Today's Consumer Tech Pulse
Apple integrates distilled Gemini AI into Siri, boosting on-device processing
Apple is embedding a distilled version of Google’s Gemini model into Siri, enabling the iPhone’s Neural Engine and custom silicon to handle simpler queries locally while offloading heavier AI workloads to the cloud. The initiative also brings Nvidia’s Confidential Computing platform to encrypt user data during cloud processing.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Airbnb leads $58M Series C in travel startup WeRoad
Garmin's Coveted Beginner Running Watch Unexpectedly Falls to Its Lowest Ever Price
Garmin’s entry‑level Forerunner 55 is now selling for about $138 on Amazon, a 39% discount that brings the price down to its lowest point ever recorded. The price cut trims the original $229 tag by roughly $90, making the GPS‑enabled watch with two‑week battery life exceptionally affordable for new runners. The model still offers Garmin Coach adaptive training plans, PacePro pacing and recovery insights, features usually found on higher‑priced devices. Demand is expected to surge, as the watch sold out quickly when it previously dropped to $152 last year.
IRobot Unveils Eight New Roomba Models After Picea Acquisition, Prices $291‑$1,016
iRobot announced eight new Roomba robot vacuums following its bankruptcy filing and acquisition by Picea. The lineup, priced between $291 and $1,016 in the U.K., promises up to 25% smaller dimensions, 9 cm clearance capability, and AI‑enhanced navigation. The launch signals...
Is It Safe to Wear Earbuds While Sleeping?
Doctors say wearing earbuds while sleeping is generally safe, but the sealed design can trap moisture, promote bacterial growth, and cause ear‑wax buildup or skin irritation. Studies on healthcare workers show modest sleep‑quality gains, yet prolonged, all‑night use may increase...
ZenoRadio Grows With New In-Car Access
Zeno Media has added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support to its ZenoRadio app, enabling users to stream global radio stations directly from car dashboards. The update also introduces a “call‑to‑listen” feature that lets listeners dial a phone number to...
Samsung Brings OneUI 8.5 Update to Older Galaxy Devices Globally: Check if Your Device on the List
Samsung has begun rolling out its One UI 8.5 update to both the latest Galaxy S25 lineup and a range of older Galaxy devices worldwide. The update, built on Android 16, adds stronger anti‑theft controls, AI‑enhanced Photo Assist, an upgraded Bixby powered...
Your iPhone-to-Android Texts Are Now Encrypted by Default
Google and Apple announced that end‑to‑end encrypted RCS messaging is now rolling out in beta for iPhone users on iOS 26.5 and Android users with the latest Google Messages. The encryption is enabled by default and displays a lock icon in the...
Samsung Officially Brings Refurbished Phones with Warranty to India
Samsung India has introduced the Certified Re‑Newed program, offering refurbished Galaxy smartphones with a one‑year manufacturer warranty. Prices start around $280 for the Galaxy A36 5G and go up to $1,175 for the flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G, a modest...
WHERE IS MY TRUMP PHONE?!
Last summer the Trump family launched a $500 gold smartphone campaign, collecting $100 non‑refundable deposits from more than 600,000 supporters, raising roughly $60 million. The phones have not been produced and refunds are denied, with fine‑print language shielding the family from...
Pixel 10 Pro Fold Nears Perfection with Smooth Software
Quick hands on with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold Google is not far from creating a "perfect" foldable. Software is smooth and the phone feels nice in the hand Display, battery and performance improvements should make it a great foldable...
Clearest Look yet at Sony’s The Collexion Headphones
We've been reporting on Sony's The Collexion headphones, and this is the clearest look at them so far. https://t.co/0BXewywYrj
Microsoft PowerToys Now Lets You Control Your Monitor From the Taskbar - Here's How
Microsoft released PowerToys version 0.99.1, introducing Power Display—a task‑bar tool that lets users adjust monitor brightness, contrast, color temperature and other settings without leaving Windows. The update also adds Grab And Move, enabling users to relocate or resize any window by holding Alt...
LUX Wants Women to Hold Their Heads High, Literally
LUX has introduced a free web‑based tool called “Chin Up” that uses a phone’s built‑in motion sensors to detect when users tilt their devices below a 90‑degree angle, prompting them to straighten their posture. The tool runs in a browser...
5 Modular and Repairable Phones Worth Watching in 2026
The EU’s new repairability scoring system is forcing smartphone makers to prioritize modular design, and five phones now stand out in 2026. Fairphone 6 leads with five replaceable modules, a five‑year warranty and seven‑year Android updates. HMD’s Skyline and Fusion bring...
Deal of the Week: Share Photos From Anywhere With This Pocket-Size Satellite Communicator
Garmin has launched the inReach Messenger Plus, a pocket‑size satellite communicator that now supports photo and voice messages through a paired smartphone. The new model expands text capacity from 160 to 1,600 characters and adds a 4‑gram weight increase over...
Hisense Launches FIFA World Cup 2026 TV Campaign Showcasing RGB MiniLED Smart‑TVs
Hisense announced a global TV commercial tied to the FIFA World Cup 2026, using the campaign to spotlight its RGB MiniLED smart‑TV technology and its role as the official VAR Review TV provider. The move aims to translate the tournament’s...
Discord Nitro Bundles Xbox Game Pass Starter Edition, 50+ Games
Discord and Xbox have launched a joint subscription tier that adds a starter edition of Xbox Game Pass to Discord Nitro. The bundle gives Nitro subscribers access to more than 50 downloadable games and 10 hours of cloud gaming each...
Windows Central Podcast: How Does Windows K2 Impact the Next Xbox?
Microsoft’s gaming division rebranded to Xbox, with a leadership overhaul led by Asha Sharma. The company unveiled Project K2, a Windows 11 overhaul that introduces a WinUI 3 Run box, indefinite update pauses, and a low‑latency profile claimed to speed app launches by...
590,000 Dummies Gave Trump a $100 Deposit for an American Made Phone. Guess What? No Phone
Nearly 600,000 Trump supporters placed $100 deposits for a promised gold‑trimmed smartphone, only to discover the device will never be produced. The Trump Mobile website clarified that a deposit does not create a contract, guarantee inventory, or assure delivery, effectively...
The Sideload 033: You (Probably) Can’t Buy the Best Smartphone Cameras
Episode 33 of 9to5Google’s Sideload podcast features Phandroid editor Nick Gray discussing Oppo’s Find X9 Ultra and Vivo’s X300 Ultra. The two phones deliver flagship‑level camera performance—200 MP sensor, large aperture, dual‑pixel autofocus, and per‑pixel HDR—yet are not sold in the United States. Gray...
Latest Google Home Update Speeds up Gemini, ‘Ask Home’ Now Works with Voice Commands
Google rolled out a new Google Home update that accelerates Gemini’s voice processing, making timers and alarms noticeably quicker. The update extends Gemini’s “Ask Home” feature to voice commands, letting users ask contextual questions like the location of a family...
(Podcast) Upgrade 615: But in Citrus!
The Upgrade 615 podcast revisits Apple’s Ultra and Neo branding, debates the company’s evolving processor manufacturing strategy, and speculates on a niche for AirPods with built‑in cameras. The hosts argue that Ultra and Neo labels create a tiered performance hierarchy...
Apple's Next Vision Pro Headset Is Reportedly Years Away
Apple’s next Vision Pro headset is unlikely to appear until at least 2028, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The company will keep supporting the current model while it shifts R&D toward an AI‑powered pendant, camera‑enabled AirPods, and eventually standalone AR glasses....
Dyson V15 Detect Review: This Cordless Vacuum Delivers Exceptional Power Alongside Useful Features
Dyson’s V15 Detect remains the benchmark for premium cordless stick vacuums, offering a green laser that highlights hidden dust and 230 air‑watts of suction comparable to corded models. The unit converts to a handheld tool and includes a pet‑hair attachment, making...
Ugreen's iDX6011 Pro NAS Brings On-Premise AI to Home Offices
Ugreen unveiled the iDX6011 Pro, a 6‑bay network‑attached storage device powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and 64 GB of LPDDR5x memory, capable of running local large‑language models. The machine blends enterprise‑grade compute with consumer‑friendly storage, offering dual Thunderbolt 4, dual...
Logitech's Rumored Folding Mouse Is Like a Little Flip Phone
Logitech is reportedly developing a folding mouse that folds in half like a flip phone, according to images posted on a German tech site. The ultracompact device features adaptive touch scrolling, Bluetooth connectivity, and an ambidextrous design, positioning it between...
Colin Angle Launches “Familiar,” A Lifelike AI Companion Robot
Colin Angle, the co‑founder of iRobot, announced the upcoming launch of “Familiar,” a furry, AI‑driven domestic robot that will sell next year. The device aims to provide genuine companionship through on‑device generative AI, positioning itself as a pet alternative in...
Texas Obtains Smart TV Privacy Settlement With LG — Here’s What Changes
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton secured a settlement with LG Electronics that forces the company to disclose and give users an opt‑out for Automated Content Recognition (ACR) data collection on its smart TVs. The agreement requires a pop‑up notice, a...
Gemini Overlay on Android Basically Adds Circle to Search
Google is rolling out a new Gemini overlay update for Android that adds a “Circle to Search” function, enabling users to draw a circle around any on‑screen element and embed it as an image in their AI prompt. The overlay...
Roku Announced As North American Streaming Platform For Inaugural Enhanced Games
Roku (NASDAQ: ROKU) will serve as the North American streaming home for the inaugural Enhanced Games, launching on May 24 at 9 p.m. EST. The free-to-watch competition will air on the Roku Sports Channel across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, featuring...
Apple Releases iOS 26.5: Here Is Everything that Changed on Your iPhone
Apple rolled out iOS 26.5 today, the final major update in the iOS 26 series, available as a 14 GB over‑the‑air download. The release introduces end‑to‑end encrypted RCS messaging for iPhone‑Android chats, suggested place listings in Apple Maps, and automatic Bluetooth pairing for...
IOS 26.5 Brings E2EE ...
Apple’s iOS 26.5 update introduces end‑to‑end encryption (E2EE) for Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging, enabling secure chats between iPhone users and Android devices running the latest Google Messages. The rollout begins with a padlock icon indicating encrypted conversations, but activation depends...
Samsung's Solution for Apps with 'Excessive' Ads Is Rolling Out Now
Samsung has launched a new Device Care feature in its One UI 8.5 update that blocks apps delivering excessive ads. The tool offers two modes: a basic blocker that silences frequent ad notifications and an intelligent blocker that uses AI to...
After 9 Months, We’re Absolutely Sure the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Is the Best Phone You Can Buy Right Now
Stefan Vazharov’s nine‑month hands‑on review concludes the iPhone 17 Pro Max, starting at $1,199, remains the best smartphone on the market. Counterpoint data shows it was the top‑selling iPhone model in 2025, and its A19 Pro processor, triple 48‑MP camera system and two‑day battery...
The Battle for Your Finger Heats up as RingConn Gen 3 Opens Preorders
RingConn has launched pre‑orders for its third‑generation smart ring, priced at $314 until May 28 before climbing to $349. The Gen 3 adds long‑term vascular health tracking, haptic vibration alerts, and an 11‑14‑day battery life, while retaining full‑day metrics like heart rate,...
IPhone-Android RCS Conversations Are End-To-End Encrypted In iOS 26.5
Apple announced that iOS 26.5 now supports end‑to‑end encryption for RCS messages exchanged with Android devices, bringing cross‑platform chats to the same security level as iMessage. The feature is released as a beta and requires carrier support on both the iPhone...
Throwback: Samsung Juke Phone Fun From 2007
I started filming this video over 5 years ago 😄 Debuting on the MrMobile YouTube channel in 20m: When Phones Were Fun – Samsung Juke (2007)! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAhKuvWrReU
Tahoe’s UI Issues Have Nothing to Do With Display Technology, and Maybe, Just Maybe, We Should Stop Assuming Gurman Knows...
Mark Gurman's recent Bloomberg column blamed macOS 26 “Tahoe” UI glitches on LCD displays, but critics argue the problems are purely design‑related. Apple’s new $3,300 Studio Display XDR uses Mini‑LED, confirming Macs still lack OLED screens. Gurman's predictions on Vision...
Half My Work Runs 2× Faster Locally
Localmaxxing : pushing more inference to local models. Over five weeks, I tested how much of my daily work can run on a local 35B model instead of cloud frontier models. The answer : half. Many reasons to use local models :...
Weight‑Shift‑Powered Electric Skates Conquer Any Terrain
Glide Anywhere: All-Terrain Electric Inline Skates Controlled by Body-Weight Shifts via @ZappyZappy7 #Innovation #EmergingTech #Engineering #Technology https://t.co/HuleHTUElZ
Yet Another New Onn Streaming Stick Passes Through FCC Approval
Walmart’s budget Onn brand has added another FCC‑cleared streaming stick. The new Full HD model (HP47R/HP4718) looks identical to the 2023 version but features updated internals and is built by Skyworth instead of SDMC. By diversifying manufacturers, Walmart hopes to ease...
Apple Ditches Apple Watch Touch ID, Prioritizes New Feature
Apple is allegedly shelving plans to add Touch ID to Apple Watches — instead, they're focusing on something much more important, according to leaks https://t.co/8Ydw5BVlAk
Test Your Amazon Gadget Knowledge with Our Quiz
Love Amazon's gadgets and services? Prove how well you know Alexa, Prime Video, Fire TVs and more by taking our quiz. https://t.co/FZDsNxtaqK
IOS, macOS, and iPadOS 26.5 Updates Arrive with Encrypted RCS Messaging and More
Apple rolled out version 26.5 across its entire OS lineup, adding end‑to‑end encrypted RCS messaging, new Pride‑themed wallpapers, and the first steps toward Apple Maps advertising. The encrypted RCS feature is labeled beta and currently works only with a limited set...
Mini-LED TV Elevates World Cup Viewing, Deal Inside
A mini-LED TV can provide a real upgrade to your World Cup, and thankfully, one of my top picks is on an awesome deal right now. https://t.co/lTyUXq9q0x
Trade In Your Tracker, Get Fitbit Air Free
The Google Store is running a promotion that gives you the chance to get the new Fitbit Air for free when you trade in your current smartwatch or fitness tracker. https://t.co/ZHf3EUC4mY
Winhanced Aims to Make Windows Gaming PCs Feel More Like a Console
Winhanced is a controller‑first gaming shell that consolidates Steam, Xbox, Epic, GOG and PlayStation libraries into a single Windows interface. It adds console‑style navigation, reliable suspend/resume, and on‑the‑fly performance tweaks without replacing Windows. Designed for handhelds like the ROG Ally and...
Power Users Want Paid Chat-Pinning Feature in India
Do launch this in India too, @WhatsApp. I am definitely willing to pay for the ability to pin more chats. Really improves the customer experience for power users. https://t.co/IakKjKQfRR
Ploopy Launches Open‑source Magnetic Pointing Stick Controller
Ploopy introduces standalone pointing stick controller using magnetic sensors, open source firmware, and fully programmable hardware components. https://t.co/395C3wAJ8i
GetD GSPro’s “AI” Label Falls Short
The GetD GSPro Smart Glasses are advertised as "AI Glasses", but does the inclusion of a microphone and a custom app really imbue them with artificial intelligence? I slip a polarized pair on to find out: https://t.co/C2XA3Xw0tJ #GetD #smartglasses #aiglasses...
Gemini UX 2.0 Introduces Fresh Dots Animation
New dots animation every time you open the Gemini app This could be available with the rollout of Gemini UX 2.0 https://t.co/zAE2olep2D