News
Pixel 9 series might come with a free year of Gemini Advanced
Base model gets six months
All the big names are getting their own artificial intelligences. From Gemini to Galaxy AI to Apple Intelligence, everyone’s jumping on the trend. Naturally, you can expect newer smartphones to include the biggest AI-powered features in the coming months. Google, for example, is reportedly packing a free 1-year subscription to Gemini Advanced with the new Pixel 9 series.
Spotted by 9to5Google, the latest Google app beta includes a reference to the free subscription. “Your Pixel Pro gives you access to a 1-year subscription to Gemini Advanced, our most capable AI model with priority access to new features, at no cost to you,” it reads.
The Pro models, which reportedly will have three models out of the available four, will get a free year of the service. This will include the most advanced version of Gemini, access to newer features, and 2TB of cloud storage.
The package deal isn’t leaving out the entry-level model, either. In a separate reference, the regular Pixel 9 will reportedly get a free six-month period for Gemini Advanced.
Earlier this year, Google launched the new Gemini 1.5, a new version of its model that can sift through much larger amounts of data. It will offer that standard array of AI-based features, but Google hopes to appeal to both business and personal users.
With the Pixel 9 series, it looks like everyone gets a turn at trying out Google’s latest AI models.
Gaming
Silksong is getting its first major expansion next year
The expansion is called Sea of Sorrow.
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.
SEE ALSO: Hollow Knight: Silksong finally releases on September 4
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.
SEE ALSO: Superman sequel, titled Man of Tomorrow, comes out in 2027
The HONOR Magic8 Pro, HONOR’s latest flagship smartphone, has been officially launched Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Customers can place preorders starting December 11 across UAE via the HONOR Online Store, Sharaf DG, Emax, Ecity, Jumbo, Virgin Megastore, Amazon, Carrefour, e&, Eros, Noon, and Lulu.
The pricing are as follows:
- 12GB+512GB (Sunrise Gold, Sky Cyan, Black): AED 3,999
- 16GB+1TB (Sunrise Gold, Black): AED 4,699
Those who preorder will get the following as part of a preorder gift package worth AED 2,299:
- HONOR VIP Care+ with 12-month damage protection
- 3-month Google AI Pro trial
- HONOR Watch5 Ultra
HONOR Magic8 Pro: AI imaging, mobile intelligence, creator-focused tech
The introduction of the HONOR Magic8 Pro reinforces the company’s leadership in AI Imaging, mobile intelligence, and creator-focused technology.
The phone boasts of groundbreaking on-device AI innovations, including Low-bit Quantization Technology for AI Models and Next-Generation Hybrid Retrieval Technology.
Powering the Pro model is the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 mobile platform. It is the first phone in UAE to have the processor.
HONOR’s agentic AI capabilities and Qualcomm’s mobile platforms make it possible for the device to be more efficient and packed with computing power.
The phone also comes with a 7100mAh Silicon-carbon battery. More advanced features include the AI Button, AI Search, and AI Documents, all designed to enhance productivity and support AI-driven workflows.
For its camera package, the HONOR Magic8 Pro has a 200MP AI Ultra Night Telephoto camera and an upgraded AI Ultra Night Portrait mode.
The device also introduces AI Magic Color and a new AI Editor, enabling refined color optimization and on-device creative adjustments.
For more of the innovations on the HONOR Magic8 Pro, read: HONOR reveals 1st images of Magic8 Pro, introduces new AI technologies
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