News
Google announces Android 9 Pie (Go edition)
Go, Android Go!
After seeding the new version of Android to Pixel phones, Google will soon welcome entry-level phones to the crusty world of Android 9 Pie. While visually identical to the regular version of the OS, the Android 9 Pie (Go edition) will only need half the storage space and can run fluidly, even with just a gigabyte of memory.
The Go edition for Android Pie builds upon the foundations of the Go edition for Android Oreo, but with improvements, of course. The latest version now occupies 500MB less, which will practically leave up to 5.5GB of free space in a limited 8GB storage. For comparison, the regular or non-Go edition Android 9 Pie would leave just 2.5GB free.

Apart from that, the new Go edition has faster boot times and an increased level of security. It also has an intuitive dashboard for monitoring mobile data consumption — a must-have feature for developing countries with expensive data rates.
Out of the box, Android 9 Pie (Go edition) will come with new versions of Go edition apps from Google including Google Go, YouTube Go, Maps Go, Files Go, and Assistant Go. Additionally, Android Messages for Go edition is now about 50 percent smaller in size and the Phone App includes caller ID and spam detection.
There’s no exact date of release from Google, but they confirmed that it’s coming soon. The current Android Oreo (Go edition) is already available on over 200 devices in more than 120 countries.
SEE ALSO: How Google’s Android Go is different from Android One
Yesterday, AMD made the bold claim that the next-generation Xbox is coming next year. In a world drowning in manufactured hype for AI, hearing about GPUs going back to gaming is refreshing. NVIDIA, however, still has its pipelines clogged with artificial intelligence. According to reports, the company will not release new graphics cards this year.
This is unprecedented. A new graphics card is often a highlight for gamers every year. Even in recent times when prices beggar belief, a newly launched chip still generates hype.
Now, for the first time in thirty years, NVIDIA will not launch a new card in a calendar year (via The Information). Like a lot of things happening this year, AI is the culprit.
Buoyed by the dreams of billionaires, GPU companies are busy dedicating their stock of chips for AI servers. Because these servers artificially blew up the demand for GPUs, everything else that needs such a chip is projected to see a price hike this year. This includes smartphones, gaming consoles, and cars. Regular consumers have been left to deal with the aftermath of the imaginary AI boom.
According to The Information, NVIDIA’s current lineup is only partially composed of chips meant for gaming. Only around 8 percent of its revenue came from that segment in the first nine months of last year. In its defense, AI chips are much more profitable right now, but it’s still a big blow against consumers who just want to play games.
The HONMA x HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Pro has officially launched. This collaboration between HUAWEI and HONMA Golf, Japan’s prestigious golf house, brings professional golf management to users’ wrists.
Along with advanced smart technology and decades of craftsmanship tailor-made for golf, the premium wearable transforms the way golfers play, track, and enjoy every round.
The limited-edition HONMA x HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Pro comes in a Premium Gift Box. It is priced starting PhP 17,999 (~ US$ 307) until March 11 in the Philippines before it reverts to its original price of PhP 19,999 (~ US$ 341).
The Premium Collection Gift Box comes with golf accessories: a commemorative golf ball, divot toll, and special ball marker.
The golf-centric premium smartwatch features professional-grade golf intelligence. It also comes with more than 17,000 zoomable 3D course maps worldwide, including more than 100 local maps.
This allows golfers to visualize fairways, hazards, and landing zones in advance to plan each hole with confidence.
Instead of guessing, players can manage risks better, commit to their shots, and focus on execution.
Moreover, Green Slope Direction gives clearer insight into how a putt will break. Play-Like Distance, meanwhile, factors in elevation changes and wind conditions.
Furthermore, AI Caddie works quietly in the background, analyzing swing history, performance trends, and course layout to offer smarter recommendations moving forward.
Complementing these are Shot Distance Tracking and digital scorecards which automatically capture every swing and score. This way, users can understand their insights and track progress after each round.
And using the HUAWEI Health app, users can also access Through Ball Trajectory Sharing to relive their best shots and review key moments.
Here’s the complete set of on-course tools with the HONMA x HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Pro:
- Greens View
- Fairway View
- Fairway Panoramic View
- Front / Middle / Rear Green Distance
- Obstacle View Ranging
- View Obstacle Zone/Target
- Free Point Ranging
- Wind Speed/Wind Direction
- Electronic Scorecard
- Half-Court Scoring
- Switch Court function
- Play-Like Distance
Luxurious designs
Design wise, every detail of the wearable reflects premium Japanese craftsmanship. Its default HONMA Elemental Dial features a traditional Japanese Pine Leaf Pattern.
This is paired with a putter-shaped second hand. There is also another HONMA-exclusive option with a BERES 7S dial in vibrant blue with Mt. Fuji for a truly iconic look.
The HONMA x HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Pro has an aerospace-grade titanium case, sapphire crystal glass, and HONMA-engraved gold buckle for a luxurious yet durable build.
In front is a 1.47-inch AMOLED display with 3,000 nits of peak brightness. The watch also lasts up to 21 days on a single charge.
Health features are likewise advanced, including heart rate, HRV, breathing, and interruptions. Stress and emotional wellbeing are also tracked every 10 minutes and integrated into the HUAWEI Health app.
Aside from golf, the watch supports over 100 sports modes, including pro-level activities. There’s also support for freediving for up to 40 meters with depth and duration tracking.
It’s been a while since GPU companies focused on making chips for consoles. With how the industry is going now, chips feel like they’re destined to end up in the suffocating deluge of AI servers. Now, however, AMD is showing signs of healing by teasing the next-generation Xbox.
In the latest earnings call (via Engadget), AMD CEO Lisa Su teased that the next-gen Xbox, built with a custom AMD SoC, is “progressing well to support a launch in 2027.”
The subtle tease is vague enough to obscure any details about the upcoming console but clear enough to confirm that it’s coming. Since the Xbox Series X|S has been out for several years now, it’s not surprising that Microsoft is thinking about what’s coming next.
However, it’s still intriguing that Microsoft is going for another console. Previous reports have speculated that the company might focus on delivering games, especially through the Game Pass. Lately, both the PlayStation and the Switch have thoroughly dominated the console market ahead of the Xbox. Handheld consoles are likewise impressive, too.
Other reports have speculated that the upcoming generation will focus on delivering both a gaming and a PC experience. With the Steam Machine coming soon, it seems natural that the next consoles will be usable PCs as well.
SEE ALSO: Match Pulse: ROG Xbox Ally X
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