GoKawiil
Tech News
A bug had prevented some users from changing smart light colors through the Google Home app and Nest speakers or displays, with the color selector and automated routines also failing. Google has now rolled out a fix, and at least one affected user on Reddit confirmed the issue was resolved.
Google announced Nano Banana 2.1, an update to its image generation model that follows Nano Banana 2.0's February release of 4K output support. The company says the new version improves visual design, mask-based editing, and subject consistency, with fixes for tiling artifacts, better text rendering, multi-image fusion of up to 14 reference images, search grounding, and adjustable thinking levels.
Google will limit free Gemini app and website users to only the Flash-Lite model, its lowest-tier offering, cutting off access to Flash and Pro starting October 9. AI Plus subscribers ($5/month) will lose the Pro model but keep Flash and Flash-Lite, while AI Pro subscribers ($20/month) gain access to the Deep Think reasoning mode previously limited to AI Ultra tiers costing $100-$200 monthly.
Amazon is offering the Google Pixel 11 Pro at a record-low price of $849, down from its usual $1,099, marking a 23% discount. The device features a 6.3-inch display, high-end hardware, advanced AI capabilities, and a robust camera system, making it a compact flagship option. The deal requires an Amazon Prime membership to access the discount.
Google announced that from October 9, free users will no longer be able to access the Gemini Flash and Pro AI models, with all free inquiries shifting to the more basic Flash-Lite. Subscribers to Google AI Plus will lose access to the Gemini 3.1 Pro model, which is tailored for complex reasoning tasks, unless they upgrade to higher-tier plans like AI Ultra. The company is also introducing adjustable effort levels for each model and plans to release Gemini 4 Argon exclusively to AI Ultra subscribers initially.
Security firm Island discovered a phishing campaign using fake ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and Perplexity sites that target advertising agency staff and media buyers. The sites exploit the recent launch of Meta's Muse AI agent and use browser-in-browser techniques to fake Google login windows, capturing credentials and MFA codes to hijack high-value ad accounts.
Google is developing a redesigned settings page for its app, shifting from a list to a card-based interface that groups related options. The update aims to make key settings like search personalization and SafeSearch more prominent, improving user navigation. The new design aligns with Google's Material 3 style and is found in the latest app version, indicating a forthcoming rollout.
Amazon is offering a significant discount on Sony's new entry-level OLED TV, reducing its price from $2,000 to $1,298. The model features deep black levels, vibrant colors, and integrated Google Gemini for smart control, making it a notable deal for those seeking a budget-friendly OLED option. The sale highlights the availability of more affordable OLEDs during Prime Day, a key opportunity for consumers to upgrade their home entertainment systems.
Starting October 9th, Google will restrict free users of Gemini AI to the Flash Lite model, removing access to the standard Flash and Pro versions unless they subscribe to the $4.99/month AI Plus plan. Additionally, Gemini Pro and the 'Deep Think' reasoning feature will only be available to higher-tier subscribers at $19.99 and $99.99 per month. Users will still be able to select different effort levels, but higher effort options may accelerate usage limits.
Google has phased out its Gems feature, which provided standalone AI helpers, and replaced it with a new system called Skills. Unlike Gems, Skills can be accessed across different chats and can be combined to automate complex tasks. This change aims to improve user experience by enabling more flexible and persistent AI interactions.
OpenAI has announced a new update to ChatGPT, improving its ability to generate more accurate and context-aware responses. The update includes expanded features for code debugging, image generation, and web browsing, with some functionalities now available through a subscription model. The company emphasizes ongoing improvements to make the AI more versatile for users.
During Amazon’s October sale, the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL received discounts exceeding $250. The 256GB Pixel 11 Pro is now priced at $849, down from $1,099, while the Pixel 11 Pro XL with the same storage drops to $999. The standard Pixel 11 with 256GB is also on sale for $749, making the Pro models more attractive due to their advanced camera features and slight price premium.