Technology
Giant tennis ball-looking AI robot ball doubles as home helper, projector
Have you ever wished you had a personal assistant who could follow you around, take care of your chores, entertain you, and keep you updated on the latest news and events? Well, you might be in luck, because Samsung has just unveiled a new version of its AI home companion robot, Ballie, that can do all that and more.
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Ballie the AI home companion robot (Samsung) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What is this personal assistant robot?
Ballie is a round, ball-shaped robot that can autonomously roll around your home and interact with other smart devices to provide customized services and act as your personal home assistant. It was first introduced at CES 2020 as a cute and friendly gadget that could monitor your pets, play with your kids, and activate your smart appliances.
Now four years later, Ballie has evolved into a more advanced and versatile device that can project images and videos on walls, floors, and ceilings, control non-connected appliances with its infrared transmitter, and communicate with you via voice and text messages.
Ballie the AI home companion robot (Samsung) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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How the personal assistant robot works
Ballie uses a spatial LiDAR sensor and a 1080p projector to navigate your home and display various content on your surroundings. It can also connect to your smartphone, tablet, PC, and TV to access your data and preferences. Ballie learns from your patterns and habits to provide smarter and more personalized services.
Ballie the AI home companion robot (Samsung) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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8 things the robot can do for you and your pet
1) Greet you when you come home by projecting the word “Welcome” and showing you your schedule, weather, and reminders.
Ballie the AI home companion robot (Samsung) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
2) Play your favorite music, podcasts, or audiobooks, and adjust the volume and lighting according to your mood.
3) Project workout videos on the wall or floor in an optimal size and track your progress and calories burned.
Ballie the AI home companion robot (Samsung) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
4) Answer your phone calls and show you who is calling on the wall or ceiling.
5) Send you video updates of your pets or loved ones when you are away from home and let you talk to them via voice or text messages.
6) Project a video of greenery or scenery on the floor for your pet to enjoy and play with or even feed them.
7) Switch on or off your lights, thermostat, security system and other smart devices according to your schedule and preferences.
8) Control your non-connected appliances, such as your coffee maker, toaster, oven, and washing machine, with its infrared transmitter.
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When can I get my hands on one of these robots?
Samsung announced that Ballie would be available for sale within the year but did not reveal any details on the pricing or availability. However, it is expected that Ballie will be compatible with Samsung’s SmartThings platform and other third-party devices and services. Samsung also said that Ballie will have various customization options such as colors, skins, and accessories to suit different tastes and personalities. To be honest, part of me is very curious about Ballie, while another part of me wants to kick it across the room. I’m still searching to strike the balance to hang on to my humanity while embracing the future.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Ballie is not the first companion robot of its kind, but it could potentially become a popular and useful gadget for many households. What’s great about Ballie is that it can assist you, entertain you, and connect you with your pets or loved ones. Ballie shows us that the future of smart homes is not only about convenience but also about creativity, personality, and emotion. We are curious to see how Ballie will evolve and improve over time, and how it will interact with other devices and services.
What do you think of Ballie? Would you like to have one in your home? What features or functions would you most use? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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Technology
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
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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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Technology
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.
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