Tech update of the day: AMD powers up at Computex, Xiaomi bets on Snapdragon

-> AMD fires up AI and gaming with new silicon

AMD storms into Computex 2025 with a trio of heavy hitters, launching the Radeon RX 9060 XT, Radeon AI PRO R9700, and Ryzen Threadripper 9000 Series. The RX 9060 XT aims to deliver smooth 1440p gaming with ray tracing and machine learning-enhanced upscaling. AI devs get a local inference beast in the R9700, while creators and pros get raw multi-core muscle with the 96-core Threadripper 9995WX. With ASUS and Lenovo riding shotgun, AMD is set to dominate both gaming rigs and AI workstations. Pricing starts at $299, shipping begins in July.

-> Xiaomi and Qualcomm seal fresh deal for smarter tech

Qualcomm and Xiaomi just inked a multi-year pact to keep Snapdragon chips at the heart of Xiaomi’s premium smartphones. After 15 years of collaboration, this new deal promises deeper innovation across devices, from phones to wearables. Xiaomi will be among the first to roll out phones powered by the next-gen Snapdragon 8 series, expected later this year. The partnership also stretches into cars, smart homes, and XR gear. With each year, more Xiaomi devices will ship using Qualcomm tech. The move cements both companies as key players shaping the global mobile and smart device scene.

May 21, 2025 18:18 IST
Microsoft flexes AI muscle at Build 2025
Windows meets the AI future as Microsoft fires up developers

Redmond’s codefest goes full throttle with Copilot stack, small models, and silicon synergy
 
Microsoft dropped a flurry of AI announcements at Build 2025 that shift the tectonic plates of software development. From new AI integrations in Windows 11 to custom silicon and lightweight models, Redmond is betting big on an AI-powered future.
 
CEO Satya Nadella opened with the promise of making every developer “an AI developer.” Central to that push is the new “Copilot stack,” which blends cloud APIs, developer tools, and hardware. Windows 11 now embeds AI deeply into the operating system, featuring native support for small language models that can run offline.
 
In a surprise move, Microsoft also unveiled its own silicon roadmap, including the Azure Cobalt CPU and Maia AI accelerator. Both are optimized for AI inference and training, reducing dependence on third-party chipmakers.
 
Smaller AI models got a big moment too. These efficient models, some under 1 billion parameters, can now power on-device features like auto-summarization, local search, and real-time assistance. This opens AI access to lower-end PCs and edge devices.
 
GitHub Copilot continues to evolve with “Copilot Extensions,” allowing third-party developers to plug in their own APIs and data. Microsoft also previewed “Team Copilot,” aimed at boosting collaboration inside Microsoft 365.
 
With rivals like Google and Apple ramping up their AI arsenals, Microsoft’s Build 2025 was more than a showcase. It was a declaration that the AI operating system era has officially begun.



May 21, 2025 18:00 IST
Google I/O 2025 unlocks AI for everyday use

At I O 2025, Google unveiled sweeping AI upgrades across its ecosystem, signaling a major shift toward making artificial intelligence a core part of every product. Leading the announcements was Gemini 2.5, the latest multimodal model with improved reasoning, faster performance, and longer context handling. Gemini is now more tightly integrated into Google products including Android, Chrome, Search, and Workspace.
 
Android introduces AI powered customization with features like dynamic theming, smart replies, and context-aware multitasking. The OS also adds a new personal AI assistant built on-device, keeping speed and privacy in check. In Chrome, Gemini can now help users draft emails, auto fill forms, and even summarize web content.
 
Search gets smarter with AI Overviews, offering concise summaries and deeper context from multiple sources. Google Workspace apps like Gmail, Docs, and Sheets now feature a Gemini side panel that helps write, organize, and respond in real time.
 
For developers, Google released new Gemini APIs through Vertex AI and Firebase integration, giving builders access to the same foundation powering its products. The company also emphasized responsible AI, showcasing watermarking tools and safety layers.
 
With these moves, Google places AI not as a tool but as the foundation of its entire digital experience.



May 21, 2025 17:12 IST
Red Hat and AMD push AI with hybrid power
Red Hat and AMD have joined forces to turbocharge AI and virtualization across hybrid clouds. At Red Hat Summit 2025, the duo unveiled their deepened partnership, powering high-efficiency AI with AMD Instinct GPUs and Red Hat OpenShift AI. The collaboration boosts performance for large model inference using vLLM and supports Red Hat’s AI Inference Server out-of-the-box. Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization now runs on AMD EPYC CPUs, offering a streamlined path for modernizing legacy data centers. From reducing TCO to enabling scalable multi-GPU workloads, this strategic alliance brings open source and performance together for today’s hybrid IT demands.



May 21, 2025 17:08 IST
Alcatel V3 flaunts NXTPAPER tech teaser

Alcatel has dropped a teaser for its upcoming V3 series on Flipkart, showcasing its bold NXTPAPER display tech. The new 4-in-1 screen blends full-color visuals with paper-like comfort and low eye strain. With four switchable modes including Max Ink Mode for 168 hours of screen time, the V3 is built for all-day use. A 108MP main camera headlines a triple-lens setup, with an 8MP ultra-wide and 2MP macro lens. The box packs a stylus, case, and fast charger—clearly aimed at creators and power users. Alcatel’s V3 launch is locked for May 27 in India.



May 21, 2025 17:06 IST
AWS unveils Strands for smarter agent building
AWS has launched Strands Agents, an open source SDK that makes building AI agents simpler and faster. Unlike traditional frameworks that need complex workflows, Strands uses a model driven approach—just define your model, tools, and prompt. Used in production by Amazon Q Developer and AWS Glue, Strands supports models from Bedrock, Anthropic, Meta, and more. Developers can build, test, and deploy in days, not months. With support from Meta, PwC, Anthropic, and others, Strands is community powered and cloud ready. Whether you're coding a helper bot or building multi-agent systems, Strands lets AI do the thinking for you.



May 21, 2025 15:13 IST
ASUS and AMD go all in on AI PCs for business

ASUS and AMD just dropped their full 2025 Expert P Series lineup, bringing serious AI muscle to business machines. Unveiled at Computex, the new range includes sleek laptops, powerful desktops, space-saving all-in-ones, and a mini PC with massive potential. Powered by AMD Ryzen AI chips, these Copilot Plus PCs boast lightning AI speed, smart tools, and enterprise-grade security. From the ExpertBook P3 to the compact PN54, ASUS is arming every workspace with AI-driven power and purpose. This launch marks a bold push into the AI era for small and medium businesses looking to level up productivity.



May 21, 2025 12:58 IST
ASUS pushes compact power with new Radeon cards


ASUS has revealed four fresh Radeon RX 9060 XT graphics cards built on AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture. Spanning the TUF Gaming, Prime, and ASUS Dual lines, these GPUs pack features like FSR 4 upscaling, DisplayPort 2.1a, Dual BIOS switches, and compact builds with Axial-tech fans. From the rugged TUF 16GB card to the ultra-short Dual 8GB model, ASUS targets every kind of gamer. With military-grade durability and GPU Tweak III software, users get better cooling, smarter controls, and reliable performance. These cards offer high-end visuals in compact builds—ready to fuel the next wave of sleek, small-form gaming rigs.