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MIUI 10 continues to prove that it’s the best Android skin

It’ll make its way to new and old devices

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It’s that time of the year to have a new Xiaomi flagship phone and a refreshed MIUI version. Since MIUI 8, not much has changed in the overall feel of Xiaomi’s own take on Android until now. MIUI 10 is official and the best news about it is it’s also coming to older Xiaomi phones.

The first thing you’ll notice about MIUI 10 is how clean and minimal the interface is. Xiaomi stresses that the new UI is optimized for modern devices with bezel-less designs like their very own Mi Mix 2S with intuitive navigation gestures we first saw on MIUI 9.5.

The noticeable changes to the UI include a new Recent Apps screen which has been revamped to display more apps at once and use vertical scrolling, a refreshed notification bar, and an Android P-like design with circular shortcut buttons.

Of course, there are also some under-the-hood improvements and AI is now an integral part of MIUI. You can now consider MIUI as an AI-powered software that constantly learns from your habits and improves by anticipating your actions. It’s just like how EMUI 8.0 works on new Huawei phones.

Thanks to AI, even single camera Xiaomi phones can now shoot with bokeh. The AI-enhanced camera software can analyze the depth of the scene without a secondary sensor. It won’t be as good as true dual-camera phones, but it’s a neat upgrade for older Xiaomi devices.

There’s also a new Car Mode that helps during a commute. There’s no need to load Android Auto because MIUI can automatically optimize the layout of the phone for better navigation, listen to voice commands, and reduce distractions while driving.

The best thing about MIUI 10 is its availability. It’ll make its way to new and old Xiaomi devices. Here are the target months of the software rollout — at least in China:

June:

  • Mi 8
  • Mi 8 SE
  • Mi Mix 2S
  • Mi Mix 2
  • Mi Mix
  • Mi 6X
  • Mi 6
  • Mi 5
  • Mi Note 2
  • Redmi S2
  • Redmi Note 5

July:

  • Mi Note 3
  • Mi 5X
  • Mi 5C
  • Mi 5S
  • Mi 5S Plus
  • Mi 4
  • Mi 4C
  • Mi 4S
  • Mi Max 2
  • Mi Max
  • Redmi 5
  • Redmi 5A
  • Redmi 5 Plus
  • Redmi 4
  • Redmi 4A
  • Redmi 4X
  • Redmi 3S/3X
  • Redmi Pro
  • Redmi Note 5A
  • Redmi Note 4
  • Redmi Note 4X
  • Redmi Note 3

SEE ALSO: Xiaomi Haul: Spring Edition

News

HONOR Magic8 Pro gets Android 17 Beta 3 support early

Android 17 arrives early

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The HONOR Magic8 Pro is among the first smartphones to support Android 17 Beta 3, giving developers early access to Google’s upcoming mobile platform ahead of its wider release.

According to HONOR, the early beta access allows developers to test app compatibility, optimize performance, and integrate new Android 17 features using the company’s flagship smartphone.

Android 17 Beta 3

Android 17 Beta 3 introduces several new multitasking, customization, camera, and privacy tools. One of its biggest additions is the expansion of Bubbles into a system-wide feature. Apps can now run in floating windows that users can minimize and reopen from anywhere on-screen.

The update also adds support for the RAW14 image format. HONOR says this allows developers to better take advantage of the Magic8 Pro’s AiMAGE camera system for improved image processing, dynamic range, and color accuracy in third-party camera and editing apps.

Android 17 Beta 3 also expands UI customization. Users can now hide app labels for a cleaner home screen layout, while developers can adjust Photo Picker layouts with different aspect ratios including portrait-style 9:16 views.

Other updates include separate Quick Settings toggles for Wi-Fi and mobile data, alongside a redesigned screen recording interface that lets users choose between recording the full display or a specific app.

Privacy and security improvements are also part of the update. Android 17 Beta 3 adds session-only precise location access, blocks local network access by default, and introduces protections against code injection attacks. Google is also preparing Android for future cybersecurity threats through support for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC).

The HONOR Magic8 Pro features the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform, HONOR’s AiMAGE imaging system, and a 6,270mAh Silicon-carbon Battery. HONOR says its participation in the Android 17 Beta program highlights its continued collaboration with Google ahead of Android 17’s official release.

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Dua Lipa is suing Samsung for $15 million

Samsung allegedly used her image without her consent.

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Samsung has an unlikely rival. Dua Lipa is suing the South Korean company for using her image without her permission.

In the marketing world, brand endorsers are part and parcel of how products are pushed to the market. Famous celebrities are often asked to advertise a product for their potential star power. That said, a company needs the endorser’s consent first.

According to a new suit (via Variety), pop star Dua Lipa is suing Samsung for using her image to endorse TVs without her consent. The South Korean brand is reportedly using Lipa’s photo on the packaging of its TVs. Lipa alleges that the photo’s usage implies that she endorses the TV, which she does not.

The complaint also alleges that Lipa asked Samsung to take down the image last year. However, Samsung’s reply was, to her, “dismissive and callous.” The brand has then continued to use the image in its packaging.

To prove her point, the suit includes anecdotes of Samsung customers who bought the TV specifically because the packaging has Lipa’s image on it. To pay for damages, Lipa is asking for US$ 15 million from the global brand for copyright infringement.

SEE ALSO: These Samsung TVs and sound devices are perfect for summer

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The Switch 2 is getting more expensive this year

The price increases will start this month.

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Gone are the days when consoles get cheaper as time goes by. These days, especially because of the RAM crisis, gaming consoles are getting more expensive. Joining this worrying trend, the Nintendo Switch 2 is getting a price hike.

Even upon launch, the Switch 2 was already pricier than its original counterpart. Currently, without the incoming price hikes, the console retails for US$ 449.99. It’s a lot but not completely out of reach.

Last week, Nintendo announced a price hike that might push the console to less than attainable levels. Starting May 25, the Switch 2 will cost JPY 59,980 (up from JPY 49,980) in Japan. The original generation is also getting a hike: JPY 47,980 for the Switch OLED, JPY 43,980 for the base Switch, and JPY 29,980 for the Switch Lite.

Abroad, you can expect price hikes on September 1. The Switch 2 will jump to US$ 499.99, CAN 679.99, or EUR 499.99, depending on where you live. These are the only official hikes announced right now, but Nintendo has confirmed that price revisions will be implemented in other regions, too.

As you might expect, the price increases are due to the ongoing RAM crisis. Though the console is an undeniable hit, the Switch 2 can’t hide behind its popularity against the price shortage dealt by unnecessary data centers. At the very least, users worldwide have time to grab the console in its original pricing before the hikes.

SEE ALSO: Switch 2 now lets you play old games in 1080p

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