Eliana Willis

Matthew Miller/ZDNETStarting today, Google is rolling out a huge patch to the first Pixel Watch and the Pixel Watch 2 via an OTA (over the air) update. Not only will these devices gain Wear OS 5, but they’re also getting a new app and “numerous bug fixes.”The patch notes we received didn’t list every addition, but we have enough info to paint a solid picture. Wear OS 5, for example, introduces a grid-based app launcher similar to the software layout seen on some third-party smartwatches. Also: 5 reasons why I’m glad I upgraded to the Pixel Watch 3Many users prefer a grid as it reduces the amount of scrolling required to find an app. However, if you prefer the list-based launcher, Google says you can revert to the old style through the system settings. More

<!–> 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