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The Download: Google DeepMind’s DNA AI, and heatwaves’ impact on the grid

When scientists first sequenced the human genome in 2003, they revealed the full set of DNA instructions that make a person. But we still didn’t know what all those 3 billion genetic letters actually do. Now Google’s DeepMind division says it’s made a leap in trying to understand the code with AlphaGenome, an AI model that predicts what effects small changes in DNA will have on an array of molecular processes, such as whether a gene’s activity will go up or down. It’s just the sort of ques

Your favorite Google AI features just got a cheaper yearly price

Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Google has introduced an annual subscription for its Google AI Pro (2TB) plan, costing $199.99 annually. This new annual option saves users approximately 16% ($40) compared to the monthly $19.99 plan. Higher-tier plans like the 5TB and above plans and the Google AI Ultra plan still require monthly billing options with no access to discounted annual rates. Ever since Google launched the Google AI Pro plan (previously called Google One AI Premium plan), use

Amazon's James Bond film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve

Amazon MGM Studio's James Bond movie, the first of what could be many in a series, will be directed by Denis Villeneuve. The company has revealed that he will be leading the production in an announcement, where it also named Villeneuve's wife Tanya Lapointe as an executive producer. Villeneuve is perhaps best known for directing Dune and Dune: Part Two, the latest adaptations of Frank Herbert's novel starring Timothée Chalamet. He also directed the sci-fi drama Arrival with Amy Adams and Jeremy

Got an old Kindle? How to resurrect it from the dead with fresh ebooks

Amazon / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET Early 2025 was a tough time for Kindle fans. Also: The best Kindles of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed On Feb. 26, 2025, Amazon disabled the ability to download Kindle book files to your computer. While Kindle books will no longer be available for your old devices after next week, you can upload EPUB (with a workaround) and mobi files. Here's how to do that. Of course, it all starts with a story As a tech professional, there are many things I know beca

Topics: books dx kindle old usb

Structured Output with LangChain and Llamafile

2 minutes read This article shows how one can teach Llamafile to handle structured outputs like JSON. If you’re already familiar with LangChain, you’ll know that popular models like OpenAI include their own implementations of with_structured_output. Using it is straightforward: All we need is to derive a new class from Pydantic’s BaseModel. The rest happens transparently. You don’t need to teach the LLM anything. Using Llamafile This isn’t currently possible with Llamafile, which I’m using i

The Website for Trump’s All-American Smartphone No Longer Promises It’s ‘MADE IN THE USA’

Earlier this month, the Trump Organization revealed its latest profit-making scheme: the T1, a golden iPhone knockoff that has aptly been dubbed the “Trump phone.” Alongside the new device, the Trumps launched a wireless mobile network called T1 Mobile, which purports to offer unlimited talk, text, and data. Given that Trump is the “America First” president, it was very on-brand for the company to promise that the devices would be manufactured domestically. Given that manufacturing a functioning

Can No-Buy July Help You Save Money? It Can Do So Much More

Buying only the basics was easier -- and way more fun -- than I ever thought it could be. Jeffrey Hazelwood/CNET No-buy challenges have been around for a while but they're getting a new burst of energy this summer. Social media users are inviting newbies and veterans alike to curb overconsumption and save money with "no-buy July." Also called "low-buy July," the challenge doesn't mean spending no money at all. After all, you can't avoid paying for essentials like housing, food and utilities. B

The Switch 2 Pro Controller Makes a Comfortable Upgrade, but Still Falls a Bit Short

The Switch 2 Pro Controller is a standalone controller that pairs with the new Switch 2 and provides a more comfortable gaming experience than the standard Joy-Cons. While it might look similar to the old model, the second-gen controller has a number of new features to help it earn that "Pro" title. The 2 Pro retails for $85 -- a pretty significant jump over the original's $70. The good news is that, if you want to save some money, the Switch 1 Pro Controllers do work on the Switch 2. Since it'

Tovala Meal Kit and Oven Review (2025): We're Nearing Robot Chef

Tovala is the only meal kit I know of that comes with its own oven—and I speak as someone who has tested a lot of meal kits and also ovens. Still, the idea isn't merely wacky. The biggest pitfall of pre-prepared meal delivery is almost always the microwave, as I noted in my review of HelloFresh's often delicious but sometimes soggy Factor meals. These almost always benefited from an improvised turn in the air fryer. And so the brainstorm on Tovala is both sophisticated and simple. Make mostly p

Pixel setup could soon include a key step to keep scammers off your phone calls (APK teardown)

C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR Google seems to be planning to integrate Scam Detection and Call Screen features into the Pixel device setup process. Currently, these protective features need to be manually enabled by users, so there’s a fair chance many people don’t know these features exist on their phones in the first place. This change could thus increase user adoption of these crucial security features. Google announced Scam Detection features for Pixel devices through the Goog

New Gemini Live tricks make your calendar and notes easier to access

Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority TL;DR Gemini Live can now interact with other Google apps during flowing conversations. It can add or edit entries in Calendar, Keep, and Tasks, and fetch live location in Maps. Captions in Gemini Live are also rolling out more widely. Gemini is inching closer to being the intelligent virtual assistant Google touts it to be. Google recently flipped the switch for a set of controls that allow Gemini to access information from other Google apps in real time.

The Galaxy Watch 8 may ruin my favorite thing about Samsung smartwatches

Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Leaks don’t usually take the wind out of my sails, but the latest details about Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Watch lineup came close. According to renders posted by trusted leaker Evan Blass, the Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, and the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 will each feature the same squircle design that debuted with the original Galaxy Watch Ultra, and, to put it softly, that’s a massive disappointment. I wasn’t a fan of the Ultra’s shape at launch (o

This hidden Gemini trick has completely changed how I use Google Calendar

Joe Maring / Android Authority Keeping up with Gemini’s ever-growing list of capabilities is an impossible task. Between video generation tools like Veo 3, new features for Gemini Live, AI-powered web browsers, and more, Google’s doing so much with Gemini and so quickly that knowing what Gemini can and can’t do isn’t as easy as it should be. Not only does this make Gemini feel overwhelming at times, but it can also cause many features to be easily overlooked, especially the less flashy ones. F

New iPhone Fold leak reveals cameras, but does it beat the Galaxy Z Fold 7?

Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR The foldable iPhone could receive a slightly smaller display than previously rumored. We’re also learning about the foldable iPhone’s dual 48MP rear cameras for the first time. The new leak once again cites the use of a specialized composite metal for the hinge and titanium for the premium iPhone’s frame. Chatter around the foldable iPhone is gaining momentum, with Apple recently ordering flexible display panels for the premium foldable that is expected

How much do you trust Google with the data you provide it?

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority 🗣️ This is an open thread. We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments and vote in the poll below — your take might be featured in a future roundup. Google is a technology heavyweight — that’s just a fact. Despite this, it still needs our data for many of its services to function effectively. Whether we’re offering up our Gemini prompts, Google Photos, or Maps reviews, we’re contributing to the company’s growth little by little and the stea

Google Wallet is making it easier to create custom passes on Android

Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Google Wallet now appears in Android’s share sheet, letting you quickly create a custom pass from any image you share. This new shortcut lets you start the custom pass creation flow by sharing an image, bypassing the need to open the Wallet app first. The feature is currently rolling out via a server-side update, so it may not be available on your device just yet. Google Wallet lets you store digital versions of your credit cards, transit passes, loyalty

PSA: Apple Watch Hermès owners should not install the current betas

Anyone running a beta version of any software should of course expect issues, but if you own an Apple Watch Hermès, you’ll want to completely avoid the beta 2 versions of both watchOS 26 and iOS 26. Apple has warned of an incompatibility issue between watchOS 26 beta 2 and the Hermès watch, believed to be due to a problem with the watch faces unique to that model … Apple includes the warning in the release notes. Apple Watch Hermès crashes continuously if updated to watchOS 26 beta 2. It is a

The best MacBook for 2025: Which Apple laptop should you buy?

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . As expected, Apple didn’t reveal any new hardware during WWDC this year. The event is typically reserved for announcing software and services upgrades, so we're not surprised. That means our recommendations for the best MacBooks remain the M4 MacBook Air for most people, the M4 MacBook

Topics: air apple m4 macbook pro

Why this electric screwdriver is one of the best investments I've made for my home

ZDNET's key takeaways The new Bosch Go is on sale for $100. It features USB-C charging, a vast improvement on the old microUSB port, plus there's a bigger battery and a ring light on the front to illuminate the workspace. The screwdriver comes in a handy carry case with a selection of bits, so you have everything to do the job in hand. $99.98 at Amazon Two years ago, I got myself a Bosch Go electric screwdriver. The thing was amazing; it's been on my best electric screwdrivers list ever since

How to clear your Android phone cache (and why it makes such a big difference)

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET Google recently released Android 16 to Pixel devices and select OEMs, bringing performance improvements, new Material You changes, and more upgrades. If you want to try this update but are hesitant because you've noticed your Android phone or tablet already feels too sluggish, clearing app and browser caches can give it a fresh boost and free up some storage space. Over time, cached data can accumulate, become corrupted, or simply get outdated, which may slow down

The best cheap portable power stations of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

I remember when power banks were new. They were an amazing development, freeing us from the tyranny of having to be near an AC outlet to charge out gadgets. Next came the power stations. They packed even more power into an admittedly bigger space. Still, we were freed from needing to be near to AC outlets or use extension cables when working outside, or in the RV or camping. The original power stations were big and expensive, so manufacturers to came up with smaller, more affordable models. Her

The best sleep trackers of 2025: These sleep trackers improved my sleep

Why we like it: The Oura Ring is the best sleep tracker for a few reasons. It's discreet and far more comfortable to wear to bed compared to a health band or smartwatch. Oura's data capture is accurate, with its sleep staging algorithm matching the performance of a polysomnography sleep lab test. The objective sleep and readiness scores it provides after I wake up often are in line with how I'm feeling on a day-to-day basis. It also isn't hardcore about getting perfect sleep, which allows for

OnePlus Pad 3 Tablet Is Powerful and Elegant, but Its Higher Price Has Me Thinking Twice

8.2 / 10 SCORE OnePlus Pad 3 $700 at OnePlus Pros Impressively zippy overall performance Good battery life Sharp, bright display with 144Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and gaming Cons Fairly premium price LCD instead of OLED display No microSD card slot for expandable storage Disappointing front camera Last year's OnePlus Pad 2 was considered one of the better tablet values, combining premium performance with a midrange price ($550) that would sometimes dip to $500. To a certain deg

Before 'Hacks,' Jean Smart Kicked Ass in This Wild Marvel Superhero Series

I'll just come right out and say it: Jean Smart deserves all the flowers. Audiences everywhere have fallen in love with the Emmy-winning comedy Hacks and Smart's ascerbic, quick-witted Las Vegas comic Deborah Vance, and rightfully so. But hr brilliance extends far beyond the hit HBO series. I could point to her delightful performance as Charlene in the classic sitcom Designing Women, her formidable turn as first lady Martha Logan in 24, or her mafia-flavored bravado in season 2 of Noah Hawley's

Pixel phones might finally be getting this highly requested feature in India (APK teardown)

Andy Walker / Android Authority Pixel 8a TL;DR Google might be getting ready to introduce Call Screening on Pixel phones in India. The feature lets users identify callers and their reasons for calling before answering the phone, helping thwart spam calls. India might get the manual version of Call Screening instead of the automatic version available in the US. India has over a billion cellphone users and is one of the most affected countries in the world when it comes to spam calls. Hundreds

These Pixels are banned in one of Google’s biggest markets, and more could follow

Hadlee Simons / Android Authority TL;DR The Google Pixel 7 series has received a sales ban in Japan after Google lost a court battle. A Japanese court ruled that Google infringed on standard-essential patents by Pantech. Pantech has also requested a sales injunction against the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 smartphone families. The Google Pixel line is among the most popular phone brands in Japan, being ranked in the top three for 2024. However, trouble is brewing as a series of Google phones has just

Your Apple CarPlay is getting a big update soon: 3 useful features coming with iOS 26

Apple Apple's annual Worldwide Developers' Conference (WWDC) happened earlier this month, and the tech giant announced several new updates to iOS 26, including upgrades for Apple CarPlay users. Also: How to install iOS 26 beta on your iPhone (and which models support it) While you'll have to enroll in the developer beta to get early access, here's a quick overview of all the new features you can expect in Apple CarPlay by this fall. 1. New CarPlay design Along with the redesign of iOS 26, C

Topics: apple car carplay ios new

Finally, a smart ring worthy of replacing my Oura 4 - and with no subscription fees

ZDNET's key takeaways The RingConn Gen 2 is a subscription-free smart ring that retails for $300. It monitors your sleep, activity, stress, and vitals, and it's got a marathon battery life. The only downside is the user interface feels underdeveloped. View now at Amazon View now at Ringconn more buying choices Most smart rings these days claim to offer marathon battery lives, but often fall short of their promise. Many smart rings claim to last a week's worth of battery, but only make it to f

Finally, a wallet tracker as effective as an AirTag (and you won't believe the price)

ZDNET's key takeaways The SwitchBot Wallet Tracker Card is on sale right now for under $20. This slim wallet tracker works with Bluetooth and the Apple Find My network, is IP67 waterproof, and is almost as reliable as an Apple AirTag. It only works with iOS, not Android, and its battery isn't replaceable or rechargeable. $17.99 at Amazon The SwitchBot Wallet Finder Card is on sale for only $18 on Amazon. Losing stuff is a huge issue in my home. My husband constantly loses his keys and wallet