Mobile
Google launches a Gemini app for iPad
Google is once again crossing the great divide between rival tech giants, at least with artificial intelligence. The company has launched a dedicated iPad app for its Gemini AI assistant. In addition to natively running on Apple hardware, Gemini's iPad app can take advantage of the tablet's split view, so that the AI assistant is open on the screen at the same time as another program for easier use. The app is available today from the App Store in all countries where Gemini is currently available. Gemini has been a huge focus for Google's recent announcements as it works to put its service in front of more and more potential users. The company recently introduced a program for children to explore the AI assistant and it opened the Deep Research capability to all Gemini users.
Google I/O 2025: What to expect over the next two weeks on Android 16, Android XR and Gemini
In about two weeks, Google's annual developer conference will kick off on May 20. The event is probably the most important on the company's calendar, offering a glimpse at everything it has been working on over the past year. Judging from rumors and information Google has trickled out, I/O 2025 should be one of the more exciting tech keynotes in recent memory. Plus, for the first time, Google has spun out a dedicated Android showcase planned a whole week earlier. If you want to know what to expect from the company later this month, read on.
Google launches a movie production initiative for an anti-Black Mirror take on tech
Last month, the new season of the dystopian sci-fi series Black Mirror was released on Netflix to critical acclaim. However, while most viewers enjoyed Season 7, a few social media posts went viral wondering what a show with an optimistic view on tech would look like. Well, we just might soon find out. Google has recently launched a new movie and TV show initiative called "100 Zeroes," according to a report from Business Insider. Google is partnering with Range Media Partners, the production company behind films such as A Complete Unknown and Longlegs for the initiative.
How to get real-time translations on your phone
Mobile translation apps have improved substantially in recent years--with a little help on speech recognition from AI. Most apps can now keep up with real-time conversations, if your phone has a strong enough internet connection (so the audio can be processed and converted in the cloud). It means if you're trying to hold a conversation with someone in a language you don't know, you no longer need to spend time typing out words and phrases, or trying to figure out spellings and pronunciations. Instead, simply place your phone between you and the other person, and start chatting. There are several apps that can do this for you, but here we'll focus on the free translation apps on your Pixel phone, Galaxy phone, or iPhone.
I visited Apple's secret testing labs - here's what REALLY happens behind-the-scenes at the Cork campus
Apple is best known for its futuristic, spaceship-like headquarters in Cupertino, California. But what many people don't know is that the tech giant also has a huge campus in Ireland. Apple's Cork campus opened its doors in 1980 with a single manufacturing facility and just 60 employees. Fast-forward to today, the site is home to more than 6,000 employees, and serves as Apple's European headquarters. The tech giant is usually extremely private about what happens behind closed doors.
The Shokz OpenDots One earbuds offer impressive sound in a chic clip-on design
Shokz has crept up the wireless audio ranks to become a trendsetter in the sporty earbuds category. Releases like the OpenFit 2 and OpenFit Air were complementary pieces to the brand's excellent bone-conduction headphones. Now, it's taking a page out of Anker's and Bose's playbooks by transitioning into the clip-on earbuds game with the recently launched OpenDots One. These awesome-looking earpieces are built for outdoor runners who want to enjoy music with the full openness of their environment. The OpenDots One clearly find inspiration from the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, adopting the same earring cuff-like appearance.
Google I/O 2025: What to expect from Android 16, Android XR and Gemini
In a couple of weeks, Google's annual developer conference will kick off on May 20. The event is probably the most important on the company's calendar, offering a glimpse at everything it has been working on over the past year. Judging from rumors and information Google has trickled out, I/O 2025 should be one of the more exciting tech keynotes in recent memory. Plus, this year Google has a dedicated Android showcase planned a whole week earlier. If you want to know what to expect from the company later this month, read on.
Google's best AI research tool is getting its own app - preorder it now
Google is about to make it a lot easier to do research on the go. On May 20, it will officially launch native NotebookLM apps on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and you can register now to have them automatically downloaded to your device. NotebookLM is Google's AI "research assistant" that debuted as a web browser-based service last year. It's often described as a smart notebook -- one where you can dump PDFs, articles, YouTube links, plain text, Google Docs or Slides, and so on, and then ask the AI to summarize key points, answer questions, or even turn your source material into a mini podcast. Also: Google's viral AI podcast tool can chat in over 50 languages now and it aced my Spanish test NotebookLM is powered by the latest Gemini models.
Engadget Podcast: Meta's first LlamaCon was kind of a bust
This week Meta held its first-ever AI dev conference, LlamaCon, focused on the development of its Llama generative AI model. But while there was plenty of hype, not much happened, besides the launch of the Meta AI app and a new Llama API. In this episode, Engadget Senior Reporter Karissa Bell joins us to talk about her thoughts on LlamaCon after attending in person. After just announcing its latest Llama models a few weeks ago, it was as if Meta didn't have much else to say. Meta's Muted LlamaCon: who was the AI dev conference really for? NPR report: DOGE employees may have access to U.S. nuclear secrets – 26:44
The Morning After: Microsoft's Xbox price increases
Microsoft is dramatically increasing the price of the Xbox Series X and Series S as well as new games and accessories. The Series S will start at 380, up from 300, while the Series X will begin at 550, a 100 increase on its previous price. The company is also increasing the prices of pretty much all its first-party products and peripherals. A basic controller will now cost 65. Microsoft is also increasing pricing in Europe, UK, Australia and many other countries.