Robotics

Kerry Wan/ZDNETAI is everywhere.It’s on your desktop, the web, and your phone. Even if you didn’t install an AI app on your Android device, Google Gemini is already there because Google decided to put it there.If you like the idea of having AI with you at all times, what Android apps should you consider as your best option?Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025You have many choices. And they’re all free.First, know this: Android now ships with a default AI app that doesn’t just serve to answer your queries. It’s baked deep into the operating system.With that said, let’s talk apps.1. Google GeminiGemini is the default AI for Android, and Google has done an excellent job of spreading the AI love throughout the system. Because of that, Gemini is probably the best fit for the average user. With Gemini, there is nothing to install or configure (at least for basic usage). I would, however, disable the Gemini Workspaces extension so you don’t have to worry about the AI using your Workspace files as a training ground. I’ve been using Google Gemini as my assistant since it was first made available, and it has served me well. However, while I do use Gemini as my onboard assistant, I don’t use it as my go-to AI tool. Also: Your Android phone just got a major Gemini upgrade for free – Samsung models includedOne non-assistant feature on Gemini is definitely worth using, and that’s Gemini Live. I’ve had several conversations with Gemini Live that have helped me solve complex problems with complicated plot situations (such as understanding how long-term exposure on the moon would affect the human body and psyche). Gemini is the way to go if you just need a powerful AI-driven assistant and maybe the occasional conversation with AI.Get Google Gemini More

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETOne of the most important aspects of a desktop for me is efficiency. I need an OS that makes it easy to work with multiple windows open in a way that is effortless and painless. The MacOS desktop is an outstanding option for users of all types. It is elegant, simple to use, and rock solid.MacOS did not have built-in window snapping for the longest time, which was a glaring omission, especially given that most operating systems have had built-in window snapping for years — especially Linux.Also: Ready to ditch Windows? 5 factors to help you decide between Linux or MacOSThere is good news. With the recent MacOS update (Sequoia), Apple has finally added window snapping. Even better, you do not have to do anything to enjoy the feature, as it is enabled by default. What is window snapping? Window snapping makes it possible for you to drag a window to the edge of your display (right, left, top, or bottom) and for the window to automatically snap to that edge so it only takes up a certain area of the display. For example: Drag a window to the right edge, and it will automatically take up the right half of the display.Drag a window to the left edge, and it will automatically take up the left half of the display.Drag a window to the top edge, and it will automatically take up the full display.Also: How to install an LLM on MacOS (and why you should)Now that Apple has added window snapping to MacOS, you can be more efficient with your window placement, which makes multitasking on the desktop even easier. In addition, you can even use window snapping if you have Stage Manager enabled — which makes MacOS even more efficient. How to use MacOS window snapping As I mentioned earlier, there is no need to enable the feature, as it works out of the box. To snap a window, all you have to do is click and hold the title bar and drag to one of the following locations: Top center: Full screenTop left; Top left quarterTop right: Top right quarterBottom center; Center third of the displayBottom left: Bottom left quarterBottom right: Bottom right quarterLeft edge: Left half of the displayRight edge: Right half of the displayAlternatively, you can also hover your cursor over the green button at the top left of the app you are using and select where you want the window to be placed: More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Amazon sells the Echo Hub for $180. The Echo Hub gives Alexa the place it has earned in the smart home market: A control panel to easily access smart devices, no ads, and no unnecessary fluff. The smart display can be slow and buggy, especially while loading multiple camera views more […] More

Anna Bliokh/Getty Images Have you ever wanted to build your own custom application but didn’t want to take the time to do any of the pesky learning that software development requires? If so, a new experimental project from GitHub might just make your dreams come true. GitHub Spark lets you build what the company calls […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE LTE is available for $250 in three colors. The watch is small, supports a host of health and wellness features, and lets you use it for communications even if you leave your phone at home. The small watch body means the display is also small, the […] More

Jim Rapoza/ZDNETI have to admit, heading out to London for 2025 KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe, I thought I might see the beginning of the downward trend for the event about building, deploying, and managing next-generation cloud applications and infrastructures. After all, the show turned 10 last year, and, in my experience, that’s when conferences start to show their age. Plus, there has been lots of news around the effect of AI on application development, and while KubeCon isn’t directly about dev, much of its focus is on applications and services. Also: 7 strategic insights business and IT leaders need for AI transformation in 2025But boy, was I wrong. In fact, KubeCon 2025 in London was packed, with over 12,000 attendees. Getting through the crowds at the massive London ExCel center at times made me feel like an infected Brad Pitt trying to cut through an oncoming horde of zombies in World War Z. And good luck getting into any of the keynotes even a little bit late, with every seat in the main hall and overflow balconies taken.So, what’s behind the enthusiasm for core infrastructure and cloud technology? One key to success may be that Kubernetes and other core cloud-native technologies are proving fairly AI-resistant, especially compared with regular application coding.Also: How Salesforce’s 5-level framework for AI agents finally cuts through the hypeThe learning and information from a KubeCon event are focused on deployment, management, and integration issues that require expertise and an understanding of complex technologies. Plus, the rapid pace of change in cloud native can be tough for even recent models to keep up with, and anyone using AI will probably be building very out-of-date systems. More

Jack Wallen/ZDNETI’m always searching for ways to improve the sounds I hear. Whether it’s my record player, a streaming service on my desktop, or my phone, no device is exempt from my never-ending quest.Also: 5 easy ways to transfer photos from your Android device to your Windows PCIf your Android phone is your primary source of music, podcasts, and videos, and you’ve yet to feel satisfied with the audio, there are several ways to improve what you hear. Although you’ll never reach a state of audiophile nirvana on a mobile device, you can improve the results dramatically without too much work.Let me show you how.1. Use wired headphonesBluetooth is convenient but noisy. Two things happen when a Bluetooth signal travels from your phone to your headphones: First, the sound is compressed, losing a considerable degree of fidelity. Second, there’s always the chance of interference, which can introduce noise into the signal. Also: The best headphones for working out: Expert-tested and reviewedBecause of these two factors, you should opt for wired headphones or earbuds for higher-quality sound. Most modern phones require a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter More

slowmotiongli/Getty Images Dolphins are among the smartest creatures on the planet, and a new AI model from Google combined with Pixel phones is helping researchers better understand their language — and even hopefully communicate with them.  Here’s how it works.  Also: The top 20 AI tools – and the #1 thing to remember when you […] More