The Google Gemini apps are getting a memory upgrade, with the AI bot now able to recall past conversations you've had with itbuilding on the tool's existing ability to remember personal details about you, such as the foods you like or what you do professionally.Like several other new Gemini features when they first launched, this is exclusively for Google One AI Premium subscribers ($20 per month), with English language users getting the upgrade first. Google says support for more languages and Enterprise accounts will be added in the "coming weeks."Google's intention here is to make Gemini more useful. You could refer back to something you were chatting about last week or last month, for example, or get the AI chatbot to summarize everything you've ever discussed about movies. "Whether you're asking a question about something you've already discussed, or asking Gemini to summarize a previous conversation, Gemini now uses information from relevant chats to craft a response," writes Google's Dave Citron.While this may set a few privacy alarm bells ringing, nothing has changed in terms of the controls users have over their Gemini data: Past conversations can be wiped from the record after a certain time period, or never stored in the first place. If you don't do this, your chats may be used to further train Google's AI models.You may remember OpenAI added conversation search to ChatGPT back in November, so Gemini isn't the only AI tool like this experimenting with persistent memory. As yet, it's not something I've seen in other chatbots such as Copilot or Perplexity.How to get the new memory upgrade Referring to a previous chat in Gemini. Credit: Lifehacker Log into Gemini using a premium account with your language set to English, and you should get the new update automatically. You can ask about previous chats using the same natural language that works with any other Gemini conversation. Anything like "what were we talking about yesterday?" or "summarize today's chats so far" will work. In my testing, it's mostly pretty accurate, with links back to earlier chats, though there were one or two glitches.I asked Gemini for film recommendations and the chatbot remembered that I'd said I liked David Lynch movies in a previous chata good example of the memory feature working well. As I generally delete AI chats, I couldn't dig back further into records from previous days or weeks, which might be more of a test.The privacy controls here haven't changed. Click Activity in the left-hand panel (on the web), or tap your account picture then Gemini Apps Activity (on mobile): The next screen lets you delete specific conversations, or your entire Gemini chat history. You can also stop any chats being saved in the future, or have them auto-delete after a set time.There's also the option to delete individual chats from inside the Gemini interface. On the web, click the three dots next to the conversation in the left-hand panel, then choose Delete. On mobile, long-press on any previous conversation, and tap Delete. Erasing a chat is like erasing Gemini's memory, and you won't be able to refer back to it again.You shouldn't be entering anything too personal or sensitive into a Gemini conversation, however: Chats are sometimes reviewed by humans for quality control purposes. "Please don't enter confidential information in your conversations or any data you wouldn't want a reviewer to see or Google to use to improve our products, services, and machine-learning technologies," explains the Gemini privacy policy.

If youre still relying on your laptops built-in webcam, or your desktop PC doesnt have one, it might be time for an upgrade. Whether you're a remote worker hopping on video calls, a content creator who needs crisp footage or a gamer looking to upgrade your streaming setup, the right webcam can make all the difference. A good webcam doesnt just improve image quality it can also offer better low-light performance and smoother frame rates, while some even have built-in microphones or AI-powered features to keep you looking sharp. Weve rounded up the best webcams for every type of user, whether you need a professional setup for Zoom calls or a high-resolution camera for streaming on Twitch. Table of contents Best webcams for 2025 Factors to consider before buying a webcam How we test webcams Other webcams we tested Best webcams for 2025 Factors to consider before buying a webcam Resolution and field of view While some newer computers have 1080p webcams, most built-in cameras have a resolution of 720p, so youll want to look for an external webcam that has a higher resolution. FHD webcams will give you better video quality; ideally, youre looking for something that can handle 1080p at 60fps or 30fps. If youre considering a cheap 720p webcam, make sure to get one that supports at least 30fps (most will) or, even better, 60fps. However, if your primary concern is better picture quality during video calls, 1080p is the way to go. Some webcams can shoot in 4K, but thats overkill for most people. Not to mention most video conferencing services like Zoom, Google Meet and Skype dont even support 4K video. When it comes to streaming, Twitch maxes out at 1080p video, but YouTube added 4K live streaming back in 2016. Ultimately, with 4K webcam shots having such limited use, most people can get by with a solid 1080p camera. Field of view (FOV) controls how much can fit in the frame when youre recording. Most webcams I tested had a default field of view of around 78 degrees, which captured me and enough of my background to prove that I really need to organize my home office. On cheaper webcams youll usually see narrower fields of view (around 60 degrees), and those arent necessarily bad. They wont show as much of your background, but that also means you wont be able to squeeze as many friends or family members into frame when youre having Zoom birthday parties. On the flip side, more expensive webcams may let you adjust the field of view to be even wider than average, and some even offer features like digital zoom. Autofocus and other auto features Webcams with autofocus will keep the image quality sharp without much work on your part. You should be able to move around, step back and forth, and remain in focus the whole time. Some standalone webcam models let you manually adjust focus, too, if you have specific needs. Devices with fixed focus are less convenient, but they tend to be more affordable. In the same vein is auto framing, a feature that some high-end webcams now offer. Similarly to Apples Center Stage feature, the camera automatically adjusts to keep you in the center of the frame even as you move around. This used to be a feature only available on the most premium webcams, but now you can find it on sub-$200 devices. Youll also see other auto features listed in webcam specs, most notably auto light correction. This will adjust the cameras settings to make up for a dimly lit room. If you dont have bright lights, or often take calls in places where you cant control the lighting, this feature will be valuable. Alternatively, you might consider using your mirrorless camera as a high-quality webcam solution, taking all of the benefits and features with you (albeit in a cumbersome package). Microphones Most webcams have built-in microphones that, depending on your setup, might end up being closer to you than your computers own mics. Check to see if the model youre considering has mono or stereo mics, as the latter is better. Some even use noise-reduction technology to keep your voice loud and clear. While audiophiles and streamers will want to invest in a standalone microphone, most others can get by using a webcams built-in mic. Design There arent a ton of fascinating breakthroughs when it comes to external webcam design. Most are round or rectangular devices that clip onto a monitor or your laptop screen. Some have the ability to swivel or screw onto a tripod stand and others can simply sit on your desk beside your computer. But unless you really like having people stare up your nose, the latter isnt ideal. We recommend clipping your webcam to your monitor and ensuring that its at or slightly above eye level. A few webcams go above and beyond by adding hardware extras like built-in lights and lens covers, too. The former can help you stand out in a dark room, while the latter makes it so hackers cant view you through your webcam without your knowledge. Price Most external webcams that are just good enough to be a step up from your computers built-in camera cost between $60 and $150. If the webcam has the same resolution as the internal one on your laptop, you should look out for other specs like auto light correction, a wider field of view or an extra-long connecting cable that can provide a step-up in quality or ease of use. Spending $150 or more means you might get advanced features that tend to be present in a pro webcam like 4K resolution, vertical and horizontal recording options, stereo mics, customizable video settings and more. But unless youre spending hours on video calls each day or streaming multiple times each week, you can settle on a budget webcam and safely skip most of those high-end options. How we test webcams We primarily test webcams by putting them through as much real-world use as possible. We examine their design, how flexible they are and how easy they are to reposition, and make note of how heavy they are and if that affects their ability to stay put while sitting on top of a screen. We use each webcam for at least a week straight as our primary camera for all video chats, and we make sure to use the device in different lighting environments to test low-light performance. We also use any built-in microphones as our primary audio inputs on video calls as well. Finally, although most of these webcams are plug-and-play, we test out any proprietary software thats intended to work with each webcam, tweaking things like field of view, video resolution and effects, and using any special features like Show Mode on Logitech webcams. Others webcams we tested Logitech C920s Pro HD Our previous top pick, the Logitech C920s Pro HD webcam remains a solid option for those with less than $100 to spend and really only need a basic 1080p camera to upgrade their setup, or something affordable to make them look better on those inevitable Zoom calls. It has a 78-degree field of view, decent microphones and handy privacy shutter built in. The Brio 500 took the top spot away from this model thanks to its advanced light correction, auto-framing and Show Mode.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-webcams-123047068.html?src=rss

Wearables could soon help detect changes in your mood, helping spot symptoms of depression and offering solutions.

A hardware designer has developed a drone jammer using a custom SDR module for the Framework modular laptop.

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Over the past month, as Elon Musk began to chaotically dismantle government agencies through the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), federal workers started to mobilize to fight back. One step is happening today, February 19: In a national day of action, workers will be protesting in front of federal buildings and Tesla dealerships, along with citizens who want to show support for the work that federal agencies do, from consumer protection to cancer research.The message is that we need to save our public services from billionaires who want to defund them, says Mark Smith, an occupational therapist at the VA hospital in San Francisco who is president of the local chapter of the National Federation of Federal Employees, a union that represents more than 100,000 workers and is part of the Federal Unionists Network, a movement of rank-and-file workers thats independent from union affiliations and has been quickly growing since Musk got to D.C.At a protest in front of the Tesla showroom in San Francisco, federal workers will be joined by citizens who benefit from federal servicesincluding veterans who get healthcare from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); tenants who get housing from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); consumers who get the benefit of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which Musk has all but gutted; and people who appreciate the clean air and water provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).All of us will be out there just trying to show that were not going to be quiet, Smith says. Were going to stand up and were going to fight back.Though some of the protests are happening in front of Tesla stores, Smith emphasizes that they stand in solidarity with workers at Tesla factories. What Musk is doing to us right now is the same thing he has done to Tesla workers in the factories in California, he says. In 2017, he tried to lay off a bunch of Tesla workers and say that it was for performance so they could get around the California rules around layoffs, he says. Thats a playbook hes well-versed in.DOGE plans to access Department of Labor (DOL) data, though unions fought against it. The DOL previously had 17 open investigations into Tesla and SpaceX. OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, has fined Musk multiple times for safety violations. (OSHA, which has a database containing whistleblower information, is yet another agency DOGE is reportedly targeting.)I think it behooves all of us to stand up together and say that were not going to let Musk drag us back to the 19th century in terms of working conditions, Smith says.The group also wants to help the public understand that federal employees arent just bureaucrats pushing paper. Federal workers are park rangers. Federal workers are VA nurses. Federal workers are the folks who get your social security checks out on time, says Smith. Federal workers are wildland firefighters putting out the massive fires in California and wherever else. Federal workers are scientists and researchers looking at cancer.Many different unions represent different groups of federal workers. Those unions have also been growingSmith says that his own union has seen more sign-ups in the past two weeks than over the past six months. Federal unions have multiple lawsuits underway against DOGEs work. But the informal Federal Unionist Network, also known as FUN, is helping connect workers across agencies, and educating workers who are new to unions, about how to take collective action.Already, as DOGE has paralyzed agencies like USAID and the CFPB, its led to real-world consequences. (In one of many examples, tens of millions of dollars worth of emergency food aid, grown by U.S. farmers, sat in ports and warehouses last week waiting to spoil after DOGE virtually shut down USAID.) Some federal employees who have already left, particularly at higher levels of management, have taken valuable institutional knowledge with them that cant easily be replaced. Many in the newest generation of federal workers, whove faced layoffs, have likely decided to find work in the private sector instead.Its understandable, of course, for federal workers to be afraid of DOGE and feel powerless. But Smith says that they need to recognize the strength of working together. Our national unions and other groups are doing the hard work of lobbying and filing lawsuits, but at the end of the day, workers acting together is really how we can exercise our power, he says.

The term polar vortex usually refers to the gigantic circular upper air weather pattern in the Arctic region. It is a normal pattern that is stronger in the winter and keeps some of the coldest weather bottled up near the North Pole.But at times, some of the vortex can break off or move south, bringing unusually cold weather south and permitting warmer weather to creep up north.This week, parts of the U.S. are experiencing the10th and coldest polar vortex eventthis season. Weather forces in the Arctic are combining to push the chilly air into the U.S. and Europe.Withrecord snow in New Orleanslast month and drought anddestructive wildfiresin Southern California, this winter has not been normal.The latest projectedcold outbreakwill bring bone-chilling temperatures to the Northern and Central Plains for several days, starting Sunday.Wind chills dropped to minus 60 Fahrenheit (minus 51 Celsius) in parts of North Dakota Monday and minus 50 F (minus 46 C) in parts of Montana. Wind chills were expected to dip even lower Tuesday morning.Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of freezing temperatures could cause ruptured water pipes, the NWS warned Monday.Meteorologists expect strong winds to make the cold feel even worse. Every U.S. state but Hawaii, California, and Florida have some or all parts forecast to have a good chance ofwindchills of 20 degrees or belowsometime next week, the National Weather Service predicted.Some experts say disruptions to polar vortexes are happening more frequently because of awarming world. A warmer Artic gives more energy to atmospheric waves that can drive weather patterns, making the waves more likely to disrupt the vortex and move colder air south into lower latitudes.Despite the unusually cold winter across the U.S., the world remains in an overall warming pattern. Earths average overall temperature set yet another monthly heat record in January. It was the 18th month of the last 19 that the world hit or passed the internationally agreed uponwarming limit of 1.5 C(2.7 F) above preindustrial times.

There are so many things in life that we take for granted because we can more or less see clearly. Navigation is a no-brainer, but even entertainment is a completely different experience for those with visual impairments. Sports, for example, is best seen played out in front of you, even if its inside a TV box, but thats not exactly possible for those who cant see in the first place.Sports announcers do their best to give a blow-by-blow account of games, sprinkled with commentary, of course, you feel even less of a spectator and more like a second-hand recipient of gossip and hearsay. Sadly, thats actually a fact of life for the blind and vision-impaired, but this simple-looking but revolutionary board is trying to change that for good, allowing everyone to really feel like they are part of the game, even if theyre watching from home.Designer: OneCourtThere was a point in history when people really only got their second-hand account of a games events through radio unless they were some of the lucky few to snag tickets for the stadium or court. There is a level of excitement and anticipation because you cant see whats happening, but thats only true if you know that everyone else is really in the same boat as you. Today, however, most people can watch from the TV or a live stream, so those who can only listen will naturally feel left out.OneBoard wants to tear down those walls that separate the vision impaired from the rest of society when it comes to live sports coverage. This box, which looks like a miniature court or field, is actually a haptic feedback device that vibrates in very accurate and price locations across its surface. In other words, you can follow the game with your fingers as the ball travels across the field in real-time. In case you doubt if that is even possible, you have to realize that many stadiums and sports events already have and use real-time tracking technologies for broadcast coverage, replays, and the like. OneBoard is just utilizing that same tech in a different way.It isnt just conveying the location of the ball, of course. Specific vibration patterns also reveal specific actions like catches, goals, passes, throws, kicks, and the like. It even has a place for feeling out the score so you wont have to repeatedly ask your seatmate about it. The tactile information is paired with audio coverage so that you are really experiencing the whole event as if you were actually seeing it happen.OneBoard can work both at the stadium or at home, depending on the sports event and coverage. So far, the technology has been used in basketball, baseball, and (American) football, with hockey and soccer coming soon. Its a truly innovative design that utilizes existing technologies in a way that benefits not only the able-bodied majority but even those often neglected by society as well.The post Life-changing haptic feedback device is Braille for live sports events first appeared on Yanko Design.