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Google brings historical Street View to Google Earth

Google Earth is celebrating its 20th birthday, and to mark the occasion, Google is bringing historical Street View imagery to the service. In a blog post , Google said the anniversary update allows users to "explore the wonders of the planet from even more viewpoints, whether it’s a bird’s eye view or at street level." From today, when you load up Google Earth you’ll see a new option for historical imagery in the toolbar, which allows you to move back and forth between now and years gone by. Se

Malware on Google Play, Apple App Store stole your photos—and crypto

A new mobile crypto-stealing malware called SparkKitty was found in apps on Google Play and the Apple App Store, targeting Android and iOS devices. The malware is a possible evolution of SparkCat, which Kaspersky discovered in January. SparkCat used optical character recognition (OCR) to steal cryptocurrency wallet recovery phrases from images saved on infected devices. When installing crypto wallets, the installation process tells users to write down the wallet's recovery phrase and store it

We Need a Clamshell iPhone Now That Android Has Figured Out Foldables

Foldables are far more brittle than traditional phones, and that’s a problem when you’re spending between $1,800 and $2,000 on a single device. Finally, in 2025, the flip-out, tablet-style, foldable phone may get the remodel it needed to stick it out with cheaper devices. New leaks suggest the next Google Pixel foldable will be able to better survive a mote of dust. Samsung’s next Z Fold 7 “Ultra” may have similar staying power when we finally get to see it on July 9. Another leak for the Googl

Google’s new robotics AI can run without the cloud and still tie your shoes

We sometimes call chatbots like Gemini and ChatGPT "robots," but generative AI is also playing a growing role in real, physical robots. After announcing Gemini Robotics earlier this year, Google DeepMind has now revealed a new on-device VLA (vision language action) model to control robots. Unlike the previous release, there's no cloud component, allowing robots to operate with full autonomy. Carolina Parada, head of robotics at Google DeepMind, says this approach to AI robotics could make robot

Google DeepMind’s optimized AI model runs directly on robots

is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO. Google DeepMind is rolling out an on-device version of its Gemini Robotics AI model that allows it to operate without an internet connection. The vision-language-action model (VLA) comes with dexterous capabilities similar to the one released in March, but Google says “it’s small and efficient enough to run directly on a robot.” The flagship Gemini

Android’s youthful new design will change the way you make and answer calls

is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO. Google is freshening up its Phone app with a new interface that’s supposed to make it easier to find contacts and your calls. The test is gradually rolling out to some of Google’s public beta users, and also includes some style changes that align with Android’s more youthful Material 3 Expressive design language. For starters, Google has changed up

Google rolls out new Gemini model that can run on robots locally

Google DeepMind on Tuesday released a new language model called Gemini Robotics On-Device that can run tasks locally on robots without requiring an internet connection. Building on the company’s previous Gemini Robotics model that was released in March, Gemini Robotics On-Device can control a robot’s movements. Developers can control and fine-tune the model to suit various needs using natural language prompts. In benchmarks, Google claims the model performs at a level close to the cloud-based

UK may require Google to give users alternative search options and rank its results ‘more fairly’

The U.K.’s competition regulator said on Tuesday it is considering a new market designation for Google that would require the search giant to provide alternative search options to users, rank search results “more fairly,” and offer greater control to publishers over how their content is used in search and AI Overviews. Under the new Digital Markets Competition Regime that went into force earlier this year, the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it is launching a consultation on

The xMEMS 'fan on a chip' is ready for smart glasses

As AI reignites Big Tech's push for smart glasses, here's a tech that could play a central role. xMEMS, which debuted a solid-state "fan on a chip" last year, has a new one for wearables. This could help future smart glasses melt your face figuratively — and not literally. Founded in 2018, xMEMS specializes in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. The California-based company started with solid-state speakers. Last year, it introduced its µCooling "fan on a chip" for phones and oth

Your Android phone just got a major upgrade for free - including these Pixel models

Kerry Wan/ZDNET Android 16 is officially here, and Google has some big upgrades on the way. Instead of releasing a new OS and a new phone lineup at the same time, Google is making the same move it did with Android 15 and giving both software and hardware their time to shine. Also: How to turn on Android's Private DNS mode - and why it's an absolute must for security This is the earliest Google has launched a major Android release in a while (for comparison, Android 15 was released on Oct. 15

This premium Lenovo Chromebook made me forget about my MacBook and Windows PC

The Lenovo Chromebook Plus with an OLED display. Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET Chromebooks are continuing to level up. Google just announced a host of new AI features live in ChromeOS now, along with the Lenovo Chromebook Plus, an all-new device with an OLED display, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 17 hours of battery life -- the most of any Chromebook to date. Also: The best Chromebooks for students in 2025: Expert tested and reviewed I recently had a chance to go hands-on with the Lenovo Chromebook P

UK looking to loosen Google’s control of its search engine

The UK’s competition regulator is proposing to loosen Google’s control of its search engine in the first application of Britain’s tough new digital market rules. The Competition and Markets Authority said on Tuesday that Google could be required to implement new “fair ranking” measures in its search results and give publishers more control over how it uses their content, including in output generated by artificial intelligence. The CMA said it was minded to hand Google “strategic market status

Here how the Nothing Phone 3’s new Glyph Matrix will work

Nothing TL;DR Nothing’s new Glyph Matrix is a compact, programmable system replacing the original Glyph Interface on the upcoming Phone 3. The micro-LED cluster enables new features like custom animations, symbols, and reactive lighting while maintaining app-based notifications. Nothing says the design change allowed it to reclaim internal space and enhance the Phone 3’s visual identity with a smaller, circular layout. Nothing has revealed how its new Glyph Matrix system will work on the Not

Google Earth celebrates 20 years by letting you step back in time

Google TL;DR Google Earth is celebrating its 20-year anniversary by adding two features. Users will now be able to access historical street view from Google Earth. The other feature will provide AI-driven insights about the planet. YouTube isn’t the only one celebrating its 20-year anniversary; Google Earth has been around for just as long. To celebrate the two-decade milestone, Google Earth is getting a feature for viewing the past and another that will provide insights about the planet. B

UK proposes greater regulation for Google's search practices

The UK might introduce new regulations for Google. The country's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has proposed designating the company's search services with "strategic market status" (SMS). In doing so, the regulatory body could direct Google to create fairer business rankings on search, for instance. The CMA launched an antitrust investigation into Google Search in January — its first probe under the UK's Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Act. Concerns include search ad

Topics: cma google search sms uk

Google rolls out Street View time travel to celebrate 20 years of Google Earth

After 20 years, being able to look at any corner of the planet in Google Earth doesn't seem that impressive, but it was a revolution in 2005. Google Earth has gone through a lot of changes in that time, and Google has some more lined up for the service's 20th anniversary. Soon, Google Earth will help you travel back in time with historic Street View integration, and pro users will get some new "AI-driven insights"—of course Google can't update a product without adding at least a little AI. Goog

Google Earth adds old Street View captures to rewind time from the street level

is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO. Google Earth will now let you look at historical imagery from Street View. The update, which comes as part of the tool’s 20th anniversary, allows you to see how a location has changed over time. Google Earth already offers the ability to switch to Street View while viewing satellite imagery, but now you can look through images captured across diffe

Google brings historical Street View imagery to Google Earth

Google announced on Tuesday that you can now access historical Street View imagery on Google Earth. Until now, you’ve only been able to access historical Street View imagery on Google Maps. Google says the launch will allow people to explore from even more viewpoints, whether it’s a bird’s eye view or at street level. Google is introducing the update to commemorate Google Earth’s 20th birthday. The launch comes as there was a social media trend last year that saw people visiting Google Maps to

Google may be forced to link to rival search platforms in the UK

Google may be forced to link to rival search platforms in the UK 3 hours ago Share Save Zoe Kleinman & Liv McMahon Technology editor & technology reporter Share Save Getty Images Google may have to make changes in the UK to give consumers more choice over who they use for online search services, the competition watchdog has said. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating the US technology giant under a new law which means the regulator can demand changes at a firm if it is

Google could face changes to search in the UK as regulators crack down

Google could face changes to its online search services in the U.K. after regulators raised concerns over the tech giant's dominance. The Competition and Markets Authority on Tuesday said it is consulting on a proposal to give Google "strategic market status," a designation under new competition rules for tech firms that hold entrenched power in a certain market. The watchdog was granted expanded competition and merger control powers this year as the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers

Google’s answer to Apple’s Handoff is coming with a welcome upgrade for Android (APK teardown)

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority TL;DR Google is working on an Android-wide “Handoff” feature for multi-device syncing. This feature will enable access to apps and media across your devices, and even sync notifications between them. Apple has a similar Continuity feature called Handoff, albeit without notification syncing. Last week, we spotted an in-development “App Cast” tool within Google Play Services. Based on the strings, we speculated that Google could allow Android devices to strea

I Wanted to Switch to Pixel 10, but This iOS 26 Feature Might Keep Me on iPhone

I switched from a Google Pixel 3 XL to Apple's iPhone 12 Pro Max in 2021, and in the years since, I've dearly missed Google's Hold For Me. This feature is so useful that I'm shocked it hasn't been brought to the iPhone or even other Android phones in the years since. Hold For Me saves me from the misery of listening to awful hold music whenever I needed to call up a business, my health insurance provider, my cellphone carrier or any of the other myriad adulting tasks that still require speaking

Google Wants to Get Better at Spotting Wildfires From Space

Google wants to launch a battalion of satellites into orbit around the Earth to monitor fires on the ground in real time, then collect all that photographic data and use AI to better identify fires in their critical early stages. Fire Sat is a partnership between Google, the nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance, and the satellite builder Muon Space. The collaborative effort was announced in 2024 with the goal of launching satellites specifically designed to spot wildfires. The first satellite of the p

Yale’s new Google Home smart lock now costs more thanks to tariffs

According to Yale, the new smart lock was built for Google Home and Matter and designed specifically to complement Google Home’s Nest video doorbells. However, thanks to its Matter-over-Thread connectivity, it can work with multiple smart home platforms, including Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Home Assistant. In a briefing, Catelyn Herman, senior product manager at Yale, told The Verge that “tariff costs and overall product costs led us to have to increase the price slightl

Google may be forced to make changes to UK search

Google may be forced to make changes to UK search The company, which is owned by Alphabet in the US, said the CMA's suggestions were "broad and unfocused" but added it would "work constructively" with the regulator. Google accounts for more than 90% of searches in the UK and 200,000 businesses use the company's search advertising to reach customers. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating the US technology giant under a new law which means the regulator can demand changes

Google introduces AI mode to users in India

Google introduced its AI mode, a Q&A-style search tool, to users in India today. The company said that this tool is still in the experimental stage and users will need to opt in to it through Search Labs. Once a user has opted in, they can ask queries in English. Google didn’t specify whether it plans to support local languages or when that might be available. Users can search for answers to complex, multi-part queries such as “My kids are 4 and 7 and have lots of energy. Suggest creative ways

Extreme Heat Is Killing Unfathomable Numbers of People Worldwide

A huge heatwave is currently roasting vast swaths of the United States, sending temperatures skyrocketing over 100 degrees Fahrenheit across the midwest and eastern portions of the country. It's the season's first foray in a grim new annual reality: heat so extreme that it's literally killing people. The numbers are unfathomable, with an estimated 500 people dying every year in New York City alone, and thousands more across the country — in a grim upward trend that's spiked up every year since

Yale’s new Google Home smart lock is here — but it costs more thanks to tariffs

According to Yale, the new smart lock was built for Google Home and Matter and designed specifically to complement Google Home’s Nest video doorbells. However, thanks to its Matter-over-Thread connectivity, it can work with multiple smart home platforms, including Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Home Assistant. In a briefing, Catelyn Herman, senior product manager at Yale, told The Verge that “tariff costs and overall product costs led us to have to increase the price slightl

Apple read your mean tweets about Liquid Glass and Finder

The more things change, the more they stay the same. After unveiling some new visual elements to the next generation of its operating systems during WWDC 2025, Apple has already walked back some of the proposed design revisions. 9to5Mac noticed that the most recent developer betas included changes to the new Liquid Glass operating system appearance and to the Finder app icon. Liquid Glass was divisive from the start . The idea of layering transparency in the user interface appealed to some, whi

Transparent Ambition

Translucent user interfaces is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake. Aside from movie visual effect trickery, it started out in Mac OS X's Aqua, followed by Windows Vista's Aero, followed by (then) OS X's Vibrancy, followed by Windows 10's Acrylic. Over time, more and more of the user interface has become translucent similar to foggy/privacy-preserving sheets of glass. The unstated goal has always been to "look cool". The stated goal has always been to "give more pixels to your content"