Technology

The Backbone Pro is almost the perfect controller for all your gaming

Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 82, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, hope you’re caught up on Andor, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I’ve been reading about AI prophets and ChatGPT cheaters and the […]

Published

4 days ago

May 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 82, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, hope you’re caught up on Andor, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.)

This week, I’ve been reading about AI prophets and ChatGPT cheaters and the lives of NFL prospects, watching the new season of Taskmaster and a whole bunch of Mulan, playing PGA Tour Pro Golf on my iPhone and the original Mario Golf on my Switch, finally getting into Barbarians at the Gate, and doing a lot of eBay shopping for vintage gadgets. For work, I swear.

I also have for you a great new gaming controller, a podcast about emojis, a new super-high-end fitness tracker, a whole bunch of GTA VI content, and much more. Fun, gadgety week this week! Let’s get into it.

(As always, the best part of Installer is your ideas and tips. What are you watching / reading / playing / listening to / learning on the harpsichord this week? What should everyone else be into right now, too? Tell me everything: installer@theverge.com. And if you know someone else who might enjoy Installer, forward it to them and tell them to subscribe here.)

The Backbone Pro. I’ve had and loved a Backbone controller for a while — it’s a terrific gaming accessory for your phone. The new model is even more ambitious; in addition to your phone, it can also connect wirelessly to iPads, Steam Decks, smart TVs, and more. No Switch or Xbox or PS5, for annoying reasons, but still a great cross-device idea.
“Emoji Law.” An instant classic of a 99 Percent Invisible episode, about how a thumbs-up emoji in response to a contract proposal turned into a huge lawsuit over what a thumbs-up emoji actually means. A wonky story in the absolute best way, and a great listen.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 12. I remain slightly skeptical that any Windows on ARM device can be truly great, but it looks like Microsoft got the spec sheet right with this one. The Pro is thin and light, powerful enough, with good battery life, and starts at $800… I have high hopes for this one.
Poker Face season two. This show never quite got its due, I assume mostly because it’s on Peacock and nobody really cares about Peacock. (Disclosure: Comcast, which owns Peacock, is a minority investor in Vox Media.) But it’s a terrific mystery show, and the second season is just as surprising and bizarre as the first.
Amazon Kindle for iOS. This is mostly a PSA: thanks to the recent ruling against Apple, developers like Amazon can now include links to buy stuff on the web. Amazon’s one of the first I’ve seen to take advantage — you can just click to buy a book! What a world! Delta and other apps are also already changing how you pay for stuff, and there’s surely more to come soon.
“Handhelds (and Games) I’m Playing Right Now.” A fun Retro Games Corp tour of a bunch of interesting and fun handheld consoles — including a couple I didn’t know about before — and some fun games to play on them. I have trouble keeping all the retro handheld stuff straight, and this video was super helpful.
Whoop 5.0. Whoop has always been a little too much for me. It’s a great fitness tracker for, like, pro athletes, but it’s more than most people need. The new one, though, is smaller and longer-lasting and more focused on overall health tracking. It’s still a lot of metrics, though, and you’ll pay up to $359 a year to get all of them.
“GTA 6 TRAILER 2 REACTION & BREAKDOWN.” Two full hours of frame-by-frame review of a two-minute trailer for a game that’s not coming out for a year, from a big name in GTA streaming, who spends half the stream just being blown away by the graphics? Yes, please. I watched the whole thing without even meaning to.

I’ve mentioned this before here, but I have a real weakness for notebooks. On some level this makes no sense: I type all day, I write by hand hardly ever, and my handwriting is horrific. And yet there’s nothing I love more than the look and feel of a really nice notebook. I’ve been a fan of the Sidekick Notepad from Cortex for a while, and was very excited to see the launch of the Sidekick Pocket this week. There are three flavors of the new mini notebook: one with lined paper, one with a dot grid, and one just for writing checklists. The correct answer is all three.

One half of the Cortex team is Myke Hurley, who you might also know as the cofounder of the Relay podcast network and the host of tech-focused shows like Connected and Upgrade. I’ve been a fan of Myke for a long time, and wanted to see how a guy who makes lovely notebooks thinks about his phone.

Here’s Myke’s homescreen, plus some info on the apps he uses and why:

The phone: iPhone 16 Pro in Desert Titanium. I am in the No Case Club with my iPhone (although I love my MagSafe Popsocket to help with grip), so I like to have a phone with as much color as Apple will give me.

The wallpaper: This is a photo of the wallpaper in The Beverly Hills Hotel, which I took while on holiday in LA last year. This wallpaper gives me joy, even though my friends REPEATEDLY tell me that it makes my homescreen too busy. But it’s my phone!

The apps: Apple Notes, ChatGPT, Citymapper, Mango Baby, Photos, Instagram, Messages, Readwise Reader, Todoist, Notion, Safari, Overcast, GameTrack, Owlet Dream, Kindle.

As you can see, I love widgets on my homescreen, and I use stacks quite a bit. So you see Carrot and Due there, for instance, but they are hiding widgets for Fantastical and Reminders, respectively.

I find myself using ChatGPT more and more to replace Google Search. Being able to ask follow-up questions about what I’m searching for is very powerful, and often helps me find what I want.

My wife and I recently had our first child, and we have been using Mango Baby to track all the important things you need to track for baby health. It’s made by a single developer, it looks great, and it supports all the new Apple technologies like interactive widgets and live activities.

I have recently taken all text-based social media off my phone, and am trying to do these things on work devices only, in an effort to be less distracted. So I have started saving articles to Readwise Reader. I really like the way the app looks and works — but I especially like its highlighting features.

I really love Widgetsmith’s photo widgets. The built-in widget from Apple is good, but you never know what it’s going to show you.

I also asked Myke to share a few things he’s into right now. Here’s what he sent back:

The Studio on Apple TV Plus is my absolute favorite show right now. It’s an incredibly fun and entertaining show that’s also a technical masterpiece. Everything I see about how this show is made just makes me love and respect it more.
Kinda Funny Games is a gaming-focused YouTube channel / podcast network that brings me so much joy. It’s an 11-person company based in San Francisco, and they produce multiple shows every day. The gang has such great camaraderie I feel like I am hanging out with friends when I tune in.
If you’re not listening to The Rest is History, you should change that. It’s an incredible history podcast hosted by Tom Holland (not that one) and Dominic Sandbrook. They have a way of bringing history to life that I find so compelling. There are so many amazing series of episodes to go through, but I recommend the episodes on the Assassination of JFK as a good place to start.

Here’s what the Installer community is into this week. I want to know what you’re into right now as well! Email installer@theverge.com or message me on Signal — @davidpierce.11 — with your recommendations for anything and everything, and we’ll feature some of our favorites here every week. For even more great recommendations, check out the replies to this post on Threads and this post on Bluesky.

“I’ve started playing another daily word game called Raddle. It’s a word ladder where you have to get from one word (or phrase) to another, but instead of just changing one letter like in a traditional word ladder there are a series of clues like ‘replace the middle letter with a double letter to get a time of day.’ The catch is that the clues are in a random order so you need to figure out which clue applies right now.” — Kyle

“The Seat on Netflix, despite the very cringe WhatsApp sponsoring, is a fascinating watch of a prodigy kid still living with his parents who’s about to join one of the top F1 teams. What Drive to Survive could have been.” — Greg

“Just got done with Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI, and enjoyed it.” — Hobie

“Pocket Casts launched transcripts finally! Only for Plus and Patron members, it looks like, but if I wasn’t already a Plus member, this would’ve instantly made me one. This will help my constant struggle of wanting to switch to Apple Podcasts significantly.” — Omesh

“After Omnivore shut down, I got stressed and started looking into self hosting. Struggled until I set up YunoHost to self host Wallabag and Miniflux on a Raspberry Pi.” — Ronin

“I’ve been playing Kero Kero Cowboy for Game Boy, which just got released after a successful Kickstarter. It has strong Kirby vibes and has been a blast so far.” — Justin

“I’m looking at the Alfred Field Guide from MacSparky, and trying to see if I can fit it into my budget this month. Been a Powerpack user for years, but I’ve never learned the ins and outs.” — Ben

“The Pitt on Max is the best new show I’ve seen this year.” — Yury

“I’ve basically sunk my week into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. I don’t want to sound overly dramatic, but I think it’s the biggest jump in mature video game storytelling since The Witcher 3. Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur’s Gate 3 improved on The Witcher, but CO feels like something entirely new.” — Laszlo

I’ve gotten a couple of emails in the last few weeks that all say basically the same thing: dude, you need to jailbreak your Kindle. The pitch makes a lot of sense! The Kindle is a lovely piece of hardware that is annoyingly tied to all of Amazon’s weird ideas about software and books.

I’ve spent some time this week on YouTube watching people jailbreak their e-readers — Dammit Jeff has a great explainer, as does Simon Feilder — and they all show that the Kindle can be a much more interesting and versatile device. Also, people really like KOReader. Amazon, of course, does not want you to do any of this; it already patched some of the jailbreak exploits, and I assume this cat-and-mouse game will continue forever. But I will be jailbreaking my Paperwhite as soon as I can, and I will report back.

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Technology

Top Assistive Technology Trends in 2025 Making Life More Accessible

By: Bryan Tropeano In 2025, assistive technology is moving beyond basic accessibility tools and evolving into powerful, integrated systems that enhance independence, productivity, and inclusion for people with disabilities. From AI-driven software to advanced hardware innovations, the landscape is shifting rapidly, reshaping how individuals engage with the world around them. AI Takes the Lead in […]

Published

20 minutes ago

May 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

By: Bryan Tropeano

In 2025, assistive technology is moving beyond basic accessibility tools and evolving into powerful, integrated systems that enhance independence, productivity, and inclusion for people with disabilities. From AI-driven software to advanced hardware innovations, the landscape is shifting rapidly, reshaping how individuals engage with the world around them.

AI Takes the Lead in Personalized Accessibility

One of the biggest shifts in assistive technology this year is the growing use of artificial intelligence. AI is now powering smart features that adapt in real-time to user needs. Screen readers and speech recognition tools have become significantly more accurate, learning user preferences and improving over time without constant manual configuration.

Machine learning is also improving predictive text, captioning, and real-time translation for people with hearing or cognitive impairments. These tools aren’t just reactive anymore—they’re proactive, anticipating needs and customizing support accordingly.

Wearable Tech Expands Functionality

Wearable devices are no longer limited to smartwatches or fitness trackers. In 2025, we’re seeing a new generation of assistive wearables designed to help users navigate the physical world more independently. From smart glasses that provide visual cues for navigation to haptic feedback devices for people who are blind or low vision, the goal is to bridge the gap between physical limitations and digital empowerment.

Many of these devices now work seamlessly with smartphones and smart home ecosystems, allowing users to control lights, doors, appliances, and more through intuitive gestures or simple voice commands.

Accessible Gaming and Entertainment See Major Growth

Inclusive design has become a bigger priority in the gaming and entertainment industries. Game consoles and platforms are increasingly offering customizable controllers, improved closed captioning, and visual accessibility settings that make gameplay more inclusive.

Streaming services have also improved their accessibility offerings, with more audio-described content and user interfaces that are optimized for screen reader navigation.

Smart Home Integration Brings New Levels of Independence

Smart home devices continue to be a game changer, especially for individuals with mobility challenges. In 2025, the latest updates have made these systems even more accessible. Voice assistants now support more nuanced commands and offer better support for users with speech impairments, while mobile apps allow full control of home environments with just a few taps.

Automation features are also smarter. For instance, doors can unlock automatically when a user approaches, or lights can adjust based on ambient noise and movement—giving people greater autonomy over their daily routines.

Education and Employment Tools Evolve

In classrooms and workplaces, assistive tech is playing a vital role in leveling the playing field. Virtual learning platforms now come equipped with embedded accessibility features like live transcription, dyslexia-friendly fonts, and cognitive load management tools.

In work settings, digital collaboration tools offer built-in accommodations that promote inclusion without drawing attention to differences. Employers are also more aware of digital accessibility compliance, leading to better adoption of assistive tech tools across industries.

Looking Ahead

As technology continues to evolve, so too does the promise of a more inclusive world. The assistive tech landscape in 2025 is proof that innovation doesn’t just benefit the majority—it opens doors for everyone. The future of accessibility is intelligent, personalized, and deeply integrated into the digital lives we lead.

About the Author: Bryan is a senior producer and a regular reporter for NewsWatch. He lives in Washington D.C. and loves all things Tech.

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Technology

Esports World Cup Partners With OBSBOT For 2025

Esports World Cup Foundation, the tournament organizer behind the Esports World Cup (EWC) has announced OBSBOT as the official camera and webcam partner. Esports World Cup x OBSBOT – a Two-year Partnership According to a release, the partnership will see OBSBOT integrate its AI camera technologies into the EWC’s production, providing enhanced video quality and […]

Published

1 hour ago

May 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Esports World Cup Foundation, the tournament organizer behind the Esports World Cup (EWC) has announced OBSBOT as the official camera and webcam partner.

Esports World Cup partners with OBSBOT for 2025

Esports World Cup x OBSBOT – a Two-year Partnership

According to a release, the partnership will see OBSBOT integrate its AI camera technologies into the EWC’s production, providing enhanced video quality and an immersive experience for millions of fans around the world. The strategic partnership aligns with EWC’s goal to connect Chinese esports with the global ecosystem, as it looks to bring China’s innovation to the bigger stage.

OBSBOT will be supporting the competition by outfitting player areas, streaming stations, and venue activations with its devices, offering flagship solutions that are integrated into the professional broadcast environment.

Founded in April 2016, OBSBOT is a technology company that focuses on applying AI and other emerging technologies to the photography industry, revolutionizing how people capture and create visual content. Headquartered in Shenzhen, the company has an algorithm research center based in Hangzhou.

This is not the first time the brand has collaborated in the esports industry. In 2023, OBSBOT partnered up with a Chinese esports organization Team WE and also sponsored the IESF World Esports Championship back in 2022.

Liu Bo, CEO & Founder of OBSBOT, commented on the partnership: “We believe that everyone’s story deserves to be seen and shared, and the Esports World Cup provides the perfect platform for us to showcase our vision. Through our partnership with the Esports World Cup, we are bringing our cutting-edge AI-powered camera technology to millions of gamers and content creators, celebrating the excitement, drama, and triumphs of elite competition on the world’s biggest stage. This collaboration is about more than just capturing moments; it’s about empowering a new generation of storytellers to create, share, and inspire with professional-grade tools that are as dynamic as the esports community itself.”

OBSBOT joins the list of sponsors for the EWC

With this partnership, OBSBOT joins a long list of global partners in the EWC, such as Sony, Amazon, gaming chair brand SecretLab, hardware brand Logitech, and beverage brand Pepsi, among others. In 2024, the EWC had a total of 27 sponsors.

The multi-title festival made headlines earlier this year when it announced a record-breaking $70 million prize pool, making it the largest prize pool for any esports event in history. With 25 tournaments across 24 games, 2,000 elite players, and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries, the 2025 EWC is looking to set new standards in competitive gaming.

Taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the EWC will kick off on July 7 and go until August 24, 2025, when the Esports World Cup Club champions will be crowned, taking home $7 million of additional prize money.

“The Esports World Cup is built on innovation, and technology plays a crucial role in creating unforgettable moments for players, Clubs and fans,” said Mohammed Al Nimer, Senior Sales Director, Esports World Cup Foundation. “Our partnership with OBSBOT is at the heart of this vision. Its cutting-edge camera technology demonstrates the power of AI in esports today, capturing the intensity and emotion that defines competition at this level and bringing fans into the moment. We are thrilled to have OBSBOT as our Official Camera and Webcam Partner as we continue raising the bar for esports experiences worldwide.”

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Technology

Sports Coaching Platforms Market Size Forecasted To Achieve

Sports Coaching Platforms The Sports Coaching Platforms Market Report by The Business Research Company delivers a detailed market assessment, covering size projections from 2025 to 2034. This report explores crucial market trends, major drivers and market segmentation by [key segment categories]. What Is the Projected Growth of the Sports Coaching Platforms Market? The market size […]

Published

1 hour ago

May 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Sports Coaching Platforms

The Sports Coaching Platforms Market Report by The Business Research Company delivers a detailed market assessment, covering size projections from 2025 to 2034. This report explores crucial market trends, major drivers and market segmentation by [key segment categories].

What Is the Projected Growth of the Sports Coaching Platforms Market?

The market size for sports coaching platforms has considerably expanded in the last few years. The market is projected to increase from $0.34 billion in 2024 to $0.41 billion in 2025, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.6%. The substantial historic growth can be credited to factors such as increased involvement in sports, personalized training schedules, global recognition of sports, monitoring of athlete performance, and the development of youth sports.

The market for sports coaching platforms is anticipated to exponentially rise over the coming years, expected to be worth $0.87 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.6%. Inferences for this growth in the future include factors such as virtual and remote coaching, incorporation of data analytics, emphasis on an athlete’s mental health, proliferation of e-sports coaching, and technological amalgamation for enhanced engagement. Noteworthy trends predicted for this period include an increased concentration on collaborative and social learning attributes, mental health and wellness, distanced coaching and virtual training endeavors, gamified training modules, and subscription-oriented coaching methodologies.

Purchase the full report for exclusive industry analysis:

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/purchaseoptions.aspx?id=9346

What Are the Different Sports Coaching Platforms Market Segments?

The sports coaching platforms market covered in this report is segmented –

1) By Type: Professional, Non-Professional

2) By Pricing Model: One Time License, Subscription

3) By Application: Soccer, Basketball, Swimming, Baseball, Other Applications

Subsegments:

1) By Professional: Individual Coaching, Team Coaching, Online Coaching, Performance Analytics

2) By Non-Professional: Amateur Coaching, Community Coaching, Youth Coaching, Recreational Coaching

Get your free sample here:

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/sample.aspx?id=9346&type=smp

What Are the Primary Drivers Shaping the Sports Coaching Platforms Market?

The sports coaching platforms market is predicted to be boosted by the surge in the number of internet users. These individuals, who access the internet from any location, provide an expanding set of innovative tools for coaching players. Incorporating technology into coaching methods allows coaches to share information in ways players can readily understand and relate to. In January 2023, DataReportal, an online reference library based in Singapore, reported that 5.16 billion people across the globe were internet users, equating 64.4% of the world’s population. The number of internet users saw an upward trajectory, rising from 5,060 million in 2022 to 3,158 million in 2023. Consequently, the burgeoning population of internet users is fueling the growth of the sports coaching platforms market.

Which Companies Are Leading in the Sports Coaching Platforms Market?

Major companies operating in the sports coaching platforms market include TrackMan A/S, TeamSnap Inc., Firstbeat Technologies Oy, EDGE10 Group, Uplift Labs Inc., PlaySight Interactive Ltd., Fusion Sport Pty. Ltd., Sportlyzer LLC, FieldLevel Inc., CoachLogix, Coach Logic, Sports Performance Systems Pty Ltd., AMP Sports, Athletic Logic, Coach Me Plus, Coach’s Eye, Grabba International Pty. Ltd., iGamePlanner Ltd., Sideline Sports, Siliconcoach, SoccerLAB, TopSportsLab NV, SyncStrength, MotionPro Sports Inc., Metrica Sports Ltd., Joga Bonito Sports Company, CoachNow Inc., Agile Sports Technologies Inc. Sports Visio, Coach Up Inc.

What Are the Major Trends Shaping the Sports Coaching Platforms Market?

A prevailing trend capturing a lot of attention in the sports coaching platforms market is the development of innovative products. Many leading firms in this market sector are making strides in implementing cutting-edge technology and platforms explicitly designed for sports coaching. For instance, Sportsession.Com, a UK-established sports coaching reservation platform, rolled out a new platform in November 2022 aimed at revolutionizing the way sports coaching is accessed in the UK. The platform, available across the country, offers users the chance to connect with over 1,400 coaches across 64 diverse sports. This platform is predicted to bring about significant changes in how businesses provide sporting and wellness activities for their workforce.

Get the full report for exclusive industry analysis:

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/sports-coaching-platforms-global-market-report

What Are the Top Revenue-Generating Geographies in the Sports Coaching Platforms Market?

North America was the largest region in the sports coaching platforms market in 2024. The regions covered in the sports coaching platforms market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What Is the Market Size and Growth Rate of the Sports Coaching Platforms Market?

2. What is the CAGR expected in the Sports Coaching Platforms Market?

3. What Are the Key Innovations Transforming the Sports Coaching Platforms Industry?

4. Which Region Is Leading the Sports Coaching Platforms Market?

Why This Report Matters:

Competitive overview: This report analyzes the competitive landscape of the 3D imaging software market, evaluating key players on market share, revenue, and growth factors.

Informed Decisions: Understand key strategies related to products, segmentation, and industry trends.

Efficient Research: Quickly identify market growth, leading players, and major segments.

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This release was published on openPR.

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Technology

Tech Innovations Powering Bryson DeChambeau’s Golf Comeback

Bryson DeChambeau’s resurgence in golf is powered by advanced technology, particularly the swing analysis app, Sportsbox AI. After a struggling stint post-LIV Golf debut, he faced a decline in rankings and performance. Rather than accepting mediocrity, DeChambeau teamed up with coach Dana Dahlquist to optimize his swing using Sportsbox, which provides in-depth data analytics. This […]

Published

2 hours ago

May 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

By the Numbers

DeChambeau dropped out of the top 100 in both OWGR and Data Golf rankings after his first LIV season.
Utilizing Sportsbox AI has allowed DeChambeau to gain elite driving capability, as noted by his performance around major tournaments.

Yes, But

While DeChambeau’s reliance on technology is notable, some critics argue that over-dependence on data analytics can detract from instinctive play, potentially affecting a golfer’s adaptability amid varying course conditions.

State of Play

DeChambeau is preparing for an upcoming tournament, aiming for a potential third major title.
Severe weather conditions at the Quail Hollow course have influenced expectations, favoring long hitters like DeChambeau.

What’s Next

If DeChambeau continues to utilize data effectively, he could leverage this technology for consistent performance in future tournaments, potentially securing more victories and solidifying his comeback narrative.

Bottom Line

DeChambeau’s embrace of technology with Sportsbox AI underlines a significant shift in professional golf, emphasizing how data analytics can enhance performance and potentially change outcomes for players willing to adapt.

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Technology

Sales Order Automation Accelerates Operations for Ohio Businesses – NORTHEAST

Published

2 hours ago

May 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

IBN Technologies LLC, an outsourcing specialist with 25 years of experience, serves clients across the United States, United Kingdom, Middle East, and India. Renowned for its expertise in RPA, Intelligent process automation includes AP Automation services like P2P, Q2C, and Record-to-Report. IBN Technologies provides solutions compliant with ISO 9001:2015, 27001:2022, CMMI-5, and GDPR standards. The company has established itself as a leading provider of IT, KPO, and BPO outsourcing services in finance and accounting, including CPAs, hedge funds, alternative investments, banking, travel, human resources, and retail industries. It offers customized solutions that drive efficiency and growth.

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Technology

XPENG Reveals Next-Gen P7 Sports Sedan with Advanced AI Integration

XPENG (XPEV) has unveiled the first images of its next-generation P7 electric sports sedan, designed by Lead Exterior Designer Rafik Ferrag. The new P7, previously codenamed E29, represents a significant evolution of XPENG’s flagship vehicle, blending AI technology with athletic design. The original P7, launched in 2020, […]

Published

4 hours ago

May 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

XPENG (XPEV) has unveiled the first images of its next-generation P7 electric sports sedan, designed by Lead Exterior Designer Rafik Ferrag. The new P7, previously codenamed E29, represents a significant evolution of XPENG’s flagship vehicle, blending AI technology with athletic design.

The original P7, launched in 2020, earned the Car of the Year 2021 in Xuanyuan Awards and achieved 5-star ratings in both C-NCAP and Euro NCAP safety tests. The next-generation model, developed over five years, will feature AI-powered luxury, XPENG Turing Smart Driving, and an immersive smart cockpit.

XPENG has expanded its global presence to over 30 countries and regions across Asia, Australia, and Europe, reinforcing its position in the intelligent mobility sector.

Positive

Global expansion to over 30 countries and regions across Asia, Australia, and Europe

Previous P7 model achieved prestigious Car of the Year 2021 award and 5-star safety ratings

Integration of advanced AI technology and smart driving features in the new model

Insights

XPENG’s next-gen P7 reveal signals a design-forward strategy in the competitive EV market, emphasizing aesthetics alongside AI integration.

The unveiling of XPENG’s redesigned P7 sports sedan represents a significant evolution in the company’s product lineup. The original P7, launched in 2020, established XPENG as a serious contender in the premium EV segment, earning China’s Car of the Year in 2021 and achieving 5-star safety ratings in both Chinese and European testing standards.

What’s particularly noteworthy about this redesign is the continuation of XPENG’s designer-forward approach. By highlighting Lead Exterior Designer Rafik Ferrag (who designed the original P7) so prominently in their communications, XPENG is positioning themselves more like a European luxury automaker than a traditional Chinese manufacturer. This design-centric strategy helps differentiate the brand in China’s increasingly crowded EV marketplace.

The company’s emphasis on the P7 being “XPENG’s answer for the AI era in form and function” signals their strategic direction: integrating artificial intelligence capabilities as a core selling proposition. References to “XPENG Turing Smart Driving” and an “immersive smart cockpit” indicate the company is competing not just on range and performance metrics, but on next-generation user experience.

This reveal comes at a crucial time as XPENG accelerates their global expansion across “more than 30 countries and regions” throughout Asia, Australia, and Europe. The P7, as one of their flagship models, will play a central role in establishing brand identity in these new markets. The design language revealed in these images will likely influence XPENG’s entire lineup as they continue this expansion, making this unveiling strategically important beyond just a single model refresh.

XPENG’s P7 redesign demonstrates commitment to premium positioning while expanding globally; impact depends on unrevealed specifications and pricing.

This initial image reveal of XPENG’s next-generation P7 represents a calculated product strategy aimed at maintaining momentum in the increasingly competitive global EV market. While the press release is light on technical specifications, the focus on design philosophy signals XPENG’s continued pursuit of premium positioning against both domestic Chinese competitors and established global automakers.

The significance of this model can’t be overstated for XPENG’s portfolio. The original P7, launched in 2020, helped establish the company as more than just another EV startup. Its 5-star safety ratings in both C-NCAP and Euro NCAP tests demonstrated engineering credibility, while winning Car of the Year 2021 in the Xuanyuan Awards gave it legitimacy in the Chinese market.

From a business perspective, the timing of this announcement aligns with XPENG’s accelerating international expansion. With operations in more than 30 countries and regions across Asia, Australia and Europe, XPENG needs globally appealing products to establish brand presence. The P7, as a sleek sports sedan, serves as an effective ambassador compared to more regionally-specific vehicle types.

The press release emphasizes the integration of AI technology, with specific mentions of XPENG Turing Smart Driving and a next-generation smart cockpit. This suggests the company is positioning its competitive advantage at the intersection of design and technology rather than competing purely on EV specifications like range or charging speed.

Overall, this reveal represents a natural product cycle update rather than a revolutionary step forward, though the full impact won’t be clear until technical specifications, pricing details, and production timelines are announced in future communications.

05/15/2025 – 02:14 AM

CEO He Xiaopeng: “P7 is more than a car – it is XPENG’s answer for the AI era in form and function”.
Chief Designer Rafik Ferrag: “The original P7 was a milestone for XPENG and a turning point in China’s EV landscape. With this new generation, we set out to design a pure electric sports sedan that could amaze at every angle”.

GUANGZHOU, China, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — XPENG, the global high-tech and AI-driven smart electric vehicle company, has stunned the automotive world with the release of the first official images of its next-generation XPENG P7 – a bold and emotionally charged evolution of XPENG’s definitive electric sports sedan.

Published by Lead Exterior Designer Rafik Ferrag, the All New XPENG P7 – previously known under its codename E29 – breaks cover in a series of striking images and a dynamic video, released via Ferrag’s social media. The French designer, known for shaping the iconic first-generation P7 in 2018, leads the creative vision behind this latest iteration, which embodies a powerful blend of art, athleticism, and cutting-edge technology.

XPENG Asset library

All New XPENG P7

A Milestone for XPENG

“I’m very excited that the first official pictures and video are now visible to everyone,” said Ferrag. “The original P7 was a milestone for XPENG and a turning point in China’s EV landscape. With this new generation, we set out to design a pure electric sports sedan that could amaze at every angle. This car is our dream—refined through countless iterations. In my eyes, the all-new XPENG P7 is a work of art, shaped with emotion and purpose.”

Launched in 2020, XPENG P7 was awarded as Car of the Year 2021 in Xuanyuan Awards, China’s top badge of auto quality and innovation, and has received a 5-star rating in both C-NCAP and Euro NCAP safety tests.

Bold, emotional, athletic and more than a car

The All New XPENG P7 is a bold, emotional, and athletic 5-seater sports sedan that raises the bar in both aesthetics and performance. Sculpted to reflect Ferrag’s evolving design philosophy, it builds on the visual identity that helped XPENG become a design and technology pioneer in the global EV race.

Developed over five years by XPENG’s obsessive research and development team, the next-generation P7 is more than a car – it is XPENG’s answer for the AI era in form and function. CEO He Xiaopeng describes it as a major upgrade for the brand’s next technological leap: one that blends AI-powered luxury, cutting-edge XPENG Turing Smart Driving, and an immersive smart cockpit into a sleek and futuristic form.

Leading the charge

Since its debut in 2019, the original XPENG P7 has served as a benchmark in Chinese EV design, symbolizing the company’s dedication to technology-driven growth. Its successor continues that legacy – leading the charge into a new generation powered by AI, innovation, and ambition.

“The first P7 wasn’t just a car – it became part of my soul,” reflected Ferrag. “This time, I led a larger team to overcome even bigger challenges. The future isn’t conceptual anymore – we’ve built it.”

XPENG’s rise on the global stage continues. The company has rapidly expanded across Asia, Australia and Europe with operations in more than 30 countries and regions, reflecting XPENG’s mission to become a global force in intelligent mobility.

More details of the All-new XPENG P7 will be revealed later.

About XPENG

Founded in 2014, XPENG is a leading Chinese AI-driven mobility company that designs, develops, manufactures, and markets Smart EVs for a new generation of tech-savvy consumers. With in-house R&D of core systems—including autonomous driving, intelligent cockpit software, powertrain, and electrical/electronic architecture—XPENG is redefining the future of transportation through innovation. Headquartered in Guangzhou, the company also operates offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, and Amsterdam, with production facilities in Zhaoqing and Guangzhou.

XPENG is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: XPEV) and the Hong Kong Exchange (HKEX: 9868).

For more information, visit: https://www.xpeng.com

Contacts:

For Media Enquiries:

XPENG PR Department

Email: pr@xiaopeng.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0c3b8539-db74-4d23-85c5-d70e1eba4a0c
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0dd984d9-ccc3-4d9b-9758-777f4ebc344c
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a3df5737-a59a-4a97-9e0b-d53a839743a3
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/544b37b3-ee6a-49df-8517-1c77f55d1235

FAQ

What new features will the next-generation XPENG P7 (XPEV) include?

The next-generation XPENG P7 will feature AI-powered luxury, XPENG Turing Smart Driving system, and an immersive smart cockpit, integrated into a new athletic design.