Amazon Rolls Out AI Shopping Assistant for Spring Deals

Key Takeaways 

  • Rufus is an AI assistant in the Amazon shopping app and website. Powered by generative and agentic AI, it makes shopping faster and easier by giving customers useful information and product recommendations.  
  • Rufus tailors responses and recommendations by analyzing each customer’s Amazon activity and the context of their shopping conversations.  
  • Built on Amazon Bedrock, Rufus leverages advanced language models to generate AI shopping experiences using Amazon’s product catalog, reviews, Q&As, and web content.  

Since launching Rufus last year, they have rapidly innovated to make it the best AI shopping assistant. It’s now smarter, more capable, conversational, and more helpful. Significant upgrades to its core capabilities in intelligence, reasoning, and performance have been made. These updates include expanding its general knowledge of the shopping category, conducting product research and evaluation, and providing product search and recommendations. We’ve introduced over 50 technical upgrades and new features to make it a faster, more useful shopping companion that saves customers time and money.  

Our AI shopping assistant has helped customers billions of times, and we have continuously enhanced its neural network by expanding its knowledge graph, product attributes, and customer choices. Using a real-time router, it combines models accessed through Amazon Bedrock. This enables our AI assistant to quickly scale to serve hundreds of millions of users with flexible model selection, including Anthropic’s Claude, Sonnet, Amazon Nova, and a custom model based on Amazon’s store knowledge. It optimizes fork capability, latency, and answer quality across several query pages. It also uses retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to obtain insights and recommendations from sources like The New York Times, USA Today, Good Housekeeping, and Vogue when answering questions about products and trends. Friends.  

Our AI assistant can solve customer problems and answer a wide range of questions at any stage of the shopping journey, exhibiting flexibility, intelligence, and multi-step reasoning. It can quickly handle everything from broad questions that inform a shopping trip to highly specific questions about product details. This adaptability enables our in-store shopping assistant to serve as both a knowledgeable shopping consultant for high-level problem-solving and product discovery, and a product expert capable of providing comprehensive comparisons and answering detailed product questions.  

More than 250 million customers have used Rufus this year, with monthly average users up 149% and interactions up 210% over the past year. Customers who use it while shopping are over 60% more likely to make a purchase during that trip. Our shopping assistant is easy to find. It’s available in the Amazon Shopping app on desktop and throughout our store, including on the home page, product details pages, and in the Amazon Lens live experience. To start chatting, type natural-language queries into the chat bar or tap the microphone to speak.  

Rajiv Mehta, Vice President of Search and Conversational Shopping at Amazon, said we’ve built and continue to improve our next-gen in-store AI assistant to be a knowledgeable shopping expert right at your fingertips. It knows you and your preferences, helps you discover products, compare options and prices, make informed buying decisions, and even take action to help you get things done faster. Our goal is to save customers time and money by making online shopping simpler with real-time information and analysis. This expertise covers more than 35 product categories in our store.  

A Personalized Experience Based On Your Preferences And Shopping Patterns 

Our AI assistant now has account memory, learning from each customer’s shopping activity. Whether you are an avid trail runner, a building or budding artist, a fashionista, or a documentary film buff, it provides more personalized and relevant answers and product search results. If you’ve shared that you have 5- and 8-year-old sons who love sports, a shedding golden retriever, or a preference for organic produce, it remembers and uses those details when generating answers and search results. For example, if you ask Rufus for holiday gifts for your kids, it will recommend age-appropriate books about legendary athletes, sports-themed video games for the Xbox, and athletic apparel. If you ask about the Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner, our AI assistant will highlight how cleaning up pet hair is a key feature. Or if you are looking for groceries for your favorite pasta recipe, it’s best to choose organic tomatoes.  

You can also chat with our AI assistant and ask it to reorder items you’ve browsed or shopped for in the past. For example, reorder everything we used to make pumpkin pie last week or order the hiking boots and poles I browsed yesterday. Rufus connects the dots between past activity and current shopping needs, suggests alternatives when items are unavailable, and uses agentic AI to automatically add items to your cart for you to review before checking out.  

You can ask it to share what shopping information it remembers about you, and to add new information to inform its recommendations and make corrections, all via natural conversation, to improve and personalize the experience in the coming months. Our AI assistants will also remember your activity across Amazon’s digital services, such as Kindle, Prime Video, and Audible.  

Advanced text and visual search 

Rufus has new text and visual search features that help customers find inspiration and solve problems. Customers can search for and discover products based on activity, event, purpose, or other specific topics, whether they are looking for what they need for a day of golf, baking a cake, hosting a holiday party, or getting school supplies for their third grader. If either suggesting shoppable product categories to browse or specific items to quickly add to your cart, a search like “what items do I need to host a frozen-themed birthday party for my daughter” will find everything from decorations and tableware to games and party favors. You can select items one by one or ask it to add all items to your cart.  

Our AI assistant can help you quickly find inspiration from your favorite influencers’ storefronts by asking for a specific person, such as “Find Page Dish Sorbo’s storefront.” You can use it to discover products not currently available on Amazon’s store. Type a branded search; Rufus shows products available on Amazon and from other merchants. It either shows a “Buy for me” button that lets Amazon purchase the item for you or a “Shop direct” button that directs you to the merchant’s website to complete your purchase.  

If you use iOS and handwrite your grocery or holiday shopping lists, you can now snap a photo and upload it. Our AI assistant will add the items to your cart. You can also upload photos and ask our assistant to find similar products or help you solve a problem. For example, upload a photo of a stained rug and ask, “How do I remove this coffee stain from my rug?” Rufus will examine the fabric and suggest relevant cleaning supplies. These features will be available to Android customers soon.  

Saving Money Through Historical Price Tracking, Price Alerts, Auto-Buying, and Deal Finding 

Our AI shopping assistant now shows a 30- and 90-day price tracker so customers can quickly evaluate past pricing and see if they are getting a great deal. Simply ask roofers for price history when browsing an item. Customers can set a price alert to be notified when a product reaches a target price, and Prime members can ask our AI assistant to automatically buy the item. Our shopping assistant will check prices frequently, complete the purchase using your default payment method and shipping address, and send a notification with free 24-hour cancellation if you change your mind. Auto-buy requests remain active for 6 months or until you cancel, and customers save an average of 20 percent per purchase.  

You can use our shopping assistant to search by price and find items that fit your budget, such as men’s jeans under $40 or the best toys under $15. Rufus finds smart deals by combing through Amazon’s selection and offers customized deals daily, including during major sales events. You can find the best deals across the store and in our top categories. Rufus also shows offers based on your browsing cart and wish list activity.  

Fast, Simple Customer Service 

Our AI assistant is a 24/7 customer service expert. It can help track packages and deliveries, answer questions about your order status, and explain return and refund processes. It guides you through replacements for damaged items, order changes, cancellations, or returns. The assistant also helps with account settings, payment, billing, login, and security questions. It guides you to the right support resources and connects you with a live customer service representative if needed.  

AI is one of the most transformative technologies of our time, and we are excited to continue inventing for customers. We will keep rolling out and improving these experiences to make roofers more helpful. The next time you are shopping on Amazon, put our AI assistant to work and make your shopping experience simpler, faster, and more fun.  

Sample Questions To Try Using Our AI Assistant 

Research products 

  • Does this blender crush ice? 
  • Is this water bottle dishwasher safe? 
  • Compare this with the espresso machine in my cart. 

Find Deals 

  • Are there any items on my wish list on sale? 
  • Show deals for me. 
  • Find deals on a birthday present for my mom, who enjoys gardening and yoga. 

Reorder your favorite products 

  • Order my regular coffee, La Croix deodorant. 
  • Restock my pet supplies. 
  • Order everything, I browsed yesterday. 

Source: Amazon’s next-gen AI assistant for shopping is now even smarter, more capable, and more helpful 

Google Updates Chrome With Faster Performance And Lower Memory Usage

Google Chrome’s newest updates make browsing faster and use less computer power on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Chromebooks. The improved Memory Saver can reduce memory use by up to 40% and free up to 10 GB of RAM by pausing unused tabs. New tools like Performance Detection let you optimize Chrome with one click. Energy Saver mode helps your battery last longer.  

Key Performance Improvements 

  • Memory Saver now offers three options: moderate, balanced, and maximum. You can choose how quickly Chrome pauses unused tabs to free up memory for your work.  
  • Performance detection is a tool that checks if Chrome is running slowly and then suggests ways to improve speed, such as closing heavy tabs and turning on Memory Saver.  
  • Energy Saver mode turns on when your battery drops to 20% or less. It reduces background activity and visual effects, helping your battery last longer.  
  • Chrome now displays the memory usage for each open tab in the browser, so you can see which tabs use the most computer resources.  

How To Enable Performance Improvements 

  • To update Chrome, open Settings and select About Chrome.  
  • Open settings from the menu.  
  • Go to the Performance section, turn on Memory Saver and Energy Saver. Follow the Google Help Center for more help.  
  • If you want certain websites to stay active, add them to the Always Keep These Sites Active list in Memory Saver settings.  

These updates make Chrome quicker, especially for users with many open tabs.  

Anticipation has been high for updates to Google’s Chrome browser since its December announcement.  

According to 9to5Google, Google is now making the Memory and Energy Saver modes available for Chrome on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Chromebooks, so users on all these platforms can access them.  

These new features, Memory Saver and Energy Saver, are turned on by default. You can switch them on or off in Chrome’s Performance settings in the sidebar.  

The Memory Saver 

Memory Saver frees up memory from inactive tabs, giving other pages and apps more resources. Inactive tabs stay visible and reload when clicked.  

A speedometer icon shows when a frozen tab is now active.  

Chrome uses a lot of memory because it runs each tab separately. Memory Saver helps by turning off unused background tabs.  

Shortcuts for background tabs stay above the address bar; you can reopen them quickly, but their contents are removed from memory.  

If Memory Saver causes issues, add pages to the “Always keep these sites active” list to avoid refresh delays.  

Google says Memory Saver lets Chrome use up to 30% less memory and keeps active video and gaming tabs smooth.  

The Energy Saver 

Google says the energy saver saves battery by limiting background activity and visual effects. This includes animations, smooth scrolling, and video frame rates. Gaming and video performance may change when it’s active. A leaf icon appears next to the omnibox so you can disable it quickly.  

Google has not specified energy savings, which may vary by computer.

Source: Google adds new energy and memory saving features to Chrome 

Apple Unveils M5 MacBook Air With Faster Performance and Improved Battery Life

The world’s most popular laptop is now even better. The new M5 chip brings faster performance, double the starting storage, and improved wireless connectivity, all in a thin, light, and durable aluminum body.  

Apple has announced the new MacBook Air with M5, featuring faster performance, advanced AI features, and double the starting storage. The M5 chip includes a faster CPU, a next-generation GPU, and a neural accelerator in every core, helping the laptop handle everything from creative projects to AI tasks. The new N1 wireless chip supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. MacBook Air keeps its thin, light, aluminum design, Liquid Retina display, 12MP Center Stage camera, up to 18 hours of battery life, spatial audio, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports for up to two external displays with macOS, Tahoe, and Apple Intelligence. It’s a great choice for a range of users. Available in 13‑ and 15‑inch sizes and four colors: Sky Blue, Midnight, Starlight, and Silver. Pre-orders start March 4. Available March 11.  

The new MacBook Air with M5 delivers incredible performance and even more capacity. With M5, MacBook Air powers through all tasks from productivity to creative and AI workloads. Now, with double the starting storage, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and a durable design, MacBook Air combines performance and portability.  

Incredible Performance With M5 for AI and More 

The M5 chip delivers impressive performance for everything from daily tasks to creative work. The MacBook Air with M5 features a 10‑core CPU, including the world’s fastest CPU core, for better responsiveness. It is up to 4 times faster on AI tasks than the MacBook Air with M4 and up to 9.5 times faster than the MacBook Air with M1, according to Apple’s performance benchmarks. With up to a 10‑core GPU and a neural accelerator in each core, users benefit from improved AI processing, making it a strong choice for AI to work from Apple Intelligence at home to running LLMs at work.  

The M5 chip includes improved shader cores and introduces a third-generation ray tracing engine, enabling faster gaming and 3D rendering than earlier MacBook models. It also features faster unified memory with 153 GB/s of bandwidth and an increase of 28% over the M4 model. Together, these enhancements provide more efficient multitasking and quicker app launches. In summary, MacBook Air with M5 offers better performance than previous models, including:  

  • Up to 6.9x faster AI video enhancement performance in Topaz Video compared to MacBook with M1 and up to 1.9x faster than MacBook with M4.  
  • 3D rendering with ray tracing in Blender is up to 6.5 times faster than on a MacBook Air with M1 and up to 1.5 times faster than on a MacBook Air with M4.  
  • Web browsing performance on the MacBook Air with M5 is up to 50% faster than on a PC laptop equipped with an Intel Core Ultra X7 processor, according to Apple’s tests. Additionally, more demanding tasks on the MacBook Air with M5 are reported to be up to twice as fast as on that specific PC laptop.  

Twice the starting storage with a faster SSD 

The MacBook Air with M5 now starts with 512GB of storage, which is twice as much as the previous model, and can be configured up to 4TB for the first time. This gives plenty of space for big projects and games. The new SSD is also twice as fast at reading and writing files, making it easier for creators to import large photo libraries and for students to run AI workloads on their devices.  

Great value for those upgrading to the world’s most popular laptop 

Upgrading from an older MacBook Air now offers key benefits, including enhanced performance, display, battery life, design, camera, audio, wireless connectivity, and expanded storage.  

  • A brilliant Liquid Retina display, the 13.6- or 15.3-inch screen has 500 nits of brightness and supports 1 billion colors, making everything look vivid and sharp with crisp text.  
  • Long battery life get up to 18 hours on a single charge, 6 hours more than an Intel‑based MacBook Air. Fast charging lets you work, create, or play all day without needing to plug in.  
  • Elegant design and colors, the 13-inch MacBook Air is easy to carry, while the 15-inch model gives you more screen space for multitasking. Both are thin, light, and silent and come in four colors: sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver.  
  • Advanced Camera, Microphones, and Speakers. The 12MP Center Stage camera and Desk View help you look your best and make video calls more compelling. The 3-mic array improves voice clarity, and the sound system supports spatial audio and Dolby Atmos for a rich three-dimensional listening experience.  
  • Wi‑Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6  the new N1 wireless chip from Apple supports both, offering better performance and reliability.  
  • Easy connectivity. MacBook Air has two Thunderbolt ports for accessories and supports up to two external displays, which is great for professionals and students who need more workspace. Microsoft provides dedicated charging and extra security when plugged in.  

The Power Of MacOS Tahoe : 

MacOS brings the MacBook Air experience together with great features and built-in apps like Safari, Photos, Messages, and FaceTime, helping users get more done. With macOS Tahoe, the new liquid glass design lets you personalize your Mac with color options for folders, app icons, and widgets. Apple Intelligence adds powerful features, strong privacy, including live translation in Messages, smarter Reminders, and more advanced Shortcuts that can automate tasks like pulling information from a PDF and adding it to a spreadsheet. Continuity features include the Phone app on Mac, which lets you make and receive cellular calls from your nearby iPhone, and Live Activities, which appear in iPhone mirroring so you can respond right from your Mac. For video calls, the new edge light effect provides even lighting for your face in any condition.  

MacBook Air And The Environment 

The MacBook Air with M5 was designed with the environment in mind and helps Apple move closer to its goal of being carbon neutral by 2030. It uses 55% recycled materials, including 100% recycled aluminum for the enclosure and 100% recycled cobalt in the battery. Half of the electricity used in manufacturing comes from renewable sources such as wind and solar power. The MacBook Air is built to be durable and repairable, meeting Apple’s standards for energy efficiency and safer materials, because the packaging is made entirely from fiber and is easy to recycle. 

Source:  Apple introduces the new MacBook Air with M5 

Amazon Expands AI Across Home Devices to Deliver Smarter Automation

By 2026, smart home ecosystems will advance beyond basic voice commands and scheduling. Amazon’s integration of advanced AI across home devices marks a shift toward ambient intelligence, where technology anticipates and fulfills user needs autonomously. The global deployment of Alexa Plus introduces generative AI capabilities, enabling users to interact naturally and benefit from more sophisticated, proactive automation.   

For tech professionals, this shift means smarter models are now built right into our home devices. Whether it is the new Echo Show 21 or the updated Fire TV, the aim is simple. This will make everyday control easier by creating a form that automatically responds to your needs.  

The Rise of Alexa Plus and the Generative Home 

Alexa Plus is central to this change. After leaving early access in early 2024, it reached almost 97% of Echo devices by mid-2026. Unlike the first Alexa, which used intent matching, responding only to commands that match expected phrases, Alexa Plus runs on a mix of large language models, computer programs trained to understand and generate human-like language, including Amazon’s Nova and Anthropic’s Claude.  

This advancement supports what engineers term ‘multi-turn reasoning,’ enabling AI to comprehend and respond to complex, multi-step interactions rather than isolated directives. Instead of issuing specific commands such as “Alexa, set the lights to 50%,” users may request, “Alexa, make the living room resemble a comfortable jazz club.” The AI interprets intent, assesses connected devices, adjusts audio and lighting accordingly, and proposes relevant playlists without predefined routines.  

Ambient Experience And Fire TV Evaluation 

Entertainment is where these smarter automations are being tested first. The 2026 TV OS update, now available for the Omni Mini LED and Fire TV Stick 4K Max, brings a 30% faster interface and works closely with Alexa Plus.  

One highlight is the expected ambient experience. The new Amazon Ember Artline A4K OLED TV with a matte screen uses AI to show artwork that fits your room’s style and lighting. Fire TV also now supports conversational search. You can ask, “Find that movie where the main character goes to Mars, but it turns out to be a dream,” and the system will search among several streaming services to find it.  

Proactive Security: Ring and Retinal Vision 

Artificial intelligence is also improving residential security systems. The 2026 Ring 4K cameras incorporate retinal vision technology, utilizing AI to evaluate images in a manner analogous to human vision. This innovation yields clearer visuals even under challenging lighting conditions, where traditional sensors are less effective. New features like Search Party on Ring cameras let neighbors join a temporary private network, enabling collaborative searching for a lost pet. The AI analyzes footage from multiple cameras for specific breeds and colors, then generates a heat map pinpointing the pet’s last location. Firewatch, available on compatible Ring and Echo devices, uses AI to detect visible smoke or flames in video feeds, providing early fire alerts ahead of standard heat sensors.cy.  

Omnisense And The Hardware Backbone 

To keep automation fast, Amazon now uses custom AZ-3 chips, special-purpose processors built by Amazon, and the Omnisense Sensor Platform, a system for detecting motion, presence, and distance, in its latest devices. Omnisense lets products like the Echo Show 11 sense not just movement but also presence and proximity.  

When an individual enters a room, the display automatically presents the morning briefing, and as the individual departs, it transitions to a minimalist clock interface to conserve energy. This on-device processing enables core smart home functions, such as switching off lights or securing doors, to operate 40% faster by eliminating reliance on cloud infrastructure. Adopting this local-first model also addresses privacy considerations by ensuring that sensitive interaction data remains within the physical residence.  

Matter, Thread, and Interoperability 

Smarter automation is only possible if devices can speak the same language. Amazon’s 2026 lineup doubles down on the Matter and Thread standards, acting as a universal translator for the home. The Echo Hub valve-mountable panel now serves as a multi-protocol bridge, letting users integrate third-party devices from Apple, Google, and Samsung into a single cohesive Alexa Plus routine.  

The capability to interconnect various devices is integral for predictive automation. If the system detects that blinds remain open or an oven is left on after the user departs, it will proactively inquire whether the user wishes to secure the home, rather than simply issuing a notification.  

Conclusion- The Invisible Concierge 

As we enter this new era, smart homes are increasingly seen as less like a bunch of gadgets and more like an active part of our lives. Soon, your walls might remember your routines, and your coffee could start brewing when sensors pick up the sound of you waking up. In this future, our homes will quietly organize our daily lives, adjusting light, temperature, and sound to fit our habits. Over time, the technology will fade into the background, leaving us with a space that genuinely understands us.  

To upgrade your automation capabilities from standard Alexa routines to Alexa Plus, request a personalized migration guide to facilitate seamless adoption of enhanced multi-device functionality. 

Source: Amazon Alexa Plus: Smart Home Upgrade Hits UK 

Meta Introduces Smart Glasses With Real-Time AI for Hands-Free Content Creation

Takeaways 

  • We are adding new AI features to Ray-Ban Meta glasses, such as helping you remember your parking location by saving a voice reminder when you park, translating speech in real time as you interact with others, and answering questions about your surroundings by analyzing what you see through the glasses.  
  • We are expanding our partnerships with Spotify and Amazon Music. We are also introducing new collaborations with Audible and iHeart. These partnerships let you access more audio content through Ray-Ban Meta Glasses. This enhances your listening experiences while on the go.  

Since we launched our Ray-Ban Meta glasses, they’ve been so popular that we’ve had trouble keeping them in stock until recently. People have shared millions of moments with friends and family since we introduced them.  

Whether you are exploring a new city, at a sporting event, or looking to be more present in daily life, Ray-Ban Meta glasses are your ideal companion for hands-free exploration. With new AI features and expanded partnerships, they help you share perspectives and capture moments more effortlessly.  

Improved AI Features 

First, we are making it easier to have a conversation with Meta AI. Start with “Hey Meta” to ask your initial question, then ask follow-up questions without restating, “Hey Meta.” You also no longer need to say “look” to ask Meta AI what you are looking at.  

We are adding the ability for your glasses to help you remember things. Next time you fly somewhere, you don’t have to worry about forgetting where you parked at the airport. Your glasses can remember your spot in long-term parking. You can also use your voice to create a reminder to text your mom in three hours when you land safely.  

You can now ask Meta AI to record and send voice messages on WhatsApp and Messenger while staying present. This is especially handy when your hands are full, or you can’t easily reach your phone to write a text.  

We are adding video to Meta AI so you can get continuous, real-time help. If you are exploring a new city, you can ask Meta AI to tag along and ask about what landmarks you see as you walk or get ideas for what to see next, creating your own walking tour hands-free. If you are in the grocery store planning a meal, you can ask Meta AI to help you decide what to make based on what you see as you walk down the aisles. And if the sauce you are holding pairs well with the recipe, Meta Ray-Ban glasses can translate speech in real time. Whether you are talking to someone speaking English, French, or Italian, you’ll hear what they say in English through the glasses’ open-ear speakers. Not only is this great for traveling, but it should also help break down language barriers and bring people closer together. We plan to add support for more languages in the future to make this feature even more useful.  

Growing Partnerships to Make Glasses More Helpful and Fun 

We are partnering with Be My Eyes, a free app that connects blind and low-vision people with sighted volunteers so they can talk you through what’s in front of you. Thanks to glasses and POV video calling, the volunteer can easily see your point of view and tell you about your surroundings or give you real-time hands-free assistance with everyday tasks. For example, adjusting the thermostat or sorting and reading mail.  

In addition, we are advancing integrations with Spotify and Amazon Music. We are also adding new partnerships with Audible and iHeart. You can use your voice to search, discover, and play content while on the go. Ask to play by song, artist, album, or audiobook. You can also get more details about the current content by asking, “Hey Meta, what album is this?”  

We are releasing a limited-edition set of shiny transparent Wayfarer frames so you can show off the tech inside. This special edition highlights innovation via transparency and focuses on craftsmanship, design, and ingenuity. We are also bringing EssilorLuxottica’s new Ultra Transitions Gen S lens range to the Ray-Ban Meta collection, giving you more options to adjust quickly in all light conditions.

Source: Ray-Ban | Meta Glasses Are Getting New AI Features and More Partner Integrations 

Samsung Advances Galaxy AI With Faster On-Device Processing and Stronger Privacy

Starting in March 2026, Samsung will enhance Galaxy AI in the Galaxy S26 series by emphasizing faster on-device processing and improved privacy through a hybrid AI system. By shifting more AI tasks onto the device, Samsung aims to provide users with instant personalized experiences while safeguarding their data.  

Faster on-device AI processing (edge AI) 

  • Reduced cloud reliance: the Galaxy S26 series (S26, S26+, and Ultra) uses an edge-fusion architecture to run complex tasks such as image creation, language processing, and real-time translation directly on the device’s neural processing unit (NPU), reducing dependence on remote servers.  
  • The S26 Ultra is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, delivering up to 100% greater NPU performance than earlier models, resulting in faster AI response times.  
  • Model compression, Samsung Research incorporates NOTA technology to optimize AI model efficiency, reducing its size by up to 90% to improve on-device performance.  

Stronger Privacy and Security 

  • Personal Data Engine (PDE) was introduced with the Galaxy S25. The PDE operates on the device to learn user habits and create personalized experiences without transmitting data off the phone.  
  • Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection keeps a secure, dedicated space within the device’s storage, enabling an app to process sensitive AI data safely and keep it inaccessible to  unauthorized parties.  
  • User-controlled privacy. Users can configure settings to determine whether Galaxy AI data is processed on the device or in the cloud. They may also disable online processing entirely for maximum privacy.  
  • The Galaxy S26 Ultra features a hardware-level pixel adjustment capability that narrows the screen’s viewing angle, helping to keep sensitive information private from those nearby.  

Enhanced Agentic AI Features 

  • Now nudge & now brief, these context-aware agents can understand what is on the screen and present personalized suggestions and daily summaries.  
  • Upgraded Bixby now acts as an interactive device agent, helping users navigate settings and answer questions in natural language, all on the device.  
  • Users can choose Bixby, Gemini, or Perplexity as their agent. Bixby focuses on integration with Samsung devices. Gemini leverages advanced AI for conversational tasks, and Perplexity is known for providing grounded citations to enhance research reliability.  

Advancing Transparency and Choice With Galaxy AI 

Technology is evolving rapidly, becoming more intelligent. By the second, these progressions have brought Galaxy AI to life, unleashing new levels of productivity, creativity, and communication. But as mobile AI becomes more capable, it raises questions about privacy and control.  

Samsung addresses these concerns by building Galaxy AI with security features that protect user data and by using AI to enhance mobile security and privacy. While both are vital, prioritizing ethical data handling is essential.  

Honesty and choice guide our efforts. Galaxy’s simple privacy settings show what data is used in AI processing, how it’s handled, and how you can control it. These tools let you set your own rules and stay secure.  

Advanced Settings for Advanced AI 

This freedom applies to Galaxy AI as AI takes a larger role. People want more control over their data. Galaxy AI’s privacy features ensure you are informed and protected while using it.  

We support user control with AI tools that run on-device, keeping your data secure whether you use Live Translate, Interpreter, or Audio Eraser. These features give you a safe mobile experience on your device. They work with Galaxy AI’s privacy protections to increase your control over your data.  

Since launching Galaxy AI, our vision has been motivated by a commitment to openness and user choice. That’s why we chose a composite approach that combines on-device and cloud-based AI. This delivers seamless usability and lets users benefit from the full power of AI for complex tasks. Advanced features, such as generative editing, offer on-device capabilities and also use cloud-based AI as needed for processing-intensive edits. The Galaxy AI experience is created with your privacy in mind even those features that use remote servers. No matter which feature or setting you choose, your data is never stored long-term or used for AI training, whether it’s processed on-device or in the cloud. With advanced intelligent settings, managing your privacy is as simple as tapping a button. You can choose how your personal information is processed, including the option to disable online processing for AI features.  

Privacy is the foundation of Galaxy AI, and thanks to our growing list of on-device AI features and powerful settings options, so is the choice.  

User-Friendly Controls For Greater Visibility 

It’s important that privacy settings are simple and intuitive, whatever your mobile experience. Galaxy’s security and privacy dashboard gives you an interface to manage who can see your data and how it’s used. You can update app permissions and data-sharing controls and spot risky data using safety status icons. Permission usage shows which apps recently accessed your data. The unique level of visibility makes it easy to see how all Galaxy experiences are kept secure and tailored to your preferences.  

Auto-Blocker, a core privacy feature, secures your device without sacrificing usability. Message Guard scans for malware, blocks security threats, and stops unauthorized app installations, USB commands, updates, and zero-click attacks.  

For those wanting a stronger defense against today’s online threats, maximum restrictions offer an additional suite of device protections. These measures provide an extra layer of user control, letting you block 2G service and prevent data interception on unsafe networks. They also prevent automatic reconnection to certain Wi-Fi networks that may be less secure.  

With Samsung’s Knox protection and easy-to-understand privacy settings, you can decide how your data is handled, whether it’s shared or kept completely on the device. Going forward, Samsung will advance AI-powered security technologies to make privacy protections smarter, more adaptive, and more seamless. As AI evolves, Samsung remains committed to building secure experiences rooted in honesty and choice now and in the future. 

Source: Your Privacy, Secured: How Galaxy AI Empowers You to Take Control of Your Data 

Apple Tests Eye Control Feature for Mac Accessibility

Apple is developing a new accessibility feature for Mac that will offer a completely different way for users to operate their devices. The company is reportedly testing eye-control technology that lets users navigate macOS using eye movements instead of traditional input methods like a mouse, trackpad, or keyboard. The development reflects Apple’s continued investment in accessibility tools, which have become essential to its product ecosystem.  

The present state of personal computing includes accessibility features that have evolved from specialized tools. The current design of modern devices has established accessibility features as essential components, which provide advantages to all users, including those with specific physical restrictions. Apple is introducing eye-tracking technology to Mac computers to create user interfaces that will feel more natural and adaptable.  

A New Approach to Mac Interaction  

The eye-control feature being tested allows users to interact with on-screen elements via gaze detection. Users can select and activate items by focusing on icons, buttons, or menus, rather than using touch or clicks. The new navigation method brings a revolutionary change to macOS by enabling users with input device difficulties to navigate their systems more effectively. 

Eye-tracking technology has been around for many years, operating through dedicated hardware and specialized assistive devices. Apple plans to implement the feature in its software because users will not need any additional tools to use it. 

The feature enables users to open applications, scroll through content, and control system functions by using their eye movements if it becomes available to all users.  

Expanding Accessibility on macOS  

Apple has consistently positioned accessibility as a core part of its design philosophy. The system already allows users to control their devices via voice control, switch control, and AssistiveTouch.  

The introduction of eye control would build on this foundation, offering another layer of flexibility. For users with limited mobility, this technology will create a better way to access and operate Mac systems.  

At the same time, accessibility features need to be more accessible to all users. Tools that developers built to address specific user requirements now provide value to all users across different usage scenarios. Users who want to control their device without using their hands will find eye control technology beneficial because it works better than standard input methods.  

How the Technology Works  

Eye-tracking systems typically use cameras and sensors to track users’ eye movements and positions. The system uses gaze-tracking analysis to identify all areas of the screen the user is currently viewing.  

Apple intends to integrate this functionality into macOS through its implementation, enabling system operation based on user gaze input. The software would likely include calibration steps to ensure accuracy and responsiveness, which would adjust to different users throughout their interaction with the system.  

The challenge is to develop an experience that delivers both accurate results and dependable operation. The system needs to find a middle ground between tracking accuracy and stable performance, as small tracking errors can lead to incorrect system behaviour. Apple plans to leverage its hardware and software integration capabilities to advance this technology until it is suitable for everyday use.  

Potential Use Cases  

The development of eye control technology creates multiple potential application fields. The system enables users with physical disabilities to use computers through eye control, which serves as their primary interaction method.  

Eye-tracking technology helps users navigate professional environments by enabling them to navigate digital systems without using their hands. The solution is especially beneficial for occupations that require people to work on multiple tasks while keeping their hands free.  

The technology can connect with creative tools, gaming software, and immersive applications. Eye-tracking technology opens new interactive possibilities, enabling users to control software features and boost their engagement with their digital environment. The technology creates accessibility solutions, but its potential extends beyond current research into other fields as well.  

Privacy and Data Considerations  

The technology that tracks user behaviour requires organizations to treat user privacy as a crucial component of their operations. Eye-tracking systems collect data on where users are looking and how they interact with content.  

Apple has made product design decisions throughout its history that priorities privacy, and this feature will follow those same principles. The system can process data using on-device functions, reducing the need to send private data outside the system. Users need to control their data usage because this practice builds trust, which in turn drives system adoption.  

The Role of Accessibility in Next-Gen Computing  

The development of eye control technology shows how personal computers will progress into their upcoming development phase. The current systems possess better performance capabilities, which enable them to modify their operations according to different user input methods and user behaviour patterns.  

The current trend is toward the development of flexible systems that support diverse user requirements and multiple interaction methods, rather than strict interaction patterns. Mainstream technology development now depends on accessibility features, which drive the technological changes of contemporary devices.  

Apple plans to use eye-tracking technology in macOS to fulfil its mission of developing user-friendly yet powerful devices. The company has changed personal computing through the development of new technologies, which allow users to interact with devices in multiple ways.  

Challenges and Limitations  

Eye control technology has potential but faces multiple challenges that need to be addressed. The system needs better tracking accuracy, as even minor errors will reduce its usability. User performance is affected by environmental factors, including lighting conditions and user positioning.  

Users need time to learn how to use new interaction methods. Users with experience with traditional input devices will need time to learn to use the system via eye movements.  

The feature needs to integrate easily into current workflows to achieve widespread adoption. The product will succeed if it provides users with an easy yet dependable experience. The product will stay as a specialized tool if it does not meet this requirement.  

What Comes Next  

Apple tests eye control for Mac systems to research better methods of user interaction. The feature development shows that the company remains dedicated to making products accessible while developing innovative technologies.  

Future updates will enhance the technology by improving accuracy and adding additional functionality. Eye tracking will become a standard feature of the Mac experience as Apple develops advanced capabilities for its ecosystem.

Source: https://www.apple.com/newsroom

Microsoft Teams Update Frees Up More Screen Space

Microsoft has introduced a new update to Microsoft Teams aimed at improving how users interact with the platform, particularly by freeing up more screen space during meetings and collaboration sessions. The change reflects Microsoft’s continued focus on refining user experience as Teams becomes an increasingly central tool in both workplace communication and personal productivity.  

As hybrid work and digital collaboration remain standard across industries in the United States, interface efficiency has become just as important as feature expansion. This update signals a shift toward simplifying the on-screen experience, reducing clutter, and allowing users to focus more directly on content and communication.  

A Subtle but Meaningful Interface Shift  

The latest update focuses on optimising how Teams uses available screen space, particularly during meetings. Microsoft has adjusted the layout to reduce unnecessary UI elements, streamline controls, and prioritise active content such as video feeds, presentations, and shared documents.  

Instead of introducing entirely new features, the update refines existing ones. Toolbars, participant panels, and controls have been repositioned or minimised, so they do not occupy valuable screen real estate unless actively needed.  

This type of change may appear incremental, but for users who spend hours in virtual meetings each day, even small improvements in layout efficiency can have a noticeable impact on usability and productivity.  

Why Screen Space Matters More Than Ever  

The need for screen space has become increasingly important as people depend on digital collaboration tools for their work. Users now operate their laptops in environments where they use single screens because their work area is confined, thus making interface design essential.  

Teams has become a primary tool in workplace settings because users need to access both their native applications and other programs, which include spreadsheets, presentations, and project management systems. A cluttered interface makes it hard to work on multiple tasks at once and diminishes the success of collaboration.  

Microsoft solves a widespread user problem with its space-expansion solution. Users can now access additional content without resizing their windows or switching between applications, helping them stay focused during meetings and collaborative sessions.  

Enhancing Meetings and Collaboration  

The meeting experience receives its most significant changes from the update. The system gives users more control over shared content, which improves their ability to follow conversations and work with materials during live discussions.  

The updated layout allows for larger video feeds and clearer presentation views, which helps all participants see better. The system gives users more control over shared content, which improves their ability to follow conversations and work with materials during live discussions. The controls stay available to users, but their presence becomes less noticeable. Users can manage their meetings effectively with this system because it lets them maintain control without using up their display space.  

The changes help teams that depend on visual collaboration work together more effectively by minimising conflicts during their conversations.  

Integration with the Broader Microsoft Ecosystem  

The Teams platform establishes strong connections with the entire Microsoft 365 software suite through its seamless operation with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneDrive. Microsoft has updated its interface to establish a unified design system, improving the user experience across all its products.  

Microsoft enables users to switch between tools in Teams because the company developed it to reduce visual elements that could cause confusion. The need for this solution arises from the requirement that enterprise environments must manage multiple ongoing application operations.  

The update adds to Microsoft’s current efforts to develop AI-based capabilities, which Teams now includes as part of its features. The tools gain greater operational capacity through a cleaner interface that removes all unnecessary visual elements.  

Productivity Gains for US Workplaces  

The US workforce benefits from hybrid and remote work models because better collaboration tools directly enhance their productivity. Teams serves as the primary platform for daily meetings, project work, and cross-departmental communication.  

The platform enables users to complete their work more efficiently because its design reduces the need to explore the system. Organisations that use Teams as their primary communication tool. The tool will experience productivity improvements that become visible over time. The update improves accessibility by enabling users to view and interact with content more effectively, benefiting people who work in different environments.  

Responding to User Feedback  

Microsoft has consistently demonstrated its commitment to developing Teams by incorporating user feedback into its update process. The current release includes multiple interface changes requested by users to achieve a more streamlined, less cluttered design. 

Teams have become more complex as developers keep adding new features, so the development team works to manage this increased complexity through its continuous development process. The current update focuses on improving the user experience by simplifying design elements rather than adding new product features. Microsoft shows its commitment to better user experiences through its work on these issues. 

The Role of Design in Next-Gen Computing  

The update shows a larger trend in next-generation personal computing: design and usability now have equal value with system functionality. The increasing power of devices and software creates a new challenge, requiring developers to build systems that users can understand and control.  

The Teams collaboration tool requires users to work with technology through three main improvements: reducing operational barriers and enhancing system transparency. The design approach of this system centres on screen space as its primary principle. Microsoft product design shows current user requirements through its design process, which focuses on displaying essential screen content.  

What Comes Next  

The current update delivers interface enhancements and establishes a foundation for future development. Microsoft needs to maintain its Teams interface design because the company keeps adding new AI features and system improvements.  

The upcoming updates will introduce new content management systems that help users automate tasks and deliver personalised experiences through straightforward interfaces. The current objective is to create a more efficient and user-friendly platform that meets the needs of contemporary workspaces.  

A Cleaner Experience for Everyday Collaboration  

Microsoft Teams received its latest update, which will benefit millions of users by adding new features that have received little media attention. The company solved its main digital collaboration problem by implementing two improvements that increased available screen space and simplified the user interface.  

The workspace needs both effective results and clear communication, so even tiny enhancements become important. The Teams update provides users with a more organised and efficient work environment through its new features. 

Source: Microsoft 365 Blog  

Intel Chips Tested Against Apple Silicon in Early Results

Early tests show that Intel has improved its raw performance and AI capabilities, but Apple Silicon continues to lead in efficiency and performance per watt. Throughout this ongoing battle, Apple sets the bar in single-core performance while Intel and Qualcomm steadily close the gap in AI tasks.  

Early M1 vs. Intel 11th generation (2020 to 2021) 

  • Intel benchmarks showed that the Apple M1 was faster than most Intel-based Macs in single-core tasks.  
  • Intel stated that its 11th Gen Core i7-1185G7 could match or exceed the M1 in specific productivity tests when running non-native applications. For instance, it exported PDFs in Office 365 up to 2.3 times faster.  
  • Though Intel made these claims, Apple Silicon demonstrated greater energy efficiency and often operated at lower temperatures, requiring fewer fans than Intel-based MacBooks.  

Recent & Upcoming Competitions 2025-2026 

  • Intel’s upcoming Panther Lake chips, built using the 18A process (where 18A refers to a manufacturing method with smaller, more efficient transistors), are launching in late 2026 and are expected to compete with Apple in AI and overall performance. The next 14A process, planned for 2027, aims to improve energy efficiency per watt by 15-20% compared to 18A.  
  • As of 2025, Apple’s M4 processor cores are 34 to 48 times faster than competitors in single-core tests, which measure speed when the chip runs one task at a time, and also offer better thermal efficiency, producing less heat.  
  • Recent data shows that high-end Windows laptops, especially those with Qualcomm chips, are now ahead of Apple’s M5 series in on-device AI tasks. However, Apple still leads in overall GPU–CPU efficiency.  

Key Takeaways 

  • Apple consistently leads in single-core performance.  
  • Thermal/battery advantage. Apple Silicon still delivers better battery life and produces less heat, which is important for thin laptops and brings them closer to Apple’s performance-per-watt.   

2021 reports noted that Intel’s testing sometimes highlighted narrow scenarios to gain an advantage.  

Intel has introduced its Intel Core Ultra 200 HX Plus series mobile processors, giving gamers and professionals more high-performance choices in the Core Ultra 200 series.  

Optimized for advanced gaming, streaming, content creation, and workstation use, the Intel Core Ultra 200HX Plus series introduces two new processors: Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus and Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus. These processors add new features and architectural refinements, including support for the new Intel binary enhancement tool, a first-of-its-kind binary translation layer optimization capability that can improve native performance in select games.  

According to Intel, the Intel Core Ultra 200HX Plus series is intended to raise mobile computing performance for gamers, creators, and professionals, delivering higher performance with increased die-to-die frequencies and the binary enhancement tool for gaming, creative, and professional use.  

Josh Newman, General Manager and Vice President of Product Marketing, Client Computing Group.  

The Intel Core i9-290HX Plus offers up to 8% faster gaming performance and up to 7% faster single-thread performance. Single-thread performance measures the speed of a single computing task compared to the previous Intel Core i9-285HX. If you upgrade from older devices, you could see up to 62% faster gaming and up to 30% faster single-threaded performance versus the Intel Core i9-12900HX.  

Notable new specifications and features include:  

  • The new chips can boost die-to-die frequency by up to 900 MHz compared to the Intel Core Ultra 7, 285HX, and 265HX. This nearly 1 GHz increase speeds up the CPU and memory controller link, reducing system latency and enhancing game performance.  
  • These processors support the new Intel binary enhancement tool, which uses Intel’s experience in workload optimization to increase instructions per cycle (the number of operations completed in each cycle) and improve user performance. It works even if the workload the set of tasks a processor must execute was designed for another x86 processor (an Intel-compatible CPU), a game console, or an older architecture. This tool is part of Intel’s long-term plan to boost performance for power users. The chips also support discrete (separate, add-on) Intel Wi‑Fi 7 at 5 GHz for wireless connectivity, Intel Wireless Bluetooth 5.4 for improved device pairing, and Intel Thunderbolt 5, which gives users up to 80 Gbps (gigabits per second) bidirectional bandwidth to transfer large files, stream 8K video, charge devices, and connect multiple accessories to a single PC.  

Intel Core Ultra 200HX Plus powered systems will be available from OEM partners throughout the year, starting on March 17, 2026. Check with your preferred vendor for specific availability. Some partner systems are launching today, with more coming later this year. 

Source: Intel Launches New Core Ultra 200HX Plus Series Mobile Processors  

Google Adds Option to Limit AI Answers in Search 

After public disapproval and viral examples of strange or inaccurate AI-generated advice, like telling users to eat rocks or put glue on pizza, Google has added ways to limit and control AI overviews in search results.  

Google has not offered a permanent way to turn off all AI content, but users now have more ways to reduce its presence and improve accuracy.  

Options To Limit AI Answers 

  • The web filter now adds a dedicated tab for web search, excluding AI summaries, knowledge panels, or most videos.  
  • Limitation: You have to select this option for every search since it cannot be set as the default view right now.  
  • Search Labs Control. If you joined AI experimental features through Search Labs, you can turn them off on the Google app or desktop. Click the beaker icon and adjust the settings to disable AI overuse and more.  
  • Browser extensions. Third-party tools like Hide and Google AI Overviews are available for Chrome and Firefox. These extensions automatically remove AI summaries from your search results.  
  • The hyphen AI search modifier adding “-AI” or similar terms. (eg, “no AI”) to the end of your search can sometimes prevent the AI banner from appearing.  

Changes to AI Functionality 

Besides giving users more control, Google has also added extra safeguards.  

  • Restricted topics: AI overviews will not appear for some hard news topics, or when accuracy and up-to-date information are especially important.  
  • Google made specific changes to safeguard quality in health-related searches.  
  • Source restriction: Google now limits the use of user-generated content, like social media posts, to help prevent misleading advice.  

Despite these changes, Google maintains that AI overviews improved search and plans to keep them as a permanent feature.  

I don’t mind Google’s AI mode. Sometimes it’s actually helpful for questions that are hard to phrase with just keywords, but I find AI overviews in regular results much less useful.  

AI Overviews launched in May 2024 generate natural-language responses using information from Google search results. Although they’ve improved since their early issues, I still see too many errors.  

The need to fact-check each AI overview diminishes its value, as it requires returning to the original source. For this reason, a direct presentation of relevant links is often preferable to potentially inaccurate AI-generated summaries.  

If you miss when Google just showed a list of links, the company now offers a web filter that only displays website links. With some quick setup, you can make this your default search view.  

To see only website links, adjust your browser. I’ll show you how to do it in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.  

What Exactly Is the Google Search Web Filter? 

The new web filter works like Google’s News, Images, Videos, or Shopping filters. Choosing it shows only text links, no AI summaries, videos, or panels like Top Stories or People Also Ask.  

You will find the new filter below the search box next to News, Images, and Videos. If you don’t see it, click the three-dot “More” menu to find it.  

When you click the web filter, your search results will be made up entirely of text-based links with no answers, AI, or extras. The word “web” will be underlined and highlighted in blue below the search box.  

In my initial tests, when I first tried Google’s web filter, I didn’t see any sponsored results or ads. However, a Google spokesperson said the filter can still show ads for some searches. After testing more search terms, I did see ads for a few specific queries.   

Web Filters for Browser Bar Searches 

Let’s look at how you can set up your browser. So, searches from your address bar use the Google web filter. You just need to create a custom site search shortcut using a keyword or set it as your default for all searches.  

The key URL is %s. %s stands for your search, and UDM = 14 activates the web filter results.  

Here are some steps to add a custom site search for Google’s web filter in the four most popular desktop browsers: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari. Not to bother with browser settings, you can always just use the website built by Ernie Smith of TDM: & UDM=14. It provides a front-end to Google search with the necessary web filter parameter automatically included.  

Google Chrome 

Open Google Chrome and click the three-dot button in the top right, then select Settings from the menu. Alternatively, type chrome://settings in the address bar to open the settings page directly.  

Select a search engine. Choose the search engine from the left column. Then click Manage Search Engines and Site Search in the center of the window. Scroll down to Site Search and click the blue Add button. p-hyphen-up window, create a name for the new search shortcut and a keyword for triggering it. I chose “old Google” and “og” for the last field.  

URL with percentages in place of query: enter the URL I mentioned above, %, then click the blue Add button.  

Now, when you type OG followed by your search term in the address bar, you will get results using Google’s Web Filter. Click the three-dot menu next to your new site search and select Make Default. After you make the new search shortcut your default, all your address bar searches will use the web filter. No keyword needed.  

Microsoft Edge 

Click the ellipses menu in the top right, open Settings, and choose Privacy, Search, and Services. Scroll down to the Address bar, Search, and select Manage search engines or type edge://settings/searchEngines in the address bar to go there directly.  

Click Add for a new shortcut. Enter a name like “old Google”, a trigger word like “og”, and this URL: %s 

To set your Google URL as the default, return to the address bar and enter a search query. Open the search engine dropdown, select your custom search, and you are done.  

Mozilla Firefox 

In Firefox, create a search keyword by making a bookmark. Use this keyword in the address bar to access Google Web Filter results. Note that Firefox’s desktop version does not allow direct addition of search engines.  

Open Bookmarks, choose Manage Bookmarks. Right-click a folder and select Add Bookmark. The folder location doesn’t matter for use in the address bar.  

Enter a name like “old Google”, the URL %s, and a keyword such as OG. Click Save. Use your keyword in the address bar for filtered results.  

Apple Safari 

Safari does not natively support custom set shortcuts. To set up a Google Web Filter search, install the free Safari extension Smart Keyword Search. This allows you to create and use search shortcuts in Safari.  

Enable Smart Keyword Search to modify Google search results. Open Settings, click Extensions at the top. Select Smart Keyword Search and click Edit Websites. Use the drop-down menu next to Google.com and choose Allow.  

Close settings. Click the smart keyword search icon in the pop-up, next to the address bar. Click compose for a new rule. Enter a name like “old Google,” a prefix like “Moji,” and the filter search URL. Smart keyword {search} uses search instead of %S for queries. So use {search}. Now type your prefix in the address bar for Google’s web filter.  

Source: Just Want Links in Google Search Results Instead of AI Overviews? Here’s How to Do It