Stay connected with the world of tech from LG’s new TVs to Waymo Travel and more! We’ve got you covered with the top tech news of the week. Read on and never miss a beat on the leading tech and media news from around the world!
LG’s “Easy TV” makes smart TVs friendlier for seniors
LG revealed the Easy TV, a version of its QNED lineup redesigned with older users in mind: a simplified home screen, larger text, enhanced audio, and medication-reminder pop-ups help reduce friction. The remote was rethought, too, with bigger labels, a Help button that contacts family or returns users to the last thing they watched, and an AI voice shortcut for easier search. The set includes a built-in camera for effortless video calls and generous picture/voice adjustments tuned for aging eyes and ears. It launches first in South Korea with plans to expand to other markets over time. This is a practical reminder that inclusive hardware design can make mainstream devices genuinely more usable for more people.
DeepMind links Gemini to web search to help real-world robots
Google DeepMind announced new Gemini-powered models that can search the web and use retrieved information to help robots plan and complete tasks, narrowing the gap between online knowledge and physical action. By combining web retrieval with embodied reasoning, robots can query for how-to guides, component specs, or environment constraints in real time and adapt plans accordingly. The work focuses on safety and grounding so models don’t hallucinate instructions that are unsafe to execute in the physical world. Early demos show promising task completion improvements, though researchers stress continued evaluation before broad deployment. This effort pushes AI toward useful, situated assistance for logistics, maintenance, and research robots.
Meta opens pop-up Lab shops to demo smart glasses with on-lens displays
Meta launched temporary Lab pop-up shops where customers can try smart glasses that include on-lens displays and basic AR experiences, a hands-on step toward mainstreaming wearable displays. The demos show how compact displays and simple heads-up info can work for directions, notifications, and quick camera captures without a heavy headset. Meta positions these pop-ups as both marketing and user-research labs to collect feedback on comfort, privacy, and everyday utility. While the hardware remains experimental, the retail trials help Meta iterate on lenses, optics, and real-world interaction patterns. Expect more public demos as companies refine both hardware and content for “glasses you might actually wear.”
Waymo rolls out “Waymo for Business” for corporate travel programs
Waymo introduced Waymo for Business to let employers provide safe, chauffeur-free rides for employees and guests through managed corporate accounts and reporting tools. The Waymo program bundles travel controls, cost tracking, and scheduling integrations so companies can route employees to meetings, airports, or client sites using Waymo’s autonomous fleet. Waymo pitches the service as a complementary mobility option that reduces parking burdens and can improve employee punctuality and safety. Business customers get usage analytics and admin controls to align rides with company policies and budgets. This move by Waymo nudges autonomous mobility toward enterprise procurement and daily operations, not just consumer rides.
WhatsApp adds built-in message translation on iOS and Android
WhatsApp launched inline message translation for iPhone and Android so users can translate incoming messages into their preferred language without leaving the chat. The feature supports quick, one-tap translations and aims to make cross-language conversations smoother for friends, family, and small businesses. Translations happen within the app’s UI and preserve message context, which reduces friction compared with copying text into external translators. Privacy and local performance were emphasized as rollout priorities, and WhatsApp plans phased availability across regions. This makes multilingual chatting simpler and more seamless for global user networks.
Montblanc debuts a premium digital notepad for handwriting fans
Montblanc entered the digital notepad market with a luxury device that captures handwriting and transfers notes to connected apps while keeping a classic paper-like feel. The product targets professionals who prefer pen-and-paper workflows but want digital backups and easy synchronization with cloud services. Built-in handwriting recognition and export options aim to bridge analog rituals and digital productivity without sacrificing tactile enjoyment. Montblanc’s move blends craftsmanship with modern utility, appealing to users who value both design and functionality in their tools. Expect the device to lean premium on price and finish, matching the brand’s traditional audience.