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UpdatedSaturday, Oct 10

Wire GSMArenaSamsung Galaxy S27 might finally introduce DC dimming9to5GoogleSamsung has updated these Galaxy devices to Android 17GizmochinaEdifier launches Hecate G2000 Bar gaming soundbar with 12W peak output, THX audio & detachable micPCWorldWindows 11 Pro and Office Pro 2021 together for $34.97, no subscriptionNotebookcheckOnePlus 16 teams up with A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality for a sword-themed gift boxReutersNvidia in talks to invest further in Reflection AI or buy it, FT reports
  1. AI 3 thinking choices Free Gemini app users now get an Auto model picker Try itOpen the Gemini app and see which thinking levels you have.
  2. Phones$229.99 Tablet 8 start price $229.99: Amazon's new Alexa Tablets replace Fire tablets, with Google Play WaitWait for independent reviews; shipping starts October 14.
  3. AI44% sooner first reply (GPT-6 Instant, web search) ChatGPT gets GPT-6 and Intelligent UI: buttons, forms and charts in answers Try itFree to try from Oct 8; judge whether the visuals help or clutter.
Today’s card
7 stories · 3 min
AIReport

Free Gemini app users now get an Auto model picker

Google's Gemini app now picks the model for free users, and subscribers get Low, Medium and High thinking levels.

Why it matters. Free users no longer choose a model by hand. The app decides how much effort each question needs.

In simple words. The free Gemini app now chooses which AI brain answers each question for you. Paying users can also say how hard the AI should think: low, medium or high.

For most peopleMake it about you →

Worth a look if you use Gemini a lot.

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Make it about you. What do you do? We’ll say what each story means for you, and which ones to skip.

PhonesOfficial

$229.99: Amazon's new Alexa Tablets replace Fire tablets, with Google Play

Three aluminum tablets with Alexa+ built in can be bought now and ship October 14 in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Why it matters. Amazon's tablets now run the full Google Play Store, so the usual apps work. That was the big gap in older Fire tablets.

In simple words. Amazon has new tablets called Alexa Tablets. They replace the Fire tablets and can use the Google Play app store. Prices start at $229.99, and they ship on October 14.

For most peopleMake it about you →

Wait: read reviews before ordering; shipping starts October 14.

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Face-off of the day · AI assistants

ClaudeClaude$20 a monthDeepSeekDeepSeekFree

Pick Claude for writing and research with sources.

See who wins →Images: Anthropic, DeepSeek

AIConfirmed

ChatGPT gets GPT-6 and Intelligent UI: buttons, forms and charts in answers

OpenAI is rolling out GPT-6 in ChatGPT, with answers that can include tappable buttons, forms, calculators and interactive charts. Free and Go tiers follow on Oct 8.

Why it matters. This is the first big change to how ChatGPT answers look in a while, and it reaches free users within a day.

In simple words. ChatGPT is getting a new model, GPT-6, and answers that can show buttons, forms, charts and calculators, not only text. Paid users got it on October 7. Free users get it on October 8, so you can see if it helps.

For most peopleMake it about you →

Worth a look: it makes ChatGPT feel more like an app. Turn the visuals down in settings if you prefer text.

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Through the lens

Cameras and drones worth a look this week.

DronesFAA order lets tower-inspection drones fly above LAANC gridsOct 31 order takes effectCamerasNikon disqualifies Small World in Motion winner over AI rule$3,000 new first prizeDrones18.9Wh: leaked DJI Neo 3 battery holds 64% more than the Neo 2 pack18.9Wh leaked battery sizeDigital Camera WorldWhy does every camera need to be a specs monster? The new OM System PEN is a good stills camera at a good price – let's have more of that, please!Read at the source ↗DroneXLWingtra Ran 180 Simulations in Six Months to Design the RAY DroneRead at the source ↗Digital Camera WorldWhy my 16-year-old Canon DSLR camera will always be better than your Apple iPhone for photographyRead at the source ↗
ChipsOfficial

Nvidia RTX Spark laptops open for preorder from $2,599, ship Oct 16

Microsoft's Surface Laptop Ultra is the first RTX Spark laptop on sale, with an Nvidia Arm chip that pairs a Grace CPU with a Blackwell GPU.

Why it matters. This is Nvidia's first Windows laptop chip. It puts a big GPU and up to 128GB of shared memory in a thin laptop, but the price is high.

In simple words. Nvidia now has its own chip for Windows laptops. The first one, a Microsoft Surface, can be preordered from $2,599 and has a strong graphics part and lots of memory in a thin body. Wait for reviews before paying that much.

For most peopleMake it about you →

Watch: it shows where thin AI laptops are heading.

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AIConfirmed

Google's Gemini agent can plan and finish work tasks for businesses

Google Cloud introduced Gemini agent, which takes a goal, plans the steps and works across business apps. It is in private preview for businesses first.

Why it matters. It shows AI moving from answering questions to doing tasks. For now, it is a business product.

In simple words. Google made a new AI helper for companies. You give it a goal, and it plans the steps and does the work in the apps people use at the office. Only some businesses can try it now.

For most peopleMake it about you →

Watch: AI helpers that finish tasks may reach consumers later. No date yet.

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In focus · Robots

PrimeBot Q1

$2,980

GoodFamilies, schools and developers in China who want a small, low-priced humanoid.

Watch outIt is sold in China only for now, and we have seen no overseas price or date.

  • value8
  • ready6
  • skills4

See the specs →Compare it

HomeConfirmed

Apple sets a "Welcome home" event for October 13

Apple posted a short teaser saying "Welcome home. October 13." Reports say the event is about smart home products. Apple has not listed them.

Why it matters. Apple is expected to show home devices. If you use HomeKit or plan a smart home, the products may matter to you.

In simple words. Apple said it will hold an event on October 13 called Welcome home. Reports say it will show new devices for the home, such as a screen for your wall or desk. Apple has not said what they are yet.

For most peopleMake it about you →

Watch: Apple's home products are the main thing to follow on October 13.

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CamerasOfficial

Sigma launches a stabilized 50-120mm f/2.8 zoom for APS-C at $799

The lens fits Sony E, Fujifilm X and Canon RF APS-C cameras, weighs about 390g on Sony and Fujifilm, and finishes Sigma's three-lens f/2.8 set.

Why it matters. A fast zoom with image stabilization is rare for APS-C. At 390g it is small enough to carry all day.

In simple words. Sigma made a new zoom lens for smaller-sensor cameras. It lets you zoom in on far-away people and things and keeps shots steady. It costs $799 and weighs less than a bottle of water.

For most peopleMake it about you →

Watch: a good sign that small, fast APS-C lenses keep getting better.

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Idea of the day

73 researchers agree test rules for indoor solar cells

Scientists agreed on one fair way to test solar cells that work from room lights. Labs can now compare results. Gadgets that never need batteries may come later.

73 researchers behind it · Read how it works →

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