For all his bluster about voter fraud, Elon Musk has been one of the most flagrant flaunters of US election law. Now his America PAC has been slapped with a reprimand by the Georgia State Election Board for sending out pre-filled absentee ballot applications. State law prohibits anyone, other than an authorized relative, from sending […]
Apple is said to be hastening the creation of three innovative AI wearables, comprising smart glasses, a pendant, and AirPods with cameras, as part of its initiative to weave Siri more deeply into everyday existence. The main emphasis here is on the smart glasses, which have been a longstanding goal for Apple.
The notion of Apple producing AR glasses has been around for years, but recent developments are shifting towards AI glasses similar to Meta’s Ray-Bans, which have risen in popularity since their introduction in late 2023. These spectacles include cameras, microphones, and speakers, enabling users to engage with Meta AI, enjoy music, and take pictures and videos.
Latest reports suggest that Apple is making notable advancements in crafting its iteration of these AI glasses, with intentions to integrate two camera lenses—one for computer vision and another for photography and videography. Remarkably, Apple has succeeded in fitting all essential components within the frame, removing the necessity for an external battery.
A significant breakthrough in Apple’s glasses may arise from its recent acquisition of Q.ai, a startup focused on machine learning for silent voice input interpretation. This innovation could allow users to communicate with the glasses’ voice assistant without the need for audible speech, overcoming a prevalent drawback of existing voice recognition systems.
If successful, Apple’s AI glasses could appeal to a broad audience, particularly if they feature enhanced speech recognition capabilities. Although they are anticipated to be pricier than Meta’s products, consumers may be inclined to invest more for superior technology.
While a precise release date is still unverified, the glasses are expected to debut within the upcoming year. The market is eager to witness whether Apple’s innovations will transform the smart glasses arena and improve the functionality of voice assistants in daily situations.
As generative AI evolves, a Google VP warns that LLM wrappers and AI aggregators face mounting pressure, with shrinking margins and limited differentiation threatening their long-term viability.
retail theft is increasing, so it’s not surprising to witness a rise in such incidents. However, a recently uncovered strategy by Costco raises concerns, despite its rationale.
According to PC Mag, Costco has taken out high-priced PC components from pre-built systems showcased on their shelves to discourage theft. Specifically, the RAM and GPUs have been eliminated, although those display units remain operational. Removing the RAM modules is logical since they can easily be extracted from a PC setup. Conversely, GPUs would be harder to hide due to their large size in modern graphics cards.
While it may seem a bit odd to encounter pre-built PCs lacking these parts, Costco’s approach is reasonable given the rising costs of RAM and storage. Items ranging from laptops and desktops to smartphones and TVs are experiencing significant price variations. Could it be that Costco will soon also eliminate hard drives and SSDs?
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As reported by The New York Times, Meta intends to incorporate facial recognition functionalities into its smart glasses, which are available through the company and its collaboration with eyewear manufacturer Ray-Ban. These smart glasses, if you’re not aware, closely resemble prescription eyewear — and can even come with prescription lenses — allowing them to appear unobtrusive when worn. The frames are equipped with cameras capable of streaming video live or recording photos and videos for sharing. By default, they feature a small white light that indicates recording is in progress, alerting those nearby that they are being observed. However, there are ways to disable those lights, making them look like typical glasses.
The facial recognition capability, named “Name Tag,” will enable the users of Meta’s smart glasses to recognize individuals in their vicinity and access information using the integrated artificial intelligence assistant. While wearing the glasses, you can issue various commands to that assistant via voice, such as “Meta, start recording,” or “Meta, tell me what this picture is.” The concern, of course, is that even individuals who have reasonably attempted to protect their privacy and stay away from these systems would still be implicated, indirectly, simply through users scanning or looking into their surroundings.
In light of the recent backlash and upheaval regarding the collaboration between Ring and Flock to monitor and share security footage with law enforcement, questions arise about how Meta intends to utilize or manage data collected by users’ smart devices.
Why facial recognition technology in Meta smart glasses poses issues
In addition to the clear fact that extensive facial recognition technology constitutes a significant invasion of privacy for many, the technology itself raises doubts. Other individuals nearby the wearer of Meta smart glasses wouldn’t have the ability to give consent or opt-out. There are few cases that demonstrate facial recognition’s accuracy; in fact, quite the opposite is true. The New York transportation authority ceased a pilot program that had a 100% error rate with no accurate readings. Furthermore, the technology is biased, can be easily exploited for fraud and identity theft, is not adequately regulated, and may result in false arrests or worse when used by law enforcement. Meta might already be training AI with images from users’ smart glasses without informing anyone, potentially including individuals passing by and background subjects in captured footage who do not wish for their images to be used for such purposes.
Reportedly, Meta plans to launch the functionality in a “dynamic political environment,” and while “many civil society organizations that we would expect to criticize us will have their resources directed toward other issues,” according to internal documents. The original Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses were meant to incorporate similar facial recognition features, but the company ultimately altered its course due to ethical dilemmas, alongside technical obstacles. Meta also had a Face Recognition system in mind for Facebook to tag users’ photos, but abandoned it for similar reasons. This pattern recurs, and this latest initiative appears to be yet another instance of the same. If everything proceeds as intended, the new features will be accessible to Ray-Ban users by the end of 2026.
Meta and Ray-Ban are not the only companies developing smart glasses of this kind. Rokid provides advanced AR smart glasses with a screen, along with several other brands. Meta has also teamed up with Oakley to offer distinctive smart glasses.
Google’s latest Gemini 3.1 Pro is capable of cracking puzzles it has never encountered before.
Shortly after introducing Gemini 3.0, Google is now unveiling Gemini 3.1 Pro. This updated model is engineered to address complex, multi-step issues that most chatbots still struggle with.
This enhancement follows shortly after Google launched its Deep Think features, which broadened the platform’s capabilities in research, engineering, and science. Gemini 3.1 Pro powers these improvements, and Google is now integrating it into consumer applications, developer tools, and enterprise platforms simultaneously.
You can already utilize
The Pixel 10a is here at last, and it’s… similar. Google’s newly announced mid-range Pixel is now available for preorder and will be in stores on March 5, giving you a few weeks to determine if it’s the right choice for you. However, if you’re acquainted with Google’s recent Pixel releases, including last year’s Pixel 9a, making a decision might not be straightforward.
At first sight, there’s much to appreciate about the Pixel 10a, but there’s also a lot that might give you pause before opting for it over another Pixel model. Let’s explore what we know about the Pixel 10a to assist you in deciding if it’s a worthwhile purchase and to identify who the 10a is truly intended for.
Reasons to purchase the Pixel 10a
Right from the start, one of the clearest reasons to buy the Pixel 10a is its pricing. Priced at $499, the Pixel 10a fits snugly into the mid-range and is nearly half the cost of the standard Pixel 10. This is the same launch price as the Pixel 9a, and it’s refreshing to see that Google hasn’t increased it despite the memory shortages affecting the tech sector.
The Pixel 10a is likely among the top contenders at this pricing tier. It features a (technically) flagship chipset, and you benefit from all the advantages of other Pixel devices, including Google’s Gemini AI capabilities and a long-term software update commitment (seven years of operating system updates, security fixes, and Pixel Drops).
Beyond the expected camera quality and functionalities typical of most Pixel smartphones, the Pixel 10a introduces some enhancements not present on the Pixel 9a, such as Macro Focus. One of our favorite features is Auto Best Take, which helps you take better group photos by allowing you to choose the best expressions for each individual. Camera Coach, another feature launched with the Pixel 10 series, utilizes AI to assist you in taking better photographs based on the subject.
The Pixel 10a also features several other noteworthy upgrades that we appreciate seeing in a $500 device. The enhanced Gorilla Glass 7i is anticipated to offer greater protection compared to the Pixel 9a, and the display brightness has increased to 3,000 nits, making it very usable in outdoor conditions. Satellite SOS is also an uncommon feature in Android devices, which can be invaluable if you find yourself in an emergency situation without network reception.
Lastly, the enhanced battery life and charging specifications should be appealing to anyone looking for a phone that lasts all day. While it shares the same battery size as its predecessor, the 10a is rated to perform longer on a single charge: over 30 hours or up to 120 hours with Battery Saver. We referred to the Pixel 9a as the “Energizer phone” in our review last year, and we anticipate that the Pixel 10a will uphold this reputation.
The upgraded 30W charging is a beneficial enhancement, especially since it outpaces the $800 Galaxy 25 in charging speed, and for those who enjoy wireless charging, Google has improved the speed from 7.5W on the Pixel 9a to 10W on the Pixel 10a. While not blazing fast, it’s still a commendable upgrade.
Reasons to reconsider purchasing the Pixel 10a
Although the Pixel 10a is a solid smartphone for its price, when set against its predecessor and other devices within its price bracket, some might find it challenging to rationalize choosing this over alternatives. In fact, it’s likely one of the smallest generational upgrades we’ve observed in Pixel phones.
You’d need a keen eye to notice the distinctions between the Pixel 9a and Pixel 10a. The latter features a more flush back, intended to enhance overall aesthetics, but ultimately, if the design of the Pixel 9a didn’t appeal to you, this one probably won’t either. At 9mm, it’s a bulky phone, thicker than the Galaxy S25 Ultra and even the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (excluding the camera modules). Additionally, you will likely want to use a case, which will add even more thickness.
Regarding cameras, if you’re in need of a telephoto lens, the Pixel 10a may fall short. While Google’s Super Res Zoom can yield impressive outcomes, it does not equate to having a dedicated telephoto lens. A device like the Galaxy S25 FE would serve as a better choice if you’re willing to spend a bit more for a telephoto lens and quicker 45W charging.
The Pixel 10a also does not support Qi2, introduced in the Pixel 10 series. While this could have made the phone bulkier and pricier, it is disappointing that Google didn’t incorporate the spec without the built-in magnets, akin to the Galaxy S25 series. Google already offers Pixelsnap cases, which have built-in magnets themselves, so it could have relied on this while providing us with faster wireless charging capabilities.
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Jesse Van Rootselaar’s descriptions of gun violence were flagged by tools that monitor ChatGPT for misuse.
Consumer Reports has pinpointed the top models suitable for your laptop. Although these power banks can charge other gadgets, such as your smartphone and tablet, they differ from the typical battery pack you might carry in your bag. The power bank intended for your phone is generally lightweight and can provide at least one complete charge for the device.
However, while it is capable of charging the phone, it won’t suffice for your laptop. You will require slightly larger and heftier devices for notebooks, as they must accumulate more energy than a standard phone power bank. Regrettably, some that CR suggests might already be out of stock with certain retailers, despite Consumer Reports publishing its rankings in September 2025. Nevertheless, the retailers have already introduced newer models that can act as alternatives.
