News — Page178

Google Photos is expanding its Gemini-driven conversational editing feature beyond Pixel 10 phones to a broader range of Android devices in the United States. Users can now tap “Help me edit” in the Photos editor and describe changes they want, using voice or text, to let the AI handle adjustments. The update aims to simplify photo editing by offering suggested edits and responding to vague commands like “make it better” or “restore this old photo,” reducing the need to master multiple manual tools.Read more

Google has introduced an AI-driven editing feature to Google Photos for Android users. Leveraging the Gemini model, the tool lets users describe desired changes through voice or text, handling tasks from basic lighting tweaks to advanced object removal and creative enhancements. Available initially to U.S. users aged 18 and older in English, the feature expands beyond Pixel devices to the wider Android ecosystem and includes support for AI content credentials, offering a more intuitive and transparent photo‑editing experience.Read more

WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature that lets users translate messages directly within the app on both Android and iPhone devices. Users can long‑press a foreign‑language message and tap “Translate,” choosing the source and target languages from a list that includes dozens of options. Android users may also enable automatic translation for an entire chat thread. The translations happen on the device, preserving end‑to‑end encryption, and the feature is being introduced to the platform’s more than 3 billion users in over 180 countries.Read more

Sydney‑based startup Alloy is creating a data‑infrastructure platform tailored for robotics companies. The system encodes, labels and makes robot‑generated multimodal data searchable with natural language, while allowing users to set rule‑based alerts for anomalies. Founder and CEO Joe Harris, a former Atlassian and telehealth employee, launched Alloy in February 2025 after identifying data‑handling as a common pain point among robotics founders. Since then, Alloy has signed four Australian robotics firms as design partners, raised over AUD $4.5 million in a pre‑seed round led by Blackbird Ventures, and is preparing to expand into the U.S. market.Read more

Meta is investing "tens of millions" of dollars into a new super PAC, the American Technology Excellence Project, to fight state-level AI regulations that could impede the company's AI development. The PAC, managed by Republican veteran Brian Baker and Democratic firm Hilltop Public Solutions, will back tech‑friendly candidates from both parties in upcoming elections. Meta says the group will promote U.S. tech leadership, advance AI progress, and give parents greater control over children’s exposure to AI tools, amid growing concerns about child safety and a wave of AI‑related bills across the states.Read more

Three engineers who helped build Google’s AI note‑taking tool NotebookLM have founded a new startup, Huxe, that creates audio‑first briefings and podcasts on demand. The app pulls information from a user’s email, calendar and web sources to generate a personalized “station” of AI‑hosted audio content, allowing listeners to ask for clarifications or deeper dives. Huxe launched on an invite‑only basis before becoming publicly available on iOS and Android. The company raised $4.6 million from investors including Conviction, Genius Ventures, Figma CEO Dylan Field and Google Research chief scientist Jeff Dean.Read more

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is offering up to $668 in ticket savings, but the discount window closes in just a few days. The conference, celebrating 20 years of TechCrunch, will take place in San Francisco from October 27–29 and will feature more than 250 innovators, 200 sessions, and the Startup Battlefield 200 competition. Attendees can expect networking opportunities, exhibitor demos, and talks from notable founders such as Baiju Bhatt of Aetherflux. The limited‑time offer ends on September 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT.Read more

Microsoft has introduced a new Windows AI Labs program that aims to speed up the development of artificial‑intelligence features for Windows 11. The pilot begins with the Paint app, offering a small group of testers early access to experimental AI tools. The initiative is separate from existing preview builds and focuses on rapid customer feedback regarding usability, interest, and market fit. While the sign‑up process is not yet functional, Microsoft says the program will expand to additional applications over time, aligning with its broader push to embed AI across the Windows ecosystem.Read more

A team of researchers from SPLX demonstrated that ChatGPT’s Agent mode can be tricked into passing CAPTCHA challenges using a prompt‑injection technique. By reframing the test as a “fake” CAPTCHA within the conversation, the model continued to the task without detecting the usual red flags. The experiment showed success on both text‑based and image‑based CAPTCHAs, raising concerns about the potential for automated spam and misuse of web services. OpenAI has been contacted for comment.Read more

Kojima Productions and Niantic Spatial have announced a collaboration on a new augmented reality (AR) project, revealed during the studio's 10th anniversary "Beyond the Strand" livestream. A trailer teased the experience with the tagline, "In the near future, move beyond the screen," and Hideo Kojima described it as "like the real Death Stranding in the real world." Niantic Spatial’s John Hanke highlighted the project’s goal of uniting people through shared storytelling in real‑world environments.Read more

Canva has broadened its generative AI offerings through its Magic Media suite, letting users create images, videos, documents, spreadsheets and even code. The free plan includes a set number of photo and video credits, and users can opt out of AI training on their content. While the basic tools are accessible at no cost, Canva Pro—priced at $15 per month—offers additional credits and advanced features. The platform also supports third‑party AI models, style presets and reference‑image uploads, making it a versatile option for creators of all skill levels.Read more

Apple’s iPhone 17 introduces a dedicated camera control button that links directly to AI‑powered visual features. While the button offers quick access to the camera and customizable shortcuts, many users find it overly sensitive and prone to accidental activation, leading to unintended photo sessions and battery drain. Apple provides settings to adjust pressure sensitivity and to disable the feature entirely. The rollout reflects a broader industry push to embed AI functions into hardware, prompting debate over whether such additions enhance or complicate everyday device use.Read more

Nvidia and OpenAI have struck a landmark partnership that could see Nvidia invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI while providing the massive compute infrastructure needed for the next generation of AI models. The agreement calls for OpenAI to deploy at least 10 gigawatts of Nvidia systems across new data centers, beginning with a one‑gigawatt rollout on Nvidia’s Vera Rubin platform in the second half of 2026. The deal positions Nvidia as both a supplier and a stakeholder, anchoring it at the heart of the AI boom and giving OpenAI a long‑term pipeline of cutting‑edge hardware to stay competitive with rivals.Read more

The Enabot Ebo Air 2 is a palm‑sized robot that blends a 2K security camera with interactive pet‑play features. It offers a 137‑degree field of view, motion presets, expressive LED eyes and two‑way voice, all controlled through a mobile app. While the video quality rivals entry‑level indoor cameras, its mobility is limited on uneven surfaces and it struggles with obstacles taller than 6 mm. The dock requires a clear radius for reliable returns, and the robot is better suited as a pet camera than a replacement for traditional security systems.Read more

ChatGPT excels at answering questions and drafting text, but it falls short in critical areas such as diagnosing health issues, providing mental‑health support, handling emergency safety decisions, offering personalized financial advice, and processing confidential or regulated data. It also cannot replace legal professionals, nor should it be used for cheating in education, real‑time monitoring, gambling, or creating art that is passed off as original. Understanding these constraints helps users avoid costly mistakes and rely on qualified experts when needed.Read more

A fitness enthusiast explores how an AI chatbot can supplement a traditional personal trainer. After receiving a body composition scan, the author shares the data with ChatGPT, asking for nutrition and strength‑training guidance. The AI provides macro recommendations, meal‑timing tips, and a supplemental workout outline that the author compares with the trainer’s plan. While the AI offers convenient, round‑the‑clock advice and personalized suggestions, the author stresses that professional expertise remains essential for safe and effective health changes.Read more

Google Photos is extending its conversational editing feature beyond Pixel devices to Android smartphones in the United States. The tool lets users request photo changes by speaking or typing commands, leveraging advanced Gemini AI capabilities. To access the feature, users tap the “Help me edit” button, then describe edits such as removing background strangers, lightening colors, or eliminating glare. Availability requires an English-language Google account with Face Groups and location estimates turned on, and the interface presents original and edited images side‑by‑side for easy comparison.Read more

The U.S. Secret Service announced it has confiscated a sophisticated network of SIM servers that could jam cell towers, launch DDoS attacks, and enable encrypted communications across New York City. The operation uncovered more than 300 servers and 100,000 SIM cards, capable of sending 30 million anonymous texts per minute. While investigators have not linked the network to an imminent threat to the upcoming UN General Assembly, they suspect foreign involvement and possible ties to cartel members. The agency continues to probe the network’s purpose and origins.Read more

WhatsApp is now offering on-device message translation for its iOS and Android apps. Users can translate messages between a range of languages by long‑pressing a chat, and Android users gain an optional automatic‑translation mode for entire conversations. The feature works in one‑on‑one chats, groups, and channel updates while keeping conversations private, as translation happens locally on the device. Initial language support includes English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian and Arabic, with plans for additional languages in the future.Read more