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Gartner Predicts AI to Power All IT Work by 2030

Gartner Predicts AI to Power All IT Work by 2030

Gartner analysts forecast that by 2030 every IT task will involve artificial intelligence, a shift from today’s 81 percent of work that proceeds without AI. They anticipate that a quarter of IT workloads will be fully automated by bots, while the majority will be performed by humans aided by AI. Despite the automation surge, Gartner sees limited job displacement, noting only 1 percent of current IT job losses stem from AI and warning that entry‑level positions may feel the greatest impact. The firm argues the overall effect will be transitional rather than catastrophic.

Apple Unveils iOS 26 Features Ahead of iPhone Event

Apple Unveils iOS 26 Features Ahead of iPhone Event

Apple detailed the upcoming iOS 26 operating system, highlighting a new "Liquid Glass" translucent design, a revamped Phone app with Hold Assist, live translation across Phone, FaceTime and Messages, spam‑filtering for unknown senders, and Visual Intelligence that lets users search for items seen on screen. The update also restores Photos tabs, adds customizable lock‑screen options, and introduces new AirPods capabilities such as studio‑quality audio recording and remote camera control. iPadOS 26 will receive the same design overhaul and optional multitasking windows. The preview sets expectations for the iPhone launch scheduled for September 9.

Google Extends AI Mode to Five New Languages

Google Extends AI Mode to Five New Languages

Google announced that its AI Mode chatbot, integrated into Search, is now available in Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean and Brazilian Portuguese. The expansion follows a rapid rollout that began with an English‑only version, later opened to the United States, the United Kingdom and India, and now reaches users in more than 180 countries. The update leverages Google’s custom Gemini 2.5 Pro model and adds deeper multimodal and reasoning capabilities. While the company claims the web remains stable, a recent court filing acknowledges a rapid decline in open‑web traffic, a development publishers hope the multilingual AI features may help mitigate.

Vodafone Tests AI Avatar in New Advertising Campaign

Vodafone Tests AI Avatar in New Advertising Campaign

Vodafone released a commercial featuring an AI-generated avatar as the spokesperson, describing the effort as an experiment in using artificial intelligence for advertising. The company said it is testing different styles of advertising with AI, noting the technology’s growing presence in everyday life. This follows a previous AI-generated ad from last year that attracted controversy, and reflects a broader trend of brands exploring virtual influencers and deepfake technology.

Amazon Music Unveils AI‑Powered Weekly Playlists Tailored to Listener Preferences

Amazon Music Unveils AI‑Powered Weekly Playlists Tailored to Listener Preferences

Amazon Music has introduced AI‑generated weekly playlists that adapt to each listener’s "preferences and mood." Using Amazon’s Bedrock generative AI platform, the service curates a mix of familiar favorites, recent hits, and new discoveries, delivering playlists with catchy names such as "Empowerment Anthems" and "Melodic Flex." The feature, described by General Manager Ryan Redington as a new way to help fans connect with music that resonates, is currently limited to U.S. users and drops each Monday. It joins a broader push by streaming services toward AI‑driven personalization.

Uber and Momenta to Test Robotaxis in Europe

Uber and Momenta to Test Robotaxis in Europe

Uber has partnered with Chinese autonomous‑vehicle firm Momenta to launch a robotaxi pilot in Munich, Germany. The service, slated for 2026, will use Momenta's Level 4 self‑driving technology integrated with Uber’s ride‑sharing platform. Safety drivers will initially be on board while the companies seek German certification for geofenced operations. The move follows a wave of autonomous‑vehicle testing across Europe and reflects Uber’s shift toward partnerships after ending its own self‑driving car program.

Apple’s Upcoming iPhone 17 Event Faces Scrutiny Over AI Strategy

Apple’s Upcoming iPhone 17 Event Faces Scrutiny Over AI Strategy

Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup, along with new AirPods and Apple Watches, at its next event. While the hardware upgrades generate excitement, the company's recent AI efforts have drawn criticism. Apple introduced Apple Intelligence at last year’s WWDC, yet many promised features arrived quietly or were delayed, and a smarter Siri remains pending. Competitors such as Google, Samsung, and Microsoft have moved faster in embedding AI across devices. A recent CNET survey showed only a small fraction of U.S. users upgrade phones solely for AI, and some users have already expressed frustration with Apple’s visual‑intelligence controls. The upcoming launch will test whether Apple can balance hardware appeal with a more credible AI narrative.

Rabbit Overhauls R1 AI Device with Touch-Focused RabbitOS 2 Update

Rabbit Overhauls R1 AI Device with Touch-Focused RabbitOS 2 Update

Rabbit Inc. announced a major software overhaul for its R1 AI device, introducing RabbitOS 2, a touch‑centric operating system that reshapes the user interface and adds new capabilities. Founder and CEO Jesse Lyu acknowledged previous shortcomings and highlighted the shift from a voice‑only experience to a hybrid touch and voice model, including on‑screen conversation flow, mute buttons, and a tile‑based app launcher. The update also brings the Creations feature, allowing users to generate custom code and share creations. The move aims to address criticism about the device’s utility in a smartphone‑dominated market in which dedicated AI gadgets have struggled to find a clear niche.

Google Clarifies Gemini Prompt and Media Limits Across Tiers

Google Clarifies Gemini Prompt and Media Limits Across Tiers

Google has updated its Gemini support page to specify how many prompts, tokens, and media outputs users can access on each tier. Free users receive a limited number of daily prompts and media generations, while AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers enjoy substantially higher caps. The clarification also details context‑window sizes and the availability of Deep Think reports, image creation, video generation, and audio overviews for each plan.

Google Rolls Out Preferred Sources Feature to Let Users Customize Search News

Google Rolls Out Preferred Sources Feature to Let Users Customize Search News

Google has launched a new Preferred Sources feature in the United States and India that lets users select specific news sites to appear more frequently in Top Stories and a dedicated "From your sources" section. The option is accessed via a plus or star icon next to Top Stories, or through a preferences page. While the tool aims to give readers more control, media experts warn it could reinforce echo chambers and reduce traffic for publishers that lack loyal audiences. The rollout follows a Labs experiment where half of participants added four or more sources.

Amazon Expands Alexa with Hundreds of New Voice Commands Across Devices

Amazon Expands Alexa with Hundreds of New Voice Commands Across Devices

Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant now supports a sprawling set of commands that let users control smart home devices, manage media, handle daily tasks, and interact with a wide range of Amazon services. The expanded command library works across Echo speakers, Echo Show displays, Fire TV devices, and even in‑car Echo Auto, giving users more natural conversational ways to adjust lighting, set reminders, shop, order rides, and access entertainment. By integrating with third‑party skills and popular platforms such as SmartThings, Philips Hue, and Ring, Alexa continues to deepen its role as a central hub for connected living.

Baseus Inspire XC1 Review: Affordable Clip‑On Open‑Ear Earbuds with Mixed Results

Baseus Inspire XC1 Review: Affordable Clip‑On Open‑Ear Earbuds with Mixed Results

The Baseus Inspire XC1 is a clip‑on open‑ear earbud that aims to challenge pricier rivals like Bose and Shokz. Priced at $129, it offers dual drivers per bud, high‑resolution audio support, an eight‑band EQ, and up to 40 hours of total battery life. While its lightweight design, IP66 rating, and easy‑to‑use touch controls earn praise, reviewers note a warm but muddy sound signature and occasional pinching discomfort during extended wear. Overall, the Inspire XC1 provides solid value for budget‑focused users who can tolerate its audio and comfort compromises.