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This is just one of the growing companies setting up shop elsewhere to escape the US-China trade war.
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
Lenovo is moving all PC manufacturing to India over the next three years, the company announced at Tech World India 2025, and is preparing to do the same for its AI GPU servers in Pondicherry, India.
Lenovo has produced 12 million units in India and is planning to increase that to nearly 17 million to meet incoming domestic and international demand, according to aDigiTimes Asiareport detailing the news.
Although it didn’t mention tariffs, Lenovo — a Chinese-owned company with five factories in China and one in Mexico — owns 12% of the U.S. laptop market. President Trump’s 20% tariff on China and 25% tariff on Mexico will therefore impact its pricing strategy, making Lenovo laptops more expensive than the competition.
Lenovo isn’t the only company moving out of China to escape Trump’s tariffs. ASRock announced in early February that it will move manufacturing operations to Vietnam and Taiwan. HP made a similar announcement just a few days ago, saying that 90% of products bound for the U.S. will be made outside of the East Asian country by October this year. Even Dell said it’s diversifying its supply chain, meaning it will reduce its reliance on Chinese factories to make its products.
Aside from the tariffs, the White House’s export controls on the latest AI chips also force some PC parts manufacturers to move their operations. PC Partner, the manufacturer behind Zotac, Inno3D, and Manli brands and one of the largest GPU manufacturers in the world, ismoving its headquarters to Singapore, with a rumored production shift from China to Indonesia.
Other chip companies like Amkor Technology, Hana Micron, and even Intel arepouring billions of dollars into Vietnamto shift production away from China.
Trump administration’s tariffs on Chinese goods are starting to take effect in the computer industry, with some larger companies announcing investments within the U.S. to move manufacturing within its shores. This includes TSMC, which announced anadditional $100 billion in spendingon three new fabs, two advanced packaging factories, and an R&D center in its Arizona campus.
Trump also announced during his speech to the joint session of Congress that other companies, like Apple and Oracle, are investing hundreds of billions of dollars more because they want to avoid the tariffs that he’s placed on Canada, Mexico, and China.
Moving manufacturing inside the U.S. might not be viable for smaller companies, however. So they’re moving to nations with friendlier ties to the U.S., like India, Taiwan, and Indonesia, that aren’t affected by the tariffs. These moves will likely take years, especially if a particular company does not yet have an existing facility within the region.
So as they wait for their production facilities and supply chains to come online, companies will have no choice but to raise their prices to cover the tariffs the White House has placed on their products.
Apple keyboard mute buttons, old (left) and new (right)(Image credit: Apple)
The Mac mute button now matches the on-screen graphics
Keyboards for MacBooks and iPads have been updated
It’s the first tweak to the button design since back in 1999
Appleunveiled some shinynew MacBook Airsfor 2025 earlier this week – and as well as featuring the latest M4 chipsets inside, they also correct a keyboard oversight that’s been around since the last century.
As spotted byiCulture(viaMacRumors), the mute button on the keyboard now shows a small speaker with a strikeout line through it. Previously, the icon was just a speaker, with none of the sound waves next to it that the other volume buttons show.
Why does this matter? Well, as you’ll notice if you’re reading this on a Mac, if you tap the mute button on an Apple keyboard, you get a speaker icon with a strikeout line through it on screen. The keyboard graphics now match the macOS visuals.
It’s not much of a change in the grand scheme of computing upgrades, but it’s nice to now have some consistency. The old mute button icon has been around since the launch of the PowerBook G3 all the way back in 1999.
The updated laptops bring with them a fresh color(Image credit: Apple)
Apple hasn’t said anything officially about the updated iconography, but the change has also been made on the new Magic Keyboard that comes with the refreshed7th-generation iPad Air tablet, powered by the M3 chipset.
That would indicate the new look is here to stay, and will continue to feature on Mac keyboards going forward. The next computers we’re expecting from Apple are the M5 MacBook Pros, duebefore the end of the year.
Judging by the comments in the MacRumors article above, this isn’t something that has been particularly confusing or frustrating for users – but given Apple’s usual attention to detail, it’s strange that the inconsistency has persisted.
Our full review of the M4 MacBook Air is still in the pipeline, but we have managed to get some hands-on time with the updated laptops already – and the fresh Sky Blue color is definitely one that catches the eye.
TheNintendo Switch 2is less than a month away from itsbig reveal on April 2. Details about the new portable console are slowly trickling out, and the latest info gives some good news for collectors of the interactive action figures, the Amiibo.
Nintendo has filed new FCC filings for what appears to be the Switch 2, which confirm a few features, as first spotted byThe Vergeon Friday. Nintendo’s new console will support Wi-Fi 6 for faster internet speeds, both USB-C ports will be able to charge the console and it will be NFC compatible, which allows it to communicate with the Amiibo toys.
Nintendo first introduced theAmiibo in 2014 for the Wii U alongside Super Smash Bros. for Wii U as a way to transfer data between the toy and console. Eventually, support for the toys spread to the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch. Originally, the toy line featured Nintendo mascots, but soon non-Nintendo characters had their own Amiibo, including Sora from Kingdom Hearts, Solaire of Astora from Dark Souls and Pac-Man.
You can see the Switch 2 was tested with an HAC game card, meaning a cartridge from the original Switch. Nintendo previously confirmed the Switch 2 would be backwards compatible.Image: FCC
Details such as the release date or price have yet to be confirmed, although there is speculation that the console will launch sometime over the summer and retail for $400. However, pricing may change due to recently introduced tariffs.
More details about the Switch will be revealed on April 2. A lucky few will be able to play with the Switch 2 before its launch at the Nintendo Switch 2 experience events taking place around the globe.
Sound detection will be dropped on the Home Max in a few months.
What you need to know
Google Home Max users are losing the sound detection feature in May 2025.
The feature is available for Nest Aware subscribers, and will remain for other Home and Nest devices.
Sound detection made it possible to receive notifications when your Home Max hears dangerous sounds.
Google released the Home Max smart speaker back in 2017, and many are in use today. However, as the company recently communicated in an email to owners, theGoogle Home Maxis losing the sound detection feature (via9to5Google). This feature used the Home Max microphone to listen for dangerous sounds, like glass breaking or a smoke alarm ringing, and sent a push notification to the user’s smartphone.
It required aNest Aware subscription, but will be sunset for the Google Home Max on May 8, 2025. Google says that the feature will still be supported “on your other Google devices with your Nest Aware subscription.” It’s unclear why the feature is being dropped specifically from the Home Max, although the speaker is getting old.
“Starting May 8, 2025, your Google Home Max will no longer have the sound detection feature as part of yourNest Aware subscription,” the email reads. “Sound detection (which alerts you if glass breaking or a smoke/carbon monoxide alarm is heard) will still be supported on your other Google devices with your Nest Aware subscription.”
Sound detection is useful for making sure you don’t miss important security events while you’re away from home. A notification that glass broke or that a smoke or carbon monoxide detector went off could help homeowners respond to problems quickly. It’s especially helpful for people deep into the Google Home/Nest ecosystems, as you can look into live camera feeds to respond to sound detection pings if you have them.
As of now, sound detection will still be available onGoogle Homeand Google Home mini hardware. 9to5Google points out that the Google Home Max runs an older firmware version, number 1.56.275994, than those other two models, which run 3.75.456944. This major disparity could be a reason why sound detection is being dropped.
The Yoga Solar’s worst enemy is the cloud, and for once we don’t mean Microsoft OneDrive.
Sustainability is near and dear to our hearts, and the Yoga Solar PC Laptop Concept showcased at this year’s Mobile World Congress expo is a fascinating look at how recent advances in solar technology and ultra-efficient processors intersect to make a laptop that is nearly self-sustaining in broad daylight.
That’s right, you didn’t misread.Lenovohas designed a laptop that runs on the power of the sun. This was no pie-in-the-sky idea or bold claim, either. Lenovo brought the laptop toMWC 2025and proudly displayed a fully realized model.
While it’s not the first solar-powered laptop we’ve ever seen (RIP Sol), it is an impressive revival of that concept that seems all the more fitting as companies chase down ways to minimize carbon footprints and bolster battery efficiency beyond making sure your devices come in recyclable boxes.
With that in mind, how could wenotaward the Yoga Solar laptop our Laptop Laurel award for the best concept of MWC 2025?
Thanks to the 84 solar cells in the Yoga’s top panel lid, just 20 minutes of charging in direct sunlight allows the Yoga Solar to charge enough battery power for 1 hour of video playback. Lenovo is reporting a 24.3% conversion rate on the Yoga Solar’s back-contact solar cells, which can absorb light from any source above 0.3 watts.
Combined with anIntel CoreUltra “Lunar Lake” chipset, those 84 solar cells create a laptop that might never need to charge at an outlet. The Yoga Solar concept laptop already has a spec sheet, though it is naturally a bit vague, listingIntelCore Ultra processors, integrated Intel Graphics, up to 32GB of memory, up to 1TB of SSD storage, and a 14-inch OLED display panel.
But the Yoga Solar doesn’t just sound cool from a sustainability perspective, it also looks fantastic.
Lenovo’s Yoga series is often the more stylish, premium Lenovo consumer laptop, and the Solar concept is no different. Thanks to a gloss panel over the 84 solar cells, the Yoga Solar looks sleek and modern, even with solar panels on the lid.
Many tradeshow concepts exist just to prove a design point and push boundaries, but they won’t ever make it into the world. While it may be a few years before we see a full production version of the Yoga Solar, Lenovo does have a history of bringing various concept laptops to life.
The ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 debuted as a concept laptop atMWC 2023, but the rollable laptop is shipping later this year. Lenovo’s MagicBay system was aCES 2024 concept, but some of the accessories have already hit the shelves.
With a little luck, Lenovo will eventually bring the Yoga Solar to full production. Strap MIL-STD rating on this laptop and you may have one of the most impressive bits of travel tech on the market.
More importantly, it may kickstart a sustainability trend in tech that benefits the user just as much as it does the environment.
A transformation is underway for Gboard users on Android as Google begins rolling out a redesigned layout for the keyboard. This update introduces circle and pill-shaped keys for a selected group of beta testers, moving away from the traditional rounded rectangle keys. The individual letter keys will be circular, while the space bar and other key functions will adopt a pill shape to enhance usability and visual appeal.
This redesign is part of the latest Gboard beta (version 15.1), which is currently in early phases and has not yet been widely released to all users in the testing program.
Recent changes have also been implemented in the Gboard toolbars, including a refined shortcut button for easier access to essential features. The updated Dynamic Color theme has been streamlined to align more closely with Android’s material design principles, providing users with a fresh interface.
These adjustments are designed to refresh the keyboard’s appearance and improve user engagement. However, not everyone is liking the changes.
For example, folks on Reddit call the most recent changes “awful” and “annoying.” One user said: “The graphic designer in me is just hurt looking at this. Atrocious, atrocious typography.” Over on X, comments about the newly shaped keys are nearly identical: people don’t like it.
Google has not yet announced when the keyboard changes will be available to general Android users or if there will be an option to revert to the old design.
Gboard on Android was originally released in December 2016. It followed a May 2016 release on iOS.
Apple has launched its first in-house C1 modem with the iPhone 16e, marking a major step toward modem independence. The C1 modem focuses on power efficiency, laying the groundwork for a future where Apple fully controls its modem technology.
Apple has long been known for itspush toward self-reliance, designing everything from its A-series and M-series chips to its own operating systems. Yet despite the efforts, there was still one crucial component the company had to source from elsewhere: cellular modems.
That has changeda few days agowith the debut of the Apple C1 modem, launched as part of the iPhone 16e in late February 2025.
This development marks a major shift in the mobile device industry, setting the stage for a potential breakup between Apple and Qualcomm, a company that has dominated the modem business for years.
But how did Apple get here? And what does this mean for both companies and the smartphone industry as a whole?
Apple’s journey toward developing its own modem began in 2019 when itacquiredIntel’s smartphone modem division for $1 billion.
This acquisition was a crucial first step in Apple’s push to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm. Intel had been struggling to develop competitive 5G modem technology, and Apple saw an opportunity to take over the project and develop its own solution.
The deal gave Apple access to critical wireless connectivity patents, a team of over 2,200 engineers, and existing modem designs that could serve as a foundation for its new modem development. And yet, Apple eventually realized that designing a high-performance, power-efficient 5G modem was far more challenging than anticipated, with the company’s engineers encountering numerous issues related to power consumption, network stability, and compatibility with global carrier standards.
Initial prototypes failed to match the performance of Qualcomm’s leading modems, causing significant delays. Apple had originally aimed to release its own modem by 2023, but the setbacks forced the company to extend its existing agreements with Qualcomm multiple times.
After years of development, Apple’s C1 modem was finally introduced in February 2025, making the affordable iPhone 16e the company’s first device to feature an in-house cellular modem.
The modem represents Apple’s push toward total hardware and software integration. While the C1 modem does not set new industry benchmarks for raw speed, it has been highly optimized for power efficiency, reportedly consuming 20 to 25% less power than Qualcomm’s modems powering the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup as a result.
This improvement leads to a better battery life, with the iPhone 16eachievingup to 53 minutes better runtime during continuous 5G usage compared to devices using Qualcomm modems.
However, the launch of the C1 modem does not mean Apple is fully independent from Qualcomm just yet. Due a long-termagreement, Apple will continue using Qualcomm modems in its premium iPhone models until at least 2027.
This phased approach allows Apple to fine-tune its modem technology without downgrading the experience for its main user base.
If any major issues arise with the C1 modem in the iPhone 16e, Apple has plenty of time to refine its design before transitioning all iPhones to its in-house solution.
Apple’s ability to design its own modem gives it greater control over both hardware and software. By integrating its modem with its proprietary chipsets, Apple can optimize performance and efficiency in ways that third-party solutions don’t allow.
This follows the same approach Apple took with its transition from Intel processors to its M-series chips in Macs, leading to better battery life and faster performance.
Financially, moving away from Qualcomm modems could save Apple billions in licensing fees, increasing its profit margins. Although the transition will take time, long-term benefits are set to be significant enough.
Apple is expected to continue refining its modem technology, with future versions likely to be built on TSMC’s advanced 3nm process, improving both efficiency and connectivity.
Beyond iPhones, Apple’s modem technology may come to iPads, Macs, and even Apple Watches. This would further reduce reliance on external suppliers and give Apple full control over wireless connectivity across its entire product lineup.
What this means for Qualcomm
Losing Apple as a customer is most likely going to be a major financial hit for Qualcomm, as Apple’s orders make up a significant share of Qualcomm’s modem business profits. While Qualcomm will continue providing its modem IP to Apple until 2027, it must prepare for the eventual loss of this revenue stream.
To offset this, Qualcomm is expected to focus on expanding its presence in the Android market, automotive sector, and IoT connectivity. However, competition in these areas is growing, particularly from MediaTek and other chipmakers.
If Apple does indeed fully transitions away from Qualcomm modems, Qualcomm will need to adapt its business strategy to stay competitive.
Another potential concern is legal battles. Apple and Qualcomm have a history of lawsuits over modem patents, and if Apple stops licensing Qualcomm’s technology in the future, another dispute may come fairly soon.
What’s next?
The Apple C1 modem is just the first step. While C1 is not yet as fast or widely used as Qualcomm’s modems, it lays the groundwork for future products and innovation. With rumors about C2 andeven C3now out there, we’ll have to wait and see what happens.
After six years,Microsoft has officially releasedfour methods for fixing the “Try that again” or “0x80131500” Microsoft Store error. The bug was first reported in 2019, but the good news is that there is now an official solution for you.
You can fix the “Try that again” error by resetting the Microsoft Store app, using the Microsoft Store troubleshooter (Windows 10 only), checking for updates, and updating your internet’s TLS (Transport Layer Security) settings. However, Microsoft recommends enabling TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 for compatibility. However, if the first three methods don’t work, the issue may be due to TLS incompatibility. If this sounds too technical, don’t worry; just follow these steps: press the Windows key > search for Run > typeinetcpl.cpl> press enter > click Advanced tab to ensure that the Use TLS 1.2 and 1.3 are checked. That’s all there is to it.
Before these official solutions, you may have turned to different workarounds. You possibly paused the antivirus protection (even if it was one of thebest antivirus software), created a new local Windows account, turned off yourVPN, or maybe even logged in withSafe mode turned on. So, what causes the 0x80131500 error? Various potential causes include an unstable Internet connection, firewall blocking access, incorrect proxy settings, or even a missing Windows update.
Microsoft hasn’t explained why releasing this official solution for the Microsoft Store bug took so long, but at least they’re here for everyone. If, after trying all the suggested solutions, you still need more help, you can contact Microsoft Support to continue looking for a possible fix for your Windows-related issue.
Apple’s latest tablet closes the gap further, but should you still go Pro?
(Image credit: Apple)
Afterweeks of speculation,stoked by Tim Cook himselfearlier in the week, Apple hasannounced a refresh of its iPad Air, a year after it shook things up with a new 13-inch size option.
With the iPad Pronot expected to get a new version until the M5 chipset launches, buyers eager for a new Apple tablet right away have a simple choice to make: iPad Air M3 or iPad Pro M4?
We’ve outlined the key differences between the two below, so you can make an informed decision.
11-inch Liquid Retina display (2360 x 1640) | 13-inch Liquid Retina display (2372 x 2048)
11-inch Tandem OLED (2420 x 1668 pixels) | 13-inch Tandem OLED (2752 x 2064 pixels), ProMotion support
Rated brightness
500 nits (11-inch) | 600 nits (13-inch)
1000 nits (SDR) | 1600 nits (HDR)
Rear camera
12MP main (ƒ/1.8)
12MP main (ƒ/1.8)
Front camera
12MP (f/2.0)
12MP (f/2.0)
Chipset
Apple M3
Apple M4
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
Battery
28.93 wH (11-inch) | 36.59 wH (13-inch)
31.29 wH (11-inch) | 38.99 wH (13-inch)
Size
9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches (11-inch) | 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.24 inches (13-inch)
9.83 x 6.99 x 0.21 inches (11-inch) | 11.09 x 8.48 x 0.2 inches (13-inch)
Weight
1.01 pounds (11-inch) | 1.36 pounds (13-inch)
0.98 pounds (11-inch) | 1.28 pounds (13-inch)
Colors
Blue, Purple, Starlight, Space Gray
Silver, Space Black
iPad Air M3 vs iPad Pro M4: Price
This category is really straightforward. TheiPad Air M3is significantly cheaper than the iPad Pro M4.
The 11-inch iPad Air M3 starts at $599, while the 13-inch version costs $799. Both can be upgraded with cellular connectivity and up to 1TB of storage, meaning prices can rise to up to $1,249 for the smaller version and $1,449 for the larger model.
Those prices spiral quickly, but not as fast as they do with theiPad Pro M4. The 11-inch model starts at $999, with the 13-inch version beginning at $1,299. Extra costs can take things even higher, not only with the same cellular data option as before, but with up to 2TB of total storage, and a nano-texture glass option for models of 1TB or over.
The upshot of this is that you can pay up to $2,299 for the 11-inch version, or $2,599 for the larger model.
In terms of look, there’s not a great deal of difference between the two tablets at a glance, which is hardly surprising when the two share the same screen size. Both are sleek-looking tablets with extremely thin bezels and a front-facing camera placed on the wider edge, for easier use in landscape mode.
That said, the iPad Pro is thinner: it’s 0.21 inches thick for the 11-inch version and 0.2 inches thick for the 13-inch model, compared to 0.24 inches for both iPad Airs. It’s also lighter, weighing either 0.98 or 1.28 pounds, compared to the iPad Air’s 1.01 and 1.36 pounds.
Although the two share screen sizes and look, the underlying panel technology is very different. While the 2024 iPad Pro was the first Apple tablet to adopt OLED screen technology, the iPad Air persists with an LCD Liquid Retina panel.
The upshot of this is that the Pro model will offer better picture quality with unbeatable contrast thanks to perfect blacks and brighter brights. On top of that, while the Pro models adopt 120Hz ProMotion displays for smoother animations, the new Airs are still stuck at 60Hz, which is a big drawback.
There’s one other important design detail that will become apparent as you use it; While the iPad Pro now uses FaceID for unlocking, the iPad Air persists with TouchID via a fingerprint reader built into the power button.
iPad Air M3 vs iPad Pro M4: Performance
(Image credit: Apple)
Despite early predictions that the iPad Air might match the iPad Pro with the use of the latest M4 chipset, Apple has decided to merely reduce the gap rather than eliminate it completely.
The M2 chipset has been upgraded to M3 which should give it a decent boost — Apple says it will be 2x faster than the M1 iPad Air and 3.5 faster than the model with the A14 Bionic — but will still leave it lagging behind the Pro models.
While it’s not a perfect point of reference, ourcomplete set of M-series MacBook benchmarksshould give you a rough idea of what to expect in terms of performance. In single-core testing, MacBook Pros scored 2,589 when powered by M2, 3,138 for M3 and 3,807 for M4. The difference is greater in multi-core testing: 9,630 for M2, 12,018 for M3 and 15,114 for M4.
In day-to-day use, the difference may not be all that noticeable — especially as both iPads support Apple Intelligence — but if you want peak performance and comparative futureproofing, the iPad Pro is the way to go.
iPad Air M3 vs iPad Pro M4: Camera
This is probably the least important category of all, as few people use tablets for photography.
Nonetheless, there isn’t much between the two. Both have two 12MP cameras, one on the front and one on the back. The former has a f/2.0 aperture, while the latter has a f/1.8 one.
The only real difference is that the iPad Pro version has a TrueDepth camera, which means it supports FaceID. iPad Air users will stick with TouchID via the fingerprint sensor on the power button.
iPad Air M3 vs iPad Pro M4: Battery life
(Image credit: Apple)
It looks like the iPad Pro will have the edge here, once again. The iPad Air has a 28.93 or 36.59wH cell, compared to the iPad Pro’s 31.29 or 38.99wH battery capacity.
How that will manifest itself in terms of hours and minutes away from the charger will have to wait for our full testing, but the iPad Air has its work cut out. In our tests, the 2024 iPad Pro went a massive 13 hours and 13 minutes, comfortably beating the M2 iPad Air’s ten hours and 39 minutes.
iPad Air M3 vs iPad Pro M4: Verdict
In a result that should surprise nobody, the tablet with a starting price of $999 comfortably beats the one that’s just $599.
But the question is whether the differences really add up to $400 worth of value, and many would argue not. M4 power and FaceID is certainly nice, but other than the 120Hz OLED screen, most of the advantages the iPad Pro has won’t leave Air owners feeling too jealous.
In short, if you want the best, most future proof and sleekest-looking Apple tablet around, feel free to splurge on the M4 iPad Pro. But most users will be just fine with the brand-new M3 iPad Air.
It provides a “centralized place” to keep track of PS5 and PC tests
Tests may include PS5 and PC games as well as upcoming console features
Sonyhas announced a new initiative named Beta Program at PlayStation, which aims to offer a convenient hub to keep track of any and all pre-release tests forupcoming gameson PS5 and PC as well as new features.
The accompanyingPlayStation Blog posthas all the details, with SIE senior director of content communications Sid Shuman describing the initiative as “an easy, centralized place for you to register your interest in a range of future PlayStation betas.”
It doesn’t sound too dissimilar to the Xbox Insider program for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and PC which allows users to register interest in a range of tests for new games and features.
The post continues: “A single registration for Beta Program at PlayStation will allow you to express interest in gaining beta access to test participating games for the PS5 console and PC, new PS5 console features, PlayStation App features, and even user experience features on PlayStation.com.
“You only need to sign up once to express interest in these various betas, and if you receive an invitation to a specific beta, it’s up to you to decide whether you’d like to participate or not.”
You can sign up for Beta Program at PlayStation over at itsdedicated landing page, the only requirements being that you have a valid PlayStation Network account, live in a supported region and are at or above the legal age requirements for your region.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that signing up for Beta Program at PlayStation doesn’t necessarily guarantee entries into any and all game and feature tests. This seems to be more of a way to collect those tests in one handy sign-up place instead of having to trawl through separate blog posts or emails.
Players must have a valid account for PlayStation Network in good standing with a current email address. Accounts with restrictions or violations may not be eligible for participation.
Players must live in the region where Beta Program at PlayStation is available.
Players must meet the legal age requirement for their region.
