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
Valve Opens May 8 Reservations for Second Wave of Steam Controllers
Valve announced a reservation system for the second wave of its Steam Controller, opening on May 8 at 1 PM ET. The first batch sold out within a day, prompting the company to limit each buyer to a single unit and give a 72‑hour purchase window.
Google Health App Launches in India with AI Coach and Rs. 99 Premium Plan
Google announced the public rollout of its rebranded Google Health app and AI‑powered Health Coach in India, beginning May 19 and expanding to all eligible users by May 26. The service includes a premium subscription priced at Rs. 99 per month (about $1.20),...
Unitree Unveils UniStore, the First App Store for G1 Humanoid Robots
Chinese robotics firm Unitree has opened UniStore, a dedicated app store for its G1 humanoid robot, offering ready‑to‑run actions such as dancing, boxing and striding. The launch follows a 335% revenue surge and precedes a planned $618 million IPO, signaling a...
3 Features that Make Google Pixel’s “Context-Aware” Voice Typing Better than Any Keyboard
Google’s Pixel phones now pair Gboard with advanced, context‑aware voice typing that goes beyond simple dictation. Users can insert punctuation and emojis by speaking, edit text hands‑free with commands like “delete last word” or “change X to Y,” and on...
Google Unveils Screenless Fitbit Air, New Google Health App
Google introduced the screenless Fitbit Air, a $99.99 wearable that tracks heart rate, sleep, oxygen, temperature and activity without a display. The device pairs with the rebranded Google Health app—formerly the Fitbit app—offering a unified dashboard that aggregates data from...
Target Has a $360 Smartwatch for $36 that Runs up to 7 Days on a Single Charge
Target is offering the Veatool Smartwatch, originally priced at $360, for just $36—a 90% discount. The device features a 2.01‑inch HD touchscreen, Bluetooth 5.3, IP68 water resistance, and over 180 sport modes. Its battery lasts up to seven days of...
Don't Connect Your Smart Plug to These 5 Household Devices - an Expert Warns
Smart plugs offer convenient remote control for low‑power devices, but most are limited to a 15‑amp (≈1,800 W) rating. Connecting heavy‑duty appliances, medical life‑support equipment, power strips, heating tools, or continuously cycling devices can overload the plug, cause overheating, or interrupt...
Shockingly, Way Fewer People Are Buying PlayStation 5 After Sony Hiked Its Price
Sony’s latest price hikes triggered a sharp drop in PlayStation 5 sales, with Q4 2025 shipments falling to 1.5 million units – a 46% decline from the same quarter a year earlier. Overall, FY 2025 console sales were down 2.5 million units year‑over‑year, even though...
A $30 USB Drive Just Saved Me From a $500 PC Repair Bill
A $30 dual‑connector USB flash drive can serve as a multiboot rescue kit, letting users store Windows 11 installers, live Linux environments, and essential drivers on a single stick. Using free tools like Ventoy, ISOs are copied like regular files and...
Nintendo Praises Switch 2 Third Party Support, Says Game Lineup Is the "Largest Ever Following a Platform Launch"
Nintendo highlighted unprecedented third‑party support for its upcoming Switch 2 in its latest financial report, calling the current game lineup the largest ever seen after a platform launch. The company noted that a steady flow of new titles from major publishers...
Braun Series 9 Pro+ Electric Shaver Review 2026
The Braun Series 9 Pro+ electric shaver impresses with a high‑speed motor and multi‑element foil that delivers a razor‑smooth finish on both facial and head stubble with few passes. Battery life hits the advertised 60 minutes and a five‑minute quick‑charge keeps it ready...
I Changed One Setting in Device Manager and My Wi-Fi Jumped From 260 Mbps to 430 Mbps
Windows laptops that use Modern Standby (S0) often keep the Wi‑Fi adapter in a power‑saving mode even while the system is active, which can cut throughput by half. By opening Device Manager and changing the adapter’s advanced property—MIMO Power Save...
Vocci Ring: The First AI Wearable I Actually Like
Vocci Ring may be the first AI wearable I do not hate — it's a ring that records, transcribes, organizes, and mostly stays out of the way https://www.techradar.com/ai-platforms-assistants/vocci-ring-may-be-the-first-ai-wearable-i-do-not-hate-its-a-ring-that-records-transcribes-organizes-and-mostly-stays-out-of-the-way
Buy PS6 on Launch to Dodge Future Price Hike
"It's too early for the PS6" Uh, you better buy that PS6 on day 1 so you're not paying $500 extra 1 year later.
Apple Is Reportedly Working on a Holographic iPhone, an AI Pendent, and AirPods Pro with AI Cameras
Apple is reportedly prototyping three AI‑driven devices: a spatial iPhone with a holographic display, an AI‑enabled pendant that attaches to the iPhone, and AirPods Pro equipped with miniature cameras for visual AI processing. Leaks from tipster Schrodinger and Bloomberg’s Mark...
Console Prices Rise Despite Expected Cost Decline
Sad, but I can't remember another time when the price of electronic goods like consoles, which are supposed to get cheaper to make in volume, went up over time. https://t.co/vfALEuok06
Switch 2 Hits 19.86M; Mario Kart Leads Sales
Switch 2 is at 19.86M sold. And top game sales include Mario Kart World at 14.7M, Donkey Kong Bananza at 4.52M, Pokémon Legends Z-A at 3.94M, Pokémon Pokopia at 2.41M, and Kirby Air Riders at 1.87M. https://t.co/7OYx2kKQkz
Apple’s Camera-Equipped AirPods Reportedly Reach Late-Stage Testing
Apple is reportedly in late‑stage testing of a new version of AirPods that includes built‑in cameras. The camera‑equipped earbuds aim to capture first‑person video and support augmented‑reality experiences directly from the user’s ears. Analysts say the feature could differentiate Apple’s...
Phones Can't Replace AR Glasses; Soon Everyone's Wearing Them
Why do I say everyone will soon have to wear glasses? Your phone can't do this.
Google Refreshes Snapseed Play Store Listing, Rollout Pending
Google has updated the Snapseed Play Store listing on Android with new designs. The update isn't available to download yet (should be available this week as per previous reports). https://t.co/22BFUlCpAL
Google Rolling Out Big Snapseed 4.0 Update for Android
Google has released Snapseed 4.0 for Android, ending the app’s year‑long iOS‑only status. The update brings a refreshed interface with a grid homepage, three bottom tabs, and dark/light theme toggles. A new Snapseed Camera lets users shoot with real‑time film‑style...
My Go-To AI Voice-to-Text App Revealed
Are you using a voice to text app on your phone? There are many to choose from, @usemonologue, @WisprFlow and others. But this one sticks on mine. It's the AI I actually use the most. How about you?
Windows Rivals to MacBook Neo Are Arriving - but Can You Handle Their Shortcomings?
Apple introduced the $599 MacBook Neo, the cheapest MacBook ever, delivering high‑end specs such as a 2408×1506 Retina display, 8 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD. The device’s premium build and seamless ecosystem have quickly outpaced typical budget Windows laptops, creating a...
Meta Can See Your Instagram Messages Now, and It's Time to Stop Using It
Meta has removed end‑to‑end encryption from Instagram direct messages as of May 8, 2026, allowing the company to read and analyze message content. The change is justified by low adoption of encrypted chats and Meta’s desire to improve moderation of harmful activity....
Nintendo's Switch 2 Price Hike May Have Been Inevitable, But It's Still Hard To Stomach
Nintendo announced on May 7, 2026 that the Switch 2 will increase $50 to $499.99, effective September 1. The hike follows similar price raises by Sony and Microsoft, reflecting tighter component costs and inflation. While the console offers backward compatibility, the lack of new...
New AirPods to Feature Cameras for AI-Powered Visual Intelligence: Report
Apple is in the final development stages of new AirPods that embed low‑resolution cameras in each earbud, turning the devices into visual sensors for Siri. The cameras, housed in longer stems, will capture environmental cues to enable context‑aware answers, cooking...
NeuroHUD Puts Tesla Navigation and Alerts Where Drivers Can See Them
NeuroHUD, a startup targeting Tesla owners, has launched a Kickstarter for the first true heads‑up display built specifically for Tesla vehicles. The device projects navigation, speed, autopilot status and safety alerts directly into the driver’s line of sight, eliminating the...
Lenovo Legion Go 2 Launches at $1,200 Amid Price‑adjustment Controversy
Lenovo released the Legion Go 2 handheld gaming device with a $1,199.99 price tag, a figure that follows a recent pricing glitch that briefly pushed the Z2 Extreme version to $3,000. The move has reignited discussion about the sustainability of premium...
DJI Launches Osmo Mobile 8P Gimbal with Pro Framing, ActiveTrack 8.0 and Apple DockKit
DJI introduced the Osmo Mobile 8P, a 386‑gram, 10‑hour battery‑powered smartphone gimbal that adds a detachable Osmo FrameTap remote, AI‑driven ActiveTrack 8.0 and native Apple DockKit support. The launch aims to cement DJI’s foothold in the consumer video‑stabilization market as...
Schlage Arrive Review: This Electronic Deadbolt Is One of the Simplest Smart Devices I’ve Ever Used
The Schlage Arrive electronic deadbolt delivers a straightforward smart‑lock experience, installing in about 20 minutes with a Phillips screwdriver and four AA batteries. It offers built‑in Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth, allowing remote lock/unlock and up to 250 programmable access codes via...
Snap Q1 2026 Earnings Call Shows Strong User Growth and $286M Free Cash Flow
Snap Inc. reported $286 million in free cash flow and a surge in user‑generated content during its Q1 2026 earnings call. Spotlight shares rose 62% globally, AR lens usage hit 9 billion daily interactions, and games reached 255 million monthly active users, highlighting...
Google Adds Bold Colors, Refines Wallet Passes Redesign
Google's not holding back on the color with Wallet's bold new passes redesign Compared to our first look at this refresh, Google has now added even more color, as well as sorted out some irregular screen elements. ✅ Details and more screenshots...
Bumble to Kill Swipe Feature as Paying Users Fall 21% to 3.2 M
Bumble announced it will remove the swipe mechanic that defined modern dating apps, a move confirmed by CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd amid a 21% plunge in paid users to 3.2 million and a 14.1% revenue decline to $212.4 million. The pivot leans...
Nintendo Hiking Price for Switch 2 Consoles
Nintendo announced price hikes for its Switch 2 console, raising the Canadian retail price to $679.99 CAD (about $503 USD) and the Japanese price to 59,980 yen (≈$402 USD). The increases reflect soaring memory‑chip costs, exchange‑rate pressures and recent tariff hikes. Despite the higher price,...
WHOOP Expands Health Platform with On-Demand Clinician Access and New AI Features
WHOOP unveiled a suite of health‑focused upgrades, adding on‑demand video consultations with licensed clinicians and EHR syncing through HealthEx, slated for a U.S. launch this summer. The platform also introduced two AI tools—My Memory, which lets members edit personal context,...
Google Wallet Tests Unified Gmail Receipts and Passes Hub
Google Wallet is testing a better way to manage your Gmail receipts and passes A page that could bring all your Gmail-sourced passes and receipts together in one place. ✅ Details and more screenshots - https://t.co/ActzCXzByX https://t.co/1bgMBUMGXB
MacStories Weekly: Issue 512
MacStories released its weekly newsletter, Issue 512, featuring five fresh articles that span retro Apple hardware, productivity hacks, and the moral dimensions of AI. Jonathan’s nostalgic piece urges readers to consider buying a Macintosh 128K, while Federico explains how to keep Codex...
Deals: Fitbit Air Pre-Order Offers, Pixel 10 Pro/XL up to $500 Off, Legion Go 2 Windows Handheld $482 Off, More
Best Buy is bundling a free Obsidian Google Active band with Fitbit Air pre‑orders, mirroring Amazon’s $35 credit. Google’s Pixel 10 lineup sees deep cuts, with the 256 GB Pixel 10 Pro XL open‑box priced at $701, nearly $500 off. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S11 falls to $540...
Nintendo Raising Switch, Switch 2, Playing Card, and Hanafuda Card Prices
Nintendo announced worldwide price hikes for its Switch and Switch 2 consoles, with U.S. and Canadian Switch 2 units climbing $50 to $499.99 on September 1 2026. In Japan, all Switch models will see roughly ¥10,000 (≈$71) increases in May 2026, while Europe’s Switch 2 rises...
Nintendo Slashed GBA Price Within Months to Boost Adoption
Fun Fact: Nintendo released the Game Boy Advance in the US in June 2001 for $99. In January 2002, seven months later, Nintendo announced it would lower the price of the Game Boy Advance to $79 as a result of...
Govee’s Solar-Powered String Lights Are Already on Sale for 20 Percent Off
Govee’s 34‑foot Outdoor Solar String Lights have been reduced to $79.99 on Amazon, a $20 (20%) discount from the regular $99.99 price. The set includes eight IP67‑rated LEDs, a 6 W solar panel and a 4,800 mAh battery that can power the...
Rich On Tech Episode 173 - May 9, 2026
Episode 173 of Rich on Tech features Paul Struhsaker, CEO of the Wireless Power Consortium, who outlines how the upcoming Qi2 standard could become the USB‑C moment for wireless charging—making it simpler, universal, and more reliable. The show also hosts...
![YouTube App for Google TV, More Revamps Side Menu with Easier Library Access, Recent Channels [Gallery]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://i0.wp.com/9to5google.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/10/YouTube-Google-TV-1.jpg?resize=1200%2C628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
YouTube App for Google TV, More Revamps Side Menu with Easier Library Access, Recent Channels [Gallery]
YouTube’s TV app is receiving a refreshed sidebar that moves the Subscriptions and Library sections higher up, reducing the clicks needed to reach the most‑used areas. The redesign also adds two persistent channel shortcuts that stay visible even when the...
Nintendo to Hike Price of Switch 2 Console Due to Memory Chip Prices
Nintendo announced a price increase for its upcoming Switch 2 console, with the hike taking effect in Japan on May 25 and later in North America and Europe on September 1. The company attributes the adjustment to rising semiconductor memory costs that are...
Sivga M260: IPod‑style Earbuds with Bigger Driver
The Sivga M260 look like Apple's iPod earbuds, but with a big driver, premium build and multiple connection options. https://t.co/Bx8lVWoFfm
OnePlus’ Latest Phone Cuts OS Updates in Half, because Clearly Everything Is Fine
OnePlus launched the Nord CE6, a mid‑range phone priced under €300 (≈$327), featuring a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset, 8 GB RAM, a 50 MP camera and an 8,000 mAh battery. The company advertised a “Fast and Smooth for 6 years” experience, but the device will receive...
Valve's Steam Controller Reservation System May Give You Steam Deck Flashbacks
Valve is launching a reservation queue for the Steam Controller on May 8 at 6 pm UK time, letting existing Steam users sign up to buy the device as stock arrives. The system mirrors the 2022 Steam Deck launch, offering a first‑come‑first‑served...
Sony Teases New ‘R’ Camera Amid Canon Mystery
Sony has shared a teaser on it YouTube channel of a new 'R' camera – releasing the same week as a mysterious new Canon camera. https://t.co/ImYrufdrxg
Anker Solix C2000: A Lower-Priced Power Station I’d Be Grateful to Have During a Blackout
Anker’s Solix C2000 power station delivers 2,400 W continuous (4,000 W surge) output and a 2,048 Wh LiFePO₄ battery, positioning it as a mid‑range, cost‑effective backup for homes, RVs, and off‑grid use. Weighing 41.7 lb, it offers five 120 V AC outlets, multiple USB‑C ports,...
ValiDrive Helps Detect Fake USB Drives and Storage Devices
ValiDrive is a utility that quickly spot‑checks USB flash drives by writing and reading random 4 KB blocks across 576 evenly spaced locations, covering about 2.36 MB of the device. The tool exposes counterfeit drives that claim 1–2 TB of capacity but actually...