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
![Google Releases Experimental ‘COSMO’ AI Assistant App on Play Store [U]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://i0.wp.com/9to5google.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/05/Cosmo-1.jpg?resize=1200%2C628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Google Releases Experimental ‘COSMO’ AI Assistant App on Play Store [U]
Google inadvertently published an experimental AI assistant called COSMO on the Play Store, only to remove it shortly after. The 1.13 GB app, built by Google Research, bundles a local Gemini Nano model and offers a suite of AI‑driven “skills” such as list tracking, calendar suggestions, and deep research. Users can toggle between hybrid, server‑only, or fully offline Nano modes. The premature launch appears to be a testbed ahead of Google I/O 2026, not a consumer‑ready product.
Xbox Adds New Profile Pics and Dynamic Backgrounds to Celebrate New Xbox Logo
Microsoft has rolled out a suite of new Xbox profile pictures, dynamic backgrounds, and themed profile backdrops to celebrate its freshly unveiled logo. The visual assets showcase four iterations of the logo, each echoing a different console generation—from the classic...
Aurzen’s Tiny Trifold Projector Is Almost 40 Percent Off Right Now
Aurzen’s Zip tri‑fold portable projector is on sale for $259.99 on Amazon, a $140 discount that brings the price down to roughly 40% off its $399.99 list price. The compact 720p device delivers up to 100 lumens and about 80...
I Replaced My Cloud Storage Subscription with a NAS and the Setup Took One Afternoon
Tech writer Robin John swapped his recurring cloud storage subscription for a Synology BeeStation Plus NAS paired with an 8 TB drive, completing the setup in a single afternoon. The plug‑and‑play unit offers straightforward physical installation, Plex integration, and mobile apps for...
This Chart Shows Why the RAM Shortage Has Become a ‘Mageddon’
A sharp 26% month‑over‑month rise in DRAM export prices between March and April 2026 highlights a deepening RAM shortage. The surge is driven by exploding AI workloads that outpace the capacity of DRAM and NAND manufacturers to scale production. Samsung...
Cobra's New Sub-$200 Radar Detector Is a Pleasant Surprise
Cobra has launched the RAD 490i, an upgraded radar detector priced at $169.95, keeping the product under the $200 threshold. The new model promises up to 15% longer detection range and roughly 22% fewer false alerts compared with the long‑standing RAD 480i....
Siri Now Casts Harry Potter Spells on iPhone
I was today years old when I learned that my iPhone can do Harry Potter spells. Just say “hey siri” and then reply with: - lumos - nox - accio (then say an app, so accio Spotify) - silencio - sonorus - muffliato 🤯
Some of Xteink’s Credit Card-Sized E-Readers Are Losing Their Best Feature
Xteink has begun blocking third‑party firmware installations on certain X4 and X3 credit‑card e‑readers, a move first reported by a Reddit user who bought the devices on Taobao. The company says the restriction prevents crashes, screen damage and warranty voids,...
192: Your Tech Questions Answered
In this 44‑minute MacRumor Show episode the hosts answer a flood of listener tech questions, covering Apple hardware rumors such as silicon‑carbon batteries for the iPhone Air 2, the potential iPhone Fold versus iPhone Ultra, OLED and ProMotion adoption in...
Android Auto App Widgets Mirror Mobile Setup, Leak Shows as Release Nears
Google is preparing to roll out widgets for Android Auto in the upcoming 16.8.161804‑release.daily build. The new widget menu mirrors the familiar Android home‑screen picker, offering apps such as Calendar, Chrome, Google Drive and even ChatGPT. While the feature appears...
Prices Hikes Have Arrived for OnePlus 15, Nothing Phones, More
OnePlus has raised the Indian price of its flagship OnePlus 15 and 15R models by roughly $25‑$50, pushing the 12 GB/256 GB variant from about $880 to $940 and the top 16 GB/512 GB version from $964 to $1,036. Nothing followed suit, increasing its 4a...
That Old Phone in the Kitchen Drawer Could Save an Industry
Secondhand smartphone sales are set to rise 12% year‑on‑year in 2026, while new‑device shipments are projected to plunge 12% to under 1.1 billion units. Inflation, AI‑driven component costs and longer consumer replacement cycles are driving the slowdown in the flagship market....
Engadget Podcast: Is the Valve Steam Controller Worth $100?
Engadget’s latest podcast examines Valve’s newly released Steam Controller, which retails for $100. The episode features host Jessica Conditt testing the controller’s ergonomics, dual‑trackpad layout, and deep Steam integration. While the device is praised for its innovative design, the price...
Apple May Take "Several Months" To Catch up to Mac Mini and Studio Demand
Apple’s Mac mini and Mac Studio are facing prolonged shortages, with many configurations marked “currently unavailable” and some orders taking months to ship. CEO Tim Cook attributed the gap to unexpectedly high AI‑driven demand and limited capacity at TSMC’s advanced...
Roblox’s New Reality Mode Shows How Far NVIDIA’s DLSS 5 AI Upscaling Can Push a Simple Game
Roblox unveiled "Roblox Reality," a cloud‑edge AI upscaling system dubbed DLSS 5 Lite that aims to deliver photorealistic graphics on modest hardware. The solution streams high‑fidelity assets generated by NVIDIA‑style super‑upsampling through a CDN, letting the client render a video feed while...
Microsoft Updates Xbox Smartphone App and Xbox Ally Handhelds with New Features
Microsoft has refreshed the Xbox smartphone app on iOS and Android with Wishlist Alerts, notifying users of new releases, pre‑installations, DLC drops and sales. At the same time, Asus ROG Xbox Ally handhelds now automatically route gameplay to a TV when docked,...
Apple Flags Rising Memory Costs Threatening iPhone and MacBook Neo Supply
Apple warned that sharply higher memory component prices will pressure iPhone and MacBook Neo output in the June quarter. CEO Tim Cook said the company will evaluate pricing and supply options as the memory crunch deepens, while CFO Kevan Parekh...
Apple Forecasts 14‑17% iPhone Sales Growth Amid Chip Constraints
Apple said it expects iPhone revenue to climb 14%‑17% year‑over‑year in its fiscal third quarter, outpacing Wall Street’s 9.5% estimate. The outlook comes as the company grapples with limited advanced‑processor chips, yet its total quarterly revenue hit $111.2 billion and shares...
"I Found a Project that Completely Solves This": PS5 and DualShock Controllers Get Full Wireless Features on PC Thanks to...
A GitHub project called DS5Dongle lets PlayStation 5 DualSense controllers work wirelessly on Windows PCs with full adaptive‑trigger and haptic support. The hack uses a $7 Raspberry Pi Pico 2W as a Bluetooth bridge, making the PC think the controller is wired. The latest...
Linux Support Coming For The ASUS ROG RAIKIRI II: A $160 High-End Gaming Controller
ASUS has announced mainline Linux support for its premium ROG RAIKIRI II wireless gaming controller, priced around $160. The controller offers 1 kHz polling, TMR joysticks, dual‑mode triggers, and multiple connectivity options, including a PC/Xbox mode switch. A patch adding the necessary...
Apple's Mac Revenue Jumps to $8.4 B as AI Workloads Fuel Unexpected Surge
Apple posted $8.4 billion in Mac revenue for Q2, beating analysts’ low‑$8 billion forecast and delivering a 6% year‑over‑year increase. The boost came from AI‑driven demand for the new MacBook Neo, Mac mini and Mac Studio, signaling a shift in consumer PC...
Xbox Hardware Revenue Plunges 33% as New Boss Asha Sharma Confronts Sales Slump
Microsoft disclosed that Xbox hardware revenue fell 33% year‑on‑year in Q3 FY2026, the steepest decline since the Series X launch. New Xbox chief Asha Sharma acknowledged the shortfall, promising a refocus on core fans and upcoming hardware under the Project...
Apple Posts $111.2 B Q2 Revenue, Forecasts 14‑17% Growth and Names John Ternus as Next CEO
Apple announced $111.2 B in Q2 2026 revenue, up 17% year‑over‑year, and gave guidance for 14‑17% revenue growth in the June quarter. The earnings call also confirmed a leadership change, with chief engineer John Ternus slated to become CEO and Tim...
The Buying Rule for Your Personal AI Computer (and How to Skip the $5,000 Mistake)
In this episode, the host explains how AI agents are reviving the importance of the personal desktop computer, reversing a 15‑year trend toward cloud‑only workflows. They outline a buying rule for a "personal AI computer," warning listeners to avoid overspending...
Introducing Two New Hormonal Health Features: Birth Control Support and Menopause Insights
Oura announced two new experiences in its app—Hormonal Birth Control support within Cycle Insights and Menopause Insights—aimed at delivering personalized guidance during hormonal changes. The features integrate continuous biometric data from the Ring with self‑reported hormone information, providing symptom tracking,...
Xbox Series X|S Gets Two Awesome New Dynamic Backgrounds
Microsoft has released two new dynamic background themes for the Xbox Series X|S, featuring visuals from Diablo IV and the fighting game Invincible VS. The Diablo IV background showcases the demon Mephisto amid lightning and moving clouds, while the Invincible VS theme displays the...
The Download: A New Christian Phone Network, and Debugging LLMs
A niche U.S. cellular network aimed at Christian users is launching next week, enforcing network‑level blocks on porn and gender‑related content that cannot be disabled. San Francisco startup Goodfire introduced Silico, a mechanistic‑interpretability platform that lets developers view and adjust individual...
REDMI Pad 2 9.7 Is a Dependable Tablet that Gets the Job Done
Redmi’s Pad 2 9.7-inch tablet combines a 2K display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, delivering premium visual smoothness at a budget price. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2, it handles everyday browsing, media consumption, and light productivity without lag....
Garmin Cuts Epix Pro Gen 2 Price by 50%, Undercutting Samsung and Google
Garmin announced a 50% price cut on its Epix Pro Gen 2 Sapphire Edition, now $500 on Amazon, slashing the $1,000 MSRP. The steep discount positions the health‑focused watch as a compelling alternative to Samsung’s Galaxy Watch and Google’s Pixel Watch...
Sony Confronts Backlash over New PlayStation DRM that Displays 30‑day Playtime Timer
Sony has responded to growing criticism after a 30‑day online‑validation DRM appeared on PlayStation consoles, showing a countdown timer that limits offline play. The company’s support bots confirmed the feature, while users and insiders debate whether it’s a bug or...
This App Lets Me Use My Android Phone in Ways I Couldn't Even Imagine
MacroDroid is an Android automation app that lets users create custom macros using a visual three‑part framework of triggers, actions, and constraints. The free tier permits up to five macros, while a one‑time $5 Pro upgrade removes limits, disables ads,...
Google Home's Camera Feed, Media Controls Get Upgraded in All the Right Ways
Google began rolling out a major update to its Home app and the Gemini for Home early‑access program. The refresh adds dynamic theming and AI‑generated descriptions for smart‑camera feeds to Premium subscribers, while all users receive a streamlined media‑control interface...
Apple Says iPhone 17 'Most Popular Ever' As Sales Soar
Apple reported first‑quarter revenue of $111 bn, a 17% year‑over‑year rise, driven by a record‑breaking iPhone 17 launch. Sales in China surged 28%, making the new model the most popular Apple launch ever. The low‑priced MacBook Neo generated "off the charts" demand,...
Major Reports Say OnePlus, Realme Merge, but There's a Lot Still in the Dark
Recent reports from Chinese tipsters claim OnePlus has merged with OPPO’s sub‑brand Realme, creating a new sub‑product center that will manage domestic and overseas product lines. The alleged structure places the combined marketing and service units under OnePlus CEO Pete...
Apple Sets Q2 Record Despite iPhone Supply Chain Issues
Apple reported a record $111.1 billion Q2 revenue, up 17% YoY, driven by strong iPhone 17 sales despite supply‑chain constraints on advanced‑node chips. iPhone revenue reached $56.9 billion, while Greater China posted a 28% jump to $20.4 billion, beating forecasts. Services hit an...
4 Interior Designers Told Us What Smart Tech You Should Actually Buy
Interior designers recommend specific smart home devices that blend seamlessly with décor while adding functional value. They highlight an inexpensive Kasa smart plug, secure Yale Assure 2 lock, immersive Sonos Era 300 speakers, programmable Kohler Anthem showers, versatile Philips Hue lighting, and...
A New US Phone Network for Christians Aims to Block Porn and Gender-Related Content
Radiant Mobile, a new MVNO using T‑Mobile’s network, will launch on May 5 with a Christian‑focused plan that blocks pornography and gender‑related content at the carrier level, a first for U.S. providers. The filters are enabled by default and cannot be...
The Honor 600 Is a Superb Budget Smartphone with a Premium Camera System and a Battery that Goes on for...
Honor unveiled its 600 and 600 Pro mid‑range smartphones, capping a strong 2026 product run for the Chinese brand. The 600 features a 6.75‑in 120 Hz AMOLED display that can reach 8,000 nits, a Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor, and a 200 MP primary camera paired with...
Netflix Pushes Deeper Into Mobile with ‘Clips’ Feature
Netflix has rolled out a redesigned mobile app centered on a new “Clips” feature, a vertical, swipe‑able feed of short excerpts from its library. The feed lets users share clips, add titles to their watchlist, and jump straight into full...
How Bright Is Bright Enough for AR in the Real World?
Brightness has become the pivotal performance metric for AR glasses as they transition from lab demos to everyday wear. While indoor environments only demand a few hundred to a thousand nits, outdoor daylight can exceed tens of thousands of lux,...
S27 Base/Plus Split CPUs, Pro/Ultra Snapdragon‑Only
Galaxy S27 series Base and Plus: Exynos and Snapdragon mix Pro and Ultra: Snapdragon Exclusive
Motorola Says Its Razr Is the World’s Number One Flip Phone
Motorola unveiled its refreshed Razr lineup at a Hollywood‑style premiere that featured a fashion show and celebrity appearances. The collection adds colorful flip phones and a new book‑style foldable Razr, priced between $800 and $1,900. Motorola claims the Razr is...
Spending Nintendo Day Finishing Deep Dive for Release
Today is Nintendo day $NTDOY. I'm going to dedicate the next few hours to finishing my Nintendo deep dive (already 2 hours in) and will hopefully be able to release it later today.
Dial Color Transforms Watches Into Subtle Conversation Starters
Dial color is everything. It’s what turns a watch into a conversation piece. These new finishes and color transitions are exactly what I look for something that stands out without being overdone. @grandseikousa https://t.co/sBZFejwPvc
Apple's AI Photo Tools Aim to Catch Up, Not Lead
Apple’s upcoming AI photo tools are less about innovation for its own sake and more about catching up in a space where competitors have already reset expectations https://t.co/I8PmqMAahe
IO Interactive Clarifies Design of 007 First Light Controller
IO Interactive has addressed criticism of the design of the 007 First Light limited-edition DualSense wireless controller, confirming it's not what some fans think. https://t.co/iVLnVNuVNe
Android Auto May Soon Let You Dismiss Alarms
You may have been frustrated by not being able to dismiss alarms on Android Auto, but a tweak could be on the way. https://t.co/X7eMpkwiKk
Mac Mini Should Be Marketed as Personal AI Hub
Apple has more powerful hardware in more pockets than anyone on Earth. Why isn't every Mac Mini marketed as your personal AI computer?
Apple Holds Up Amid RAM Shortage—Risk Looms
Apple has weathered the RAM storm pretty well so far, but that could change before long. https://t.co/P9WKxBX6R7
OpenAI Tests Android Screen‑view via Accessibility Bubbles
OpenAI is testing a more efficient way for ChatGPT to see your screen on Android by utilizing Accessibility settings and the Bubbles multitasking feature ✅ Details and demo - https://t.co/jtmcCvOksd #OpenAI #ChatGPT https://t.co/z3CX0noSWx