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 Brings Back Pixel Referral Program: 10% Off Phones, $50 Store Credit
Google has revived its Pixel Referral Program, letting shoppers apply a 10% discount on Pixel phones purchased through the US Google Store until July 31. Referrers receive $50 in Google Store credit about a month after the referred buyer’s return window closes, with a cap of ten codes and $500 total credit per participant. The program can be combined with other promotions but is barred during high‑traffic periods like Black Friday or new product launches. Interested users can generate and track codes at store.google.com/referrals.
The 7 Biggest Windows 11 Insider Changes From Early April — and Why They Matter for 2026
Microsoft’s early‑April Windows 11 Insider builds introduce seven notable refinements, ranging from haptic feedback for window actions to deeper security alerts. New haptic signals, an updated Xbox mode, and a badge for Protected Print Mode improve user interaction, while Secure Boot...
The Sideload 029: Smartphone Solvers
Episode 29 of 9to5Google’s The Sideload podcast features host Will Sattelberg and writer Andrew Romero dissecting the current state of flagship Android phones sold in the United States. The duo critiques Samsung’s sprawling Galaxy S lineup, offers a concrete suggestion for Google’s...
Google Home Rolls Out More Gemini Voice Updates for Music, Notes, More
Google has rolled out a new batch of Gemini updates for Google Home, sharpening playlist recognition, reducing artist‑misidentification, and making media controls more responsive. The voice assistant now handles notes and lists with single‑step commands, allowing users to edit, convert,...
GIGABYTE X870E AERO X3D WOOD
Gigabyte unveiled the X870E AERO X3D WOOD, a high‑end motherboard that blends an 8‑layer PCB with wood‑grain composite panels on the I/O and secondary M.2 heatsink. The board supplies 60 A through a 16+2+2 power delivery system and adds leather‑tipped pull...
Microsoft Raises Surface Laptop and Surface Pro Prices, up $500 Since Launch
Microsoft announced price hikes for its Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11, raising base models to $1,500—$500 above the 2024 launch price. The increases, driven by a global RAM and component cost surge, affect multiple configurations, with some models now costing...
Google Shoehorned Rust Into Pixel 10 Modem to Make Legacy Code Safer
Google’s Project Zero uncovered a remote code‑execution flaw in Pixel phone modems, prompting the company to bolster baseband security. Instead of rewriting the entire firmware, Google inserted a Rust‑based component into the Pixel 10 modem’s legacy C/C++ stack. The Rust module...
Advocacy Groups Warn Against Adding Facial Recognition to Meta AI Glasses
Meta is preparing to embed facial recognition into its AI‑powered smart glasses, prompting a coalition of more than 70 civil‑rights, domestic‑violence, reproductive‑rights, LGBTQ+, labor and immigrant advocacy groups to publicly demand the feature be scrapped. The groups argue the technology...
Microsoft Is Killing Outlook Lite
Microsoft announced that Outlook Lite for Android will be retired on May 25, 2026, after blocking new downloads since October 2023. The lightweight app, launched in 2022 to serve low‑end devices and slow networks, has become redundant as budget Android...
Tahoe Nitpick of the Day: ‘Reduce Transparency’ Makes Layers Harder to See, Not Easier
Apple’s macOS 26.4, codenamed Tahoe, has drawn criticism for its “Reduce transparency” accessibility setting, which paradoxically lowers contrast and makes UI elements harder to discern. The same release also introduces a blurry, lag‑filled animation when opening Launchpad via pinch gestures....
IPod Nostalgia Fuels 48% Surge in Used Sales, Sparks Marketing Opportunities
Second‑hand iPod sales have risen 48% since 2024, reviving wired audio and prompting brands to explore retro‑centric campaigns. The surge coincides with higher streaming fees and a broader consumer appetite for tangible music experiences.
Reliance Jio and Bank of Baroda Deploy Bob World Lite on Feature Phones to Boost Digital Inclusion
Reliance Jio and Bank of Baroda have launched bob World Lite, a lightweight banking app pre‑installed on JioPhone Prima 4G devices, targeting millions of feature‑phone users in semi‑urban and rural India. The partnership aligns with government goals for financial inclusion...
FCC Waiver Rule May Keep 71% of US Households Stuck with Outdated ISP Routers
The FCC’s new waiver requirement for non‑U.S.‑made routers could trap the 71% of American households that receive equipment from ISPs, leaving them with aging, less secure hardware. Analysts warn the rule may delay adoption of newer Wi‑Fi standards while the...
Huawei Unveils Pura X Max Wide‑Format Foldable, Challenging Apple and Samsung
Huawei introduced the Pura X Max, a wide‑format foldable phone set for a China launch on April 20, positioning it ahead of Apple’s anticipated iPhone Fold and Samsung’s next‑gen Z Fold. The device’s 1,000‑yuan ($140) reservation deposit and its unprecedented...
Walmart’s New Google TV 4K Stick Is the First Onn Streamer to Support Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD/X Lossless Audio
Walmart’s Onn brand has introduced a Google TV 4K Stick that uniquely supports Dolby TrueHD, DTS‑HD, and DTS:X lossless audio, a first for its budget line. The device, quietly appearing on shelves without an official launch, was tested by Reddit...
Meta Is Warned That Facial Recognition Glasses Will Arm Sexual Predators
Meta plans to embed a facial‑recognition feature called “Name Tag” in its Ray‑Ban and Oakley smart glasses, allowing wearers to pull up information on anyone they see. The technology could identify people the wearer is connected to or any public...
Xbox CEO Called Game Pass 'Too Expensive for Players' In a Leaked Memo
Xbox’s newly appointed CEO Asha Sharma circulated an internal memo warning that the Game Pass subscription has become too expensive for many players. The memo follows two price hikes in the past 15 months that pushed the service to $15‑$30...
Cord Cutting Today: Roku Adds New Features as Streaming Prices Rise and Local TV Faces More Disruption
Roku quietly rolled out a new "Roku City" feature on its TVs and players, offering a more personalized channel guide while simultaneously deploying a critical bug fix that restored stability for millions of users. At the same time, Nexstar announced...
Xbox CEO Says Game Pass Is “Too Expensive” And Needs Changes in Leaked Internal Memo
Xbox’s new chief Asha Sharma told staff that Game Pass pricing is too high and must be reworked. The memo follows a recent 50% price hike that lifted Game Pass Ultimate to $29.99 per month, prompting subscriber backlash. Microsoft is...
Snap Taps Qualcomm for Next-Gen AI Glasses Ahead of Mass Launch
Snap has inked a multi‑year deal with Qualcomm to supply its Snapdragon XR chips for the upcoming Specs smart‑glasses line. The glasses, slated for a consumer launch later this year, will feature on‑device AI that supports voice and gesture control,...
Our Favorite Garmin Watch Can Go Nearly 2 Weeks Between Charges
Garmin’s latest smartwatch lineup showcases a blend of sleek design, advanced health analytics, and industry‑leading battery life. The Venu 4, highlighted as the favorite, offers animated on‑screen workouts, a customizable morning wellness report, and up to 12 days between charges. Higher‑end models...
ŌURA and Soaak: Supporting Readiness in High-Stakes Environments
Oura has deepened its defense collaborations by pairing its Ring biometric platform with Soaak Technologies’ sound‑based wellness solutions. The partnership lets pilots, airlift crews, and other high‑stress personnel track sleep, heart‑rate variability and resting heart rate, then receive passive audio...
Coreboot Comes To AMD Ryzen Powered Star Labs StarBook MK VI After 3+ Year Wait
Star Labs has finally released a Coreboot firmware image for its AMD Ryzen 5000‑based StarBook MK VI laptop, ending a three‑year wait that began when early buyers received an AMI BIOS instead of the promised open‑source option. The firmware was upstreamed to...
Stop Killing Games Backs California Bill Supporting Clearer End-of-Life Rules for Online Games
California’s Protect Our Games Act (AB 1921) would force live‑service publishers to notify players 60 days before server shutdowns and either provide offline patches or issue full refunds. The bill, effective for titles released after Jan 1 2027, also requires clear in‑game and...
The Apple Watch Series 11 Has Returned to Best-Ever Price
Apple has slashed the price of its Watch Series 11, offering the 42mm GPS model for $299 and the 46mm version for $329—a $100 discount across major retailers. The latest iteration adds a brighter OLED display, the longest battery life...
New App Think2Switch Lets Users Control Devices Using Their Thoughts
Calgary‑based Possibility Neurotechnologies launched Think2Switch, an app that lets users operate smartphones and IoT devices using brainwave signals captured by consumer‑grade EEG headsets. The service, built on research from the University of Calgary’s BCI4Kids program, aims to improve digital accessibility...
Track Every Step to Summer With $60 Off the Galaxy Watch8
Samsung has slashed the price of its Galaxy Watch 8 to $289.99, a $60 (17%) discount that makes the premium‑feature smartwatch more accessible. The device runs Wear OS powered by Samsung, offering a 1.3‑inch AMOLED display, built‑in GPS, 32 GB storage, and...
Flip Foldables Outpace Wides; Z Flip8 Proves It
Here's a hot take There's a bigger market for Flip foldables than for Wide foldables I think this will become clear with the Z Flip8 which drastically improves the Flip experience
Master iPad Pencil Gestures: Simple Step-by-Step Guide
An Apple iPad pairs beautifully with an Apple Pencil, but the gestures to paste, scribble, and annotate images are surprisingly unintuitive. No worries, I gotcha covered. Here's how to do it all, step-by-step: https://t.co/A7HWnNAj2V #ipad #applepencil https://t.co/jY1QZQl56q
My Android Phone Was Slowing Down My Internet Until I Changed These Settings
Android’s default power‑saving settings can unintentionally throttle internet performance, causing slower browsing even on fast connections. By disabling Wi‑Fi scan throttling, enabling intelligent network switching, configuring a private DNS, and limiting background data, users can restore consistent speeds and improve...
RAM Shortage Spikes Surface Pro, Laptop Prices by $500
RAMageddon has come for Microsoft’s Surface Pro and Surface Laptop. The Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 are now $500 more expensive than their original starting price https://t.co/7LlV62g67e
Bose QuietComfort Headphones Still $199 on Amazon
Grab the Bose QuietComfort Headphones for $199 at Amazon right now — the same price we saw during Black Friday. https://t.co/pm8IU6p9ot
Retro Handheld Maker Anbernic's Latest Device Has a Swiveling Display
Anbernic unveiled the RG Rotate, a retro‑gaming handheld with a square 1:1 display that swivels on a proprietary ultra‑thin alloy hinge, reminiscent of the classic T‑Mobile Sidekick. The device runs Android, sports an aluminum alloy frame, and will be offered...
AirPod Case Theft Reveals Precise Location Tracking Limits
Someone stole my AirPod case, but I can track exactly where they live, 🤔 If I click the sound button, does it still work if it's in another state?
Android Auto Finally Adds Climate Control UI Preview
Android Auto is still working on climate control settings, and here's an early look at the new UI It's been almost a year since we spotted this first 🫠 ✅ Details - https://t.co/qVPRffCqze https://t.co/fvNjV3cUDw
Take Your Media Offline — This 512GB Portable Flash Drive Is Discounted Right Now
A 512 GB portable flash drive is now available for $35.99, a 16% discount from its regular price. The drive offers modest read speeds of around 20 MB/s and supports both USB‑A and USB‑C connections, making it compatible with most phones, tablets,...
New Xbox Chief Calls Game Pass Too Pricey
scoop: Xbox Game Pass "has become too expensive," says Microsoft’s new Xbox chief in an internal memo. Asha Sharma wants a "better value equation" for Xbox players. All the details here 👇https://t.co/9WBXgl9r1T
Google Adds Verified Caller to Block Spoofed Scam Calls
Google's building a better way for Android to protect more of you from scam calls Verified caller feature lets select bank apps check incoming calls for number spoofing scams ✅ Details - https://t.co/qVPRffCqze https://t.co/nmOEHKf0av
App Makes Conversation Musical
Feels Music Messaging, founded by former Interscope executive Tony Seyler, launched last month as a free app that lets users share bundled lyrics, images, audio clips and music videos instead of static screenshots. The platform secured licensing agreements with Universal...
Google's Gemini to Launch Proactive “Your Day” Feed
"Your Day" -> Google preps Gemini-powered ‘proactive feed’ called ‘Your Day’ "It’s unclear what the interface for Your Day will be, but a series of cards detailing upcoming events and relevant reminders seems likely. Like Personal Intelligence, this should be sourced...
How to De-Gemini Your Google Apps
Google has embedded its Gemini AI across Gmail, Chat, Meet, Docs, and other Workspace apps, prompting many users to seek ways to disable it. The article outlines a two‑step process in Gmail settings to turn off "Smart features" for both...
NZXT to Pay $3.45 Million in Class-Action Settlement over "Predatory" Flex PC Rental Scheme
NZXT has agreed to a $3.45 million class‑action settlement over its Flex PC rental program, which critics labeled a predatory, rent‑to‑own scam. The settlement will distribute funds to more than 19,000 participants through debt forgiveness, a PC‑retention option, and cash payouts....
The 8 Best Electronic Deadbolts for People Who Always Forget Their Keys
The article reviews eight electronic deadbolts, highlighting features, security ratings, and pricing. Top picks include the Schlage Encode Wi‑Fi lock with ANSI Grade 1 durability and up to 100 access codes, and the budget‑friendly Wyze Lock Bolt V2 at $80 offering...
I Found a Windows 11 Log that Shows Exactly What's Making My PC Slow — and Most People Don't Know...
Microsoft’s Windows 11 includes a little‑known built‑in utility called Reliability Monitor, launched with the command perfmon /rel. The tool visualizes a daily stability index from 1 to 10 and flags critical failures, warnings, and informational events with distinct icons. By drilling into specific...
Cheap Creative Pebble Pro: Good Sound, Notable Trade‑offs
The Creative Pebble Pro is very, very affordable and it sounds pretty good for the price. Of course, it comes with plenty of compromises due to its low price. https://t.co/7AL6aPoFEs
Blind Runner Navigates Brighton Marathon Using only Smart Glasses
Blind artist and author Clarke Reynolds, known as Mr. Dot, finished the Brighton Marathon using Ray‑Ban Meta smart glasses paired with the Be My Eyes app. The glasses streamed live video to a network of volunteers who provided real‑time navigation cues, allowing him...
App Turns Phones Into At-Home Ultrasound Devices
A new app called DopFone transforms a smartphone’s speaker into a fetal Doppler radar, letting pregnant women listen to their baby’s heartbeat at home. Developed by Georgia Tech researchers, the prototype was tested on 23 patients and achieved a ±4.9...
StreamTV Europe: As Fragmention Grows, the TV OS Takes Control
At StreamTV Europe in Lisbon, industry leaders declared TV operating systems the new gatekeepers of content discovery, user engagement, and advertising as streaming continues to fragment. Panels highlighted how OS providers such as Roku, V, Whale TV, and Google TV...
Screenless Fitbit Revives Brand’s Core Analytical Strength
What's old is new again — a screenless Fitbit focused on analysis is a return to what made the brand great. https://t.co/Fs7TEctfBI
The Coolest Tech Gifts of the Year Are Here. These Gadgets Will Blow Gearheads Away.
Hearst’s latest gift guide spotlights the year’s most compelling tech presents, from color e‑readers and premium headphones to smart home devices and portable entertainment. Highlights include the Kobo Libra’s 24,000‑book capacity, Bose’s second‑generation QuietComfort Ultra with USB‑C charging, and Apple’s...