Robotics

Jack Wallen/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Piccolo N150 More

The MSPM0C1104 measure only 1.38 mm² and yet is a fully-featured microcontroller. TI Texas Instruments has officially unveiled the MSPM0C1104, which it claims to be the world’s smallest microcontroller. This remarkable device measures a mere 1.38 mm², which is only slightly larger than a flake of black pepper. The MSPM0C1104 is a wafer chip-scale package […] More

Google Google Gemini has introduced a conversational AI assistant to understand users’ needs conversationally. But what if, in addition to understanding what you say, it could also understand you from your everyday interactions with your device? Now it can. Also: AI agents aren’t just assistants: How they’re changing the future of work today On Thursday, […] More

Adam Breeden/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Formovie Cinema Edge 4K UST projector More

David Ryder/Bloomberg via Getty Images If you’re a T-Mobile customer, your rates might be on the rise. After announcing a price bump less than a year ago, the mobile carrier is doing it again — and once again, it’s affecting customers on older plans. Also: Want a cheaper phone bill? This major carrier lets you play […] More

ZDNETHave you ever felt like your phone is listening in on your conversations? You’re probably right, and so is your TV, your Alexa, and your other smart home devices. Researchers at NordVPN have developed a simple test to check.Also: How to disable ACR on your TV (and stop companies from spying on you)Your smartphone is constantly using its built-in microphone so your assistant can hear voice commands, and it’s probably not the only device in your home doing so. But are these devices hearing other things you say, and are your background conversations leaving your device? How to find out if your phone is listening to youStart by choosing a unique topic that you’ve never searched for or discussed before. This should be something unrelated to any usual interest, NordVPN says. Discuss this topic over several days, making sure you’re around your phone each time. Talk about the topic and specific things related to it (like tourist sites or hotels in a certain city), but don’t search online for this topic. Also: I recommend this $50 anti-spy camera finder to anyone travelingOver the next few days, pay close attention to the ads you see — on your social media feed, website ads, app ads, and even ads on your TV. If you start seeing ads about your chosen topic, you’ve confirmed that your phone is listening. More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETLast week, deep in the heart of Mobile World Congress, in a remarkably refined, albeit temporary, meeting space, I couldn’t help but reflect on how far Google’s Android ecosystem had come. Five short years ago, Android’s mission was focused on personalized privacy controls and smart home integration. Also: Best of MWC 2025: 10 most impressive products that you might’ve missedNow, amid towering Android statues, Gemini balloons, and miniature figures rappelling from bookshelves, the narrative had shifted decisively toward integrating AI-powered experiences into almost every aspect of the mobile experience.At the center of this evolution sits Sameer Samat, Google’s Head of Android, who graciously carved out time during the conference chaos to discuss Gemini Live’s new real-time video and screen-sharing capabilities — features powered by DeepMind’s Project Astra — and what they reveal about Android’s AI-driven future.   More

Hill Street Studios/Getty Images By the time you finish this sentence, at least two new AI thingies have been announced. Big tech will have made some ridiculous promise that either makes you question your livelihood or makes you go, “Cool story, bro.” Not gonna lie; this ish is exhausting. Trying to keep up makes my […] More