Entertainment
๐งต Threads Overtakes X in Global Daily Mobile Users for the First Time ๐๐ฑ
Threads overtakes X in global daily mobile users with 143M active accounts. Metaโs platform surges 37.8% YoY while X’s mobile audience continues to contract.
#Threads
Metaโs Threads is beginning to pull away from Elon Muskโs X in the battle for mobile engagement โ๏ธ, according to new estimates from analytics firm Similarweb reported by Forbes. During the opening weeks of January ๐๏ธ, Threads averaged approximately 143 million daily active users globally on mobile devices, decisively surpassing Xโs average of 126 million. ๐
The trajectory of the two platforms stands in stark contrast. ๐ Similarwebโs year-over-year analysis reveals that Threads has surged by 37.8 percent ๐, whereas Xโs global daily mobile audience contracted by 11.9 percent ๐ over the same period. The situation is more nuanced within the United States ๐บ๐ธ, where X maintains a fragile lead. Early January data places X at roughly 21.2 million daily active US mobile users, slightly ahead of Threadsโ 19.5 million. โ๏ธ
However, the momentum in the US clearly favors Meta. ๐จ Threads has seen its domestic mobile usage climb by nearly 42 percent over the last year, outpacing X’s 18 percent growth. It is important to note that X remains the dominant force on desktop ๐ป, attracting around 150 million daily users or visits worldwide, while Threadsโ web presence lags significantly at just 9 million. ๐ข
The Forbes report also highlighted Similarweb data regarding Bluesky ๐ฆ, the competitor originally backed by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey. Dorsey left the board in the summer of 2024 and later told Pirate Wires that he believed the platform was “literally repeating all the mistakes we made as a company.” โ ๏ธ Since opening registrations in 2024, the network has struggled to retain an audience; it currently holds a daily mobile user base of 3.6 million, representing a steep year-over-year decline of 44.4 percent. ๐
Beyond user metrics, X faces renewed controversy regarding xAI’s Grok chatbot. ๐ค The company has come under fire ๐ฅ after the AI tool was used to alter photographs of womenโand in some disturbing cases, underage girlsโto create non-consensual lewd images. The backlash prompted the company to suspend image generation for non-subscribers and implement stricter guardrails. ๐ก๏ธ However, this intervention arrived only after the California Attorney General launched an investigation โ๏ธ and after Grok had already generated tens of thousands of the offending images over several weeks. ๐ข
Entertainment
Sonyโs new Bravia 7 II TVs combine True RGB visuals with AI-powered Google TV features ๐ค๐
Sony just redefined the home theater experience in India ๐ฎ๐ณ. From “True RGB” tech to a massive 98-inch display ๐บ and upcoming Gemini AI integration ๐ค, the new Bravia 7 II series is a beastโand itโs officially here! ๐ฅ
The all-new Sony Bravia 7 II series premium television lineup in India. The latest models introduce Sonyโs True RGB technology ๐, bringing independently controlled RGB LED lighting for more accurate colours and deeper contrast โจ. Alongside improved visuals, the new TVs also focus on gaming ๐ฎ, immersive sound ๐, and AI-powered smart features ๐ง designed for modern home entertainment setups ๐ .
Sony Bravia 7 II key features ๐
The Bravia 7 II series is powered by Sonyโs RGB Backlight Master Drive Pro technology ๐ก, which independently controls red, green, and blue LEDs to improve color precision and contrast. Sony has paired this with the Cognitive Processor XR โ๏ธ, enabling the TV to analyze scenes in a way that mimics human vision and hearing ๐๏ธ๐. The lineup also includes RGB Triluminos Max, Smooth Colour Gradation, and X-Wide Angle Pro technologies for wider viewing angles and more detailed colour transitions ๐จ.
Sony is offering the Bravia 7 II in screen sizes ranging from 55-inch to 98-inch ๐. The TVs support Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG, IMAX Enhanced, Dolby Atmos, and DTS formats for a theatre-like viewing experience ๐ฟ๐ฌ. Acoustic Multi-Audio+ technology on larger variants places sound more accurately with on-screen action, while Voice Zoom 3 improves dialogue clarity during movies and shows ๐ฃ๏ธ.
For gamers ๐ฎ, the Bravia 7 II supports 4K 120Hz gaming through HDMI 2.1 along with Variable Refresh Rate and Auto Low Latency Mode support โก. Features such as Game Menu 2, Dolby Vision Gaming, PS Remote Play ๐น๏ธ, Auto HDR Tone Mapping, and Auto Genre Picture Mode are also included.
The televisions run Google TV and support Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay 2 ๐, Apple HomeKit, Chromecast, and Alexa-compatible devices ๐. Sony has also confirmed that Gemini integration โจ for Google TV will arrive through a future software update ๐.
Sony Bravia 7 II price and availability ๐ฐ
Sony has started pre-bookings ๐ for select Bravia 7 II models in India starting today. The 55-inch variant is priced at Rs 2,21,990, while the 65-inch model costs Rs 2,74,990 ๐ณ. The 75-inch and 85-inch variants are expected to launch by the end of June ๐๏ธ, while the 98-inch model is scheduled for release by the end of July.
Entertainment
Amazon launches its fastest Fire TV Stick HD with Wi-Fi 6 and Xbox cloud gaming โก๐ฎ
Turn your old TV into a powerhouse! ๐บ Amazon just launched its fastest Fire TV Stick HD yetโitโs 30% faster, supports Wi-Fi 6, and even lets you play Xbox games without a console. ๐ฎ๐
Amazon has officially rolled out the new Fire TV Stick HD in India ๐ฎ๐ณ, offering a sleek solution for users wanting to breathe new smart capabilities into their older televisions ๐บ. This latest streaming stick boasts robust performance upgrades ๐, modern connectivity, and a revamped Fire TV interface designed to make navigating and discovering content faster and more intuitive โจ.
Under the hood, the new Fire TV Stick HD delivers a significant speed boost ๐จ, with Amazon claiming it performs over 30 percent faster than its predecessor ๐๏ธ. The physical footprint has been trimmed down as well; the more compact design tucks effortlessly behind your TV ๐ช and takes up minimal space in a travel bag ๐งณ. When it comes to visuals, the device supports Full HD resolution paired with HDR10+ ๐ฌ, ensuring enhanced color and contrast for compatible content ๐.
On the connectivity front, the stick is now equipped with Wi-Fi 6 ๐ถ and Bluetooth 5.3 ๐ต. According to Amazon, this Wi-Fi 6 integration is specifically designed to maintain smooth streaming quality, even on less-than-ideal internet connections ๐. Adding to its convenience, the Fire TV Stick HD can draw power directly from compatible television USB ports, eliminating the clutter of a separate wall adapter ๐.
The user experience has also received a major facelift ๐. Amazonโs updated Fire TV interface now features neatly reorganized categories for movies ๐ฟ, television shows ๐ญ, live broadcasts ๐ก, and free streaming options ๐. Navigating this new layout is a breeze thanks to the included Alexa Voice Remote ๐๏ธ, which lets users search for shows, control playback, and manage Alexa-compatible smart home devices using just their voice ๐ฃ๏ธ.
In a notable first for a Fire TV HD device, Amazon has integrated support for Xbox cloud gaming ๐ฎ. By pairing a compatible Bluetooth controller ๐น๏ธ and maintaining an active Xbox Game Pass subscription, users can dive directly into cloud-enabled Xbox titles โ๏ธ. Furthermore, the companion Fire TV mobile app has been updated ๐ฑ, allowing users to seamlessly browse media, manage their watchlists, and control playback right from their smartphones ๐ฒ.
Amazon Fire TV Stick HD price and availability ๐ฐ
The new Amazon Fire TV Stick HD carries a price tag of Rs 4,999 (approximately $52) in India ๐ฎ๐ณ. Shoppers can purchase it online right now through Amazon.in, Blinkit, Flipkart, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto ๐, with offline retail availability expected in the near future ๐๏ธ.
Entertainment
Sony Launches the HT-B500 Soundbar: A 3.1-Channel Powerhouse Featuring Dolby Atmos and DTS:X ๐๐
Sony has officially expanded its home audio lineup in China ๐จ๐ณ with the debut of the HT-B500 soundbar. Designed to elevate everyday home entertainment ๐ , this 3.1-channel system is currently available on JD.com for 2,341 yuan (approximately $342) ๐ฐ๐.
Under the Hood: Sony HT-B500 Specifications โ๏ธ๐ ๏ธ
At its core, the HT-B500 boasts a 3.1-channel configuration anchored by a physical, front-facing three-channel array ๐. A standout feature is the dedicated center speaker, which is specifically tuned to ensure crystal-clear dialogue ๐ฃ๏ธ. To round out the low end, Sony includes a robust wireless subwoofer engineered to deliver deep, room-filling bass ๐๐ธ.
#HT-B500 Soundbar:
Audiophiles will appreciate the soundbar’s native support for premium formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X ๐. To maximize these technologies, the system relies on Sonyโs Vertical Surround Engine (VSE), which convincingly simulates overhead sound without the need for dedicated ceiling speakers โ๏ธ๐๏ธ. This verticality is perfectly complemented by S-Force Pro Front Surround technology, which effortlessly widens the horizontal soundstage โ๏ธ๐ง.
The HT-B500 also shines when handling standard audio, thanks to the integration of Sony’s one-touch 3D upmix surround technology ๐. This smart feature takes traditional stereo or 2-channel sources and intelligently scales them into an immersive, three-dimensional audio experience ๐, bringing a richer, more spatial feel even to basic streaming content ๐บ. Additionally, the inclusion of AI Voice Enhancement 3.0 works in real time to isolate and boost dialogue against heavy background noise ๐ค๐๏ธ.
When it comes to connectivity, the HT-B500 is fully equipped for modern setups ๐. It features Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless wireless streaming from laptops, tablets, and smartphones ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ป. Audio quality is further refined by Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE), which actively restores lost details in compressed audio files โจ. For wired connections, the unit offers both HDMI eARC output and an optical input ๐.
Aesthetically, the soundbar embraces a sleek, minimalist profile characterized by a premium metal grille and soft, rounded edges โจ๐ผ๏ธ. Its compact footprint offers excellent versatility, looking just as natural mounted on a wall as it does resting on a tabletop media console ๐๐ .
In other audio industry news ๐ฐ, boAt recently expanded its portfolio with the Aavante Prime Xโa massive 700W wireless 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos soundbar ๐ฅ๏ธ๐ฅ. Meanwhile, Samsung has given enthusiasts a glimpse into the future by unveiling its 2026 home audio lineup, highlighting brand-new Music Studio speakers alongside updated Q-Series soundbars ๐ฐ๐ท๐ถ.
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