Author: News Room

Samsung is rolling out new conversational AI across its 2025 TVs that lets users ask questions about what’s on the screen and beyond it. First announced in September, the generative AI update is rolling out now with support for several languages.Vision AI Companion is based on an upgraded, generative AI-based version of Samsung’s virtual assistant Bixby. Samsung suggests you can use it to ask questions about on-screen content — what that actor is famous for, who painted that artwork, or what the final score was in a football game. It can go beyond that though, offering TV and movie recommendations…

If you were confused about Apple releasing a crossbody iPhone strap, then you’re going to find its new iPhone Pocket even more perplexing. The Pocket is actually a knitted bag, though it might be more apt to describe it as a sock designed to snugly encase your iPhone, instead of just sticking it in your purse or pocket.This limited edition collaboration with Japanese designer Issey Miyake can be yours for an eyewatering $229.95. That’s for the crossbody version available in blue, brown, or black. A shorter version is available in additional color options (including vivid orange, yellow, purple, pink, and…

Patreon is introducing a suite of new features, and some of them are reminiscent of traditional social media platforms.The most obvious callback is something Patreon is calling Quips, which — you guessed it — are essentially tweets. Quips are smaller text, photo, or video posts that are public by default and open for anyone to comment on, unlike premium content behind a paywall that Patreon made its name on. The idea is that Quips can entice would-be subscribers by offering them a sneak peek at paid content.The platform is also adding ways for creators to cross-pollinate their audiences. First, content…

Gemini for TV is rolling out to Google TV Streamer devices starting today, allowing almost anyone to try it out. Since it launched back in September, Gemini for TV has only been available on a limited number of smart TVs. If you didn’t have one of those devices, you were out of luck. Gemini for TV will soon be much more widely available — all you need is a TV with an HDMI port to connect a Google TV Streamer to, HDCP 1.3 or later, and a reliable internet connection.Gemini for TV replaces Google Assistant, offering the same basic voice…

Apple is no longer planning to launch a second-generation iPhone Air next fall and has “already sharply scaled back production of the first version,” The Information reports. The company launched the super-thin version of the iPhone in September, but it seemingly hasn’t proven to be a big hit, and Apple is now making some changes about its future.The Information says that the company was aiming to announce a new iPhone Air next fall that would be lighter and have more battery capacity than this year’s model. The new phone would also have gotten a vapor chamber, like the iPhone 17…

Samsung’s latest SmartThings update adds support for Siri Shortcuts. In a press release, Samsung announced that you can now use Siri to run SmartThings routines, allowing you to use Apple’s voice assistant to control your smart home.Siri Shortcuts is a feature in iOS that lets you run automations by asking Siri. These can either be created by the user in the Shortcuts app or by the manufacturers in their app.This update should make it easier to control your SmartThings home using your iPhone, HomePod, or other Apple device. For example, you can now call on Siri to trigger your “Good…

With a smart video doorbell, your front door’s communication skills go from 1980s landline to a modern smartphone. Combining a motion-activated camera with a microphone, speaker, and buzzer, a doorbell camera sends alerts to your phone, allowing you to see who’s at the door without needing to open it or even be at home. Whether you’re curled up on the couch, hard at work in your office, or sunning on a beach in the Bahamas, a video doorbell keeps you in touch with what’s happening on your doorstep.What I’m looking forHow we test video doorbellsCollapseI install each video doorbell on…

Google started rolling out its new Gemini voice assistant for its smart speakers two weeks ago and, in a blog post marking the anniversary, the company seems to think everything is going great. It’s even quoting a user who said, “My Google Home just got upgraded with Gemini. It’s actually useful now beyond asking for today’s weather.” That’s some not-so-subtle shade right there.But dig into the post’s FAQ, and things don’t look so rosy. Two of the most frequently asked questions from those who have the new assistant are:Gemini for Home voice assistant is not fully understanding my query… (Example:…

Brandt Ranj is a commerce reporter for The Verge, which means, he says, “I spend my time trying to find good deals and the best gear to recommend to our readers.” He also keeps The Verge’s wearables buyer’s guides up to date, but, he adds, “my role requires me to cover a little bit of everything,” including deals on subscriptions. “Products are constantly coming out, so every day it is a little different.”He volunteered to tell us about his favorite kitchen scale: the OXO 11 lb Stainless Steel Food Scale with Pull out Display.When (and why) did you get this…

If you want a reliable pair of wireless earbuds that play well with Apple’s ecosystem, the AirPods 4 are one of the best options under $100 you can get. They don’t offer active noise cancellation like the higher-end models, but they do deliver better sound than Apple’s previous entry-level buds with noticeably richer bass. If you rely on earbuds for calls, they now include the Pro’s Voice Isolation tech, which cuts background noise far more effectively than prior entry-level model’s, and Apple has added new head-gesture controls so you can answer calls or dismiss notifications with a nod.You also get…

Things continue to look bleak for the original robot vacuum maker. iRobot’s third-quarter results, released last week, show that revenue is down and “well below our internal expectations due to continuing market headwinds, ongoing production delays, and unforeseen shipping disruptions,” said Gary Cohen, iRobot CEO, in a press release. This meant they had to spend more cash and are now down to under $25 million. “At this time, the Company has no sources upon which it can draw for additional capital,” said Cohen. The Roomba manufacturer has been struggling for several years in the face of increased competition from Chinese…

CNN is revamping its app’s homepage with a feed dedicated to short-form videos. The new “Shorts” tab houses a stream of clips with stories from CNN, allowing you to swipe through them like you would with TikTok or Instagram Reels.The CNN app already had a section for short-form videos in its “Watch” tab, but now the network’s putting the clips front and center on the homepage. In addition to showing all recently published vertical videos, the new Shorts feed will also include clips made exclusively for the stream.You won’t be forced to watch short-form news videos every time you open…