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Google is now offeringGemma 2B and 7B, a pair of open-source alternatives to theGemini AI. These models provide more flexibility than Gemini and can integrate with local or cloud-based services. However, the Gemma platform is less powerful than Gemini, so it may be limited to simple tasks. As you may know, Google Gemini isfreely availableon the web and requires no technical expertise. These new Gemma models aren’t intended for casual use—they’re specifically made for developers and researchers who want to work with open-source conversational AI....

Summary As good as Gemini is—it’s personally my main AI chatbot, after all—it still has some limitations that keep it from reaching its full potential. Among them, the fact that it limits you to uploading one single image at a time. Now, this is finally getting addressed. Gemininow officially allows you to upload up to ten images simultaneously within a single prompt, a substantial increase from the previous limitation of just one image....

More ads are showing up on the streaming service HBO Max. Recently, the company quietly updated its support page for the Basic with Ads plan, now stating that viewers should expect six minutes of ads per hour. When HBO Max first introducedits ad-supported plan in 2021, it was meant to keep commercials to no more than four minutes per hour of programming. The new change to six minutes is a big jump from the earlier promise, and archived versions of the support page confirm that the four-minute limit was still listed as recently as February 2025....

Quick Links For years, iPhone users have teased Android folks about their green bubbles. Now that Android phones have nearly universally switched to RCS, and Apple has finally adopted it, Google could flip the narrative and make iPhone owners green with envy. I Used to Be Embarrassed by My Green Bubble I love using Android, but for a long time, I hated texting on it. And can you blame me? Texting on Android used to be pretty rough....

Summary A Chrome update added a new grid icon called “Tab Groups” to the bookmarks bar. The button adds a few tab group management options, such as tab group pinning and quicker access. If you’d prefer more space on your bookmarks bar instead, here’s how to get rid of it. What Is the “Tab Groups” Button For? The “Tab Groups” button provides a drop-down menu with a few management features for tab groups....

If you’re a techy Android user, there’s a pretty good chance you have multiple devices scattered throughout your life. A smartphone, of course, and maybe aWear OS smartwatch,Google TV stick, andAndroid tabletto go with it. Did you know you can install apps on all of those devices at the same time from the Google Play Store? As the Play Store has become available on more devices, Google has made it easier to install apps on various devices without actually having them in hand....

Quick Links Imagine transforming a simple room into a vibrant space with dynamic lighting effects. Nanoleaf light panels have become a popular choice for achieving this, offering a unique blend of functionality and aesthetics. But what if you could build your own mini replica for much cheaper controlled by the power of a Raspberry Pi? This guide takes you through the exciting process of creating your very own mini Nanoleaf with aRaspberry Pi Zero W....

For a game that’s all about using your imagination, playing Dungeons & Dragons can get surprisingly expensive. But it doesn’t need to be this way. If you want to get into D&D without spending a dime, here’s how to do it. Find a Free Place to Play I used to play Dungeons & Dragons in a board game café with friends. This was great because it was an easy mid-point for most people to travel to, there were nice large tables to lay out all our stuff, and we could make a lot of noise without disturbing people....

Quick Links Summary Message scheduling is finally available on the iPhone and iPad, with a few notable caveats. Here’s how to use the long-awaited feature and a workaround you might want to explore instead. Schedule Texts in the Messages App To start scheduling, open the Messages app and find the iMessage contact or conversation you want to message. You can now type your message into the message box. Now hit the plus “+” button and choose the “Send Later” option from the list....

Quick Links Microsoft Excel is known for being an excellent tool for tracking things like abudget, inventory, or sales and revenue. But there are so manytemplates availableyou might not realize exist that can help you track just about anything. You might use a list app to track chores or to keep track of the movies you want to watch. If you already use Excel, why not take advantage of it for tracking these types of things too?...

Summary OpenAI has added a much-requested feature to ChatGPT that makes the AI chatbot even more useful. Projects in ChatGPT allow you to organize your chats, add project-specific custom instructions, and even upload files that project chats can access. What Is a “Project” in ChatGPT? Projects were added to ChatGPT in December 2024, and are a feature that many ChatGPT users have been requesting for some time. ChatGPT projects let you group chats in a single location rather than each chat being independent of all the others....

Quick Links As a grizzled tech enthusiast, I was a “naked” phone purist until Samsung’s S22 Ultra’s wobble bump led me to leather cases. Surprisingly, they transformed, not just protected, my device. Here’s why I’ve stuck with leather cases ever since. Why I Was Caseless for Years Here’s the thing. I love tech, and I’ve always been an advocate for the"naked" phone. The thought of wrapping my shiny, meticulously engineered device in some rubbery suit felt like sacrilege....

TCL QM6K The all-new 2025 model TCL QM6K Google TV delivers a stunningly clear and bright picture with a new Mini-LED panel, improved local dimming zones, Dolby Vision IQ, and a neat new Halo Control system for improved visuals. Get this TV and elevate your living room. If you’re looking for one of the best new TVs that won’t break the bank, I have a deal for you. The all-new (2025) TCL QM6K Mini-LED TV delivers serious bang for your buck, and right now on Amazon Prime Day you can get this85-inch Mini-LED TV for over $500 off....