Hidden side of light being unlocked

Hidden light properties unlocked by scientists for faster communications

Scientists have successfully broken the symmetry barrier of light using exotic quantum materials, enabling access to previously unreachable regions of the electromagnetic spectrum which can power faster wireless communication. This breakthrough could lead to compact terahertz devices which power faster wireless communication and quantum technologies. Their technique generates both even and odd terahertz harmonics, unlocking a hidden part of the electromagnetic spectrum. High-order harmonic generation (HHG) is a powerful technique which transforms light into much higher frequencies, allowing scientists to study regions of the electromagnetic spectrum that are normally beyond reach. However, extending HHG into the terahertz (THz) range has remained a major challenge because most materials are too symmetrical to support this process effectively.

The frequency up-conversion occurred between 6.4 THz (even) and 9.7 THz (odd), demonstrating the breakthrough ability to generate both even and odd terahertz harmonics from the same material. This breakthrough could lead to compact terahertz devices which power faster wireless communication and quantum technologies. Graphene, has shown potential for generating new light frequencies, but its perfect symmetry restricts it to producing only odd harmonics, frequencies that are odd multiples of the original light wave. Even harmonics, which are essential for creating a complete spectrum of light, have remained out of reach until now. It is a significant breakthrough in light-based technologies by successfully generating both even and odd terahertz harmonics, which was previously impossible with standard materials. Their approach relies on special quantum materials called topological insulators which conduct electricity on their surfaces while behaving like insulators inside. By designing custom nanostructures called split ring resonators with these materials, the team significantly amplified incoming light, allowing them to observe this rare high-order harmonic generation. This achievement confirms long-standing theoretical predictions and establishes a foundation for creating compact terahertz devices which could revolutionize multiple technologies.

A team of researchers led by Prof. Miriam Serena Vitiello has now made a major advance in light-based technologies. By harnessing the unusual properties of exotic quantum materials, the scientists have succeeded in accessing previously unreachable regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Their approach relies on topological insulators (TIs), materials that behave like insulators within their interior but conduct electricity along their surfaces. These materials display remarkable quantum characteristics resulting from strong spin–orbit coupling and time-reversal symmetry. Although theory suggested that TIs could enable complex forms of harmonic generation, no experimental proof had existed until this new research. The team created specially designed nanostructures known as split ring resonators and incorporated thin layers of Bi2Se3 as well as van der Waals heterostructures made from (InxBi1-x)2Se3. These resonators significantly strengthened the incoming light, allowing the researchers to observe HHG at both even and odd THz frequencies, a rare achievement. The frequency up-conversion occurred between 6.4 THz (even) and 9.7 THz (odd), revealing how both the symmetrical bulk and asymmetrical surface of the topological materials contribute to generating light. This finding provides one of the first clear demonstrations of the interplay between material symmetry and light behaviour in the terahertz domain.

This discovery unlocks a previously inaccessible part of the electromagnetic spectrum, creating new possibilities for manipulating light at the quantum level. The ability to generate both even and odd terahertz harmonics opens doors to developing compact, tunable light sources which can transform high-speed wireless communications, medical imaging and quantum computing. Scientists can now investigate the fascinating interplay between material symmetry and light behaviour at nanoscale levels. The breakthrough also validates theoretical predictions about quantum materials, showing how their unique properties can be harnessed for practical applications which bridge quantum physics with real-world technology development. This success confirms long-standing theoretical predictions and establishes a foundation for creating compact terahertz sources, sensors, and ultrafast optoelectronic devices. It also opens a new path for investigating the interactions between symmetry, quantum states, and light–matter dynamics at the nanoscale.

As technology advances toward faster, smaller and more efficient systems, the ability to manipulate light with quantum materials represents a key milestone. This achievement moves researchers closer to harnessing the full power of quantum materials for practical use. The results could lead to compact, optically pumped terahertz light sources which are tunable across frequencies, with the potential to revolutionize high-speed wireless communication, medical imaging, and quantum computing. Researchers will focus on developing compact, optically pumped terahertz light sources which are tunable across frequencies. These devices could soon power applications in high-speed wireless communication systems and medical imaging technology. The team will also continue investigating the interactions between symmetry, quantum states and light-matter dynamics at the nanoscale level.

Ultra-thin quantum dot LED

 Researchers have created a paper-thin light which replicates the full spectrum of sunlight     

In a ground breaking advancement that could revolutionize the way we light our screens and interiors, scientists have engineered a paper-thin light-emitting diode (LED) which mimics the sun’s natural and comforting glow. Scientists have developed an ultra-thin, paper-like LED that emits a warm, sun like glow, promising to revolutionize how we light up our homes, devices and workplaces. By engineering a balance of red, yellow-green and blue quantum dots, the researchers achieved light quality remarkably close to natural sunlight, improving colour accuracy and reducing eye strain. This innovative device represents a significant leap forward in LED technology, blending ultra-thin form factors with rich, full-spectrum illumination which aligns closely with natural sunlight. This achievement promises not only aesthetic improvements for future display screens and ambient lighting but also potential health benefits, particularly regarding sleep and eye comfort.

Current lighting options, while diverse in design and application, rarely offer solutions that combine thinness with a warm, sun like hue. Traditional LEDs and OLEDs often face limitations in replicating the continuous spectrum of sunlight, especially within the critical yellow and green wavelength ranges where the human eye is most sensitive and where natural warmth originates. Closing this gap, a collaboration led by Xianghua Wang at Anhui Province Research Institutions devised an ultra-thin quantum dot LED (QLED) which emits a light spectrum resembling that of the sun, thereby enhancing visual comfort and reducing the risk of circadian rhythm disruption commonly associated with artificial lighting sources. A paper-thin device uses quantum dots, similar to those described in this work, to light up LEDs. Light bulbs come in all sorts of forms, globes, spirals, candle-like tips and long tubes, but few are truly thin. Now, scientists reporting in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces have designed an LED so slender it’s nearly as thin as paper, yet it emits a cozy, sunlike glow. This new design could illuminate the future of phone and computer screens as well as other lighting applications, all while minimizing sleep disruption caused by harsh artificial light.

The core innovation lies in the utilization of specifically engineered quantum dots, nanometres-scale semiconductor particles which can convert electrical energy into light with high colour purity and tenability. The team synthesized red, yellow-green and blue quantum dots encapsulated within protective zinc-sulfur (ZnS) shells. This multiple ZnS shell architecture enhances the stability and efficiency of quantum dots by passivating surface defects and preventing non-radiative recombination, which often diminishes brightness and lifespan in QLEDs. By regulating the spatial composition of these quantum dots, the researchers finely tuned the emission profile to closely replicate solar spectral characteristics. "This work demonstrates the feasibility of ultra-thin, large-area quantum dot LEDs that closely match the solar spectrum," says Xianghua Wang, a corresponding author of the study. "These devices could enable next-generation eye-friendly displays, adaptive indoor lighting, and even wavelength-tunable sources for horticulture or well-being applications."

Constructing the device involved layering these quantum dots onto an indium tin oxide (ITO) glass substrate, a standard transparent conductor in optoelectronic devices. On top of this substrate, the team deposited ultrathin layers of conductive polymers which facilitate electrical transport with minimal resistance. A key element of their strategy was selecting electrically conductive materials which maintain performance at modest operating voltages, thereby improving energy efficiency and device longevity. The quantum dot layer itself, critical to the electroluminescent action, was engineered to be just tens of nanometers thick, an astonishingly thin dimension which allows for the device’s wallpaper-like profile. Many people prefer indoor lighting that feels natural and soothing. Earlier approaches achieved this effect with flexible LEDs that used red and yellow phosphorescent dyes to create a candle-like warmth. A newer alternative relies on quantum dots, tiny semiconductor particles which transform electrical energy into colour light. Some research teams have already used quantum dots to make white LEDs, but replicating the complete spectrum of sunlight has remained difficult, particularly in the yellow and green regions where sunlight is strongest. To address this challenge, Lei Chen and colleagues developed quantum dots that could recreate which balanced, sunlike glow in a thin, white quantum dot LED (QLED). Meanwhile, Wang’s group proposed an efficient conductive material design which could operate effectively at relatively low voltages.

This ultra-slim architecture offers several compelling advantages compared to conventional thicknesses used in current lighting technologies. By drastically reducing the palette thickness, these QLEDs can be integrated into flexible, lightweight and even rollable surfaces, vastly expanding their potential applications. Imagine walls, ceilings or even fabrics capable of emitting soft, natural white light indistinguishable from sunlight. Beyond aesthetics, the emission spectrum’s lower blue light intensity is particularly promising in mitigating potential eye strain and sleep disturbances associated with prolonged exposure to artificial blue-rich light. The team began by synthesizing red, yellow-green and blue quantum dots coated with zinc-sulphur shells. They determined the precise colour ratio needed to match the spectrum of natural sunlight as closely as possible. Next, they assembled the QLED on an indium tin oxide glass substrate, layering conductive polymers, the quantum dot blend, metal oxide particles and finally a top coating of aluminium or silver. The quantum dot layer measured only a few dozen nanometers in thickness, resulting in a white QLED with an overall profile comparable to wallpaper.

During rigorous testing, these QLED devices demonstrated optimal performance at operating voltages around 11.5 volts, providing a warm white luminous output with a high colour rendering index (CRI) exceeding 92%. This exceptional CRI means colours of objects illuminated by the QLED appear very close to their true hues under natural sunlight, an essential criterion for comfortable and accurate visual experiences in both professional and home environments. Moreover, subsequent device optimization efforts led to lowering the operating voltage to 8 volts for many units, while still reaching or surpassing brightness levels comparable to those required for modern computer displays. In initial tests, the thin QLED performed best under a 11.5-volt (V) power supply, giving off the maximum bright, warm white light. The emitted light had more intensity in red wavelengths and less intensity in blue wavelengths, which is better for sleep and eye health. Objects illuminated by the QLED should appear close to their true colours, scoring over 92% on the colour rendering index.

The implications extend beyond consumer electronics. Horticulture, for instance, could benefit significantly from wavelength-tunable light sources that align with plant photosynthetic activity peaks. By employing highly engineered quantum dots capable of emitting across tailored spectral bands, growers could optimize indoor farming under artificial light which closely mimics natural sunlight, promoting healthier plant growth cycles and potentially boosting yields. Optoelectronics experts have long sought reliable light sources which marry spectral quality with practical deployment metrics such as thinness, power efficiency and operational flexibility. This work distinctly addresses these demands by harnessing advances in quantum dot chemistry and thin-film conductive materials science, offering a versatile platform for next-generation lighting technologies. From eye-health-friendly monitors that seamlessly shift display hues across the day, to adaptive indoor lighting systems which enhance mood and productivity, this technology could redefine ambient light aesthetics and functionality. In further experiments, the researchers made 26 white QLED devices, using the same quantum dots but different electrically conductive materials to optimize the operating voltage. These light sources required only 8V to reach maximum light output, and about 80% exceeded the target brightness for computer monitors.

The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and other significant provincial and municipal scientific funding bodies, illustrating the strategic importance of such innovations within the global scientific and technological landscape. Continued advancement and scalability of this technology may soon see commercialization in consumer electronics, architectural lighting and beyond, making artificial lighting more human-centric and environmentally responsible. Importantly, this development also represents a step forward in sustainable lighting design. Traditional lighting schemes which prioritize brightness at the expense of spectral quality often consume excessive power and contribute to light pollution. The thin quantum dot LED arrays designed here operate efficiently at lower voltages, curbing energy waste without compromising light quality. The ability to produce vibrant, warm white light from an ultra-thin, flexible medium can reduce reliance on bulky fixtures and enable smarter lighting solutions embedded into everyday surfaces.

Xianghua Wang and Lei Chen’s teams have pioneered a route to full-spectrum electroluminescent white LEDs based on carefully crafted Cu(In,Ga)S₂ quantum dots coated with multiple zinc-sulphur shells. This multilayer shell approach ensures enhanced stability and spectral fidelity in the quantum dots, marking a crucial step in overcoming previous spectral gaps encountered in QLED design. Through diligent materials chemistry and device engineering, they’ve crafted ultra-thin, solar-like light sources that may transform how the world illuminates its surroundings. The paper-thin nature and sunlike quality of these quantum dot LEDs position them as promising candidates for integration into the next wave of displays and lighting applications. Such light sources could fundamentally shift expectations of indoor lighting, promoting healthier sleep patterns by minimizing disruptive blue light exposure while delivering superior visual comfort through their authentic spectral output. As research progresses, these full-spectrum QLEDs could herald a revolution in optoelectronics by combining quantum materials science, thin-film technology, and human-centric lighting design, setting a new benchmark for both performance and well-being in artificial illumination around the world.

Apple CarPlay Ultra

 Apple CarPlay Ultra hands-on : What's the latest about Automakers 

It’s been more than a decade since Apple unveiled the original version of CarPlay. In that time, the system has become indispensable for countless drivers all over the world. But while new iterations of iOS have introduced user interface tweaks and some additional customization features, its basic functionality hasn’t advanced much since that announcement since March 2014. This changes with the introduction of CarPlay Ultra. Apple fanatics love talking about the company's ecosystem, how well their iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch and MacBook sync together for a seamless experience. This extends to driving via CarPlay, and Apple revealed an expansion of the system earlier this year called CarPlay Ultra, where Apple's crisp user interface takes over the main touchscreen, the digital gauge cluster and key functions such as the climate controls.

Luxury automaker Aston Martin is the first OEM to offer support for Apple’s enhanced phone mirroring system. First shown at WWDC 2022 and now available on any iPhone 12 or newer that’s running iOS 18.5 or later, CarPlay Ultra is designed to deliver greater integration with the vehicle itself, offering not only the ability to have CarPlay on multiple displays within the vehicle but also the option to adjust things like climate controls and drive mode settings from within the CarPlay interface. Much like the original version of CarPlay, CarPlay Ultra has had a protracted gestation period and is finally making its debut in Aston Martin’s high-performance SUV, the DBX707. The fact that Aston Martin is the first out of the gate with support for CarPlay Ultra illustrates just how much the company’s approach to technology has evolved in recent years. Like many low-volume auto manufacturers, Aston Martin has a history of partnering with other automakers in order to gain access to technologies which are simply too expensive for the British outfit to develop by itself. That’s why models like the DBX707 and Vantage sports car are powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that’s supplied by Mercedes-AMG and then further tuned by Aston Martin.

It’s certainly not a bad thing, though, with 697 horsepower on tap and an exhaust note that sounds like Beelzebub gargling a mouthful of nails, the DBX707’s powertrain dishes out performance and character in equal measure. But the downside of this technical partnership, is that Mercedes-Benz refused to provide Aston Martin with the latest versions of its infotainment tech, so the vehicle’s systems were effectively outdated before they even landed in showrooms. Recognizing that the infotainment system has become an integral part of the driving experience and is something that an owner will likely interact with every time they get into a vehicle, Aston Martin recently struck out on its own and built one from scratch. But this development also raises a question: why give Apple more control of the in-car technology if you finally have an infotainment system worth touting? An Aston Martin representative said that while offering more choice and personalization options factored into the decision, it ultimately came down to customer requests. They also noted that familiarity is a big factor: with a luxury brand like Aston Martin, many of its customers have multiple vehicles, and CarPlay removes some of the friction involved in re-acclimating to a vehicle’s operating system each time they switch from one to another. 

Automakers will have to decide if they want to appease the hordes of iPhone users, especially in the US, where Apple has a higher market share in the smartphone sphere, with CarPlay Ultra, or stick to their guns and develop their own systems and work to convince customers to abandon the familiarity of CarPlay. This decision could have a huge impact on sales: the Financial Times cites a 2023 survey from consulting firm McKinsey that nearly half of car shoppers won't buy a car without Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and that 85 % of car owners who have Apple CarPlay prefer it to their car's native infotainment system. Aston Martin said that the development process for CarPlay Ultra was a learning experience for both the automaker and Apple; the latter learned how to navigate the labyrinth of international safety regulations which dictate things like the required colour palette for certain vehicle system readouts, while the former gained a better understanding of the tech giant’s approach to interface design. The automaker also explained that Apple essentially provided a blank template that Aston Martin’s engineering team then populated with the functions which they expected drivers to use most often. Although there are still a few settings that are only accessible through the native infotainment software, other features which haven’t been given a proper CarPlay Ultra makeover, like the Sound and Stage settings for the DBX707’s Bowers and Wilkins audio system, can still be accessed within the CarPlay interface. In this particular instance, rather than requiring the user to navigate out of CarPlay to get into the native software to make a change and then jump back into CarPlay, the native UI’s menu just pops up in a window inside of CarPlay itself, thereby eliminating all of those additional steps.

There are also quite a few more personalization options available as compared to the standard version of CarPlay. Aston Martin developed its own bespoke CarPlay Ultra theme for the digital gauge cluster and there are a number of other Apple-supplied gauge cluster “themes” to choose from, which can be further embellished with different colours and wallpapers. In the DBX707, the theme options and the choices for the information displayed in the centre of the gauge cluster can be scrolled through using the small touchpad on the steering wheel. Despite the fact that CarPlay Ultra communicates with a vehicle wirelessly, regardless of whether or not the phone is plugged into a data port, its response to inputs was immediate and free of any unsightly hiccups or choppy transitions. While there’s a sense that aesthetic continuity is the main attraction here, there are also some features that provide genuinely new functionality, as well. For example, with CarPlay Ultra, you can set it so that Apple Maps shows you navigation instructions on both the gauge cluster and the infotainment system with different visual orientations for each. So if a section of the route is unclear from the view on the gauge cluster, you can simply look over at the infotainment system display to see it from a different perspective. One of the few complaints we have about Aston Martin’s new infotainment system is that the text in the native operating system is often too small to easily be read at a glance, and that issue is comprehensively addressed by CarPlay’s large font sizes and oversized on-screen buttons. Aston Martin said that the development process for CarPlay Ultra was a learning experience for both the automaker and Apple.

Several car companies have reportedly decided not to offer CarPlay Ultra, which reskins virtually every infotainment system in Apple's design language. Five automakers have backed out from their initial plans to offer Apple's new CarPlay Ultra software in their vehicles, as per a reports available. The automakers reportedly changing their plans are Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, Polestar and Renault. CarPlay Ultra sees Apple's software take over the central touchscreen, digital gauge cluster and other integral functions such as the climate-control system.  But now it seems that CarPlay Ultra, initially expected to roll out across a plethora of brands, is facing some problems. It’s hard to say whether or not CarPlay Ultra will eventually become as indispensable as standard CarPlay is now. Although the majority of automakers currently support the standard version and a number of them have expressed interest in bringing CarPlay Ultra compatibility to their vehicles in the coming years, some don’t seem eager to give Apple more control over their screens, while others are actually phasing out CarPlay support entirely.

It’s understandable that a manufacturer like General Motors would want to see a return on investment for the massive amount of money that it’s pouring into software development. On the other hand, most automakers still only spend a limited amount of time updating a particular infotainment system before turning their attention to whatever comes next. With CarPlay on board, the system’s aesthetic and functionality are largely dictated by Apple’s development road map, so while the native infotainment software might get left in the dust after a few years, CarPlay itself looks just as fresh in a vehicle from 2016 as it does in a contemporary model. And if all goes according to plan, CarPlay Ultra’s ability to operate on all of a given vehicle’s displays should take this future proofing concept several steps further. According to a report from the Financial Times, several automakers said that they have no plans to introduce CarPlay Ultra to their vehicles. The companies listed are Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, Polestar and Renault. These brands had all initially stated their intent to implement CarPlay Ultra. CarPlay Ultra will allow users to control things like changing the radio station without leaving CarPlay. We reached out to the automakers for comment, with Mercedes responding with a vague statement that didn't confirm or deny its participation in CarPlay Ultra, but it noted that they "have introduced our advanced Mercedes-Benz Operating System in our all-new CLA" and they are "also committed to enhancing our Apple CarPlay integration into the infotainment domain.

Audi, however, said: "While we continue to offer traditional CarPlay on our vehicles, we have chosen not to integrate Apple CarPlay Ultra into our current portfolio of cars as we have just introduced our all-new MMI interface in our latest models." Polestar provided the following statement: "Right now we have no news to share about Apple CarPlay Ultra for Polestar vehicles." In a statement, Volvo said: "Regarding Apple CarPlay Ultra, no decision has been made." It seems that some automakers view CarPlay Ultra as a step too far, removing brand identity by redesigning aspects of the infotainment system that have been a differentiating factor for each company. CarPlay Ultra's big move is reskinning the gauge cluster, showing things like the speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, tire pressures and more in Apple's clean, if not slightly cold, design. Unlike before, drivers also won't need to leave CarPlay Ultra to adjust things such as fan speed or temperature in the climate menu or change the radio station. CarPlay Ultra will take over every screen in the vehicle. While automakers are reportedly allowed to customize these designs to fit their brand identity, it's clearly not distinct enough for some. According to the Financial Times report, Renault, which is working on a software system with Google and Qualcomm, told Apple, "Don’t try to invade our own systems." Automakers also see developing their own infotainment system as a way to potentially generate revenue from in-car services. So far, CarPlay Ultra is only available in Aston Martins, although Porsche, Hyundai, Kia and Genesis are set to join the party soon. These brands aren't alone in pushing back against the spread of CarPlay Ultra. General Motors announced in 2023 that it wouldn't implement CarPlay, not Ultra, but just the standard CarPlay that is currently available in nearly all new cars sold in the US, in its EVs. So far, we've seen several new GM models which don't feature the software, including the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Equinox EV.

Android with a bit more colourful settings

 Introduction of new colourful  Material Design theme by Google 

How many times a day you navigate to Google.com to look up something on the internet? Modern browsers allow you to search directly from the address bar, so there are few reasons to load up Google Search's homepage. As part of new, more expressive design, the Android Settings app will have colourful icons on its homepage. Following are the some of the important points:-

Google is preparing to make the icons on the Settings homepage more colourful.

It’s unclear if coloured icons are part of Google’s new Material Design 3 Expressive theme.

This is part of Google’s effort to redesign the Settings app to be more expressive.

Earlier, there was an evidence indicating Google will introduce an expressive new Material Design theme at next month’s Google I/O developer conference. Although several mentions and potential examples of this new theme have surfaced, the specifics of what the updated framework entails remain unclear. However, in the latest Android beta released recently, we noticed new evidence suggesting that colourful icons could be part of Google’s updated design guidelines. First let's learn how to Customize Chrome's Homepage:-

Are you a Google Chrome user? If so, chances are your homepage is set to Google already, which adds a few shortcuts to Google's usually minimalist screen. Unlike the Google website, current version of Google Search only follows the default theme setting of your operating system. To customize Chrome's homepage, click the Customize Chrome link in the bottom-right of the screen to open options related to appearance, shortcuts and what Google calls Cards. Change the colour of Chrome's homepage and menus by choosing one of the pre-set colours in the menu or selecting the colour option.

For more options, click Change theme to see several available categories. You can set your homepage to feature Chrome's brand colours, or select among collections of landscapes, space, art and various artists. Each options gives you a background and colour themes. You can also upload your own picture to use as a background.

From the Customize Chrome menu, you can also tell Google whether or not you want to show shortcuts on the homepage. Enable My shortcuts to manually set what websites should be included or Most visited sides to have Google suggest websites based on how often you visit them. Lastly, Google has a Cards section which allows you to see recent Google Drive files, shopping carts and recipes. You can turn this section OFF or disable certain components.

You can also customize your Google homepage on Chrome with the help of themes from the Chrome Web Store. Open the Customize Chrome menu and click Change Theme, then choose the Chrome Web Store listing at the bottom. (Or open Settings > Appearance > Theme.). Choose the Themes tab on the web store sidebar to search through various categories. Click into a category, then select a theme you like and choose Add to Chrome to download the theme and apply it to your Google page.

While the fourth beta of Android 16 doesn’t bring major UI changes, Google did introduce updates to the expressive redesign it’s developing for Settings. Specifically, the Settings homepage is getting colourful new icons for each entry. Currently, these entries feature simple grey, borderless icons to the left of the text. In the expressive redesign, however, these same icons are now enclosed within circles of different colours, adding some visual flair to the page. We have different settings homepage currently in the latest Android 15 release and in Android 16 Beta 4 with the expressive redesign enabled. The ‘Digital Wellbeing & parental controls’ entry retains its grey icon because it’s supplied by the separate Digital Wellbeing app, not the Settings app itself. This inconsistency shows Google still has work to do before rolling out the expressive redesign. As a result, we don’t expect this new design, or the colourful icons, to appear in the initial stable release of Android 16. Instead, the updated Settings look will likely debut in a later Android 16 quarterly release, or perhaps even be held back until Android 17 release.

It’s possible that the colours and iconography could change before this new design officially rolls out. Currently, there’s no apparent logic behind the specific background colour choices for each icon, although some related entries do seem to share the same colour for all the user's. The barebones aesthetic of Google.com keeps things simple and bright. Turn down the lights with dark mode. Click the Settings button in the lower-right corner of the screen, where you can toggle Dark theme ON and OFF to change the theme you see on Google Search results pages.

Redesign of the Google Messages app

 Google Messages with expected new look 

Google Messages is getting a bit of a facelift, but one particular change might be divisive. In an APK teardown, it was found that an upcoming version of Google's stock messaging app will see a handful of UI tweaks, including a conspicuous lack of colour. If you hate colours, you'll love the new look.  Following are the some of the important points:-

Google is testing a DE saturated redesign for the Google Messages app, replacing bright colours with muted tones.

Changes may include rounded elements like corners in chats and pill-shaped labels in menus.

The update alters multiple interface elements, including conversation views, emoji menus, search bar positions and attachment shortcuts.

Themes may incorporate less saturated colours.

Google has been hard at work improving the overall Google Messages experience. After all, the app is the primary texting app for many, used by millions of people worldwide daily. Part of the improvement process involves experimenting with changes and seeing what resonates, and that’s what Google Messages appears to be doing for its latest round of UI changes which prominently opt for a DE saturated look. An APK teardown helps predict features which may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. According to reports available, code in the Google Messages v20250408 beta makes a number of changes to the way Google Messages looks. The most obvious change is that the new look is a little less colourful, with chat backgrounds rendered in more muted hues. The attachment menu where you can add photos, files, stickers and more to your messages is fully monochrome, in a pretty drastic shift from the multi-coloured interface used right now.

Google Messages v20250408 beta includes code that makes many changes to the app’s UI. Starting with the main conversation screen, Google Messages appears to be going for a more DE saturated look. The brighter colour in the old UI is out, giving way to a dull background in the new UI. The messages which are sent stand in contrast to the background, and there’s room to make the incoming messages stand out in the dull background as well. Eagle-eyed readers will also notice that we have softer curved corners right below the header. Several UI elements sport a more rounded appearance. Chats now have rounded corners at the top, and the tab labels and search bars within the emoji menu are all pill-shaped.

The shortcut menu for attachments takes the DE saturated look one step further with monochrome icons devoid of colour. It looks consistent but also boring. Moving forward to the emoji menu, Google is experimenting with swapping the order of the Photomoji menu, pushing it to the very end of the list. This makes sense since more people use emojis more frequently than Photomojis. Google has also swapped the position of the search bar and the tabs in the new UI. This should help users differentiate between the search field and the text compose field, as previously, they were right on top of each other. The persistent Create button for Photomojis is gone, too, now sitting within the Photomoji tab, which again makes sense. The tabs also have a new demarcated look, better following Material Design guidelines.

Some subtle changes are also coming to RCS Business messages. The Call-to-Action buttons are more prominent, drawing attention despite their DE saturated look. The bottom “Unsubscribe” snack bar is also more prominent. This look is expected in the near future. All the in-progress changes other than the less colourful themes seems good. This new, less colourful look isn't public-facing yet, but the code that enables it is present in Google Messages v20250408 beta. It's still possible that this updated look could change before it lands on our phones, or even be scrapped entirely and never released. These changes are very much a work in progress, and Google could just be experimenting with a new look. There’s nothing to say that these changes will or will not roll out to Messages’ stable branch in the future. 

Huawei Mate XT Ultimate

 The Huawei Mate XT Ultimate redefines foldables 

The Huawei Mate XT Ultimate is like no other smartphone available in the market and it is so good to see real innovation for a change. We miss the golden days back when manufacturers weren't afraid of experimenting with phone designs, and we will always appreciate brands trying to do something different. The Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design is an eye-wateringly expensive smartphone. So much so, in fact, the cost of a return flight to Dubai to pick one up in person will set you back less than the device itself. That’s one of the few countries outside of China you can actually get hold of one, as being stuck on the software back foot continues to hamper the firm’s Western appeal. But Huawei did not only try to make the first truly foldable tablet, it succeeded. The device has a proper tablet-level screen size of 10.2 inches but also a proper tablet-grade screen aspect of about 16:11. However, being able to concertina a 10.2in tablet in enough places so that it slips into a trouser pocket softens the blow. A lot. The world’s first tri-fold phone is tech geek’s dream, with dimensions so skinny and a design so dramatic you’re guaranteed to be the centre of attention whenever you unfurl it. Top-tier cameras and rapid charging speeds are what you’d expect from a foldable flagship.  

Having such a large screen and trifold would usually mean a thick, bulky device. That's not the case with the Mate XT. On the contrary, Huawei has designed this foldable slate to be incredibly thin, just 3.6mm when opened, and 12.8mm when closed. That latter dimension matches the most popular foldable available, the Galaxy Z Fold6! Huawei Mate, Google Fold and Galaxy Fold. Spending a few weeks with one as my main phone taught a lot about the appeal of this new foldable breed, as well as where the phone world will need to improve the formula before it is offered to the world. The Huawei Mate XT Ultimate is made of premium materials all-around, there is a super thin rounded metal frame, stainless steel hinges and a stainless steel camera housing enclosure. The back is covered with either red or black vegan leather, while the tri-fold screen has a layer of ultra-thin glass inside.   

Until the Mate XT, we never had anyone commenting on such device. Even style-centric smartphones like the Nothing Phone 3a Pro flew under the radar, but the Huawei became a regular talking point. Admittedly it’s no shrinking violet when folded, with a red faux leather rear and a polished metal frame finished in gold. The “ULTIMATE DESIGN” logo blazoned across the back might not actually be over-egging the pudding. Folded shut, you’re looking at a slender 6.4in phone; unfolding one of the two hinges transforms it into a 7.9in book-style device, while opening up completely creates a 10.2in tablet. The screen folds back on itself in a Z shape, but each third is so ridiculously skinny (a mere 3.6mm if you don’t count the camera bump) that it’s barely any thicker than Samsung’s book-style Galaxy Z Fold6. It’s hefty and never found the 298g device a chore to use in any configuration. In tablet mode, the expansive 16:11 aspect ratio is almost perfect for on-the-go streaming binges and means you can fit three apps side-by-side-by-side for maximum multitasking. The creases are easier to spot than the best book-style models, and the non-removable screen protector doesn’t cope well with light reflections, so darker content can be a challenge when outdoors. Brightness is the 90Hz dynamic refresh rate; scrolling is smooth enough, just not as buttery as folders with 120Hz panels. Still, the 3K resolution is razor-sharp, and colours have the punch and vibrancy. The camera housing has been crafted in a very special way, using 80 layers of stainless steel, twisting them and polishing them. The result is a unique star-shaped piece, that has a different pattern on each phone!   

Huawei tried the whole “one edge of the screen exposed” thing before with the Mate XS 2, but rival foldables quickly settled on one flat outer display and a flexible inner screen. The Mate XT does come bundled with a case in the box for some extra protection. The built-in kick stand, which twists so you can go hands-free in any configuration is very handy. When folded, the Mate XT looks like a thick smartphone with a regular 6.4-inch OLED screen. If you look closely, you can see the small perforation for the 8MP selfie camera, and even a thin earpiece. There is no proximity sensor on the Mate XT - it relies on a software implementation, and it works quite well. The Mate XT doesn’t feel anywhere near as delicate as early book-style foldables did, so it’s a shame Huawei didn’t seek any kind of IP rating. Book-style rivals like the Oppo Find N5 have IPX9 resistance, meaning they can survive high pressure jets as well as full submersion. As a southpaw, the side-mounted fingerprint sensor a little tricky to reach; the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro‘s dual under-display fingerprint sensors are much more convenient.

You can fold the Mate XT in a way that mimics a regular foldable screen with a 7.9-inch squarish display. You can notice the usual plastic enclosure around the screen, something that is obvious on any foldable phone. And you should not remove the sort of visible protective film, as this will damage the screen. The Mate XT is incredibly thin when opened, though in this state, the relatively large camera housing makes it wobble a whole lot.  A box-fresh Mate XT runs Huawei’s EMUI interface, on top of an older version of Android stripped of all Google services. That’s no big deal if you aren’t a slave to the Big G’s software, as Huawei’s home-grown apps cover all the bases, from maps and email to web browsing and document editing. Pressing the power button wakes the Celia smart assistant rather than Gemini, and you download apps from the Huawei AppGallery instead of the Play Store. If you use this large screen estate in portrait mode, the Mate XT feels exactly like a regular-sized tablet, be it an iPad or something else. The entire back is covered with fingerprint-resistant vegan leather in either black or red. The selection has gotten bigger, but most of the major Western names are still MIA. You’ll spend a lot of time in the web browser to access things like Facebook and YouTube. Contactless payments with Google Wallet are still a no-go, though, and whether you’d be happy downloading banking apps through this workaround is up to you to decide.

There is a Mate X6-reminiscent camera housing with the twisted pattern we mentioned above. This oversized setup includes a 50MP primary camera with variable aperture, a 12MP 5.5x telephoto, a 12MP ultra wide camera, a laser emitter/receiver combo, a dual-LED flash, and a colour spectrum sensor. A microphone is also around. The primary mic, the USB-C port, the SIM bed, and the other speaker are at the bottom. The top side of the frame has one of the speakers, an IR blaster, and another microphone. Huawei’s own-brand Kirin chipset and 16GB of RAM supply enough oomph to keep the EMUI interface running smoothly. 3D games in particular need details dropping to maintain a playable frame rate. Productivity apps are no trouble, though, and it didn’t affect my ability to multitask when in tablet mode. The firm has a long way to go to catch up to the likes of Qualcomm, MediaTek and Apple.

The Mate XT relies on a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometric security, which is not the most comfortable to use in the fully open state, but it is better than nothing. The Mate XT has a sizeable 5600mAh silicon-carbon cell, and that large display sucks juice at quite the rate. If you’re in tablet mode 24/7 expect it to drain fully after five hours of gaming, or ten hours of video streaming. Book and phone modes fare a little better, so you could still get through a regular day of use. At least you get speedy wired and wireless charging, though whether you get a compatible charger in the box seems region-dependent. The Mate XT is an exquisite device, premium and innovative, one that easily stands out no matter the crowd or the situation. And it offers exceptional flexibility and usability; there are no two ways about that. Prop it up with the bundled case, and its kickstand transforms the Mate XT into a portable monitor or sorts, a great way to watch TV series or YouTube during your lunch break. With only so much room for sensors in a device this thin, and Huawei unwilling to compromise on a colossal camera bump. The Mate XT does a very good job with what it has, though. The 50MP lead lens is the standout, with a variable f/1.4-4.0 aperture that does depth blur rather convincingly. Optical image stabilisation and laser autofocus help out in low light, and Huawei’s image processing has long been top-tier.

Shots taken were all free from noise, with colours that lean towards a more natural presentation than some of the book-style competition. Huawei tends to favour higher contrast, so everything has real impact. Sharpening could be a little aggressive in places. Cropping the sensor produced virtually lossless 2x zoom shots. The periscope zoom also put in a good showing regardless of light levels, and despite not having an especially high pixel count. 5.5x magnification is quite strong. The Huawei Mate XT is comfortable to use and secure enough in your hands, no matter how many thirds of the screen you have in operation. The ultra wide snapper has an expansive 120-degree field of view, with sharpness right up to the edge of the frame. This style of foldable also only needs one front camera instead of two, with an 8MP unit on webcam duties. It gets the job done. The Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design appeals directly to gadget fans for whom money is no object. After all, why just have one fold when you can have two at twice the price? This is surely the sign of foldable things to come, except you can have it right now. Being the only one of its kind also ensures you’ll turn heads every time you pull it out of your pocket.

New feature by Google Maps

 Introduction of new feature to make driving more colourful and fun by Google Maps   

Google Maps is one of the best tools for navigating from A to B, whether you're walking, cycling or driving a car. And if you're doing the latter, you now have more car icons and colours to choose from to represent your vehicle. When Google bought Waze for $1.3 billion in 2013, it was obvious that it would move some of Waze's crowdsourcing features to Google Maps. Over the years, Google has added many Waze-like features such as the ability to quickly report a crash, a slowdown, police activity, construction, a lane closure, a stalled vehicle, an object on the road, a flooded road, low visibility and an unploughed road. All of these hazards can be reported in seconds. While Google Maps is the most popular navigation tool available, is it the best? Here, we explore all the reasons you should use Google Maps.

When using Google Maps for directions while driving, the default icon representing you and your vehicle on the map is a blue arrow. However, there are other options available (if you know where to look), and Google has now added even more options. Now, Google Maps is adding another feature associated with Waze. The former will be adding new car icons to replace the blue arrow and other icons which can be used to represent your car on the navigation map. You can make this change on your iOS or Android-powered handset by pulling up the the menu from the handle near the bottom of the screen which shows how much time is left on your drive, the mileage remaining on your journey and the estimated time of arrival. Grab the handle, swipe up and you'll see a menu with several options.

For several years, Google Maps has offered you the chance to switch from the default blue arrow to one of three car icons: a red sedan, a green pickup truck or a yellow SUV. These icons are pretty basic though, and the colours are set in stone. The next to last option reads Vehicle icon. Tap on it and you can select from the traditional arrow icon, a sports car, a pickup truck, an SUV, a sedan and more for a total of eight icons. Just swipe through them to sell all of your choices. There are eight colour options including:-

Glacier white

Night black

Ash grey

Poppy red

Sky blue

Sunny yellow

Aqua green

Sunset magenta

Google Maps Trip Options

Google Maps' default Trip Options

New car options in Google Maps

This set of options means that you should be able to choose a close match for your own car. While the model and shade of colour may not be an exact match to your own vehicle, it should be close enough to make Google Maps feel more personal to you. Another way to change your icon is to tap on the default vehicle icon which appears once you set your destination and start navigation. You must have the most up-to-date version of Google Maps on your iOS or Android-powered device to get this feature. One way to do this would be to install the latest version of Google Maps for iOS on your iPhone. Everything about the new car icons, from the way they look to the UI used to select your car and the colour that you want the vehicle to be, looks like it just stepped right out of the Waze app. There are several ways to change the car icon in Google Maps, but you end up at the same screen regardless:-

Before starting a journey, you can tap the sliders to open the Trip Options menu, then tap Vehicle icon while navigating.

During a journey, you can tap the journey bar underneath the map, then tap Vehicle icon.

At the start of or during a journey, you can tap the icon itself on the map to go straight to the Choose vehicle icon options.

Google Maps and Waze have two separate functions. The former is for those who not only want to navigate quickly and safely from "A" to "B," but also want recommendations on where to dine, where to spend the night, where to find local entertainment and more. Waze is more about the actual journey and using crowd sourced information which makes the drive easier to make. The option to choose a car icon that more closely resembles your own vehicle is a fun frivolity that isn't going to change your world. However, it could help to make long car journeys at least a little more colourful. Google has obviously been inspired by Waze here, with the latter offering a broad range of vehicle icons. 

HUAWEI MATE XT SMARTPHONE GOES WORLDWIDE

 World's first tri-fold smartphone huawei mate XT, launches globally  

The first tri-fold smartphone was launched in China last year, but its global release has now been confirmed. Huawei Mate XT, the dubbed world’s first tri-fold smartphone, launches worldwide. First introduced in Sep 2024, the Huawei Mate XT, smartphone has seen the light of day so far with 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of memory storage on board. The pre-order opened on 18 Feb, 2025, while those who have reserved early are to receive their smartphone as early as 13 Mar, 2025. For the rest, the shipping starts on 15 Mar, 2025. Mobile tech company Huawei launched the world's first tri-fold smartphone in Sep 2024, but it was only available in China. Now you might still have a search on your hands to find one.

When fully unfolded, the tri-fold smartphone has a thickness of 3.6mm, which can be similar to that of a pencil. The display is 10.2 inches, and when folded, the screen size is 6.4 inches. Behind the Huawei Mate XT smartphone is the ‘Star Diamond’ design of the camera. This has already appeared in the company’s previous series, which is the Ultimate Design products. The back cover also uses ultra-thin leather, adding a grainy texture to the design. Samsung is expected to add another layer to its foldable phone options this year, with an as-yet-unnamed tri-fold model that's tipped for launch around the third quarter. But Huawei has beaten the mobile titan to the punch with the Mate XT.

There are two colours available for the global launch of the Huawei Mate XT smartphone: Black and Red. Both of them adopt the ultra-thin leather mixed with light, aerospace-grade fibre. A feature which marks the tri-fold device’s brand is its hinge system. It’s the reason it can unfold two more screens. The company uses what they call the advanced precision hinge system. It means the inward and outward folding hinges operate around a dual-track link. This offers users three different layout options while on the move. The company says that the Mate XT boasts a Multiview in One experience that "redefines a smartphone display's capabilities by supporting seamless switching between single, dual, and triple screen modes." When folded out across its dual hinges, a 10.2-inch tablet display at 2,232 x 3,184 pixels is presented. One of those hinges can be collapsed back for a 7.9-inch, 2,232 x 2,048-pixel dual-screen. And both hinges can be folded down for a half-inch-thick smartphone with a 6.4-inch screen with 2,232 x 1,008 pixels. Whatever your panel poison, the OLED display sports a 90-Hz adaptive refresh rate, and up to 240-Hz touch sampling.

The company introduces what it describe as ‘Multi-Directional Flexible Materials.’ The 10.2-inch display may appear flat when unfolded, but it is flexible enough not to crack when the user folds it back. There’s also the feature named K HUAWEI X-True™ Display. It’s the setting that allows the Huawei Mate XT smartphone to switch between single, dual and triple screen modes, depending on the user’s needs. The dual hinge mechanism caters for three different display options: a single screen mode for "quick tasks such as calling or photography," a dual screen for "information browsing, such as reading articles and checking emails," and a triple-screen tablet mode which "delivers immersive viewing and makes multi-task management a breeze". Meanwhile, the core components of the hinge mechanisms are said to be made from "ultra-high-strength steel" for durability, while Huawei promises smooth folding action thanks to multi-drive technology.

When the users go for the triple screen mode, the Huawei Mate XT smartphone also lets them multitask on the device. The dual-screen mode is more ideal for using the browser while taking notes and even reading articles while waiting for emails. The single-screen mode is the standard one, which is more suitable for quick tasks, including photography. Speaking of taking photos, the device has what the company describes as Huawei Xmage. Moving around back, the raised triple camera array features a 50-megapixel main, a 12-MP ultra-wide and a 12-MP periscope telephoto, all with optical image stabilization. There's a "10-size adjustable physical aperture" available to cater for diverse photographic needs, 5.5x optical zoom and 50x digital will help bring distant subjects closer, and Ultra Speed Snapshot aims to snap subjects moving at high speed in sharp detail. The rear cameras, plus the 8-MP selfiecam out front, are capable of 4K UHD video recording too. The triple camera array sticks out too much for flat tabletop usage, so the Mate XT comes with a built-in kickstand. 

The Mate XT runs Huawei's own operating platform, comes with 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage, features dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.2, and cables via USB-C, but lacks an audio jack and storage expansion. The slim 5,600-mAh battery solution supports 66-W fast charging, and 50-W wireless. The handset is wrapped in a super-slim vegan leather coat, made from "an ultra-light and ultra-strong aerospace-grade fiber", in black or red finish options. And you'll have to heft around a device weighing 10.5 oz (298 g). It allows for a ten-size adjustable physical aperture as well as a periscope telephoto camera and ultra-wide-angle camera. Users can choose between the device’s 5.5x optical zoom and 50x digital zoom. Inside the smartphone, there’s a 5600 mAh ultra-thin silicon anode battery, which is only 1.9 mm thick. It contributes to making the entire Huawei Mate XT as thin as possible. As you might expect, the price of entry into Huawei's tri-fold universe is high, at a whopping €3,499 in fact (which converts to around US$3,650, but it's unlikely to see official release in the US). The global shipping begins on 15 Mar, 2025.