Microsoft has just introduced what could be its finest Surface Pro to date. The 12th‑generation 13‑inch Surface Pro brings substantial upgrades across the board, from CPU and GPU performance to battery endurance.
These enhancements make it an obvious pick for anyone seeking a versatile 2‑in‑1 that can double as a tablet and also accept a keyboard for faster productivity. The only hurdle is the cost.
What’s new with the Surface Pro 12?
The headline change is the shift to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 chip family, offering either a 10‑core X2 Plus or a 12‑core X2 Elite. The Elite version delivers up to 53 % faster graphics compared with the 11th‑generation model.
Battery life improves from 14 hours to 15.5 hours, and the device now sports a 1440p Quad‑HD camera with an ultrawide field of view, plus faster Wi‑Fi 7 connectivity.
It will be sold in the traditional Platinum and Black finishes, as well as a new Dune color, all paired with a colour‑matched Surface Pro Flex Keyboard.
How much does it cost?
Here’s where the price tag forces a pause. The base configuration of the new Surface Pro starts at $1,499, including 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage – a full $500 above the $999 starting price of the previous generation. Opting for an OLED display adds another $300, pushing the price to $1,799.
This price jump is notable for a device that looks almost identical to its predecessor. Part of the increase is driven by the industry‑wide AI‑related surge in LPDDR5x RAM costs, affecting premium Windows hardware.
To soften the impact, Microsoft is offering a free Surface Pro Flex Keyboard through June 30, up to $900 in trade‑in credit, and a 50 % discount on Microsoft Complete protection.
“The Aiper Irrisense 2 is the most user-friendly above-ground smart sprinkler out there”
Easy setup
Customizable zones
Weather software
Requires power outlet
No voice assistant support
Quick Review
The Aiper IrriSense 2 is a compelling all-in-one smart irrigation system that combines a sprinkler, controller, electric valve, and nutrient feeder into a single device that you can install in around 15 minutes or less. It covers up to 4,800 square feet with its TUV-certified EvenRain technology, supports up to 10 customizable watering zones and can reduce water usage significantly through weather-aware scheduling and grass mapping. At $500 MSRP (frequently discounted to around $400), it’s a strong pick for homeowners with small to mid-sized yards who want smart irrigation without digging trenches or hiring a professional.
That said, the system requires a nearby outdoor power outlet (and I hate cords), lacks native voice assistant integration, and its zone-mapping tool can be finicky with irregular yard shapes. If your priority is ecosystem integration with Alexa, Google Home, or HomeKit, traditional smart controllers from Rachio or Orbit still lead the space as far as controllers go. But for pure ease of setup and standalone smarts, the IrriSense 2 is hard to beat.
What I Like
• 15-minute DIY setup: No trenching, no plumber. Anchor, connect the hose, plug in, and map your zones in the app.
• Up to 10 customizable zones: Tailor watering schedules per zone for different plant types across your yard.
• EvenRain technology: TUV-certified uniform water distribution simulates natural rainfall and minimizes erosion.
Aiper claims the IrriSense 2 can be set up in 15 minutes, and in my testing, that was roughly accurate. The box contains the IrriSense 2 unit, ground anchoring stakes, a hose adapter, a power cable, and a quick-start guide. Packaging is recyclable with very little plastic waste; a nice touch for eco-friendly buyers.
The physical installation is dead simple: position the unit where you want it, drive the included ground screws to anchor it, connect your garden hose, and plug in the power cable. You’ll need either a nearby outdoor outlet or an extension cord, which is the system’s most notable limitation and can be irritating for OCD people like myself.
Onboarding through the Aiper app (iOS/Android) is straightforward. After creating an account, the app walks you through connecting the device via Bluetooth, then transitioning to your Wi-Fi network. From there, you map your watering zones. The app offers preset yard shapes like oval, rectangle, and others that you customize by dragging control points to match your actual yard. For our small, pinto bean-shaped test yard, we selected the oval preset and adjusted points accordingly.
One point of friction for me: the mapping tool throws an error when boundary points overlap, which forced us to straighten out zones near the house rather than tracing the exact yard perimeter. It’s a minor annoyance that I hope Aiper will address with a firmware update in the future. Other reviewers and customers online have reported that mapping can take 30 to 45 minutes for complex layouts rather than the advertised 15 minutes, though our simple yard stayed within that window.
Design and Build Quality
The IrriSense 2 is a compact, ground-mounted unit with a clean industrial design. Its gray housing is unobtrusive on a lawn, and the blue control ring gives it a subtle modern look. Build quality feels solid; the housing is weather-resistant and designed for long-term outdoor placement.
At its core, the device integrates four components that traditionally require separate purchases: a rotor sprinkler head, an irrigation controller, an electric valve, and a nutrient feeder. This consolidation is the IrriSense 2’s main design innovation. Rather than running underground pipes and wiring between separate components, everything lives in one self-contained unit connected to your hose bib and a power outlet.
The ground anchoring system is secure but also allows for easy relocation if you want to reposition the sprinkler. No permanent installation or professional help was required for me to get this setup.
Daily Use and Performance
Once mapped and scheduled, the IrriSense 2 is pretty much set-and-forget. Creating watering schedules in the app is simple. You set duration, frequency, and time of day per zone, and the system handles the rest. The scheduling interface is clean, and the controls are intuitive enough that anyone in the household could adjust them.
Aiper has its own EvenRain technology, which distributes water in a uniform curtain rather than concentrated jets. In practice, this means fewer dry patches and less soil erosion compared to a standard oscillating sprinkler. The system covers up to 4,800 square feet from a single unit with a 39-foot spray range in every direction, though reaching that maximum requires strong water pressure (45 PSI, 6.9 GPM). Most municipal water supplies should meet that threshold, but if you’re on a well or have older plumbing, your coverage radius may shrink.
Like almost every smart home device out there (even Aiper’s own pool cleaners), Weather-aware scheduling is where the IrriSense 2 really earns its “smart” label. The built-in rain sensor automatically pauses watering during rainfall, and the app’s predictive weather monitoring can adjust schedules preemptively based on incoming forecasts. During my testing, the system correctly skipped several watering cycles during rainy stretches without any manual intervention.
Aiper claims this can reduce water consumption by up to 40 percent, and while I didn’t measure that precisely, the in-app water-usage tracking showed meaningful savings compared to my regular sprinkler setup, which doesn’t use any sort of weather-sensing technology. I want to point out that every smart sprinkler controller on the market has weather-sensing technology, so I fully expected Aiper to have a product like this.
The app also provides real-time and historical water usage data, giving you clear insight into consumption patterns. You can monitor and control the system from anywhere with a cellular or Wi-Fi connection.
One note on hoses: because the IrriSense 2 maintains continuous water pressure during operation, a cheap or worn garden hose can fail under sustained load. Investing in a hose rated for continuous use is worth the small added expense. I would also recommend disconnecting the hose in the winter, especially if you experience freezing in your area. This will help minimize expanding and contracting and ultimately wearing down the hose connector.
Ecosystem Compatibility
This is the IrriSense 2’s weakest area. The device operates exclusively through Aiper’s own app and has no native integration with Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, or SmartThings. For a device in the “smart home” category priced at $500, the absence of voice assistant support is a meaningful gap.
That said, the Home Assistant community has developed unofficial integrations (available on GitHub) that allow the IrriSense 2 to be controlled through Home Assistant dashboards and automations via AWS IoT MQTT endpoints. If you run Home Assistant, this is a viable workaround. But for mainstream smart home users who expect to say “Hey Google, water the lawn,” this isn’t there yet.
The system connects via 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi for ongoing operation and uses Bluetooth for initial device pairing. There is no Matter or Thread support. I would recommend checking the distance of your Wi-Fi connection before purchasing this.
Privacy and Security
The Aiper app requires an account with your email address and collects standard device telemetry: operation history (start/end times, durations), device status (connection, battery, mode), and mobile device information (OS, brand). The app also stores your Wi-Fi credentials for device pairing. This is a typical data footprint for a connected outdoor device, though Aiper does not offer two-factor authentication for app accounts, which I thought was weird.
All control and scheduling appear to be cloud-dependent. If you lose internet, the system cannot receive remote commands through the app. However, previously scheduled watering routines should continue to be executed based on the device’s local clock. Aiper’s privacy policy states that data is used for device management, support, and app improvement, with no indication of data sales to third parties.
How I Tested
Tester
Anita Kekona (co-worker) and Ian Bell
Test Location
Anita’s home, small residential yard
Yard Shape
Pinto Bean
Setup Time
Around 12 minutes including ground anchoring
App Platform
Aiper App (iOS)
Test Scenarios
Zone mapping, scheduled watering, rain response, app control
The IrriSense 2 was installed and tested in a colleague’s yard. Setup included unboxing, anchoring, hose connection, app onboarding, and zone mapping. We configured multiple watering zones and schedules, tested the rain-detection pause feature during actual rainfall events, and evaluated the app’s usability for creating and modifying irrigation schedules. Zone mapping was tested using the oval preset adapted to an irregular yard shape (Pinto bean shaped).
Comparison and Alternatives
The Aiper IrriSense 2 occupies a unique niche as an above-ground, all-in-one smart irrigation system. Most competitors in the smart irrigation space are controllers that connect to existing in-ground sprinkler systems, making direct comparison tricky. Still, here’s how it stacks up against the most relevant alternatives:
Rachio 3 (~$200 for 8-zone)
The Rachio 3 remains the gold standard for smart sprinkler controllers, with native Alexa, Google Home, and HomeKit support, hyperlocal weather intelligence from eight data sources, and EPA-certified 32% average water savings. However, Rachio requires an existing in-ground sprinkler system and professional installation if you don’t already have one; a cost that can run into thousands of dollars. If you already have in-ground infrastructure, Rachio is the better smart controller. If you don’t, the IrriSense 2’s all-in-one approach is far more cost-effective, especially for smaller yards. I personally use a Rachio 1 system, and it’s been great, years later. But, again, this is just a controller.
Orbit B-Hyve XR (~$95 for 8-zone)
The budget king of smart controllers, the B-Hyve XR offers WaterSense-certified irrigation at less than half Rachio’s price, with no subscription fees. Like Rachio, it requires an existing in-ground system. Its app is capable, and its proprietary 900 MHz radio offers strong connectivity through walls. Again, the key differentiator is that the IrriSense 2 doesn’t need underground plumbing.
Traditional Hose-End Sprinklers + Smart Timers (~$50–$100)
You can pair a standard oscillating sprinkler with a smart hose timer (like the Orbit B-Hyve hose faucet timer) for much less money. But you lose multi-zone precision, uniform coverage from EvenRain technology, nutrient feeding, and the integrated weather intelligence. For a single small zone, this budget combo works. For anything more sophisticated, the IrriSense 2 justifies its premium. Just remember to call the neighbor kid when you forget to turn off the sprinkler, and you leave the area!
Verdict
The Aiper IrriSense 2 delivers on its core promise: smart, precision lawn irrigation without the cost or complexity of an in-ground system. The sub-15-minute setup is real, the EvenRain coverage is impressively uniform, and the weather-aware scheduling works as advertised. The built-in nutrient feeder and water-usage tracking are thoughtful additions that go beyond what any comparable above-ground sprinkler offers, but appeal to few people.
Its shortcomings are real but manageable. The power-outlet requirement limits placement flexibility, the lack of voice assistant integration feels like an oversight at this price point, and the zone-mapping tool needs polish for irregular yard shapes. These are firmware- and software-level issues that Aiper could address in future updates.
At its current street price of around $400, the IrriSense 2 is an excellent value for anyone who wants smart irrigation without committing to a full in-ground system. It’s perfect for small yards, raised beds, and gardens. We’d love to see solar power capability and Alexa/Google integration in a future generation, but as it stands, this is the most user-friendly above-ground smart sprinkler out there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Aiper IrriSense 2 work with Alexa or Google Home?
No. The IrriSense 2 currently has no native voice assistant integration. It operates exclusively through the Aiper app. Unofficial Home Assistant integrations exist for advanced users, but you better be patient and love to tinker with tech.
How much yard can the IrriSense 2 cover?
A single unit covers up to 4,800 square feet (445 square meters) with a 39-foot spray range. Achieving maximum coverage requires a water pressure of at least 45 PSI with a 6.9 GPM flow rate.
Does it need to be plugged in, or is there a battery option?
The IrriSense 2 requires a constant AC power connection. There is no battery or solar power option. You’ll need a nearby outdoor outlet or an extension cord.
Can the IrriSense 2 fertilize my lawn while watering?
Yes. The built-in nutrient feeder is compatible with Aiper’s SoilPulse organic soil amendment (sold separately), which is dispensed through the irrigation cycle to improve soil health.
Is professional installation required?
No. The IrriSense 2 is designed as a complete DIY system. Setup involves anchoring the unit, connecting a garden hose, plugging in the power cable, and configuring zones through the Aiper app. Most users complete installation in 15 minutes or less.
Software developers spend hours moving between lines of code. Designers jump from one creative workflow to another across multiple screens. Remote professionals move through packed calendars of virtual meetings, while gamers can remain seated through entire evenings without stepping away from their setups. Different routines, different demands, but a shared reality: the chair has become one of the hardest-working pieces of equipment in the modern workspace.
Productivity discussions often focus on faster hardware, smarter software, and AI-powered tools. Physical comfort rarely receives the same attention, despite playing a direct role in how people feel and perform throughout the day. Long stretches at a desk expose shortcomings that are easy to overlook during a showroom demo. A seat that feels comfortable for twenty minutes can become a source of constant adjustment by mid-afternoon. Headrests sit too low, seat pans feel too short, and support systems designed around average dimensions leave many users trying to adapt their bodies to furniture that was never designed around them.
LiberNovo‘s latest product lineup takes aim at that disconnect. Headlining the launch is the Maxis Series, a chair developed specifically for Big & Tall users, a group that has often been underserved by the ergonomic furniture market. Joining it are the Omni Pro and Omni SE, two models designed for professionals, creators, and enthusiasts looking for different approaches to workplace comfort. Together, the three launches reflect a broader shift within the category: ergonomic seating is becoming less about finding a chair with the most adjustments and more about finding one built around the person using it.
Customers who place their orders before July 31 can secure LiberNovo’s Super Early Bird pricing, representing the lowest launch pricing available and savings of more than 44% off MSRP across the new range.
LiberNovo Maxis: The ergonomic chair big & tall users have been waiting for
Walk through most office furniture showrooms and a familiar pattern quickly emerges. Ergonomic chairs come loaded with adjustments, yet the fundamental dimensions rarely change. Bigger and taller users are often left choosing between products that feel restrictive and oversized chairs that sacrifice ergonomics in favour of scale.
LiberNovo developed the Maxis Series to challenge that compromise. Designed for users between 5’10” and 6’7″ and supporting up to 399 lbs, the chair was engineered around the needs of larger frames rather than adapted from a standard-size model. A 52cm extended seat depth delivers fuller thigh support, while the broader backrest, 430mm shoulder span, and 520mm waist width provide the coverage and stability many larger users struggle to find in conventional ergonomic chairs. An extended-travel headrest and redesigned Arc Armrests further improve fit, helping create a seating position that feels natural rather than restrictive.
Dimensions alone, however, are only part of the story. The Maxis incorporates LiberNovo’s Dynamic Support System, which continuously adapts to movement and helps maintain alignment across the neck, back, hips, and arms. At its core is the Bionic FlexFit Backrest, an adaptive structure built around flexible panels and multi-pivot linkages designed to provide consistent spinal support throughout the workday. Depending on the model selected, users can also benefit from Electric Lumbar Support, allowing more precise lower-back adjustment and support.
Long-session comfort remains a key focus throughout the range. A Controlled Recline System uses a six-spring mechanism to deliver smooth, stable recline without the sudden drop often associated with larger chairs. Five dedicated recline positions support everything from focused work to full relaxation, while OmniStretch Mode introduces a guided spinal stretch designed to relieve built-up tension during extended sitting sessions. Buyers choosing the Maxis Airflow also gain access to Active AirFlow Seat Ventilation, which combines a multi-layer breathable structure with fan-assisted airflow to keep the seating surface cooler during long hours at a desk.
LiberNovo is offering the Maxis Series in three configurations during its Super Early Bird campaign. The Maxis Manual starts at $809, while the Maxis Electric is available from $1,049. Users looking for the most feature-rich version can opt for the Maxis Airflow, which starts at $1,239. Bundle options that include the StepSync Footrest and additional accessories are also available for buyers looking to build a complete ergonomic workstation while taking advantage of launch pricing.
LiberNovo Omni Pro: Ergonomics That Move With You
Most ergonomic chairs are designed around a static idea of comfort: adjust the chair, find a position that feels right, and stay there. The challenge is that people don’t sit still. Research cited by LiberNovo suggests users shift posture dozens of times throughout the workday, creating small breaks in alignment that traditional ergonomic chairs aren’t designed to accommodate.
The Omni Pro approaches ergonomics differently through a Dynamic Support System that moves with the user rather than requiring constant manual adjustments. At the heart of the chair is LiberNovo’s Bionic FlexFit Backrest, an adaptive system built around flexible panels and multi-pivot linkages that respond to movement while maintaining consistent spinal support. Combined with electric lumbar adjustment, the chair is designed to help users maintain alignment whether they are leaning forward during focused work, reclining between meetings, or settling into a longer session at their desk.
Comfort extends beyond support alone. The Omni Pro also features OmniStretch, a built-in motorized spinal decompression function designed to help relieve accumulated pressure, alongside Active AirFlow seat ventilation that promotes airflow during extended work or gaming sessions. Starting at $909 during the Super Early Bird promotion, buyers can also opt for Standard and Premium Bundles that add the StepSync Footrest and battery accessories, creating a more complete ergonomic workstation.
LiberNovo Omni SE: Ergonomic Support Without the Premium Barrier
Building a comfortable workspace doesn’t always require a flagship chair. For many professionals, students, and remote workers, the priority is finding a seating solution that delivers meaningful ergonomic support, promotes healthier posture, and remains comfortable throughout long hours at a desk. The Omni SE was developed for exactly that audience, focusing on the core principles of ergonomic seating through a streamlined manual adjustment system that keeps the experience simple and intuitive.
Rather than overwhelming users with complexity, LiberNovo has concentrated on the features that matter most to everyday use. The result is a chair that serves as a practical upgrade from conventional office seating while bringing the benefits of ergonomic design to a wider audience. Whether it’s a first dedicated home office or a long-overdue replacement for a standard task chair, the Omni SE is designed to make better seating more accessible.
Positioned as the most accessible model in LiberNovo’s latest lineup, the Omni SE starts at $569 during the Super Early Bird promotion. Buyers can also choose the Standard Bundle, which pairs the chair with the StepSync Footrest, creating a more complete ergonomic setup while taking advantage of launch pricing.
Choosing the Right LiberNovo Ergonomic Chair
Selecting an ergonomic chair is only part of the equation. Many users spend just as much time thinking about the accessories and support systems that contribute to long-term comfort, particularly when a workspace is used for eight or more hours a day.
LiberNovo’s Super Early Bird campaign reflects that reality through a range of bundle options designed to help users create a more complete ergonomic setup rather than purchasing a chair in isolation.
Across the lineup, buyers can choose between Basic, Standard, and Premium configurations. Standard Bundles pair the chair with LiberNovo’s StepSync Footrest, an addition aimed at improving lower-body support and sitting posture during extended work sessions. Select Premium Bundles go a step further by combining the chair, StepSync Footrest, and battery accessories into a single package, allowing users to unlock the full feature set while benefiting from launch pricing.
The value becomes particularly compelling across the Maxis range. Buyers can choose between the Maxis Manual, Maxis Electric, and Maxis Airflow, then customise their purchase through bundle configurations that best suit their workspace requirements. Similar options are available across the Omni lineup, giving customers flexibility without forcing them into a one-size-fits-all package.
For users already considering an ergonomic upgrade, the bundle offers may represent the strongest value within the entire promotion. Rather than purchasing accessories separately at a later stage, the launch campaign allows buyers to build a more complete workstation from day one while taking advantage of some of the deepest discounts available across the range.
The Super Early Bird campaign runs through July 31, with pricing starting at $569 for the Omni SE, $909 for the Omni Pro, and $809 for the Maxis Manual. With discounts reaching over 44% on select Maxis bundle configurations, the current launch window offers the most attractive entry point into LiberNovo’s newest ergonomic lineup before regular retail pricing takes effect.
Intel‘s rumored NVIDIA RTX chip could make the PC graphics fight a lot more complicated.
Erdi Ozuag, a former editor at Turkish tech site DonanimHaber who now reports on tech through YouTube, says that Intel’s current roadmap lists its first x86 client processors with NVIDIA RTX graphics for the first quarter of 2028. That timing lines up with a possible CES 2028 announcement, but Intel hasn’t confirmed a product name, specs, configuration, or launch date.
Özel Haber: Intel’in güncel yol haritasına göre, NVIDIA grafik birimine sahip olan yeni nesil işlemciler için hedeflenen tarih 2028 ilk çeyreği, planlar değişmediği takdirde CES 2028 Fuarı, lansman etkinliği olabilir.
The reported design would put Intel CPU technology and an NVIDIA RTX GPU tile in the same package. For PC makers, the big question is whether that design becomes a broad client platform or a narrower showcase for Intel and NVIDIA’s partnership.
How could Serpent Lake work
The rumored processors are tied to Serpent Lake, a future Intel client platform name that has surfaced in earlier roadmap leaks. The basic setup is Intel on the x86 CPU side, with NVIDIA supplying an RTX GPU tile.
The source doesn’t confirm the GPU tile configuration, memory support, package design, or process technology. It also leaves open whether NVIDIA’s tile would include its own display and media blocks, or whether Intel would keep some of that logic on a separate tile.
Why has Intel done this before
Intel has a precedent for this kind of mixed package. Kaby Lake-G paired an Intel mobile CPU die with AMD Radeon RX Vega M graphics in the same package, giving Intel a prior example of combining its processor technology with another company’s GPU.
The NVIDIA project would follow a different path because Intel and NVIDIA have already announced a formal partnership around x86 SoCs with RTX GPU chiplets for PCs. That makes the reported 2028 timing the most important new detail, not a confirmed product promise.
When could the roadmap become real
Early 2028 is the window to watch. CES 2028 is plausible if the roadmap timing holds, but that’s still an inference, not a launch plan from Intel or NVIDIA.
The next useful signals will be concrete technical disclosures. GPU tile layout, memory support, display and media handling, package design, and actual PC availability will show whether this becomes a meaningful new graphics option or stays a roadmap rumor. Until then, there’s no reason to treat it as buying advice for today’s laptop market.
Commodore is re‑introducing the flip phone for users who prefer fewer screen distractions while still accessing most useful apps. The Commodore Callback 8020 runs a custom Sailfish OS build and, via Linux, can handle a wide range of Android applications, giving it more flexibility than a typical minimalist handset.
The nostalgic aesthetic is a major draw. The device features a clamshell chassis, T9‑style texting, a tiny front status display, dome‑LED notifications, and colour schemes that reference classic Commodore hardware rather than modern glass‑slab phones.
Everyday utilities aren’t sacrificed either. Its spec sheet lists messaging, maps, music, rideshare, podcasts, QR‑code scanning, calendars, voice notes and a 48 MP Sony rear camera, while social media, browsers, email and work‑chat apps are deliberately blocked.
Why the flip matters
The Callback 8020’s experience revolves around its hinge. Open it to perform a task, use the needed tool, then snap it shut when you’re done. This physical pause creates a clearer endpoint than a continuous touchscreen, and T9 texting breaks the usual tap‑and‑scroll cycle. The outer screen can constantly show time, battery and signal without lighting up the full UI, and dome LEDs deliver alerts so you don’t have to open another app for every notification.
Which apps remain available
The phone sits between a stripped‑down handset and a full‑blown smartphone. Commodore claims 99 % of Android apps run under Linux, making essentials like messaging, navigation, audio, rideshare and calendars easy to keep in rotation. Its privacy stance stems from software co‑developed with Jolla’s Sailfish OS; the device doesn’t require an account login and isn’t built to harvest user data, though app compatibility can vary by service, region and network. Check that your must‑have apps work before adopting it as your primary device.
Pre‑order details
Pre‑orders for the Commodore Callback 8020 open on June 30 at 10:00 CEST, with a starting price of $499, which includes earphones. A $50 discount is offered for those who join the waitlist.
The strongest argument for the Callback 8020 is its form factor, not its raw specs. If you want messaging, maps, music, a solid camera and fewer endless feeds in your pocket, this flip provides a clear path. Commodore notes that specifications and features may still change, some images are renderings, and app compatibility can differ, so verify your essential apps before you place an order.
WhatsApp is bringing group voice and video calls to its web client, closing a gap that has existed since individual calling support arrived earlier this year. According to WABetaInfo, the feature is currently rolling out to beta testers and lets users start group calls directly from their browser.
Up to 32 participants, no desktop app requirement
Like individual web calls, group calls are end-to-end encrypted using the Signal protocol. Encryption is on by default and requires no setup from the user.
A meaningful upgrade for Linux users
The rollout is particularly beneficial for Linux users, as WhatsApp doesn’t offer a desktop app for Linux. So far, this meant that anyone on the platform had to switch to their phone to answer group calls. With web calling now extended to groups, Linux users can participate directly from the browser.
The feature is currently limited to users enrolled in the WhatsApp Web beta program. WABetaInfo says the rollout is ongoing and expects it to reach more users over the coming weeks. WhatsApp has not announced a timeline for the stable release.
If you’ve turned to ChatGPT or Claude to help shape your writing, recent research suggests the sleek results you’re seeing could be inflating your confidence. A study published in the *Computers and Composition* journal identifies an “fluency trap” created by AI writing tools, where polished, confident‑sounding prose hides superficial thinking and gives writers the illusion that the work is complete.
Fluency ≠ Completion
Abram Anders, an associate professor of English at Iowa State University, and co‑author Emily Dux Speltz, an assistant professor in the Department of Humanities and Communication at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University, tracked 38 undergraduates over two semesters in an experimental “AI and Writing” course. Students entered the class expecting AI to slash their workload, but the reality was different.
The study explains that the fluency trap emerges because AI generates text that sounds confident and tidy, prompting writers to trust it even when the content is inaccurate, shallow, or off‑target. Many participants initially approached AI like a search engine—feeding vague prompts and accepting whatever was returned. Over time they discovered that effective prompting demands planning, clarity, and rhetorical awareness—the very skills strong writers already employ without AI.
“AI writes in confident sentences, uses the right tone and sounds smart,” Anders said. “But that polish can trick students into trusting it, even when it’s wrong, shallow, or missing the point entirely.”
What Effective AI‑Assisted Writing Looks Like
The researchers pinpointed three prerequisites for using AI wisely. First, collaborating with AI involves genuine trial‑and‑error, not a single prompt and acceptance. Second, AI output still requires human judgment to verify claims, sharpen logic, and align with the expectations of the specific context. Third, while AI can produce text, it cannot generate purpose; only the writer decides the argument and its purpose.
Students who mastered these three steps stopped treating AI as a shortcut and began using it to explore ideas, weigh options, and refine their arguments. Anders and Dux Speltz describe this evolution as shifting from outsourcing writing to orchestrating it.
“AI changes the workflow, but it doesn’t change the fact that writing is thinking,” Anders noted. This distinction grows more crucial as AI‑generated prose becomes increasingly indistinguishable from human‑written work.
When Valve introduced the Steam Deck, it proved that PC gaming could be portable without costing a fortune. A few years later, however, gaming handhelds seem to be entering a completely different league. According to a Newegg listing spotted by VideoCardz, the upcoming MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ will retail for $1,699, making it one of the most expensive handheld gaming PCs yet.
The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ packs flagship specs and an equally flagship price
The reported $1,699 price is for a configuration featuring Intel’s latest Arc G3 Extreme graphics architecture, alongside 32GB of LPDDR5X memory and a 1TB SSD. MSI’s own online store has even listed the device for $1,799, though Newegg and Best Buy currently show the lower price point. If accurate, it would put the Claw 8 EX well above most of its handheld rivals.
Beyond the sticker shock, the hardware itself is undeniably premium. The handheld features an 8-inch 120Hz display, an 80Wh battery, Hall Effect joysticks and triggers, dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, and Intel’s next-generation integrated graphics aimed at delivering a significant leap in gaming performance. For enthusiasts chasing the best portable experience, it certainly checks plenty of boxes.
The price isn’t shocking, but it still raises eyebrows
To be fair, this isn’t entirely out of the ordinary. Component costs have been climbing across the industry, especially for cutting-edge silicon and high-speed memory, and gaming handhelds have steadily become more expensive with each generation. We recently saw Valve increase Steam Deck pricing in several regions, while newer premium devices from ASUS, Lenovo, and others have also crept upward, making higher prices an unfortunate trend rather than an exception.
That said, $1,699 is still a difficult number to ignore. At that price, the MSI Claw 8 EX isn’t just competing with other handhelds anymore. It’s competing with proper gaming laptops that offer larger displays, dedicated keyboards, upgradeable hardware, and, in many cases, more powerful dedicated GPUs. For gamers who value portability above everything else, the Claw may still make sense. But for everyone else, spending gaming laptop money on a handheld could be a much tougher pill to swallow.
Considering all the Android 16 QPR updates and the new ones announced at The Android Show and Google I/O 2026, Android 17 is definitely shaping up to be one of the most ambitious updates the company has shipped in years.
Between Gemini Intelligence that gets things done on your behalf, the new security features, and productivity-based features like App Bubbles, there’s a lot to unpack. The stable update is expected in June or early July 2026, but plenty of the upcoming features are already live on the Android 17 Beta version for compatible Pixel devices.
Here’s everything we know so far, including the latest Android 17 news, release timeline, how to download the beta version, compatible devices, and all the features that might reach a wider audience with the upcoming stable build release.
Android 17: Latest news
June 10, 2026 Google released Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4 for Pixel devices.
June 1, 2026 Android 17 Beta 4.1 went live with a couple of new features like Continue On.
May 12, 2026 At the Android Show 2026, Google announced several developments including Gemini Intelligence, which itself is a suite of AI-powered features, along with Chromebooks, and Android 17.
May 12, 2026 Instagram is getting Ultra HDR capture, playback, built-in video stabilization, and Night Sight support for flagship smartphones with Android 17.
May 12, 2026 At the Android Show 2026, Google announced several developments including Gemini Intelligence, which itself is a suite of AI-powered features, along with Chromebooks, and Android 17.
May 12, 2026 Instagram is getting Ultra HDR capture, playback, built-in video stabilization, and Night Sight support for flagship smartphones with Android 17.
The Android 17 release cycle looks slightly different from anything Google has done before, and that’s largely because Google retired its long-standing Developer Preview this year. Instead of the early, developer-only preview that used to kick off each Android release, Google has now placed the Android Canary channel.
While Android 17 reached platform stability in April 2026, Google just dropped the Beta 4.1 upgrade on June 3, 2026, an unscheduled big-fix drop addressing the lingering issues ahead of the stable launch, which is also expected to roll out in June 2026.
Stage
Date
What It Means
Android Canary Channel
Continuous (2025 – early 2026)
Google’s permanent replacement for Developer Previews.
Beta 1
February 13, 2026
The first public beta, open to all enrolled Pixel devices. Introduced app-facing API changes, early security architecture updates, and camera and media capability improvements.
Beta 2
February 26, 2026
Refinements across system stability, early UI changes, and behavior adjustments based on Beta 1 developer feedback.
Beta 3: Platform Stability
March 26, 2026
Google locked down Android 17’s final SDK and NDK APIs with this build.
Beta 4
April 16, 2026
The last scheduled public beta.
Google I/O & The Android Show
May 19, 2026
Google’s official consumer-facing reveal.
Beta 4.1
June 3, 2026
A minor, unscheduled bug-fix drop addressing lingering issues ahead of the stable launch.
Stable Public OTA Rollout
Expected June 2026
Over-the-air delivery to all supported Pixel hardware.
QPR1 Minor SDK Release
September 2026 (estimated)
Google’s Q4 platform drop, adding additional APIs and features outside the main release.
However, before you proceed, there’s one important caveat: if you leave the beta program before the stable Android 17 release, Google will require a full factory reset of your device before returning it to the stable Android 16 channel.
The steps required to install the Android 17 beta are given below.
Head to Settings > System > Backup and initiate a manual backup to your Google account.
Enroll your device in the Android Beta Program by signing in to the portal with the Google account tied to your Pixel, and locate your device in the list of eligible hardware.
Once you locate your device, tap “Opt in” to enroll.
Now, on your compatible Pixel device, go to Settings > System > System update and tap “Check for update.” The beta package should appear in a few minutes after you enroll.
Download the update and wait for the installation to run in the background. You’ll see a restart prompt once your phone is ready.
Head to Settings > System > Backup and initiate a manual backup to your Google account.
Enroll your device in the Android Beta Program by signing in to the portal with the Google account tied to your Pixel, and locate your device in the list of eligible hardware.
Once you locate your device, tap “Opt in” to enroll.
Now, on your compatible Pixel device, go to Settings > System > System update and tap “Check for update.” The beta package should appear in a few minutes after you enroll.
Download the update and wait for the installation to run in the background. You’ll see a restart prompt once your phone is ready.
Which devices support Android 17?
Google Pixel
Every Pixel smartphone that runs on a Tensor chip is eligible for Android 17. This includes the older models from the Pixel 6 series, all the way up to the latest Pixel 10 family, both flagships and the A-series devices. More than 20 Pixel devices will receive the Android 17 stable update.
It’s worth mentioning here that Google extended the software support for the Pixel 6 series, including the regular Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, and the Pixel 6a, keeping them in the update window through October 2026. However, Android 17 will be the final major operating system update for these devices.
Refer to the complete list of supported Pixel devices below.
Samsung’s new custom skin, One UI 9, is based on Android 17. The skin is already available as part of the One UI 9 beta program (through the Samsung Members app), which went live for Galaxy S26 users in May 2026 in regions like the United States, United Kingdom, Poland, South Korea, and India. This makes Samsung one of the earliest non-Google partners to roll out the Android 17 beta.
Regarding the stable launch, Samsung is expected to roll out One UI 9’s stable version with its second major hardware event of the year, Galaxy Unpacked in July, along with its latest generation of foldables. Older lineups like the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S24 series could get the stable OTA update around the same time.
However, the S23 series, along with the mid-range A-series devices and the Galaxy tablets, could get the stable release later in 2026.
Devices expected to receive One UI 9 are given below.
For the first time, Google has opened the Android 17 beta pipeline to international hardware partners during the Beta 4/4.1 stability phase. Nine manufacturers currently have devices in the official beta program, including OnePlus, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, and Realme.
Most of these don’t sell smartphones in the United States, but they’re quite popular in other major markets like India. Stable Android 17 rollouts for these brands are expected to begin in Q3 2026, along with their respective software skins, such as OxygenOS 17 for OnePlus and HyperOS 4 for Xiaomi.
What’s new in Android 17?
Android 17 is the most feature-loaded operating system upgrade Google has shipped in years. The credit goes partly to the new features confirmed at The Android Show and Google I/O 2026, and partly to a wave of Pixel-exclusive Android 17 QPR updates that will finally reach a broader audience through the stable update.
While Google has already confirmed a bunch of new features for the stable Android 17 release, a couple of others introduced in Android 16 QPR updates could also make their way to other OEMs with Android 17.
Gemini Intelligence can parse an open Chrome tab (through on-screen awareness), identify details like event times or prices, and complete bookings or fill forms in the background, using the new Gemini in Chrome and the new, smarter Autofill. You only confirm the payment details; Gemini Intelligence takes care of the rest.
Create My Widget
Android 17 will also embrace vibe-coding (in a controlled manner) by allowing users to create their own custom widgets. The new tool will let users describe a widget in plain language and build it for them on the spot, such as one that includes a to-do list for shopping, fetches information from Daily Brief, or shows a countdown to an event marked in their calendar.
Gboard Rambler
At the same event, Google confirmed a new feature called Rambler, which redefines what traditional speech-to-text means.
Built into Gboard, the feature can not only remove filler words (such as “umm” or “ya”), but it can also handle awkward phrasing, mid-sentence conversions, recognize multiple languages, and produce a clean transcription of whatever you ramble (that’s where the name comes from).
Split Notifications and Quick Settings Panels
The upcoming update will split the combined notifications and Quick Settings drawer into two different panels, wherein swiping down from the top-left corner will bring up the notifications, while swiping from the top-right will let you access the Quick Settings menu. While the redesign is mandatory on foldables and tablets, it will remain optional on smartphones.
Available in the Pixel Launcher for Android 17, this particular feature will let you remove app names from beneath the home screen icons entirely, resulting in a cleaner layout. Apple iPhones got a similar feature with iOS 18 in 2025.
Noto 3D Emoji Overhaul
Google has redesigned all of its Noto emoji with a subtle, textured look. Called Noto 3D, these emojis will be available first with Android 17 on Pixel phones via Gboard, YouTube, and Gmail.
Android 17 Easter Egg
This is the first new Android Easter egg since Android 14. Head to Settings > About Phone > Android version, tap the version number repeatedly, and you should see a black screen with diamond-shaped dots arranged in a circle. You can connect them in any order, and it reveals the Android 17 logo.
Live Updates display more data points
At Google I/O 2026, Google announced the Metric Style update of Android’s Live Updates framework. Designed for health, fitness, and travel apps, the Live Updates can now display up to three data points across the always-on display, lock screen, and status bar at once.
Pill-style media app switcher
This particular feature arrived with Android 17 QPR1 Beta 3, replacing the carousel-style media control tile in the notification section with a compact card layout. This eliminates any accidental seek-bar scrubbing.
Keyboard quick settings tile
Confirmed in Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4, the feature adds a dedicated Quick Settings tile for switching input methods like Gboard’s voice typing or Gemini.
Medical companion device profile
This new companion device profile tier gives health-critical apps a dedicated Bluetooth connection that goes around standard battery optimization settings.
Material 3 Expressive
The UI overhaul arrived with Android 16 QPR1, exclusively for Pixel devices, and should reach other Android OEMs with Android 17. It introduces bouncier, physics-based animations, and background blur effects in the app drawer and notification shade.
Forced Auto-Themed Icons
Released with Android 16 QPR2, the feature mandates that all app icons adopt the system’s chosen color theme, and not just those whose developers chose to support it.
Expanded Dark Theme
Lock Screen Widgets
Launched with Android 16 QPR2 on Pixel phones, Lock Screen Widgets might expand to all supported phones with Android 17.
Flashlight Brightness Slider
Released in Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1, this update will roll out to all Android 17 users, allowing them to access a vertical brightness slider instead of simply toggling the flashlight on or off by long-pressing the flashlight tile in the Quick Settings menu.
Ability to remove At a Glance
With Android 17, you’ll be able to remove the At a Glance widget from the home screen on Pixel phones. This ability was first introduced with Android 16 QPR3.
First rolled out with Android 16 QPR1, pointers now move seamlessly from the device screen to a connected external monitor without getting stuck at the edge. Furthermore, a pointer acceleration disable toggle delivers flat 1:1 movement tracking.
Android Auto dashboard overhaul
At Google I/O 2026, the company revealed its Android Auto redesign, introducing media card configurations that adapt to a broader range of infotainment display aspect ratios. The stable update will also add a swipeable card-based media app switched to Android Auto.
Content creation and gaming
Screen Reactions
Screen Reactions uses the native screen recorder to capture the screen and the video from your front camera simultaneously, stitching the video (with your reaction) directly onto what you’re recording. It will roll out exclusively for Pixel devices with Android 17.
⏺ You can now try Screen Reactions in Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4!
As we previewed at The Android Show, this feature lets you record yourself and your screen at the same time without setting up a green screen.
Meta’s Edits app gets two more flagship-exclusive tools with Android 17: Smart Enhance and Sound Separation. While the former upscales photos and videos, the latter isolates individual audio layers from the noise, letting creators boost their vocals.
APV support
Co-developed with Samsung, Google has integrated Advanced Professional Video (APV) support directly into the Android 17 framework. Currently available on flagships like Galaxy S26 Ultra, the storage-efficient video format will expand to more flagship devices with the upcoming update.
Instagram updates
Google has partnered with Meta to introduce Instagram-specific updates for flagship Android devices. These include Ultra HDR capture and playback, built-in video stabilization, and Night Sight into the Instagram app.
Floating screen recording toolbar
Confirmed with the third beta of Android 17, the screen recorder’s controls no longer live exclusively in the notification shade. Instead, they live in a compact pill overlay on the screen (during recording).
Adobe Premiere comes to Android
Adobe’s Premiere mobile app is coming to Android this summer, with its launch timeline tied to the Android 17 stable update rollout.
System-wide loudness management
Confirmed via Android 17’s audio framework changelogs, this particular addition automatically balances volumes across streaming apps and media sources.
Native gamepad button remapping
Google’s upcoming operating system update contains a system-level controller configuration dashboard for both USB-C wired and Bluetooth-based gamepads, allowing users to remap buttons and adjust analog thumbstick curves without using third-party keymapping apps.
🎮 Try our new controller remapping feature in the Android 17 Beta!
Although Android supports a wide variety of gamepads, we recognize that a one-size-fits-all control scheme doesn’t work for everyone, so we’re excited for you to try this new feature👇https://t.co/3yL7J97Kmw
Versatile Video Coding is integrated at the platform level in Android 17, with hardware-accelerated decoding on supported silicon, and can deliver the same visual quality as H.265/HEVC at about half the data rate.
Vulkan 1.4
Android 17 increases the minimum graphics API floor to Vulkan 1.4 and mandates ANGLE (Almost Native Graphics Layer Engine) support.
Productivity, multitasking, and performance
Forced app resizeability
In the fourth Android 17 beta, Google enforces app resizeability by removing the opt-out mechanism for developers that allowed them to block split screen resizing. All apps must allow users to customize their window size or split configurations.
App Bubbles
Long-pressing any app icon in Android 17 Beta 3 or newer reveals a new Bubble option that keeps the app active as a small circular icon in one corner of the screen, helping users with two or three-app-based workflows.
Pause Point
Pause Point adds a 10-second waiting period before opening an app you’ve marked distracting. During the pause, Android 17 offers a breathing exercise, a favorite photo memory, or an audiobook suggestion.
Split-screen adjustment arrows
Confirmed in Android 17 Beta 4, the thin window splitter between split-screen apps now features small directional arrows that users can tap to change the split ratio to 70:30 or 90:10.
Desktop Mode external monitor workspaces
Desktop Mode arrived with Android 16 QPR1 and might expand to more devices with Android 17. It transforms compatible phones into a full windowed computing experience (like Samsung DeX) when connected to an external display.
🖥Super excited to see Desktop mode finally launch!
With the release of Android 16 QPR3 today, connected display support has reached general availability.
This means you don’t need to flip a Developer option to enable it – just connect a compatible Android device to an… pic.twitter.com/itmTe38vmo
Android 17 Beta 4 comes with RAM usage limits on a per-app basis. Apps that exceed their allocation are closed by the system, preventing a few heavy apps from hogging all the available memory.
Custom keyboard shortcut rebinding
The feature lets users map specific hardware key combinations to open apps or trigger system functions. It might expand to a broader range of devices with Android 17.
⌨️Android 16 QPR2 adds the ability to assign a custom keyboard shortcut to launch any app of your choice!
To do so, tap “+ Add shortcut” at the bottom of the “App shortcuts” tab in the “keyboard shortcuts” menu. pic.twitter.com/RHeWLMqnNo
A toggle in Settings > Accessibility > Color & motion > Reduce blur effects reduces the frosted glass effect from the user interface. It was first rolled out with Android 16 QPR2.
Privacy and security-related updates
Bank Spoofing Protection
When a suspicious call arrives, Android silently queries the bank’s app installed on users’ phones to confirm whether a call is actually in progress from the bank’s end. If not, the call is immediately terminated. The feature won’t just work with Android 17, but Android 11 and newer versions.
Live Threat Detection
With Android, Google’s on-device AI scam scanner can now flag apps secretly forwarding SMS messages or abusing accessibility permissions to place invisible overlays that capture user inputs, and there’s a new “dynamic signal monitoring” feature as well.
SMS OTP hiding
Confirmed in Beta 2, Android 17 only allows the intended recipient apps or the device’s default SMS app to read OTPs within three hours from receiving them.
Granular contacts access picker
The upcoming Android version will introduce a contact-level permission selector instead of granting apps blanket access to the entire contacts directory.
📣 New feature in Android 17!
Android 17 is introducing a new Contact Picker feature that provides a standardized, secure, and searchable interface for contact selection.
Historically, apps needing access to your contacts relied on the broad “READ_CONTACTS” permission, which… pic.twitter.com/eLZ1zVRArS
Android 17 adds a new button that surfaces which apps are actively using GPS data in real time, along with a single-tap option to revoke location access immediately.
Background audio isolation and restrictions
The audio framework enforces strict limits on background apps trying to start an audio playback, request audio focus, or adjust system volume without actively informing the user.
The Mark as Lost feature in Find Hub now requires biometric authentication on top of PIN/passcode.
Time zone change notification
When a local cell tower overrides the device clock, something that silently changes calendar events and alarms, a system notification confirms the time zone adjustment. The feature was rolled out with Android 16 QPR2, and should reach more devices with the stable Android 17 update.
A web of X profiles is pushing AI nudify applications into more timelines, giving abuse‑prone tools another route to users while victims scramble to limit the damage.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, Graphika senior researcher Matthew Patane said some nudify services are advertised through coordinated social accounts that recycle similar phrasing. One network comprised about 45,000 X accounts, with posts relying on indirect language and blurred visuals to slip past moderation.
The discovery adds fresh pressure on X and on sites such as Undress AI, a Belize‑based service that markets explicit‑image tools and teases paid video creation. Undress AI and X did not respond to requests for comment.
Promotions for these apps are extremely easy to locate. Using random keywords, we uncovered promotional posts like the example below:
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How the posts spread
The accounts Patane identified avoided blunt descriptions. They employed casual wording and softened references that could steer users toward nudify tools without spelling out every feature.
Undress AI is also expanding beyond static pictures. Its website advertises a $59 video‑creation option and lets users choose sexualised poses, including undressing and riding. It also offers credits when users recruit friends.
This dual approach gives the service two growth vectors. Coded posts can direct attention to the site, while referral credits give users an intrinsic incentive to bring more people in.
Who suffers when the tools spread
Victims often find themselves chasing damage after an image has already circulated. Reported cases describe fabricated nude images spreading via Snapchat, school hallways, and peer networks, with families trying to erase them while urging schools or police to intervene.
One student targeted by a group of boys in Iowa said images generated with Undress AI were passed around among classmates, prompting her to switch to online classes.
The X network magnifies that risk. A single uploaded photo can quickly become a form of social punishment, especially when promotion funnels more users toward tools built for sexualised image manipulation.
What platforms need to prove now
X broadly bans activity intended to mislead others, but coordinated nudify promotion creates a tougher enforcement challenge. The posts can dodge obvious keywords while still nudging users toward tools designed for explicit manipulation.
The next metric to watch is whether platforms can intercept these campaigns before they scale. Users should lock down personal images where possible, report impersonation swiftly, and preserve evidence before posts disappear.
