Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have identified an ultra-faint galaxy seen just 800 million years after the Big Bang. The galaxy contains almost no heavy elements, shows signs of intense early stellar radiation, and could offer a rare glimpse into the first stages of galaxy formation. Phys.org reports: In a paper published in the journal Nature, a team of scientists led by Kimihiko Nakajima, an astronomer at Kanazawa University, Japan, describes how they used the telescope to study a part of the deep universe and discovered a faint galaxy called LAP1-B. “LAP1-B establishes a ‘fossil in the making,’ a direct high-redshift progenitor of the ancient ultra-faint dwarf galaxies observed in the local universe,” they wrote. Because the galaxy is so small and distant, it would normally be impossible to see. However, it was spotted due to a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing, in which a massive cluster of closer galaxies acts like a giant magnifying glass, boosting the light from LAP1-B by 100 times.
The scientists realized that most of the light from the galaxy wasn’t coming from the stars, but from glowing clouds of gas. They analyzed this light by splitting it into a spectrum and studying the emission lines, which revealed the chemical composition of the gas. They found that the galaxy contains almost no heavy elements, and its oxygen abundance is about 240 times lower than the sun’s, making it one of the most primitive star-forming galaxies ever observed. The emission lines also revealed intense ionizing radiation, which is what scientists expect to see from the first generation of stars.
The team also measured an elevated carbon-to-oxygen ratio. This matches the predicted chemical signature for the first star explosions in history from Population III stars, the first stars to exist in the universe. The stars we see today are Population I stars, which formed later and contain more heavy elements. Another fascinating finding is that, after measuring the gas’s motion and speed, the researchers concluded that the galaxy is held together by a massive cloud of invisible dark matter.
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Fly ash is a material produced after pulverized coal has been burned in a power plant. It is a hazardous material, one that needs to be kept out of the air we breathe. As such, it can be very dangerous to living things. However, since 1937, it has also been used as a key ingredient in concrete production.
There are a number of benefits that flow from using fly ash in making concrete. All fly ash is pozzolanic, meaning that it reacts with calcium hydroxide and water to form calcium silicate hydrate, which is what makes concrete both durable and strong. Concrete made with fly ash may not be as strong as conventional concrete during the early stages of drying, but it will ultimately exhibit greater chemical resistance and strength over time. This is because fly ash consumes the weak, excess calcium hydroxide produced during standard cement hydration and converts it into an additional strong binder.
Another significant benefit of using fly ash in concrete is that, once incorporated into concrete, the fly ash component is no longer considered hazardous waste. It also requires less energy to produce fly ash concrete, reducing the product’s carbon footprint. Researchers have even used fly ash to make bendable concrete that needs no cement.
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While there are advantages to using fly ash in concrete production, including a reduced likelihood of shrinkage and cracking, its slower curing and overall drying time can become drawbacks in certain situations. These include times when the concrete is used at low temperatures.
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What else should you know about fly ash?
BELL KA PANG/Shutterstock
To expand, fly ash is what’s left after coal is burned to produce electricity or for other industrial purposes. Once it’s collected using filters or electrostatic precipitators, it is stored dry in silos or wetted down for use as fill material, or, if delivered to a jobsite, like the one where Texas is moving these interstates. Due to its hazardous nature as a raw material, fly ash must be kept either wet or covered at all times to eliminate the possibility of fly ash dust being spread by the wind.
Fly ash can be classified into two categories. Class C ash comes from sub-bituminous coal and is called high calcium fly ash because it usually contains over 20 percent of free lime, also known as CaO or calcium oxide. Class F ash is produced by bituminous and anthracite coal and is known as low calcium fly ash, thanks to its lower CaO content of under 10 percent.
Based on its composition, fly ash can range in color from dark gray to tan. There are several standards that apply to measuring the quality of fly ash, depending on its intended use case. These include uniformity, chemical composition, fineness, and LOI (loss on ignition), which measures how much unburned carbon remains. Too much carbon content causes problems, which leads federal and state highway departments to require an LOI of between five and six percent max. There’s plenty of roadwork to be done and plenty of fly ash to make concrete with, especially when it comes to repairing aging infrastructure like LA’s deteriorating roadways.
People type questions into Google dozens of times a day, often in short bursts that barely scratch the surface of what they want to know. Starting today, that simple white box on the homepage looks and behaves differently, and the change feels long overdue after twenty-five years of almost no movement.
The box itself now stretches taller when you type anything more than a few words. It organically expands to accommodate complete sentences or even paragraphs rather than cramming everything into a single constricted line. As text occurs, further ideas appear below that go much beyond standard auto-complete. These tips read the entire question and suggest methods to refine it before you even press enter, saving you clicks and clarifying intent right away.
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A row of shortcuts lies right below the box, providing easy access to three new modes. One immediately enters into a chat-style interaction powered by the latest Gemini model. Another feature allows users to say their question aloud and receive real-time results. The third opens a Google Lens-enabled creativity tool for quickly converting thoughts into photos or simple designs. None of these options are intended to replace the traditional search experience; rather, they serve as additional options.
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A small + symbol on the left side of the box expands the choices. Tap it to add a photo from your phone, shoot a brief video on the spot, or pull a document from your folders. If necessary, the system can accept all of those inputs simultaneously. Chrome tabs behave similarly, allowing users to reference something that is already open in their browser without having to copy and paste links. Everything feeds into a single unified query, which the box processes together.
For simple text searches, the results remain in the conventional list style. However, follow-up inquiries now flow straight into the conversational mode, eliminating the need for users to switch tabs or restart from scratch. This configuration converts a single search into an ongoing dialogue that retains context over multiple steps.
Deeper capabilities will be introduced in stages, beginning later this summer with small automated agents that will run in the background for anyone who configures them. Someone looking for a new apartment can tell the agent which neighborhood, price range, and characteristics are most important to them; the agent then searches the web for properties and delivers updates only when something matches. Stock watchers and sports lovers can develop comparable monitors that provide timely notifications without requiring frequent human inspections.
Subscribers to the higher tiers of Google’s AI service will immediately acquire another layer. They can create their own tiny dashboards for common tasks, such as a simple fitness diary that takes data from other applications or a menu planner that alters based on the ingredients in the fridge. These small tools are integrated into the search experience and seem more like personal shortcuts than standalone programs.
Meta employs around 1,800 people in Ireland, some of whom will lose their jobs as part of Meta laying off 10pc of its workforce.
Technology giant Meta will reportedly lay off as many as 350 Ireland-based employees as part of its plans to cut 8,000 people from the globally-dispersed workforce, representing around 10pc of its staff worldwide.
Early this morning (20 May) staff in Ireland received an email informing them that some people will be impacted by the global redundancies and Meta has since submitted a collective redundancy notification to the Department of Enterprise.
In late April it was reported that Meta had told its staff that 10pc of the workforce would be let go, apparently as a means of mitigating the costs of heavy AI spending and investment, with the first cuts expected in late May.
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At the time, Meta’s chief people officer Janelle Gale, said: “We’re doing this as part of our continued effort to run the company more efficiently and to allow us to offset the other investments we’re making.”
Earlier this week Meta also announced that the organisation would be reassigning 7,000 employees to facilitate more AI-aligned roles. In a memo, also issued by Gale, it said that the new corporate structure will be “flatter”, with “smaller teams”.
This isn’t the first time this year that Meta’s Ireland-based teams have been heavily impacted by cuts. Around 15 people lost their jobs in early March.
In response to the recently announced layoffs, Labour’s enterprise spokesperson George Lawlor called on the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, TD and the Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Niamh Smyth, TD, asking them to create a strategy that would protect jobs in the technology sector, amid a spate of high-profile redundancies.
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Lawlor said, “This is a deeply worrying and stressful time for anyone employed by Meta and I firstly want to express my solidarity with those people working there, their families and their communities. Minister Burke must work with Meta to ensure fairness is applied and to protect jobs and livelihoods where possible.
“We need to see a comprehensive plan in place for the State to help secure jobs and protect worker’s incomes in the event their employer and sector faces a downturn or a change in business model. It is not just workers who are directly employed by these companies which are affected either. The cumulative effect of these cuts are devastating for families and for people who are indirectly employed by the tech industry too.
“Combined with spiralling food, fuel, energy, and housing prices and the shameful rental changes that are increasing rents and driving evictions, this is a very worrying time for working people in the sector and indeed across the country.”
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Unlike cars, which have so many of their important parts tucked under their hoods, motorcycles tend to be more exposed to the elements. Because of this, you need to take extra care to make sure your motorcycle’s chrome is clean, which includes wiping off dirt, applying polish, and removing rust build up before it causes any trouble. Realistically, it’s impossible to completely prevent rusting on motorcycles forever. However, if you’re serious about maintaining your motorcycle, there are ways that you can delay the process with specialized solutions, such as the Lear Chemical ACF-50.
Priced at $22.11 (or about $1.70 per fl. oz.) on Amazon, the ACF-50 is a special solution that helps slow down corrosion. For motorcycles, you can apply it to things like wiring, compressors, battery terminals, light sockets, and ignition systems. Additionally, it can also help you maintain more sensitive electrical components, like radios, antennas, and so on. Depending on the level of corrosion, you can either spray it directly on the targeted part or wipe it on with a microfiber cloth.
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On Amazon, Lear Chemical’s ACF-50 Anti-Corrosion Lubricant Compound has received generally positive feedback. Apart from being an Amazon’s Choice product, more than 650 people have also rated it 4.7 stars on average. But what do people actually have to say about it, where else can it be used, and how well does it stack up to its competition?
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How well does ACF-50 Anti-Corrosion Lubricant work?
As of May 2026, the large majority (84%) of ACF-50’s buyers on Amazon had rated it 5 stars. People have consistently said it works on motorcycles, including corroded terminal connectors. One user shared that it was able to keep their bike rust-free even after three months of exposure to the elements, like snow, salt, and rain.
Compared to WD-40, which has many different uses that are helpful for motorcycle owners, several users claimed that the ACF-50 performs better, doesn’t wipe off as fast, and doesn’t leave a greasy residue. However, they didn’t specify if they were using the normal WD-40 or the Specialist Rust Inhibitor variant. Nevertheless, other satisfied buyers of ACF-50 have mentioned using it not just on motorcycles but other vehicles like boats and even aircraft. Homeowners also praised its effectiveness for all kinds of power tools, including lawnmowers, smokers, and grills. Some dissatisfied users who rated it a single star did, however, complain about clogged nozzles, running out of propellant too soon, and damaging their shoes with the product.
That said, there were some reviewers who said they preferred CorrosionX’s Rust Inhibitor. Similar to the ACF-50, the 16 oz. can of industrial-strength corrosion-prevention aerosol spray has a 4.7-star rating from over 780 Amazon customers. Similarly, customers said the spray was useful for sensitive electronics and all sorts of equipment, including bikes.
Aavik Acoustics, part of Audio Group Denmark, has introduced three phono preamplifiers labeled as the R-188, R-288, and R-588 for ultra high-end vinyl playback systems using Moving Coil cartridges or DS Audio optical cartridges. Built around trickle down technology from Aavik’s flagship R-880 ($73,500) reference phono stage, the new R x88 Series is aimed at listeners who already live deep in the analog trenches and probably don’t need anyone explaining why a $20,000 phono preamp exists.
This is the same Danish audio group behind Børresen, whose $1.15 million M8 Gold Signature loudspeakers we recently covered, so nobody should be shocked that Aavik’s idea of “more accessible” still starts at $20,000.
External phono preamps, also known as phono stages, remain one of the most important but least understood parts of a serious vinyl playback system. Their job is to properly match the output of the phono cartridge to the amplifier or preamp that follows, while applying the RIAA equalization curve that restores the tonal balance of the original recording.
Most phono stages support Moving Magnet cartridges, some add Moving Coil support, but the Aavik R x88 Series takes a more specialized route with MC and DS Audio optical cartridge compatibility. Standard MM cartridge users need not apply.
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Aavik R x88 Phono Stage Series
Aavik Acoustics’ three model R x88 Series lineup starts at $20,000 for the R-188 phono preamp, and steps up an additional $5,000 for the R-288 and R-588, respectively. That is Aavik’s version of connecting with a “broader audience,” which still assumes your vinyl budget has its own climate controlled room.
Aavik says the goal is a quiet, low noise connection between cartridge and amplifier that preserves the detail, dynamics, and tonal information cut into the record groove. Each unit is handcrafted in Aalborg, Denmark, using in house production and selected Danish and international partners.
All R x88 models have the same rear panel and inputs.
R x88 Series Shared Features
Versatility: The Aavik R x88 Series supports both Moving Coil cartridges and DS Audio optical cartridges, with adjustable gain and filter settings for system matching. Standard Moving Magnet cartridge support is not included, which makes this a very specific product for very specific vinyl systems.
Noise Rejection: The R x88 Series incorporates Integrated Ansuz Active Tesla Coils, Square Tesla Coils, Analog Dither Circuits, and Anti Aerial Resonance Coils. These technologies are designed to reduce unwanted electrical noise and preserve low level detail before the signal reaches the amplifier.
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Extreme Low Noise Floor: The Aavik R x88 Series uses a discrete RIAA input stage built around ultra low noise bipolar transistors arranged in parallel. Aavik specifies a 94 dB signal to noise ratio measured at 1 kHz, which is critical when dealing with the very low output levels of MC cartridges. The Moving Coil input stage is also balanced and floating, meaning it is not connected to ground.
Resonant Mode Power Supply: The R x88 Series also uses custom DC/DC converters designed to generate clean sine wave voltages with very low noise and minimal distortion. The goal is to provide a stable, quiet power foundation for the phono circuit, because with vinyl playback, noise does not need an invitation. It usually finds a way in.
Advanced Circuit Design: The flagship Aavik R 588 adds Aavik’s discrete operational amplifiers and independent voltage rails, which are intended to improve resolution, dynamics, and transparency. In plain terms, the R 588 is where Aavik pushes the circuit design harder for systems where every upstream choice is already under a microscope.
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Connectivity: For all of the internal complexity, the R x88 Series keeps the rear panel relatively straightforward. Separate inputs are provided for turntables fitted with Moving Coil and DS Audio optical cartridges, with clearly labeled connections for each. Analog audio line outputs are included for connection to an amplifier or receiver, while RS 232 and 12V trigger connections provide external wired control. A power inlet and rear power switch are also included.
Front Panel Display and Controls: The Aavik R x88 Series includes a large front panel display that shows the active input, display brightness, display dimming, software version, and factory reset option. To the left of the display are physical controls for Standby, Mute, and Input Select/Menu operation. Aavik also includes a wireless remote control for more extensive access, because at $20,000 and up, reaching for the front panel should remain strictly optional.
Cabinet Construction: The Aavik R-x88 series phono preamps were designed by Flemming Erik Rasmussen and Michael Børresen. The hybrid enclosure combines wood, copper, and steel. This combination is designed to support exceptional resonance control and structural stability, complemented by a visually appealing cabinet design.
The physical design of all Aavik R x88 models are the same.
Key Differences Between Models
R-188: The Aavik R-188 is the “entry level” model in the R-x88 Series, which is doing a lot of work when the starting price is $20,000. It features 36 Active Tesla Coils, 72 Active Square Tesla Coils, and 3 dither circuits.
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R-288: The Aavik R-288 steps up from the R-188 with 72 Active Tesla Coils, 144 Active Square Tesla Coils, and 6 dither circuits. Aavik positions the additional noise reduction hardware as a path to greater clarity and lower noise within the same core platform.
R-588: The Aavik R-588 is the flagship model in the R-x88 Series, with 108 Active Tesla Coils, 216 Active Square Tesla Coils, and 9 dither circuits. It also adds discrete operational amplifiers and independent voltage rails, making it the most advanced version of the lineup for systems where the phono stage is expected to do more than just sit quietly on the rack looking expensive.
Comparison
Aavik Model
R-188
R-288
R-588
Product Type
Phono Preamp
Phono Preamp
Phono Preamp
Price
$20,000
$25,000
$30,000
MC (Moving Coil) Inputs
Floating RCA (1 set)
Max input: 5mVrms
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Gain: 58dB or 64dB @ 1 kHz
Input load resistance adjustable from 50 ohm to 10k ohm
Floating RCA (1 set)
Max input: 5mVrms
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Gain: 58dB or 64dB @ 1 kHz
Input load resistance adjustable from 50 ohm to 10k ohm
Floating RCA (1 set)
Max input: 5mVrms
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Gain: 58dB or 64dB @ 1 kHz
Input load resistance adjustable from 50 ohm to 10k ohm
Frequency Response (MC)
58dB: +0.1/-0.4dB (20Hz-20kHz)
64dB: +0.1/ 1.1dB (20Hz-20kHz)
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58dB: +0.1/-0.4dB (20Hz-20kHz)
64dB: +0.1/ 1.1dB (20Hz-20kHz)
58dB: +0.1/-0.4dB (20Hz-20kHz)
64dB: +0.1/ 1.1dB (20Hz-20kHz)
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Optical Input
RCA (1 set)
Max input: 500mVrms
Gain: 26dB
RCA (1 set)
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Max input: 500mVrms
Gain: 26dB
RCA (1 set)
Max input: 500mVrms
Gain: 26dB
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Frequency Response (Optical)
+0.1/-0.3dB (20Hz-20kHz)
+0.1/-0.3dB (20Hz-20kHz)
+0.1/-0.3dB (20Hz-20kHz)
Output
1 pair of RCA outputs. Distortion: <0.05% (THD at 1kHz, nominal input) Output impedance: 70 ohms
1 pair of RCA outputs. Distortion: <0.05% (THD at 1kHz, nominal input) Output impedance: 70 ohms
1 pair of RCA outputs. Distortion: <0.05% (THD at 1kHz, nominal input) Output impedance: 70 ohms
The Aavik R-x88 Series phono stages are not for casual vinyl listeners, MM cartridge users, or anyone still debating whether an external phono preamp is worth it. These are ultra high end analog components built specifically for systems using Moving Coil or DS Audio optical cartridges, with serious attention paid to noise reduction, power supply design, and signal purity.
What makes the R-x88 Series unusual is the combination of MC and optical cartridge support, Aavik’s extensive use of Ansuz noise reduction technologies, and a three model structure that starts at $20,000 and only climbs from there. The R-188, R-288, and R-588 are clearly aimed at vinyl listeners who have already invested heavily in the turntable, cartridge, amplification, and loudspeakers surrounding them.
Who is this for? The obsessed analog listener with a very serious system, a very quiet listening room, and a willingness to spend real money chasing the last few layers of resolution from the groove. Everyone else can keep walking. Denmark has locked the door behind them.
Google’s DeepMind built this new Omni model family from the ground up as one unified system that handles text, images, audio, and video together. Instead of bolting separate tools onto each other, the network reasons across whatever you feed it and produces a single, consistent output. The first practical result arrives right now in the form of video generation, and the early examples already feel like a quiet shift in how quickly ideas move from head to screen.
Gemini Omni Flash can create a short stop-motion sequence of amino acid chains twisting into alpha helices and beta sheets that is almost comforting to watch, with a quiet voiceover guiding the viewer through the process. The animation would appear quite smooth, as the model creates the scene using a snapshot and a few basic lines of instruction while retaining the original parts. Then it just inserts some audio, and the clip is properly synced.
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People who have been testing early versions of the model have been using it on everyday tasks that formerly required extensive professional software and hours of adjusting. They requested that a vacation clip be edited to remove the intrusive background checks and it was done soon away. They asked for a product shot with a slogan that looks exactly like the real thing, complete with shadows, and they got exactly what they wanted. They’ve even used technology to produce super-personalized clips where a digital version of themselves comes up on stage and accepts an award, or floats about near the moon looking just like them.
Of course, all of this is possible because the tech behind it all is actually set up properly. For once, it’s not treating audio as an afterthought, or becoming confused when images, text, and other data all contradict one other. Gemini Omni Flash is trained on all four data types at the same time, so it understands that a marble sliding down a track should follow gravity and that a harp string plucked by a leaf should produce the correct sound at the appropriate time. That shared understanding is what makes the result seem and sound so natural, even after numerous rounds of conversation-style editing.
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So, the Gemini Omni Flash version is now available in the main Gemini app, the creative studio Flow, and YouTube Shorts. Clips start at roughly ten seconds long, which is ample time to cover the most of your normal social post or fast test. A more robust Pro model will be released later, if internal quality standards are met, and an API will be available in the coming weeks for all developers who wish to incorporate the technology into their own workflows.
The next steps on the roadmap include longer clips and new areas of innovation. The team wants to train the model to convert audio into still images and, who knows, maybe even extract soundtracks from mute footage. Each phase keeps the essential idea the same: feed the model what you have, tell it what you want to modify, and you’ll get something that feels thought out rather than merely pasted together. [Source]
With the acquisition, Analog Devices wants to advance its position in power delivery architecture for AI.
Analog Devices is acquiring AI power delivery provider Empower Semiconductor for $1.5bn.
With the acquisition, Analog Devices wants to advance its position in power delivery architecture for AI and other compute-intensive applications.
The company says that power density could be limiting as AI compute scales, calling it “one of the most critical challenges in system design”.
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The deal is expected to further the semiconductor company’s position as a power partner for hyperscalers and AI developers, as well as expand its total addressable market in the space.
Analog is purchasing Empower in an all cash deal, with the transaction expected to close in the second half of 2026. Empower CEO Tim Phillips will lead Integrated Voltage Regulator efforts as part of Analog.
“Empower was founded to solve the hardest problem in AI power delivery – the power bottleneck that is limiting AI throughput. Our technology enables the power density, speed and efficiency required by AI processors to reach their full potential, unleashing generations of performance improvements,” said Phillips.
“The combination of ADI’s (Analog Devices) power management platform, scale and operational excellence, along with the system level benefits our merger enables, will accelerate our adoption with customers.”
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Based in Silicon Valley, Empower’s technology reduces the energy footprint and total cost of ownership of data centres.
Vincent Roche, the CEO and chairperson of Analog Devices added: “AI infrastructure is fundamentally reshaping how power must be delivered, with energy now the most persistent constraint to scaling next-generation systems.
“…with Empower we are further expanding our portfolio to help customers rearchitect their power systems and achieve the compute densities next-generation AI demands.”
Analog Devices made $3.1bn in revenue for the quarter ending 31 January, up 30pc from the same time last year. It made more than $11bn in revenue last year.
Mercedes-AMG is known for its performance sedans like the GT63 SE Performance that comes with a complex 4.0-liter V8 biturbo hybrid powertrain. Now, the company has come up with its most powerful vehicle ever, but took a completely different route to get there. The new GT 4-Door Coupé is an 1,153 hp, purely electric beast with an all-new thin and lightweight powertrain.
To build a vehicle that could take on Porsche’s electric Taycan, Mercedes-AMG came up with the 800-volt AMG.EA platform. It uses three new “axial-flux” motors that marry high-power with reduced weight and size. The front motor is just 3.5 inches thick but redlines at over 15,000 rpm and only kicks in for extra performance or regenerative braking. The two rear motors (each about 3.2 inches high) are married to a single-speed transmission and can hit just over 13,000 rpm. The entire powertrain weighs just 309 pounds.
Mercedes-AMG
Those tiny motors, mated with the 106kWh battery, can pump out quite some power, though. The GT55 variant outputs a maximum of 805 hp and 1,328 lb-ft of torque, while the GT63 version produces 1,153 hp and 1,475 lb-ft of torque. That will power the GT63 from 0 to 60 mph in 2.0 seconds, beating Porsche’s 940 hp Taycan Turbo S by 0.3 seconds. Should you pine for a throaty ICE engine sound, the GT models can artificially emulate an AMG V8, including the gear changes.
The GT 4-Door users a new type of battery, developed in collaboration with the company’s Formula 1 program. It uses very long (four+ inch) cylindrical cells that allow for a high energy density of 298Wh/kg, along with long life and fast charging performance Mercedes-AMG said. It also has a non-conductive oil cooling system designed to keep the cells at uniform temperatures.
Operating at 800 volts and up to 800 amps, the GT 4-Door can charge at over 600 kW, which would take it from 10 to 80 percent full in 11 minutes. Mercedes-AMG says the GT55 and GT63 models (which both use the same capacity battery) are rated at 370 to 470 miles on Europe’s WLTP cycle, equating to over 300 miles of EPA range.
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Mercedes-AMG
To accommodate all that horsepower, the GT 4-Door has multilink front and rear suspensions, with the standard air suspension bolstered by electronic dampers and AMG’s Active Ride Control. For everyday driving, the car will be slowed mainly by regenerative braking, but during more sporty maneuvers, the 5,400 pound vehicle can be hauled to a stop with carbon-ceramic disc brakes in front and rear steel rotor discs in the rear.
Outside, the GT 4-Door has a curvy aerodynamic design with a 0.22 drag coefficient, featuring bulgy fenders, a panoramic glass roof and elegant strakes along the hood and side. It looks and is quite long, five inches more than the Taycan. Up front are running lights in the shape of Mercedes’ three-pointed star, along with a large grille which is mostly cosmetic but allows air to enter below, controlled by louvers, for battery cooling. The rear taillights (all six of them) also show Mercedes’ logo, just in case onlookers weren’t quite sure of the brand.
Mercedes-AMG
The sporty interior features bolstered seats and a large central screen, along with a dedicated front passenger display. The battery configuration, along with the length, allows for plenty of passenger space. The driver can choose from no less than seven drive modes, nine traction control settings and a warm-up feature alerts the driver when the tires and motors are at the ideal temperature. There’s even a panel that delivers stats on your racetrack performance.
The 2027 Mercedes-AMG GT55 4-Door Coupe will arrive later this year, while the higher-performance GT63 version will go on sale in 2027. Prices haven’t been revealed, but Porsche’s Taycan Turbo S can reach well over $200,000. Since the GT63 is likely to outperform it, you can guess it’ll be priced in that neighborhood as well.
Questyle isn’t aiming low with the new M18i MAX. At $349 USD, this flagship mobile DAC and headphone amplifier targets listeners who expect more than convenience-grade audio. We’re looking at you, discerning audiophiles, music professionals, and mobile hi-fi users who actually read the spec sheet before surrendering the credit card.
Yes, even the Audio Science Review crowd. Still chasing that last decimal point of SINAD while the rest of us are listening to music. At some point, you have to step away from the measurements, come upstairs, and admit that enjoyment isn’t a graph. Momma called. Your TV dinner is ready.
The M18i MAX pairs Questyle’s patented Current Mode amplification with dual ESS ES9219Q DACs, Snapdragon Sound, and support for both USB DAC operation and lossless Bluetooth via aptX HD, LDAC, and LE Audio; all in a compact, premium design built to their usual level of quality at the factory in Shenzhen.
That also puts it on a very different path than Schiit’s new Vestri — the $99 Norse dongle DAC that basically says, “we don’t play that Schiit.” No screen. No Bluetooth. No wireless codecs. Just a stripped-down, wired-only approach that leans hard into simplicity and price. And to be fair, at $99, that’s kind of the point.
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But in 2026, most people want options. Wired when it matters. Wireless when it’s convenient. High-quality codecs that don’t turn your library into sonic Bojangles. Questyle isn’t ignoring that reality — the M18i MAX is built around it.
What the Questyle M18i MAX Offers
The Questyle M18i MAX uses a dual ESS ES9219Q DAC architecture with Questyle’s TTA decoding design, paired with four groups of patented Current Mode amplification rated at an ultra-low 0.0002% THD+N. It supports both Bluetooth 5.4 and USB DAC operation, giving users the flexibility to listen wirelessly or plug in directly when maximum signal integrity matters. It supports up to 384kHz/32-bit PCM and DSD256, which should cover 99% of the music that you might own or stream at this juncture.
Wireless support includes Snapdragon Sound, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, LDAC, and LE Audio, which gives the M18i MAX broader codec support than many mobile DAC amps in this category. On the output side, it includes both 3.5mm single ended and 4.4mm balanced headphone connections, along with manual gain adjustment for better control with different IEMs and headphones.
Questyle also adds an intelligent battery management system with up to 12 hours of wireless playback, Apple MFi certification for smoother iPhone and iPad compatibility, an OLED display, and a premium CNC anodized aluminum chassis. In other words, this is not a bare bones dongle. It is a full featured portable DAC and headphone amplifier for listeners who want wired performance, wireless flexibility, and actual control in one pocketable device.
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Questyle M18i MAX vs. M18i: What Changed and What We Still Don’t Know
Based on the currently available information, the M18i MAX looks more like an evolution of the original Questyle M18i than a complete redesign. A lot of the core DNA appears intact: dual ESS ES9219Q DACs, Questyle’s Current Mode amplification, Bluetooth plus USB DAC operation, balanced and single ended outputs, OLED display, and the same general “dongle that refuses to behave like a dongle” philosophy.
What does appear different so far is the positioning and feature refinement. Questyle is clearly leaning harder into the “flagship mobile DAC and headphone amplifier” language this time around, and the M18i MAX seems designed to address some of the criticisms surrounding the original M18i.
The biggest potential improvement is battery life. The original M18i earned praise for its sound quality, but eCoustics Headphone Editor Will Jennings and some users noted the relatively small 500mAh battery and limited runtime. In heavier use, especially over LDAC or the balanced output, real world playback could drop to roughly three hours.
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The M18i MAX now claims up to 12 hours of wireless playback with a new intelligent battery management system. If that number holds up in real world use, that is not a small tweak. That changes the product from “desktop dongle with Bluetooth” into something people might actually use on flights longer than a Marvel movie.
Bluetooth support also seems more mature this time around. The original M18i already supported aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, and LE Audio, but the M18i MAX branding and Snapdragon Sound emphasis suggest Questyle may have refined stability, latency, or wireless performance further. What we do not know yet is whether wireless output power has improved. As our review noted, the original M18i delivered its strongest performance in wired mode.
Apple MFi certification for seamless iPhone and iPad compatibility
Size: 82 x 53 x 15 mm
Weight: 100g
There are still a lot of unanswered questions about the M18i MAX.
We do not yet know:
Actual output power ratings into common loads like 32Ω, 150Ω, or 300Ω
Whether wired mode performance has improved over the original
Whether battery bypass or battery protection features were added
If thermal performance changed
Whether Questyle added DSP, EQ, filters, or app support
If gaming console compatibility has improved
Whether the OLED interface offers more functionality or customization
Whether the Bluetooth antenna and reception performance were upgraded
If the MAX uses revised amplification modules or simply retuned existing CMA stages
And perhaps most importantly for the measurement crowd currently polishing their oscilloscopes in the basement: we do not know how much of the M18i MAX improvement is measurable versus audible. Questyle products have historically leaned into musicality, dynamics, and current mode implementation rather than chasing spec sheet theater alone. That tends to annoy people who listen to AP analyzer screenshots more than albums. Your dinner is getting cold.
The Bottom Line
The Questyle M18i MAX looks like a meaningful step forward because it keeps the original M18i formula intact while addressing the one issue that mattered most: battery life. What makes M18I MAX unique is the combination of wired DAC performance and serious wireless flexibility in one compact device. This is not a $99 plug in dongle with a very focused mission. The M18i MAX is for people who want one portable solution for laptops, phones, tablets, IEMs, and easier to drive headphones without giving up codec support or manual control.
What we still need to know matters. Questyle has not provided enough information yet on actual output power, thermal behavior, app support, EQ or filter options, wireless output performance, or whether the amplification section has been meaningfully revised beyond the original M18i. Until we test it, the “MAX” part remains a promise, not a verdict.
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This is for mobile audiophiles, music professionals, frequent travelers, and anyone who wants a premium pocket DAC amp that works both wired and wirelessly. It is not for buyers who only need a simple dongle, refuse Bluetooth, or want desktop class power in their pocket. The M18i MAX looks far more complete than the original, but Questyle still has to prove that the longer battery life and updated feature set translate into better real world use.
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