Eliana Willis

Google / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETGoogle has dominated the search engine market for decades. However, the rise of generative AI has presented a new form of competition — AI search engines. With its AI Mode, Google provides users with exactly that: an AI chatbot that understands and outputs conversational search queries. As you might expect, it looks less like a traditional Google search and more like ChatGPT Search.Also: Microsoft is offering free AI skills training for everyone – how to sign upGoogle’s AI Mode was met with such high interest that the feature went from being exclusive to Google One AI Premium users who pay $20 monthly to any Google account user via Google Labs. On Monday, Google updated it further, giving the AI multimodal capabilities and expanding access to millions more Lab users. The AI now leverages Google Lens, the feature that allows users to upload and learn more about images on Google Search. By using Lens in AI Mode, users experience a much more in-depth visual search experience than traditional search because AI mode can understand the entire scene of an image.  More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETA useful Gemini feature that Google first rolled out a few months ago, exclusive to a few phones, is now available for free users on a much wider scale. Select Samsung phones are also getting access to Gemini Live’s multimodal capabilities, allowing users to point at objects with their phone camera and ask Gemini about them.Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025″Talk Live about” is a feature that lets you show Gemini what’s on your screen and have a conversation about it. It works for files, images, and YouTube videos. The feature was first introduced back in January, when it was exclusive to the Pixel 9 series and Galaxy S24 and S25. The March Pixel Drop brought it to more phones, including the Pixel 6 and newer. Now, it’s showing up on even more older devices. More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETRobot vacuum manufacturers are constantly trying to outdo one another. One company develops a detachable cordless vacuum for the robot’s dock, and the next makes the robot’s dustbin a detachable cordless vacuum. Now Eufy is upping the ante with the first robot vacuum to also have a detachable spot cleaner for carpet and upholstery. The Eufy Omni E28 More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETTired of ever-increasing phone bills? Don’t feel like shopping for a new carrier when your payment increases — again? Verizon has an answer.The wireless carrier said last week that it’s introducing an “industry-leading guarantee: a 3-year price lock.” Under this promotion, myPlan and myHome network plan customers, both current and new, will have their rates locked in for the next three years. About half of the company’s customers are on myPlan, meaning this change will affect many people.Also: The best phones you can buy: Expert testedThis announcement comes a few weeks after Verizon offered free satellite texting to some customers.Here’s the important part: This guarantee “ensures your core monthly plan price for calling, data, and texting will not change,” Verizon said, “excluding taxes, fees, and perks.” In short, your actual plan price won’t increase, but any additional taxes and fees aren’t guaranteed to remain the same. Of course, your price could change, too, if you upgrade your plan or add lines.  More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The CaseUp Combo includes ProtoArc’s wireless keyboard, mouse, and laptop stand for $99 on Amazon. The ease of use and transport make this a solid option for improving your hybrid and remote work setup. The mouse, while comfortable, might be too small for some people. –> There is no shortage of […] More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETMicrosoft is testing a dramatic overhaul of the controversial Windows 11 Start menu. Potentially rolling out later this year, the changes aim to address some of the many criticisms that have dogged the menu over the years.Also: Want free AI training from Microsoft? You can sign up for its AI Skills Fest nowAs spotted by Windows latest, an X post from phantomofearth (who looks at Windows insider builds) takes us on a short video tour of the new and improved Start menu. Here is what is in store and how it tries to fix the flaws and limitations in the existing version.What’s new in the Windows 11 Start menu?The current Windows 11 Start menu shows only pinned and recommended apps up front. To see all your installed apps, you have to move to a different screen. The new menu displays all your apps right on the main screen, so they are more easily accessible.Plus, you are able to view all the apps in one of three different layouts — a named list, a named grid, or folders based on category. The category folders are similar to the App Library found on the iPhone and iPad.Also: Microsoft at 50: Its incredible rise, 15 lost years, and stunning comeback – in 4 chartsNext up, the existing Pinned section displays only a few rows of apps, requiring you to scroll down to see the next batch. With the new menu, you can opt to show them all right off the bat. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways A well-designed multitool with a range of quality tools that can handle a variety of tasks. At under $20, this is in a class of its own in terms of price, and it makes it a great tool for occasional use, or a tool that you don[t mind if it gets […] More

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETSamsung’s One UI 7 is my favorite Android skin right now. It is fast, responsive, and intuitive. But nothing comes fine-tuned to your experience straight out of the box. You need to personalize your smartphone to make it more appealing. I change almost a dozen settings on every Samsung Galaxy phone to best suit my needs, and I believe these will elevate your user experience, too. Also: The best Samsung phones to buyFrom setting the highest available screen resolution to more privacy-focused features, here are 10 Galaxy phone settings (plus a bonus) that I recommend changing to enhance your Galaxy phone experience. Please note that some settings might be phone-specific.1. Turn off pop-up notifications More