Google recently announced that its bringing the Gemini AI assistant to Google TV. At the same time, our sister site 9to5Google found evidence of Gemini coming soon to Wear OS Googles operating system for smartwatches. On the Apple side, devices like Apple TV and Apple Watch dont have Apple Intelligence support, and some people are starting to wonder when that will change.Apple competitors bring AI to TV and smartwatchesWhen it comes to Apple Intelligence, the features are only available on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Even so, the list is quite limited. Apple Intelligence requires devices with the A17 Pro chip (such as the iPhone 15 Pro and iPad mini 7) and later, or the M1 chip and later.Apple has said that it will bring Apple Intelligence to more devices over time, but it has never said which devices will be next and when exactly this will happen. For now, owners of Apple TV, Apple Watch, HomePod, and even Apple Vision Pro cant take advantage of Apple Intelligence tools. So lets take a look at what the competition is doing so far.As mentioned earlier, Google announced at CES 2025 that its bringing Gemini to Google TV. When we talk about generative AI, most people certainly think about chatbots to answer questions or write text. In part, thats what Gemini will do on Google TV. The company says its AI will make searching through your media easier than ever.But there are some features designed to enhance the experience of using a TV. For instance, Gemini will let users create art with their family or even ask for a summary of the days news. Google has also announced AI-generated screensavers and summaries for movies and shows.On Wear OS, Gemini will certainly be useful in letting users have more natural conversations with their smartwatches, which will certainly make it easier to interact with these devices when your smartphone isnt around.Apple Intelligence on Apple TV and Apple WatchOkay, so lets get back to Apple. When will Apple Intelligence arrive on Apple TV and Apple Watch? Unfortunately, probably not very soon and there are two reasons for that.First, Apple Intelligence is being rolled out in phases. The first phase introduced Writing Tools and text summarization. The second phase enabled things like Genmoji and Image Playgrounds, as well as the integration of ChatGPT into Siri. For the third phase, which is expected to be released by spring, Siri will gain onscreen awareness and be able to control actions between apps.Most of these features arent exactly useful for devices like Apple TV and Apple Watch. Im sure that having ChatGPT on the Apple Watch might be useful sometimes, but it doesnt sound like a game-changing feature. Onscreen awareness sounds nice, as does the ability to better control apps with your voice, but these features are yet to come to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.If I had to guess, Apple probably wants to refine the Apple Intelligence experience on these devices first before expanding the features to others.But theres a second important reason: hardware. As I said before, Apple Intelligence requires the latest chips since almost everything is processed on-device for better privacy. Unless Apple creates lighter language models for Apple TV and Apple Watch, current hardware wouldnt be able to support Apple Intelligence in its current state.The latest Apple TV, which was introduced in 2022, has the same A15 chip as the iPhone 13. Rumors suggest that a new Apple TV is on track for release in 2025, but its unclear when this will happen or whether it will have a chip capable of running Apple Intelligence. As for the Apple Watch, we would have to wait until at least September for the new hardware.In short, those hoping for Apple Intelligence on these devices will probably have to wait a bit longer. In the meantime, tell us in the comments section below what you expect from Apple Intelligence on Apple TV and Apple Watch.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

At CES 2025, ESR unveiled the new Geo Digital Pencil, an affordable iPad stylus. It supports the Find My network, allowing you to locate your pencil virtually anywhere if it gets lost, similar to the new Apple Pencil Pro unveiled early last year.The new Geo Digital Pencil can magnetically attach to the side of the iPad, although it doesnt recharge that way. It attaches to all modern iPads, 2018 iPad Pro and newer, but not the iPad (10th generation). ESR offers it in three colors: pink, white, and black.It supports USB-C fast charging, allowing you to fully recharge the Geo Digital Pencil in just 30 minutes. Once charged, it delivers around 12 hours of continuous use on a single charge.ESR promises smooth and precise performance, with palm rejection, tilt sensitivity, and a fine 1.5mm tip for detailed writing and drawing. The Geo Digital Pencil also offers a shortcut button at the bottom, and shares the battery percentage over bluetooth, allowing you to easily keep track of when you need to recharge.In terms of Find My support, it uses an Apple-certified Find My module, allowing users to have real-time location tracking. It also offers an integrated speaker, allowing you to find it easier.You can purchase the ESR Geo Digital Pencil today on Amazon for just $29.99. It comes with a USB-C cable and a few tip replacements in the box. Its available with 2-day delivery.Follow Michael:X/Twitter,Bluesky,InstagramAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Different sources have already reported on the possible launch of new iPads and iPhone SE 4 in the first half of 2025. While Bloombergs Mark Gurman previously said that these products will be launched in the spring, he has now specified that Apple expects to launch the new iPads and iPhone SE 4 by April.New iPhones and iPads coming soonLast month, an anonymous profile on X with a good track record revealed that these new devices will be launched with iOS 18.3 pre-installed, as Apple has been working under the hood to add support for the new hardware in this update. Its worht noting that iOS and iPadOS .3 updates are typically released in late January.Even so, this doesnt mean that the new iPads and iPhone SE 4 will be announced alongside the release of iOS 18.3. According to Gurman, the devices will be announced at a later date. Spring in the northern hemisphere starts in mid-March, so its more likely that Apple will announce the new products between March and April, which has happened many times in the past.Last year, the M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air were launched in May with iPadOS 17.4. Apple has already confirmed that it plans to release iOS 18.4 to the public sometime in April, as the update will enable Apple Intelligence for non-English languages for the first time. Since the products are expected to be shipped with the .3, software, this gives us a more precise time frame for when to expect the launch of the new devices.According to rumors, Apple plans to introduce at least three new iOS devices in the spring of 2025: the iPhone SE 4, iPad 11, and an updated iPad Air. iPhone SE 4 will look like an iPhone 14, but with a single rear camera lens and the A18 chip from the iPhone 16 inside. As for the iPad 11, its expected to get a spec bump with a faster chip (possibly the A17 Pro) to enable Apple Intelligence support.As for the new iPad Air, details about it are quite unclear since Apple updated this model last year with the M2 chip. Expect them to be announced all together in a special event or a series of videos.Which new product are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments section below.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

A weird new development.TerrorGPTLas Vegas police officials have revealed that active duty Green Beret soldier Matthew Livelsberger, who fatally shot himself and blew up a rented Tesla Cybertruck just outside the Trump Towers hotel in Las Vegas last week, used generative AI including OpenAI's ChatGPT to plan his attack.As the Associated Press reports, a review of Livelsbergers queries on ChatGPT suggests he was not only researching explosive targets, but was also studying the speed of bullets, how far they would travel, and even whether fireworks were legal in Arizona (they are, but only 27 days of the year).It's a weird new development and one that shows, yet again, that every new technology is eventually subsumed into the darkest corners of society for violent and twisted purposes."This is the first incident that Im aware of on US soil where ChatGPT is utilized to help an individual build a particular device," said Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department sheriff Kevin McMahill during a press conference. "Its a concerning moment."Wake UpThe Afghanistan veteran shot himself with a handgun before blowing up the Cybertruck using improvised explosives and fireworks. He didn't take the lives of any bystanders, but injured seven people.As far as a motive is concerned, Livelsberger likely was "struggling with PTSD and other issues," as FBI special agent Spencer Evans told reporters.Livelsberger also made bizarre comments about "Chinese" drones with "gravitic propulsion systems" in a widely circulating email that officials believe was written by him.He also wrote in a note that the US was "terminally ill and headed toward collapse" and that he intended the attack to be a "wake up call."He also vowed to "cleanse" his mind "of the brothers Ive lost and relieve myself of the burden of the lives I took."Interestingly, he wrote in his note that he had no ill will towards Tesla CEO Elon Musk and that the US needs to "rally around"the entrepreneur and president-elect Donald Trump.Apart from plenty of evidence suggesting Livelsberger was a deeply troubled individual, his use of ChatGPT stands out. It's unclear whether he managed to get the tool to spit out information on specifically illegal activities, such as how to build an explosive. But given the sorry state of guardrails and how easily they're circumvented, it's certainly not impossible so we'll be watching with interest.More on the attack: The Cybertruck Bomber Seems to Have Made Strange Claims About the Mysterious Drone SightingsShare This Article

An unusual request.Death WishAn Arizona man who's been on death row for nearly two decadeshas an unusual request for the state's highest court: to, essentially, get it over with already.Generally speaking, attorneys for death row inmates try to delay their executions as long as possible. But as theAssociated Press reports, 53-year-old Aaron Gunches has asked the state's Supreme Court to expedite his "long overdue" execution.Back in 2004, Gunches pleaded guilty to the 2002 murder of Ted Price, his then-girlfriend's ex-husband who had been in a violentdeath sentence was tossed in 2010 over procedural errors.He was ultimately re-sentenced to death in 2013 and first began seeking his own death warrant in November 2022 just after the state's now-attorney general, Kris Mayes, was elected and vowed alongside now-Gov. Katie Hobbs to suspend executions pending a review of the state's death penalty.The political pair, both Democrats, had good reason to do so. Back in 2014, one man's death by lethal injection was botched so significantly that it took nearly two hours to finish, and onlookers said they heard the condemned gasp and snort a horrifying 600 times during the procedure. Additionally, the state's correctional agency spent taxpayer money to procure ingredients for cyanide gas, which the Nazis used in their concentration camp gas chambers during the Holocaust.Bad ReviewsAsFox 10 Phoenix reported back in November, Hobbs and Mayes' death penalty review ultimately fell apart after David Dunkin, the retired judge in charge of it, offered a bunch of strange recommendations."You recommend that [Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry] conduct executions by firing squad (a method not currently authorized by Arizona law)," a letter from the governor to Dunkin read, "despite the Executive Orders direction to focus on procurement, protocols, and procedures related to carrying out an execution under existing law."With all that context in the rearview, the state AG announced back at the end of November that it would be seeking death warrants again, including for Gunches.According to the AP, Hobbs' office says that the only roadblock between the man and his desired destruction now is the testing of the pentobarbital that will be used for his lethal injection.Still, it remains unclear when he'll finally get his wish and after waiting that long, it seems clear that Gunches is ready to go.More on death sentences: Scientists Simulate Alien Civilizations, Find They Keep Dying From Climate ChangeShare This Article

1 of 17Lisa Eadicicco/CNETGoogle TV plus AIAI has been on a roll, and that's going to continue throughout the coming year. AtCES 2025in Las Vegas, we got a look at some of the ways it'll be showing up in products that you'll be able to bring into your home.Here, in one demo, a TV uses the Google Assistant with Gemini AI to provide YouTube videos as answers for to a query -- in this case, asking for vacation recommendations. Google also showed off a TV that can tell when someone is in the room and then display relevant content. It says those capabilities should arrive later this year.2 of 17LymowLymow OneAI and robots aren't exactly synonymous, but the two often go hand in hand: brains to go with the brawn. Here's a robot for outside the house. The $3,000 Lymow Oneis designed to mow your lawn with precision, and mulch it as well.3 of 17James Martin/CNETDisplace TVThe first thing that gets your attention about the Displace TV is that you can use suction cups to mount it to a wall, or in this case a refrigerator. Its operating system is designed to use anAI agentand voice commands to ease tasks from streaming and sending emails to ordering food delivery. Prices range from $2,500 to $6,000 (not including a $1,000 discount during CES).4 of 17James Martin/CNETHalliday XR smart glassesCNET's Lisa Eadicicco tried outHalliday XR smart glassesthat actually look like glasses and can display information in your field of view without obstructing it. They're meant to be an AI companion. For instance, in one demo, someone spoke in Mandarin and Lisa saw a translation into English.5 of 17Katie Collins/CNETRopet pet robotRemember the Furby? Well, the Ropet is not that, but no one will blame you if you get those vibes. This robot likes to be petted, it'll dance when music is playing, and the built-in camera can recognize objects you put in front of it.6 of 17James Martin/CNETNkojita cat FuFuFile this under completely unnecessary but cute. The Nkojita cat FuFu will blow on your hot beverages to cool them down so you don't have to.7 of 17James Martin/CNETSamsung's Vision AISamsung's TVs are getting more AI smarts, like AI karaoke and live translation for closed captions, under the heading of Vision AI.8 of 17James Martin/CNETLive Translate on TVsHere's how Samsung is showing off its Live Translate AI feature.9 of 17RayNeoRayNeo Air 3 display glassesThe RayNeo Air 3 display glasses look to be a solid update to their predecessor. With micro-LED displays capable of hitting 2,500 nits of peak brightness, these AR- and AI-powered glasses could be something special when they land in mid-2025.10 of 17May MobilityMay Mobility's self-driving TecnobusThough it may be some time before you'll board a May Mobility self-driving Tecnobus, the vehicle can hold up to 30 passengers, go up to 45 mph, and will be fully wheelchair-accessible.11 of 17HumetrixHumetrix Global Health Communicator AppImagine seeking medical advice when you're somewhere you don't speak the local language. With Humetrix's Global Health Communicator app, you can take advantage of thevoice-to-voice communication within the app to find the help you need.12 of 17James Martin/CNETSamsung BallieThis is Samsung's Ballie robot, designed to roll throughout your household. During a demonstration at the show, Ballie shared information about Las Vegas attractions; turned on lights and various smart home products by voice command; and projected a movie onto a wall. Samsung says it will ship the robot in the US this year. Pricing hasn't yet been revealed.13 of 17RoborockRoborock Saros Z70The Roborock Saros Z70 is a multitalented robotic vacuum cleaner that features a mechanical arm that can pick up items while it cleans your floors.14 of 17EurekaJ15 Max Ultra robovacThe new Eureka J15 Max Ultra uses AI and an infrared vision system to detect liquid (even if it's transparent) and will adjust its cleaning method to handle the spill. It can also detangle its brushes on its own.15 of 17Katie Collins/CNETMirokaiThe Mirokai is a 100,000 euro ($103,000) robot that can do quite a few things. It's on a roller base and has opposable thumbs for picking up items. You can have conversations with it, too.16 of 17James Martin/CNETMirumi sloth robotThe Mirumi is a cute robot that serves one function -- to evoke a response -- and the company behind it, Yukai Engineering, hopes it's joy. Mirumi is supposed to cling to the strap of a bag or purse and will move its head and look at people while you're tending to your business.17 of 17SamsungFor after CES: Galaxy UnpackedIt's January, and that means new Galaxy phones are on the way. Just as CES was getting started, Samsung revealed the date for its own, separateGalaxy Unpacked event later this month. That's where the company will likely reveal the presumed Galaxy S25 lineup and all sorts of nifty AI features.

1 of 21James Martin/CNETYou can count on CES 2025, one of the world's largest tech shows, to deliver a bevy of products from around the world that range from the far-future of technology to everyday items designed to solve very real problems. This is our evolving collection of highlights where tech intersects daily life.2 of 21James Martin/CNETA lava lamp with thumping speakersTo play your favorite music, would you prefer a portable Bluetooth speaker that looks like, well, a thousand other speakers? Or one that not only sounds great but also pulses with color in time to the music? Govee showed off its newTable Lamp 2 Pro x Sound by JBL, which syncs to the music playing from its integrated JBL speakers. The lava lamps of old only wished they could be this cool.3 of 21Lisa Eadicicco/CNETShoes to make you feel better and boost performanceYou can buy shoes that will help you run faster or jump higher, but that's not what's going on here. These astronaut-suit-looking boots are actually for when you're doing nothing -- specifically when you're recovering from a workout or performance. TheNike + Hypericerecovery shoes apply adjustable compression and heat to your feet and calves, while also letting you move around instead of being locked down. Despite their futuristic looks, they're not actually from the future -- some athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games used prototypes to aid in faster recovery between events.4 of 21Zooey Liao/ CNETA laptop with a screen that unrollsWhen you've experienced the joy of working on multiple screens, it's hard to go back to just one. And yet we typically don't have much choice when traveling or away from our normal setup with a laptop. One option is to tote and set up add-on screens, but that means extra bulk and extra work. Lenovo has a different idea using flexible screen technology. TheThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollablelaptop's screen extends from 14 to 16.7 inches, expanding the screen real estate and giving you some breathing room -- or space to watch a movie under that spreadsheet you need to work on. You can see it in action here.5 of 21Antuan Goodwin/CNETAn EV that runs on sunshineForget the pump -- heck, forget the plug. This solar-powered electric car can get up to 40 miles of everyday driving in a day. TheAptera solar vehiclelooks like a dolphin and holds just two people, but did you catch the part about being powered by the sun? Every part of it is optimized for efficiency, from its weight -- about half that of a regular EV -- to its carbon fiber chassis and low profile wheels. For longer trips you can plug it in and get up to 400 miles from a full charge.6 of 21Lisa Eadicicco/CNETA super bright and detailed watch screenWhen new smartwatches are announced, the companies make a point of showing off the screen brightness. For good reason: Even high-nit screens can have trouble competing with bright sunlight -- especially here in Las Vegas -- while at the same time being bright enough to see in low-light environments at night. Samsung Display demonstrated aMicro LED smartwatch conceptthat goes up to almost 4,000 nits compared to 3,200 nits on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 or the 2,000 nits on the Pixel Watch 3. So far this is just a proof of concept, but since Micro LEDs are already present in televisions, it could be time to start using them in smartwatches.7 of 21SwippittA 2-second iPhone battery swapEven as battery life improves in our phones, there comes that point where we need to set it down to charge. Even the latest fast-charging technologies require dozens of minutes to get the power level up to working. If you're impatient or need to run out the door right away, how does a handful ofsecondssound for a fresh battery top-off? TheSwippittis a box that looks like a toaster into which you drop your phone with a special Swippitt case. After a few seconds the machine swaps out the depleted battery in the case with a fresh one that's charged and ready. It supports the iPhone 14 and later, with Android compatibility coming soon. The entire setup isn't cheap at around $700 for the hub and one case, but could be worthwhile for a small business or family on the go.8 of 21Jon Reed/CNETA battery backup for your fridgeYou'll never forget the smell -- or taste, if you were unfortunate enough -- of unexpected spoiled milk. If your refrigerator goes out, either from malfunction or more commonly a power outage, sooner or later its contents will go sour.BioLitehas a backup battery solution for the fridge or any other appliance that needs constant power. Instead of installing large whole-home battery system, the BioLite battery is tied to the appliance that needs it. Think of it as a portable power station that doesn't go anywhere. With two battery units, it packs 3 kilowatt-hours of energy -- enough to run a standard fridge for a couple of days.9 of 21Celso Bulgatti/CNETNo really, the TV is actually getting closerAfter the movie Avatar changed the theater-going experience with high-quality 3D projection, the TV industry spent vast sums bringing 3D to home televisions. Unfortunately for them,few peoplebrought those televisions home. But the 3D dream will never truly die, as evidenced by Samsung Display's wildstretchable display concept. Instead of simulating a scene in three dimensions, the display actually extends like some kind of pixelated souffl, depending on the imagery being played. It's too early to tell if this concept will scale to a product that's usable, but we'll bet "warp the actual screen" wasn't on most people's minds when they were watching 3D movies.10 of 21James Martin/CNETWho needs YouTube when you've got a microwave?Microwave ovens were meant to simplify cooking in the kitchen, and in one respect theLG Signature Smart Instaview microwaveconcept tries to do that. With intelligent cooking sensors and a range of foods it can cook automatically, the microwave in theory will be your chef.And then there's the 27-inch display plus several cameras. Follow along while your food cooks; get a top-down view of what's simmering on the range below; heck, turn it into your own culinary show. Overkill? Maybe -- we'll see how the chicken nuggets turn out in 2026 when LG hopes to bring it to market.11 of 21Antuan Goodwin/CNETA future (and futuristic) motor to power electric vehiclesYou may not need a snowy parking lot to do donuts with tomorrow's EVs. Donut Lab showed off the latest generation of its Donut Motor, a wheel-shaped drive unit that powers the wheels of an EV. Instead of a central engine moving each wheel, this type of in-wheel electric motor provides the oomph. Combine several of them around the vehicle and you're no longer bound by the space and weight limitations of a central engine.So what's so great about this second-generation Donut Motor? It's smaller and lighter than other similar devices -- the 21-inch model is apparently 88 pounds (40 kg), roughly a third of a standard electric drive unit. Less weight means fewer components and more range. Be sure to read all ofAntuan Goodwin's detailed writeupto see just how interesting this approach to future EVs is.12 of 21James Martin/CNETStick this TV almost anywhereTelevisions tend to stay put, especially as they've grown in size. You may have even organized a family room around the placement of the TV. But suppose you could tote that TV anywhere? TheDisplace TVis designed to be hyper portable. We're not talking "small enough to haul on vacation." This TV, which comes in 27-inch and 55-inch versions, includes built-in batteries so it's free of all cables. But you don't fully appreciate the concept of this "anywhere TV" until you attach the Pro model to any flat surface via giant suction cups. The software helps you level the device and applies the suction to ensure a tight seal.13 of 21RoborockA robot vacuum that can do the tidying for youTracked-in dirt? Clumps of pet fur? Robot vacuums were built to automatically whisk them away. But drop a sock or a pair of underwear on the way to the laundry room? Most vacuums either push the garments around or, worse, choke on them, stopping everything until they can be rescued by a human. But not theRoborock Saros Z70, which extends a normally hidden mechanical arm to pick up the debris and move it to a designated area out of the way. We suspect it will be not only good for cleaning, but for entertaining small children (and honestly, us adults too).14 of 21James Martin/CNETSmart glasses that actually look like glassesThe evolution of vision-centric wearables continues to come from both ends of the spectrum. On one side are expensive, immersive headsets like the Apple Vision Pro. On the other are options like the Meta Ray-Ban glasses that can record audio and video but leave the glasses portion unobstructed. And in the vast middle are lots of opportunities for AR. Here, CNET's Lisa Eadicicco tries outHalliday XR smart glassesthat incorporate a small screen that puts information in your field of view. A companion ring gives you some control over what you see without tapping the frames or a connected phone or other smart device.15 of 21James Martin/CNETThis robot is a charm (and charming)We have robots that clean floors and robots that mow lawns, but what about robots that turn to look at you? That's the idea behindMirumi, a fuzzy robotic baby sloth that hangs off your bag as a charm and sparks joy. You'd think it was just a stuffed toy until it swivels its head to look at people or objects nearby and focuses on them. It's cute, not creepy, we promise.16 of 21James Martin/CNETIs your dedicated e-reader in a drawer?We know people who like the convenience of reading books electronically but don't want to carry a separate dedicated e-reader in addition to their phone or laptop. However, those devices usually offer better readability and certainly longer battery life due to their E Ink displays. Are those folks stuck juggling multiple devices? Not if they pick up theTCL 60 XE NxtPaper 5G, a $200 phone with a separate mode that mimics an e-reader in both visual style and reduced power consumption.17 of 21James Martin/CNETDigital art on your wall with fewer cablesWe're used to seeing TVs on walls everywhere, but when you're not watching them, they're usually just big black rectangles. Samsung's Frame TVs turn the displays into art -- well, art with connection cables snaking from the back. The new Frame Pro syncs up wirelessly to Samsung's Wireless One Connect box for transmitting material from a set-top box. It also employs Samsung's Neo QLED panels for better image quality.18 of 21Jon Reed/CNETAdd some fizz to your daily water intakeIf you prefer bubbles in your bottles, you typically need to stock up on prepackaged carbonated water or remember to prep your SodaStream. Or you can take the bubbles anywhere with aRoam SodaTop. This $50 water bottle cap uses a small carbon dioxide cartridge to fizz up what's in the bottle, giving you fresh carbonation whenever you want it.19 of 21LymowMow mow, mulch mulchWe imagine anyone who buys a robot lawnmower already has a great lawn to run it on, but what if your tract of grass is wilder than normal? The $3,000Lymow Onecould be what you're looking for. Not only is it outfitted with tank-like tracks -- called, no kidding, the Savage Traverse System -- it includes mulching blades that are strong enough to macerate leaves, fruit, pine cones and small branches. A centrifugal fan disperses the matter and prevents clogging. Your curious pets should be safe, though, because the Lymow One has obstacle recognition and avoidance tech.20 of 21LeafyPodGive voice to your soon-no-longer-suffering plantsWe would never judge anyone who talks to their plants. When the plants start talking back, though, we start to raise a few eyebrows. Don't worry, the companies at CES haven't (yet?) bred a new strain of Audreys. Instead, LeafyPod has unveiled a smart planter for your home flora. With sensors and a packet or two of AI mixed in, theLeafyPod planter adjusts water intake from a reservoir to prevent overhydrating and makes recommendations about sunlight exposure. The planter holds up to four weeks of water, so it can take care of your green buddies while you're on vacation.21 of 21Patrick Holland/CNETA space for handmade artNot everything at CES is cutting edge. There's always space for bespoke, handcrafted artwork like this latt design of C|NET's throwback logo, created by a barista at Dandelion Chocolate in Las Vegas. Although Las Vegas is swarmed by CES vendors and visitors like us this week, we also recognize the people who live and work here year round -- in this specific case fueling us with the caffeine to bring you even more cool finds over the next few days.

January 7, 20252 min readFerocious Santa Ana Winds Fuel Explosive Palisades FireThe nature of the Santa Ana winds makes them perfectly suited to spreading flames. The destructive Palisades Fire is the latest exampleBy Andrea Thompson edited by Dean VisserThe Palisades Fire on January 7, 2025. ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy Stock PhotoAnother explosive wildfire has erupted in Californiaigniting buildings and sending residents fleeing. Wildly driven by the regions notorious Santa Ana winds, the Palisades Fire began at 10:30 A.M. local time near Los Angeless Pacific Palisades neighborhood, much of which is under evacuation orders.Forecasters had warned that the risk of fire was extremely high this week, reaching particularly dangerous situation status as the ferocious winds combined with tinder-dry vegetation after a lack of rain during the beginning of what would usually be the wet season.Gusts around the Palisades Fire have been measured in the range of 40 to 50 miles per hour, climate scientist Daniel Swain said during one of his regular virtual climate and weather office hours, hosted on YouTube. Right now the winds are not extremely high, but again, theyre high enough, said Swain, with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Gusts are expected to reach 70 to 80 mph as the winds peak Tuesday night into Wednesday, and some places could see gusts as high as 100 mph.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.The Santa Ana winds commonly propel fast-moving, damaging fires in this area; their characteristic dryness and speed can rapidly fan and spread flames. These winds are a result of local geography and a particular meteorological setup in which a high-pressure system sits over the Great Basin in the interior of the U.S. West and a low-pressure system hangs over California or offshore. Winds want to move from high to low pressure, and as they do so in this area, they travel downslope from the relatively high deserts. This descent compresses the air, warming it up and drying it out. (Such downslope winds, which happen in other locations around the world, are scientifically termed katabatic winds.)The Santa Ana winds are additionally funneled through narrow mountain canyons, which causes them to speed up. The hot, dry and fast nature of these winds makes them perfectly suited to spreading flames from any spark that ignites.Experts are watching for other possible blazes, and they will also see how the Palisades Fire spreads as the winds increase overnight. Everything is going to get worse before it gets better, Swain said in his video.

Halo Infinite head of design's NetEase studio "halting" work on first game as it searches for new publisher"We will be working over the next few weeks to find all of our team new homes." News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on Jan. 8, 2025 Jar of Sparks, the Seattle-based "AAA" studio established by Halo Infinite head of design Jerry Hook back in 2022, has halted work its currently unannounced first title as it searches for a new publishing partner, and that's it's looking to "find all of our team new homes" as a result.When Jar of Sparks was initially unveiled in July 2022, it was described as a first-party developer for Chinese publisher NetEase that would focus on creating the "next generation of narrative-driven action games". Little has been heard from the studio since then, but Hook - who announced his departure from 343 Industries and Microsoft back in May 2002 - has now shared a statement on LinkedIn, suggesting Jar of Sparks' future is uncertain."Earlier today," Hook wrote, "we notified our team that Jar of Sparks will be halting work on our current title as we search for a new publishing partner who can help bring our creative vision to life. Throughout this journey, our passionate, driven, and innovative team took bold risks and pushed boundaries, striving to create something truly new and exciting for the industry. We couldnt be prouder of the groundwork weve laid together.""As we prepare for this next step," Hook continued, "our talented team members will be exploring new opportunities... From the day we formed Jar of Sparks to this very moment, this team has accomplished remarkable featsproving that a small, focused, and dedicated group can achieve great results. We thank each of them for their courage, skill, and friendship."Jar of Sparks' announcement doesn't mention layoffs explicitly, but a separate post from Hook says the studio "will be working over the next few weeks to find all of our team new homes as we close our first project", suggesting the majority of staff will be departing the studio following today's news. Eurogamer has reached out to Jar of Sparks for clarification, and to NetEase regarding its current relationship with the studio."Thank you to everyone who supported us throughout our journey here at Jar of Sparks," the statement concludes. "We look forward to updating you all with our next step in our journey."

For the autonomous vehicle-obsessed, the Waymo-Zeekr robotaxi is nothing new. In 2021, Waymo and Zeekr announced a partnership. Waymo first showed a concept of the purpose-built robotaxi in late 2022 and began testing prototype versions on public roads in San Francisco last year, even as it began rolling out its commercial fleet of Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis.Still, a few new details emerged this week at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, where both Zeekr and Waymo are exhibiting. And thanks to a static display that features the Zeekr robotaxi, we can get a close up view of its sensors and the smallest wiper youve ever seen. The image below shows a package of sensors, which is located at the front side of the vehicle right above the tire. This pod of sensors includes two cameras with a small wiper on it designed to keep it clear of debris and radar. Another package of sensors on the back of the robotaxi includes cameras, radar, and lidar. Theres a cleaning system and wiper on that lidar as well.Waymo told Techcrunch that the company designed the sensor-cleaning system from scratch. (And yes, there is a mini cleaning system on its Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis.) In all, the Zeekr RT has 13 cameras, four lidar, six radar, and an array of external audio receivers. Lidar, or light detection and ranging radar, which sends out pulses of light and is able to measure distance by timing how long it takes the pulse to return.The robotaxi now has an official name the Zeekr RT, which was revealed at CES 2025. And there are a few more details as well. Zeekr announced at CES 2025 it will begin delivering mass-produced Zeekr RTs to Waymo later this year. For the moment, those robotaxis will be used for testing, according to Waymo. Eventually, theyll become part of the companys commercial fleet. The Alphabet company, which has a large exhibit at CES 2025, began testing elements of the Zeekr robotaxi in early 2024, starting with the base chassis and then later equipped with sensors. Today, Waymo tests the prototype Zeekr RTs on public roads in San Francisco and Phoenix. Those vehicles are in autonomous mode with a human safety driver behind the wheel.Once Waymo receives the production-intent robotaxi, the company will continue testing and validating them before pulling out the human safety driver. Waymo will likely follow the path it has before and test the Zeekr RT in driverless mode before opening it up to the public.