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The future of AI gadgets is just phones

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The future of AI gadgets is just phones

At any given time, there are between five and eight phones on my desk. And by “my desk,” I mean any combination of tables and countertops throughout my house. So when I watched the Humane AI Pin reviews start pouring in last week, I did what any logical person would do: grab the closest phone and try to turn it into my own AI wearable.

Humane would like you to believe that its AI Pin represents consumer tech at its most cutting edge. The reviews and the guts of the pin say otherwise: it uses a Snapdragon processor from four years ago and seems to run a custom version of Android 12.

“It’s a midrange Android phone!” I declared at our next team meeting, waving around a midrange Android phone for effect. “You could just download Gemini and stick this to your shirt!” Simple. Trivial. Give me 10 minutes, and I’ll have a more powerful AI gadget whipped up, I said.

Hardware is hard, y’all.

Ideally, I wanted an outward-facing camera and a decent voice assistant I could use hands-free. An iPhone in a shirt pocket was an intriguing solution but a nonstarter because a) none of my shirts have pockets, and b) Siri is just not that smart. Thus, my earliest prototype was a Motorola Razr Plus clamped to the neckline of my shirt. This, unsurprisingly, did not work but for reasons I did not anticipate. 

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First off, you can’t download Gemini from the Play Store on a folding phone. That was news to me. But even once I’d sideloaded it and set it as the default assistant, I ran into another barrier: it’s really hard to use a voice assistant from the cover screen of a flip phone. The Razr wants you to flip the phone open before you can do anything aside from get its attention with “Hey Google.” 

The things we do for content.
Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge

Running Gemini in Chrome on the cover screen actually got me closer to what I was looking for. But trying to tap buttons on the screen to trigger the assistant wasn’t working very well, and neither was operating Google Lens out of the corner of my eye. Also, Gemini misread “recycle” on a tube of toothpaste as “becicle,” which it confidently told me was an old-timey word for eyeglasses. It is not!

Prototype two was the same Razr flip phone running ChatGPT in conversation mode on the cover screen. This meant the app was constantly running and always listening, so it wasn’t practical. But I gave it a shot anyway, and it was a strange experience talking to an AI chatbot that I couldn’t see. 

I want an AI that can do things for me, not just brainstorm stir-fry ingredients

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ChatGPT is a decent conversationalist, but we ran out of things to talk about pretty quickly once I’d exhausted my chatbot go-to’s: dinner recipes and plant care tips. I want an AI that can do things for me, not just brainstorm stir-fry ingredients.

I ditched the foldable concept and picked up a Pixel 8 and a Pixel Watch 2 instead. I set up Gemini as the default assistant on the phone and figured that would somehow apply to the watch, too. Wrong. I had one more card to play, though: a good old pair of wireless earbuds. Life on the cutting edge of technology, baby.

Honestly, earbuds might be the AI wearable of the future.
Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

You know what, though? It kind of worked. I had to leave Gemini open and running on my phone since Google doesn’t fully support Gemini Assistant on headphones. But I took a picture of a Blue Apron recipe I was making for dinner, told Gemini to remember it, and left my phone on the counter. As I moved around the kitchen, I asked Gemini questions I’d normally have to peek back at the recipe to answer like “How long do I roast the vegetables for?” and “How do I prep the fish?” It gave me the right answers every time.

What was more impressive is that I could ask it tangential questions. It helped me use pantry ingredients to recreate a seasoning mix I didn’t have on hand. I asked why the recipe might have me divide the sauce into two portions, and it gave me a plausible answer. And it did something the Humane pin can’t do yet: set a timer.

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It wasn’t perfect. First, I had to unplug the Google Home puck sitting on the counter because it kept trying to butt in. Gemini also told me that it couldn’t play an album on Spotify, something that that Google Home speaker has been doing for the better part of a decade. The watch came in handy for that, at least.

What started as a goofy stunt has convinced me of two things: I really do think we’re going to use AI to get more things done in the future, and also, the future of AI gadgets is just phones. It’s phones! 

I love a gadget, but guys, I lived through the era of camera companies trying to convince us that we all needed to carry a compact camera and our phones everywhere. Phones won. Phones already come with powerful processors, decent heat dissipation, and sophisticated wireless connectivity. An AI gadget that operates independently from your phone has to figure all of that out.

And you know what looks a lot less doofy than a pin with a laser on your chest? Earbuds. People willingly wear them throughout the day right now. And the doofy factor definitely matters when it comes to wearables. I’m having a hard time seeing how a separate gadget can beat the humble phone plus a pair of earbuds or something like the Meta Ray Bans. Maybe there’s room in our lives and our pockets for dedicated AI hardware — the gadget lover in me is all for it. But I think it’s more likely that we have all of the ingredients we need to make good AI hardware right in front of us.

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The Verge’s 2024 Mother’s Day gift guide

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The Verge’s 2024 Mother’s Day gift guide

Uno Show ‘Em No Mercy

If we’re being honest, you may no longer be your mom’s favorite after you’ve both indulged in a round of Uno Show ’Em No Mercy. The updated version of Mattel’s classic card game sends game-turning betrayals into overdrive with more skips, more draw cards, and new stacking rules that let you pile on a truly absurd number of cards (a punishing Draw 10 included).
Price: $9.49+

Lego Icons Tiny Plants

Why not skip the perennials this year and opt for something that will actually survive beyond Mother’s Day? Lego’s latest botanical set lets you build nine plastic plants — including a mix of arid, tropical, and carnivorous species — all of which are treated to their own desk-friendly terracotta brick planter. Just don’t expect to receive a cutting anytime soon.
Price: $49.49+

Ember Mug 2

If your mom is a coffee lover, how about gifting her something a little snazzier than another “World’s Best Mom” mug? Ember’s latest smart mug is pricey, yes, but the heated receptacle can ensure her morning mood elixir never falls below her preferred temperature. The mug itself can last up to 80 minutes on a single charge or the entire day using the included charging coaster.
Price: $103.99+

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition

Amazon’s step-up Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition adds wireless charging and an automatic backlight to one of our favorite ebook readers. It’s just as comfortable to hold and easy on the eyes as the standard model, with crisp 300ppi resolution, 32GB of storage, and Bluetooth support so she can listen to her favorite beach read via Audible, rather than, huh, read it.
Price: $189.99

Thermomix TM6

The Thermomix TM6 may be the last kitchen appliance your mom will ever need. It offers a multitude of functions — including the ability to chop, blend, mix, grind, sauté, and steam — and you can even use it to weigh food. The fact that it features a built-in touchscreen so she can browse more than 80,000 tasty recipes is just the proverbial cherry on top.
Price: $1,499

Apple iPad (10th-gen)

If you’re looking to make a big splash this year, you can’t go wrong with an iPad. Apple’s latest entry-level model is still very capable thanks to its reliable battery life and A14 Bionic chipset, which can run most modern apps and games with ease. Plus, with several fun colors to choose from, you’re likely to land on something that fits her style.
Price: $349+

Apple Watch Series 9

The Apple Watch Series 9 is a great gift for someone who already lives inside Apple’s walled garden. It’s a fitness companion, a personal navigator, a notification display, a calendar, and a clock all wrapped into one. The newest model also supports Apple’s new double-tap feature and Precision Finding, allowing your mom to easily locate her phone should she ever lose it.
Price: $299+

Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Bulb (two-pack)

A pack of smart bulbs is a terrific gift for smart home newbies. Kasa’s inexpensive RGB bulbs are reliable, easy to use, and decently bright at 800 lumens. They don’t require any hubs or controllers, either; just screw them into your favorite lamp and set the brightness, color, and scene using the Kasa app or a virtual assistant like Amazon Alexa.
Price: $12.99+

Sophie Faux Fur Throw Blanket

It might be getting warmer outside, but that doesn’t mean you can’t snuggle up on a lazy day. Thankfully, Anthropologie’s polyester throw blanket is one of the plushest around — at least according to my cozy Verge colleagues. It’s also available in seven attractive colors, including mint green, cocoa, and a vibrant hot pink shade for those still living their Barbie best.
Price: $98

Tile Mate (2022)

Like AirTags, the Tile Mate can help you keep tabs on your personal belongings. Tile’s Bluetooth trackers are a little more basic than Apple’s, but they work with both Android and iOS devices. That means your mom will be able to see the last known location of whatever she’s looking for and sound an alarm within 250 feet, regardless of whether she’s rocking a new Galaxy S24 Plus or your hand-me-down iPhone.
Price: $19.99

Nixplay 10.1-inch HD Touch Screen Wi-Fi Digital Frame

Nixplay’s photo frames are straightforward, sharp, and bright enough to display family photos in any lighting. The app lets you wirelessly and securely share photos directly to the frame or via Google Photos, and it can regularly cycle through a gallery of images. The 10.1-inch model is available with a variety of muted bezels, too, including an attractive wood grain finish.
Price: $154.99+

Eater Wine Club subscription

Whether your mom considers herself an amateur sommelier or just likes a good Georgian orange, our sister site Eater offers a wine club subscription that automatically delivers a batch of hand-selected wines every month. Each box contains either two or four bottles, depending on the subscription, and is often centered on a particular season, celebration, or notable slice of history.
Price: $70+

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (fifth-gen)

Amazon’s orb-shaped Echo Dot is a good little Alexa bot, one that can serve double duty on your mom’s nightstand. She can use the clock-equipped smart speaker to hit the lights and begin playing soothing sleep tracks or simply to check the news and take hands-free control of any other smart home gadgets she might have.
Price: $39.99

Stanley Go Everyday Wine Tumbler

If you’re already planning on gifting a bottle of wine this year, pairing it with a quality tumbler isn’t a bad idea. Stanley’s vacuum insulated stainless steel mug can keep drinks hot for up to 1.5 hours or cold for up to 20 hours, depending on how much ice you toss in. It’s simple, effective, and holds up to 10 ounces of the “good stuff,” whatever that might be.
Price: $20

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony’s latest pair of premium headphones aren’t just a great gift for audiophiles — they’re ideal for anyone who wants a better way to tune out while listening to music or traveling. While expensive, we still consider them the best headphones for most people thanks to their well-balanced sound, superb noise cancellation, and several ambient audio features.
Price: $348+

Roborock Q5 Pro Robot Vacuum and Mop

Picking up after children can be a full-time job, which makes a robot vacuum a cheeky way to thank your mom for the countless days she did it on your behalf. Roborock’s Q5 Pro is one of our favorite models, particularly for pet owners, as it can handle carpet and hardwood floors with relative ease. You can even attach mopping pads for light upkeep and tackling fresh spills.
Price: $299.99

Kombucha Brewing Kit

The Kombucha Shop’s entry-level kit is a terrific starting point for those interested in brewing their own fermented teas. It includes organic kombucha cultures, teas, and cane sugar, all of which are shelf-stable. You’ll also find instructions and equipment in the box, including a gallon jar, pH test strips, and a temperature monitor.
Price: $49.99

Fitbit Inspire 3

The lightweight Fitbit Inspire 3 is a great gift for someone looking to dip their toes into wearables. The throwback fitness band is an affordable way to add heart rate monitoring, smartphone notifications, and sleep / workout tracking to your wrist. It’s basic, sure, but how many other wearables let you wear them as a clip and last up to 10 days on a single charge?
Price: $89+

JLab Go Air Pop

If you’re looking for a cheap pair of earbuds so your mom can listen to her glut of true crime podcasts on the go, JBL’s Go Air Pop cost less than a Mother’s Day mimosa. The reliable earbuds pack decent specs for the price, too, including IPX4 water resistance, three distinct EQ modes, and 32 hours of runtime with the included charging case.
Price: $19.99+

Click and Grow Smart Garden 3

The Click and Grow Smart Garden 3 makes it almost too easy to grow fresh herbs and veggies at home. The small self-watering base fits on a windowsill and holds up to three biodegradable “pods,” each chock-full of seeds and other vital nutrients. Three basil pods are included, but if you want more, you can pick up more than 70 other varieties for about $4 a pop.
Price: $79.95+

Sonos Roam

With the Sonos Roam, versatility is the name of the game. The rugged smart speaker functions like any other Bluetooth speaker when you’re away; however, when at home, it easily slots into a larger Sonos system. It’s light on bass compared to traditional Sonos products, but it still offers great sound, Qi wireless charging, and — unlike newer Sonos speakers — support for both Alexa and Google Assistant.
Price: $179+

DJI Osmo Pocket 3

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 could be the ideal vlogging camera for moms hoping to capture their kids growing up, newfound empty nesters looking for a hobby, or truly anyone looking to shoot 4K/120fps video. It’s small, (relatively) affordable, and lightweight like a smartphone but offers better video quality with unrivaled stability thanks to a built-in mechanical gimbal.
Price: $519+

Yankee Candle (22-ounce)

They might be the most cliché gift on our list, but aromatic gifts can also be some of the best. Yankee’s 22-ounce jars come in a smorgasbord of classic and less than classic scents, from lavender and birch to vanilla and… stargazing? Either way, each candle offers 110 hours of burn time, which is exceptional considering the reasonable cost.
Price: $16.88+

Eve Smart Plug & Power Meter

If your mom’s smart home experience stopped at bulbs, try introducing her to the Eve Smart Plug & Power Meter. She can use it to remotely turn on or schedule a routine for anything plugged into it, which makes it great for automating an old coffee maker or an oil diffuser. Eve’s latest smart plugs also support the new Matter standard, meaning they’ll work across smart home platforms.
Price: $37.99+

Houdini Electric Corkscrew

Uncorking a nice bottle of wine doesn’t have to be a painful experience. Houdini’s electric corkscrew can remove it with ease at the touch of a button. It’s made of a mix of stainless steel and black polycarbonate plastic, and it can uncork quite a few bottles (at least a dozen or more) before the battery needs changing.
Price: $19.99

Burt’s Bees Tips and Toes Kit

Aging might be a fact of life, but a little self-care can go a long way in preserving healthy skin. Thankfully, Burt’s Bees Tips and Toes Kit opts for coconut, honey, grapeseed, and other natural ingredients over parabens, which have shown to impact the body’s hormone levels. The six-piece kit consists of several distinct pieces, too, including creams, butters, lip balms, and salves.
Price: $11.99

Nutribullet Pro 900

Your mom can skip her weekly trip to Jamba Juice and make her own concoction at home with the Nutribullet Pro 900. Its stainless steel blades are strong enough to pulverize produce and thicker fruit, and it comes with two sleek 32-ounce jars with matching lids and handles. The latter makes it easy to bring smoothies on the move, regardless of where she goes.
Price: $79.99+

ESR Magnetic Car Phone Mount (HaloLock)

A phone mount is an essential piece of kit for road warriors who use their phones as a heads-up display, whether for navigation or to cycle through the latest Beyoncé tracks. If you use an iPhone 12 or later, you can clip ESR’s adjustable MagSafe mount to your air vent and attach your phone — that is, without fiddling with pesky latches or buttons.
Price: $17.99+

The Appreciation Sugarwish

Sugarwish is a great gifting service if you need something delivered. You can drum up a personalized card and choose from one of several boxes, which allow your mom to select her own mix of sweets, candles, savory snacks, and even wine. The Appreciation box offers a wide variety of choices and starts at just $25, letting her indulge her sweet tooth even if you can’t be around.

Price: $25+

Baseus Airpow Power Bank 20W 10000mAh

Baseus’ Airpow Power Bank is an affordable pick if you want a 10,000mAh battery pack with both USB-A and USB-C Power Delivery capabilities. It lets you juice smartphones, tablets, and other devices at moderate speeds, yet it’s slim enough you can tuck it pretty much anywhere before heading out the door.
Price: $17.99+

Furbo 360° Dog Camera

Dog moms might squeal when they see the Furbo. The interactive 1080p camera features a remote treat dispenser and two-way audio, allowing her to keep an eye on her pup and sling treats while she’s away. The newest model also sits on a swiveling 360-degree base and provides real-time barking alerts, though, the latter requires a monthly Dog Nanny subscription.
Price: $168+

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Fox News AI Newsletter: Emily Blunt's AI admission

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Fox News AI Newsletter: Emily Blunt's AI admission

Welcome to Fox News’ Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.

IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:

– Emily Blunt admits new technology is ‘something we’re all nervous about’
– AI expert: ChatGPT prompts you’ll wish you knew sooner
– State Department wants China, Russia to declare that AI won’t control nuclear weapons, only humans

‘HUGE CONCERNS’: Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling hope audiences will continue to appreciate the people who make movies happen behind the scenes as artificial intelligence continues to infiltrate the industry.

Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt posing together

Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt attend the Los Angeles premiere of Universal Pictures’ “The Fall Guy” at Dolby Theatre on April 30, 2024, in Hollywood, California. (Phillip Faraone/WireImage)

BEST CHATGPT PROMPTS: You’ve probably noticed the new AI search bar in all the Meta apps, including Facebook and Instagram. It won’t be long before all your most-used apps and services integrate chatbots.

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The ChatGPT logo on a laptop

ChatGPT has been known to have glitches — including giving false information in some situations.  (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

STANDING VIGILANT: A State Department official is pushing Thursday for China and Russia to declare that only humans – and not artificial intelligence – will make decisions on deploying nuclear weapons. 

SUPERHUMAN POWER: Imagine stepping into the wilderness, not just as an adventurer, but as a superhuman explorer. That’s exactly what the X1 all-terrain exoskeleton offers.

Man running in excoskeleton

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Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox News here.

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‘The Boys’ season 4 trailer is bloody and a little bubbly

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‘The Boys’ season 4 trailer is bloody and a little bubbly

When we last left The Boys, Homelander’s (Anthony Starr) political dabbling was humming along and Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) had a terminal illness. Two years and a new spin-off later, Homelander’s supercharging of a presidential campaign continues to be a dark mirror of the US political climate and Butcher looks to desperately reckon with his diagnosis.

The official trailer sees Butcher considering something very much like the X-Men legacy virus — a biological solution that can kill the series’ supes. There’s plenty of carnage, some teeing up of weighty, consequential moments, someone’s skull apparently spewing bubbles when cleaved with a hatchet, a Butcher standoff with Black Noir, and even a chicken chest-burster.

The next season of The Boys debuts on June 13th on Amazon Prime Video. Besides Urban and Starr, returning actors include Jack Quaid, Jessie T. Usher, Laz Alonso, and Karen Fukuhara. New to the show are Susan Heyward, Valorie Curry, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan (who, in my headcanon, will be reprising his Watchmen role as The Comedian).

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