Robotics

If there’s one mobile trend in the past decade that I’ll proudly stand by, it’s the fact that cheap phones are getting good. Really good. In today’s market, buying a phone that costs a fraction of the latest flagship iPhone or Samsung Galaxy doesn’t mean settling for a noticeably inferior experience. Instead, manufacturers have begun to bring core features such as wireless charging, 5G, and high-performance processors downmarket, making the more accessible tier of handsets just as worthy of your consideration.Also: The best phones of 2024 What is the best cheap phone right now? My pick for the best cheap phone overall goes to the CMF Phone 1 More

Segway/ZDNETThe Segway Max G2 is an electric, kick-style scooter that’s a great, eco-friendly way to commute to work or school, run errands, or visit friends. During Best Buy’s lead-up to their official Black Friday sale, you can save $600 on one More

Write a simple caption. Don’t forget credit/ZDNETRight now at Amazon, you can pick up this Nintendo Switch bundle More

Screenshot by Jason Perlow/ZDNETFor decades, the friendship between Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock symbolized Star Trek’s core message of unity and hope. But for fans like me, their story felt unfinished — until now.As a lifelong Star Trek fan, I have always cherished the bond between Kirk and Spock. Their friendship was the heartbeat of the original series, embodying humanity’s best ideals by transcending logic and emotion. This is why Star Trek: Generations  (incidentally, the movie my future wife and I saw on our first date) left me with bittersweet closure 30 years ago. While Kirk’s death was undeniably heroic, sharing his final moments with Captain Picard felt incomplete because Spock wasn’t there. I have always wished for a different ending where Kirk and Spock could share a final farewell.Also: How Apple, Google, and Microsoft can save us from AI deepfakesWhen Leonard Nimoy passed away in 2015, that dream seemed impossible. But thanks to the Roddenberry Archive, that longing has been addressed. Their new short film, 765874 — *Unification*, brings together William Shatner’s Kirk and Leonard Nimoy’s Spock in a deeply emotional farewell that left me in tears. Directed by Carlos Baena and enhanced by advanced AI and deepfake technology from the cloud graphics firm OTOY, the film bridges a decades-old gap in the Star Trek universe and provides the moment of closure that fans like me have been craving for years.[embedded content]A reunion that feels rightWatching Kirk and Spock share the screen again feels like reconnecting with an old friend. The film imagines Kirk leaving the Nexus, where he existed outside of time after Generations, to visit Spock in his final moments. This profoundly emotional encounter blends nostalgia with raw poignancy. For fans who grew up with these characters, it feels like both a farewell and a celebration of their bond.The performance is a testament to the care and artistry behind the production. Actor Lawrence Selleck portrays Spock’s physical presence, while advanced CGI and deepfake technology restore Nimoy’s unmistakable features. The result is a seamless blend of old and new, preserving Spock’s essence in a way that feels authentic. Every expression and nuance — from his calm demeanor to the famous eyebrow raise — reflects the Spock we know and love. More

Volha Yemialyantsava/Getty Images If you rely on ChatGPT for your everyday workflow, you are likely used to having a tab open with the chatbot on your desktop at all times. Now, right from your desktop, you’ll have the chance to access OpenAI’s Advanced Voice Mode — and you’ll want to.  Also: Google’s Gemini Advanced gets a very […] More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETAll of the major AI chatbots are updated regularly with new features to better compete in the saturated and always-evolving chatbot market. Many times, this means taking inspiration from each other, and Google just took a page out of ChatGPT’s book with this latest feature. Also: Microsoft makes it easier for users to create AI agents in Copilot StudioOn Tuesday, Google shared via an X post that Gemini will now be able to remember a user’s interests and preferences, which can then be used to better inform the AI’s answers. The feature begins rolling out today, but there’s a catch — it’s only available to Gemini Advanced users. Rolling out starting today, you can ask Gemini Advanced to remember your interests and preferences for more helpful, relevant responses. Easily view, edit, or delete any information you’ve shared, and see when it’s used.Try it in Gemini Advanced → https://t.co/Yh38BPvqjp pic.twitter.com/gR354OZxnV— Google Gemini App (@GeminiApp) November 19, 2024

Like ChatGPT’s Memory, users will have full control over the information stored and be able to edit, view, and delete any information shared in a conversation. The major difference, however, is that Gemini’s version requires users to manually tell it to remember something, unlike ChatGPT’s, which automatically remembers important tidbits when the feature is turned on.  More

Nina Raemont/ZDNETWhat’s the deal? Ahead of Black Friday, the Heritage More

DBenitostock/Getty Images When writing emails, there may be times when you need to get serious about making them as strong as possible. You might be communicating with someone important or need to get your point across in a way that’s professional, friendly, or concise. If you regularly have trouble composing the perfect email or reply, […] More