Gemini officially landed as a standalone app on Android back in February. Now, only a few days after a stray report about a dedicated Gemini app landing on iOS did the rounds, the Mountain View, California-based tech giant has officially confirmed its launch.
The new app allows iPhone users to interact with Google’s AI through text or voice queries and includes support for Gemini Extensions. A key feature is Gemini Live, which wasn’t available in the previous Google app implementation. When engaged in a conversation, Gemini Live appears in both the Dynamic Island and Lock Screen, letting you control your AI interactions without returning to the main app.You can continue talking to the AI assistant even with your iPhone locked.
The app also aids with learning by allowing users to ask questions on any topic, receive personalized study plans, and access custom, step-by-step guidance tailored to their learning style. Additionally, Gemini can assess knowledge with quizzes, including those based on complex diagrams.
Furthermore, the Gemini iPhone app seamlessly connects with other Google apps through Extensions. This integration enables Gemini to access and display relevant information from apps such as YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and Calendar within a single conversation.
The app is free to download, and Google offers premium features through Gemini Advanced subscriptions available as in-app purchases. Gemini Advanced is part of a Google One AI premium plan costing $18.99 per month. Apart from Gemini in Mail, Docs, and more, it includes access to Google’s next-generation model, 1.5 Pro, priority access to new features, and a one million token context window. Users need to sign in with a Google account to access the service.
It’s worth noting that the app is only available for users running iOS 16 and above. Also worth noting is that even though the standalone app is rolling out worldwide, users would only be able to make use of Gemini Live in the following languages:
The Samsung Galaxy S25 has had a tentative early 2025 launch date for months now, but we might finally have an actual date to look forward to. The Korean site FN News (via Jukanlosreve) claims that Samsung will hold a Galaxy Unpacked event on January 23 next year in San Francisco.
At the first Unpacked event of the year, Samsung is expected to launch the next generation Galaxy S25 series, including the base Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus and the flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra,every phone to run on Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite processors.According to FNN, Samsung will also debut the much-rumored Galaxy S25 Slim.
Previous reports suggested that Samsung wouldn’t release the Slim until April. However, it’s suggested that the Slim might be more of an experiment by Samsung with a launch of limited qualities to see how people respond to the device.
FN News is not a site from which we typically see rumors; however, Jukanlosreve has proven reasonably accurate with leaks.
Take this news with some skepticism, though, as Samsung has not confirmed any dates for its Unpacked event yet.
What we expect to see
Samsung confirmed that the Galaxy S25 series would arrive in early 2025 during the Q3 earnings report while also discussing more foldable devices. That report says the S25 “plans to enhance the Galaxy AI experience to drive innovation in everyday life.”
At the same time, Samsung is expected to launch its Android 15-based One UI 7 alongside the S25 lineup. Samsung announced in October 2024 that “the new Galaxy” would launch with the UI upgrade. One UI 7 is expected to considerably overhaul Samsung’s Android skin. It sounds like Samsung is focusing on software upgrades over hardware ones.
Samsung is aiming to capitalize on the recent success of the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy AI. The S24 remained on Counterpoint Research’s top 10 smartphone sell-through list even over the past three months — a rare feat, considering that’s when the new iPhones released — and several midrange Samsung models also claimed a spot on the list.
It’s a nightmare scenario: You’re typing on your laptop when you reach for a glass of water or your morning cup of coffee and—gasp—it tips over, soaking your screen and keyboard. Don’t worry, if liquid spills on your laptop you can still save your device—but only if you act fast. We’ll walk you through what to do to prevent a small spill from turning into a big problem.
Here’s our guide on what to do if you splash or spill water—or any type of liquid—on your laptop.
Turn off your laptop
If water spilled on your laptop keyboard or screen, it’s important to turn off your device immediately. First unplug your laptop , then press and hold the Power button for 5 seconds or longer until it shuts down completely.
Don’t wait to turn off your laptop, since leaving it on while it’s wet could cause a short circuit or other serious damage. Also, be careful—if you or your clothes are wet, don’t unplug your laptop directly from the wall, as you could electrocute yourself. Instead, locate the switch or circuit breaker for the outlet you plugged your device into, then turn it off there.
Remove the battery
After you’ve turned off your laptop, try to remove the battery. Here’s how:
Turn over your laptop so the bottom is facing up and find the battery latch.
Next, unplug any USB drives, dongles, or accessories such as a mouse or charger from your laptop.
Dry and drain your laptop
If you spilled liquid on your laptop, it’s important to dry it as quickly and carefully as possible. First, take a microfiber cloth to dab any excess liquid from your device, making sure to dry the keyboard, vents, trackpad, and USB ports. Then follow these simple steps to drain your laptop:
Turn your laptop upside down, place it on a towel or a microfiber cloth, and let the water drain out.
Allow at least 24 hours for your computer to fully air dry for best results.
Do not place your device in rice. You’ll create more problems if the rice gets stuck in and around the components of your laptop.
Do not use a hairdryer or leave it out in the sun. Too much heat could damage your machine.
Is there a way to help my laptop dry faster? Do not use hairdryers, heaters, or other heat sources. Do not place it out in the sun, as excessive heat can cause more harm than good. High heat can damage delicate components and rice and the dust from rice can create more problems by getting stuck in and around components.
Where do I go if my laptop is still under warranty? If your laptop is under warranty, consider taking it to an authorized service center associated with your laptop’s brand. They are trained to handle specific brands and may offer warranty-covered repairs. Some laptop manufacturers have their own service centers that handle repairs. Contact the manufacturer or check their website for information on authorized service providers in your area.
If your laptop is not covered under warranty. Local computer repair shops often provide services for various brands and models. Do your research and make sure to choose a reputable and experienced shop with positive reviews.
Honor announced the Honor Magic 7 and Magic 7 Pro in October in China, both powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. During the launch event, the company confirmed that it would unveil the more advanced Magic 7 RSR Porsche Design in December of this year in China. Today, tipster Digital Chat Station shared a post on Weibo revealing the major specifications of this device.
As per the leak, the Magic 7 RSR Porsche Design will feature a 6.8-inch LTPO display with a quad-curved design. The display will offer a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The front camera setup includes a 50-megapixel AON (Always-On) sensor and ToF 3D facial recognition.
The rear camera system boasts an OIS-enabled 50-megapixel OmniVision OV50K main sensor with a 1/1.3-inch variable aperture, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 200-megapixel 3x periscope telephoto lens with a 1/1.4-inch sensor and OIS support.
The device will operate on Magic OS 9, based on Android 15. It will support fast charging capabilities of 100W and 80W. While the leaker has not specified the battery capacity, it is anticipated that it will utilize the same 5,850mAh battery found in the Magic 7 Pro. Additional features of the Magic 7 RSR Porsche Design will include a single-point ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and an IP68/IP69 rating for water and dust resistance.
The CMIIT certification of the device (PTP-AN20 model number) has revealed that it will support dual satellite connectivity with TianTong (real-time voice calling) and BeiDou (two-way messaging) satellites. The company has already confirmed that the device will be available in two shades, Provence Purple and Agate Gray. It is speculated that the Porsche Design variant will be in two configurations, such as 24GB+512GB and 24GB+1TB.
Apple recently unveiled a new lineup of Macs, all powered by the next-generation M4 chips that deliver enhanced performance and efficiency. These models come equipped with either the M4, M4 Pro, or M4 Max chips. While the M4 powers the base models, the M4 Pro and M4 Max provide additional horsepower and incorporate advanced technologies like Thunderbolt 5, a high-speed data transfer protocol co-developed by Intel and Apple.
This’ the first major bandwidth increase since Thunderbolt 3 debuted in 2015.
What is Thunderbolt 5?
Thunderbolt 5 represents a significant leap in data transfer capabilities, supporting speeds up to 80 Gbps and up to 120 Gbps with the Bandwidth Boost feature, making it up to thrice as fast as Thunderbolt 4, which peaks at 40 Gbps. This allows for connections to high-resolution (up to 8K) high-refresh-rate monitors using a single USB-C port, though a Thunderbolt 5-compliant data cable is necessary.
Introduced in September 2023, Thunderbolt 5 is now available in Apple’s latest Macs, making them among the first commercial devices to support this technology.
With Thunderbolt 5, a device like the Mac Mini M4 can achieve up to 80 Gbps of bi-directional data transfer, meaning it can send and receive data at that speed simultaneously. This feature is perfect for high-resolution displays and enables rapid transfer of large files, such as 4K and 8K video footage.
A single Thunderbolt 5 port can power up to three 4K monitors at 144Hz or two 8K monitors, while also supporting connectivity to a wide array of accessories like monitors, external GPUs, storage drives, and more through a single connection. However, Apple Silicon currently does not support external graphics, limiting this feature to Intel-powered Thunderbolt 5 PCs.
Thunderbolt 5’s USB-C compatibility
A major benefit of Thunderbolt 5 is that it utilizes a standard USB-C port. To maximize the potential of Thunderbolt 5, you’ll need a certified Thunderbolt 5 USB-C cable, which is priced slightly higher than a regular USB-C cable.
Thunderbolt 5 is also backwards-compatible with Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 v2, so you can continue using existing accessories, albeit at Thunderbolt 4 speeds of 40 Gbps.
Do I Need Thunderbolt 5?
For most users performing everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, or even photo editing, Thunderbolt 4’s 40 Gbps bandwidth remains more than adequate. Even 4K video editing and working with large file sizes works smoothly with Thunderbolt 4 connections, as many professionals will attest. The new Mac mini and base 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 chip includes Thunderbolt 4 ports that should serve most of these users.
It’s worth considering Thunderbolt 5 if you work with 8K video, require multiple high-resolution displays, or regularly transfer extremely large files. The technology will be particularly beneficial if you work with virtual reality, 3D rendering, or high-end video production where every bit of bandwidth matters. However, remember that taking full advantage of Thunderbolt 5 requires compatible peripherals, which are just beginning to enter the market and typically command premium prices.
For most users, the presence of Thunderbolt 5 shouldn’t be the deciding factor when choosing between M4 and M4 Pro/Max Macs. The standard M4 models with Thunderbolt 4 will continue to serve the majority of users well, making Thunderbolt 5 a “nice-to-have” rather than a necessity for typical Mac buyers. The technology’s true benefits will likely become more apparent as compatible peripherals become more available and affordable over time.
From the beach to the boat, wherever we go to enjoy warmer weather, our phones are usually right along for the fun and keeping them above water can be a challenging task. No matter how much you bought your phone, seeing it get damaged is not a pleasing moment at all – even if it’s just a slight crack on the screen.One of the frustrating situations is when your phone falls into the water – either in the toilet or in a pool of water. You may feel terrified and tense at the same time to the extent of not knowing what to do. In case your device does take a plunge, here are tips for getting water out of your phone that you’ll need to know.
How to get water out of your phone
Here’s what to do if you drop your phone in water or get it wet:
Remove it from the liquid immediately. The longer it stays there, the more liquid will seep into various inlets.
Turn the phone off and leave it off.
Remove the protective case.
If possible, open the back and remove the battery, SIM card, and microSD card (if you have one).
Use a cloth or paper towel to dab your phone dry. Do not rub the phone, as doing so could accidentally push liquid into the phone’s more sensitive parts. If the phone was completely submerged, you might try (very) gently vacuuming around the phone’s creases and openings to suck more water out.
Resist the urge to bake your phone in the sun. Keep it in a cool, dry place.
You’ve probably heard the suggestion to put your phone in rice if it gets wet, but we do not recommend this method. Instead, try silica gel packets, like the ones that often come with new products such as a pair of shoes, as they’ve proven to be much more effective. Fill a plastic zip-top bag with silica gel packets and bury the phone in the bag. Leave your phone in the bag for 24–48 hours.
After you’ve allowed your phone to fully dry, switch it on. If it doesn’t turn on right away, charge it fully and try again.
If your phone turns back on, great! Still, keep an eye on it over the next week or so, as sometimes certain features won’t work the way they used to.
Apple has placed a lot of emphasis on health and fitness features in recent years, particularly visible in the Apple Watch . Now the company seems to want to take the next step by introducing similar health features to the world of headphones. Renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that Apple could integrate health-related technologies into future AirPods models, and the Powerbeats Pro 2 may be a first indication of this. These headphones could not only set new standards in terms of sound and comfort, but could also be particularly interesting for sports and health.
Heart beat monitor pulse line art icon for medical apps and websites. breathing and alive sign red love heart. Red Medic blood pressure , cardiogram, health EKG, ECG logo. Heart in flat outline style.
Heart rate monitoring during training
A key new feature of the Powerbeats Pro 2 is heart rate monitoring. During your workout, you can use these headphones to continuously monitor your heart rate without having to wear additional devices, as MacRumors now reports based on iOS 18 code. The data is recorded directly and can be transferred to your iPhone. In the Health app and other supported fitness apps, you get a central overview of your health data, which allows you to track your training progress precisely. This heart rate monitoring should be of interest to a wide range of users – from competitive athletes who want to accurately measure their performance to people who simply want to track their health and fitness. The advantage here is that the Powerbeats Pro 2 sit firmly in the ear and thus offer a stable and reliable measurement that optimally complements your training.
Connection to fitness equipment and other features
Based on the iOS 18 code, it is clear that the Powerbeats Pro 2 can be connected to fitness equipment such as treadmills. This means that the headphones automatically exchange data with your fitness equipment during training, giving you a more precise measurement of your heart rate and other relevant training data. This integration into the Apple ecosystem makes it particularly easy to manage all your health data in one place. The connection to fitness equipment extends the functionality of the Powerbeats Pro 2 and can significantly improve your training experience. All data is seamlessly synchronized and stored so that you can access a detailed analysis in the Health app even after training. This is a significant step as it allows you to comprehensively record your training data and track it over the long term.
Potential for future AirPods models
There has been speculation for some time that the AirPods Pro 3 could also be equipped with heart rate monitoring. However, this function has not yet been implemented. However, the launch of the Powerbeats Pro 2 and its heart rate measurement could mark the start of the development of this technology in the AirPods. Analysts such as Ming-Chi Kuo assume that the third generation of the AirPods Pro – expected to be on the market next year – could also have a health function such as heart rate monitoring integrated. This would be a big step, as the AirPods would then be more than just headphones; they would become a mobile health monitoring tool and could expand the entire user experience in Apple’s ecosystem.
Body temperature measurement for AirPods in the pipeline?
Another exciting rumor revolves around the possibility that future AirPods models could also offer body temperature measurement. Temperature measurement via the wrist was already introduced in the Apple Watch Series 8. The AirPods could theoretically also take on such a function, which would open up many new application possibilities, especially in the health and fitness sector. This would mean that the AirPods could not only improve your music enjoyment but also provide you with valuable health data.
Release and availability of the Powerbeats Pro 2
Apple has confirmed that the Powerbeats Pro 2 is expected to be launched in 2025. For users, this means that they will need a little patience before the new functions are available in the headphones. However, the delay suggests that Apple is working hard to optimize the technology and ensure that heart rate monitoring and device connection work seamlessly and reliably.
Apple sets new standards: headphones with health features
The Powerbeats Pro 2 have the potential to take the use of headphones to a new level by combining sound, comfort and health functions. They are an exciting choice, especially for fitness and health-conscious people, and could become the ideal companion for your workout thanks to heart rate monitoring and integration into the Apple ecosystem. It remains to be seen whether these functions will also find their way into the AirPods. But the development shows that Apple remains innovative and is increasingly oriented towards the needs of users in the health and fitness sector.
China’s Baidu Inc, opens new tab unveiled a slew of new applications for its artificial intelligence technology on Tuesday, including an enhanced text-to-image generation technology and a tool that enables users to develop software applications without coding expertise.
The country’s leading search engine company is among tech firms shifting their focus to the commercialization of large language model (LLM) applications after nearly two years of heavy investment in research and development in models that they tout as alternatives to OpenAI’s GPT.
At the annual Baidu World Conference, CEO Robin Li introduced I-RAG, a text-to-image technology that leverages Baidu’s search capabilities to address the “hallucination” issue, referring to the generation of images that deviate from the input text or contain non-existent elements.
These interactions include tasks such as generating text, answering questions, and assisting with various applications utilizing AI.The company integrate the technology into its existing product lineup and offering it to external users via its cloud services.
Baidu also unveiled a pair of glasses featuring a built-in AI assistant, developed by it hardware division, Xiaodu. The device will run on the company’s ERNIE generative AI technology and was designed to “become a private assistant”.Users will be able to interact with the device using their voice and ask it questions about what it sees in their current environment. They can also tell it to play music and even track their calories consumption. And since the glasses are equipped with cameras, they can ask it to snap photos or take videos.
The company is not aiming to create a “super app” based on AI, Li said, signalling a divergence in strategy from other companies such as ByteDance, which has launched multiple standalone AI apps this year.
Baidu also introduced Miaoda,the no-code platform, will allow users who don’t have coding knowledge to create app prototypes. The company says the platform will use Ernie’s LLM to generate code that can be easily modified and edited.
The immediate pros of wireless charging are apparent for all to see. Smartphones and smartwatches can be easily rejuvenated when plopped onto charging pads, eliminating the need for rummaging through messy tables and drawers for cables. As long as there’s a wireless charging pad at your destination, bringing along your device is all you need.
How does wireless charging work?
Tightly-coupled electromagnetic induction
Wireless charging occurs when electricity is transferred from the charging pad to device via a process known as electromagnetic induction, where a magnetic field is produced between the wireless charging transmitter and receiver. Electricity is generated when the generated magnetic field interacts with copper coils in the receiving device, thereby charging the battery.
The most common form of wireless charging today is a sub-category known as tightly-coupled electromagnetic inductive charging, where the transmitting and receiving copper coils must be aligned and within close proximity for effective charging. Any misalignment will significantly slow down charging or cause the process to cease altogether.
Is Wireless Charging Bad For Your Phone?
Heat generated From Wireless Charging
Wireless charging is commonly misunderstood to be harmful for phone batteries due to the heat it generates. While it’s true that electromagnetic induction produces more heat than conventional wired charging, effects from the produced heat can be mitigated with careful management.
Furthermore, phone batteries are typically separated from copper charging coils by a layer of thermal insulation. The result is that smartphone battery temperatures can typically be contained within safe limits under normal circumstances.
Does wireless charging impact battery charge cycles?
Battery charge cycles refer to the number of times a rechargeable battery can undergo complete charging before losing their ability to hold a charge. One charging cycle is completed when a battery goes from being completely charged to completely discharged. Charging a battery from 50% to 100% will therefore only use up half of a battery cycle. Because battery charge cycles are influenced by the number of times they are charged rather than the charging method, wireless charging will not harm a device’s battery.
The only thing that consumers have to worry about is constant charging throughout the day, or charging a device even after it reaches maximum charge carrying capacity. Whenever a battery is charged, energy released will cause lithium ions to move from the graphite layer to the lithium cobalt oxide later. Overcharging can cause damage in the long run by pulling out 100% more lithium ions and messing up the internal battery structure. Most smartphone battery management systems prevent this by blocking current from entering fully charged batteries even while they are connected to a charger.
Does wireless charging pose a safety hazard?
There have been reported instances of wireless chargers being recalled due to safety concerns. Reported risks include fire, electric shock, injuries, or damage to phone and surrounding property. As a result, manufacturers have also warned consumers about sleeping beside charging devices or placing them in poorly ventilated areas, such as beneath a blanket or pillow.
What precautions should be taken during wireless charging?
Safety can be compromised whenever foreign objects such as coins, credit cards, or other metal objects obstruct the space between transmitter and receiver. These foreign objects receive power from the generated magnetic field and dissipate it in the form of heat, which can create damage to both device and user.
For manufacturers and consumers, the most foolproof way to minimize risk is to ensure that their devices comply with recognized charging standards so that the necessary safeguard mechanisms are in place to shut down the charging process before things get out of hand.
3 Tips for a Longer Battery Life
A long-lasting smartphone battery life can improve your overall user experience, minimize device interruptions and prolong your device’s lifespan. Here’s how you can ensure your smartphone’s battery life is efficiently optimized:
Keep Your Battery Level Balanced
At all cost, try to maintain your phone’s battery level between 20% and 80%. This range is considered the optimal battery lifespan zone. It’s advisable not to repeatedly let your phone’s battery drop below 20% as this puts a strain on it. On the contrary, charging your smartphone 100% isn’t a healthy practice either.
Practice Cautious Wireless Charging
If you’re a fan of wireless charging, ensure not to always keep your phone on the charging pad. Just like wired chargers, leaving your phone on a wireless charging pad for extended periods can lead to overcharging and possible battery degradation.
Minimize Fast Charging
hough convenient, fast charging can negatively impact your smartphone battery’s health. The heat generated from fast charging might degrade your battery very quickly. Thus, it’s wise to minimize the use of fast charging and resort to it only when it’s absolutely crucial.
Android 15 now supports the Wi-Fi Ranging feature for precise indoor tracking and navigation of less than one meter (about forty inches), but that doesn’t mean you can use it today.
Also known as the IEEE 802.11az protocol, Wi-Fi Ranging has the potential to replace indoor GPS tracking, which uses satellites orbiting the Earth to pinpoint our location. But the problem with GPS tracking is that it doesn’t work reliably in places that obstruct the signal, like malls.
Android actually added support for Wi-Fi RTT with the release of Android 9 in 2018, and many mobile devices today have Wi-Fi chips that support the positioning technology. Google even created a demo app to showcase Wi-Fi RTT with FTM, though because there aren’t many AP deployments that support it, you’ll have trouble finding a place to actually try it out in.
While Wi-Fi RTT with FTM is already fairly accurate, the IEEE SA was able to improve upon it even further with the 802.11az standard, also known as Wi-Fi Ranging.
The IEEE SA published the 802.11az standard in March 2023, making it too late to support in 2023’s Android 14 release. However, Google was able to add hardware abstraction layer (HAL) support for the standard in the second quarterly platform release of Android 14. The HAL APIs for Wi-Fi Ranging can be implemented by devices running Android 15 or later, as mentioned by Google in its documentation for Wi-Fi RTT.
You might be wondering why you should care about Wi-Fi Ranging when UWB already exists and Bluetooth 6.0 with Channel Sounding is almost here. Wi-Fi-based positioning offers a superior link budget, has lots of available spectrum to meet growing demand, is compatible with previous generations of Wi-Fi, is scalable to a large number of clients, is adaptive to traffic conditions, is robust to multipath through MIMO, is secure, and is cost effective. Sure compared with UWB and Bluetooth 6’s Channel Sounding, the Wi-Fi Ranging feature is slightly less accurate. On the upside, it has a longer range than either UWB or Bluetooth 6.
Most Android phones don’t have hardware support for Wi-Fi Ranging just yet, but that’s set to change within a couple of years. Qualcomm’s new FastConnect 7900 connectivity chip supports Wi-Fi Ranging, for example, so any upcoming phones that use that chip will be ready. However, many Wi-Fi APs that support Wi-Fi 6 or later will need to receive a firmware update to support 802.11az, so even if your phone were to support it today, you’d need to wait to use it.
