U.S. government to acquire $8.9B (≈9.9%) stake in Intel President Donald Trump and Intel reached an agreement for the U.S. government to invest $8.9 billion to acquire approximately a 9.9% stake in Intel common stock at $20.47 per share. The investment is described as passive with no board representation; Intel says the government agreed to vote with the company's board on shareholder matters with limited exceptions. Key facts Investment: $8.9 billion (≈9.9% of Intel common stock) Price: $20.47 per share Funding sources: $5.7B from previously earmarked CHIPS Act funds and $3.2B from the Secure Enclave program Prior CHIPS grants: Intel had already received $2.2B in CHIPS grants, bringing total government support to $11.1B Governance: Common stock (voting rights); Intel calls the investment passive with no board seat and an agreement…

Abxylute 3D One — glasses-free 3D handheld: specs, price & release Abxylute has announced the 3D One, a high-end gaming PC handheld that pairs a glasses‑free 3D display with detachable Joy‑Con‑style controllers. The device aims to combine PC gaming power with naked‑eye 3D tech and a convertible form factor. Key reported specs Display: glasses‑free 3D (reported sizes vary: Engadget reported ~11"; Abxylute/other sources list 15.6") Processor: Intel Lunar Lake series (reported prototype collaboration with Intel/Tencent) Memory: reported 32GB LPDDR5X Refresh rate: reported 120Hz Controllers: detachable Joy‑Con‑style controllers; optional keyboard with trackpad Extras: built‑in kickstand, software to convert 2D photos/video to 3D, eye‑tracking for the 3D effect Price & availability Multiple sources report a target price under $1,700 (often cited as ~$1,699). Abxylute lists a late September / early October 2025…

Samsung 115-inch Micro RGB TV — Hands-on impressions & specs Samsung has announced the world’s first 115" Micro RGB TV, a premium 115-inch LCD that uses micro-scale red, green and blue LEDs behind the panel to deliver dramatically wider color — Samsung claims 100% coverage of the BT.2020 gamut. The set also features a 144Hz panel and a new Micro RGB AI engine to manage the higher pixel/control workload. The U.S. launch price is $29,999. Key specs Size: 115 inches Technology: Micro RGB (micro-scale RGB LEDs behind an LCD panel) Color: 100% BT.2020 coverage Refresh rate: 144Hz HDR: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG (per Samsung release) Processor: Micro RGB AI engine (RGB Engine AI) Inputs: 4x HDMI (supporting up to 4K@144Hz inputs) Price: $29,999 (U.S.) Impressions Hands-on impressions report exceptionally vivid, intense…

Apple reportedly considering Google’s Gemini for revamped Siri Bloomberg reports Apple is in talks with Google to explore using Google’s Gemini model to power a revamped Siri. Google is said to be training a version of Gemini that could run on Apple’s servers, while Apple continues developing its own models. No final decision has been made. Key points Apple is developing two internal approaches: Linwood (powered by Apple’s own models) and Glenwood (which would use third‑party technology). Google is reportedly training a Gemini variant to run on Apple hardware and servers using Apple’s Private Cloud Compute approach, which could add privacy protections. Apple has previously talked with OpenAI and Anthropic about similar partnerships. Apple’s updated Siri — promised with iOS 18 — was delayed and is now expected sometime in…

Leaked: Google's Gemini-Powered Home Speaker — What We Know During Google's Made by Google showcase a brief on-stage cameo revealed what appears to be a new Gemini-powered smart speaker — informally tipped as the "Google Home Speaker." While Google hasn’t announced the product, leaked images and multiple reports outline what we might expect. What it looks like The device is a compact, fabric-wrapped speaker with a light ring at its base, resembling a slightly plumper Apple HomePod mini. Leaks show it in several colors: white (porcelain), black (obsidian), light green (jade) and red. Key features reported Gemini Live: A Gemini-powered voice assistant experience expected to replace Google Assistant on newer devices. Matter support: Functions as a smart home hub for Matter-compatible devices. Sound detection: Can reportedly detect unusual sounds like…

Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini‑LED (2nd Gen) — Mini‑LED upgrade and improved specs Amazon’s second‑generation Fire TV Omni replaces QLED with a Mini‑LED backlight, delivering noticeably better picture quality — deeper blacks, much higher contrast and very bright HDR performance. The new Omni keeps a quantum dot filter for vibrant colors while adding a high number of dimming zones (e.g., 512 zones in the 55" model) for improved local dimming. Key features Display: Mini‑LED backlight with Quantum Dot color filter Sizes: 55", 65", 75", 85" HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10+ Gaming: 4K@144Hz support, two HDMI 2.1 ports, VRR Connectivity: Wi‑Fi 6E, eARC Smart platform: Enhanced Fire TV OS with deep Alexa integration Audio: Dolby formats supported; built‑in sound is average — consider a soundbar for best results Overall, the Fire TV…

First Look: Carlinkit Mini Ultra Wireless CarPlay Adapter Carlinkit’s compact Mini Ultra CarPlay wireless adapter has recently become available in Germany. It sold out quickly after launch, but Amazon has reportedly restocked the small USB plug. We also picked one up and are sharing a concise roundup of what the adapter does and what to expect. What it is The Carlinkit Mini Ultra is a plug-and-play USB adapter that turns a car’s wired Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connection into a wireless one. It’s an ultra-compact dongle that connects to the vehicle’s USB port and establishes a wireless link to your phone via Bluetooth + Wi‑Fi. Key features Converts wired CarPlay/Android Auto to wireless Ultra-compact USB stick form factor (works with USB-A/USB-C via adapters) Upgraded Cortex‑A7 chip for improved responsiveness…

iPhone 17 roundup: rumors, iOS 26 & what to expect August is nearly over and Apple’s usual mid‑September event is likely on the horizon. Here’s a concise look at the most credible iPhone 17 rumors, what to expect from iOS 26, and other products that might join the stage. When? Most reports point to a September announcement (some sources suggest Sept. 9). Apple historically announces new iPhones in September, though official invites may arrive only a week or two ahead. Top rumors TechWoven cases: Leaks claim revamped fabric-style cases (similar to the old FineWoven) with two lanyard holes for carrying and new colors such as gray/black, blue, green, purple and orange. iPhone 17 Air: Expected to be an ultra‑thin model, possibly called iPhone 17 Air, reportedly using a basic A19…

iOS 26 Preview: Liquid Glass, Key Features & How to Try the Public Beta Apple’s iOS 26 arrives this fall with a major visual overhaul called “Liquid Glass,” a translucent home and lock screen aesthetic that will extend across Apple’s OS lineup. The iOS 26 public beta (currently at public beta 4) is available now via the Apple Beta Software Program. Notable Features Liquid Glass design — translucent apps, floating buttons, new home & lock look (dark/light adaptive). Improved screenshots — built-in Google and ChatGPT search options in the screenshot editor. Live Translation — real-time translation in Phone, FaceTime and Messages. Hold Assist — hold-your-spot feature for long customer-service waits. Visual Intelligence — search what’s on your screen (like reverse image search). Photos tabs return — separate Library and Collections…

Calibre 8.9: Improvements for Personal E-Book Collections Calibre 8.9 has been released with a number of small but useful improvements aimed at making personal e‑book management and export more reliable and visually faithful. Highlights Annotations browser: Results now show a color swatch next to annotations to make it easier to identify different highlight types. HTMLZ export: Support for embedded fonts in HTMLZ output, improving the visual fidelity of exported HTMLZ e-books. Device drivers & compatibility: Continued updates for Kobo and Tolino drivers, including options such as series-number templates for Kobo. Viewer & UI fixes: Faster opening of large EPUB files, improved highlight grouping, and accessibility tweaks (e.g., better scrollbar contrast in light mode). The update is part of Calibre's ongoing maintenance and feature refinements from its active open-source developer community.…