News
HMD is developing an AI assistant for the elderly
The company will test it in Europe first.
In the past, the only way to escape the constant influx of technology is to purposely go for older or “dumber” phones. For example, if you wanted to prevent your elder loved ones from fussing over features they’d never use, you’d give them feature phones. Now, there’s no escape. HMD, one of the biggest names in the feature phone segment, is bringing AI to its devices.
For years, HMD, especially through Nokia, has provided low-tech phones for everyone’s grandma. From merely keeping the Nokia brand of phones alive, the company has now embraced its reputation as the feature phone king, building its own branded phones.
Now, announced during MWC 2026 (via Tom’s Guide), HMD will start infusing its phones with AI, video calling, and a digital wallet.
Of these, video calling is the easiest to digest. Rather than just being simple front-facing selfie shooters, HMD’s phones can also use the camera for video calls.
Secondly, the company is also packing in its own digital wallet into its phones. As with other wallets, HMD’s version can receive, store, and send funds to other users. It’s set to launch in India first.
Now, the AI assistant is the more controversial one among the three. The first rollout is India’s Sarvam AI, which will do the basic tasks you’d expect from an AI assistant. Naturally, this rolls out in India first.
However, HMD is also developing its own AI assistant alongside InTouch. The feature will supposedly provide companionship for elder users. The company will test the assistant in Europe first but aims to launch it globally.
News
OPPO is finally getting AirDrop support
The update for the Find X9 series rolls out this month.
One of the biggest developments late last year was Android finally supporting AirDrop. Android users can finally counter the age-old “oh, your phone can’t do what my iPhone can do.” Unfortunately, when the announcement first dropped, it applied only to Pixel 10 users. Now, the feature is finally coming to more brands.
Today, OPPO has confirmed, via Android Authority, that its phones will get the ability to share files with Apple users. Specifically, the Find X9 and Find X9 Pro will receive an update later this month that will enable the feature. With the update, users can go through Quick Share to send files to AirDrop.
Like the initial implementation of the feature on Google, OPPO’s version will not need another app for it to work. Previously, Apple users also needed to install another app to connect with Android users. Now, the feature works natively through Quick Share.
Of course, there’s still a bit off finagling involved. As per Google’s instructions previously, the receiver, regardless of whether they’re on Android or iOS, must set their visibility to “everyone for 10 minutes.” It’s not the most elegant solution, but it sure beats all those jeers from iPhone users about how inflexible Android is when it comes to sharing files.
Gaming
Ubisoft confirms Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag remake
It’s officially called Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced.
If you ask an Assassin’s Creed fan what their favorite game of the series is, Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag will likely be one of the top contenders. Because of its reputation, gamers are constantly asking for a remake of the popular pirate simulator. Now, the dream is finally here. Ubisoft has confirmed that a remake, called Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced, is coming.
Released in 2013, Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag saw the journey of Edward Kenway, a vagabond pirate haplessly thrust into life as part of the Assassin Brotherhood against his will. The critically acclaimed game was something that all gamers have been clamoring for since Sid Meier’s Pirates: a true pirate simulator. It was no surprise that the game got as popular as it did.
Today, through an official roadmap shared by the company, Ubisoft has confirmed that Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced is real, and it might launch later this year. The company also released the first concept art for the remake.
Currently, there’s no official word as to how Ubisoft is remaking the game. At the very least, we can expect significant graphical upgrades to put it up to par with the modern games. We wouldn’t be opposed to more stories and missions too.
Now, though the Black Flag remake is already a big deal, the same roadmap also emphasizes that Codename Hexe, the next mainline title, is still coming. Ubisoft hasn’t confirmed the actual timeline yet, but the game will depict “a pivotal moment in history.” With post-launch development for the ongoing Shadows winding down, efforts to launch Codename Hexe should be ramping up soon.
SEE ALSO: Assassin’s Creed Shadows gets Attack on Titan-themed content
Gaming
PlayStation will stop releasing its games on PC
A new reports suggests that Sony is going back to console exclusives.
PC-only gamers have been eating well for the past few years. The formerly exclusive PlayStation library opened its gates and released worthy ports for PC. Unfortunately, Sony is putting an end to this short-lived era of openness to PC gamers. According to a new report, the company is once again making first-party PlayStation games exclusive to the console.
During the pandemic, Sony started releasing its critically acclaimed first-party games on PC. The new wave saw gamers get the ability to play titles such as Horizon Zero Dawn, The Last of Us, Marvel’s Spider-Man, and God of War on another platform. Even now, players are still eagerly awaiting the PC launch of Death Stranding 2, due out later this year.
However, as reported by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, Sony has just had a change of heart and will no longer release any more games on the PC, beyond those already confirmed for future launches.
This will mean that last year’s Ghost of Yotei and the upcoming Saros will remain PlayStation exclusives for the foreseeable future.
It’s a big change to Sony’s direction. However, it’s not without its precedents. For one, Microsoft has started to compete in the non-exclusive market. The company is already set to launch Fable and Forza Horizon 6 on other platforms, including PC and PlayStation, concurrently with the Xbox launch. To compare, PlayStation still waits a long time before launching exclusive games on PC.
Also, now that rumors have begun to speak of a fabled PlayStation 6, Sony might want to keep things close to its chest for now. After all, selling the console might be its top priority for now.
SEE ALSO: PlayStation 6 reportedly delayed to 2029 because of RAM shortage
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