China said Saturday (June 7) it is prepared to accelerate the approval process for rare earth exports to European Union companies and will issue a final ruling on its trade probe into EU brandy imports by July 5.

The developments come amid broader efforts to resolve ongoing trade tensions between Beijing and Brussels. Talks were held earlier this week in Paris between Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, China’s Commerce Ministry said in a statement.

Price commitment discussions on Chinese-made electric vehicles exported to the EU have also reached the final phase. “Efforts from both sides are still needed,” the ministry said.
The ministry added that China “was willing to establish a green channel for qualified applications to speed up the approval process” for rare earth exports.

It also noted that Beijing recognised rising demand for rare earth materials across sectors including electric vehicles and robotics and that it “was willing to further strengthen communication and dialogue with relevant countries” on the matter.

Rare earths and trade friction

China’s decision in April to halt exports of a wide range of rare earths and related magnets disrupted global supply chains, affecting industries from automotive and aerospace to semiconductors and defence. The move has become a flashpoint in EU-China trade relations.

The ministry said it “attached great importance to the EU’s concerns” and indicated it would work to resolve the bottleneck in a timely manner.

Brandy duties under review

China’s anti-dumping duties of up to 39 per cent on European brandy, particularly French cognac, were implemented shortly after the EU imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. The Chinese measures have impacted major French producers including LVMH’s Hennessy, Pernod Ricard’s Martell, and Remy Cointreau.

French President Emmanuel Macron previously accused Beijing of “pure retaliation” over the duties.

Beijing had initially planned to announce a final decision on the brandy investigation in January, later postponing it to April and now July 5. On Saturday, the Commerce Ministry confirmed that French firms and industry associations had submitted price commitment proposals and that investigators had reached agreement on key terms.

“Chinese authorities are now reviewing the complete text on those commitments and will issue a final announcement before July 5,” the statement said.

Electric vehicle negotiations ongoing

The European Commission said in April it was working with Beijing to consider a minimum price framework for Chinese electric vehicles in lieu of the tariffs imposed in 2023. China’s Commerce Ministry said the EU also proposed examining “new technical paths” related to electric vehicles, and that China was now evaluating those ideas.

Wang also told Sefcovic that China hoped the EU would “meet us halfway and take effective measures to facilitate, safeguard and promote compliant trade in high-tech products to China.”

With inputs from agencies

• A new Pixel Watch feature has been spotted
• It would auto-lock your phone if your watch was disconnected
• We’re not sure when the feature may launch

Code spotted in the latest Pixel Watch app for Android suggests there’s a new feature on the way for the Google Pixel Watch 3 and older models: the ability to have your phone automatically lock itself when it’s out of range of your smartwatch.

This code was found by the team at Android Authority, and while it hasn’t been enabled yet – and there’s no word yet on when it might be – the feature would be a useful security upgrade if you pair a Pixel Watch with an Android smartphone.

Technology has changed nearly every part of our daily lives—and fitness is no exception. Gone are the days when a simple stopwatch and running shoes were all you needed. Today’s workouts are powered by digital tools, smart devices, and apps that track, coach, and motivate. 

Whether you’re logging miles, lifting weights, or just taking a walk, phone-based tech paired with wireless audio gear is redefining what it means to train smart.

The Smartphone: Your All-in-One Fitness Companion

Your phone has become a personal trainer, nutrition coach, heart rate monitor, and motivational speaker all in one. With thousands of fitness apps and health-tracking features built in, smartphones are now essential for anyone serious about training—whether you’re a beginner or an athlete.

Key fitness features your phone can offer include:

• Activity tracking (steps, calories, distance)
• GPS route mapping for outdoor runs and rides
• Workout logging through apps and cloud sync
• Video coaching and live classes
• Heart rate and sleep data, when paired with wearables
• Music and podcast streaming for motivation

But none of this tech truly comes to life without seamless audio. That’s where fitness earbuds come into play.

Why Audio Matters During Workouts

Sound plays a powerful role in exercise. Music can increase endurance, reduce perceived exertion, and help you get “in the zone.” The rhythm of your playlist can influence your pace and energy. For many, workouts are not complete without their go-to tracks.

But audio isn’t just about music anymore. You may also rely on:

• Voice cues from a fitness app (“30 seconds left!”)
• Live coaching from virtual trainers
• Real-time stats delivered through audio (like distance, pace, or heart rate)
• Motivational podcasts or meditative soundscapes

To hear these clearly and without interruption, you need earbuds that are made for movement, sweat, and durability—hence, fitness earbuds.

The Role of Fitness Earbuds in Tech-Enhanced Training

Fitness earbuds are specifically designed to support active lifestyles. Unlike standard earbuds, they’re built with features that cater to workout needs—secure fit, water resistance, long battery life, and seamless connectivity with smartphones.

Here’s how they enhance training:

1. Freedom of Movement

Wireless designs remove the hassle of cords, allowing for full range of motion. Whether you’re sprinting or lifting, you can move without adjusting or untangling wires.

2. Staying in the Zone

By delivering crisp audio directly to your ears, fitness earbuds block out distractions and let you stay focused. Some even offer ambient sound modes so you can remain aware of your surroundings while still enjoying your playlist or coaching session.

3. Consistency Across Workouts

Whether you’re switching from a treadmill run to a yoga cooldown or taking your routine outdoors, fitness earbuds adapt to different environments. They connect quickly to your phone, keep your audio steady, and withstand the conditions—be it sweat, rain, or motion.

Audio-Guided Workouts: A Growing Trend

One of the most significant ways modern tech is changing fitness is through audio-guided workouts. These sessions are delivered via your phone, narrated by a coach, and designed to guide you through structured training—whether it’s a 5K plan, a HIIT circuit, or even a meditation.

Fitness earbuds make these sessions possible in real time, offering a hands-free way to follow expert instruction without looking at your screen. This is especially helpful during:

• Outdoor runs, when you want coaching without distractions
• Gym routines, where your phone stays in your pocket
• At-home workouts, when you need step-by-step direction

Integration with Smart Devices

Fitness earbuds also pair well with other smart gear, like watches, fitness trackers, and gym equipment. Your phone often acts as the central hub that collects data and distributes it to all devices. This means your earbuds can provide feedback based on real-time metrics.

For example, your earbuds might tell you when you’ve reached your target heart rate zone or prompt you to hydrate during a long session. The seamless communication between phone apps and earbuds creates a more informed, efficient workout.

The Psychological Edge

Beyond the physical benefits, fitness earbuds also provide a psychological edge. Just wearing them can signal that it’s time to focus—triggering a mental shift into workout mode. They help create a routine, establish consistency, and make your workouts more personal and immersive.

Even something as simple as hearing your favorite song at the right moment can push you to complete that last set or go the extra mile. When fitness becomes part of your lifestyle, having earbuds that support your mindset is key.

Final Thoughts

As fitness continues to evolve, the integration of mobile technology and smart audio is becoming non-negotiable. Your smartphone may be the brain of your workout, but fitness earbuds are the voice. They deliver motivation, instruction, and rhythm—directly into your ears—making every session more connected and more effective.

From virtual trainers to audio-guided runs, we’ve entered a new era of exercise—one that’s mobile, smart, and deeply personal. With the right tools, you don’t just train harder—you train smarter. And it all starts with sound that moves with you.

I’m looking forward to what Apple announces at WWDC 2025, specifically how it’s going to improve Apple Intelligence in the face of competition from Google Gemini and every other AI service clambering for dominance. Of the features Apple has rolled out over the past year, several have rolled into my daily iPhone and Mac use.

I sat down to figure out just which of the current Apple Intelligence features I actually use. They aren’t necessarily the showy ones, like Image Playground, but ones that help in small, significant ways. Admittedly, Apple Intelligence has gotten off to a rocky start, from misleading message summaries to delayed Siri improvements but the AI tech is far from being a bust. 

If you have a compatible iPhone — an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16E, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro (or their Plus and Max variants) — I want to share six features that I’m turning to nearly every day.

More features will be added as time goes on — and keep in mind that Apple Intelligence is still officially beta software — but this is where Apple is starting its AI age.

On the other hand: Are you not impressed with Apple Intelligence or want to wait until the tools evolve more before using them? You can easily turn off Apple Intelligence entirely or use a smaller subset of features.

Get alerted to priority notifications

This feature arrived only recently, but it’s become one of my favorites. When a notification arrives that seems like it could be more important than others, Prioritize Notifications pops it to the top of the notification list on the lock screen (with a colorful Apple Intelligence shimmer, of course). In my experience so far, those include weather alerts, texts from people I regularly communicate with and email messages that contain calls to action or impending deadlines.

To enable it, go to Settings > Notifications > Prioritize Notifications and then turn the option on. You can also enable or disable priority alerts from individual apps from the same screen. You’re relying on the AI algorithms to decide what gets elevated to a priority — but it seems to be off to a good start.

Summaries bring TL;DR to your correspondence

In an era with so many demands on our attention and seemingly less time to dig into longer topics … Sorry, what was I saying?

Oh, right: How often have you wanted a “too long; didn’t read” version of not just long emails but the fire hose of communication that blasts your way? The ability to summarize notifications, Mail messages and web pages is perhaps the most pervasive and least intrusive feature of Apple Intelligence so far.

When a notification arrives, such as a text from a friend or group in Messages, the iPhone creates a short, single-sentence summary.

Sometimes summaries are vague and sometimes they’re unintentionally funny but so far I’ve found them to be more helpful than not. Summaries can also be generated from alerts by third-party apps like news or social media apps — although I suspect that my outdoor security camera is picking up multiple passersby over time and not telling me that 10 people are stacked by the door.

That said, Apple Intelligence definitely doesn’t understand sarcasm or colloquialisms — you can turn summaries off if you prefer.

You can also generate a longer summary of emails in the Mail app: Tap the Summarize button at the top of a message to view a rundown of the contents in a few dozen words.

In Safari, when viewing a page where the Reader feature is available, tap the Page Menu button in the address bar, tap Show Reader and then tap the Summary button at the top of the page.

Siri gets a glow-up and better interaction

I was amused during the iOS 18 and the iPhone 16 releases that the main visual indicator of Apple Intelligence — the full-screen, color-at-the-edges Siri animation — was noticeably missing. Apple even lit up the edges of the massive glass cube of its Apple Fifth Avenue Store in New York City like a Siri search.

Instead, iOS 18 used the same-old Siri sphere. Now, the modern Siri look has arrived as of iOS 18.1, but only on devices that support Apple Intelligence. If you’re wondering why you’re still seeing the old interface, I can recommend some steps to turn on the new experience.

With the new look are a few Siri interaction improvements: It’s more forgiving if you stumble through a query, like saying the wrong word or interrupting yourself mid-thought. It’s also better about listening after delivering results, so you can ask related followup questions.

However, the ability to personalize answers based on what Apple Intelligence knows about you is still down the road. What did appear, as of iOS 18.2, was integration of ChatGPT, which you can now use as an alternate source of information. For some queries, if Siri doesn’t have the answer right away, you’re asked if you’d like to use ChatGPT instead. You don’t need a ChatGPT account to take advantage of this (but if you do have one, you can sign in).

Invoke Siri silently without triggering everyone else’s devices

Perhaps my favorite new Siri feature is the ability to bring up the assistant without saying the words “Hey Siri” out loud. In my house, where I have HomePods and my family members use their own iPhones and iPads, I never know which device is going to answer my call (even though they’re supposed to be smart enough to work it out).

Plus, honestly, even after all this time I’m not always comfortable talking to my phone — especially in public. It’s annoying enough when people carry on phone conversations on speaker, I don’t want to add to the hubbub by making Siri requests.

Instead, I turn to a new feature called Tap to Siri. Double-tap the bottom edge of the screen on the iPhone or iPad to bring up the Siri search bar and the onscreen keyboard. 

On a Mac, go to System Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and choose a key combination under Keyboard shortcut, such as Press Either Command Key Twice.

Yes, this involves more typing work than just speaking conversationally, but I can enter more specific queries and not wonder if my robot friend is understanding what I’m saying.

Remove distractions from your pictures using Clean Up in the Photos app

Until iOS 18.1, the Photos app on the iPhone and iPad lacked a simple retouch feature. Dust on the camera lens? Litter on the ground? Sorry, you need to deal with those and other distractions in the Photos app on MacOS or using a third-party app.

Now Apple Intelligence includes Clean Up, an AI-enhanced removal tool, in the Photos app. When you edit an image and tap the Clean Up button, the iPhone analyzes the photo and suggests potential items to remove by highlighting them. Tap one or draw a circle around an area — the app erases those areas and uses generative AI to fill in plausible pixels.

In this first incarnation, Clean Up isn’t perfect and you’ll often get better results in other dedicated image editors. But for quickly removing annoyances from photos, it’s fine.

Stay on task with the AI-boosted Reduce Interruptions Focus mode

Focus modes on the iPhone can be enormously helpful, such as turning on Do Not Disturb to insulate yourself from outside distractions. You can also create personalized Focus modes. For example, my Podcast Recording mode blocks outside notifications except from a handful of people during scheduled recording times.

With Apple Intelligence enabled, a new Reduce Interruptions Focus mode is available. When active, it becomes a smarter filter for what gets past the wall holding back superfluous notifications. Even things that are not specified in your criteria for allowed notifications, such as specific people, might pop up. On my iPhone, for instance, that can include weather alerts or texts from my bank when a large purchase or funds transfer has occurred.

To enable it, open Control Center, tap the Focus button and choose Reduce Interruptions. 

For more on Apple Intelligence features, check out how to create Genmoji, how to use Image Wand and, if you want to scale things back, how to disable select Apple Intelligence features.

Watch this: Apple Intelligence Impressions: Don’t Expect Radical Change

09:05

Seoul, June 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) South Korean tech giant Naver said on Sunday it will establish an investment-focused subsidiary in the United States to support promising local startups there.

Naver plans to complete the process of launching the new entity, Naver Ventures, later this month in Silicon Valley, the company said in a press release.

Naver Ventures has already selected Twelve Labs, a South Korean artificial intelligence (AI) startup with operations in the U.S., as its first investment target, reports Yonhap news agency.

It will be Naver’s first overseas investment subsidiary, the company said.

“Silicon Valley is a cradle of innovation where skilled professionals and cutting-edge technologies converge. That’s why we chose it as the base for our first overseas investment firm,” Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon said.

In light of global economic uncertainty, startups are finding it increasingly difficult to attract investment. Naver aims to help these companies secure stable funding and continue developing their technologies and operations in the U.S. market, she said.

Naver founder Lee Hae-jin said: “Diversity is increasingly important in the AI era. That’s why collaborations with a broad range of partners are essential for Naver.”

Meanwhile, Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon met with top executives at Netflix in Los Angeles last week to discuss their ongoing membership partnership and explore further collaborations.

According to Naver, Choi visited Netflix’s Los Angeles office Tuesday (local time), where she met Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters and Maria Ferreras, Netflix’s global head of partnerships. Also present were Kim Jun-koo, CEO of Naver Webtoon Entertainment, and Kim Yong-soo, Naver’s chief strategy officer.

The two sides discussed the performance of their partnership, which allows Naver Plus members in South Korea to access Netflix’s ad-supported service for free.

Naver said the partnership led to a 1.5 times increase in new sign-ups for Naver Plus, a paid subscription service that allows various benefits, such as shopping discounts, while Netflix was able to reach a broader user base in South Korea through the collaboration.

Naver highlighted that Choi has led the collaboration between the two companies since last year.

—IANS

na/

Source: IANS

About Gopi

Gopi Adusumilli is a Programmer. He is the editor of SocialNews.XYZ and President of AGK Fire Inc.

He enjoys designing websites, developing mobile applications and publishing news articles on current events from various authenticated news sources.

When it comes to writing he likes to write about current world politics and Indian Movies. His future plans include developing SocialNews.XYZ into a News website that has no bias or judgment towards any.

He can be reached at gopi@socialnews.xyz

Xiaomi Smart Band 10 | Image credit: YTECHB

Chinese giant Xiaomi launches new products almost every week. If it’s not Xiaomi, it’s one of its other brands – Redmi, Poco, Amazfit, launching new devices.

But this time around we’re going to talk about a new wearable that Xiaomi plans to launch in the coming weeks, the Smart Band 10. Although the new fitness tracker hasn’t been teased by Xiaomi yet, marketing materials revealing its full design and many of the features have already been leaked.

As expected, the Smart Band 10 doesn’t really bring anything new in terms of design. The upcoming fitness tracker strongly resembles the previous models, so if you like Xiaomi’s lineup of wearable, you’ll definitely going to like the Smart Band 10 too.

According to these leaked images, the Smart Band 10 sports a 1.72-inch AMOLED display with symmetrical ultra-thin bezels. That’s slightly larger than the Smart Band 9’s 1.62-inch AMOLED display, so that’s a plus.

That said, the Smart Band 10 looks pretty standard for a fitness tracker. Maybe it’s a bit larger than traditional wearables but that’s because it features a slightly larger display than usual. Furthermore, the display supports 60Hz refresh rate and up to 1,500 nits brightness.