In short: Google Cloud and Intel have announced a deepened multi-year AI infrastructure partnership covering both CPU deployment and custom chip co-development. Google Cloud will continue adopting Intel’s Xeon 6 processors across its global infrastructure for C4 and N4 instances, while the two companies are expanding their joint development of custom Infrastructure Processing Units designed to offload networking, storage, and security from host CPUs in hyperscale AI environments. The announcement arrives as Intel’s stock surged approximately 33% on the week and two days after the company signed on as the foundry partner for Tesla’s Terafab megaproject.

“Balanced systems”: the case Intel and Google are making together

The central argument of the partnership, as framed by both companies, is that GPU accelerators alone are not sufficient to handle the demands of modern AI infrastructure. In a statement accompanying the announcement, Lip-Bu Tan, Intel’s chief executive, said: “AI is reshaping how infrastructure is built and scaled. Scaling AI requires more than accelerators — it requires balanced systems. CPUs and IPUs are central to delivering the performance, efficiency and flexibility modern AI workloads demand.” The language is deliberate. Intel has spent much of the past two years repositioning from the general-purpose computing market it once dominated toward a more specific thesis: that the CPU and custom infrastructure silicon have a structural role in AI deployments that GPU-centric narratives have consistently underestimated.

Amin Vahdat, Google’s senior vice president and chief technologist for AI infrastructure, made the case from the demand side. “CPUs and infrastructure acceleration remain a cornerstone of AI systems — from training orchestration to inference and deployment,” he said. “Intel has been a trusted partner for nearly two decades, and their Xeon roadmap gives us confidence that we can continue to meet the growing performance and efficiency demands of our workloads.” The framing of the partnership as a multi-generational CPU roadmap commitment, rather than a one-cycle procurement agreement, is significant: it implies Google has made decisions about its infrastructure architecture several years out on the basis of Intel’s product trajectory, and that trajectory includes both the Xeon line and the custom IPU co-development effort.

Xeon 6 in Google Cloud

The CPU component of the partnership centres on Intel’s Xeon 6 processor family, which Google Cloud has deployed across its workload-optimised C4 and N4 instance types. Google says the C4 instances deliver more than 2.0 times the total cost of ownership benefit compared with predecessor configurations, a figure that captures the combination of performance uplift and power efficiency that Intel has positioned as Xeon 6’s core competitive claim. The agreement extends beyond the current generation: Google has committed to multi-generational alignment with Intel’s Xeon roadmap, meaning its infrastructure planning incorporates Intel’s future CPU releases as a known variable rather than a contingent one. Google has simultaneously been deepening its custom silicon commitments on the accelerator side, supplying Anthropic with approximately one gigawatt of TPU capacity through Broadcom in a deal that anchors Anthropic’s AI infrastructure through 2027 and beyond — a parallel track that reflects how Google is building out its infrastructure portfolio across both standard and custom silicon simultaneously.

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The CPU architecture context matters for understanding why this commitment is being made public now. As AI workloads shift from the training phase, which is GPU-intensive and relatively concentrated among a small number of hyperscalers, toward inference at scale, which is distributed, latency-sensitive, and runs continuously across large server fleets, the cost structure of AI infrastructure changes. Inference places sustained demands on CPU resources for orchestration, data pre-processing, and system management that training pipelines do not. Google’s bet on Xeon 6 for its C4 and N4 instances is, in part, a bet that inference economics will make CPU efficiency a first-order concern in the years ahead.

The custom IPU programme

The more strategically significant element of the partnership is the expanded co-development of Infrastructure Processing Units. IPUs are custom ASIC-based programmable accelerators designed to take over the networking, storage, and security functions that would otherwise run on host CPUs, freeing those CPUs to focus entirely on application and AI workload processing. In hyperscale environments, where these infrastructure tasks consume a substantial and growing fraction of available compute, offloading them to a dedicated accelerator can significantly improve utilisation rates, energy efficiency, and the consistency of workload performance. Intel and Google have been collaborating on IPU development, and the announcement signals that this work is expanding in scope rather than narrowing. The specific technical details of the expanded programme — die design, process node, performance targets, and deployment timeline — have not been disclosed publicly.

Nvidia, whose fourth-quarter 2025 revenue reached $68.1 billion on 73% year-on-year growth and which used its GTC 2026 conference in March to position its full-stack platform as the default environment for AI infrastructure, is the implicit competitive reference point for both components of the Intel-Google partnership. Intel is not attempting to displace Nvidia’s GPU accelerators in training workloads; it is arguing that the system around those accelerators — the CPUs managing orchestration, the IPUs managing network and storage overhead, and the interconnects tying everything together — is where efficiency gains are increasingly available. That argument has a natural ally in Google, which has both the infrastructure scale to validate it empirically and commercial incentives to diversify away from a single-vendor accelerator dependency.

Intel’s strategic moment

The Google partnership arrives at a moment when Intel’s industrial position is changing rapidly. Two days before the Google announcement, Intel signed on as the primary foundry partner for Terafab, the $25 billion joint venture between Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI targeting one terawatt of AI compute per year, committing its 18A process node — the company’s most advanced logic manufacturing technology — to the project. The two announcements taken together suggest Intel is pursuing a two-track strategy: deepening its hyperscale cloud partnerships for CPU and IPU deployment while simultaneously building out its foundry business for the custom AI silicon market that Nvidia, AMD, and the hyperscalers’ in-house chip programmes have driven into existence. The stock market responded to the week’s announcements with a roughly 33% gain in Intel’s share price, the sharpest weekly move the company has recorded in years.

Whether the strategic repositioning is durable depends on execution. Intel’s 18A process node is the same technology that underpins its foundry credibility with customers like Tesla, and its delay history has been a persistent source of investor concern. The Xeon 6 deployment in Google Cloud and the IPU co-development programme are both contingent on Intel shipping what its roadmap promises on the timelines Vahdat’s statement implies Google has factored into its own planning. The AI infrastructure market that Intel is trying to enter has become one of the most heavily capitalised segments in technology, with deals such as Meta’s $27 billion agreement with Nebius in March 2026 illustrating the scale of commitments being made across the industry. The year 2025 shifted the centre of gravity in AI from model development to infrastructure deployment, establishing capital expenditure scale and infrastructure access as the primary competitive variables — and Intel, for the first time in several years, is making a credible case that it belongs in that competition on multiple fronts simultaneously.

The era of truly good budget phones is over, and you can blame AI for that. Due to the rising chip costs, even flagship phones are feeling the pinch. And that’s why, when TCL finally brought the NXTPAPER 70 Pro to the US, it came as a big surprise to me. The phone costs just $199, nearly half the price you’d pay in other markets. 

Yes, the phone is exclusive to T-Mobile, but at $199, the NXTPAPER 70 Pro felt something else. A 6.9-inch 120Hz display, IP68 water resistance, 5,200mAh battery, 50MP camera, and TCL’s NXTPAPER 4.0 display technology, which is genuinely unlike anything else at this price. Naturally, I wanted to compare it to phones in a similar price range to see whether I can find a better deal.

So, I went looking for alternatives at a similar price and found three worth comparing: the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G, the Motorola Moto G Power 2026, and the Pixel 10a.  None of them can beat the TCL in price, performance, or features, and I concluded that there’s no reason to choose any other phone over the NXTPAPER 70 Pro right now. Let me show you what I mean.

But first, a quick specs comparison

Is there any competition at this price?

The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is the obvious first comparison. It is Samsung’s best-selling budget phone, and for good reason. You get a solid 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, a triple camera system, and an impressive six years of software updates. 

It is a reliable, no-frills phone that does the basics well. But it runs on the Exynos 1330, a chip that has been specifically called out for poor performance. Compared to the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 powering the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro, the Exynos 1330 is slower across CPU, GPU, and battery performance. Take a look at the comparisons below:

It also has an IP54 rating, which means it is splash-resistant but not submersible. The NXTPAPER 70 Pro, by comparison, has a better chip, a better display, IP68 water resistance, and a more interesting feature set. The A17 sells for around $175 to $199. Simply put:

Same price. No contest.

The Moto G Power 2026 offers a similar 6.8-inch LCD display and the same 5,200mAh battery, but the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 inside is a step down from the NXTPAPER 70 Pro’s Dimensity 7300. The Dimensity 7300 uses a newer 4nm fabrication process (compared to the Dimensity 6300’s 6nm) and delivers up to 67% better performance. Have a look at the performance figures:

There are several factors working in favor of the Moto G Power (2026). It features a better Gorilla Glass 7i protection and IP68/IP69 dust and water resistance, but that’s about it. On all other fronts, the NXTPAPER 70 Pro either offers equal or better features. Moto G Power 2026 costs $189 if you get it on a similar T-Mobile contract and $299 on Amazon without a contract, so there’s no price advantage either.

As you can see, the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro beats the Samsung Galaxy A17 and Moto G Power 2026 on most fronts at a similar price. 

What about the Pixel 10a?

This is where it gets interesting. At $499, the Google Pixel 10a is not a phone I should consider for this comparison. But it is a genuinely great phone, a gold standard for mid-range Android, and I am not going to pretend otherwise.

It features a 6.3-inch OLED display, a 48MP camera, seven years of updates, a more powerful Tensor G4 chipset, and Google’s AI features baked deep into the software. 

But the Pixel 10a does not have a bigger battery and does not support expandable storage. Also, the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro costs $199, and the $300 gap is doing a lot of heavy lifting. And throughout our comparisons, we haven’t even touched on the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro’s standout feature: the NXTPAPER 4.0 display.

That display is what makes this phone genuinely special. TCL’s NXTPAPER 4.0 is not a software night mode or a cheap filter. It uses hardware-level changes, including circular polarized light, DC dimming that eliminates screen flicker, and a filter that reduces harmful blue light. 

The phone is certified by TÜV and SGS, independent bodies that test these things rather than take a company’s word for it. A dedicated NXTPAPER key on the side instantly switches between full-color mode, Ink Paper Mode, and Max Ink Mode, allowing you to use it as a normal phone or as an e-reader experience. In Max Ink mode, the battery lasts up to seven days.

None of the other phones on this list offer these incredible display innovations. This feature alone makes the NXTPAPER 70 Pro worth buying. But even if you disregard it, you have seen that the NXTPAPER 70 Pro offers better features at comparable prices to all other phones in its price segment. 

If you spend long hours staring at your phone for work, school, or reading, no phone at this price comes close to what TCL is offering. At $199, the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro is not a budget phone that asks you to make compromises. It is a genuinely good phone with one feature that no one else has figured out yet. That makes it a very easy recommendation.

Just when it seemed like OpenAI was gearing up for its next big leap, possibly even an IPO, it’s now facing some serious scrutiny. And this time, it’s not just critics online. It’s a full-blown government investigation. And yeah, things are getting a little intense.

OpenAI is now under investigation, and it’s not a small one

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has launched a probe into OpenAI and its chatbot, ChatGPT. The concerns being raised go beyond the usual AI debates, as this one touches on national security, data handling, and real-world harm.

As reported by Reuters, the investigation is looking into whether OpenAI’s technology or data could potentially fall into the wrong hands, including foreign adversaries. There are also claims linking ChatGPT to harmful use cases, ranging from misuse in criminal activity to concerns around self-harm and unsafe content.

Subpoenas are reportedly on the way, which means this isn’t just talk but a formal escalation. And all of this is happening right as OpenAI is being seen as a potential IPO candidate, with valuations being thrown around in the trillion-dollar range. That timing could complicate things further, as increased regulatory scrutiny may impact investor confidence and how aggressively the company can move forward with its public listing plans.

This could get messy, fast

Let’s be real, AI companies have been skating on thin ice when it comes to regulation. Rapid growth, massive user bases, and real-world impact were always going to attract attention eventually. But the timing here is what makes it spicy. OpenAI is scaling aggressively, pushing products like ChatGPT deeper into everyday life, and potentially preparing for a public offering. Getting hit with a government probe right now is not ideal.

At the same time, this might just be the beginning. Because once governments start asking questions about how AI is being used, and misused, it’s not just about one company anymore. It’s about the entire industry getting put under the microscope.

Hospitality has long been defined by human interaction, but the systems that support those interactions have undergone continuous change. Arran Campolucci-Bordi, owner of Casa Italia, established 50 years ago in Liverpool, UK, frames this evolution through lived experience, tracing a path from handwritten reservation books to digital booking systems and now toward AI-driven operations. In his view, each transition reflects a broader shift in how restaurants manage time, communication, and customer expectations.

He points out that earlier generations relied entirely on manual processes. Reservations were written down, availability was checked by hand, and customer inquiries were handled individually. As digital tools emerged, many of these processes moved online, creating greater structure and consistency. According to Arran, the current phase introduces a new layer, where systems are capable of responding dynamically to customer needs without requiring human input. 

From his perspective, AI within hospitality is best understood as an operational support system rather than a replacement for people. He explains that Ayra functions similarly to a trained staff member in specific contexts, particularly when it comes to handling information. Once it has been provided with details such as menus, booking systems, and policies, it can respond to customer inquiries in a conversational format. This includes tasks such as checking availability, managing reservations, and answering common questions in real time. He suggests that, in practice, this allows businesses to handle external interactions consistently, while allowing the staff to be focused on where it matters most.

That operational shift is increasingly visible across different industries. According to a report, 58% of employees surveyed say they are already saving time at work through AI tools, with users reporting an average of 52 minutes saved per day, or nearly five hours per week. In a sector like hospitality, where a large share of time is spent responding to enquiries and managing bookings, these time savings can accumulate quickly and better influence where teams focus their efforts.

Arran emphasizes that this type of system is designed to operate alongside existing teams. He notes that many roles within hospitality involve repetitive administrative tasks that take time away from direct customer engagement. 

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Building on this, he explains that redistributing that time can reshape how service is delivered inside the restaurant itself. “By shifting those tasks to an AI-driven interface, businesses can allow staff to focus on delivering service within the physical environment of the restaurant,” he says. “It is a way of aligning people with the aspects of their roles that require attention, awareness, and interpersonal interaction.”

The practical implications of this shift are closely tied to how restaurants allocate their time and resources. According to Arran, a significant portion of operational inefficiency comes from fragmented communication, particularly when customers reach out with similar questions or booking requests. “Each individual interaction may be brief, but collectively they represent a substantial time commitment,” he notes. Ayra, he explains, can handle these interactions 24/7, in turn increasing time spent with customers and capturing potential missed opportunities.  

This perspective also reflects broader changes in customer behavior. “As digital communication has become more immediate, expectations around response times have shifted accordingly,” Arran notes. “Customers increasingly expect quick and accurate answers, whether they are making a reservation or asking about menu options. Systems that can respond instantly help meet those expectations while maintaining clarity and consistency in communication.”

A common misconception is that hospitality is slow to adopt new technology due to the human-centric nature of the business. According to Arran, the immediate and drastic implications of adopting supposedly “robust” technology stem from the industry’s failure to adequately vet what they adopt

He also highlights the importance of simplicity in adoption. From his experience, one of the main barriers for restaurant owners is not necessarily resistance to technology itself, but uncertainty about how it works in practice. As a result, the platform he has developed is designed to be robust, accurate, and straightforward to implement, only requiring businesses to provide a small amount of information to train their AI agent. Once that information is in place, the system can begin operating autonomously.

This approach reflects a broader shift in how technology is being integrated into traditional industries. Rather than requiring businesses to fundamentally change their operations, tools are being developed to fit within established structures. Arran suggests that this compatibility is essential for long-term adoption, particularly in sectors where consistency is key.

Looking ahead, he sees AI as part of an ongoing progression rather than a final destination. The transition from manual processes to digital systems has already reshaped hospitality operations, and the introduction of AI represents another stage in that evolution. Each phase, he notes, has introduced new efficiencies while maintaining the core objective of serving customers effectively.

“People come into a restaurant for the experience, and that will always be the case,” Arran says. “If technology can take care of everything around that, it allows the staff to focus on what they do best, giving customers the best possible experience.”

Netflix has added a heavy hitter in party activities to its gaming lineup. The streamer announced that Jackbox Party Essentials is joining the Netflix Party Games collection. This move makes three of the popular Jackbox group games available for free to Netflix subscribers: Fibbage 4, Quiplash 3 and Drawful 2. Each one supports up to eight players.

Netflix has been refocusing its interactive strategy to highlight family-friendly and party games. The company has even offered tie-ins to its original content; for instance, playing Overcooked through Netflix will let you use a member of Huntr/x from Kpop Demon Hunters as your in-game avatar. We also saw Netflix’s Game Controller software, which turns any mobile device into a gamepad for its game library, take the crown as a top-downloaded iOS app around the Easter holiday weekend. That performance could indicate that many families were at least thinking of trying out the streamer’s games as part of their festivities.