Eliana Willis

Maria Diaz/ZDNETThe Google smart home is getting one of its biggest upgrades in years. In addition to the recent launch of a new Google TV Streamer and Nest Learning Thermostat, the company is bringing Gemini, its set of artificial intelligence (AI) large language models (LLMs), to its smart home experience with new AI-generated summaries, automations, and a Gemini-powered search feature.Also: I tested the new Eero Outdoor 7, and it’s a smart home system worth splurging forGoogle Nest security cameras can detect general motion, people, and animals. Google recently updated its cameras with garage door detection through the Nest Aware subscription. This newer feature lets you monitor — using AI image detection — whether or not your garage door was left open.Gemini-powered Nest surveillance & searchBeginning today, Google is adding Gemini to the smart home Nest cameras in the Google Home app, using AI-powered image recognition to generate descriptions of what the camera captures. This feature is only available for cameras in a Nest Aware Plus subscription.Google shared the example of a camera looking into a backyard where kids jump into a swimming pool. The description read, “Three children jumping into a swimming pool, chasing after a pool toy. The sun shines brightly, casting long shadows,” instead of an ambiguous “motion detected.” More

NurPhoto/Getty Images Apple appears committed to the smart home market, with sources saying the company plans to launch a smart display next year and a security camera the year after. We’ve heard rumors of an Apple smart home panel for years, but new reports now make a 2025 product launch sound more likely.  Sources told […] More

Jack Wallen/ZDNETI’ve been a fan of Firefox for a long time. However, a few years ago, I dropped it as my default browser because I found its tab management lacking. On top of that, the browser was missing some other UI customizations. Plus, it’s been nearly four years since the Firefox developers implemented a major tweak to the UI, which means Firefox is getting a bit stale. That’s why, when the developers of Zen Browser reached out to me, my interest was piqued. Also: 5 Firefox-based, privacy-first web browsers that improve on the originalZen Browser is based on Firefox ESR 128. But for those who don’t know, Firefox ESR is an extended-release candidate, which means it’ll be supported for much longer than the standard release. What Zen Browser does with Firefox is impressive because it brings it almost in line with my favorite browser, Arc. Zen tweaks Firefox by making use of a sidebar but also (and finally) adding better tab management via Workspaces similar to Opera’s. That feature alone makes Zen Browser superior to Firefox (and a worthy option to replace my current default).Zen Browser includes the following improvements to Firefox:A highly customizable UIVertical tabsSplit viewsWorkspaces for improved tab managementCustomizable sidebarZen Glance (similar to Little Arc)OCSP enabledHTTPS only modeZen Mods to add even more featuresWhen you add those features on top of Firefox ESR, you have the makings of a pretty sweet browser. I’ve been using Zen Browser for a while now, and I can’t imagine going back to Firefox. I’m also starting to believe it could easily overtake Opera as my default on Linux.Also: Opera delivers a browser so dynamic it’ll make your friends on Chrome jealousOne really cool feature I’ve been exploring with Zen is the Zen Mode. Through the Zen Mods store, you can install a long list of modifications that help make Zen Browser even better. Some mods are as simple as making your current tab stand out better, while others can be a bit more complicated. I’ve added Zen Mods such as:Drop Shadow – adds a drop shadow to the website view panel.Better Active Tab – adds a bright line next to the active tab.Better Letterboxing – a theme-friendly rounded letterbox for the UI.Cleaned URL bar – cleans up the Zen Browser URL bar.Floating Toolbar – detaches the toolbar from the edge of the browser.Super URL Bar – several tweaks to the URL bar More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Soundpeats Air 5 earbuds are available now on Amazon for $89. These earbuds deliver a remarkably clean sound and a good fit. I had to reboot my Pixel 9 Pro phone before the earbuds were recognized. –> I’ve been reviewing earbuds, headphones, and speakers for a long time. One thing […] More

Artie Beaty/ZDNETIf you’ve seen all the hype about Temu and Shein (here’s our primer on Temu) but are a little leery about diving in, Amazon just made another alternative available.Also: How to use Bluesky: Everything to know about the popular X alternativeCalled “Amazon Haul More

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETMore people around the world take photos with an iPhone than any other camera — 3 trillion per year, according to Apple’s internal data. And every time Apple announces the latest iPhone, the new camera features on the Pro model are one of the most anticipated parts of the whole spectacle — and one of the things Apple usually saves for the end of the event. The cameras in this year’s iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro earbuds are available on Amazon for $129. The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro earbuds deliver brilliant sound with a wide soundstage that belies their price point. The only negative thing I can find about these earbuds is they attract fingerprints like crazy. –> Earbuds are everywhere and […] More

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe EcoFlow Power Hat More