iOS 26.1 could arrive this week with a toggle to reduce the Liquid Glass effect Apple appears to be preparing iOS 26.1 with a new option to tone down the controversial "Liquid Glass" visual redesign. The update is expected to roll out as early as Monday, with a developer beta for iOS 26.2 following shortly after. The change aims to address users' concerns about readability and animation lag. Liquid Glass, unveiled at WWDC 2025, introduced a translucent, animated UI that some users criticized for making text harder to read and adding noticeable motion. In response, Apple has added a toggle (already present in the iOS 26.1 fourth beta) that reduces the effect by applying a tinted setting, improving legibility while keeping the visual style. What to expect in iOS 26.1…

Google TV Streamer 4K drops to a record-low $75 — our top pick on sale One of the best all‑in‑one streaming devices, the Google TV Streamer 4K, is on sale for $75 (down from $100) — a new low. The device offers a snappy interface, solid hardware and deep Google Home integration, making it a strong choice if you want a simple, capable streamer for your TV. The Streamer uses a faster processor (Google says ~22% faster than the previous model), and ships with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of local storage. It comes in two colors (White and Haze) and includes a small remote you can locate by pinging the streamer. Note: an HDMI cable is not included, so factor that into your purchase if you don’t already have…

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold drops to $1,499 — first major discount on the new foldable The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, released in late August, has its first notable price cut: the 256GB model is down to $1,499 from $1,799. Best Buy and Amazon are both listing the discount, and Google’s 512GB and 1TB models are also showing $300 off. Our review awarded the Pixel 10 Pro Fold an 88 for its durability, camera system and software improvements. The foldable now comes with an IP68 rating, improved multitasking, and Pixel Snap charging. If you’ve been waiting for a price break on a premium foldable, this is the earliest big markdown we’ve seen. Key details Price: $1,499 (256GB) — down from $1,799; 512GB and 1TB models also $300 off. Availability:…

Dyson early Black Friday sale: big discounts on V9 Motorbar, V11 Extra and 360 Vis Nav Dyson has launched an early Black Friday sale on several vacuums and related products. Standout offers include the Dyson V9 Motorbar cordless vacuum for $270 (more than 50% off), the V11 Extra for $400, and the 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum for $500 — all notable markdowns ahead of the holiday rush. These models represent different use cases: the V9 Motorbar is a versatile, compact cordless designed to clean multiple floor types and tight spaces; the V11 Extra steps up suction and battery life for larger homes; and the 360 Vis Nav is Dyson’s high‑suction robot vacuum for hands‑off cleaning. Featured deals Dyson V9 Motorbar — $270: Cordless stick, good suction across floors, up…

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…