Sony’s Xperia 1 flagships have looked more or less the same since 2020, but that’s finally changing with the Xperia 1 VIII, which moves to a chunky square camera island. The phone also boasts what should be a substantially improved telephoto camera, along with an AI camera assistant that looks like an improved version of Google’s Camera Coach.
Technology
Sony’s new Xperia phone gets an overdue redesign
While every previous Xperia 1 phone has had three vertical cameras, and the last six have positioned them in the same top-left corner spot, the 1 VIII mixes things up. The three lenses are now laid out in a square block, together with the flash and a Sony logo, that’s raised from the phone but slopes towards its edge. It’s a little bit iPhone, but more closely resembles the design of some of Motorola’s recent Edge phones, though with an angularity that feels distinct to Sony. It’s the main part of an overdue design refresh, blowing fresh air into Sony’s slick, but now slightly stale, aesthetic. It’s a surprise too, not least because it doesn’t at all match the Xperia 10 VII, which also got a whole new look recently, but adopted a horizontal camera bar instead.
The Xperia 1 VIII is available in four colors: black, silver, red, and a gold that’s exclusive to Sony’s online store. There’s a subtle texturing to the camera island, the frosted glass back, and the aluminum edges, along with a knurled finish on the dedicated camera shutter button. Like previous Sony phones there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack too, plus a microSD slot and a combined IP65/68 resistance rating (this used to be the best around, though has since been bested by a number of IP68/69 phones).
1/3
The redesign may be overdue aesthetically, but it probably serves practical purpose too, allowing Sony to fit in a substantially larger sensor for the phone’s telephoto lens. The 1/1.56-inch-type sensor here is almost four times larger than the Xperia 1 VII’s, much bigger than either Apple or Samsung’s best, and close in size to those found in the Vivo X300 Ultra and Xiaomi 17 Ultra. With a relatively fast f/2.8 aperture and 48-megapixel resolution, this 70mm-equivalent lens could be one of the best telephotos around, so long as Sony nails the processing. The only downside is that to fit in the larger sensor, Sony has given up on the continuous optical zoom found on its last four flagships — just as Xiaomi has copied the feature in its own 17 Ultra.
The telephoto is joined by main and ultrawide cameras, both 48-megapixel and essentially unchanged from the previous phone. The camera system as a whole has been improved with a new RAW multi-frame processing pipeline, better bokeh, and updated macro shooting that’s been incorporated into the default camera mode and now supports autofocus too.
The other big camera upgrade is an AI camera assistant. When you’re preparing to take a photo, this will suggest different options for filters, framing, and which lens to use, together with more fine-tuned tweaks like brightening the photo’s subject, but not its background. The suggestions pop up before you take a photo, though Sony says you can turn the feature off entirely if you prefer. It seems much more powerful than the rather basic AI Camera Coach functionality on Google’s Pixel 10 phones, though I suspect many will prefer the fact that Google’s mode must be activated manually, while Sony’s appears to be on by default.
Sony has packed in a few other upgrades too. There are new full-stage stereo speakers, apparently tuned together with Sony Pictures and Sony Music, which are clearer and louder than before. The 5,000mAh battery and 30W charging are unchanged, though Sony says the phone will last an hour longer than before thanks to a few optimizations under the hood. It’s now powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and comes with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage (though only in the online-only gold finish). One big downside is that it will only receive four years of OS updates, and six of security patches, fewer than almost any other comparable flagship.
The Xperia 1 VIII starts from £1,399 / €1,499 (about $1,765) for the standard model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The 16GB / 1TB model is a punchy £1,849 / €1,999 ($2,355). The phone is available to order now in Europe and Asia, but Sony has no plans for a North American launch.
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Nearly a year after it was announced, Instagram says it’s delivering the ability to rearrange the posts in your profile grid. It had been available to some people in test groups, but as of June 8th, it’s rolling out widely via the Android and iPhone mobile apps.
Until now, the posts on your Instagram profile have been locked in chronological order beyond the ability to pin three posts at the top, but once the feature is live on your account, you can long-press and drag posts freely, no matter how old they are. Any posts that are pinned will remain at the top.
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A robot that follows you around the house may sound a little strange at first. Yet Colin Angle, the cofounder of iRobot and one of the people behind Roomba, is betting that the next big home robot may feel less like a machine and more like a companion.
His new company, Familiar Machines & Magic, has revealed its first robot concept called a Familiar. It is a pet-inspired, emotionally aware home robot designed to live with you, learn your routines and support healthier habits. “The next era of robotics is not just about dexterity or humanoid form. It is about machines that can build and sustain human connection,” Angle said.
That may sound great to some of you, and others not so much. Whatever your take, it raises some important questions too. Do you really want an AI-powered companion roaming around your home 24/7? Can a robot provide comfort without creating dependency? And will privacy hold up when a device can see, hear and remember what happens around you? Let’s take a closer look.
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AI HUMANOID ROBOT LEARNS TO MIMIC HUMAN EMOTIONS AND BEHAVIOR
Familiar Machines & Magic has revealed Familiar, an AI-powered home robot concept designed to learn routines and respond to human emotions. (Familiar Machines & Magic)
What is the Familiar AI robot pet?
A Familiar is a physically embodied AI robot built for human interaction. Unlike a chatbot on your phone, this robot has a body. It can move, react and express itself through animal-inspired behaviors.
The first version is a four-legged robot with a soft, touch-sensitive coat. It uses cameras, microphones, speakers and onboard AI to respond to people in real time. The company says it can read facial expressions, tone of voice and body language.
So, if you smile, it may tilt its head. If you seem stressed, it may nuzzle you. If you get excited, it may wiggle its tail. The goal is to build a warm presence that feels natural in your home. Familiar Machines & Magic says the robot is designed to support people through daily life rather than perform one simple task.
Why this AI robot pet feels more like a companion
Most home robots have focused on chores. Roomba vacuumed your floors. Other robots promised security patrols, video calls or entertainment. Familiar is doing something different. It is built to support your daily routines and respond to how you are feeling.
The company describes it as a companion that can encourage better habits. For example, it may notice that you have been doomscrolling and give you a gentle nudge. It could encourage movement, help engage kids in screen-free play or offer a non-judgmental presence when you need to vent. That makes the robot feel more like a pet than a device. Still, the company says it is meant to supplement your life, not replace people or real animals.
A WHEELED ROBOT MAY BEAT HUMANOIDS INTO YOUR HOME
How the Familiar AI robot learns your routines
The Familiar is designed to build memory over time. The more you interact with it, the more distinct its personality may become. That could mean it learns when your household eats dinner, when you usually relax or when you tend to fall into habits you want to break. Then it can react in small physical ways.
Instead of barking orders, it may use movement, sound and expression. A paw tap could remind you to move. A gentle approach could signal that it wants attention. A scared reaction could warn you if it senses an unsafe situation, such as being placed near heat.
This is where the idea gets interesting. The robot does not need to speak to communicate. In fact, Familiar Machines & Magic says the first Familiar currently does not talk. That restraint may be smart. A robot that acts through gestures may feel less intrusive than one that constantly chats.
The Familiar robot concept uses cameras, microphones, speakers and onboard AI to respond to facial expressions, tone of voice and body language. (Familiar Machines & Magic)
Why the Roomba creator’s new robot stands out
Colin Angle helped turn consumer robotics into a real business with iRobot. That gives this project extra weight because many social robots have come and gone without lasting success.
Robots such as Jibo, Anki’s Vector and other home companions generated excitement, but many struggled to keep people engaged after the novelty wore off.
Familiar Machines & Magic seems aware of that challenge. The company says the robot must build a long-term connection rather than offer a flashy demo. In other words, cuteness alone will not carry it. A Familiar has to keep earning its place in your home.
HOME ROBOT COOKS, CLEANS AND ORGANIZES YOUR LIFE
How Familiar handles privacy inside your home
A robot that sees and hears what happens inside your home naturally raises privacy questions. Familiar Machines & Magic says its AI runs on the device, so your private data does not need to stream constantly to the cloud.
The company also says data is stored on the robot, and you decide when it gets shared with the cloud. The robot should still work if you disconnect it from the internet, although you may miss out on new features.
That is the kind of privacy setup you want to see with a home robot. Still, you should read the fine print before bringing one into your house. Look for clear answers on what it records, how long it keeps that data, who can access it and how you can delete it.
Why AI robot pets could appeal to families and older adults
A Familiar could make sense for people who want a little extra support at home without adding another screen to the mix. Parents may use it to help pull kids into screen-free play. Someone living alone could feel a little more company in the house. Older adults may eventually get help with reminders, routines and companionship.
That last part could be where this type of robot really proves itself. It could gently encourage daily habits, check in through movement and sound and stay out of the way when needed. For homes where people want support without feeling watched or managed, that balance could make a real difference.
NEW MOBILE ROBOT HELPS SENIORS WALK SAFELY AND PREVENT FALLS
Colin Angle, cofounder of iRobot and one of the creators behind Roomba, is betting home robots could become companions rather than chore machines. (Familiar Machines & Magic)
When will the Familiar AI robot be available and what will it cost?
Familiar Machines & Magic has not announced a price or release date yet. The company also says this reveal isn’t a commercial product launch.
So, for now, this is more of a first look at where the company is headed. The real test will come when people can actually bring one home. Can it move safely around a busy house? Will people still use it after the first week? Will the privacy controls be clear enough? And will the price make sense for families?
Those are the questions that will determine whether Familiar becomes something people truly want in their homes, or something that looks great in a demo but never becomes part of our daily lives.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Familiar is one of the more interesting home robot ideas we have seen in years because it moves beyond chores and into emotional support. That is exciting, but it is also a much harder promise to keep. The Roomba connection gives this project credibility, especially since Colin Angle knows how difficult it is to make robots useful in real homes. Still, Familiar Machines & Magic has to prove this robot can stay helpful after the novelty wears off. If the company can balance usefulness, privacy, safety and emotional connection, Familiar could point to a new future for AI at home.
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Would you want an emotionally aware AI robot in your home, or would you rather keep that kind of technology out of your personal space? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Apple’s big developer conference is today, and protesters are using the occasion to call on the company to remove “nudify apps” from the App Store and pull “known” child sexual abuse material from iCloud.
Outside the visitors center at Apple’s Cupertino campus, protesters have put up a large sign saying “Apple is powered by child sexual abuse” and asking incoming CEO John Ternus, “What will you do?” The protesters come from UltraViolet, a women’s advocacy group, and Heat Initiative, a group that aims to “hold tech companies accountable for enabling and profiting from child sexual abuse.”
Apple and Google came under significant scrutiny earlier this year for continuing to keep apps like xAI’s Grok on their app stores even though users were able to make nonconsensual sexualized deepfakes. In pamphlets distributed at the protest, the organizations say that “at least 47 nudify apps have been found on Apple’s App Store” and that “Apple has made an estimated $117 million minimum from nudify apps,” including “an estimated $35+ million from Grok alone,” citing data from the Tech Transparency Project. UltraViolet also has a website dedicated to its protest today.
Apple previously scrapped plans to scan photos saved to iCloud for child sexual abuse imagery over privacy concerns.
Apple didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.
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