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• Google’s new Search Live feature lets users hold real-time voice conversations with an AI-powered version of Search
• The Gemini-powered AI attempts to simulate a friendly and knowledgeable human.
• Google is keen to have all roads lead to Gemini, and Search Live could help entice people to try the AI companion without realizing it

Google's quest to incorporate its Gemini into everything has a new outlet linked to its most central product. The new Google Search Live essentially gives Google Search's AI Mode a Gemini-powered voice.

It’s currently available to users in the U.S. via the Google app on iOS and Android, and it invites you to literally talk to your search bar. You speak, and it speaks back; unlike the half-hearted AI assistants of yesteryear, this one doesn’t stop listening after just one question. It’s a full dialogue partner, unlike the non-verbal AI Mode.

It also works in the background, which means I could leave the app during the chat to do something else on my phone, and the audio didn’t pause or glitch. It just kept going, as if I were on the phone with someone.

Google refers to this system as “query fan-out,” which means that instead of just answering your question, it also quietly considers related queries, drawing in more diverse sources and perspectives. You feel it, too. The answers don’t feel boxed into a single form of response, even on relatively straightforward queries like the one about linen dresses in Google's demo.

AI Search Live

To test Search Live out, I tapped the “Live” icon and asked for speculative fiction books I should read this summer. The genial voice offered a few classic and a few more recent options. I then opened Pandora's box by asking it about its own favorites. Surprisingly, it had a few. I then decided to push it a bit and tell it it was wrong about the best fantasy books and listed a few of my own. Suddenly, I found myself in a debate not only about the best examples of the genre, but also about how to define it.

We segued from there to philosophical and historical opinions about elvish empathy and whether AI should be compared to genies or the mythical brownies that do housework in exchange for cream. Were it not for the smooth, synthetic voice and its relentless good cheer, I might have thought I was actually having an idle argument with an acquaintance over nothing important.

It's obviously very different from the classic Google Search and its wall of links. If you look at the screen, you still see the links, but the focus is on the talk. Google isn't unique with a vocal version of its AI, as ChatGPT and others proffer similar features. Google Search Live does come off as smoother, and I didn't have to rephrase my questions or repeat myself once in 10 minutes. Being integrated with Google’s actual search systems might help keep things grounded. It’s like talking to someone who always has a stack of citations in their back pocket.

I don't think Search Live is what people will use to replace their usual online search methods, but here’s a real accessibility benefit to it. For people who can’t comfortably type or see, voice-first tools like this open new doors. Same goes for kids asking homework questions, or for someone cooking dinner who has a random question but doesn't want to pause to wipe flour off their screen.

There’s a tradeoff, of course, in terms of how people browse the web. If this kind of conversational AI becomes the dominant interface for search on Google, what happens to web traffic? Publishers already feel like they’re shouting into the void when their content is skimmed by AI and hiring lawyers to fight it. What will the AI search if its sources shrink or vanish? It's a complicated question, worthy of debate. I'll have to see how Search Live lays out the arguments.

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• MiniMax’s new Hailuo 02 AI video model has sparked a viral trend of cats performing Olympic dives
• The videos blend advanced physics-based animation with internet absurdity
• Though not the quality of Google Veo 3, Hailuo 2 is rapidly gaining in popularity among casual AI users

Watching the cat walk onto the diving board, I could imagine calls to the fire department or a huge crowd rushing to save it, causing a catastrophe, while the feline simply blinked at the tragedy. Instead, the cat executed an Olympic-caliber triple somersault into the pool. If it weren't for the impossible feat and my awareness that it was an AI-generated video, I'd be checking to see if there was a Freaky Friday situation with the U.S. swim team.

Instead, it's a hugely viral video produced using Chinese AI video developer MiniMax's Hailuo 02 model. The millions of people watching the video of cats diving may not be real, but it's real enough to elbow its way into the competition for AI video dominance, alongside Google Veo 3 and OpenAI's Sora, among many others.

MiniMax debuted Hailuo 02 earlier this summer, but the virality of the faux Olympics video suggests it's going to become a very popular tool for making still images or text prompts into videos. The model only makes five- to ten-second clips for now, but its motion customization, camera effects, and impressive imitation of real-world physics, like the movement of fur or splashing of water, make it more intriguing.

Testing Hailuo 02 on cats diving came about seemingly organically when X user R.B Keeper (presumably not their real name) tried a prompt they'd seen tested on Veo 3. The idea spread from there to a version that garnered millions of views in a matter of hours and appeared on TikTok, Reddit, and Instagram, with numerous variations.

A post shared by Pablo Prompt (@pabloprompt)

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AI video battles

Hailuo 02 uses frame-by-frame physics simulation, attention-mapped motion prompts, and multimodal input parsing. In other words, if you type a strange idea, the model will do its best to make it look and behave like it would in an approximation of the real world.

Notably, Hailuo 02 is reportedly far cheaper and faster than Veo 3, though perhaps without quite the high-end gloss. Still, it's more accessible, not being limited to enterprise services and beta programs like Veo 3.

The cat diving videos are the apex of a very specific Venn diagram of internet trends, accessible tools, and low-stakes fun. You don’t need to be a professional editor or own a supercomputer to try it. And more upgrades are on the horizon. MiniMax has outlined plans to integrate synchronized audio, lighting, and texture control, as well as longer clips.

As for Google Veo 3 and other major players, they have their professional niche for now. But if they want to widen their appeal to the masses, they might look to what MiniMax and smaller developers like Midjourney, with its V1 video model, are doing. Hailuo 02 is the kind of tool that will get people, like the cats, to dive in.

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The watchdog group American Oversight had asked a federal judge to order top national security officials to preserve any messages they may have sent on the private messaging app Signal.

(Image credit: Brendan Smialowski)

Parents want to block their children from age-inappropriate sites -- not from using the Google Chrome browser entirely.

• Tuxedo InfinityBook Pro 14 Gen10 sets a new bar for Linux power
• Cheaper Windows laptops can offer Linux dual boot without the Tuxedo price
• Ryzen AI 300 chips bring serious speed but also drive up the cost

Do you want the fastest Linux machine out there, or something more affordable that still runs open source software smoothly?

Tuxedo’s new InfinityBook Pro 14 Gen10 could well be one of the fastest Linux laptops available today, but it comes at a price that’s frankly tough to justify unless raw power is your number one priority.

The laptop features AMD’s new Ryzen AI 300 series processors. Buyers can choose between the Ryzen AI 7 350 with 8 cores and 16 threads, the Ryzen AI 9 365 with 10 cores and 20 threads, or the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 with 12 cores and 24 threads.

Performance, portability, and polish

The AI 9 365 delivers around 10 percent better multicore performance compared to the AI 7 350. The AI 9 HX 370 goes further, with up to 20 percent more performance and around 40 percent faster than last year’s InfinityBook Pro Gen9.

The new model comes with a 3K display that reaches 500 nits of brightness. The aluminum body keeps the weight at just 1.45kg.

It's packed with options, like dual upgradeable RAM and SSD slots, and a rare full port selection including USB4, HDMI 2.1, and even Ethernet.

Battery life is decent, too, with an 80Wh unit promising around 9 hours of web use.

On paper, it's everything Linux power users want: performance, portability, and polish.

But at over €1,000 ($1,152) for the entry-level version (Ryzen AI 350, 2x 8 GB 5600MHz DDR5 RAM, a 500 GB Samsung 980 SSD) for users outside of Europe, and more than €1,200 for users in Europe, the price pushes this machine out of reach for many typical users.

While some high-end Linux laptops carry similar price tags, users can often find better value by purchasing a comparable Windows machine at a lower cost.

There's nothing stopping you from wiping the drive and installing Linux yourself, or setting up a dual-boot system to keep both operating systems available.

Where Tuxedo does excel is its deep Linux integration. Tuxedo OS is pre-installed, and their hardware ships with everything tested and configured.

The InfinityBook Pro 14 Gen10 is certainly sleek, powerful, and thoughtfully built for Linux, but unless you truly need the performance or the flexibility, there are cheaper options that still do the job well.

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I’ve finally gotten my hands on a Nintendo Switch 2, and having come from a Switch OLED (and an original Switch before that) and being a player that almost exclusively uses it in handheld mode, I was also keen to find the right accessories.

Sure, Nintendo has its own official case for the Switch 2, and there are dozens of other options available on the web – see Amazon – but Belkin’s entry into the accessory market for the popular console had me intrigued. And quite simply, I think there’s a lesson here for other accessory makers in the form of Belkin’s two cases for the Switch 2.

There’s the Charging Case for Nintendo Switch 2 and the Travel Case for the Switch 2 – both come in three shades. Although I wish Belkin would add some vibrant options, I also appreciate total protection for the console, along with plenty of storage. However, where both of these truly succeed is that they aren't bulky, and the design doesn’t get in the way of utility.

Let’s start with the Travel Case – it’s priced very affordably at just $29.99 / £17.99 / AU$39.95 and comes in three shades: charcoal, sand, or green. I’d love a little more variety here, especially as Nintendo hasn’t dropped the Switch 2 in any fun shades, but it’s not the end of the world.

The case is also available on Amazon in the US here and from Belkin directly in the UK here for £17.99, or from Belkin directly in Australia here for AU$ 39.95.View Deal

It’s constructed from a pretty durable polyester outer shell with a softer, velvet-like interior and opens and closes seamlessly with a zipper all around. It’s also about the size of the Switch 2 and is purpose-built to hold it. When you open it up, the main bed where the Switch 2 lies screen up, has indentations in the top corners for the rear triggers of the Joy-Con 2s.

I can easily store the Switch 2 with zero concerns, toss this in a backpack, or carry the case on its own. The interior top of the case is a mesh, sponge netting for easy storing of other accessories like cables, batteries, cleaning cloths, and really anything else. There’s also a dedicated spot for an Apple AirTag. As someone who has dealt with an airline losing my luggage that thankfully had an AirTag inside, this is a brilliant addition.

Even better, though, there’s a fold-down slot for 12 game cartridges for the Nintendo Switch 2. I'm aware of the controversy surrounding virtual game cards, but whether you’re bringing an extensive collection of games from the Nintendo Switch for the new generation or have pre-ordered a bunch, this Travel Case lets you bring your core 12 with you.

All in all, a very functional design, but the Travel Case also doesn’t add much weight or thickness. With a Switch 2 inside, the entire pack is under two pounds at 1.81 lbs, and with some accessories, it doesn’t stretch much more than that. I especially love that it has an adjustable handle, making it easy to carry.

Belkin’s Travel Case is all about seamlessly carrying your Switch 2, and it doesn’t add bulk or extra flair – in fact, from the outside, it’s hard to tell what is inside. Belkin generally takes this minimalistic, simple approach with its design, and I really like it here. Just take a look at Apple’s official Vision Pro case versus Belkin’s; the latter is less marshmallow and a lot smaller.

Now, I’ve also quickly learned that the Switch 2’s battery life isn’t great, and Belkin’s Charging Case offers a solution, which is a slightly larger travel case with a dedicated spot for charging via a battery pack. Luckily, the higher price of $69.99 / £49.99 / AU$99.95 includes a 10K Power Bank and charging cable. That stores right under the bottom of your Switch 2 – once inside – and gets strapped in with a purposeful cable that can plug right into your console when it’s inside.

The case is also available on Amazon in the US here and from Belkin directly in the UK here for £49.99, or from Belkin directly in Australia here for AU$ 99.95.View Deal

The main tray still fits the Switch 2 like a glove, and the interior of the top is nearly identical to the Travel Case. That means twelve spots for game cards, an AirTag slot, and mesh netting that can hold quite a bit of stuff. This is really a purpose-built option with a battery integrated, though I know it does add a bit more heft.

It also has a handle, but lacks the extra embellishments – it’s a bit more subtle. I do wish this had pass-through charging, but that’s not the case here.

Either way, though, I love these cases because they really stand out from the rest. Both are simple additions that make it a breeze to travel with the Switch 2 – both near and far – and the Travel Case is an affordable option that doesn’t skimp on protection.

I think your Switch 2 – if you’ve managed to get one – will be right at home. Both are backed by a two-year warranty as well.

And if you’re debating whether it’s worth it, you can read TechRadar’s full review of the Nintendo Switch 2 here.

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• ChatGPT now leads AI referral traffic worldwide, leaving Google’s Gemini far behind in usage
• DeepSeek’s domination in China reveals how tight control can forge domestic AI superpowers fast
• StatCounter confirms ChatGPT is now the default gateway to websites in most global markets

New research claims ChatGPT is dominating AI chatbot referral traffic globally, with a commanding 79.8% share.

Figures from Statcounter says OpenAI's platform leads in all G20 nations except China, where Deepseek has emerged as the unexpected frontrunner.

Despite ChatGPT’s widespread influence, it has struggled to make inroads into China’s tightly regulated digital ecosystem, which now stands as a rare blind spot in its global push.

DeepSeek rules China - while ChatGPT takes the rest of the world

ChatGPT's global influence is evident in its significant lead over competitors like Perplexity (11.8%), Microsoft Copilot (5.2%), and Google Gemini (2%).

This dominance suggests users are increasingly turning to AI chatbots not just for answers, but as gateways to the wider web, effectively reshaping the traffic model long dominated by traditional search engines.

“We are already moving into a new era from SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO),” said Aodhan Cullen, CEO of Statcounter.

This shift could pose a substantial threat to traditional search models, particularly for Google, whose AI-based search tools lag in referrals.

While ChatGPT continues to function as a leading driver of traffic and arguably the best SEO tool in most of the world, its inability to penetrate China reveals a distinct limitation.

There, Deepseek holds a staggering 89.3% market share. Although globally it commands only 0.8% of referrals, Deepseek has effectively capitalized on its domestic environment to exclude foreign competitors.

When it launched, Deepseek garnered significant attention, becoming the world’s most popular AI term for a day.

It surpassed ChatGPT by becoming the most downloaded free app in the US and UK and recorded 12 million downloads in 2 days, even faster than OpenAI.

In China, it is an indigenous alternative to OpenAI's tools, partly due to its early alignment with government AI policy, and was banned or investigated by several nations.

Google, meanwhile, finds itself in an awkward position. Despite developing much of the foundational AI technology, it is now trailing in adoption and impact.

Cullen likens Google’s current struggle to that of “traditional on-premise software providers at the birth of cloud computing.”

There are now rumors about Apple potentially introducing AI search capabilities in Safari, which would further intensify the pressure on Google’s search business.

Statcounter’s findings are based on over 3.8 billion monthly page views, and it offers a real-time look at the shifting balance of power.

Still, the picture is not fully complete. Grok, another major chatbot, was excluded from the rankings due to its lack of header referral data, leaving a small blind spot in the broader market analysis.

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As Israel and Iran continue missile attacks against one another, we look at how countries in the Middle East are viewing the conflict. Whether that war could spread and if other powers in the region are bracing for a wider conflict. And we hear from some residents of Tehran weighing the decision of fleeing the Iranian capital as President Trump commanded or staying and taking their chances.

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Trump's Truth Social comments came as a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction that would continue blocking the president's efforts to bar international students from attending Harvard.

(Image credit: Rick Friedman)

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(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla)

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• TP-Link’s EAP772-Outdoor survives immersion, but the signal won’t follow it into the water
• Built to endure harsh elements, but not the hype surrounding underwater wireless capabilities
• Enterprise users might love it, but it feels like overkill for your average Wi-Fi needs

TP-Link has announced a new Wi-Fi 7 access point that not only supports the latest wireless standard, but also boasts an IP68 rating which allows it to withstand full water immersion.

On paper, this rugged Wi-Fi 7 access point looks great, with tri-band wireless speeds up to 9.3Gbps, support for over 380 connected devices, and 2.5Gbps Power over Ethernet (PoE) for streamlined setup.

However, the decision to highlight full immersion capabilities invites a more skeptical look, especially considering the known limitations of wireless communication in water.

How relevant is the IP68 rating?

The device is equipped with two 4 dBi antennas for the 2.4GHz band and two 6dBi antennas each for the 5GHz and 6GHz bands.

It operates across the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands, offering maximum theoretical speeds of up to 688Mbps, 2.88Gbps, and 5.76Gbps, respectively, and supports a coverage area of around 300 square meters and a five-year warranty by the company.

So, while the router might physically survive immersion, the idea of underwater Wi-Fi remains questionable.

Standard Wi-Fi is inherently ineffective underwater. Radio frequencies, especially at 2.4GHz and above, are quickly absorbed by water, leaving little room for practical transmission beyond a few feet.

Water blocks the very signals the device is designed to emit, raising doubts about how the LAN port would even be protected from moisture once submerged.

If we momentarily entertain the concept of underwater wireless use, the practical applications are narrow and not well served by conventional Wi-Fi.

Divers, for instance, would benefit from the ability to send data or communicate without relying on hand signals or physical boards.

Real-time image sharing or sensor readings from underwater drones to surface computers could be useful in scientific or military operations.

However, these needs are already being addressed by emerging technologies like Aqua-Fi, which uses LED, laser, or acoustic waves for underwater data transmission, none of which involve standard Wi-Fi frequencies.

TP-Link has not suggested any integration with such systems, nor has it indicated that the EAP772-Outdoor is intended for submerged deployment beyond mere survivability.

That raises the question of why the waterproof feature is being emphasized at all. For outdoor venues, where rain, dust, and heat are threats, weatherproofing makes sense.

But full immersion? Unless the router is accidentally dropped in a pond or installed in a highly flood-prone area, it’s difficult to see the value.

For users seeking the best Wi-Fi router, the EAP772-Outdoor may excel in terms of outdoor reliability.

Enterprise clients needing tough gear for open-air deployment might also make sense out of this device, but for anyone shopping for a mobile hotspot or switch for home or office use, this might seem more like overengineering.

The TP-Link EAP772 is expected to retail around $565 when it launches in June 2025.

Via Guru3d

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