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Gemini for Google Home: AI replaces Google Assistant on speakers, displays and in the app Google is integrating Gemini into its smart-home ecosystem, gradually replacing Google Assistant on compatible speakers, displays and within the Google Home app. The move is intended to provide more natural, conversational control of devices and smarter household coordination. What Gemini for Home does Natural-language control: Control devices using everyday language without memorizing specific commands. Household task coordination: Coordinate routines and tasks across multiple devices (e.g., set up morning routines, manage chores). Conversational follow-ups: Gemini supports follow-up questions in a single conversation, making interactions more fluid. Subscription and advanced features Some advanced capabilities are tied to Google Home Premium (which replaces Nest Aware). That subscription may enable features like expanded device support, extended camera video history…

Microsoft 365 Premium — unconfirmed reports and what we know Summary: Multiple reports claim Microsoft will launch a new "Microsoft 365 Premium" plan at $20/month bundling the full Office apps, 1TB OneDrive and access to OpenAI models (GPT‑5, 4o) plus AI agents (Actions, Researcher, Analyst). These reports are currently unconfirmed by Microsoft. Key points Price reported: $20/month (same as ChatGPT Plus). Included: Office apps, 1TB OneDrive, access to OpenAI models (GPT‑5, 4o) and AI agents; early access to new AI features. No access to OpenAI custom GPTs or Sora video generation reportedly. Potential impact: Would make standalone Copilot Pro redundant for users on cheaper Microsoft 365 plans who’d otherwise pay an extra $20/month for higher AI usage limits. Unconfirmed items: Microsoft has not officially announced this plan or confirmed access…

Anker Intelligence: Soundcore App v4.0 adds “Anka” AI assistant with real-time translation Anker has updated its Soundcore app to version 4.0 and introduced “Anka,” an integrated AI assistant that brings voice control and real-time translation to compatible Soundcore earbuds. What’s new Built-in AI assistant (“Anka”) — voice-activated help and Q&A within the app and on supported earbuds. Real-time translation — two-way live translations for conversations, supporting many languages and played through earbuds or the phone. Redesigned app interface and expanded device management features. Supported devices Anker’s announcement highlights new AI-capable earbuds (for example, the Soundcore AeroFit 2 AI Assistant series). Availability varies by model and region — check the product listing for details. Where to get the app Download the Soundcore app here: Soundcore on the App Store Soundcore on…

Microsoft rebrands Game Pass — Ultimate now $30/month Microsoft has rebranded Xbox Game Pass into three tiers — Essential, Premium and Ultimate — and raised prices for the high-end plan. Here’s what changed and what it means for players. Key changes Game Pass Ultimate: $29.99/month (was $19.99–$20), a 50% increase. No annual/quarterly option announced; annual cost now ~$360. PC Game Pass: Raised to $16.50/month. New tier names: Standard → Premium ($14.99/mo), Core → Essential ($9.99/mo). Premium & Essential now include PC games. Added content: Ubisoft+ is included in Ultimate (adds +45 games today, many Assassin's Creed & Far Cry titles). Fortnite Crew joins Ultimate on Nov 18 (battle pass + 1,000 V‑Bucks monthly). Day‑one games: Ultimate members will have access to 75+ day‑one releases per year across console, PC and…

October Prime Day — Early Deals & Top Picks October Prime Day is on the horizon. If you have an Amazon Prime membership ($139/year), now’s a great time to grab early, Prime-exclusive discounts on tech and home essentials. Below are top early deals and where to find them on Amazon (affiliate search links included). Top Early Picks Apple MagSafe charger (25W, 2m) — Qi2.2-compatible MagSafe puck with a long 2m cable for flexible use. Find it on Amazon: Apple MagSafe charger (search) Blink Mini 2 (2-pack) — Compact indoor camera for pet/entry monitoring. Search on Amazon: Blink Mini 2 2‑pack (search) Shark AI robot vacuum (self-empty base) — Strong suction, home mapping and self-emptying base. Search on Amazon: Shark AI robot vacuum (search) Apple Mac mini (M4) — Compact desktop…

Meta to Use AI Chatbot Conversations for Ad Targeting Meta announced it will start using conversations people have with its AI chatbots to personalize content and ads across Facebook and Instagram. The change goes into effect on December 16, and Meta will begin sending in-product notifications and emails starting October 7. The company says the rollout will cover "most regions" but will initially exclude the European Union and South Korea. Meta gave an example: if you chat about hiking with a bot, you may then see recommendations for hiking groups, posts from friends about trails, or ads for hiking boots. According to reporting, there will be no way to opt out — if you interact with a Meta chatbot, that conversation can be used to inform ad personalization. Meta also…

Microsoft raises Game Pass Ultimate to $30/month — what it means for Xbox fans Microsoft has rebranded Game Pass tiers and announced significant price changes. The headline: Game Pass Ultimate now costs $30/month (a 50% rise from $20). PC Game Pass also rises to $16.50/month. Meanwhile, the new tier names are Essential ($10/mo) and Premium ($15/mo). What's included with the higher price? Ubisoft+ is added to Ultimate, bringing 45+ Ubisoft titles (Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, etc.). Fortnite Crew joins Ultimate on Nov 18 (battle pass + 1,000 V-Bucks/month). Over 75 day-one games available per year for Ultimate members (~6/month on average). Xbox Cloud Gaming exits beta with higher-quality streaming for Ultimate. Ultimate library now exceeds 400 games, including EA Play titles. Earn up to $100 in rewards per year by…

Microsoft Rebrands Game Pass — Ultimate Now $29.99/mo Microsoft announced a major overhaul of Xbox Game Pass on October 1, 2025: the service now has three rebranded tiers (Essential, Premium, Ultimate) and Game Pass Ultimate has increased to $29.99 per month (up from $20). That’s a steep rise and comes amid other Xbox price adjustments and new hardware announcements. What’s included in Ultimate now Ubisoft+ added to Game Pass Ultimate (adds many Ubisoft titles). Fortnite Crew will be included for Ultimate members starting Nov 18 (monthly battle pass + 1,000 V‑Bucks and perks). More than 45 games added immediately to Ultimate, plus an expanded library of 400+ games. Access to 75+ day‑one games per year across Xbox, PC and cloud (average 6/month). Xbox Cloud Gaming out of beta with Microsoft’s…

Alienware 16 Area‑51 — flagship gaming mothership (summary) Summary of the Alienware 16 Area‑51 review: Alienware returns to a desktop‑replacement form factor with a bold Liquid Teal finish, spaceship‑inspired design, strong cooling (Cryo Chamber), and class‑leading performance. This is a heavy, power‑hungry gaming laptop aimed at users who prioritize raw performance and style over portability. Design Distinctive Liquid Teal finish that shifts color with light. Mechanical keyboard with deep travel, RGB lighting, up‑firing speakers and visible internal window (Cryo Chamber) that improves thermals. Heavy at ~7.5 lb; most ports are rear‑facing (three USB‑A, two USB‑C, HDMI 2.1); microSD and 3.5mm on the left. Display 16" 2560×1600 LCD, 240Hz, G‑Sync, 500 nits, matte finish — bright and fast. Reviewer wished for more options (4K/OLED or higher refresh for competitive players). Performance…

Anker Prime charging lineup on sale — quick roundup Anker's new Prime charging devices are on sale with clip-on coupons. Highlights: Prime Power Bank (26,250mAh, 300W) — $184 (20% off with on-page coupon). Key specs: 26,250mAh (99.75Wh, TSA-approved), up to 300W total output across 2× USB-C + 1× USB-A, 140W per-port peak (with 5A cable) for fast laptop/phone charging, up to 250W input when charging via both USB-C ports simultaneously (50% recharge in ~13 minutes). More: Search on Amazon. Prime 3-in-1 MagSafe charger (Qi2 25W) — $184 (20% off with coupon). Wireless charges iPhone + Apple Watch + AirPods simultaneously, supports Qi2 25W and includes TEC active cooling. More: Search on Amazon. Prime GaN 3-port charger (up to 160W) — $120 (20% off with coupon). Compact GaN wall charger with…