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
Accelerated Access, Superior Choice: Noland Speaks
ATSC President Madeleine Noland told RBR+TVBR that ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) is now live in the United States, South Korea, parts of the Caribbean and Brazil, where a hybrid broadcast model is used. While adoption has been uneven—some markets lagging and others facing steep upgrade costs—advertising spend and retransmission‑consent revenue are under pressure. Noland highlighted new ATSC 3.0 dongles and set‑top boxes designed to simplify consumer transition. She aims to convert skeptics by showcasing the broader non‑broadcast benefits of the standard.
Today’s Android App Deals and Freebies: Undead Slayer, Alien Food Invasion, Muse Dash, More
9to5Toys released its February 17 2026 Android deals roundup, highlighting steep price cuts on popular games such as Undead Slayer, Alien Food Invasion, and Muse Dash, many now free or under $1. The list also bundles hardware discounts, including a pre‑order deal on...
Google Home Fails at Things It Once Could Do, and Google Admits It
Google Home smart speakers are experiencing a noticeable decline in performance, with users reporting failures on tasks the devices previously handled reliably. A Reddit thread revealed that a user submitted at least ten feedback messages daily, prompting Google to publicly...
Apple Is Secretly Working On Smart Glasses, AI Pendant, And AI AirPods, Report Says
Apple is reportedly developing three AI‑focused wearables—a pair of smart glasses, a pendant‑style device, and AI‑enabled AirPods—centered around Siri and linked to the iPhone. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says production could begin this year, with a possible market launch as early...
How I Transformed a House Into a Smart Home for My Older Parents
A caregiver retrofitted his parents' house with a smart‑home ecosystem, selecting Apple HomeKit to align with existing iOS devices. By installing smart plugs, voice‑controlled switches, cameras, and a doorbell, everyday tasks like turning on lamps or checking on health became...
I'm Not Convinced Open Earbuds Work for Gaming, Despite Asus' Best Efforts
Asus has launched the ROG Cetra Open earbuds, an open‑ear design that connects via a 2.4 GHz low‑latency link for gaming while retaining Bluetooth for everyday use. The reviewer finds the build solid and comfortable, but notes a bulky charging case...
The Front Door Takes Center Stage at CES
CES 2026 placed the front door at the center of the smart‑home conversation, unveiling a wave of new lock technologies that blend biometrics, power‑generation and protocol upgrades. The Z‑Wave Alliance introduced the User Credential Command Class, enabling fingerprint‑based unlocking and...
Google Photos Is Getting Messy, so I Switched to This Private Alternative
Long‑time Google Photos users are growing frustrated with its crowded interface and limited privacy controls, prompting a shift toward self‑hosted alternatives. PhotoPrism, an open‑source, AI‑driven photo manager, lets users store images on their own servers while offering advanced tagging, RAW...
Avowed's Anniversary Update Is a Great Excuse to Return to Eora, but the PS5 Version Should Have Been Better
Obsidian released Avowed on PS5 bundled with the 2.00 Anniversary Update, introducing New Game Plus, photo mode, additional races, character presets, and extensive difficulty sliders. The console version mirrors Xbox's three display modes—performance, quality, and balanced—with frame‑rate unlocks, but still exhibits...
Opinion: I Can’t Wait for Gaming Consoles to Die (but Not How You Think)
Daniel Rubino argues that the real problem isn’t Xbox or PlayStation hardware but the artificial technical split between consoles and PCs. Developers must maintain separate codebases, certification processes, and patch pipelines, which inflates costs and delays releases, especially for indie...
Apple Adds Video Experience to Apple Podcasts
Apple announced that its Podcasts app will support full video podcasts using HTTP Live Streaming technology, rolling out in spring 2024. The update adds a seamless viewing experience alongside existing audio features such as playback speed controls, automatic chapter creation...
Google Expands Quick Share’s AirDrop Support to Pixel 9
Google is extending its Quick Share cross‑platform file‑sharing feature to include AirDrop compatibility on the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold devices. Users must install the Quick Share Extension update through System services to enable direct peer‑to‑peer transfers with iPhone, iPad or...
VIDAA Takes on Nielsen, Comscore with V Index Measurement Solution
VIDAA, now rebranded as V, is set to launch its V Index measurement platform in Q2, blending traditional linear TV data with streaming‑app viewership. The solution will initially roll out across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, leveraging the company’s...
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim 1.2 Update Out Now on Nintendo Switch 2, Patch Notes – 60 Hz Mode, Frame...
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim received a 1.2 patch for Nintendo Switch 2, introducing a new 60 Hz mode that lets players toggle between visual fidelity and performance. A 30 Hz visual mode locks frame rate for smoother gameplay, while performance tweaks reduce FPS...
Roku Shares Climb. Is It Too Late to Buy the Stock?
Roku reported a robust Q4, with revenue rising 16% to $1.39 billion and EPS flipping to a profit of $0.53, beating expectations. Platform revenue surged 18% to $1.22 billion, driven by video ads and premium subscriptions, while device revenue barely grew. Adjusted...
Microsoft Is Fixing Windows' Oldest Audio Problem and You Probably Didn't Notice
Microsoft has begun rolling out Windows MIDI Services, a new MIDI stack for Windows 11 that modernizes the legacy MIDI 1.0 architecture. The service introduces native MIDI 2.0 support, multi‑client endpoints, and dramatically lower latency, while preserving compatibility with existing APIs and devices....
Google Pixel ‘Project Toscana’ Reportedly Upgrades Face Unlock Hardware, Compares to iPhone Face ID
Google is developing "Project Toscana," a hardware‑based face‑unlock system for upcoming Pixel phones and Chromebooks. The solution reportedly uses an infrared sensor hidden behind a single hole‑punch camera and aims to match iPhone Face ID’s speed. Early reports claim it...
Samsung Reportedly Can’t Even Buy Its Own Exynos Chips for Less, Adding to Galaxy S26 Price Hike
Samsung is reportedly forced to raise the Galaxy S26’s launch price as soaring RAM and memory costs strain its margins. Even its in‑house Exynos processors can no longer be sourced cheaper than competing chips, limiting Samsung’s ability to absorb expenses. The...
Thermaltake Launches 49-Inch Dual QHD 32:9 Monitor With USB-C 90 W
Thermaltake unveiled the TGM‑V49CDQ, a 49‑inch super‑ultrawide 32:9 gaming monitor featuring a Dual QHD 5120×1440 VA panel. The display delivers a 240 Hz refresh rate, 1 ms GTG response, and supports both G‑Sync Compatible and FreeSync Premium for tear‑free gameplay. Connectivity is...
Phison Warns 2026 DRAM and NAND Crunch Could Wipe Out Budget Brands
Phison CEO Khein‑Seng Pua warned that the ongoing DRAM and NAND flash shortage will disproportionately affect low‑cost consumer devices, where razor‑thin margins leave little room for price spikes. He highlighted an 8 GB eMMC component whose price surged from roughly $1.32...
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide Just Leaked: Goodbye Narrow Screen, Hello 16:10
Leaked One UI 9 animations suggest Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 will abandon the narrow tall screens of earlier models. The outer display is expected to switch to a 16:10 aspect ratio while the inner screen moves to 9:7, delivering a wider,...
This BIOS Setting Is Limiting Your AMD CPU's Performance
AMD’s Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) is a BIOS toggle that lifts the power‑delivery limits of Ryzen CPUs, allowing them to sustain higher boost clocks for longer periods. Enabling PBO on a Ryzen 7 7700 delivered consistent 7‑10% multi‑core gains on rendering, compiling...
NZXT Launches Small Desktop Case and Power Supply for Prebuilt PC Gaming Rigs
NZXT unveiled two new compact components—the H2 Flow Mini‑ITX case and the C850 SFX 850‑watt power supply—aimed at its pre‑built gaming rigs. Both products promise high‑performance builds in a smaller footprint, matching the capabilities of larger tower systems. The case...
Gozney’s New Arc Pizza Oven Is More Compact than Before – and You Won’t Believe the Price
Gozney has introduced the Arc Lite, a compact gas‑powered pizza oven that fits balconies and small gardens while cooking 12‑inch pizzas at up to 500 °C. The new model retains the brand’s insulated body and signature lateral rolling flame, but weighs...
Dell XPS 14 (2026) Review: Two Steps Forward
Dell revives the XPS 14 with a lighter chassis, restored function‑row keyboard, and two display options—a 1080p panel with over 20 hours of battery life and a high‑resolution OLED screen. Powered by Intel's 13th‑gen Core Ultra processors, the top‑end X7 358H delivers strong...
This Extension Automatically Says 'No' To Those Annoying Pop-Ups
Consent‑O‑Matic, a free browser extension from Aarhus University, automatically rejects unwanted cookie‑consent banners on Chrome, Firefox and Safari. It groups pop‑ups into five categories, lets users set preferences once, and then applies them silently across sites. The open‑source rule generator...
Shark Beauty Unveils First-Ever Air Straightener – and I Got to Try It Before Anyone Else
Shark Beauty introduced the SilkiPro Straight, a wet‑to‑dry air straightener that combines drying, straightening and waving in a single device. The tool uses HeatSense ceramic plates with a sensor that adjusts temperature 1,000 times per second, and comes with three...
The Ray-Ban Meta Killer? Samsung Smart Galaxy Glasses Launching in 2026
Samsung announced its first‑generation Smart Galaxy Glasses, slated for a 2026 release, with two variants—SMO2000P and SMO200J—targeting both enthusiasts and casual users. The glasses run on Android XR, feature a Qualcomm AR1 chipset, a 12‑megapixel camera, and a 155 mAh battery,...
We’re Measuring Data Center Sustainability Wrong
Google claims its data centers are 1.5× more energy‑efficient than the industry average and Microsoft is investing billions in nuclear power for AI workloads, yet these metrics capture only about 30% of IT‑sector emissions. The bulk of carbon comes from...
Monetisation, Player Retention and Communities on Discord: Top Tips Incoming at PGC San Francisco
Discord will showcase its Social SDK at Pocket Gamer Connects San Francisco on March 9, 2026, where senior developer Anthony Tešija will present strategies for acquiring, retaining, and monetising mobile gamers via Discord. He will outline how the platform’s community...
US Video Game Consumer Spending Predicted to Reach $62.8bn in 2026
U.S. video game consumer spending is projected to hit $62.8 billion in 2026, a 3% rise from the previous year, according to market‑research firm Circana. The growth is anchored by strong hardware demand for the Nintendo Switch 2 and the launch of...
Snapchat Introduces Creator Subscriptions for Direct Fan Revenue
Snapchat is launching Creator Subscriptions. Creators will be able to set their own pricing using Snapchat’s recommended tiers and offer subscribers: 🔒 Exclusive content, including subscriber-only Snaps & Stories 💬 Priority replies to a creator’s public Stories 🚫 An ad-free experience within that creator’s...
AI Wearables Turn Pets Into Smart Companions
AI wearables for pets. What a world we live in! (And it's cool, I had a demo recently).
This Corsair RAM and Gigabyte AM5 Motherboard Bundle Is Just $67 More than Buying the RAM Alone – 32GB of...
Newegg is offering a bundle that pairs the Gigabyte B850 Aorus Elite Wi‑Fi 7 motherboard with 32 GB of Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5‑6400 RAM for just under $505, a 20% or $133 discount versus buying the components separately. The motherboard features 12...
Hybrid AI Wins; System-Level UI Integration Leads
Good points from @benthompson @stratechery today. Hybrid AI is the way, and those OS/UIs that manage that best and integrate agentic at the system level are best positioned. https://t.co/b2PY6FuSgR
Confident Helios Shipments Will Arrive on Schedule, Confirmed
There was zero doubt in my mind that there were any delays to Helios, and the first shipments would be on time. Glad @AnushElangovan confirmed it.
Apple Music’s iOS 26.4 Beta Introduces AI-Powered Playlist Tool
Apple Music is testing an AI‑powered playlist generator called Playlist Playground in the iOS 26.4 beta. The tool lets users type natural‑language prompts—such as “morning coffee music” or “disco songs that defined the 1970s”—to create 25‑track playlists with custom titles and...
The Razer Viper V3 Pro's Price Just Dropped $45, Hinting at Impending Viper V4 Pro
Razer has slashed the Viper V3 Pro’s price by $45, with Amazon listing it at $114.99 and Razer’s own store offering it for $129.99 after a $30 discount. The mouse, launched at $159.99 in May 2024, is praised for its lightweight...
Wago Enters Smart Homes with Eight Matter Devices
Wago, a leader in industrial electrical engineering, has entered the smart‑home market with eight Matter‑certified devices that offer both Wi‑Fi and Thread connectivity. The dual‑protocol lineup includes Home Relay 6A/16A, a dimmer and a blind controller, all built to industrial‑grade UL...
New Keenadu Backdoor Found in Android Firmware, Google Play Apps
Kaspersky has uncovered a sophisticated Android backdoor named Keenadu, embedded in firmware of multiple device brands and distributed through compromised OTA updates, system apps, and even Google Play applications. The malware can infiltrate every installed app, grant attackers unrestricted control,...
Don’t Buy an iPad Pro: The M4 iPad Air Is Coming Sooner Than You Think
Apple confirmed a 2026 iPad Air refresh powered by the new M4 chip, slated for a spring launch in February or March. The device will keep the familiar 11‑inch and 13‑inch aluminum chassis, preserving compatibility with the Magic Keyboard and...
NVIDIA RTX Steam Machine Build : AMD GPUs Run SteamOS More Smoothly
Iceberg Tech’s guide walks through building a compact Linux‑gaming PC using the ASRock DeskMeet X600 case paired with an NVIDIA RTX 5060 GPU. While the RTX 5060 brings DLSS performance, the article highlights persistent driver instability on Linux, making AMD GPUs a...
Apple Pushes Back Siri 2.0: Why iOS 26.4 Is Losing Its Biggest Feature
Apple has postponed the highly anticipated Siri 2.0 upgrade, opting to exclude it from the iOS 26.4 release. Instead, the update concentrates on security patches, modest performance tweaks, and fixes for persistent Wi‑Fi connectivity problems. The decision follows lingering issues...
Microsoft Quietly Increases Rewards Points Price for Xbox Gift Cards
Microsoft has quietly raised the points cost for Xbox gift cards in its Rewards program, roughly a 5.3% increase in the US and UK. The change affects all denominations and varies by region, with users reporting higher point requirements for...
PS6 Report Suggests Next-Gen Consoles Could Still Be a Long Way Off
AI‑driven demand for memory is inflating chip prices, tightening supply for console makers. Sony is reportedly considering pushing the PS6 launch to 2028 or 2029, while Microsoft’s best‑case target for its next‑gen Xbox is 2027 but may also slip. Both...
Galaxy Buds 4 Leak Leaves Little to the Imagination — and I’m Okay with the Safe Upgrades
Samsung’s leaked Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro show a return to a brushed‑metal aesthetic, abandoning the sharp blade design of the Buds 3. Both models keep the stem for improved microphones and pinch controls, but the standard Buds 4 adopt an open‑fit design...
AirPods Pro 4: The Secret “Vision” Feature Apple Didn’t Want You to Know
Apple is reportedly gearing up to launch AirPods Pro 4 with built‑in cameras, a move that could fuse spatial audio with real‑time augmented reality. The camera‑enabled earbuds aim to deliver immersive navigation, interactive AR apps, and new ways to engage with...
Ugreen’s New Power Bank Listens and Charges
Ugreen unveiled the MagFlow AI Voice Recording Magnetic Power Bank at CES 2026, combining a 10,000 mAh magnetic wireless charger with an AI‑powered voice recorder that can translate and summarize audio. The device retains familiar features such as a digital display...
Encrypted RCS Messaging Support Lands in Apple’s iOS 26.4 Developer Build
Apple introduced end‑to‑end encrypted Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging in the iOS 26.4 developer beta, extending the feature to iPadOS, macOS and watchOS in future updates. The encryption is currently limited to iPhone‑to‑iPhone conversations and depends on carrier support, with a...
Gboard's Allegedly Got a 'Cursor Mode' In the Oven That's Giving Me Laptop Vibes
A tipster claims Google is developing a “cursor mode” for Gboard that transforms part of the keyboard into a virtual trackpad. Users would activate the mode by holding the space bar, gaining fine‑grained control to slide the cursor for precise...