Companies that want to build AI voice into their products are rushing to work with ElevenLabs, the startup that develops synthetic voice technology like voice cloning and dubbing tools. Now ElevenLabs is turning up the volume on its business with a huge series C raise, just a year after a sizable series B.The New York startup has closed a Series C of $250 million at a valuation of between $3 billion and $3.3 billion, multiple sources tell TechCrunch. The round is being led by ICONIQ Growth, several people said. Andreessen Horowitz, one of the lead investors in the companys $80 million Series B in January, 2024, was another name mentioned as a potential investor in this round. ElevenLabs, ICONIQ Growth and Andreessen Horowitz did not respond to our request for comment.For months, investors have been scrambling to invest in ElevenLabs after a blockbuster period of growth for the company, with its AI audio technology getting used everywhere, TechCrunch was the first to report in October.On the back of a strong funnel of business, sources tell us that ElevenLabs was initially looking for funding at a $4 billion valuation. But a $3 billion valuation is still triple the unicorn valuation that the company landed with that year-ago Series B. One source said the company has been preparing to announce the round this month so official confirmation may come any day now.ElevenLabs fundraise comes after a strong few years both for the company and the wider industry. The company was founded in 2022 by Mati Staniszewski and Piotr Dabkowski who respectively previously worked at Palantir and Google. Childhood friends from Poland, the pair were inspired by the poor quality of dubbing in the American videos they watched growing up, and they saw an opportunity to use AI to develop something better.Their idea was a clear example of right idea-right time. As generative AI services have become more advanced, multimedia has come to the fore, and there has been a growing interest in building applications that include sound and video alongside GenAI text services.ElevenLabs released its first beta product in January 2023, and by the time it had raised its Series A of $19 million in June 2023, it had gone viral.Some of that growth has not been without controversy, with stories of fake news being created with its tech. But as ElevenLabs has developed a raft of detection tools and other safeguards to prevent misuse, it has emerged as a key partner for enabling speech-based services for an increasingly high-profile number of businesses.Its technology, usable via an API and priced at a number of usage tiers, covers a wide range of use cases: translating text to speech (in multiple languages), cloning voices, changing voices in an audio track, creating entirely new voices; alongside other voice editing tools.Customers include other technology platforms such as Syntheisa, the text-to-video startup that works with businesses and itself announced a fundraise of $180 million earlier this month; publishing giants like Washington Post, Harper Collins and Bertelsmann, which says 36 businesses are using ElevenLabs tech in their content creation; and gaming companies, among others.Usage has led to a rapid rise in sales. In October, sources told us that ElevenLabs annualized recurring revenue (ARR) had grown from $25 million in 2023 to $80 million. Two people in November estimated that its ARR was likely closer to $90 million. If the latter figure is accurate, a $4 billion valuation would have put its valuation multiple at 44 times ARR; in the end it seems the deal has been done at a slightly more moderate multiple of 37 times ARR.For some context on that number, these are not the most exuberant valuations at the moment: investors appear willing to pay as much as 50 times ARR for the fastest-growing generative AI companies.Anysphere, the maker of a popular AI-coding assistant Cursor, has received multiple unsolicited offers valuing the company at about $2.5 billion, which translates to about 52 times ARR, TechCrunch reported in November. The company has seen its revenue grow from $4 million annualized recurring revenue (ARR) in April to $4 million a month as of last month. (ARR is commonly calculated by multiplying the latest monthly revenue by 12.) However, by the time the deal, which was led by Thrive at a valuation of $2.5 billion, was announced earlier this month, Anysphere had reached $100 million in ARR, The New York Times reported. That implies that the company was valued at 25 times ARR.ElevenLabs more temperate multiple may be a function of the companys competitors, which include a plethora of startups but also giants like Google and OpenAI.Other past backers of the company have included Sequoia, Credo Ventures, Concept Ventures, Salesforce Ventures, Disney, and nearly two dozen high-profile angel investors.

Elon Musks X has started expanding the rollout of its dedicated vertical video feed to users around the globe just days after its debut in the U.S., TechCrunch has exclusively learned and confirmed with the company.On Friday, TechCrunch spotted the new feature had appeared in various regions outside the U.S., including India, Australia, and some European markets. An X spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch the global rollout of the vertical video feed was currently underway. The new feature is accessible through a dedicated tab in the X app, where it has a prominent placement next to the Grok button. The spokesperson also confirmed that the rollout is specific to iOS, meaning Android users need to wait a bit longer. (The company did not share an exact timeframe for the Android launch.)Earlier this week, X released its vertical video feed in the U.S. amid uncertainty around TikToks future in the market as a result of the TikTok ban. Enforcement of the ban is currently on pause as President Trump extended the deadline for TikTok to make a deal that would cede some control to a U.S. entity, if not a full divestment of its U.S. operations, to protect national security interests. In addition to providing entertainment, the new video feature also allows X to display ads after users scroll through a few short videos. This helps the company generate additional revenue by keeping users engaged with the video content a strategy common across social networks, including Instagram, TikTok, and others. Video experiences have become a key focus for X in general. Last year, the platform launched a standalone TV app to show videos from creators and organizations. X also enabled users in 2022 to scroll through short videos by tapping on a video in the timeline and swiping it up.

Detail of MEADOWS. Photo by Ineta Armanaviit. All images courtesy of Severija Inirauskait, shared with permissionFlowers and Butterflies Stitch Messages of Hope into Crumpled Metal and Corroded BarrelsJanuary 24, 2025ArtSocial IssuesKate MothesOn the sides of rusted barrels or crushed steel spheres, Lithuanian artist Severija Inirauskait-Kriauneviien(previously) applies delicate reminders of resilience. Using cotton thread, the artist cross-stitches vibrant flowers and butterflies onto facets of corroded metal, merging materials that appear to have little in common.Where metal is rough, strong, and utilitarian, embroidery is tender, soft, and decorative. Inirauskait-Kriauneviien taps into these diametric characteristics in her continuing examination of war. A large metal ball titled OFFSIDE, for example, represents the worlds cumulative conflicts. It is like a huge disaster with a small embroidered butterfly that is like a small, fragile sign of hope, she says.Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) (2023), metal and cotton thread. Photo by Modestas Eerskis and Ineta ArmanaviitThe small nation of Belarus separates Lithuania from Ukraine, where the impacts of the ongoing Russian assault reverberate across the region. The war is very close to us, the artist tells Colossal, so we cant relax and just think about life. Incorporating insects and blooms, steeped in symbolic references to compassion, generosity, and care, Inirauskait-Kriauneviien suggests that despite humans destructive actions, hope perseveres.Find more on the artists Instagram.Offside (2024), metal, and cotton threads. Photo by Enrika SamulionytDetail of Offside. Photo by Enrika SamulionytOFFSIDE (2024)MEADOWS (2023), metal barrels and cotton, 360 x 40 x 20 centimeters. Photo by Ineta ArmanaviitDetail of MEADOWS. Photo by Ineta ArmanaviitTimeless Fragility (2022), oil barrel lid and cross stitch, 60 centimeters diameter. Photo by Ineta ArmanaviitNext article

A cross-party group of MPs has branded the governments newly announced independent review of HM Treasurys controversial Loan Charge policy a farce, now details of the inquirys scope are known.The government pledged to conduct an independent review into the policy, which has saddled thousands of IT contractors with life-changing tax bills, in the Autumn Budget at the end of October 2024.Computer Weekly reported at the time that news of the proposed review had been warmly welcomed by campaigners, who have been calling for a fresh inquiry into the Loan Charge for several years.On Thursday 23 January 2025, the government confirmed the review has been commissioned, with Treasury secretary James Murray, also publishing a statement in Parliament that Ray McCann, a former HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) assistant director (who also previously served as president Chartered Institute of Taxation), has been tasked with overseeing it.Murray also confirmed the focus of the inquiry will be on investigating the barriers preventing individuals in-scope of the Loan Charge from resolving their cases with HMRC, and finding ways to help them do so.The reviews aim is to bring the matter to a close for those affected, said a government statement on the matter, while also ensuring fairness for all taxpayers.The reviewer [McCann] is being asked to draw on the available evidence and expertise, engaging with stakeholders as appropriate, to consider in detail the settlement terms available [to those] who have not yet settled and paid their tax liabilities in full to HMRC, and whether HMRCs settlement and debt management processes sufficiently take into account their ability to pay and behaviours, said the government statement.[It will also look into] how that population could now be encouraged to reach a resolution with HMRC; and what decisions would be required to ensure that, as far as possible, any new settlement proposals were properly targeted whilst not imposing significant additional administrative burdens upon HMRC.Now the details of the review are known, HM Treasury and the chancellor Rachel Reeves are facing a wave of criticism, led by a group of cross-party MPs who make up the Loan Charge and Taxpayer Fairness All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG).A major point of consternation for the group is that the inquiry will not place the legislation underpinning the policy under investigation, and it has raised concerns about how independent the review will truly be.This is on the basis that it is being overseen by a former senior figure from HMRC, who will as confirmed by the government pass on his findings to HMRC and HM Treasury for review before its contents is released publicly.What is the Loan Charge policy?The Loan Charge policy was introduced as part of an ongoing anti-tax avoidance campaign by HMRC, designed to counter the surge in the number of loan-based remuneration schemes in operation.The policy was put forward by HM Treasury during the 2017 Budget as means of recouping billions of pounds in unpaid taxes the UK government claimed contractors avoided paying by opting to be paid in the form of non-taxable loans rather than receive a conventional salary.The policy terms initially stated that any contractor who participated in a loan-based remuneration scheme between 6 April 1999 and 5 April 2019 would be in-scope of the policy, and would be expected to pay back any and all tax they avoided while enrolled in these schemes.The total amounts of unpaid tax HMRC said they owed are what is referred to as the Loan Charge.An independent review of the policy, published in December 2019, concluded the timeframe the policy covers should be shortened by 11 years, so that only individuals who enrolled in schemes after 9 December 2010 would be included.HM Treasury and HMRC must make all possible efforts to support the review teams work by providing them with any information that they request in a timely fashion unless there is a legal reason not to, said the government.The final report will be shared with HM Treasury and HMRC before publication, who may be asked to provide factual comments on it. This will include reviewing the use of any statistics provided by the departments.The statement added: Information provided by HM Treasury and HMRC to the review team and factual comments provided on draft reports will be published after the review has concluded.In a statement to Computer Weekly, Greg Smith MP, co-chair of the Loan Charge and Taxpayer Fairness APPG, said: The supposed review starts by justifying the Loan Charge and it makes clear that it will not change the position people are in, nor review the legislation and whether it was fair and justified.The APPG and its members wrote a letter to the chancellor in December 2024, sharing their take on what areas the proposed review should cover, including a detailed look into the circumstances that led to so many contractors enrolling in loan-based remuneration schemes in the first place.The letter calls on the government to make sure the review is genuinely independent, with no involvement at any stage from HMRC, HM Treasury or government as a whole once it is established.This demand is on the back of concerns raised by a previous iteration of the APPG back in June 2020, following the publication of the last independent review commissioned by the government into the policy,about its findings being shaped by direct interference from HMRC and HM Treasury.The APPG made clear that the review must be led by someone independent and not staffed by HMRC and Treasury officials. Instead, the government has appointed a former senior HMRC official to lead it and staffing it from the two government bodies responsible for the whole Loan Charge fiasco, added Smith.This is not the review that was promised nor the review that is so desperately needed, and the APPG will continue to push for a genuine inquiry into this scandal.The APPG is far from alone in taking issue with the reviews narrow scope, with campaigners from the Loan Charge Action Group (LCAG) also similarly dismayed at HMRCs involvement in its creation.LCAG spokesperson Steve Packham described the review as a complete betrayal that stands to add to the mental anguish of those who have spent years in HMRCs crosshairs, being pursued for six-figure tax payments that they have no means of paying back.As previously reported by Computer Weekly, the policy has been linked to at least 10 suicides so far.We are deeply worried about the impact on mental health that the announcement of this sham non-review will have, with 10 suicides already, said Packham. It is clear that the HMRC and the Treasury will do all they can to avoid the truth coming out and having a genuine review, but the Loan Charge Action Group will continue to expose the reality of the Loan Charge scandal.According to figures previously disclosed by the APPG, it is thought that there are around 40,000 people that are still to resolve their Loan Charge cases with HMRC.The circumstances and reasons that led to so many people participating in loan-based remuneration schemes are complex, and can in part be linked back to the roll-out of the IR35 tax avoidance rules at the turn of the century.It is known that loan-based remuneration schemes were positioned and promoted as an HMRC complaint way for contractors to side-step the IR35 rules that risked increasing their tax liabilities. It is also anecdotally claimed that individuals were advised to join these schemes, often by seeking employment through umbrella companies, by respected tax barristers.Its further claimed some contractors were reportedly told they would be unable to work for certain end-hirers unless they agreed to be paid in loans.For all these reasons, the contractors now being pursued by HMRC for backdated income tax payments claim they are victims of mis-selling and are facing financial ruin for agreeing to be part of an arrangement that trusted sources assured them was safe and compliant to participate in.The fact the people who marketed these schemes are being excluded from the review is also another pain point for LCAG, said Packham.The review fails to include looking at HMRC, who conceived the Loan Charge to give themselves carte blanche to pursue victims of mis-selling [and] it deliberately avoids looking at the role of scheme promoters who made millions from mis-selling these arrangements, said Packham. Instead, the government has chosen to let these people off scot-free.Crawford Temple, CEO of independent umbrella company assessment organisation Professional Passport, also expressed his disappointment at the governments decision to focus the review on making those caught in scope of the Loan Charge policy pay-up, rather than dig into the reasons why these schemes were allowed to proliferate and ensnare so many people at the time.I am incredulous that the Treasury and governmentare ducking their responsibility to solve the glaring problem which is to pursue the promoters of the schemes, he said.Particularly as loan-based remuneration schemes remain a fixture of the contracting market to this day, despite HMRC allegedly having all the data they need to stamp them out, he added.HMRCs inaction is fuellingnon-complianceand this review is one-sided,seeking to recover money from the Loan Charge victims when it should be focusing on the architects of the schemes, said Temple.Thegovernmentisavoidingchasing downthe promoters of these corrupt schemes and appearsto be building arguments to persist with, in my opinion, theflawed strategy of seeking recovery from the workers.The criminals will escape punishment and be allowed to thrive and continue to run their illegal practices, duping unwitting contractors into signing up for their illegal schemes.This was a good opportunity to conduct a proper review into the scandal and itfalls way short. The brief to Ray McCann is skewed.Computer Weekly contacted HM Treasury for a response to the points raised in this story, but no response was forthcoming by the time of publication.However, Treasury secretary Murray in his statement to Parliament announcing the review said it is the governments view that it is right that those who did not pay the right amount of income tax and National Insurance are required to resolve their affairs with HMRC and that accepting otherwise would be contrary to the decisions of the courts and would be unfair to the vast majority of taxpayers who have never used these schemes.He added that the government does recognise that concerns continue to be raised about the Loan Charge, particularly where the size of liabilities owed by some of those affected and their ability to pay the tax they owe in a reasonable timeframe is concerned.This is the second independent review commissioned into the Loan Charge, with the first concluding more than five years ago. It was overseen by ex-National Audit Office (NAO) chief Amyas Morse, and focused on ascertaining if the policy was the most appropriate way to tackle disguised remuneration.In the immediate aftermath of its publicationin December 2019, the government announced a couple of amendments to the Loan Charge policy, including one that pledged to write off the tax bills of 11,000 people previously caught in its scope.It achieved this by cutting 11 years off the original 20-year period the policy covered and by cancelling the Loan Charge for any individuals who previously disclosed to HMRC that they participated in a scheme on their tax returns if the agency failed to act on this information.The review also prompted the government to revise the policys repayment terms by making it possible for those in-scope to pay back what they owe over several tax years instead of one.While these amendments were initially welcomed, misgivings about its contents began to surface months later,with tax advisers and contractors claiming the proposed changes did not go far enough.And, this time around, it seems the new government could find the outcome of its review similarly reviled at the time of its conclusion. Presently, this second inquiry is expected to conclude in the summer of 2025, with the government expected to publish a response to it by the time of the 2025 Autumn Budget. As stated, the APPG have already begun calls for another inquiry into the policy, with Dave Chaplin, CEO of contracting authority ContractorCalculator, echoing the sentiments of the APPG that the governments approach to investigating the Loan Charge is similar to its handling of the Post Office scandal.Whilst I initially welcomed the launch of the government-titled Independent Loan Charge review, it turns out when you look at the terms of reference, you discover that it bears no resemblance to the title. It should be renamed the Whitewash review, he said.The government are engaging in misinformation and cover-up, a clear abuse of power, firmly in the same sort of Post Office scandal territory.Read more about the Loan ChargeTens of thousands of IT contractors have been saddled with life-changing tax bills as a result of a controversial, retroactive government policy and the fall-out from its introduction has been likened to the Post Office IT scandal.After campaigners called for HMRC to pause all of its Loan Charge enforcement activity until the governments independent review of the policy is complete, Computer Weekly has learned that the agency is accepting requests to pause settlements.

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Rolling out to all users this week, the new integration lets you ask the AI bot to turn lights on or off or control other smart devices.

Taking a look back at this weeks news and headlines from Apple, including iPhone 17 Air leaks, iPhone SE design, iPad Air specs, iOS defaults to Apple Intelligence, AirPods Pro hearing test for UK, Chinese iPhone sales, and Nokias reaction to the first iPhone.Apple Loop is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Apple in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Android news here on Forbes.Apple CEO Tim Cook stands next Sofia Leyva while she purchases Apples new iPhone 15 (Photo by Alexi ... [+] Rosenfeld/Getty Images)Getty ImagesA Bar For The iPhone 17 Air?Would Apple move towards Googles Pixel design and introduce a camera bar across the rear of the upcoming iPhone 17 Air? The slimline iPhone will need some accommodation for a larger camera lens. Will Tim Cook and his team stretch it across all of the rear?"Whats interesting about the image is it shows the rear of the device with an elongated camera module that stretches across almost its entire back surface. Theres a single camera lens on the left, a flash on the right, and a small microphone cutout on the right-hand edge."(Techradar).MORE FOR YOUiPhone SE Design RevealedWhile the iPhone SE design rarely matches the current top-line iPhones, they do bring several key features to the table. For the upcoming next-generation iPhone SE. The latest information suggests that one iconic feature will make the jump.[latest leaked images show[ the device has a Dynamic Island instead of a notch. So far, the Dynamic Island is available on the iPhone 14 Pro models, all four iPhone 15 models, and all four iPhone 16 mode(MacRumors).iPad Air Specs TeasedIn a not-unexpected move, Apples next iPad Airs have been tacitly confirmed as shipping with the Apple Silicons older M3 chipset. Noted Apple leaker Evan Blass has detailed the core specs:"There had been speculation that Apple might use the iPad Pro's M4 chip for the next iPad Air models instead, in a move away from chips manufactured with TSMC's expensive and lower-yield first-generation 3nm process, known as N3B. "(EvLeaks via MacRumors).Apple Intelligence Becomes The DefaultApple is switching the default mode of Apple Intelligence to on. The next wave of updates will see the generative AI suite active after setup. The option to switch it off will remain in the settings app, but may nto be highlighted during the inial onboarding proces."Beginning with the due-to-be-released macOS Sequoia version 15.3 as well as iOS and iPadOS 18.3, Cupertino's suite of AI features, which it calls Apple Intelligence, will be turned on by default for compatible devices."(The Register).Apple Prepares UK Hearing TestsWhile Apples Hearing Test feature is available to AirPods Pro 2 users in the US, the functionality is unavailable worldwide. Given the medical nature of the feature, regulator approval is required before it is turned on. Apple has confirmed that UK owners will be next to receive the utility:With the new policy guidance from the U.K. Department of Health and Social Care, we look forward to bringing the hearing aid feature on AirPods Pro 2 in the coming weeks to help improve the daily lives of so many U.K. users, Apple said. In other words, Apple will release an updated version of software for the U.K., likely in iOS 18 but possibly with new firmware for the AirPods Pro in cahoots."(Forbes).iPhone Sales Fall In ChinaCounterpoint Research has some disappointing news for Apple in the Chinese market. Last years first place with a 19 share has become third place behind the home-grown competition."iPhone shipments in China fell by 18.2% year-on-year in the final quarter of 2024. This decline resulted in a 17.1% market share for the company, placing it behind Huawei and Xiaomi, which captured 18.1% and 17.2% of the market, respectively."(MacRumors).And Finally...The Nokia Design Archive opened last week, and smartphone historians have been looking through records for the stories that started a revolution. Fahad X picks out just one; Nokias reaction to the launch of the iPhone:"Nokia impact minimal in terms of financials, but may impede US penetration or success. Distribution limitations may restrict impact of Apple iPhone, but device continues to have significant disruptive potential. Will pure touch input appeal to more mass market consumers?"(Fahad X).Apple Loop brings you seven days worth of highlights every weekend here on Forbes. Dont forget to follow me so you dont miss any coverage in the future. Last weeks Apple Loop can be read here, or this weeks edition of Loops sister column, Android Circuit, is also available on Forbes.

Taking a look back at this weeks news and headlines across the Android world, including Galaxy Unpacked details and reaction, Galaxy AI updated, Samsungs Galaxy S25 Edge surprise, Googles Unpacked updates, Oppos ultimate foldable, Google Pixel plans, Xiaomis Steam-powered tablet, and Qualcomms slower 8 Elite chipset.Android Circuit is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Android in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Apple news here on Forbes.Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraEwan SpenceThe Galaxy Unpacked ImpactThis weeks Android news is dominated by Samsungs Galaxy Unpacked event, which saw updates to Galaxy AI, the debut of the Galaxy S25, S25+ and S25 Utlra and a tease of the S25 Edge. From the press release:"The Galaxy S25 series has set a new standard of mobile AI innovation though an AI OS we built from the ground up, said TM Roh, President and Head of the Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics, during his keynote address. Thanks to One UI 7 and its integrated AI agents, users can effortlessly enjoy a more personalized, intuitive and natural mobile experience than ever before.(Samsung Newsroom).MORE FOR YOUYet the reaction online has been muted. Forbes contributor Callum Booth heads out to explore the reaction:...handhelds are already so advanced and iterated, especially in a design sense, weve now reached an optimum phone shape and structure. On top of this, most of the elements that people use dailysuch as the cameras or screenare already excellent, so making noticeable improvements gets tougher every year."The only really outstanding bugbear for people is battery life, but thats limited by physical constraints, so unless the public are happy with huge phones, itll again be incremental improvements, rather than devices that last for weeks."(Forbes).Backing Up Your Galaxy AIAhead of the Galaxy Unpacked event, I sat down with Samsung executives Annika Bizon and Kadesh Beckford to talk about the new hardware, partnerships, and software driving Galaxy AI and the Galaxy S25 family. They addressed a curious but important issue backing up the profile that Galaxy AI builds of you:"On the device, we have a brand new personal data engine, Beckford explains. "if you've lost your device and you have logged on to your Samsung account... it will then be reverted back onto your new device. The granular details will be like a carbon copy of the personal data engine has learned on your previous S25."(Forbes).Samsungs Final SurpriseAs the curtain came down on the launch of the Galaxy S25, S25+ and S25 Ultra, Samsung had one more thing. Beating Apple to the punch, it introduced a slimline S25, to be called the S25 Edge:"Samsung had units of the phone on show at Unpacked, though nobody was allowed to touch it. Several units stood side by side and showed a flat slab with the same rounded corners just introduced on the S25 Ultra."(Forbes).Google UnpackedAs part of Galaxy Unpacked, Google announced several Android updates that will debut on the Galasxy S25. AI updates are included, but theres more to version including updates to Gemini on Android, Circle To Search and improved accessibility features with LE audio:"For people who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing, weve brought LE audio features, the next generation of Bluetooth, to Galaxy S25 devices. This update enables hands-free calling, easy-to-use personalized audio adjustments and a low-latency connection to GN Hearing and Oticon Intent hearing aids when paired with a Galaxy S25 device using Android 15."(Googles Keyword Blog).Oppos Thinnest Foldable Knows Its LimitsWhen you want to make a thin device, there are certain things that get in the way of a war-thin profile. Oppos upcoming Find N5 has found such an issue. The USB-C port is as thin as the profile can go:"Oppo has been steadily teasing the Find N5 on Chinese social network Weibo for the past week. Find series product manager Zhou Yibao has now shared photos that highlight its size, adding that the obstacle to making it any thinner is now the limit of the charging port.(The Verge).Googles Pixel PlansWhile plans for the Pixel 9a and Pixel 10 are in an advanced stage (including the new Tensor G5 for the Pixel 10 family), we have our first hints to 2026s Pixel 11. And they sound ferocious:"All Pixel phone generations have codenames themed after a unique animal species, and for the Pixel 11, Google decided to make them bear-themed Pixel 11 cubs or 4CS4; Pixel 11 Pro grizzly or CGY4. Pixel 11 Pro XL kodiak or PKK4; Pixel 11 Pro Fold yogi or 9YI4(Android Authority).Xiaomis Steam PlansXiaomi is working on a new gaming tool that should allow users to play Windows games on their hardware. Its currently targeted at tablets, and allows local play:"This tool uses three-layer virtualization technology to run Windows games in a virtual environment, and it can be found in the AI Treasure Box menu. Xiaomi noted in a FAQ that you can even install games from both the Steam and GOG storefronts."(Android Authority).And Finally...Qualcomm has released a variant of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. It offers slightly less performance than the current models but looks to be tailored to allow efficient operation in flagship foldables, which have tighter thermal profiles:[Mishal] Rahman adds that the loss of one performance core should reduce excess heat generation. The change is said to result in around 2% lower scores in AnTuTu but a 7% drop in Geekbench multi-core performance. True performance differences will not be apparent until the SM8750-3-AB starts shipping later this year.(Notebook Check).Android Circuit rounds up the news from the Android world every weekend here on Forbes. Dont forget to follow me so you dont miss any coverage in the future, and of course, read the sister column in Apple Loop! Last weeks Android Circuit can be found here, and if you have any news and links youd like to see featured in Android Circuit, get in touch!

On the eve of Saturday, Jan. 18, TikTok went dark in the U.S. in response to a federal ban, after the U.S. government raised concerns about the apps China-based owner ByteDance and the access it might have to U.S. data. But the social media platform restored service to its U.S. users the very next dayciting a promised executive order from President Donald Trump, who was then just one day away from his Inauguration Address. After being sworn in, Trump signed an executive order granting TikTok a 75-day extension to comply with a law that requires a sale or ban of the platform, instructing the Attorney General to not enforce the law while he bides time for the app to be sold. As Trump gives ByteDance more time to find an appropriate buyer, many moguls and businesses have thrown their hats in the ring for a chance to purchase the social media platforma bid that could be as much as $50 billion, per an estimate by CFRA Research's Senior Vice President Angelo Zino.While ByteDance had initially been opposed to selling the apps U.S. operations, General Atlantic CEO Bill Ford (General Atlantic is a major investor in ByteDance), told Axios on Wednesday, Jan. 22, that a deal will get done because it's in everybody's interest."With discussions circulating about potential deals, heres what you need to know about the top contenders to buy and save TikTok in the U.S.Elon MuskElon Musk arrives for President Donald Trump's Inauguration Day in Washington, DC., on Jan. 20, 2025. Kenny HolstonGetty ImagesListed byForbes as the worlds richest person, Tesla and SpaceX owner Elon Musk has found his name used widely among those discussing potential TikTok buyers.Trump said he would be comfortable with Muskwho he has entrusted to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) buying TikTok.When asked by reporters on Jan. 22 if he was open to Musk purchasing the app, Trump said: I would be if he wanted to buy it.In mid-January, before the short-lived TikTok ban went into effect, Bloomberg released a report that China was considering Musk as a buyer for the app.However, TikTok responded via a cool statement shared with several outlets: We cant be expected to comment on pure fiction.Musk has posted on X (formerly Twitter) about his opposition to the bancalling it an exercise in censorship and government controlbut he has not publicly stated if he has plans to buy the app or if it was a consideration at any point. MrBeastMrBeast is seen in attendance during the UFC 299 event at Kaseya Center on March 9, 2024, in Miami, Florida.Chris UngerGetty ImagesContent creator Jimmy Donaldson, known on the Internet as MrBeast, has made it clear he is interested in buying TikTok. Donaldson has the most subscribers of any user on YouTube over 340 millionand boasts over 113 million TikTok followers. On Jan. 13, Donaldson began discussion of his potential bid for TikTok with a post on X that read: Okay fine, Ill buy Tik Tok so it doesnt get banned In a video posted on Jan. 15, Donaldson then told his followers: I just got out of a meeting with a bunch of billionaires. TikTok, we mean business.On Monday, Jan. 20, Donaldson posted another update. TikTok, Im on a private jet right now about to put in my official offer for this platform, he said. I might become your guys new CEO.The Associated Press that Donaldson had joined a consortium of investors, led by Employer.com founder and CEO Jesse Tinsley, in their bid for TikTok. Tinsley announced that the consortium made a formal, all-cash offer to purchase TikTok's U.S. operations and assets.Our offer represents a win-win solution that preserves this vital platform, while addressing legitimate national security concerns, said Tinsley. The statement did not disclose the amount of the bid.Kevin O'LearyKevin O'Leary visits Outnumbered at Fox News Channel Studios on April 18, 2024, in New York City.Roy RochlinGetty ImagesKevin OLeary, Canadian investor and star of the reality television show Shark Tank, has expressed a strong interest in buying TikTok. He has joined The Peoples Bid for TikTok, an effort led by Project Liberty Founder Frank McCourt.On Foxs Americas Newsroom on Jan. 17, OLeary said that $20 billion is on the table. Cash. And on social media, the business mogul pitted himself against fellow bidder Donaldson by posting his segment on Fox, the thumbnail reading: Is MrBeast really the competition?Only one group has the tech to pull this off without breaking a sweat. Guess who? OLeary said in his Instagram caption. Weve been pitching the solution on Capitol Hill. If this deal happens, its going to rewrite the rules of social media power, all on American terms.Trump has stated that he would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture.OLeary is keen on this idea, but told CNBC that he has concerns. That 50/50 deal, I would love to work with Trump on, so would every other potential buyer... But the problem with some of these ideas is they are inconsistent with the ruling of the Supreme Court, he saidLarry EllisonOracle CTO Larry Ellison speaks during a news conference with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington, D.C.Andrew HarnikGetty ImagesWhile speaking from the White House, Trump stated that he would like Oracle chief technology officer and cofounder Larry Ellison to buy TikTok. In front of reporters, he turned to Ellison and said: Larry, lets negotiate in front of the media. So what Im thinking about saying to someone is, Buy it, and give half to the United States of America. He then asked Ellison if it sounded reasonable, with Ellison responding: Sounds like a good deal to me, Mr. President.Ellison, an ally to the President, previously made a bid for TikTok back in 2020, when Trump pushed for a ban on the platform during his first term at the White House.Perplexity AIAn image of a person holding a cell phone in front of a Perplexity AI logo displayed on a computer screen, on April 20, 2024, in Edmonton, Canada. Artur WidakGetty ImagesPerplexity is a free AI-powered answer engine, that arguably competes with the likes of OpenAI and Google.Perplexity AI reportedly made a bid to merge with TikTok on Saturday, Jan. 18, with the understanding it would allow most of ByteDances existing investors to retain their equity stake.TIME has reached out to the respective TikTok deal contenders for comment.

Highly anticipated: Sony's might have a fresh pair of flagship noise-canceling cans dropping soon. A few recent FCC filings have led to speculation that the company is preparing to unleash its next-gen WH-1000XM6 headphones sometime this year. Recent FCC filings give us a sneak peek into what could be Sony's next-gen XM6 headset. Drawings suggest a slightly tweaked physical design from the current XM5 model.One of the most intriguing changes is detachable earpads. The filing shows the earpads can lift off, with the headphone's nameplate and serial numbers tucked underneath. Sony hid that info along the inner pad edge on the XM5.It's unclear if the earpads use magnets, clips, or some other adhering system to stay put. Screws seem unlikely, given the FCC requires the nameplate to be visible to users. Whatever the mode, having the earpads be removable could allow for easier repairs or swapping in different pad materials down the line.The headphones also appear to sport a tweaked hinge. Hopefully, this translates to a foldable design. For context, the XM5 only folds flat, not allowing for more compact storage. Users considered this a major downside over the XM4, so this is Sony's chance to change a previously unfavorable design decision.The FCC filing indicates Sony is sticking with Bluetooth 5.3 and LE Audio support. Some minor antenna changes are evident, which could improve wireless performance and range. The Walkman Blog notes that the driver size remains unchanged at 30mm.Sony lists the tested unit as a prototype rather than production-ready. Most of Sony's previous FCC filings were for either pre-production or finished models. So take what you will from this. // Related StoriesNailing down an official unveiling is a guessing game, but the FCC filing requests a short confidentiality period ending July 22nd, 2025. So, we will likely get an official XM6 reveal before then.The most recent rollouts of Sony's XM series have followed a biennial schedule. The XM3 landed in August 2018, the XM4 in August 2020, and the XM5 in May 2022. That release cadence means the series is already overdue for a refresh, so a spring or summer 2025 launch for the XM6 seems probable.