Sonypice GirlsSony's 2 CEOs become 1, as Hideaki Nishino steps up "take the helm", with Hermen Hulst continuing to lead PlayStation's first-party studiosThe next stage of the behemoth's post-Jim Ryan corporate chair-shuffling.Image credit: VG247/PlayStation News by Mark Warren Senior Staff Writer Published on Jan. 29, 2025 Sony has announced another round of the shaking-up in its corporate leadership it kicked off last year, moving on from the double CEO solution it'd adopted in the aftermath of Jim Ryan's retirement, and having one of those two execs properly "take the helm".As outlined in a fresh press release from the corp, Hideaki Nishino, who was already leading the platform business side of SIE, is being appointed President and CEO of the full thing from April 1, 2025. Former co-CEO Hermen Hulst is staying on in the same role as he's held for a while, leader of PlayStation's first-party studios, but will now report to Nishino.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. "As we hand the baton to Nishino and this exceptional leadership team, I am confident that SIE will reach new heights in the days ahead," wrote current Sony chairman Hiroki Totoki, who stepped up into that role immediately following Ryan's retirement, "After 30 years of delivering exceptional entertainment worldwide, this marks an exciting new chapter for SIE, highlighting its commitment to fostering creativity and building meaningful connections for millions of players."Ninshino wrote that he's "truly honoured to take the helm at Sony Interactive Entertainment", continuing: "We will continue to grow the PlayStation community in new ways, such as IP expansion, while also delivering the best in technology innovation."I want to thank Hermen for his expertise and leadership as he continues his role as CEO, Studio Business group. I am deeply grateful for the PlayStation community and their continued support and I am very excited for what the future holds."Hulst's duties will continue to see him do exactly the same stuff - "lead the development, publishing and business operations of SIEs first party-content", as well as pushing for more PlayStation games to get their own TV and film adapations via PlayStation Productions, as the likes of The Last of Us and Helldivers 2 already have or are penned in for.Lin Tao, SIE's current senior vice president of finance, corporate strategy and development, is also stepping down as part of the chair-swapping to become CFO of the wider Sony Group, with her replacement to be announced at some point down the line.So, all-in-all, some of those weird metal ball desk toys probably being shuffled around offices, but nothing that doesn't look like it was part of the plans initially Sony put together in the wake of Ryan deciding to go live on a big farm no doubt filled with bobbleheads of him, far away from work and the legions of console warriors on the socials.Are you interested to see where Nishino takes Sony/PlayStation now he's been coronated sole big boss man? Let us know below!

Our latest Chaos Campus show explores what a boutique visualization and creative studio wishes every young artist knew about creativity, business, and turning passion into success.Chaos Campus is the official Facebook community that brings together students, educators, and industry enthusiasts passionate about Chaos software, rendering, and 3D art across archviz, VFX, and animation, offering a space to share work, ask questions, and connect globally. As part of that initiative, Chaos Campus Live Show, a collaboration with Creative Lighting, hosted by Nikos Nikolopoulos and now in its fourth season, connects the global CG community through knowledge sharing, Q&A sessions, and live chats with industry leaders in a welcoming and interactive space.Join Chaos Campus to never miss a show and be a part of a vibrant community of creatives shaping the future of CG! Below are the key takeaways from episode 39, which featured Pedro Fernandez, Founder of Arqui9, a boutique visualization and creative studio, and Timon, Creative Director of the studio.SummaryCreativity requires blending personal expression, storytelling, and exploring diverse influences. Overcoming creative blocks requires stepping away and diving into new activities.Growth as a creative professional involves mastering business fundamentals, taking risks, and embracing lessons from experience.A strong portfolio should be concise, visually impactful, and highlight personal strengths. It is also important to balance client work with unique or experimental projects.When looking for work, seek out studios with values like Arqui9's that favor bold creativity, passion, and dedication and foster a collaborative team dynamic.Meet the minds behind Arqui 9: Pedro and TimonPedro Fernandez began his career as an architect with a passion for visualization, which he saw as a way to make ideas real. After studying and working in Australia and Portugal for a while, he moved to London and freelanced for various studios, including Bionics, which provided him with a valuable learning experience. He founded Arqui9 to explore his unique way of seeing the world and doing things. Pedro describes Arqui9 as being a little bit at the fringes when it comes to their approach and is inspired by studios like Luxigon, Bionic, and MIR. He believes in fostering team creativity and acknowledges that the studio has projects from top studios but has also diversified the types of clients they serve.My main focus from the get-go was not business. Being creative, being unique, and expressing yourself will, in some form or another, build your business.Pedro Fernandez, Founder, Arqui9 ArquilineIn his youth, Timon traveled extensively, finding inspiration in the various sights he encountered. Originally focused on drawing, he later pursued multimedia studies in Switzerland. He soon developed a passion for concept art, which drew him towards Arqui9s unique blend of art and architecture. After completing an internship at the studio, he was offered a full-time position and eventually became Creative Director at Arqui9. When asked about his views on creativity, he shares: "Everything has been created, but not by you. And I think everyone's got something different to say." ArquilineArqui9s manifesto and valuesThe studio centers its work around a manifesto of nine core principles created in collaboration with Gabrielle, a former client and now a member of the team. The most important principles that guide their work include "love of audacity," "passion, intensity, and dedication," and the belief that no work without a passionate character can be a masterpiece." Most employees at Arqui9 have worked together for four or more years, creating a highly intuitive environment where every idea is acknowledged, and everyone makes significant contributions.The Mercedes project: Redefining large-scale video productionThe Mercedes project was the first time Arqui9 was involved in video production on such a large scale. The goal of the projects was to be memorable and entertaining, and the studio had a clear vision for the film from the very start. The project represented a significant milestone for the studio, as it involved collaboration with models, a film crew, and directors. This experience helped the team gain confidence in their abilities to deliver high-quality work, which encouraged them to pursue new, similar projects. ArquilineAdvice for creatives who are starting their journeyArqui9 believes that creativity is about personal expression, storytelling, and pushing boundaries. They emphasize that combining influences from diverse cultures and industries can enhance creative output. You don't need to travel the world to gain a fresh perspective. Sometimes, simply taking a walk in nature or overhearing a conversation at the store can spark your imagination for your next project!Enhance your knowledge by improving any skills you lack and being receptive to learning from others' experiences. Arqui9 reminds us that growth as a creative professional involves understanding business fundamentals, taking risks, and learning from experience. When you have gathered enough projects to showcase, remember to keep your portfolio concise, visually striking, and reflective of your personal strengths. Also, be sure to include unique or experimental projects alongside client work.For more actionable insights on mastering archviz and building a strong foundation in the industry, check out our blog post on 11 Essential Lessons to Excel in Archviz. ArquilineUse AI to enhance, not replace, your workTo overcome creative blocks, creatives should try their best to step away from projects to regain perspective, explore other activities to reignite inspiration and remember not to be too hard on themselves. They should embrace mistakes as part of growth and remain curious about new techniques and tools.Both Pedro and Timon encourage creatives to embrace AI while not completely depending on it and keeping a curious mind. Arqui9 has introduced tools like Runway, Midjourney, 11 Labs, and ChatGPT into its workflow to help with idea and content generation, as well as video production. Pedro acknowledges that AI may seem concerning at first due to job security, but when used to assist creativity, it can be a useful tool. Timon adds that it should not be used to substitute fundamental skills and understanding of composition, color theory, and lighting.AI is a tool at the end of the day. Creativity is the motor that kind of runs that tool. It's using it as a tool and not as a motor.Pedro Fernandez, Founder, Arqui9Lets connect, learn, and create together!We hope episode 39 of Chaos Campus Live was insightful and motivated you to take the next step in your creative journey. If you want to soak in more information from Pedro and Timon, be sure to rewatch the episode. Dont forget to join the Chaos Campus community on Facebook to connect with fellow artists, share your work, getadvice from industry experts, and keep up with trends in archviz, VFX, and animation. Stay bold, stay curious, and keep making art that inspires.Show us what youve got.Share your best Chaos render and it may just get featured on our blog.Get started

Until a few years ago, it used to be difficult to make payments across borders almost anywhere in the world. But its still a big problem in Africa, where fragmented, disconnected systems, high fees, and poor infrastructure make it tough for businesses and individuals to move money quickly and affordably.The majority of people and businesses still rely on outdated agent networks or grapple with mobile wallet integrations. But there is tangible demand for cheaper and easier alternatives, particularly in underserved regions like Francophone Africa. Ivorian fintech Cauridor is setting out to solve that, and it recently raised $3.5 million in seed funding to continue building its payment rails that let merchants, banks, telecom operators, and money transfer companies move funds in and out of Africa. Cauridor says its platform supports mobile wallets, bank transfers, and cash pickups through a network of more than 25,000 agents across Guinea, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Liberia. These agents are part of a popular distribution method in the region theyre usually small business owners equipped with point-of-sale (POS) devices and enable cash deposits, withdrawals and bill payments.Cauridor is adopting a hybrid approach to solving the money transfer problem the same way other fintechs in the region combine cash networks with digital infrastructure for local payment needs. Still, the approach has enabled it to operate remittance corridors to key markets like Ghana and Nigeria, and establish group-level contracts with major players such as Ria, MoneyGram, and Western Union, alongside partnerships with Orange and MTN.From remittance to B2B paymentsCauridors founders Oumar Rafiou Barry and Abdoulaye Bah experienced first-hand the challenges of sending money back home to Guinea when studying in Canada. They faced slow, expensive remittance options in Francophone Africa, a region long underserved by the global remittance industry.In 2019, this frustration drove them to start BNB CashApp, a consumer-focused remittance platform for users in Canada to send money to Africa. The app integrated directly with banks, mobile wallets like MTN, and an agent network equipped with a mobile portal to facilitate cash payouts.But as the platform grew, the founders encountered a larger challenge: Africas fragmented and inefficient payment infrastructure. We realized early on that the rails in Francophone Africa were almost non-existent. So we had to go in and start building payment rails in the region since the payments there were fragmented, CEO Barry told TechCrunch.Sensing an opportunity, the team pivoted in 2022 to build payment rails for the region. By 2023, the company had merged its consumer remittance business and B2B payment infrastructure under the Cauridor brand, much like Tanzanias Nala and Rafikis operational model. The shift paid off: Over 90% of the companys revenue now comes from its payment rails business. In 2023, Cauridor processed 2 million transactions and recorded total payment volume (TPV) of $300 million, which grew to $500 million in 2024, the company said.Nala to use $40M Series A to build B2B payments platform, scale remittance servicesCompetition and future plansWhile Barry references more prominent players like Onafriq and Thunes as Cauridors main competition, he says his company has remained relevant because it built payment rails in markets no one was looking at, like Guinea and Liberia.He noted that hands-on customer service and pricing have also helped it retain customers. The fintech provides customer service to resolve common issues like rejected mobile money transactions due to incomplete KYC. For example, if a recipient can only receive $10 out of a $700 payment, Cauridor steps in to help upgrade their account and ensure the transaction goes through.Barry thinks Corridors strong local presence gives it an edge in securing better forex margins, which it passes on to its customers. He said this advantage has helped the company attract major clients like MoneyGram, which switched from competitors for better rates and improved customer support. Interestingly, competition in the cross-border payments space doesnt rule out collaboration. Some of Cauridors competitors rely on its infrastructure in specific regions, just as it partners with companies like Thunes for a global reach.Cauridor employs about 200 people globally and has offices in Ivory Coast, Senegal, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.The seed round was led by pan-African VC firm Oui Capital, and saw participation from Rally Cap, BKR Capital, and some angel investors.With the fresh cash, the company plans to expand into new markets (it has new offices in Mali and Nigeria opening this year), flesh out its teams, and boost marketing efforts.Barry told TechCrunch that Cauridor is also preparing for a Series A round and exploring blockchain integration to streamline settlements and tap into the growing adoption of stablecoins in Africas cross-border payment space.

3D Systems (NYSE: DDD), a leading provider of additive manufacturing solutions, has partnered with Daimler Truck | Daimler Buses, one of the worlds largest commercial vehicle manufacturers, to introduce an innovative approach to spare part production. This collaboration combines Daimler Buses expertise in automotive serial additive manufacturing with 3D Systems advanced 3D printing technology, Oqtons software capabilities, and Wibu-Systems digital rights and IP management solutions. The initiative aims to empower Daimler Buses certified additive manufacturing partners to produce spare parts locally, significantly reducing vehicle downtime and improving maintenance efficiency.The newly developed solution enables certified 3D printing partners to manufacture a variety of spare parts on-site, including underhood components and cabin interior elements such as pins, covers, and inserts. By decentralizing the production process, service partners can achieve greater flexibility and efficiency, cutting the time required to obtain parts by up to 75%. This reduction in wait times leads to substantial indirect cost savings for commercial truck, bus, and touring coach companies by minimizing the downtime associated with vehicle maintenance.We are very pleased that we are expanding the revolutionary solution with 3D Systems, one of the worlds leading 3D printer manufacturers, and realizing our vision for decentralized spare parts production, said Ralf Anderhofstadt, Head of Center of Competence Additive Manufacturing at Daimler Truck and Buses. The Digital Rights Management enables us to shorten service times through decentralized production to further maximize productivity and revenue for commercial vehicle companies. Through our collaboration with 3D Systems, Oqton, and Wibu-Systems, we are setting another important milestone in the expansion of decentralized 3D printing production.3D Systems SLS 380 printer, central to Daimler Buses decentralized spare part production initiative. Image via 3D Systems.Bus and motorcoach companies or service bureaus interested in joining Daimler Buses network of 3D printing certified partners can acquire a license for 3DXpert through Daimler Buses Omniplus 3D-Printing License eShop. 3DXpert, an integrated additive manufacturing software, optimizes the entire workflow from part design to printing. The prepare and print license allows users to decrypt design files for specific repair jobs and produce only the necessary quantities. Currently compatible with 3D Systems SLS 380 printer, the solution is expected to support additional polymer and metal 3D printers in the future.By commercializing this digital service solution, Daimler Buses is not only adopting new technology; theyre fundamentally reshaping the supply chain for greater resilience and efficiency, said Jaime Garcia, Additive Solutions Manager for Automotive and Commercial Transportation at 3D Systems. Our SLS 380 offers high throughput and consistent performance, making it an ideal choice for integration into Daimler Buses workflow. We look forward to expanding our capabilities as more printers are connected to this solution.Roy Sterenthal, Vice President of Industrial Additive at Oqton, added, Our 3DXpert software streamlines the additive manufacturing workflow, and when combined with Wibu-Systems digital rights management, were helping Daimler Buses safeguard its IP while accelerating the supply chain. This partnership is a testament to the transformative potential of on-demand critical component production.Transport Sector Embraces Additive Manufacturing InnovationsThe transportation industry is increasingly adopting 3D printing to enhance manufacturing efficiency and supply chain resilience. Hitachi Rail, a Japanese multinational railway company, has integrated ARGO 500 3D printers from Roboze, an Italian original equipment manufacturer, into their production facilities. These printers enable the rapid production of prototypes and spare parts using high-strength polymers like ULTEM 9085 and Carbon PEEK. By replacing traditional machining methods with 3D printing, Hitachi Rail achieves faster and more cost-effective production, addressing supply and availability challenges within the railway sector.Similarly, UAE-based Immensa, a 3D printing bureau, has partnered with Pelagus 3D to streamline supply chain processes in the maritime and offshore sectors. This collaboration allows Immensa to serve as the exclusive distributor and service provider for Pelagus 3Ds products in the MENA region, enhancing inventory management and reducing parts obsolescence. Immensas strategic alignment with Pelagus 3D is designed to optimize supply chain efficiency, expand OEM networks, and improve service offerings for end users in the maritime industry.Immensa and Pelagus 3D team. Photo via Immensa.Ready to discover who won the 20243D Printing Industry Awards?What will the future of 3D printing look like?Which recent trends are driving the 3D printing industry, as highlighted by experts?Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to stay updated with the latest news and insights.Stay connected with the latest in 3D printing by following us on Twitter and Facebook, and dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry YouTube channel for more exclusive content.Featured Image shows 3D Systems SLS 380 printer. Image via 3D Systems.

Update Google Chrome now.NurPhoto via Getty ImagesIts not been a good week for users of Chrome, what with the shock confirmation of an Apple silicon data-theft vulnerability that has impacted browser users since 2021, and multiple security issues requiring an update across all platforms. Now, Google has added to the concern about the worlds most popular web browser, used by more than three billion people, with the third security update in as many weeks. Heres what you need to know and do.Update Google Chrome NowFollowing the security update addressing multiple browser vulnerabilities across all operating system platforms with the exception of iOS on Jan. 22, you might have thought that was the last youd need to be worrying about activating new versions of Chrome for a while. You would have been wrong. Google has just confirmed that users of Chrome on Linux, Mac and Windows need to update again. Thanking all security researchers that worked with us during the development cycle, Google said that the new update will roll out over the coming days/weeks.It appears that most thanks should be heading toward a researcher called Sakana.S, in fact, along with the paltry $2,000 awarded for disclosing CVE-2025-0762. This medium-severity use-after-free memory issue in the DevTools function of Chrome impacts users of Linux, Mac and Windows, although it appears, at this time, that Android has escaped the update cycle for now. That said, its not uncommon for the Android update to appear later than the desktop versions.MORE FOR YOUAct NowUpdate To Google Chrome Version 132.0.6834.159/160Google Chrome security updates are automatic, and you can certainly leave the process to play out over the coming days and weeks if you like. However, given how quickly hackers are responding to disclosed vulnerabilities these days, its always better to be safe than sorry. I recommend you kickstart the process immediately. Heres what you need to do:Go to the Help|About option in your Google Chrome menu and this will automatically start a check for any updates as well as initiate the download process. However, the most critical part of that process comes after the download and thats the update activation. To ensure this you must restart your browser, save any tabs you have open, and do that to be protected.Relaunch to activate your Chrome security update.Google/Davey Winder

Have you been hit by these hidden attacks?gettyRepublished on January 29th as another warning is issued as to the serious dangers in opening these PDFs.With the mobile threat landscape getting worse, iPhone and Android users have just been warned that a dangerous attack exclusively targeting mobile devices has been caught stealing credentials and sensitive data. You are now at risk from a never-before-seen means of hiding attacks. Not only do you need to avoid this threat, you also need to consider whether youve already been targeted.The warning comes by way of Zimperium, whose zLabs team has published the full technical detail behind these new attacks. The basics are all you really need to know though. The attackers have crafted PDF files with new techniques that bypass existing security checks, while relying on the ubiquity of such attachments.The campaign mimics United States Postal Service (USPS) text messages that are sent to mobile devices. But thats the easiest past of this to change. And so you should stop opening PDFs attached to text messages from any well-known own brand, unless youre certain theyre legitimate.Because PDFs are now so ubiquitous, used extensively for contracts, reports, manuals, invoices, and other critical business communications, Zimperium warns that users have developed a natural, but dangerous, assumption that all PDFs are safe. And now, cybercriminals are actively exploiting that false confidence. While I would hope that user confidence is already changing, given other PDF attacks over recent months, I fear that Zimperium is probably correct.MORE FOR YOUMalicious USPS text messageZimperiumAs Zimperium points out, this threat is getting worse. PDFs have become a common vector for phishing attacks, malware, and exploits due to their ability to embed malicious links, scripts, or payloads. And on mobiles, with small screens and masked detail, the problem is worse. Users often have limited visibility into file contents before opening, these threats can easily bypass traditional security measures.In PDFs, while links are typically represented using a /URI tag, the attackers worked out that by embedding clickable links without utilizing the standard /URI tag, it became more challenging to extract URLs during [security] analysis In contrast, the same URLs were detected when the standard /URI tag was used. This highlights the effectiveness of this technique in obscuring malicious URLs.Zimperium says it has identified more than 20 malicious PDF files and 630 phishing pages with hidden links, indicating a large-scale operation. The campaign appears to be supported by a widespread, malicious infrastructure, which could potentially impact organizations across 50+ countries. This campaign employs a complex and previously unseen technique to hide clickable elements, making it difficult for most endpoint security solutions to properly analyze the hidden links.Despite its cleverness, the attack itself follows the usual pattern of luring users into clicking a link that takes them to a credential stealing webpage. Its the link that is masked by the new obfuscation techniques. And that is the common thread.With perfect timing, that advice not to open any such PDFs attached to emails or messages purporting to be from well known brands, unless you can absolutely vouch for its authenticity has been reinforced in the wake of the Zimperium research.Palo Alto Networks has regularly warned of the dangers of PDF related phishing attacks, and have done so again. The firms Unit 42 warns that a new attack, using PDFs linked to phishing pages that impersonate Amazon, has just been found. Hopefully, the fact we behave had two warnings this week should be warning enough for you to be even more vigilant than usual.These linked phishing attacks ask for personal details and credit card data, Unit 42 says, and the attack uses its own cloaking techniques by redirecting scans and other analysis attempts to benign domains. The attacks follow that same pattern, one link leading to another as users are taken on a journey through a host of domains registered by the attackers. Ultimately, there will be a webpage designed to steal information. The only difference USPS has been traded for Amazon Prime.The good news is that the attacks are still relatively easy to spot if youre wary of the attachment and certainly any link within the attachment. If you have clicked through and shared any data, reboot your phone and change any passwords or other account data you shared. If that means stopping credit cards, then do that.To put that into perspective, Palo Alto Networks has reported than inside a year we noticed a dramatic 1,160% increase in malicious PDF files from 411,800 malicious files to 5,224,056. PDF files are an enticing phishing vector as they are cross-platform and allow attackers to engage with users, making their schemes more believable as opposed to a text-based email with just a plain link.The catch? That report was published in 2020. PDF phishing attacks are not new, and have been skyrocketing in recent years. Whats interesting here is the combination of the new link hiding techniques and the focus on mobile devices. Staying safe, though, remains the same. You must not click links or open attachments in text messages. Almost all of them are dangerous.

What just happened? You might not be familiar with Boom Supersonic, but the startup has just set a notable world first: its XB-1 demonstrator became the first privately developed aircraft to break the sound barrier by reaching Mach 1.122, or 860.8 miles per hour. The achievement is a huge milestone toward the return of commercial supersonic flights, which stopped over 20 years ago. Piloted by former US Navy aviator Tristan "Geppetto" Brandenburg, XB-1 took off from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California on Tuesday. It reached Mach 1.1 about 12 minutes later, staying at that speed for around four minutes. The aircraft broke the sound barrier a total of three times during its 33-minute flight. The speed of sound through air is 767 mph (Mach 1)."A small band of talented and dedicated engineers has accomplished what previously took governments and billions of dollars," said Boom Supersonic's founder and chief executive, Blake Scholl.XB-1 is a demonstrator prototype that's one-third the scale of a commercial aircraft Boom Supersonic is developing called Overture. The supersonic airliner is being designed to have a cruising speed of Mach 1.7 over water, a cruise altitude of 60,000 feet, a maximum speed of Mach 2.2 (1,687 mph), and carry around 55 passengers. It's expected to be able to fly between London and New York in three and a half hours.Overture is also being designed to run on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which is produced from various renewable feedstocks such as used cooking oil and animal fats. It will be the first large commercial aircraft to operate at net-zero carbon.XB-1's first successful test flight took place over the Mojave Desert in March 2024, when it reached a maximum altitude of 7,120 feet and a top speed of 246 knots (283 mph). There have been eleven more test flights since then, culminating in this week's world first. // Related StoriesOverture will feature some of the state-of-the-art technologies found in XB-1, including carbon-fiber composites, advanced avionics, digital stability augmentation, and supersonic intakes. The propulsion system, Symphony, will be different. Boom Supersonic is working with several partners on some elements, including the engine design and development.American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines have made a combined 130 pre-orders for Overture. Boom said 66 of the aircraft will be constructed every year at its "Superfactory" in Greensboro, North Carolina, and it hopes to start fulfilling the orders before 2030.The last commercial supersonic aircraft, Concorde, was retired in 2003, at which time the fleet was over 25 years old. The high operating costs, declining passenger demand due to the huge ticket prices, and noise and environmental concerns played a big part in the decision. There were also safety concerns after the Air France Flight 4590 crash following a tire blowout on the runway at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. All 113 people were killed and public confidence in Concorde's safety was lost.

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsGoogle Pixel 9a: possible release dateGoogle Pixel 9a: priceGoogle Pixel 9a: design and displayGoogle Pixel 9a: performance and softwareGoogle Pixel 9a: camerasGoogle Pixel 9a: battery lifeThough there are many Android phones on the market, Google offers some of the best with its Pixel line of devices. The Google Pixel 9 lineup came last August, and in typical Google fashion, we expect a more budget-friendly A-series Pixel phone midway through the flagships life cycle this year. Heres everything we know about the Pixel 9a, including its possible release date, rumored specs, and more.Joe Maring / Digital TrendsThere isnt a solid release date for the Google Pixel 9a just yet, but that wont stop the rumor mill from churning. Historically speaking, the Pixel A-series launches sometime in the late spring or early summer. For example, the Google Pixel 6a launched in July 2022, while the Google Pixel 7a was a bit earlier with a May 2023 launch. The Google Pixel 8a also came out in May, but a few weeks earlier and before Google I/O. The Google Pixel 9a may launch even earlier in 2025, according to arecent report from Android Headlines, with preorders starting sometime in mid-March. This may also apply to the Pixel 10a in 2026.Recommended VideosAn earlier release than before would make sense considering that Google announced the Pixel 9 family in August 2024 rather than the more usual October time. If Google plans to keep releasing the mainline Pixel devices in August, then a March release for the A-series would be logical.Please enable Javascript to view this contentChristine Romero-Chan / Digital TrendsThe price of the Google Pixel 9a will depend on the amount of storage space, just like most smartphones. The 128GB model will cost $499, and the 256GB model will be priced at $599 according to a recent report by Android Headlines. The starting price is unchanged from the 128GB version of the Google Pixel 8a, but theres a $50 difference for the 256GB model. Those who bought the 256GB model paid $549.While the price increase from the Google Pixel 8a and the Google Pixel 9a isnt too much for the extra storage space, it might still be too expensive for some customers. Although, the small jump may have more to do with extra features than the fact that it holds more memory than the 128GB model.Onleaks x Android HeadlinesSince Google gave the Pixel 9 family a significant face-lift this year, the same can be expected for the Pixel 9a.Leaked images of the Pixel 9a have surfaced online, giving us a good look at what to expect. There are some changes that we were expecting, of course, but others that leave us scratching our heads.The Pixel 9a looks to have flat sides, a metallic frame, and rounded corners, just like its siblings in the Pixel 9 family. But then theres the camera.HI GOOGLE PIXEL VIT NAM / FacebookThese leaked images show a drastic change from the camera bar weve come to know and love from Pixel devices. Rather than a protruding camera visor or island like previous generations, the Pixel 9a looks to have a pill-shaped outline that houses the dual camera lenses. Its only raised very slightly so that it is mostly flush with the back of the body.As far as colors go, it looks like the Pixel 9a will have four options: Porcelain, Obsidian, Peony, and Iris. Peony should be similar to the Pixel 9 color, while Iris will be new and rumored to be a blueish-purple shade.The Pixel 9a might have a slightly larger display at either 6.2 or 6.3 inches, and the display refresh rate should be the same at 120Hz. Bezels might be slightly thicker than on the other Pixel 9 phones, but other than that, we dont know much else regarding the Pixel 9a screen.Joe Maring / Digital TrendsIts pretty safe to say that the Pixel 9a will have the Google Tensor G4 chip inside, just like the rest of the Pixel 9 family. Google isnt expected to make any big changes to its chipset until the Tensor G5, which should launch with the Pixel 10 series.Since Android 15 has come out, its likely to be loaded on the Pixel 9a out of the box. It should have at least 8GB RAM, if not more, and be able to use some of Googles Gemini AI features. There should be at least two storage options, most likely 128GB and 256GB.The Pixel 9a will follow Googles seven-year commitment to major software upgrades, security updates, and Pixel Feature Drops.Google Pixel 8a Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsWhile Google started using a 64MP primary camera with the Pixel 7a and continued it with the Pixel 8a, it appears it will no longer be using it for the Pixel 9a.Right now, it appears that the Pixel 9a may go back to a 48MP primary camera, while the ultrawide will stay the same at 13MP. Though this sounds like a downgrade, it may actually be the same camera that is currently used in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.So, while the 48MP camera may have a lower resolution sensor, its larger megapixels should provide users with better photos overall. Finally, the selfie camera is likely to remain the same at 13MP.Joe Maring / Digital TrendsThere have not been a lot of details about the Pixel 9as battery life so far.Rumors say that it will have a 5,100mAh battery, which is slightly larger than the Pixel 9 Pro XL at 5,060mAh but even bigger than the Pixel 8a, as it has a 4,492mAh battery. Charging may also be similar to the Pixel 8a, which is 18-watt wired and 7.5W wireless.Editors Recommendations

A cyber-threat report from Google is shedding light on how foreign actors are leveraging generative AI to boost their hacking prowess.

China is flexing its humanoid robot advancements.A group of 16 humanoid robots performed a Chinese folk dance in Beijing ahead of the Lunar New Year.Humanoid robots are becoming a big focus for tech giants like Elon Musk and Nvidia's Jensen Huang.China touted its robotics advancements through a fleet of dancing humanoid robots at a festival in Beijing.Dozens of performers human and robotic took to the stage on Tuesday during the 2025 Spring Festival Gala, organized by state media company China Media Group, ahead of the Lunar New Year on Wednesday.One of the most eye-catching displays was a dance performance in which 16 humanoid robots, decked in festive red jackets, performed alongside their female human partners.The robots tall, thin, and black in color followed a three-minute dance routine during the performance, according to a video of the performance posted by state media outlet CGTN.Developed by Hangzhou Yushu Technology, also known as Unitree, in China's eastern city of Hangzhou, the robots kept up with the beat of a Chinese folk dance style and danced with red handkerchiefs.They spun the handkerchiefs in circles, tossed them into the air, and caught them again with precision, drawing applause from the audience.Other performers in the festival included American pop band OneRepublic, which performed its hit song "Counting Stars" with no robots in sight.The units on stage for the spring festival were Unitree's H1 robots, the company told Chinese media outlets.Unitree has other robotic offerings, including the smaller G1, which it showcased at the 2025 CES.But the company's also known to have made other machines including four-legged, doglike robots.In 2024, these remote-controlled dog robots were seen in footage of a military training exercise conducted by China and Cambodia. The robots, which could be mounted with machine guns, could move forward, jump, and navigate obstacles.The US military, meanwhile, uses non-weaponized robots from Boston Dynamics, per the company's website.Humanoid robots are becoming a big focus for tech giantsThe humanoid dance display in Beijing comes as these robots are fast becoming a priority for tech's biggest players, like Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk and semiconductor giant Nvidia.Musk showcased his Optimus humanoid robots in October, saying that they would be "the biggest product ever of any kind."In November, Tesla's Chinese rival, electric vehicle manufacturer XPeng, emerged as a competitor in the humanoid space, unveiling its nearly 6-foot-tall Iron robot.In 2023, China laid out ambitious plans to mass-produce "advanced level" humanoid robots by 2025.China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released a document in October 2023 that said that the new robots would "reshape the world."Nvidia is also betting big on robots.Speaking at Computex 2024, an annual computer expo in Taipei, CEO Jensen Huang said that there would be two "high-volume" robotic products in the future self-driving cars and humanoid robots.