Qualcomm Unveils the Fifth-Generation Snapdragon 8 Mobile Platform

On November 26, Qualcomm officially launched the fifth-generation Snapdragon 8 mobile platform, positioned as a flagship SoC with major advancements in CPU, GPU, NPU, imaging, and AI performance. The platform features the Qualcomm Oryon CPU with a peak clock speed of 3.8 GHz, delivering a 36% performance increase and 42% power reduction compared with the previous generation. Overall SoC power efficiency has also been improved, with total power consumption reduced by 13%.

On the GPU side, the new Adreno GPU adopts a fresh architecture, offering 11% higher performance and 28% lower power consumption. It supports Adreno Game Ready drivers, Auto VRS (Adaptive Variable Resolution Rendering), Mesh Shading, and Qualcomm FPS 3.0, enabling mobile gaming experiences of up to 165 fps. The NPU, built on Qualcomm’s latest Hexagon design, delivers a 46% boost in AI compute performance.

The imaging system uses a 20-bit AI-powered triple ISP, supporting context-aware 3A algorithms, Night Vision 3.0, and integrates Snapdragon Audio Sense for enhanced imaging and audio processing capabilities.

In AI and connectivity, the fifth-generation Snapdragon 8 includes an on-device agent-class AI assistant, multimodal AI activation, and an advanced sensor hub, with support for running mainstream generative AI models. Connectivity features include the Snapdragon X80 5G modem-RF system, FastConnect 7900 mobile connectivity platform, Bluetooth 6.0, and UWB, enabling more stable and higher-speed wireless performance.

Panasonic Rolls Out Major Firmware Updates for S1 II, S1 IIE, and S1R II Cameras

On November 26, Panasonic announced new firmware updates for its full-frame mirrorless cameras: the S1 II, S1 IIE, and S1R II. The S1 II and S1 IIE have been updated to version 1.2, while the S1R II has been updated to version 1.3. This update focuses heavily on improving video recording performance, alongside enhancements to autofocus, menu logic, ISO control, and more. The companion app, LUMIX Flow, has also been updated to version 1.4.

The firmware significantly improves continuous video recording stability across varying temperature environments, thanks to optimized thermal management algorithms. In burst shooting, the S1 II now adds a 30fps low-speed burst option in image-priority mode, while the S1R II gains a 20fps low-speed burst. Both models now support pre-burst shooting.

This update substantially extends continuous video recording time. Image: Panasonic
Autofocus logic has also been enhanced. When multiple subjects appear in the frame, the camera will now display only the primary subject detection frame. A new rectangular AF frame mode based on eye detection has also been added.

For video workflows, the cameras now support a new low-bitrate MP4 (Lite) format, offering 3:2 4K Open Gate recording at 50 Mbps. This reduces file sizes by 41% and increases transfer speeds by 1.7×, making it more suitable for quick mobile transfers and lightweight post-production. ISO control has also been improved: users can now adjust the “ISO Auto” option directly from the custom menu, and dual native ISO ranges are now displayed in real time, making it easier to determine whether the camera is operating in high or low native ISO mode.

Additionally, the updated LUMIX Flow app adds a LUT preview assist feature that syncs with the camera menu to display V-Log LUTs. A multi-frame marker display has also been introduced, allowing the app to show multiple frames exported from the camera when the same scene is captured. Source

Perplexity Launches Virtual Try-On Feature

On November 27, AI search service Perplexity announced the launch of its new virtual try-on feature. When users search for clothing items, they can now tap the newly added “Try it on” button and upload their own photo. Perplexity will then generate a synthesized try-on effect using its large AI models. The feature is currently available exclusively to Pro and Max subscribers and is already live. Source

State Council Releases Plan to Further Boost Consumption Upgrading

The State Council recently released the Implementation Plan on Enhancing the Supply–Demand Alignment of Consumer Goods to Further Promote Consumption, outlining goals to develop three trillion-yuan-level consumption sectors and ten hundred-billion-yuan-level consumer hotspots by 2027. By 2030, the plan aims to establish a high-quality development framework in which supply and consumption interact positively, enabling better supply to unlock consumption potential.

The plan highlights accelerating the application of new technologies and new business models, including creating first-use scenarios for new products in sectors such as intelligent connected new energy vehicles, smart home appliances, consumer electronics, and modern textiles. It also promotes flexible, customized, and highly responsive manufacturing models. The document further proposes connecting consumer big data with production systems, encouraging user participation in product design, and improving responsiveness to niche demands.

The plan pushes for deep integration of artificial intelligence into the consumer goods industry, encouraging the development of various AI-enabled devices including household service robots, smart appliances, smartphones, computers, toys, eyewear, and brain–computer interface devices. It also supports the establishment of smart home experience centers, elderly-care product experience centers, and customized clothing experience centers across regions to expand multi-scenario service offerings. Additionally, the plan calls for enriching product supply in key sectors such as sports, health, culture and tourism, baby and child care, and elderly-friendly products, while promoting green product innovation and improving the quality of rural consumer goods.

The document also lays out measures to cultivate diverse consumption scenarios, including hosting product launch events, developing livestream e-commerce and instant retail, expanding low-altitude consumption and automotive aftermarket services such as vehicle customization, and improving standards for shared consumption. The plan emphasizes supporting measures in finance, branding, and consumer goods safety regulation, calling for stronger interdepartmental coordination. Local governments are urged to implement the plan according to regional conditions, guide enterprises to improve product quality and integrity, and further unlock consumption potential. Source

“Zootopia 2” Becomes the Highest-Grossing Imported Animated Film on Opening Day

On November 26, according to data from Maoyan Pro, Disney’s animated film Zootopia 2 earned over 213 million RMB on its opening day, becoming the highest-grossing imported animated film on a single day in the history of mainland China. Its debut performance surpassed titles such as The Boy and the Heron and Frozen 2, and far exceeded the first Zootopia film’s highest single-day box office in 2016 (166 million RMB).

As a sequel released nearly a decade after the original, Zootopia 2 continues the anthropomorphic world-building and comedic adventure style, created by the original core team led by Byron Howard. The film has received strong audience ratings and significant market attention. According to Maoyan Pro’s forecast, the total box office of Zootopia 2 is expected to exceed 2.6 billion RMB, very likely to surpass the first film’s record and become one of the highest-grossing imported animated films in China’s box office history. Source