassis also provides additional internal space for its cooling hardware.

The key question is whether this thermal design can prevent performance from dropping during extended gaming sessions. To find out, we tested three demanding mainstream games under high-performance settings.

1. Honor of Kings

For Honor of Kings, we enabled Performance Mode and selected the highest available graphics quality and frame-rate settings.

During a standard 5v5 match, the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max delivered an average frame rate of 144.22 fps, while the 1% Low frame rate reached 134.3 fps. The frame-rate curve remained remarkably stable throughout the test.

The large 13.3-inch display provides a clear advantage for MOBA games. The wider screen gives players more room to view the battlefield, while the larger interface makes controls and on-screen information easier to see. However, the tablet’s size also makes it less comfortable to hold for extended gaming sessions.

For longer gaming sessions, placing the tablet on a stand is a more practical solution. This is one of the main compromises of using a large-screen tablet for gaming.

Average power consumption during the test was 4.6W, with power consumption per frame measured at 31.9mW.

The highest surface temperature reached 31.9°C on the front and 31.5°C on the rear, showing that the cooling system kept temperatures under control.

2. Genshin Impact

For Genshin Impact, we enabled Performance Mode and frame interpolation. We then ran through Sumeru City for 10 minutes using the highest graphics settings.

Sumeru City is a demanding area because of its dense combination of NPCs, buildings, vegetation, and other environmental elements. This makes it a useful scenario for evaluating sustained GPU performance.

After 10 minutes of gameplay, the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max achieved an average frame rate of 119.7 fps, while the 1% Low figure reached 94.9 fps. Overall, the tablet maintained performance close to a consistent 120 fps.

Average power consumption was 5.98W, while power consumption per frame was 49.98mW.

The highest temperature recorded on the front was 35°C, while the rear reached 33.6°C.

One of the more interesting features of the Xring O3 is its integrated AI rendering capability. The GPU includes eight AI rendering acceleration units that support 3.2K super-resolution and 120fps frame interpolation at the same time.

In practical terms, this allows the tablet to improve image sharpness and frame-rate smoothness without relying on a separate discrete graphics processor.

We also tested the feature directly in Genshin Impact. After opening the game toolbox, enabling Display Enhancement, and turning on super resolution, the visual quality became noticeably sharper. Fine details such as Keqing’s hair, clothing patterns, and textures on the stone walls appeared clearer, while distant building edges looked less blurred.

3. Honkai: Star Rail

For Honkai: Star Rail, we again enabled Performance Mode and frame interpolation. The game was tested for 10 minutes at the highest graphics settings while exploring the Golden Hour area.

After the 10-minute test, the average frame rate reached 119.27 fps, while the 1% Low frame rate was 74.1 fps. Performance remained generally stable, although frame-rate fluctuations became more noticeable during the second half of the test. Even so, the overall result remained within a reasonable range for demanding gameplay.

Average power consumption was 7.92W, with power consumption per frame reaching 66.37mW.

The highest temperature measured on the front was 34.9°C, while the rear reached 33.6°C.

The Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max demonstrates strong sustained gaming performance across all three tests. Its Xring O3 chipset, large cooling system, and spacious 13.3-inch chassis work together to maintain high frame rates without excessive surface temperatures.

The tablet is particularly well suited to players who prefer a large display and high refresh-rate gaming. Its main limitation is physical size: while the 13.3-inch panel improves visibility and immersion, holding such a large tablet for long gaming sessions can become uncomfortable.

For users who primarily game with the tablet supported on a desk or stand, however, the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max offers a compelling combination of large-screen immersion, high frame rates, and strong thermal performance.

Productivity Experience

The Xring O3 showed impressive results in gaming, but raw performance is only part of what makes a premium tablet useful. For a device positioned as a large-screen productivity flagship, the more important question is whether its processor, 13.3-inch display, and Surge OS 4 can make everyday work faster and more convenient.

After spending time with the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max, its productivity features make a stronger impression than benchmark numbers alone.

A 13.3-Inch Display Designed for Productivity

The Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max features a 13.3-inch display with a 3408 × 2272 resolution and a 3:2 aspect ratio. While the specifications are impressive, the real advantage becomes clear during office work.

When using WPS to write documents, the taller 3:2 screen shows more vertical content than a typical 16:10 tablet display. This means less scrolling when reading or editing long documents.

The Soft Light Edition is particularly useful outdoors. Its anti-glare treatment noticeably reduces reflections under strong lighting, making the display more comfortable to view during extended work sessions.

1. Six Apps Can Run at the Same Time

The Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max supports up to six application windows simultaneously. A four-finger pinch gesture opens the panoramic view, allowing all active windows to be displayed together and resized or repositioned as needed.

I tested this feature while planning a weekend trip to Shanghai Disneyland. I used Xiaohongshu to browse travel recommendations, Gaode Maps to check the route from Zhengzhou to Shanghai, Flightradar24 to compare flight information, QQ to communicate with my friend, the Disney store to check ticket prices, and the calculator to work out the overall budget.

With all six applications open, switching between them remained responsive, with no obvious stuttering. This is where the multi-core capability of the Xring O3 becomes useful in everyday productivity rather than simply in benchmarks.

For normal work, four windows feel more comfortable. Six windows are better when you need to compare several sources at once, such as when researching, shopping, planning a trip, or managing multiple work tasks.

2. Full-Featured WPS Brings a Desktop-Like Office Experience

Android tablets have traditionally offered a more limited WPS experience compared with desktop computers. Large spreadsheets could become sluggish when scrolling, while long documents sometimes suffered from delays when zooming or navigating.

The Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max takes a different approach with a full-featured version of WPS designed for the tablet. Xiaomi states that its performance is more than 20% higher than the previous container-based version, while scrolling through large spreadsheets, scaling lengthy documents, and rendering complex presentations have also been optimized.

In practical use, large Excel spreadsheets containing tens of thousands of rows remained smooth while scrolling. The brief delays that can occur on less powerful tablets were much less noticeable.

Adding the floating keyboard and touchpad makes the experience even closer to using a traditional computer. Document editing, navigation, and text input feel familiar enough for extended office sessions.

The built-in Lingxi AI features add another layer of convenience. Users can generate presentations, analyze Excel data, and create text content with AI-assisted commands, reducing the amount of repetitive work required for common office tasks.

3. CapCut Pro Makes Large-Screen Video Editing More Practical

The Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max comes with CapCut Pro pre-installed. Its interface provides a familiar editing environment, while the 13.3-inch display gives the timeline, media library, preview window, and editing controls more room than a smartphone.

The larger canvas makes dragging clips, adjusting effects, and managing multiple layers considerably easier.

Even with several video tracks, filters, transitions, and effects active, playback remained smooth during testing. This highlights one of the biggest advantages of combining a powerful processor with a large display: the goal is not simply achieving a high benchmark score, but maintaining a responsive experience during real work.

I also tested video export performance. A 30-second 4K video file measuring 113MB took less than 15 seconds to export from the moment the process was started. That makes the tablet particularly useful for creators who need to edit and share footage quickly while traveling or working away from a desk.

4. AI Features: Super Xiao Ai and Cross-Device File Management

Surge OS 4 introduces an expert mode for Super Xiao Ai that goes beyond basic question-and-answer functions. It can understand more complicated instructions, divide them into multiple tasks, and perform operations across different applications.

4.1 Cross-Device AI File Management

One of the more useful AI features is the ability to access files across tablets, smartphones, and computers using natural-language commands.

Instead of manually opening a file manager and transferring documents, users can simply tell Xiao Ai what they need. During testing, a request to send an order-data spreadsheet from a computer to the tablet prompted the system to locate the relevant file and transfer it to the Pad.

The process took only a few seconds and removed several manual steps from the workflow.

4.2 Super Xiao Ai Expert Mode

Expert Mode becomes more interesting when handling multi-step tasks. For testing, a six-minute meeting recording was used with a simple instruction: organize the latest recording, create notes, and prepare a PowerPoint presentation.

Super Xiao Ai automatically processed the recording, created structured meeting minutes, identified the main ideas, and summarized the advantages and risks of the five startup plans discussed during the meeting.

It then generated an 11-page business-style presentation containing a cover page, meeting overview, plan details, comparison information, and an action flow. After reviewing the generated content, the presentation could be created with a confirmation. The system can also generate interactive web pages, data dashboards, and other structured office content from basic instructions.

4.3 AI Notes Turn Recordings Into Structured Summaries

The AI Notes feature can automatically transcribe meeting recordings and turn them into organized summaries.

In one test, a six-minute recording was converted into approximately 660 words of structured notes. The result included the key discussion points, the five solutions mentioned during the meeting, and the final conclusion.

Different processing modes, including key-point summaries, meeting minutes, proofreading, and simplified content, provide additional flexibility.

AI can also answer questions about previously recorded meetings, making it easier to find information without manually searching through every note.

5. DP-In Could Be One of the Tablet’s Most Useful Features

DP-In is arguably one of the most interesting features of the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max. Using a full-featured USB-C cable, the tablet can function as an external display and portable second monitor, supporting input of up to 3.4K at 120Hz.

Because the connection does not depend on Wi-Fi, it can also be useful in environments where wireless connectivity is unreliable.

5.1 Use the Pad as a Portable Second Monitor

I connected the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max to a laptop and used it as a secondary display. Text remained sharp, and moving application windows between the two screens felt responsive.

A dual-screen setup is particularly useful for office work. For example, the laptop can display the main document while the Pad shows reference materials, communication apps, or meeting information.

The tablet also works with Mac devices and supports multiple HiDPI display modes, making it more flexible for different desktop setups.

5.2 Turn a Handheld Console Into a Larger Gaming Setup

DP-In can also expand the display of a handheld gaming device.

After connecting a handheld console, the 13.3-inch screen provided a much larger viewing area than the console’s built-in display. During testing with the SFC version of Chrono Trigger, the larger panel made the pixel graphics easier to appreciate and the dialogue easier to read.

This setup offers a portable alternative to carrying a separate desktop monitor when you want a larger gaming screen.

5.3 Use the Pad as a Portable Drawing Display

When connected to a PC and paired with the Xiaomi Focus Stylus Pro, the Pad can also function as a digital drawing display.

The stylus supports up to 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity. Its gesture controls can be used to access the color palette, adjust brush settings, and change brush thickness, making common drawing operations easier to access.

I tested the setup with Drawing World Pro. The pen response was responsive, while the 13.3-inch canvas provided enough space for drawing and annotation work. For users who regularly create illustrations or annotate documents while traveling, this setup can be more convenient than carrying a dedicated graphics tablet.

The Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max can also connect directly to mainstream cameras. With compatible photo-editing software, photos can be transferred to the tablet for quick editing and output without first moving them to another computer.

Beyond traditional productivity, the tablet can also serve as a rear entertainment and control screen in supported Xiaomi vehicles, including the SU7 and YU7. Depending on the vehicle configuration, users can access functions such as air conditioning, seat controls, music, and navigation. Child-space and anti-motion-sickness features further expand its potential for passengers.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is an important consideration for any large-screen tablet, especially a 13.3-inch flagship model. A bigger display and powerful hardware can consume more power, making battery capacity and charging speed key factors in the overall user experience.

The Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max addresses this with a large 12,000mAh battery and support for 120W fast charging. While these specifications look impressive, real-world battery performance is a better measure of how well the tablet handles demanding tasks.

Battery Life Test

To evaluate the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max’s endurance, we used BatteryDog, a battery testing tool developed by Fast Technology. The test combines several demanding scenarios to simulate typical daily use, including CPU-intensive workloads, multi-threaded processing, AI recognition, image browsing, video playback, and web browsing.

For consistency, the display brightness was set to 50%, automatic brightness was disabled, and the volume was fixed at 30% throughout the test. These settings help reduce external variables and provide more reliable results.

The test results provide a clearer picture of how the 12,000mAh battery performs under a mixed workload. For a tablet with a 13.3-inch display and flagship-level hardware, endurance under sustained use is particularly important, as it determines how long users can work, stream videos, browse the web, or handle demanding applications before needing to recharge.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is an important consideration for a large-screen tablet, especially when it combines a high-resolution display with flagship-level performance. The larger display and more powerful hardware can naturally lead to higher power consumption.

The Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max addresses this with a 12,000mAh battery and 120W fast charging. While these specifications are impressive, real-world performance is more important. Here is how the tablet performed in our battery and charging tests.

1. Battery Life Test

We used BatteryDog, a testing tool from Fast Technology, to evaluate the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max under a range of simulated everyday workloads. The test included CPU-intensive tasks, multi-threaded processing, AI recognition, image browsing, video playback, and web browsing.

To maintain consistent testing conditions, the display brightness was fixed at 50%, automatic brightness was disabled, and the volume was set to 30%.

The Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max lasted 11 hours and 2 minutes, dropping from 100% to 20% battery capacity during the test. Based on this result, the tablet’s estimated full battery endurance is approximately 13 hours and 47 minutes.

The tablet also maintained a relatively low peak temperature of 35.3°C throughout the test, indicating good control over both heat and power consumption.

For a device featuring the Xring O3 flagship chipset and a 13.3-inch 3.4K high-refresh-rate display, this is a strong result. The combination of a large 12,000mAh battery and the chipset’s power-efficiency optimizations allows the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max to provide enough endurance for a full day of typical use.

2. Charging Test

The Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max was also tested with its included 120W fast charger. We performed the test with the screen turned off to measure the charging performance under controlled conditions.

The results were impressive. The tablet charged from 1% to 25% in just 10 minutes, reached 63% after 30 minutes, and completed a full charge in approximately 57 minutes.

Considering the tablet’s large 12,000mAh battery, reaching a full charge in under an hour is particularly useful for users who need to quickly prepare the device before heading out.

The Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max also supports 27W wired reverse charging, allowing it to provide emergency power to a smartphone or other compatible device. Although 27W is considerably lower than the tablet’s own 120W charging speed, the feature can still be useful when another device needs a quick power boost.

Overall, the combination of a 12,000mAh battery, nearly 14 hours of estimated endurance, and 120W fast charging makes the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max well suited to users who want both long battery life and fast recharge times from a large-screen flagship tablet.

Verdict

The Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max shows that a larger tablet display can offer more than simply extra screen space. After using the device, it becomes clear that the real advantage of its 13.3-inch panel comes from how Xiaomi integrates the display with the hardware and software.

A bigger screen alone does not necessarily make a tablet more useful. However, when the additional space is combined with productivity features, multitasking, creative tools, and support for external devices, the experience becomes significantly more practical.

This is where the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max stands out.

The Xring O3 chip provides a strong performance foundation, but Xiaomi has designed the tablet around more than gaming and everyday performance. The 13.3-inch display works alongside Surge OS 4, a keyboard, and a range of software features to create a more desktop-like experience.

Features such as multi-window support, full-featured WPS, CapCut, AI tools, and DP-in make better use of the large display. Instead of simply showing larger versions of the same content, the screen provides additional room for office tasks, creative projects, and multitasking.

DP-In Adds Another Dimension

One of the most useful features is DP-in, which expands how the tablet can be used. The Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max can connect to a computer and serve as a secondary display. It can also work with gaming devices or be used as a digital display when paired with a stylus.

This makes the 13.3-inch screen more than a tablet display. It can become a portable workspace, secondary monitor, or entertainment screen depending on the situation.

For users who frequently switch between a laptop, desktop, gaming device, and tablet, this flexibility could be one of the tablet’s biggest advantages.

Is the Large Size a Problem?

The 13.3-inch form factor does have one obvious drawback: portability in the traditional tablet sense. Its larger body makes it less comfortable to hold for extended periods, particularly when using it without a stand.

For gaming, reading, or watching videos for a long time, placing the tablet on a desk or stand is likely to be more comfortable. However, this limitation matters less for users who primarily want a large workspace for office tasks, creative work, or multitasking.

In other words, the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max is not designed to compete with smaller tablets purely on portability. Its strength lies in providing a much larger working area while retaining the flexibility of a tablet.

The Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max is not aimed at users who simply want the biggest tablet possible. Instead, it makes more sense for people who can take advantage of a large display and want one device that can combine tablet functionality, productivity features, creative tools, and secondary-screen capabilities.

Its 13.3-inch display is therefore more than a size upgrade. Combined with the Xring O3 chip, Surge OS 4, multitasking features, and DP-in, it gives the tablet a broader range of practical uses.

That is what makes the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max interesting: it is not just a tablet with enough power to handle work. It is a tablet designed to become a more capable part of a user’s everyday workspace.

Read Also: Xiaomi 18 Pro Max Appears on Geekbench With Snapdragon 8 Super Gen 6

The post Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max Review: 13.3-Inch Display Explained appeared first on IGeeKphone China Phone, Tablet PC, VR, RC Drone News, Reviews.

Affordable smartwatch are no longer limited to step counting and basic notifications. The S2 Smartwatch takes a broader approach, combining a 1.50-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth calling, activity tracking, sleep monitoring and several everyday phone-control features in one wearable.

Its specifications are clearly aimed at users who want a smartwatch that can handle common daily tasks without moving into the price range of premium models. Instead of competing with advanced sports watches, the S2 focuses on convenience: seeing notifications, answering calls, checking activity data and keeping basic wellness information on the wrist.

That positioning makes the S2 more interesting to evaluate as an everyday wearable than as a high-end fitness device.

The S2’s 1.50-Inch Screen Is Designed for Everyday Interaction

The S2 uses a 1.50-inch smartwatch display with a 360 × 360 resolution.

Screen size matters more on a smartwatch than the numbers alone suggest. A larger panel gives notifications, menus and activity information more room, which can make the interface easier to read without immediately reaching for a smartphone.

The S2 uses an IPS display rather than AMOLED. That distinction is important for buyers comparing it with more expensive smartwatches. An AMOLED panel generally offers stronger contrast and deeper blacks, while the S2 takes a more cost-conscious approach.

For its intended market, however, the 1.50-inch screen is one of the more practical aspects of the design. Users who mainly want to read notifications, navigate menus and check fitness information may benefit more from the larger viewing area than from having premium display technology.

Bluetooth Calling Makes the S2 More Than a Fitness Tracker

One of the S2’s most useful features is Bluetooth calling.

After connecting the watch to a compatible smartphone, users can handle calls from the wrist instead of taking the phone out every time a call arrives. The watch also supports call reminders and notifications, giving it a more active role in everyday communication.

Bluetooth 5.3 provides the wireless connection, while compatibility with Android and iOS makes the S2 suitable for users across the two major mobile platforms.

The calling function is particularly useful in situations where pulling out a phone is inconvenient. At the same time, buyers should remember that this is Bluetooth-based calling rather than a fully independent cellular smartwatch. The phone remains an important part of the experience.

Health Features Are Better Viewed as Daily Wellness Tools

The S2 includes several health-oriented functions, including heart-rate monitoring, blood-oxygen readings, blood-pressure readings and sleep tracking.

These features give the watch a broader role than a simple activity tracker. Instead of checking only steps and exercise, users can use the watch to observe different aspects of their daily routine.

There is an important limitation, however.

The health measurements should be treated as general wellness information rather than medical results. The product information states that these functions are intended for reference and are not a substitute for professional medical equipment.

That makes the S2 more suitable for users who want to observe general trends over time. Someone who needs clinically accurate measurements should continue to rely on appropriate medical devices and professional advice.

Sleep Tracking Gives the Watch a 24-Hour Role

The S2 also tracks sleep, which changes how the watch can be used outside exercise.

A smartwatch that only records workouts has limited value for people who want to wear it throughout the day. Sleep monitoring, step counting, calorie information and sedentary reminders allow the S2 to collect a wider range of everyday activity data.

The benefit is not necessarily advanced sleep analysis. Instead, the S2 provides a simple way to build a longer-term picture of daily habits.

For casual users, that can be more useful than having a large collection of specialist sports measurements they may never use.

Multiple Sports Modes Focus on General Fitness

The S2 supports multiple sports modes as well as step, distance and calorie tracking.

This gives the watch enough flexibility for common activities and casual workouts. Users can switch between different exercise categories while keeping their activity information connected to the rest of the watch’s health data.

However, the number of sports modes should not be confused with professional sports tracking.

The S2 does not appear to be designed as a replacement for a dedicated training watch with advanced GPS, recovery analysis, detailed performance metrics and specialist workout tools. Its advantage is simplicity.

If the goal is to record basic exercise and stay aware of daily movement, the S2 covers the essentials without adding unnecessary complexity.

FitCloudPro Is an Important Part of the Experience

The S2 works with the FitCloudPro companion application.

The app provides the connection between the watch and smartphone and supports functions such as notifications, watch-face management and related settings.

This is worth considering before buying the watch because some of its smart functions depend on the phone connection. The S2 is not intended to operate as a completely independent device.

For users who are comfortable pairing a smartwatch with a phone, this is a relatively straightforward setup. The connected approach also allows the watch to provide features such as smartphone camera control and music controls.

IP67 Protection Is Useful, But It Does Not Make the S2 a Swimming Watch

The S2 has an IP67 rating.

For everyday use, that provides useful protection against dust and limited water exposure. It can therefore be more reassuring during normal activities where the watch may encounter sweat or occasional splashes.

But IP67 should not be interpreted as a license to use the watch for swimming.

The product information specifically advises against swimming with the S2. Buyers who regularly participate in water sports should therefore look for a smartwatch designed and rated specifically for those conditions.

This is an example of where understanding the actual use case is more important than simply looking at the IP rating.

280mAh Battery: Enough for Several Days of Typical Use

The S2 uses a 280mAh battery and is rated for approximately 3–5 days of use, depending on usage conditions.

That estimate should be viewed as a general guideline rather than a guarantee. Bluetooth calling, frequent notifications, screen brightness and continuous health monitoring can all increase power consumption.

The watch also supports magnetic charging, which avoids having to insert a conventional charging connector directly into the watch.

For someone who wants a smartwatch that can remain on the wrist for several days between charges, the S2’s battery capacity is reasonable for its feature set.

The Design Favors Everyday Wear

The S2 uses a zinc-alloy case with a silicone strap.

Its listed dimensions are approximately 54.2 × 47.3 × 12.8mm, while the strap is around 210mm long with a 22mm band width.

This is not an ultra-thin fitness band. The relatively substantial case gives it a more traditional smartwatch presence, while the silicone strap keeps the design practical for casual exercise and everyday wear.

The result is a watch aimed more at versatility than at minimalist styling.

Where the S2 Makes Sense

The most interesting aspect of the S2 is not any single specification.

Its value comes from how several basic features work together.

A user can receive notifications during the day, answer a Bluetooth call, check steps, review sleep information, record a workout, control music and use the watch as a remote camera controller.

None of those functions is particularly unusual by itself. The appeal is having them combined in one relatively affordable wearable.

This also explains why the S2 should not be judged against premium smartwatches solely on specifications. It does not offer the same level of display technology, sports analysis or ecosystem integration. Instead, it targets people who want a broad set of useful functions without paying for advanced features they may never use.

Who Should Buy the S2 Smartwatch?

The S2 is a reasonable choice for users who prioritize practical everyday functions.

It makes the most sense for someone looking for:

• A large 1.50-inch smartwatch display
• Bluetooth calling
• Smartphone notifications
• Basic activity tracking
• Sleep monitoring
• Heart-rate and SpO2 information
• General blood-pressure readings
• Multiple sports modes
• Music and camera controls
• Several days of typical battery life
• Basic protection against dust and everyday water exposure

On the other hand, users who specifically need advanced GPS tracking, professional training analytics, medical-grade measurements, swimming-focused protection or a premium AMOLED display should consider a more specialized smartwatch.

S2 Smartwatch vs. a Typical Budget Fitness Band

The S2’s biggest advantage over a simple fitness band is the communication layer.

A fitness band can be excellent for steps, sleep and basic activity monitoring, but the S2 adds Bluetooth calling, broader notification support, music control and camera control.

That makes it closer to a general-purpose smartwatch than a dedicated fitness tracker.

The trade-off is size. The S2 is a more substantial wearable, so buyers who prefer a lightweight band that disappears on the wrist may prefer a smaller fitness tracker.

Final Verdict

The S2 Smartwatch is best understood as an affordable all-round wearable rather than a specialist sports watch.

Its 1.50-inch display gives everyday interactions plenty of room, while Bluetooth calling adds a feature that can genuinely reduce the need to reach for a smartphone. Health and activity functions cover the basics, and the 280mAh battery is designed to provide several days of typical use.

Its limitations are equally clear. The IPS display is not aimed at competing with premium AMOLED watches, the fitness functions are primarily for everyday tracking, and the health measurements should not be treated as medical results.

For buyers who want a straightforward smartwatch that combines communication, activity tracking and everyday convenience, the S2’s broad feature set is its main selling point. It is less about having the most advanced technology and more about putting a useful collection of smartwatch functions on the wrist at an accessible price.

The post Budget Smartwatch with Bluetooth Calling and 1.50-Inch Display: What to Know appeared first on IGeeKphone China Phone, Tablet PC, VR, RC Drone News, Reviews.