News
The iKKO Mind One is a card-sized smartphone that has built-in internet
It can even transform as a modern-day BlackBerry!
Smartphones nowadays are just unavoidably ginormous. Even “mini”-branded phones have screens that are over the 6-inch mark.
However, an audio-dedicated brand (and basically a nobody in the smartphone world) has decided to bring a fun yet still capable and fully-functional smartphone this 2025.
Meet the iKKO Mind One.
Card-Sized Wonder
The iKKO Mind One is already standing out with its card-sized form factor.
With a measurement of just 86 × 72mm and thinness of only 8.9mm, it’s the real definition of a “mini” smartphone in today’s standards.
It’s equipped with a 4.02-inch AMOLED display that perfectly fits in everyone’s palms, a tiny pants pocket, or even inside tight bag pockets.
That panel has 60Hz refresh rate with 1080p Full HD+ display resolution and supports DC Dimming.
The Mind One has Tempered Glass protection while the Pro version promises to be more scratch-resistant with Sapphire Glass alongside 9H hardness.
At its core is an 8GB memory paired with ample 256GB storage.
For picture-perfect moments, the iKKO doesn’t lag behind with its 50MP f/1.88 camera based on a Sony 1/1.56-inch sensor.
This camera can be flipped up or down so it can support rear-cam shooting or selfies.
It also has built-in OIS and supports 2K/30fps video recording.
The iKKO Mind One is also the first smartphone with native dual-boot system.
Aside from Google-based Android 15, it also runs iKKO’s AI OS with all the needed AI-based apps and services in mind.
Free Global Internet?!
The main promise of the iKKO Mind One is being able to provide free internet globally without unnecessary steps for connecting.
To be precise, the Mind One offers two levels of built-in internet: NovaLink and vSIM.
Basically, NovaLink provides free internet coverage for 60 regions but only limited to iKKO AI OS’ apps — no subscription required!
Meanwhile, vSIM provides full internet access for both built-in and third-party Android apps for over 140 countries — but with additional cost / top-up plans.
However, hotspot sharing cannot be enabled through NovaLink and is only supported via vSIM.
Though iKKO still made sure you can connect your existing SIM card with its dedicated nano SIM card slot.
Efficiency Above Everything Else
Caveat or not, the Mind One doesn’t support 5G connectivity and is limited to 4G+ utmost — and that’s for a reason.
With MediaTek’s MT8781 8-core chipset, it enables vSIM support that makes it possible to connect to the internet for free wherever you go around the world.
Moreover, this chip is optimized for low power consumption, stable connectivity, and most of all global roaming.
Even with just a measly 2200mAh battery, the Mind One can stay up all-day usage paired with their chosen 4G chipset.
Bringing Back BlackBerry
This idea may not be unique as this is already an existing product called as “Clicks Keyboard” meant for existing iPhones, Galaxys, Pixels, and even razrs. However, iKKO provides the Snap-In Expansion Case with better use case without looking absurd.
Such optional accessory brings BlackBerry back to life with the right balance between its screen and keyboard.
This physical QWERTY keyboard has raised keys and a sloped surface, making typing natural, tactile, and overall satisfying.
No frills, it’s fully plug-and-play with Google’s Gboard in tow. Also, the keyboard doesn’t require charging to operate as power usage is extremely low when being used.
Aside that, it has a magnetic attachment for your additional MagSafe / Qi2-ready accessories. More so, a built-in 500mAh battery that extends the energy endurance of the Mind One even further.
For audiophiles, the case enables wired listening with its 3.5mm audio jack plus lossless audio Hi-Fi DAC support thanks to Cirrus Logic CS43198 audio component inside.
iKKO knows the right thing as they’ve started as an audio brand offering IEM (in-ear monitors) and smart TWS earbuds.
Pricing and Availability
iKKO still accepts backing of the Mind One series on Kickstarter. As of this writing, it’s already hitting the US$ 1 Million goal with over 2100 backers.
The base Mind One has an MSRP of US$ 389. However, pledging early will get you the more capable Mind One Pro for an even cheaper price tag of US$ 369.
Unfortunately, the US$ 299 introductory price was already sold out.
Once they’re all gone, the Mind One Pro will have its US$ 499 retail price back.
Aside from the regular Jet Black and Pearl White color options, all backers can pick between two new added Bluish Pink and Sky Blue colorways after the campaign ends.
Its add-on accessories are also available in slashed prices:
- Snap-in Expansion Case = US$ 79 (from US$ 109)
- Extra Protective Case = US$ 15 (from US$ 20)
- Extra 3 pcs. Screen Protector = US$ 10 (from US$ 15)
These tiny yet mighty phones are expected to be shipped by end of 2025 (around November to December).
Computers
AMD expands Ryzen AI Embedded P100 series lineup
Scalable, efficient AI compute for industrial, edge solutions
AMD has recently announced the expansion of its AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P100 Series processor lineup.
This enables scalable and power-efficient AI compute tailor-built for industrial and AI edge systems. Scenarios include factory automation, physical AI in mobile robotics, and other AI-driven edge applications.
With eight to 12 high-performance Zen 5 cores, AMD ROCm support, and up to 80 total system TOPS, the new x86 embedded APUs deliver up to:
- 2x more CPU core counts
- 8x higher GPU compute
- 36% higher system TOPS
This way, developers and system designers get an expanded and scalable portfolio of power-efficient edge computing solutions. These processors support real-time AI from vision to control and reasoning, as well as offer advanced graphics capabilities.
On a single chip, clients get up to 80 TOPS physical AI acceleration, AMD RDNA 3.5 graphics for real-time visualization, and an NPU based on the AMD XDNA 2 architecture.
Moreover, the processors can withstand industrial temperature ranges (-40° C to 105° C) and can support continuous 24/7 operations for up to 10-year life cycles. That’s along with low-latency and power-efficient AI inference.
Real-life applications include intelligent factories, autonomous robots, and medical imaging devices. For instance, the processors can deliver CPU performance required for real-time inspection and process optimization.
For mobile robots, meanwhile, processors can manage navigation, motion, control, and route planning while the GPU processes multi-camera feeds for spatial awareness.
Furthermore, for 3D health imaging, the processors can enable the powering of 3D imaging for ultrasounds, endoscopes, tissue classification, and tumor detection at the edge. This is done with models like U-Net, nnU-Net, and MONAI.
The processors then accelerate image-to-report workflows with MedSigLIP and support clinical reasoning and Q&A with Med-PaLM 2.
Gaming
Valve is embroiled in a lawsuit with New York over loot boxes
Valve has been embroiled in an odd war as of late. A few weeks ago, the New York Attorney General filed a lawsuit against the gaming company for allegedly encouraging children to gamble through loot boxes primarily found in Counter-Strike 2. Today, Valve is fighting back by declaring how little its loot boxes have to do with gambling.
For years, governments have had a problem with loot boxes. To them, the mechanic makes it too easy for gamers to fall into a gambling addiction. In essence, loot boxes are earnable packs that contain a single or a number of random items that the player can use for their game. Most of the time, these items are purely cosmetic and don’t give a gameplay advantage.
Like Blizzard before it, Valve is also defending its loot boxes as non-essential to how players engage with their games. “There is no disadvantage to a player not spending money,” their statement reads.
Additionally, Valve says that their loot boxes are no different from Pokémon cards and Labubu blind boxes. As such, the company is also defending their users’ right to transfer obtained items to other users, as with two players trading cards or Pop Mart figurines.
Now, these items have monetary value in the market. In the same way, a rare Counter-Strike 2 skin can fetch thousands of dollars. However, Valve says that they are already proactive in shutting down accounts made only to gamble and avoiding pro-gambling businesses.
Valve is capping off its statement by saying that the NYAG is forcing the company to collect more information from its users, especially those using VPNs to prevent being located in New York. The company says that it will continue to protect user data, despite the demand.
What is an Xbox? For the past year and a half, Microsoft will tell you that anything can be an Xbox. Now, with Project Helix on the horizon, Xbox wants to bring the idea of playing anywhere to the next level. Microsoft will start rolling out its new Xbox Mode to PCs in April.
Since the very first device out in the market, handheld consoles have changed how people play games. Naturally, a lot can already be said about the portability and the convenience of its hardware. But the software needs a special shoutout, too.
Though they are essentially PCs at heart, these consoles are built explicitly for gaming. Fiddling around with Windows isn’t ideal. Instead, they have special software that can collate all of a user’s games into one hub.
The new Xbox Mode, adapted from the ROG Xbox Ally X’s Xbox Full Screen Experience, will do just that but on an actual PC. As announced via an official blog post, Xbox will release the new mode to Windows 11 devices in April, starting with select markets. Like the software used in handheld consoles, Xbox Mode should include all the available games from the Game Pass, Steam, and the Epic Games Store.
Right now, the feature will likely go up against Steam’s Big Picture Mode, which does the same thing but only for Steam titles. However, it should also transition neatly to Project Helix. Xbox is now ramping up the development of its next-generation console codenamed Project Helix. The upcoming machine will be a high-end PC and a gaming console rolled into one, making it perfect for Xbox Mode.
SEE ALSO: Project Helix is Xbox’s next console, and it plays PC games
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