Eliana Willis

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus undercut the Pro models by up to $400 while still offering similar features. The configurable Action button and Camera Control offer users more iOS shortcuts than ever, though they come with learning curves. The features that I hoped Apple would improve this year – […] More

It’s me re-imagined at a Colts game and on the Titanic. Jack Wallen/ZDNETUpon receiving my new Pixel 9 Pro, there was a particular feature I was excited to try out. Called Photo Reimagine, the feature uses AI to alter your photos in ways you have to see to believe.Before we go hands-on with this extremely cool tool, I want to address something. Photo Reimagine could be used for less-than-ethical purposes. For example, you could take a selfie, use the Reimagine tool to place yourself somewhere you’ve never been and use it for some devious objective. Fortunately, Google anticipated this — its tool won’t allow for just any reimagining. For example, I asked the app to reimagine me in the Oval Office. No dice. White House? Nope. Pentagon? Are you kidding me?Also: I upgraded to the Google Pixel 9 Pro, and its most impressive feature was not the softwareAlso, the reimagine tool doesn’t always create images that are especially logical or realistic. For example, I asked the app to reimagine me in space. One photo was laughable and the others were actually quite realistic. I then asked it to reimagine me at the San Diego Zoo and the results were a bit strange. In other words, your mileage may vary. Even so, this new feature is scary good at what it does and your imagination is your only limitation to what you can do with it. However, if you want a selfie of you at the White House — book a trip.How do you use this fancy new tool? Let me show you. More

Sasiistock/Getty Images In the last year, a flood of artificial intelligence (AI) learning tools and capabilities have entered the educational landscape — many of which are geared toward personalizing students’ learning experiences and helping educators support them. Now, parents are taking notice of AI’s potential impact on their children’s educations and are becoming increasingly invested […] More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETIf you’re a Google Workspace user, you probably spend much of your workday in Google’s suite of productivity apps to help streamline your work processes. Now, Google is making its standalone AI chatbot available to Workspace users to make those tasks easier and save you time in the long run. Also: Gemini Live is finally hitting Android phones – how to access it for freeOn Tuesday, Google announced that it will include the standalone Gemini app in Workspace Business, Enterprise, and Frontline plans. This app will be optimized to include enterprise-grade data protections to keep the organization’s information safe. The addition of Gemini is significant because, before, organizations had to purchase the Gemini for Workspace add-on, priced at $20 per user per month in Gemini Business and $30 for Gemini Enterprise. The add-on is still the only way to access Gemini within the Google suite apps, which includes Gmail, Docs, Drive, Slides, Sheets, and Meet. More

Roku Roku just launched a new generation of its Roku Ultra<!–>, the company’s flagship streaming device. You can now buy a new Roku Ultra with 30% faster processing power, Wi-Fi 6 support, and the Roku Voice Remote Pro (2nd edition) for $100. In contrast to the Roku Streaming Stick, the Roku Ultra is a tabletop […] More

Score a Microsoft Office license now at a big discount. StackSocial Whether you’re setting up your new laptop or using a machine you’ve had for years, access to Microsoft Office is a necessity for many of us to get things done. Right now, you can buy a lifetime license to the 2019 version of Microsoft Office Professional […] More

Artie Beaty/ZDNETYour Google Photos video editor is getting a lot smarter with some AI-powered auto-editing features and new tools to make editing on your own easier too.After announcing new AI-powered photo editing features and a new AI-powered search tool for Photos a few months ago, Google has now announced it’s adding a simpler interface and several new tools it hopes will help make Photos your go-to editing app.Also: I upgraded to the Google Pixel 9 Pro, and its most impressive feature was not the softwareFirst, Google says, when you open the video editor on an Android device, the most commonly used editing tools will be easier to find. Instead of smaller, unlabeled buttons, you’ll now see larger, marked buttons. The new options include:Updated trimming tool: Improved controls let you cut footage exactly where you wantAuto enhance button: A new tool allows you to automatically enhance colors and stabilize your videos to remove shakiness in one tap.Speed tool: Create dramatic slow-motion moments or speed up slow points with the new speed tool, giving you dramatically improved control over the pace of your videosIn addition, new AI-powered video editing presets are available for both iOS and Android devices to help you create ready-to-share videos with a tap. These presets “help you quickly get great edited videos with minimal effort” and can automatically trim your video, adjust the lighting, control the speed, and apply effects like dynamic motion tracking of the main subject, zooming in on the main action, or applying slow-mo to certain portions with just a few taps.Also: Gemini Live is finally hitting Android phones – how to access it for freeGoogle didn’t give an exact timeline for the feature, but it said it’s “starting to roll out” on Android and iOS devices. If you don’t see it now (I had it on my Google Pixel 8 Pro when I checked this morning), you should soon.   More