GoKawiil
Tech News
CNET's People's Picks community survey asked readers to rate their internet service providers on cost, speed, reliability and customer support. GFiber, formerly Google Fiber, emerged as the overall favorite with a 4.72 out of 5 satisfaction score, beating close competitors Verizon Fios and AT&T Fiber, while T-Mobile Home Internet topped the 5G category with a 4.20 satisfaction rating.
Sonos held an event in New York to launch the Beam Ultra soundbar and Ace Ultra headphones alongside a major software update called Sonos 27, marking its largest product reveal since the troubled 2024 app relaunch. The update introduces an in-house voice assistant, Sonos 27voice, plus Sonos 27mcp, which lets users link outside AI models like ChatGPT or Gemini to control their systems, though Google Assistant remains unsupported. A future feature will let users build up to 10 custom AI agents with distinct voices and personalities to handle tasks like news updates or motivational prompts.
Modern smart thermostats, including the Ecobee Premium and Google Nest models, now include built-in humidity sensors that continuously track moisture levels inside a home. Users can check these readings remotely through apps like Google Home and Alexa, and some devices let owners set custom alerts that trigger when humidity crosses a set threshold.
Android Authority discovered a hidden feature in Google app version 17.54.10 that lets the Gemini overlay automatically shrink into a floating button while it processes a request. This would let users keep using their phone instead of waiting with the overlay locked on screen. The feature isn't live yet and appears to still be in internal testing.
Google is rolling out a new live translation option within Gemini Live's voice settings, allowing the AI to translate spoken conversations between languages in real time with on-screen captions. The rollout also includes a smaller interface tweak, replacing the keyboard exit button with a clearer X icon and adding a 'Tap to interrupt' control, as part of a gradual server-side update following April's UI redesign.
Google has hiked the U.S. price of its TV Streamer 4K from $99.99 to $149.99, citing rising component costs, with the change already reflected on the Google Store and Best Buy. Certain Nest Cam and doorbell models are also getting price increases effective August 31, though the new Google Home Speaker is unaffected for now. Amazon and Walmart are still selling remaining stock at the older $99.99 price, but supplies are limited.
Google has raised the price of its Google TV Streamer by 50%, from $100 to $150, on its own store and at retailers like Best Buy, according to 9to5Google. The company has not stated a reason, though the device is still listed at $100 on Amazon for now. The streamer, which replaced Chromecast in 2024, includes 32GB storage, 4GB RAM, and support for 4K60 HDR formats and Dolby Atmos.
Google is rolling out a refreshed Android Auto app icon, replacing the familiar blue design with a green one featuring rounder corners, spotted in version 17.6.663424. The change appears tied to a broader Android Auto redesign expected in the coming months that will bring widget support, video playback, and a more fluid visual style.
Google has introduced a new slash command, /boost, in Antigravity 2.0 and the Antigravity CLI that triggers a multi-agent reasoning pipeline for difficult coding problems like race conditions, complex refactors, and subtle bugs. The feature works through a three-phase process where an orchestrator agent breaks down the problem and dispatches specialized subagents to isolated workstreams, then verifies results across multiple rounds. The command is restricted to paid plan subscribers.
The guide walks Android users through checking their OS version, applying pending system updates via Settings, and enabling or manually triggering app updates in Google Play. It also notes that some app updates require accepting new privacy permissions before installing.
A retrospective look back at Nintendo's GameCube console highlights how it became the company's second worst-selling system ever, moving just 21.74 million units. The analysis points to a limited game library, heavy dependence on first-party titles, and the omission of DVD playback as key factors behind its poor commercial performance.
Google is rolling out three new travel tools inside AI Mode in Search: a built-in airfare tracker that lets users set price-change alerts, a hotel search-and-compare tool that supports direct booking through partners like Booking.com, Marriott, Hilton and Expedia, and a feature to help travelers understand the value of points and miles. The rollout begins in the US in English, with global expansion planned.