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Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis to Integrate Google Maps Data for Enhanced Navigation

Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles will soon feature enhanced navigation capabilities powered by Google Maps, providing access to updated information on over 250 million places worldwide. According to the official announcement, this integration will improve navigation accuracy by leveraging Google Maps’ vast database, which includes details such as business hours, contact information, ratings, reviews, and more.

The first rollout of this feature will be for Kia drivers in North America, with plans to expand globally across Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis models. 

In addition to integrating Google Maps, Hyundai Motor Group, which oversees all three brands, is adopting the Android Automotive OS for its future models. This move is expected to position the group as a leader in software-defined vehicle (SDV) technology and the broader future mobility market.

Chang Song, President and Head of Hyundai Motor Group’s Advanced Vehicle Platform Division, emphasized the importance of customer-focused innovation, stating:

“Our partnership with Google, who helps people find a lot of useful information around the world, will serve as an opportunity for Hyundai Motor Group, broadening our coverage of technology in the mobility market and providing greater value to customers.”

Jorgen Behrens, Vice President and General Manager of Google Maps Automotive, echoed the sentiment, highlighting Google Maps’ capability to provide over 100 million updates daily. He remarked:

“By integrating our extensive database of places into Hyundai Motor Group vehicles through the Places API, we’re empowering drivers with the knowledge they need to navigate confidently – and we look forward to working with Hyundai Motor Group to bring more innovation to the fleet in the future.”

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Leaker Suggests iPhone 17 Pro to Feature Horizontal Camera Bump

Long before the iPhone 16’s official release, there were whispers that Apple would adopt a side-by-side camera layout, aimed at enhancing the phone’s ability to capture spatial video across all three lenses. However, that didn’t materialize with the iPhone 16. Now, a trusted leaker suggests that this horizontal camera bump will be introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro.

Will the iPhone 17 Pro adopt a horizontal camera design?

The leaker behind this prediction is Weibo user Digital Chat Station, who has gained a reliable reputation for previous leaks, including accurate information about the telephoto lens and larger sensor size in the iPhone 16 Pro. Their track record adds credibility to the claim that the iPhone 17 Pro may indeed adopt a horizontal camera arrangement for all three lenses.

While the exact ordering of the three lenses remains unclear, the leaker suggests that the horizontal bump will house all of them side by side, as opposed to the vertical stack we’ve seen in prior models. This shift would align with trends in the smartphone industry, where many Android devices are embracing similar layouts for their camera systems.

Meanwhile, a post on Weibo shows an image that it claims is a bare metal frame from the iPhone supply chain. The cameras will be located in the top area, with the ultra-wide-angle lens in the middle (this is the thinnest module, so it helps leave enough space for the Face ID hardware on the other side).

Industry Trends: Android’s Horizontal Camera Bump

It’s important to note that this isn’t the first time we’ve seen a horizontal camera setup. Google’s Pixel 9 Pro, which is expected to debut with a horizontal camera bar, is one such example. Some industry insiders predict that other Android brands will soon follow suit, making this a broader trend in smartphone design.

Interestingly, some commenters point to the Chinese brand Meizu, which introduced a horizontal camera setup in its earlier models. However, in Meizu’s case, the lenses were aligned horizontally rather than stacked, which some believe is a more logical approach, especially considering that most photos and videos are taken in landscape mode. This orientation could enhance usability and aesthetics, making it easier for users to frame shots in both portrait and landscape orientations.

Material Choices: Titanium vs. Aluminum for iPhone 17 Pro

Another report recently suggested that Apple may move away from titanium in favor of aluminum for the iPhone 17 Pro. This potential change has raised eyebrows, especially given the premium nature of titanium, which was introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro models. However, some believe this could be a simple misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the terminology being used. Whether the iPhone 17 Pro retains titanium or switches to aluminum, the decision will likely have implications for the device’s durability and overall feel.

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Mozilla to Remove ‘Do Not Track’ in Firefox Version 135: A Step Backward for Privacy?

Over the past decade, many of us have witnessed the gradual erosion of privacy standards, as once-controversial practices have slowly become normalized. If you share concerns about this trend, you’ll be disappointed to learn that Mozilla is removing the ‘Do Not Track’ (DNT) privacy option in Firefox version 135. This change is already present in the Nightly developer release and will be included in the standard version when Firefox 135 is launched on February 4, 2025.

According to the Mozilla support page on the change (via The Register), the decision stems from the fact that many websites ignore the DNT request. The page states:

“Starting in Firefox version 135, the ‘Do Not Track’ checkbox will be removed. Many sites do not respect this indication of a person’s privacy preferences, and, in some cases, it can reduce privacy. If you wish to ask websites to respect your privacy, you can use the ‘Tell websites not to sell or share my data’ setting. This option is built on top of the Global Privacy Control (GPC). GPC is respected by increasing numbers of sites and enforced with legislation in some regions.”

At first glance, Mozilla’s explanation may sound reasonable, but I believe this move reflects a broader, concerning trend—shifting privacy concerns from general issues to more specific, less effective solutions. 

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The Role of ‘Do Not Track’ (DNT)

The DNT option is a request sent by browsers to websites, asking them not to track users. While websites are not legally obligated to comply with this request, it allows users to signal their privacy preferences in a simple, universal way without having to manually adjust settings for each individual site. The idea was that, even if websites ignored the DNT request, the practice of making such a request was important and could be enforced through legal means, depending on local privacy laws.

Critics argue that while most websites ignore DNT, this is more a problem of enforcement than of the DNT mechanism itself. For example, if you ask someone not to punch you in the face, and they repeatedly ignore that request, the issue isn’t with the request but with the lack of consequences for ignoring it. In this analogy, DNT is like that reasonable request for privacy, and the real problem lies with the failure to hold websites accountable for ignoring it.

The Global Privacy Control (GPC) as a Replacement

Mozilla suggests that users can now rely on the Global Privacy Control (GPC) as a replacement for DNT. The GPC is an opt-out mechanism built into certain browsers that signals to websites that users do not want their data sold or shared. Mozilla claims that GPC is respected by more websites and is backed by legislation in some regions, making it a more reliable privacy solution.

However, while GPC has shown some promise, it is not without its own limitations. The transition from DNT to GPC may not be as seamless as Mozilla suggests. The GPC is still relatively new, and it remains to be seen how consistently websites will adopt and respect this new standard. Moreover, the switch to GPC risks narrowing the scope of user privacy concerns—shifting from a broad, universal request to a more specific, limited one.

A Narrower Focus on Privacy

The shift from DNT to GPC marks a narrowing of focus in how we approach privacy. Whereas DNT allowed for a general request that websites respect users’ privacy preferences, GPC is much more specific—it’s about stopping the sale and sharing of data, rather than preventing all forms of tracking. This shift could be seen as a move toward addressing a particular aspect of privacy while overlooking broader issues, such as the tracking of users for targeted advertising.

This is not to say that GPC is inherently ineffective, but it highlights the trend toward making privacy a more fragmented issue, focusing on specific actions rather than a more comprehensive, user-centric approach. By removing DNT, Mozilla may be inadvertently signaling that the fight for privacy is narrowing, and that the broader issue of digital tracking is becoming less of a priority.

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Conclusion

The removal of DNT could signal a troubling shift in how privacy concerns are addressed, with broader issues being sidelined in favor of more specific, limited measures. For users who care about their online privacy, this move should be seen as a step backward—one that undermines the effort to create a truly user-focused and comprehensive privacy standard.

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Microsoft Launches First Hyperscale Data Centre in New Zealand

Global technology leader Microsoft has inaugurated its inaugural hyperscale data centre in New Zealand, aiming to provide businesses and organizations with advanced tools designed to significantly enhance productivity.

Vanessa Sorenson, Microsoft’s country manager, highlighted that the New Zealand data centre stands as the most sustainable in the company’s portfolio, which spans over 60 locations worldwide. In 2022, Microsoft invested $300 million in Contact Energy to support the development of the Te Huka Unit 3 geothermal facility, along with a decade-long contract for renewable energy.

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The data centre’s location on Auckland’s North Shore remains undisclosed due to commercial sensitivity. Notable customers include the multinational intelligence alliance Five Eyes, dairy cooperative Fonterra, and ASB Bank. Sorenson noted that keeping New Zealand’s sensitive data within the country addresses a critical security issue, enabling banking infrastructure and public sector systems, such as taxation, to be hosted on public cloud for the first time.

Advanced Technology and AI Integration

Sorenson emphasized that the new centre offers the most advanced technology available, with the potential to integrate artificial intelligence, which is crucial for driving much-needed productivity improvements. She expressed her hope that New Zealand businesses and government fully grasp the magnitude of the launch, stating that the cloud capacity would empower local innovators to expand on a global scale.

“This is a full region, three-zone (buildings) centre, which is something that we never thought would ever come to New Zealand because of our size,” Sorenson remarked.

Significant Investment and Expansion Plans

While the total investment in training and development of the data centre was not disclosed, Sorenson confirmed it to be a large-scale investment in the hundreds of millions of dollars, with potential for further expansion both within the country and in the cloud. Microsoft has acquired additional land for future expansion and views New Zealand as an excellent country for investment, especially with the renewable energy contract with Contact Energy.

“We want to grow. We’ve been in the country for near on 40 years. This investment is going to have us here for the next 50 to 100. This is about the long game… we are definitely a country that Microsoft globally has seen as a worthy investment,” Sorenson concluded.

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To maximize the opportunities presented by the new data centre, Sorenson acknowledged the need for widespread upskilling of the New Zealand workforce. Microsoft is partnering with educational services to provide free online training to upskill 100,000 individuals over the next two years.

“The certifications will be free, they will be online, and we’ll hand-hold and take people through the journey,” Sorenson said. “We see it is an enabler for more organizations to leverage gen-AI (generative artificial intelligence) than ever before.”

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AMD Strix Halo APU Leaks Suggest Impressive Performance Rivaling Nvidia RTX 4060

Recent leaks from Geekbench have revealed benchmark scores for AMD’s upcoming flagship APU, the Strix Halo. If the leaked benchmarks are accurate, the Ryzen AI MAX+ Pro 395 could offer performance comparable to Nvidia’s RTX 4060 laptop GPU, signaling a potential shift in the market for high-performance laptops and gaming handhelds.

Performance Specifications

As reported by Tom’s Hardware, the Strix Halo, also known as the Ryzen AI MAX 300 APUs, is expected to be AMD’s flagship processor for workstations and laptops in 2025. The Ryzen AI Max+ Pro 395 is equipped with 16 cores based on the advanced Zen 5 microarchitecture, 32 threads, and supports up to 64GB of RAM, with the option to upgrade to 128GB.

Geekbench Benchmark Analysis

The leaked Geekbench benchmark indicates that the Strix Halo APU, which includes integrated Radeon 8060S graphics, outperforms the mobile version of the RTX 4060 by nearly 4,000 points. This performance suggests that the chip could compete with mid-range laptops featuring an RTX 4070 GPU, indicating that AMD’s Strix Halo processors are poised to deliver excellent gaming performance.

Potential Market Impact

While it’s exciting to consider the potential of this APU, it’s important to note that we might not see this specific model in consumer laptops. However, the possibility remains that a similar APU could be integrated into the best gaming laptops or even the best handheld consoles. Handhelds like the Steam Deck OLED and Asus ROG Ally X both utilize AMD processors, and there is ongoing speculation about the AMD Ryzen Z2 being featured in upcoming devices.

Although none of this information is official yet,with CES 2025 just around the corner, we can anticipate official announcements from AMD regarding the Strix Halo line. The event is a key platform for tech companies to unveil their latest innovations, and it will be the stage where AMD is expected to share more details about their cutting-edge APUs.

The Geekbench scores provide a glimpse into what AMD might have in store for its future APUs. If these scores are indicative of AMD’s direction, the future could be very promising for the laptop and gaming handheld industries. As a fan of gaming handhelds, the prospect of future iterations with significantly more powerful processors is particularly intriguing.

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Meta-Owned Apps Experience Global Outage, Gradually Restored

Several applications owned by Meta experienced a significant global outage on Wednesday, impacting Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook. The services have since been restored, with Instagram and WhatsApp confirming their return to functionality.

While Facebook is yet to verify if all issues have been resolved, Meta has expressed its progress, stating, “Thanks for bearing with us! We’re 99% of the way there – just doing some last checks. We apologize to those who’ve been affected by the outage.” This update was shared on an unspecified platform, referred to as “X.”

Downdetector, a platform that tracks outages, reported over 22,000 issue reports for Facebook on the evening of the outage and over 18,000 for WhatsApp. The disruptions were widespread, with users in the UK, various parts of Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, and the US all reporting problems.

WhatsApp and Instagram both communicated their return to service on platform “X,” with WhatsApp stating, “And we’re back, happy chatting!” and Instagram following suit with, “Andddd we’re back – sorry for the wait, and thanks for bearing with us.”

The outages began around 18:00 GMT on Wednesday, according to Downdetector. The numbers are based on user-reported outages, and the actual number of affected users could be significantly different.

Meta quickly acknowledged a “technical issue” that was “impacting some users’ ability to access our apps” and assured that they were working on a resolution. Users reported a range of problems, from complete inability to use the apps to feeds that refused to refresh.

WhatsApp provided an update on their efforts, saying, “We’re aware of some issues accessing WhatsApp. We’re actively working on a solution and starting to see a return to normal for most people. We expect things to be back to normal shortly.”

Meta’s platforms boast some of the highest user engagement globally, with Facebook alone claiming over three billion active monthly users.

The most extensive outage Meta has faced was in 2021, when founder Mark Zuckerberg apologized for the disruption. During that incident, services for Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram were down for nearly six hours.

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Microsoft 365 suffered a major outage:Microsoft has deployed fixes for affected services

Microsoft is investigating a widespread and ongoing outage affecting Microsoft 365, particularly Office web apps and the Microsoft 365 admin center.

Users impacted by the outage are seeing a message stating, “We’re experiencing a service outage. All of your open files have been saved. It may be some time before the outage is resolved,” when attempting to access Microsoft 365 apps through a web browser.

According to a statement from Microsoft in an incident alert published in the admin center, the company is focusing its investigation on “token generation within our authentication infrastructure” and is reviewing recent changes to determine the root cause. The company added that the issue is affecting only certain users, specifically those served through the impacted infrastructure, when trying to access Microsoft 365 web apps.

As a temporary workaround, Microsoft recommends that affected users access their Microsoft 365 apps and documents through desktop applications, provided they have the necessary licenses.

At the moment, Microsoft’s service status, service health status, and Microsoft 365 network health status pages do not report any issues affecting the Microsoft 365 admin center, the company’s network, internet service providers, or customer network infrastructure.

This incident follows a similar worldwide Microsoft 365 outage two weeks ago, which impacted multiple services including Microsoft Teams, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, OneDrive, Purview, Copilot, and both Outlook Web and Desktop. That issue was resolved after more than 24 hours, though Microsoft continued to address lingering problems with Outlook on the web and mail queuing delays.

In July, a massive outage affected multiple Azure and Microsoft 365 services, including the admin center, Intune, Entra, Power BI, and Power Platform services. The nine-hour outage was later traced to a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack, which was amplified by an error in Microsoft’s DDoS protection mechanisms.

Update December 10, 07:55 EST: Microsoft is currently testing a potential fix to address the ongoing issues. The company identified a token generation issue that could be contributing to the disruption and is testing a fix to revert to an alternate token generation flow, which it believes will resolve the problem.

Update December 10, 08:18 EST: Microsoft deployed a fix expected to mitigate the outage within two hours. The company disabled proactive caching to alleviate some of the impact and believes that the fix will be completed within that timeframe.

Update December 10, 09:54 EST: Microsoft confirmed that the outage was caused by a recent service change that introduced an issue with identifying token expiration times, which led to authentication failures. The company has confirmed that the issue has now been resolved after monitoring service telemetry.

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Samsung Galaxy S25 may support Qi2 wireless charging, boosting adoption for Android

Nearly two years ago, the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) introduced the Qi2 wireless charging standard, heralded as a breakthrough in the field. With Apple’s endorsement, Qi2 promised to bring MagSafe-style charging capabilities to Android devices—assuming manufacturers adopted the technology.

However, that assumption proved overly optimistic. As reported by 9to5Google, only one Android device, the HMD Skyline, currently supports Qi2. Even Google opted out with its recent Pixel 9 release, stating—rather unconvincingly—that Qi2 offers no significant advantages over Qi1.

This decision by Google, the steward of the Android ecosystem, could be seen as a pivotal moment. If Google doesn’t support Qi2, why would other manufacturers invest in it?

A Glimmer of Hope with Samsung Galaxy S25

Despite the slow adoption, there may still be hope for Qi2’s future. Reliable leaker Ice Universe hinted on X (formerly Twitter) that Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S25 series will support Qi2. However, this claim reportedly originated from a private message on Weibo, so it should be treated cautiously.

That said, Samsung has a history of equipping its flagship devices with cutting-edge features. Adding Qi2 support would align with this strategy. The only detail mentioned was a charging speed limit of 15W, consistent with the WPC’s January 2023 guidelines for Qi2-certified chargers.

If Samsung includes Qi2 in its Galaxy S25 lineup, it could set a precedent for other manufacturers to follow. This move might finally fulfill the WPC’s initial promise, ushering in a more user-friendly and versatile charging ecosystem for Android users.

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Apple reportedly plans to bring satellite communications to its smartwatch by 2025

Apple plans to introduce satellite connectivity to its Apple Watch in 2025 and is advancing work on a blood-pressure feature, according to Bloomberg News. These developments highlight Apple’s focus on enhancing both connectivity and health monitoring in its wearable devices.

Satellite Connectivity for Apple Watch

Apple is reportedly working to bring satellite texting to the next Apple Watch Ultra model. This would make it the first Apple Watch to include satellite connectivity, enabling users to send messages without Wi-Fi or cellular networks, as long as there is a clear view of the sky. The Ultra model is a logical choice for this feature due to its longer battery life compared to other Apple Watch models. This functionality could prove especially useful for users in remote areas or in situations where an iPhone is unavailable.

Health Monitoring Features

Apple is also developing a blood-pressure detection feature for the Apple Watch, designed to identify signs of hypertension without offering precise measurements. Additionally, the company is progressing toward noninvasive blood-glucose tracking, although that capability is still years away. These features build on the Apple Watch’s role as a health tool, which already includes functions like detecting sleep apnea and responding to emergencies.

Modem Technology Upgrade

The Apple Watch is expected to transition from Intel to MediaTek modems, which could introduce lower-tier 5G connectivity. Despite the ongoing development of an Apple-designed modem for iPhones, there are no current plans to bring this technology to the Apple Watch.

These advancements reflect Apple’s strategy to enhance the functionality of its smartwatch, focusing on user connectivity and health insights.Apple has been working to add more health-focused capabilities to its products. 

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Apple Intelligence: A Comprehensive Guide

At June’s Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence, its new generative AI system designed to enhance productivity, creativity, and communication across its ecosystem. After a modest rollout in October, Apple is now preparing to introduce a wider range of features with iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS 15.2. These updates bring tools like Genmoji, Image Playground, and ChatGPT integration, significantly expanding the AI capabilities of Apple’s devices.

Getting Started with Apple Intelligence

To explore Apple Intelligence, follow these steps:
Ensure You Have an Eligible Device:
Apple Intelligence is supported on iPhone 16 models, last year’s iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, and devices running iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS 15.1.

Enroll in the Beta Program:
Join the waitlist via the Settings app. Approval is typically fast, often taking just a few hours. Once approved, a notification will guide you to activate the features.
By meeting these requirements, you’ll be ready to access Apple Intelligence and its exciting new functionalities.

Upcoming Features in iOS 18.2

Scheduled for a December release, iOS 18.2 (and its sibling OS upgrades) introduces several highly anticipated features. If you’re using the developer beta, you can try them now:
Genmoji:
Create custom emojis from your photos or descriptions. For example, you could turn a picture of a friend into an emoji or generate one based on keywords like “a smiling dog in sunglasses.”

Image Playground:
This tool allows you to create imaginative images effortlessly. You can transform yourself into a cartoon character or describe a scene, and the AI will generate an image for you.

ChatGPT Integration:
Siri and Writing Tools now incorporate ChatGPT to assist with complex tasks. For example, Siri can use ChatGPT to summarize documents or answer detailed queries. Apple prioritizes privacy, ensuring your data is only shared with explicit permission and remains under your control.

Priority Notifications:
Notifications will now be prioritized based on importance. Critical alerts, like upcoming appointments or reminders for significant events, will appear at the top of your notifications.

Visual Intelligence (Exclusive to iPhone 16 Models):
A new Camera Control button lets you interact with objects or locations in real-time. For instance, you can translate a sign into your preferred language or learn about a nearby landmark by simply pointing your camera at it and pressing the button.

What’s Coming in 2025

Apple Intelligence will continue to evolve, with key updates planned for 2025:
On-Screen Awareness for Siri:
Siri will gain the ability to act based on what’s displayed on your screen. For example, if a friend texts you their new email address, you can ask Siri to save it directly to their contact card. Similarly, Siri can quickly add events or reminders from texts to your calendar.

Further Siri Enhancements:
Siri will feature richer conversational abilities, allowing for seamless interactions even if your thoughts jump between topics. Additionally, a glowing-edge interface will provide a more intuitive activation experience.

What Is Apple Intelligence?

Apple Intelligence is Apple’s proprietary generative AI system, integrated into eligible devices to simplify tasks like writing, organizing, and creative projects. It uses personal context to deliver tailored assistance while ensuring your privacy.
Key points about Apple Intelligence:

  • It is built into iPhones, iPads, and Macs running the latest operating systems.
  • ChatGPT is integrated for advanced functionality, but its use is optional and requires case-by-case permission.
  • Apple emphasizes that no one, not even Apple employees, can access your personal data without your consent.

Features Already Available

Even before the iOS 18.2 update, Apple Intelligence offers several features for eligible devices running iOS 18.1 or later:
Photos App Enhancements:

  • A new Clean Up tool lets you remove unwanted elements from photos with a single tap. For example, erase strangers from a group photo or a messy object in the background.
  • Advanced search allows you to find images by description. For instance, search for “a sunset over mountains” to locate relevant pictures in your library.

Writing Tools:
These tools assist with proofreading, rewriting, and summarizing text. Whether you’re drafting an email or summarizing an article, Writing Tools can provide polished and concise results.

Summarized Notifications:
Receive condensed summaries of daily notifications, helping you quickly identify and prioritize important messages.

Improved Siri:
Siri now offers enhanced conversational abilities and the flexibility to switch between voice commands and typing. Its improved natural language processing makes it easier to handle complex requests.

Regional and Language Support

Apple Intelligence is expanding its reach globally:
Current Availability:
Siri must be set to US English, which works in most regions worldwide.

December 2024:
Apple will add English language support for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK.

April 2025:
EU users will gain full access to Apple Intelligence on iPhones and iPads.

2025 Expansion:
Support for additional languages, including Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, and more, is expected by late 2025.