Eliana Willis

Xiaomi/ZDNETChinese phone maker Xiaomi has revealed its MIX Flip smartphone will soon leave China and roll out globally. Company founder and CEO Lei Jun said on X (formerly Twitter) that the device is hitting store shelves in other countries “this September.” In other words, within the next couple of weeks.Also: The best Android phones you can buy: Expert tested (including the Pixel 9 Pro)Little is known about the launch at the moment. Jun didn’t mention an exact date or how much the handset will cost. But, GSMArena states that the MIX Flip will cost €1,300 across Central and Eastern Europe. Do note that number comes from “what a regional manager said back in July,” so things may have changed. Speaking of availability, don’t expect this device to arrive in the US. The ban on Xiaomi phones was lifted back in 2021; however, the company has yet to make an official appearance in the American market. The reason: Entering a market dominated by phone carriers would require a lot of time, money, and resources that Xiaomi isn’t willing to invest. More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETWhat’s the deal?Our top pick for the best robot vacuum and mop combination, the Dreame X40 Ultra More

The iOS 18 beta version differs slightly from the general release. Beta testers are given a release that has recently exited its alpha phase, so problems and bugs are expected to arise. The purpose of the beta phase is to gather user feedback to repair these bugs and address any user interface issues before the software is massively distributed.Beta versions can also be incomplete and not the final product, especially in the case of iOS 18, which didn’t include Apple Intelligence features in the initial beta release. This means the iOS 18 beta version is more prone to bugs, glitches, and instability.Also: Is iOS 18 tanking your iPhone battery? Here’s why, and what you can doThe general release will have ironed out most of these bugs and problems using the user feedback gathered during the beta phase, delivering more complete software that isn’t as prone to bugs, though they still happen, as we saw with the bugs in the iPhone Messages app.One example of this process is when Apple released the iOS 17 beta version in 2023. The early beta version featured the “End” button during a call that had moved from the center to the right, which was a big change for iPhone users. Disapproving feedback from beta testers resulted in Apple moving the “End” button back to the center of the screen, where users had been accustomed to. More

zf L/Getty Images Artificial intelligence (AI) models are only as good as the data that train them, and if you use LinkedIn, your data is a part of that training. Fortunately, there’s a way out. LinkedIn said today that it’s updating its privacy policy to clarify how it uses your information. “We may use your […] More

Cesar Cadenas/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Asus ProArt PZ13 More

Jack Wallen/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Fender Teufel Rockstar Go 2 More

I wish I’d bought these years ago! Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe first is the Makita Impact XPS Mag Boost More

Jason Hiner/ZDNETSoundbars are gaining in popularity because of their sleek design and ability to provide an ample boost in audio quality compared to built-in TV speakers. Even with their plug-and-play nature, you can make a few adjustments to help fulfill your pursuit of the best possible sound quality. Also: This Yamaha soundbar delivers glorious sound for half the price of my $1,000 JBLWhether you’re new to soundbar setups or a self-proclaimed audiophile, familiarizing yourself with some key settings can take your viewing and listening experience to new heights. Read on for five pointers on how to optimize your soundbar’s performance. More