Amazon Introduces New Echo Dot Smart Speaker Featuring 20% Holiday Savings

The Echo Dot Max is the top-performing speaker in the series to date. Opting for an affordable smart speaker doesn’t have to mean sacrificing audio quality in your home, particularly with the introduction of Amazon’s most robust smart speaker to date. Following its release earlier this year, the retailer has already slashed the price of the Echo Dot Max by 20%.

In addition to its larger size and advanced AI functions, the smart speaker features both a woofer and a tweeter, delivering a fuller sound experience with an extended frequency range. Consequently, Amazon states that the Echo Dot Max provides three times the bass compared to its earlier version and is equipped with an enhanced processing chip for quicker response times.

This speaker also incorporates a newer model of the company’s sensing platform, which allows the Alexa Plus system to leverage environmental awareness for automating smart home functions more effectively. Some of the notable upgrades from previous iterations include improved wake-word recognition, faster overall responses, and more efficient local AI processing.

Its compatibility with various smart home device brands makes it an ideal choice as a smart home hub, all priced under $100 (or only $80 during this promotional period).

Amazon introduced the Echo Dot Max just over a month ago, and it has already seen a $20 price drop from the retailer in anticipation of the holiday season. Besides featuring both a woofer and a tweeter for superior audio performance, it also boasts the AZ3 Pro Chip, making it Amazon’s fastest device to date, alongside Alexa Plus.

The device is also equipped with Omnisense, which utilizes data from audio along with various other well-known household sensors to enhance Alexa Plus’s environmental awareness. This enables the device to, for instance, automatically switch off lights when no one is home, alert users to open doors, and execute a variety of other helpful contextual automation tasks.

Furthermore, it can connect with other Alexa speakers, providing stereo sound or multi-room audio, making it worthwhile to consider acquiring a few of these units while they are available at a discount.

✅ Recommended if: you’re seeking the best-sounding Amazon smart speaker on the market; you desire a smart home hub equipped with advanced AI and voice control features, but you’re looking to keep the cost under $80; you’re interested in a device that can manage products from Matter, Thread, Zigbee, and other smart device brands, as well as connect to other Echo speakers.

❌ Skip this deal if: you don’t require the smart capabilities and are merely in search of a decent Bluetooth speaker for home use; you are indifferent to audio quality and prefer to save even more by choosing one of the less expensive smart speakers available; you don’t utilize Amazon or Alexa products and would rather choose a leading smart speaker from a different brand.

Google Modifies Schedule for Gemini Shift of The Assistant

**Google’s Strategic Break for the AI Transition: A Festive Reflection**

With the holiday season on the horizon, Google is initiating a strategic break to better equip itself for a major transformation in its AI approach. The company has revealed a postponement in its initial plans to retire the Google Assistant, choosing instead to facilitate a smoother transition to its upcoming AI, Gemini. This choice signifies a crucial juncture in Google’s AI path, demonstrating its dedication to ensuring a seamless user experience during this technological change.

**Notable Developments:**

1. **Postponement of Transition:** Google has opted to prolong the existence of its Assistant on devices, originally intended for discontinuation by the end of 2025. The revised plan now aims for 2026, which will mark ten years since the Assistant’s launch.

2. **Smooth Transition:** The company underscores a “smooth transition” to Gemini, its advanced AI, on mobile platforms. This modification is designed to grant users a more cohesive and effective AI experience.

3. **Ongoing Support:** In spite of the delay, Google is steadfast in its commitment to phasing out the Assistant in favor of Gemini. The transition will cover numerous devices, including smart home products and wearables, broadening Gemini’s scope and functionalities.

4. **Upcoming Updates:** Google intends to share more information regarding the transition in the forthcoming months, ensuring that users are adequately informed about the transformations and improvements Gemini will introduce.

**Effects on Users:**

The choice to delay the transition emphasizes Google’s commitment to upholding a high level of user satisfaction. By taking extra time to enhance the integration of Gemini, Google seeks to provide a more customized and robust AI assistant. This strategy is anticipated to boost the efficiency and usability of AI throughout Google’s ecosystem, from mobile devices to smart home technology.

**Final Thoughts:**

As Google maneuvers this essential AI transformation, the holiday break presents a chance for contemplation and preparation. The company’s promise of a smooth transition showcases its emphasis on user contentment and technological progress. As 2026 draws nearer, users can look forward to a new chapter of AI potential with Gemini, set to reshape the landscape of digital assistants.

Performance Evaluation of Top Asian Android OEMs in 2025: Achievements and Obstacles in the Face of Fierce Rivalry

Most Asian smartphone companies achieved remarkable success in 2025, yet one thing became apparent this year: OnePlus is fading away.

This year has seen an impressive lineup of smartphone launches, with Vivo, OPPO, and Huawei standing out with their offerings. The tri-folding Mate XT kicked off the year with a bang, and camera-centric models like the Vivo X200 Ultra and Find X8 Ultra demonstrated the potential of Chinese brands investing in this domain.

It’s not solely about camera capabilities; the latest flagship models reveal how advanced these smartphones have become. Battery technology has progressed significantly in the past year, with 7,000mAh batteries becoming quite common. I had the opportunity to test all the devices released by Chinese phone makers this year, and I will assess the performance of each brand based on their 2025 launches. Let’s dive in.

Vivo: A+

Without a doubt, Vivo is currently my preferred Android brand. It has produced top-notch cameras over the past two years, and in 2025, it revamped its software with the global launch of OriginOS. The Vivo X300 Pro is my top recommendation for the best cameras currently available, and it excels as an all-around device as well. Vivo is making all the right moves in the mid-range segment with models like the V50 and V60, while the foldable X Fold 5 remains competitive against the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

OPPO: A

OPPO also enjoyed a remarkable year, with the Find X9 Pro being an exceptional device — it serves as my daily phone, and I don’t foresee myself switching to another device for at least another month. The brand has re-entered Western markets, which is a positive development.

I appreciate OPPO’s approach to foldables as well; the Find N5 launched nearly a year ago, yet it still holds its ground remarkably well. The only area where the brand could improve is wearables; it produces decent smartwatches, but they remain limited to China — I would love to see these introduced in more global markets.

Huawei: A

Huawei is not letting the trade ban hinder its ability to produce remarkable phones. The Mate XT is the most innovative device I’ve encountered, and the tri-folding design is nothing short of amazing. The Pura 80 Ultra boasts one of the finest zoom lenses available, and the newly released Mate X7 elevates foldable camera tech. Although Huawei’s software is still catching up to industry norms, its hardware design is clearly ahead.

I also appreciate Huawei’s efforts in creating a more extensive ecosystem. The Watch Ultimate 2 is my favorite smartwatch, the 12-inch MatePad Pro is the finest Android tablet I’ve ever used, and this year the brand launched several impressive earbuds. Additionally, with recent models like the Mate X7 allowing MicroG installation during the initial setup, accessing Google services on Huawei devices has never been easier.

POCO: B

I genuinely can’t criticize POCO’s performance this year. The F7 Ultra highlighted the brand’s imaging capabilities, the X7 Pro emerged as a fantastic budget option, and the F7 managed to compete effectively against its rivals. With the F8 Ultra, the brand now possesses a strong contender in the $700 price range.

POCO must enhance its presence in India, its largest international market. By not launching the F8 Ultra in India, it is conceding ground to Realme. Besides that, the software requires a revamp, but that primarily rests with Xiaomi rather than POCO.

Realme: B

I began to take renewed interest in Realme in 2025, and I admire what the brand is achieving. As a Formula 1 fan, it’s thrilling to see Realme collaborate with the Aston Martin F1 team, and the GT 7 Pro and GT 8 Pro Dream Edition models are impressive. I’m also enthusiastic about the Ricoh partnership; as demonstrated by other Chinese brands over the years, collaborating with a leading camera company can yield significant advantages, and I’m curious to see how this evolves for Realme.

If anything, Realme seems to be the brand now receiving all the limited edition models within the BBK portfolio. This used to be OnePlus’ niche, but that has changed in 2025, as illustrated by the Realme 15 Pro Game of Thrones edition.

Honor: C

Honor continues to produce solid smartphones, but its software initiatives trail behind its competitors. I’m not referring to update policies — Honor aligns with Samsung and Google for flagship updates — but the actual user interface experience. Although Honor claims its software is developed entirely internally, it still retains elements of EMUI, lacking coherence.

While Honor devices have competent cameras

2025: iPhone Advancements, Samsung’s Sleek Design, and OnePlus’s Significant Achievement

This year has been a wild ride for the smartphone sector, with innovation and inertia competing fiercely. On one side, we’ve witnessed remarkable breakthroughs that have stretched the limits of smartphone capabilities. From sleeker designs and enhanced processors to improved accessibility features and AI functionalities, the industry has progressed significantly. Firms such as Google and Apple have rolled out solutions to combat display flickering, a positive for those sensitive to such problems.

Foldable devices have returned to the spotlight, with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Motorola’s Razr Ultra spearheading the movement. These gadgets have reignited excitement in the foldable category, providing more choices and refined designs. At the same time, OnePlus has surprised many with its OnePlus 13, garnering enthusiastic reviews and establishing a new benchmark for the brand.

Nonetheless, the sector also encounters obstacles. Tariffs and international tensions have affected distribution and pricing, while a movement toward uniformity in design has left some consumers desiring greater variety. The North American market, in particular, continues to be heavily shaped by carriers, restricting the availability of certain models.

AI has emerged as a key focus, with companies incorporating AI features into their products. This encompasses dedicated AI buttons and applications, enabling users to tailor their experiences. However, only a select few firms, such as Samsung and Google, provide offline AI capabilities, a crucial factor in an age of data privacy issues.

In summary, although the industry has witnessed remarkable innovations, it also struggles with challenges of stagnation and market restrictions. As we gaze into the future, the hope is for ongoing advancements that tackle these obstacles and present consumers with a wider array of diverse and inventive options.

Activating Expanded Dark Mode on a Google Pixel Device

The newest Android 16 QPR2 update for Pixel devices brings a fresh feature that enables users to impose dark mode on apps that do not inherently provide it. This update is part of Google’s persistent initiatives to improve Pixel smartphones via consistent Pixel Drops and Quarterly Performance Release updates. The Enhanced dark mode, presented as an accessibility option, is advantageous for users who favor a dark interface or have visual impairments or photosensitivity.

This feature is accessible on Pixel phones that support the Android 16 QPR2 update, including the Pixel 6 and subsequent versions. Users can verify their build version by heading to Settings > About phone and checking for the build number BP4A.251205.006. To activate Enhanced dark mode, users need to launch the Settings app, navigate to Display and touch, select Dark theme, and opt for the Enhanced choice.

Although this feature offers a provisional fix for apps without native dark mode capabilities, Google cautions that not all applications may operate correctly when forced into dark mode. The update is a positive enhancement for dark mode fans and acts as a temporary solution until app developers implement native dark themes.

YouTube Shorts Begins Testing ‘Dislike’ Feature to Enhance User Feedback Mechanism

Following the unusual history of YouTube’s dislike button, this update for Shorts could clarify matters.

YouTube Shorts is initiating a test for users that includes its dislike and “not interested” features. The announcement indicates that the thumbs down button will combine these two features into a single option; however, users participating in this test will see one option or the other listed in the three-dot menu. As YouTube Shorts aims to assist users in curating their scrolling experience, it has also begun tests for its Music app, incorporating “AI music hosts.”

YouTube is launching a fresh experiment that invites users to view its short-form content and indicate what doesn’t appeal to them. A thread detailing YouTube’s “features and experiments” changelog highlighted a test commencing this week for Shorts that pertains to its dislike button. The goal of this test, per the platform, is to clarify the distinction between the dislike button and “not interested” options for content. YouTube notes that user feedback indicates that many utilize these buttons “interchangeably,” but some are “unsure of the differences.”

The thumbs down button is currently hidden behind the three-dot menu on Shorts, which is where YouTube is conducting the test. Starting this week, YouTube has stated that its test will involve combining the “not interested” and “dislike” content options into one—the thumbs down. While these options are integrated, the changelog mentions that some testers will see it labeled as one option or the other. YouTube additionally remarks, “All viewers in the experiment who select ‘thumbs down’ on a Short will receive an optional feedback survey.”

YouTube Shorts aims to provide clarity as it helps users refine their content feed, reducing exposure to videos they prefer to avoid.

There’s no denying that YouTube Shorts has emerged as an exceptionally popular feature for the platform, as it endeavors to enter the short-form content arena to compete with TikTok. Tests like this recent one are vital, given the diversity of video content available.

In addition to this Shorts test, YouTube Labs has launched a challenge this fall that underscores its commitment to AI. This initiative engaged YouTube Music users in experimentation with “AI music hosts.” These “hosts” delivered commentary, insights on the music being played, and trivia. According to YouTube, these AI hosts can “enhance your listening experience” with narratives about the music and the overall more “personalized” atmosphere they create, tailored to your preferences.

YouTube has also integrated AI into Shorts, granting short-form creators access to “Photo to video” tools. Creators can transform still images into short animations for their projects. YouTube Shorts utilized Veo 2’s generation software to accomplish this. However, the platform indicated that users could anticipate the arrival of Veo 3 to significantly elevate the capabilities of its AI generator.