Technology

Dexcom’s new continuous glucose monitor is a health tech gadget with purpose

Published

2 years ago

January 11, 2024

Dexcom’s new continuous glucose monitor is a health tech gadget with purpose

Year in and year out, most of the blood glucose tech you see at CES are devices that may not come out for years, if ever. That’s why it was refreshing to see Dexcom roll up to CES 2024 to talk about something a bit more tangible: its forthcoming Stelo continuous glucose monitor (CGM), a wearable sensor that provides a real-time look at your blood sugar levels. Unlike most CGMs, the Stelo is specifically designed to be an affordable option for Type 2 diabetics who don’t use insulin.

Unlike Type 1 diabetes, where a person produces little to no insulin, Type 2 diabetes is when, over time, the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or the body becomes insulin resistant. Roughly 90 to 95 percent of all diagnosed diabetics have Type 2. However, if they control their glucose levels through oral medication rather than inject insulin, they usually don’t have access to CGM devices.

“The way CGMs work in the US is that coverage is pretty good if you take insulin, and that’s about a third of people with Type 2 diabetes,” says Dexcom COO Jake Leach. “But there’s this large portion of about 25 million people who don’t have insurance coverage for CGMs and there really hasn’t been a product designed for them.”

According to Leach, the Stelo is based on Dexcom’s existing G7 CGM platform and will last for about 15 days per sensor. However, instead of a system that centers around low blood sugar alerts — which is most useful for those who use insulin — the Stelo app is meant to provide insights around real-time readings. In other words, this isn’t a device meant to save lives, but rather improve them.

For example, Leach says, the hope is that through using Stelo, Type 2 diabetics who don’t regularly check their blood sugar with finger prick tests can come away with a greater understanding of what their normal average blood glucose range looks like, and what to do with that data. For example, they might learn that pairing white rice with chicken and vegetables at dinner leads to a lower spike than rice eaten alone. Or that the same foods eaten earlier in the night result in a less intense glucose response. Ideally, that would empower them to make smarter choices day to day between doctor visits.

This isn’t the exact Stelo CGM, but it will be based on Dexcom’s G7 platform.

Photo by Victoria Song / The Verge

It’s similar to pitches from other CGM startups that tout using these devices for athletes or the uber health conscious. But while Leach sees the opportunities for CGMs for non-diabetics, he says Dexcom is choosing to stay focused on expanding use cases for those with diabetes.

“Everyone who has a CGM that I’ve talked to learns something about their diet that they didn’t know that was unexpected,” says Leach. “CGMs are tools that can help you understand, but in order for them to be successful in helping people, it’s got to be properly designed for that group.”

Leach has a point. Last year, I tested the Nutrisense CGM, and while I definitely learned things about myself, there wasn’t a reason for me, a non-diabetic, to keep wearing one long term. Meanwhile, blood glucose tech at CES can be a wild, directionless hodgepodge. When trawling the show floor, not everyone has a good answer when I ask about regulatory clearance, timelines, who exactly this tech is meant to help, and what problems they’re trying to solve.

This is the Dexcom CGM applicator. It features a flexible needle, and having used a CGM, I can confirm it doesn’t hurt.

Photo by Victoria Song / The Verge

That’s why it’s exciting to see that Stelo has a much clearer mission statement. Dexcom is a medical device company with experience bringing this sort of tech to the market and with working with the FDA. Leach tells me that focusing on software over the last few years allows Dexcom to push frequent updates to address user feedback and needs. Right now, the Dexcom G6 and G7 connect with over 100 digital apps and Leach says the plan is make sure Stelo also has a full ecosystem available.

But the cherry on top is a commitment to accessibility. Leach didn’t give me a final price — partly because the product is not yet available, but also because insurance makes it impossible to definitively say how much anything will cost. According to Leach, most Dexcom customers pay less than $40 if their insurance covers CGMs. Medicare patients pay around $50 monthly, while a third are lucky enough to pay nothing at all. If you’re not covered, however, Dexcom CGMs can cost around $173 a month out of pocket. The Stelo is intended to come at a more competitive price for people who have to pay out of pocket.

The Stelo CGM is currently going through the FDA clearance process, with plans to launch this summer. It’s not a given that Type 2 diabetics will immediately glom onto CGMs as a form of treatment. And while Leach says physicians he’s spoken to are in favor of this tech for Type 2 diabetics, we still have to see how the medical community will incorporate this. (Wearable data, for example, isn’t always helpful to doctors.) But even so, the potential of positively impacting millions of underserved people is a noble endeavor. That’s the sort of innovative spirit you want to see at CES.

Technology

YouTube made its video player easier to navigate on TVs

Published

10 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

YouTube made its video player easier to navigate on TVs

The YouTube watch screen has been given a new look on TVs. The redesign aims to provide a “more intuitive experience with easier navigation,” according to YouTube’s announcement, relocating the video title and several controls, and adding a new “Description” button to access creator information and other video features.

I’m already seeing the update on my own Nvidia Shield Pro streaming box and native Phillips TV OS, and I do think it makes it easier to find specific video features and controls. My colleague Thomas Ricker says he isn’t seeing the redesign in Apple TV’s YouTube player, however, so they may still be rolling out. These changes are pretty delayed, considering YouTube announced in April that they would arrive “this summer.”

Videos on the YouTube app for TV will now show the title in the top left corner of the screen instead of just above the video scrubber at the bottom of the page, and the title can no longer be clicked to open comments, metadata, and information about the creator. Instead, those controls are now available by clicking the new “Description” button. The channel thumbnail and subscribe function have also been separated into two buttons, with the creator’s thumbnail now taking users directly to their channel.

Controls have been reorganized into distinct groups under the video scrubber: Channel, Description, and Subscribe on the left, Previous, Pause/Play, and Next in the center, and Like, Dislike, Comment, Save, Closed Captions, and Settings placed into two groups on the right. YouTube says the Subscribe button will remain visible to subscribers, adapting to flag pay-gated content or alert users to new live streams. A “Multiview” control has also been added for live sports content, while Music and Premium subscribers will see a new “Display Mode” control.

Technology

Android Emergency Live Video gives 911 eyes on the scene

Published

11 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Android Emergency Live Video gives 911 eyes on the scene

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Holiday travel and winter storms create risky moments for drivers and families. Stress rises fast during emergencies, and describing the scene to 911 can feel overwhelming.

Now, a new Android feature closes that gap by providing live visual information that helps responders act with speed and accuracy.

If you use an iPhone, Apple offers a similar tool through its Emergency SOS Live Video feature. You can learn how it works right here.

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Android Emergency Live Video gives 911 a secure live view of the scene, so responders understand what is happening right away. (Cyberguy.com)

What Android Emergency Live Video does

Google is rolling out Android Emergency Live Video to give dispatchers a secure view of the scene during an active call or text. A dispatcher can request a live video stream through your phone when it is safe for you to share it. With a single tap, you can stream real-time video that helps responders understand what is happening.

This can help during car accidents, medical emergencies or fast-moving hazards such as wildfire conditions. Live video can also help dispatchers guide you through steps that save lives, such as CPR, until responders arrive.

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How the Android Emergency Live Video feature works

Android designed this tool to work with no setup. When you call or text 911, the dispatcher reviews the situation. If they decide video would help, they will send a request to your phone. You see a clear prompt that lets you choose whether to start the secure stream. The feature uses encryption and gives you full control. You can stop sharing at any moment.

The feature works on Android phones running Android 8 or newer with Google Play services. It is rolling out across the U.S. and select regions in Germany and Mexico. Google plans to expand coverage with more public safety partners.

How to use Emergency Live Video on Android

You cannot turn this feature on in advance. It appears only during an active 911 call or text.

1) Call or text 911 on your Android phone. The dispatcher reviews your situation.

2) Watch for a request on your screen. If the dispatcher decides live video will help, they send a prompt to your device.

3) Tap the notification that appears. You will see a clear message asking if you want to share live video.

4) Choose Share video to start streaming. This opens your camera and begins a secure live feed.

5) Tap Stop sharing at any time. You stay in control the entire time and can end the video at any time.

With one tap, you can choose to share real-time video during a 911 call or text which gives dispatchers the clarity they need to guide you. (CyberGuy.com)

Why Emergency Live Video on Android matters now

Emergencies create confusion. Sharing details verbally takes time and can lead to miscommunication. Video removes guesswork. Responders gain clarity in seconds, which can speed up help and improve outcomes. This tool builds on Android’s safety features, including Satellite SOS, Fall Detection and Car Crash Detection.

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Alastair Breeze, a Software Engineer for Android, tells CyberGuy that the team built this feature with one goal in mind. “Providing people peace of mind is at the core of Android’s safety mission. Android Emergency Live Video gives you the ability to securely share real-time video to provide dispatchers the critical eyes-on-scene context they need to assist in emergencies.”

What this means to you

If you carry an Android phone, this feature adds another layer of protection during moments that demand quick action. You stay in control of when the video is shared. You also get a simple way to show the situation when describing it feels impossible. Faster clarity can lead to faster help, which can shape how an emergency ends.

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The feature works on Android phones running Android 8 or newer and helps responders act faster during emergencies when seconds matter. (Tony Giberson/tgiberson@pnj.com / USA TODAY)

Kurt’s key takeaways

Android Emergency Live Video brings real-time awareness to moments when every second matters. It gives responders a clear view, so they can guide you through urgent steps if necessary. Most of all, it adds peace of mind during situations no one plans for.

Would you feel comfortable sharing live video during an emergency if it helped responders reach you faster? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

The Game Awards 2025: all the news and announcements

Published

22 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

The Game Awards 2025: all the news and announcements

The Game Awards are back once again to showcase a metric ton of commercials, provide the gaming public with their monthly dose of Muppets, and validate gamers’ opinions on which title should be named the Game of the Year. I don’t wanna say it’s a foregone conclusion what this year’s GOTY will be — Silksong may surprise us — but it’s pretty obvious that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the frontrunner and for good reason. It’s netted 12 nominations, the most out of this year’s contenders, including all five craft awards (Direction, Art, Music and Score, Narrative, and Audio Design).

On the announcements side, Crystal Dynamics and Amazon Games are planning something related to the Tomb Raider series. Keighley also probably had plans to reveal big news about Resident Evil: Requiem, but unfortunately it got spoiled early thanks to some leaked key art on the PlayStation Store. Here’s all the news, announcements, and trailers from The Game Awards 2025.