News

Xiaomi, Meitu launch Mi CC9 series: Selfie cam takes centerstage!

The much awaited collaboration is finally here!

Published

July 3, 2019

Rodneil Quiteles

Photo by Ayano Tominaga | IG: @ayanotdo

After initially just announcing the name of the collaboration, Xiaomi and Meitu finally unveil the Mi CC9 series: Mi CC9, Mi CC9e, and the Mi CC9 Meitu Edition.

Early rumors had us thinking that the Mi CC 9 will sport a flipping camera mechanism similar to the one on the Zenfone 6. However, that’s not the case as all three phones have a waterdrop notch with a 32MP selfie camera. The phones also share the same battery capacity — 4030mAh — as well as a triple rear camera module. A 48MP main camera, 8MP ultra-wide snapper, and 2MP depth sensor.

The Mi CC9, Mi CC9 Meitu Edition, and Mi CC9e | Photo by Ayano Tominaga

The phones’ differences begin with the chipsets. the Mi CC 9 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 chip along with 6GB of RAM, and 64GB or 128GB of storage. The same is true for the Mi CC 9 Meitu edition but it is instead paired with 8GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage. Meanwhile, the Mi CC 9e is powered by a Snapdragon 665 chip, and comes in three different configurations: 4GB/64GB, 6GB/64GB and 6GB/128GB.

All three devices will run Android Pie with MIUI 10 on top. The CC9 and CC9 Meitu edition share other similar features. Both have the same form factor and have a 6.39-inch display as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack, NFC and an IR port. These are not present on the CC9e. The CC9e’s display measures 6.088 inches.

Selfies, vlogging, and Mimoji

The front-facing camera on the CC9 Meitu edition has some features unique to it. Meitu — known for its expertise on selfies — added the following: AI low light portrait mode, movie portrait, and full body beauty filters. Those who want to get into vlogging might also want to consider the phone as it has a special vlog mode with video stabilization.

Mi CC9 Meitu Edition selfie sample by Ayano Tominaga

Japanese journalist and selfie expert Ayano Tominaga who attended the event in Beijing, China noted some key differences between the regular Meitu phones versus this collaboration with Xiaomi. She said that while the Mi CC9 Meitu edition doesn’t have the signature hexagon design and more robust hardware for selfies that is usually expected from Meitu, this new phone still carries the Meitu spirit.

Meitu CEO Wu Xinhong spoke at the event and emphasized that with this new phone the “journey to make girls happy will never end,” quoting Meitu’s mission when it first set out to make smartphones. By bringing the Meitu camera technology to Xiaomi, it will also bring it closer to consumers with Xiaomi’s better distribution capability.

The camera app on the Meitu edition is exactly the same one found on Meitu phones instead of the usual MIUI camera app. Also included are the Meitu Beauty app and Meipai which is sort of like TikTok especially made for Meitu phones.

Another feature heavily showcased is the Mimoji. It’s essentially the Memoji on iOS, except this one’s made by Xiaomi.

Pricing and availability

The Mi CC9 will come in three colors: White Lover, Blue Planet, and Black Prince and will be available for pre-order in China with sales starting on July 5. Pricing starts at CNY 1799 (US$ 260). The Mi CC9e will start at CNY 1299 (US$189), while the Mi CC9 Meitu edition CNY 2599 (US$ 378). It will come in a special white pearl color.

Enterprise

TikTok finally gets a buyer in the United States

The deal targets a closing date in late January.

Published

December 19, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

The year started with a ban. A day before Donald Trump started his second term, TikTok went dark, in anticipation of an impending ban. The platform quickly went back online, leading to an ultimatum that saw TikTok hunt for an American buyer to full stave off a definitive ban in the United States. Now, as the year ends, a buyer is finally here.

Via CNBC, TikTok has reportedly inked a deal to finalize a deal in the United States, as stated in an internal memo from CEO Shou Zi Chew. The memo, which was sent just this week, details a plan that will see the deal close by January 26, 2026.

Fifty percent of TikTok’s newly restructured U.S. arm will be held by a collection of American investors including Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX. Meanwhile, already existing investors of TikTok will hold 30.1 percent. Finally, ByteDance will retain 19.9 percent.

Additionally, TikTok’s algorithm in the United States will be retrained with American data. The American arm will also handle the country’s “data protection, algorithm security, content moderation, and software assurance.” Oracle will be the “trusted security partner” in charge of making sure the company keeps within regulations in the country.

With a deal pushing through, the long-running TikTok saga in the United States might finally come to a close.

Gaming

Silksong is getting its first major expansion next year

The expansion is called Sea of Sorrow.

Published

December 16, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

I still can’t believe that Hollow Knight: Silksong came out this year. After years of just waiting for the mythical title, it’s surreal to have it in my library. Now, barely waiting to catch their breath, Team Cherry is already working hard towards the next content drop, starting with Silksong DLC.

Just like the original Hollow Knight, Silksong is getting free DLCs to expand its story. The upcoming Sea of Sorrow DLC will be the game’s “first big expansion.”

The expansion’s trailer barely shows anything about the new content, besides vague allusions to what’s coming. At the very least, Team Cherry has confirmed, both via the announcement and the accompanying poster, that Sea of Sorrow will be nautical-themed.

It will feature new locations, new tools, and new enemies. By itself, Silksong is already a huge game. Adding more content then is a massive undertaking. Plus, Team Cherry says that this is just the first expansion, hinting at more coming in the future.

Sea of Sorrow will launch in 2026.

Besides the new expansion, the studio is also working on a Nintendo Switch 2 update for the original Hollow Knight. It will add higher framerates, resolutions, and more graphical effects. PC players will also get some upgrades to support larger screens.

The Switch 2 update, which will be free for those who already own the original game, will also launch next year.

Entertainment

Supergirl gets its first teaser trailer

Milly Alcock stars as the titular character.

Published

December 12, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

Before the new year starts, it’s already fair to assume that Supergirl might be one of the most anticipated movies of 2026. Premiering a year after the globally successful Superman, Supergirl will see the adventures of Clark Kent’s superpowered cousin, Kara Zor-El. Now, the next film in the sage finally has a teaser trailer.

As James Gunn mentioned previously, Supergirl will be based on Tom King’s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. Off traveling to other planets to party, Kara finds herself thrust back into the role of being a hero after a young girl named Ruthye Mary Knoll asks her for help.

Though the teaser trailer is mostly a montage of scenes, we already know what we can expect. According to Gunn, Supergirl will be tonally different from Superman, and we see this in the trailer.

However, we can still see influences from Gunn including the usage of “Call Me” by Blondie for the trailer. Also, the film’s space scenes look like they can fit right in with Guardians of the Galaxy.

Still, that’s what we have, and we’re excited. Supergirl will premiere on June 26, 2026.

The film will be directed by Craig Gillespie (Cruella). Milly Alcock plays the titular character. Meanwhile, she will star alongside Eve Ridley as Ruthye Mary Knoll.