Usually, its the businesses that are behind robocalls, but if you work at a nail salon or an auto repair shop, get ready for customers to start sending hordes of AI Karens your way.Googles latest experimental AI feature, available to those who sign up for Ask for me on Google Search Labs, is aiming to be a sort of personal AI secretary for you. Once enabled, itll pop up an Ask for me button under certain searches, promising to call local shops for you to help you figure out availability, service costs, and the like.Clicking the Ask for me button will take you to a form, where youll fill out, for example, the make and model of your car, what services you need, and when you can come in. Google will then canvass local shops (there doesnt seem to be an option to send a call only to a specific shop) and then email or text you back with results.On their end, business owners will hear a message at the start of every call indicating that its an automated system calling on behalf of a potential customer, Google spokesperson Craig Ewer told The Verge.If that sounds annoying, business owners can opt out, either within their Google Business Profile settings or by simply telling the AI not to call them back. For those that decide to humor the robocalls, Ewer told The Verge that Google is doing its best to ensure businesses dont get overloaded with calls, and will use information collected from prior calls to help answer future ones without bothering an employee.Over on X, Google product lead Rose Yao said Ask for me is powered by Duplex, an existing Google feature that (mostly) uses AI to make reservations on your behalf, but its more geared towards research than actually booking anything. As its still experimental, its limited to nail salons and auto shops for now, though it could presumably expand in the future.As someone with social anxiety, I can see the surface level appeal here, although Im not sure Id ever want to commit the sin of making someone else talk to a robot.

In the span of a week, the Chinese startup DeepSeek has completely disrupted the AI landscape with its free and "open source" R1 model. In this episode, Devindra, Engadget Senior Reporter Igor Bonifacic and Producer Ben Ellman dive into what makes R1 so special, and what DeepSeek is doing differently from OpenAI and other competitors. Also, we try to figure out whats up with Incention, a weird AI/blockchain project for creating new Hollywood IP, and wonder if Helions fusion reactor is actually legit.Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcast, Engadget News!Subscribe!iTunesSpotifyPocket CastsStitcherGoogle PodcastsTopicsDeepSeeks R1 model shakes up the AI landscape 1:55Quick mention: Sam Rutherfords Galaxy S25 review Too much AI, not enough Ultra 30:19Incention is proof that blockchain nonsense is alive and well 37:16Fusion startup Helion has Altman and Thiel on its side, but maybe not physics 42:50Google agrees to rename Gulf of Mexico on U.S. version of its maps 49:19Working on 50:07Pop culture picks 51:32CreditsHosts: Devindra Hardawar and Igor BonifacicProducer: Ben EllmanMusic: Dale NorthThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/engadget-podcast-deepseek-blows-up-the-ai-world-123036730.html?src=rss

Its early 2025, the weathers still cold, so it must be time for Samsung to kick off the years flagship smartphone race with its latest barrage of devices. This time, weve got three S25 phones, ranging from the $800 S25 through to the $1,300 S25 Ultra.Lets start with the flagship, the S25 Ultra. This year, Samsung has honed the design of the slate to closer match the rest of its family, while adding a substantially upgraded ultrawide camera sensor. Theres also a powerful 3nm Snapdragon Elite for Galaxy added, a collaboration between Samsung and Qualcomm that augments its computational photography skills and more. (Not to mention incredible battery life.)And you know what? Its another great phone, capable of going toe-to-toe with the iPhones and Pixels of this world. However, it also looks very similar to last years model, which makes the S25 Ultra a less impressive update, given its price.Then theres the Galaxy S25 priced the same as the last few S-series base models. I spent over a week with it, and much of its hardware remains the same, with incremental improvements to the camera, courtesy of behind-the-scenes processing, and that incredible battery life. And its Samsung, so it was always going to be a solid premium phone with a gorgeous screen. But if you were thinking of upgrading from an S24 (or S23, even S22), its a hard pitch. Mat SmithGet this delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The biggest tech stories you missedComcast unveils ultra-low lag internet connectionUPS plans to slash its shipping business with Amazon by halfA private start-up called Helion aims to have a working fusion reactor by 2028OpenAI isnt happy with DeepSeeks sudden rise, thinks IP theft is bad nowEven if it didnt name the Chinese startup explicitly.The big story this week is around DeepSeek AI: the open-source chatbot that reportedly requires far less computing power than competitors and was developed on a (relative) shoestring budget.It subsequently put stocks related to AI, like NVIDIA, into a tailspin, although they have somewhat recovered. DeepSeeks had brief success, even stimulating a response from President Trump.Now, ChatGPT maker OpenAI says Chinese startups are cribbing the models of US AI companies. It claims rivals are persistently trying to copy the technology of existing AI companies, adding that OpenAI and its partner Microsoft have been banning accounts suspected of distilling its models.The company didnt explicitly mention DeepSeek in its statement, but yeah. Also, lets not forget: OpenAI admitted last year that getting its AI models up to speed was impossible without dipping its toes into copyrighted materials.How does it feel, having your hard work repurposed and regurgitated? I couldnt possibly relate.Continue reading.CVS will let you unlock its cabinets with your phoneIf you install its app. And are in a handful of stores.UCG via Getty ImagesOffering the biggest reason yet to install a retail stores app, CVS says it will let select users, without needing staff, to shop for items typically locked away in its stores. If you havent been to a CVS, many items are locked up to prevent theft (and antagonize everyone). The feature is only available to loyalty program members and in a handful of unnamed stores. It was being trialed in just three stores but will be expanded to 10 to 15 stores. (There are over 9,000 CVS locations in the US.)Continue reading.Incention is a desperate attempt to make new Hollywood IP with AI, fans and the blockchainWhite hole? More like white noise.By the headline alone, this sounds terrible, but you should read Devindras takedown in full. So many questions: Why the name? Why even make Incention? Who wants this? Does it smell like a blockchain-scented Quibi? Yes, yes it does.Continue reading.Ask Engadget!AMA or AEA.EngadgetWhat is the best Galaxy phone under $500? Are refurb iPads worth it? My Roomba stole my girlfriend, please advise. Were bringing back Ask Engadget, with an entirely new email address: askmat@engadget.com. Aside from spamming free trials of apps and streaming services, lets put it to use.Ask me something!This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-121727846.html?src=rss

Looking for NYT Strands answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, including the spangram.

Looking for NYT Connections answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, plus my commentary on the puzzles.

Apple just hit another snag in its effort to find a foothold in the headset market targeting everyday users. The tech giant has reportedly canceled its project to build augmented reality glasses that could be paired with its devices.The project, code-named N107, was supposed to produce glasses that look normal but have added displays and would require connection to a Mac, Bloomberg reported. Yet the company reportedly struggled to produce the right tech at an attractive price point.Apple initially tried to get the glasses to pair with an iPhone, but ran into problems with battery life, Bloomberg reported. But the switch to the Mac, which has a bigger battery and faster processors, performed poorly among Apples executives, the report said.Pulling the project means Apple is likely falling even further behind its tech competitors. Meta, for example, unveiled its Orion AR glasses last fall. The Apple glasses were reportedly similar to Xreals One and Lenovos ThinkReality versions of AR glasses.At the same time, Apples Vision Pro headset has been slow to find adoption due to its $3,499 price tag. The company reportedly paused work on the Vision Pro 2 last summer in order to focus on creating a cheaper model.

On Thursday, President Donald Trumpannounced that he appointed Chris Rocheleau, a former senior aviation official, as acting head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).Rocheleau will be handling the response to the deadly collision Wednesday night of an American Airlines plane with an Army Black Hawk helicopter that sent both plunging into the Potomac River. He will serve in the position until President Trumps nominee is confirmed by the Senate.Michael Whitaker, the FAAs most recent administratora 30-year aviation industry veteran, who was unanimously confirmed as FAA administrator by the Senate in October 2023resigned on January 20, as President Trump took office, following continued public criticism from Elon Musk, Trumps close adviser, who called on Whitaker to resign. Muskss issues with Whitaker were personal, having to do with fines the Whitaker-led FAA proposed on SpaceX, Musks space-technology company, over alleged government violations in two of its rocket launches.Rocheleau has more than two decades of experience working for the FAA, serving in multiple roles, including acting associate administrator for aviation safety; chief of staff; assistant administrator for policy, international affairs, and environment; executive director for international affairs; and director of the office of emergency operations and investigations. Most recently, he served as an executive at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).Chris is an outstanding leader who will be good for the FAA, good for aviation, and good for the country, especially at this challenging time, said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen in a statement. He has demonstrated excellence at every level in the government, military, and aviation industry.The American Airlines regional jet that collided with the Army helicopter had 67 people on board, including several figure skaters, among them 1994 world championsEvgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.On Thursday, the president falsely blamed adiversity push at the FAAfor the midair collision, even blaming Democrats for their policies. Tennessee Garvey, a pilot and the chair of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, has pushed back against President Trumps comments.The plane wreckage is currently being housed in Hangar 7 at Reagan airport. A preliminary report into the investigation is expected to be released in a month.

Architecture firm Estudio AMA has released designs for a 90-metre-high residential tower in Paraguay wrapped in balconies supported on a concrete grid.The Bulnesia tower will be located in Distrito Perseverancia in Paraguay's capital, Asuncin, and will contain apartments as well as street-level restaurants and shops.Estudio AMA has released designs of a residential tower in ParaguayDeveloped by local company Grupo La Perseverancia and designed by Estudio AMA, the tower's design focuses on social connection, according to the team.Renders show a tower wrapped in a gridded, concrete facade. Symmetrical, square balconies surround the core of the building, while its ground-level and upper floors are slightly extended.It features a gridded facadeThe design was informed by the "charm of tranquil streets and community life" according to the Estudio AMA, as well as providing balconies for each unit."One of the main design intentions was to maximize views across all facades by creating frames with the concrete grid facade, offering perspectives of the city and the river," Estudio AMA told Dezeen."A key design feature was ensuring that every residential unit, even the one-bedroom ones, included a terrace or balcony that could serve as an extension of the social area."Read: Vaulted brick roof spans Intermediate House in Paraguay by Equipo de ArquitecturaThe tower will contain one to three-bedroom apartments and amenities spaces including an outdoor pool, relaxation areas and co-working spaces.Interior renders show furnishings in a palette of neutral colours, with warm-toned wood and stone used throughout.Its interiors pull in Brazilian and mid-century modern influencesAccording to the studio, the interior design also pulls in Brazilian influences and mid-century modern details in contrast to the "minimalist" architecture of its exterior."With its emphasis on sustainability, elegance, and social connection, Bulnesia establishes itself as a new social hub and an icon of urban living in Asuncin," said the team.The building will include amenities such as a pool deck on the top floorIt joins other news of a host of projects under development in South America, including "the world's tallest residential tower" in Brazil.Renders were recently unveiled of another Estuio AMA project in Guadalaraja made of red-toned concrete, while Equipo de Arquitectura completed a house topped with a vaulted brick roof elsewhere in Asuncin.The images are by Estudio Ama.The post Estudio AMA designs gridded skyscraper for Paraguay capital appeared first on Dezeen.

The first time you saw the numbers4 8 15 16 23 42they probably didnt mean much. Just a string of digits muttered by a wild-eyed Scotsman in a bunker. Then, suddenly, they were everywhere: on a lottery ticket, a transmission, the side of a hatch buried deep in the jungle. Lost had a way of turning the smallest details into obsessions, the ordinary into the inexplicable. A handcuff on the beach wasnt just a handcuff. A beeping computer wasnt just a machine. And now, in the form of a LEGO diorama, the mystery lives onmeticulously crafted, brick by brick, like a puzzle waiting to be solved.LEGO sets have always had a way of translating entire worlds into something you can hold in your hands, but this one carries a different kind of weight. Its not just about recreating a scene; its about capturing an atmosphere. The uncertainty, the tension, the creeping paranoia of being stranded in a place that doesnt play by the rulesits all here, brick by brick. Like the show itself, this build rewards those who look closer, hiding secrets in its details, waiting for someone to piece them together.Designer: J_hrvthThe Hatch, standing at the center of the build, is the main character here. It was the turning point of the series, the moment where Lost transformed from a survival story into something much bigger. Just like in the show, the diorama keeps you on edgewhats inside? Why is it here? That single structure held a mystery that kept fans glued to their screens for seasons, and here, its given the reverence it deserves. The build even sneaks in a glimpse of the underground computer room, where Desmond spent years entering 4 8 15 16 23 42 on repeat, locked in a cycle of duty, fear, and, lets be honest, our own frustration as viewers. The button is there, waiting to be pushed, tempting fate just as it always did.No Lost build would feel complete without the jungles oppressive presence, and this diorama delivers. Dense greenery surrounds the scene, evoking the ever-watchful eye of the island itself. Twisting vines and uneven terrain create a sense of isolation, a reminder that, no matter how many characters tried to escape, the island always found a way to pull them back. And then theres the Beechcraft. Crashed into the canopy, vying for your visual attention along with the hatch. Fans will immediately recognize it as a key puzzle piece in the grand design of the show, one of those seemingly random elements that later proved to be part of a much deeper mythology.Scattered throughout the build are subtle nods that long-time fans will appreciate. A handcuff, a briefcase, a small Virgin Mary statueeach one a breadcrumb leading back to a crucial moment in the series. These arent just decorative; theyre storytelling devices, just like the hidden details that made every Lost rewatch feel like a treasure hunt. Even the presence of Jack and Locke minifigures carries weight. Their ideological battle defined the series, science versus faith, destiny versus free will. Having them both here reinforces that tension, two men seeing the same island in completely different ways.With approximately 1,200 pieces, this fan-made build is a love letter to the series, capturing not just the aesthetics but the mood of Lost. With 3,400 votes, the diorama is rapidly gaining love from the broader LEGO community (and you can vote for the entry on the LEGO Ideas website). For LEGO fans, its a brilliantly constructed diorama packed with storytelling, Easter eggs, and clever design choices. For Lost fans, its a reminder of all the theories, debates, and jaw-dropping moments that made the show legendary. And for those who fit into both categories? Well, lets just say, See you in another life, brother.The post Every Lost Fan Needs to See This Incredible 1200-Brick LEGO Diorama first appeared on Yanko Design.

Elon Musks former employees are trying to use White House credentials to access General Services Administration tech, giving them the potential to remote into laptops, read emails, and more, sources say.