Robotics

ZDNETIf you’re an Android user, you are familiar with Gemini, as it has replaced Google Assistant as the default.Although Gemini is a powerful and helpful tool, some worry that it invades their privacy. If you use the default settings, that concern is not too far from the truth. If you happen to share that mindset, I have five tips to help you maximize your privacy when using Gemini on your Android device.Also: How to use Gemini’s Deep Research to browse the web faster and betterFortunately, these tips aren’t challenging, so anyone can use them. Are you ready? Let’s get private. 1. Disable the Workspaces extension The second Gemini became my default assistant on Android, this was the first change I made. Why? I don’t want Google to use my work to train its LLMs. And even if Google claims they don’t currently do that, who’s to say they won’t in the future? Or maybe I just don’t want Gemini to have access to my manuscripts, scripts, and other creative works. Also: How to add Gemini access to your Chrome browserThat’s why I disabled the Workspaces extension in Gemini. By disabling this extension, Gemini cannot access my Google Drive account. To do this, open the Gemini app, tap your profile picture in the upper right corner, and tap Extensions. Near the top of that page, you’ll see the Google Workspace extension, which is enabled by default. Tap the On/Off slider until it’s in the Off position, then back out of Settings, secure in the knowledge that Gemini can no longer access your files in Drive. 2. Disable the Device Control extension If you have a smart home (with smart devices), you might want to consider disabling the Device Control extension. Doing this ensures that Gemini on your Android phone cannot “mistakenly” switch on a mic or camera with one of your smart devices. I’m not saying Google would do this, but should your phone become compromised, malicious software could access those devices via Gemini, enable the mic or camera, and spy on you. Also: Gemini’s new extension brings back your favorite Google Assistant features on AndroidAgain, I’m not saying it would happen, but it could. Because of that, I leave this extension disabled. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Oukitel WP100 Titan will be available on Amazon in mid-April for around $599. With a built-in projector, massive battery, rugged chassis, and powerful light, this phone is ideal for outdoorsy types. It’s also massive, and weighs nearly 1.5 pounds. –> I have in my hand the single heaviest phone I’ve […] More

A virtual private network and antivirus perfectly complement each other to fend off cyber threats. As the VPN provides privacy and data security online, the antivirus remains vigilant against potential offline threats that can infiltrate your system. Some providers package the two together for less, saving you the additional costs of buying them separately.In most cases, however, a VPN with antivirus may not be as effective for cleaning your system as a dedicated antivirus, just like the latter won’t do a VPN’s job any better. You should, therefore, be precise about the kind of protection you mostly want before deciding if you should get a VPN with antivirus or vice versa. That being said, my hands-on tests enabled me to shortlist some of the best VPN-antivirus combo providers to give you all-around protection.Also: The best VPN services: Expert tested and reviewedWhat’s the best VPN with antivirus right now?After looking into different services, we picked the Surfshark One security suite as the best overall. We found many utilities that might be helpful when using the software as a VPN or antivirus. Beyond the great VPN service delivery we experience in our Surfshark More

Adam Breeden/ZDNETGoogle is rolling out its March 2025 Pixel feature drop, bringing some serious upgrades to the entire Pixel family. Also: 4 Pixel phone tricks every user should know – including my favoriteMost Pixel phones are getting new scam detection, the Pixel Watch 3 is receiving a first-of-its-kind feature, there’s a new option to share your location with friends, and more. What’s new in the March 2025 Pixel feature drop?Among all the new features in this month’s drop, 10 stand out. For example, your Pixel phone is gaining a new way to protect you, and your Pixel Watch is receiving a never-before-seen feature.  Here’s what’s new.Also: This $100 Android phone reminded me of my Pixel 9 Pro in the best way1. Real-time alerts for suspicious textsFirst up: In addition to listening in on your calls for words associated with scams, your phone now monitors your text messages. With AI-powered Scam Detection on-device, Google says Messages will now flag text patterns commonly associated with scams and alert you about suspicious conversations. While the phone call version of this feature is only available on the Pixel 9, the text message version is available on the Pixel 6 and newer. 2. Share your location with trusted contactsFind My Device now lets you share your location with trusted contacts. With the same app you use to find a lost device, your friends can now see your live location on a map, no matter which device they’re using. This is coming to all Android devices. 3. Loss of pulse detectionPixel Watch 3 users are getting a first-of-its-kind, life-saving feature in the form of loss of pulse detection. If your watch detects that you’ve lost your pulse, it can automatically place a call to emergency services. This will start rolling out at the end of this month. 4. Generate images of people in Pixel StudioIf you use the Pixel 9’s Pixel Studio, which lets you generate AI images from text prompts, you’ll soon be able to generate images of people. Just describe the person or scene you want, Google says, like “3D cartoon” or “video game,” and Pixel Studio will work its magic. More

Google/ZDNETAs far back as 2023, Google was reportedly working on an AI assistant for Pixel phones called “Pixie.” Many people expected to see that assistant debut with the Pixel 9, but we haven’t really heard anything about that project since.Until now. Pixel Sense on Pixel 10According to a report from Android Authority, Google is dropping a new context-aware assistant with the Pixel 10 — Pixel Sense. Also: Gemini Live just got much easier to talk to – here’s howAndroid Authority says Pixel Sense will use information on your phone to provide a much more personal assistant experience. It will be able to pull information from a number of other apps, including Calendar, Chrome, Contacts, Docs, Files, Gmail, Keep Notes, Maps, Messages, Phone, Photos, Recorder, Screenshots, Wallet, YouTube Music, and YouTube. The AI-powered assistant will run fully on-device, meaning you’ll be able to use it offline and “not even Google can see” your data. It will be able to process media files, including text and images, and process screenshots (sounds like Pixel Screenshots). Pixel Sense will provide personal predictive suggestions, like suggesting places and names you use often, adapt to your interests, and learn how you use your phone to complete tasks faster. More

Current price: $600Original price: $800Samsung’s Freestyle 2 combines a projector and a gaming hub all-in-one, and the Freestyle 2 builds on its predecessor with greater functionality, a better remote, and some literally game-changing features. In fact, what’s distinctly unique about the Samsung Freestyle 2 Gaming Hub is that you don’t need a physical console to play a game, but just the Freestyle 2, internet access, and game controller.Read more: Samsung’s latest swiveling projector is secretly the best gaming console you can buyWhen ZDNET’s Allison Murray and her husband tested the Freestyle 2 in their home, they were impressed with the portable projector’s power-packed value, and the ability to play video games from the ceiling — or any room in the house with an open wall. “My husband was able to play Rocket League with a free membership to GeForce Now, and other free games like Fortnite were also available. The overall gaming experience will depend on your Wi-Fi connection, but the graphics were crystal clear, and the Freestyle 2 loaded the games fast with virtually no glitches,” Murray said. And the Freestyle 2’s projecting capabilities weren’t lackluster, either. “The Samsung Freestyle 2 impressed me with both image quality, the ability to auto-focus — whether it was projecting onto a slanted ceiling or a projector screen — and the overall experience of setup and streaming,” Murray wrote in her review.  More

Apple/ZDNETApple has unveiled the 11th-generation version of its base iPad at a price that may be too good to resist. Starting at $349, the new 11-inch iPad More

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETI’ve been flying drones, both recreationally and commercially, for over a decade — and hold a handful of drone licenses and certifications. Over those hundreds of hours of flying, I’ve yet to lose a drone. Yet, almost daily, I come across stories on social media of people losing their drones. Some drones crash on their first flight, some after months or years of problem-free service. Also: I tested DJI’s new foldable drone, and would recommend it to both beginners and professionalsI attribute my success, luck, and good fortune in part to experience, but mostly to the fact that I carry out regular safety checks on my drone. A drone is an aircraft, and just as you wouldn’t put a plane in the sky that hadn’t had safety checks carried out on it, I wouldn’t put a drone in the sky without doing the same. So, what tests should you do, and when?I have three sets of checks that I do: pre-flight checks, post-flight checks, and checks carried out every two weeks to a month (depending on how often I’m flying… the more I fly, the more often I check). Why pre-flight and post-flight checks? One set is to catch damage that might have occurred while storing or transporting the drone (and anything I might have missed after the last post-flight check). The post-flight checks are there to catch anything that might have happened during the flight. Also: The DJI Mini 2 SE drone is a great starter droneThe biweekly/monthly checks are there to again take a fresh look at the drone, as well as a deeper look at things like the batteries. And it’s not just looking at the drone. Pre-flight checks take into consideration other things that can affect your drone. Pre-flight checks Drone checksCarefully check the drone for any visible damage to the frame, propellers, or landing gear. You’re looking for anything from cracks and chips to bending and seams popping open.Ensure propellers are securely attached and free of cracks or chips. Propellers are cheap, your drone isn’t. Replace them if they show any signs of damage. I always recommend using genuine propellers rather than third-party accessories.Ensure that all the propeller motors rotate freely.Check that the battery is fully charged and securely fitted. The last thing you want to happen is for the battery to fall out mid-flight (yes, that does happen).Also: I tested DJI’s palm-sized drone, and it captured things I had never seen before More