Author: alex

Google Translate introduces Gemini-assisted "Advanced" translations Google has started rolling out a new Translate feature that lets users choose between two AI models: "Fast" for speed and "Advanced" for higher accuracy powered by Gemini. The option appears as a model picker at the top of the app and has surfaced for some iOS users so far. As of the initial rollout, the Advanced mode supports translations between English and French and between English and Spanish. Google says Fast "optimizes for speed and efficiency," while Advanced "specializes in accuracy using Gemini," trading some responsiveness for better, more contextual results. Real-world difference In practical testing, Advanced produced noticeably better, context-aware translations. For example, a passage from Molière’s Le Misanthrope produced a clunky, nearly literal result in Fast mode but a more accurate,…

Waymo expands robotaxi service to Las Vegas, Detroit and San Diego — London next spring Waymo has announced it will expand its robotaxi services to three new U.S. cities: Las Vegas, Detroit and San Diego. The company will start mapping and testing in Detroit before opening rides to the public, plans to begin San Diego service next year, and will include the Las Vegas Strip in its initial coverage with an eventual airport expansion. Existing Waymo cities include Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco, Atlanta and Austin, with recent additions like Miami and Washington, D.C. Waymo has also signaled international ambitions, targeting a London launch next spring — enabled by the UK’s Automated Vehicles Act of 2024. Why this matters Expanding to major metros — including tourist hubs like Las Vegas…

TikTok launches its first US awards show — TikTok Awards set for Dec 18 TikTok has announced its first-ever awards show in the United States: the TikTok Awards will take place on December 18 at 9PM ET at the Hollywood Palladium. The event will be livestreamed on TikTok, with Tubi scheduled to stream the ceremony the following day. Nominees cover creator-focused categories such as Creator of the Year, Video of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Muse of the Year. Most nominees are influencers and short-form creators; public voting will open on November 18 via a voting portal inside the TikTok app. Key details Date & time: December 18, 9PM ET (Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles) How to watch: Live on TikTok; Tubi will stream the event the next…

Playdate Update: Nov 6 showcase, Season 2 sale and console restock Panic will host a Playdate Update showcase on November 6 at 1PM ET, streaming on the company’s YouTube channel and website. The event will preview upcoming games for the tiny yellow handheld and highlight titles included in the Playdate Catalog Fall Sale, running through November 13 at 1PM ET. One headline item: Playdate Season 2 — a season of weekly game drops featuring creators like Subset Games — is on sale for $31 (down from $39) and has sold more than 15,000 units so far. Season 2 includes games such as Fulcrum Defender, puzzle platformer Taria & Como, roguelike CatchaDiablos and the eccentric cable TV simulator Blippo+. What to expect at the showcase Previews of new and upcoming Playdate…

Apple may run the next Siri on a custom Google Gemini model Recent reports claim Apple has asked Google to build a specially adapted version of its Gemini AI to power the next major Siri update. If confirmed, the move would represent an unusual partnership: Apple relying on a Google‑developed model for a core assistant feature rather than using only Apple‑built AI. Details are sparse. Key unknowns include where the model will run (on‑device vs. cloud), whether Apple or Google will host inference, and how Apple plans to handle user data and privacy for assistant interactions. Why this would matter Performance: Gemini’s advanced language and generative capabilities could significantly boost Siri’s conversational and reasoning skills. Privacy implications: On‑device inference differs from cloud calls to third‑party infrastructure—users and regulators will want…

Apple may use a custom Google Gemini model to power the next Siri New reports suggest Apple has commissioned Google to develop a specially adapted version of its Gemini AI to serve as the underlying model for the forthcoming version of Siri. If accurate, the move would mark a surprising vendor collaboration: Apple would be running parts of Siri on a Google‑developed model rather than an Apple‑built system. The report indicates the customized Gemini variant would be tailored to Apple’s requirements and integrated into Siri’s stack. Details remain limited — notably whether the model will run on Apple devices locally, on Apple servers, or rely on Google’s infrastructure for inference. Key implications Performance & features: A Gemini‑based Siri could deliver substantial gains in language understanding and generative capabilities compared with…

eufyCam S4 now available: Dual‑module camera offers 360° overview plus precision tracking eufy’s top‑end camera, the eufyCam S4, is officially on sale after its IFA reveal. The S4 combines two camera modules in a single unit to provide both a wide‑angle panoramic view and focused tracking of individual objects — aiming to give homeowners broad coverage without sacrificing detail where it matters. The device targets users who want a mix of overview and targeted monitoring: a 360‑degree‑style sweep to spot activity across a yard, plus the ability to zoom or track specific people or vehicles. eufy announced the S4 at IFA and has now made it regularly available in retailers. Key features (what we know) Dual camera modules in one device for combined wide coverage and precise tracking. Designed for…

Affinity bundles Photo, Designer and Publisher into one free macOS app Affinity has combined its formerly separate creative apps — Affinity Photo, Affinity Designer and Affinity Publisher — into a single macOS application and is offering it free to download. The unified package is roughly 4 GB and aims to simplify workflows for designers, photographers and layout artists who used multiple Affinity apps. The consolidation means you get tools for raster editing, vector design and page layout in one place without switching apps. That can speed up project workflows, reduce app management and make it easier to keep presets and assets consistent across tasks. Why this matters Unified workflow: Designers and creators who move between photo editing, vector work and publishing will appreciate a single app that covers all tasks.…

SpaceX to build satellites for proposed ‘Golden Dome’—$2B Pentagon contract reported The Pentagon is reportedly set to award SpaceX a roughly $2 billion contract to develop up to 600 satellites capable of tracking missiles and aircraft as part of President Trump's proposed “Golden Dome” anti‑missile project, according to reports. The Golden Dome concept, announced in May, aims to create an anti‑missile defense that intercepts threats before they reach their targets—an approach reminiscent of Israel’s Iron Dome. Concrete technical and operational details from the Pentagon remain limited, and $2 billion could represent only a portion of total spending across multiple contractors. What SpaceX’s role would include Developing and deploying satellite hardware to support missile and aircraft detection and tracking. Potentially integrating capabilities into Starlink’s broader network to support military communications and…

Meta secures nearly 1GW of solar to power AI data centers Major AI infrastructure players are increasingly turning to renewables as compute demand climbs. This week Meta announced agreements for nearly 1 gigawatt of solar capacity to help power its growing AI data centers — a sign that tech firms are starting to address the real energy costs of large‑scale model training and deployment. Industry data show U.S. data‑center electricity consumption has more than doubled since 2018 and now accounts for roughly 4% of national generation, with some projections suggesting that AI growth could push that share substantially higher by 2028. Public concern is rising: surveys indicate many consumers worry AI’s energy use could raise utility bills. Key takeaways Meta’s solar deals: Nearly 1GW of new solar capacity contracted to…