Apr 12

Engadget review recap: The Pixel 9a, smart glasses and AMD's latest CPU

Posted in: Today's Chili

This installment of our reviews roundup goes in several different directions. We’ve got an excellent Android phone, some smart glasses and a powerful CPU. Plus, we revisited our old pal the iPhone 16 Pro and offer up a spoiler-free review of The Last of Us season two. There’s plenty to catch up on, so keep scrolling to see what our reviews team has been up to over the last few weeks. 

There’s a lot to like about the Pixel 9a. In fact, senior reviews writer Sam Rutherford argues it’s the best Android phone you can buy right now in terms of pure value. “I would love to see Google add a true telephoto lens and its charging speeds (both wired and wireless) could be better,” he writes. “But for $500, Google’s most budget-friendly phone covers all the bases and then some.”

If you’re looking for a pair of smart glasses that are more practical instead of being a content capture device, Even Realities’ G1 might be for you. The device impressed senior editor Daniel Cooper, but the caveats will be dealbreakers for some people. “I really like Even Realities’ G1 for what they can do right now, but I’m also hopeful that it’ll get far more useful in the future,” he explains. “It seems to me there are so many things that could be tweaked, primped and plumped to make these far more appealing.”

The latest AMD Ryzen CPU is a powerhouse, but it comes with a steep price tag. “After releasing a pair of excellent midrange GPUs, which showed that the company can genuinely go toe-to-toe with NVIDIA, this CPU and its accompanying 3D V-Cache technology is a reminder of how AMD is far ahead of Intel in many ways,” senior editor Devindra Hardawar says. “While it’s certainly not the best deal around, if you can afford it, the 9950X3D is the best desktop CPU you can buy today.”

We’re revisiting big devices about six months after their initial release to see how things are progressing. UK bureau chief Mat Smith recently put the iPhone 16 Pro through its paces again, noting that Apple Intelligence remains a disappointment. Deputy news editor Nathan Ingraham got early access to The Last of Us ahead of the season two premiere this weekend. He explains that the show navigates a rough patch in the source material with relative ease, and his review won’t spoil the new episodes. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/engadget-review-recap-the-pixel-9a-smart-glasses-and-amds-latest-cpu-141825552.html?src=rss

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Apr 12

Meta's new board members include former Trump security advisor

Posted in: Today's Chili

Meta has announced that Patrick Collison and Dina Powell McCormick are joining its board of directors on April 15. Collison is the co-founder and CEO of Stripe, the payment processor and financial services company that he started with his brother. He is also the co-founder of the Arc Institute, a biomedical science and technology institution. Meanwhile, Powell McCormick was a partner at Goldman Sachs and ran its Global Sovereign investment banking business. She also worked for the US government and served as Deputy National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump during his first term. 

Powell McCormick helped shape the Trump administration’s foreign policy, especially in regards to the Middle East as an Egyptian-American. She served as an Assistant to the President and Senior Counselor for Economic Initiatives during Trump’s first term, as well. Her Trump-era appointments weren’t the first time she worked in the US government, though: Back during the George W. Bush administration, she served as the Assistant to the President for Presidential Personnel, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs and Deputy Undersecretary of State for Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy. She is married to Republican senator Dave McCormick. 

“Patrick and Dina bring a lot of experience supporting businesses and entrepreneurs to our board. Patrick is deeply committed to expanding economic opportunity, and Dina has a long career advocating for economic development and supporting entrepreneurs. Their perspective will be extremely valuable to businesses that rely on our services to grow,” Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg said in a statement. 

In January, Meta also welcomed UFC CEO Dana White, who’s a known friend and associate of Donald Trump and a supporter of his re-election bid, to its board of directors. White’s and Powell McCormick’s additions to Meta’s board are signs that the company is tacking right now that Trump is back in power, and perhaps one of the ways the company is ingratiating itself to the current administration. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/metas-new-board-members-include-former-trump-security-advisor-121510374.html?src=rss

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Apr 12

Claim It Now! ChatGPT Plus Temporarily Free For U.S. And Canadian College Students

Posted in: Today's Chili

OpenAI has announced a limited-time offer making its premium subscription service, ChatGPT Plus, available for free until the end of May 2025, but only for a specific group: college students in the United States and Canada. The news was confirmed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

ChatGPT Plus typically costs $20 per month and offers several enhancements over the free plan. These include higher message limits, access to advanced reasoning models, and more robust research capabilities, all designed to support academic and professional work more efficiently. The offer provides eligible students access to these features at no cost for two months.
openai chatgpt

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for this offer, users must be:

  • A full-time or part-time student
  • Enrolled in a degree-granting institution in either the U.S. or Canada

The verification process is managed through SheerID, a third-party platform commonly used for academic status verification. Students will need to confirm their eligibility by visiting the official offer page and completing the verification process through SheerID.

How to Redeem the Offer

  1. Visit the official promotion link provided by OpenAI.
  2. Verify student status through SheerID’s platform.
  3. Once verified, users will be redirected to ChatGPT to claim their free ChatGPT Plus subscription.
  4. If a student is already subscribed to ChatGPT Plus, their account will receive a two-month credit, effectively giving them the subscription free for that period.

OpenAI has not specified whether this offer will be extended to other countries or groups in the future. The promotion is part of OpenAI’s broader push to expand the reach of its AI tools in educational settings and provide students with greater access to advanced digital resources. For full details and to access the offer, students are encouraged to visit OpenAI’s website.

Claim It Now! ChatGPT Plus Temporarily Free For U.S. And Canadian College Students

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

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Apr 12

Xiaomi QLED TV X Pro Set To Launch Soon! Google TV, Game Booster And More

Posted in: Today's Chili

Xiaomi is preparing to launch its new QLED TV X Pro series in India, with the official debut scheduled for April 10. The announcement was made through a promotional teaser released by the company on April 5, which revealed some features and a glimpse of the TV’s design. The upcoming models appear to maintain a similar appearance to their predecessors, suggesting only minor visual updates.

The QLED TV X Pro line will incorporate advanced display and sound technologies. Key features include “MagiQ of Colors,” a technology aimed at delivering more vibrant and lifelike colors, and “Cinematic Clarity,” which enhances image sharpness, particularly in fast-moving scenes. These enhancements aim to improve the overall viewing experience.

The TVs will run on Google TV, providing a user-friendly interface and access to voice control capabilities. Xiaomi also targets gamers with a dedicated Game Booster mode, which is designed to optimize refresh rates and reduce response times for a smoother gaming experience.

In addition to display and performance features, the new TVs will offer improved audio through a feature called “MagiQ Tailored to Your Ears.” This technology is designed to intelligently adjust audio output based on the content being played, enhancing sound quality in various scenarios.

As of now, Xiaomi has not disclosed the pricing details for the QLED TV X Pro series. However, it has confirmed that the new models will be available through both physical and online Xiaomi stores, as well as the e-commerce platform Flipkart. The company is expected to target the international market, starting with India.

The QLED TV X Pro launch underscores Xiaomi’s ongoing efforts to expand its smart TV portfolio and bring high-end features to a broader audience. With a blend of advanced picture, sound, and gaming enhancements, the series aims to appeal to diverse user needs, from home theater enthusiasts to gamers. More detailed specifications and pricing information are expected to be announced during the official unveiling on April 10.

Xiaomi QLED TV X Pro Set To Launch Soon! Google TV, Game Booster And More

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

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Apr 12

Meta's new board members include former Trump security advisor

Posted in: Today's Chili

Meta has announced that Patrick Collison and Dina Powell McCormick are joining its board of directors on April 15. Collison is the co-founder and CEO of Stripe, the payment processor and financial services company that he started with his brother. He is also the co-founder of the Arc Institute, a biomedical science and technology institution. Meanwhile, Powell McCormick was a partner at Goldman Sachs and ran its Global Sovereign investment banking business. She also worked for the US government and served as Deputy National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump during his first term. 

Powell McCormick helped shape the Trump administration’s foreign policy, especially in regards to the Middle East as an Egyptian-American. She served as an Assistant to the President and Senior Counselor for Economic Initiatives during Trump’s first term, as well. Her Trump-era appointments weren’t the first time she worked in the US government, though: Back during the George W. Bush administration, she served as the Assistant to the President for Presidential Personnel, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs and Deputy Undersecretary of State for Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy. She is married to Republican senator Dave McCormick. 

“Patrick and Dina bring a lot of experience supporting businesses and entrepreneurs to our board. Patrick is deeply committed to expanding economic opportunity, and Dina has a long career advocating for economic development and supporting entrepreneurs. Their perspective will be extremely valuable to businesses that rely on our services to grow,” Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg said in a statement. 

In January, Meta also welcomed UFC CEO Dana White, who’s a known friend and associate of Donald Trump and a supporter of his re-election bid, to its board of directors. White’s and Powell McCormick’s additions to Meta’s board are signs that the company is tacking right now that Trump is back in power, and perhaps one of the ways the company is ingratiating itself to the current administration. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/metas-new-board-members-include-former-trump-security-advisor-121510374.html?src=rss

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Apr 12

Xiaomi QLED TV X Pro Set To Launch Soon! Google TV, Game Booster And More

Posted in: Today's Chili

Xiaomi is preparing to launch its new QLED TV X Pro series in India, with the official debut scheduled for April 10. The announcement was made through a promotional teaser released by the company on April 5, which revealed some features and a glimpse of the TV’s design. The upcoming models appear to maintain a similar appearance to their predecessors, suggesting only minor visual updates.

The QLED TV X Pro line will incorporate advanced display and sound technologies. Key features include “MagiQ of Colors,” a technology aimed at delivering more vibrant and lifelike colors, and “Cinematic Clarity,” which enhances image sharpness, particularly in fast-moving scenes. These enhancements aim to improve the overall viewing experience.

The TVs will run on Google TV, providing a user-friendly interface and access to voice control capabilities. Xiaomi also targets gamers with a dedicated Game Booster mode, which is designed to optimize refresh rates and reduce response times for a smoother gaming experience.

In addition to display and performance features, the new TVs will offer improved audio through a feature called “MagiQ Tailored to Your Ears.” This technology is designed to intelligently adjust audio output based on the content being played, enhancing sound quality in various scenarios.

As of now, Xiaomi has not disclosed the pricing details for the QLED TV X Pro series. However, it has confirmed that the new models will be available through both physical and online Xiaomi stores, as well as the e-commerce platform Flipkart. The company is expected to target the international market, starting with India.

The QLED TV X Pro launch underscores Xiaomi’s ongoing efforts to expand its smart TV portfolio and bring high-end features to a broader audience. With a blend of advanced picture, sound, and gaming enhancements, the series aims to appeal to diverse user needs, from home theater enthusiasts to gamers. More detailed specifications and pricing information are expected to be announced during the official unveiling on April 10.

Xiaomi QLED TV X Pro Set To Launch Soon! Google TV, Game Booster And More

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

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Apr 12

Trump now has full control of the FTC

Posted in: Today's Chili

With the recent confirmation of Mark Meador as Federal Trade Commissioner, the Republicans now have a 3-0 majority at the FTC, giving President Donald Trump broad control over what was once an aggressive business regulator under former FTC chair Lina Khan.

The vote fell along party lines, with all Senate Democrats voting against confirming Meador. Under normal circumstances three Republican members at the FTC is expected. Whichever party the president represents typically holds three seats, while the other party holds two. What makes the new Republican majority unusual is that Trump fired the Democrat Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter in March, something that’s not supposed to happen without “good cause.”

The FTC, like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is technically part of the executive branch, but exists independently of the rest of the government, with the current president adding new members as terms end or in the rare case there’s good cause to remove a commissioner, like if they’re found guilty of malfeasance or neglecting their duties. 

An executive order Trump signed in February 2025 sought to exert more control over these independent organizations in the name of “accountability.” That was the primary justification for removing Bedoya and Slaughter, both of which are fighting their termination in court. 

Given the actions Biden’s FTC took against corporate America, like suing John Deere over unfair practices and leading antitrust investigations into Meta, Amazon, Google and Apple, it makes sense business-friendly Republicans would prefer less pushback from Democrats. That doesn’t make anything that’s happening legal, though.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/trump-now-has-full-control-of-the-ftc-180816016.html?src=rss

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Apr 12

Google AI Mode Adds Multimodal Search To Mobile App

Posted in: Today's Chili

In early March 2025, Google introduced a new feature called “AI Mode” within its mobile search app—Today (April 7th), the company announced a significant update to this feature, enabling multimodal search capabilities in the Google app for Android and iOS devices.

With the new update, users can now conduct searches by combining visual and textual inputs. This means a person can take a photo and ask a related question in the same search session. The results will not only provide answers but also include contextual information, relevant web links, and even comparisons between similar products when applicable. This aims to make the search process more dynamic, intuitive, and helpful for real-world scenarios.

To power this functionality, Google has implemented a technique known as “query distribution.” This method analyzes the image as a whole while also identifying and separating individual objects within the picture. By doing so, it can generate a series of focused queries that offer deeper and more specific results. For example, if a user takes a photo of a bookshelf, the tool can recognize the books shown and then recommend other titles based on the user’s apparent interests.


This enhancement is the result of combining two powerful technologies from Google’s ecosystem: the Gemini multimodal AI model and Google Lens. Together, they form the backbone of the improved AI Mode in Search, allowing users to interact with the app in a more natural and versatile way. In the example provided by Google, AI Mode was able to identify book covers in an image and suggest similar books to the user — demonstrating how the tool can offer not just factual answers but also personalized suggestions.

The updated AI Mode is gradually being made available in the Google app for both Android and iOS users. Interested users can access it by downloading or updating the app through the official app stores.

This development represents a broader move by Google to enhance its search tools with artificial intelligence, making information retrieval more seamless and context-aware. By enabling people to combine images and questions in a single query, Google is reshaping how users interact with information in everyday situations.

Google AI Mode Adds Multimodal Search To Mobile App

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

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Apr 12

Trump now has full control of the FTC

Posted in: Today's Chili

With the recent confirmation of Mark Meador as Federal Trade Commissioner, the Republicans now have a 3-0 majority at the FTC, giving President Donald Trump broad control over what was once an aggressive business regulator under former FTC chair Lina Khan.

The vote fell along party lines, with all Senate Democrats voting against confirming Meador. Under normal circumstances three Republican members at the FTC is expected. Whichever party the president represents typically holds three seats, while the other party holds two. What makes the new Republican majority unusual is that Trump fired the Democrat Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter in March, something that’s not supposed to happen without “good cause.”

The FTC, like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is technically part of the executive branch, but exists independently of the rest of the government, with the current president adding new members as terms end or in the rare case there’s good cause to remove a commissioner, like if they’re found guilty of malfeasance or neglecting their duties. 

An executive order Trump signed in February 2025 sought to exert more control over these independent organizations in the name of “accountability.” That was the primary justification for removing Bedoya and Slaughter, both of which are fighting their termination in court. 

Given the actions Biden’s FTC took against corporate America, like suing John Deere over unfair practices and leading antitrust investigations into Meta, Amazon, Google and Apple, it makes sense business-friendly Republicans would prefer less pushback from Democrats. That doesn’t make anything that’s happening legal, though.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/trump-now-has-full-control-of-the-ftc-180816016.html?src=rss

No Comments
Apr 12

Google AI Mode Adds Multimodal Search To Mobile App

Posted in: Today's Chili

In early March 2025, Google introduced a new feature called “AI Mode” within its mobile search app—Today (April 7th), the company announced a significant update to this feature, enabling multimodal search capabilities in the Google app for Android and iOS devices.

With the new update, users can now conduct searches by combining visual and textual inputs. This means a person can take a photo and ask a related question in the same search session. The results will not only provide answers but also include contextual information, relevant web links, and even comparisons between similar products when applicable. This aims to make the search process more dynamic, intuitive, and helpful for real-world scenarios.

To power this functionality, Google has implemented a technique known as “query distribution.” This method analyzes the image as a whole while also identifying and separating individual objects within the picture. By doing so, it can generate a series of focused queries that offer deeper and more specific results. For example, if a user takes a photo of a bookshelf, the tool can recognize the books shown and then recommend other titles based on the user’s apparent interests.


This enhancement is the result of combining two powerful technologies from Google’s ecosystem: the Gemini multimodal AI model and Google Lens. Together, they form the backbone of the improved AI Mode in Search, allowing users to interact with the app in a more natural and versatile way. In the example provided by Google, AI Mode was able to identify book covers in an image and suggest similar books to the user — demonstrating how the tool can offer not just factual answers but also personalized suggestions.

The updated AI Mode is gradually being made available in the Google app for both Android and iOS users. Interested users can access it by downloading or updating the app through the official app stores.

This development represents a broader move by Google to enhance its search tools with artificial intelligence, making information retrieval more seamless and context-aware. By enabling people to combine images and questions in a single query, Google is reshaping how users interact with information in everyday situations.

Google AI Mode Adds Multimodal Search To Mobile App

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

No Comments