Florence Ion, Author at Gizmodo

Google Assistant Will Now Finally Be Able to Say Your Name Correctly

It’s always awkward when you ask the robot (i.e. your phone’s digital assistant) to call a friend or family member, and then it responds with a cold and butchered pronunciation of that name. Now you can help stave off those unfortunate uncanny valley moments by teaching the Google Assistant how to pronounce your name and…

Tech News Florence Ion

Report: HBO Max With Ads Will Cost You $10 a Month

HBO Max’s ad-supported tier will officially launch in June, according to CNBC. The plan will cost $10 a month, about $5 less than what you’d pay for the ad-free version of HBO Max or what you’d pay to bundle it into a YouTube TV or cable subscription. HBO’s parent company, WarnerMedia, said that it would…

Internet Florence Ion

The Jiobit GPS Tracker Changed My Tune on Toddler Surveillance

I’d convinced myself long ago that when I became a parent, I’d do everything in my power to avoid overly surveilling my child. But then I decided to go back to work full-time a bit sooner than I’d initially planned, so to help ease my anxieties about sending my toddler out into the world, I…

Accessories & Wearables Florence Ion

Google Just Rolled Out New Features to Help You Plan Post-Vaccine Travel

I know you’re thinking it, because it’s all I’ve been thinking about myself: This summer is going to be filled with travel as the blanket of general anxiety that’s been draped over us for the last year slowly falls off thanks to more available vaccines. And with the CDC giving the go-ahead to be outside…

Tech News Florence Ion

It Turns Out Covid-19 Contact Tracing on Android Is Not So Private After All

At the start of the pandemic, Apple and Google scrambled to enable covid-19 contact tracing on their respective smartphone operating systems. The feature, which works across iOS and Android, was designed to help folks quickly determine if they’d been exposed to the virus by simply enabling a contact-tracing setting. Both companies had promised that pertinent…

Tech News Florence Ion

Google’s Nest Hub Is Making Its Way Into Your Hotel Room

This summer, you might want to add “unplugging Google” after checking for bedbugs to the list of tasks to complete when you settle into a hotel room. Two hospitality-focused companies, Guest Supply, which focuses on special amenities for hotels, and Volara, which provides voice assistant options for the same industry, announced they’re partnering up to…

Gadgets Florence Ion

Who on Earth Is Buying These Rugged Android Phones?

Caterpillar, the same folks behind forklifts and the other big machines you have to wear hardhats around, makes Android devices for a very particular set of users in the field. Their latest device, the Cat S42 H+, is fascinating, because you can run it under water and wash it in the sink at the same…

Gadgets Florence Ion

Apple AirTags Have Created a Whole New World of Accessories

Apple’s little Bluetooth location-tracking AirTags are finally here and ready to be attached to your key rings, luggage handles, or whatever else you tend to lose and would very much like to find again. Sure, you can absolutely buy an AirTag and throw it in a bag without any covering whatsoever, but you’ll probably want…

Tech News Florence Ion

Apple’s M1 Chip Is a Cruel Reminder of What Android Users Are Missing Out On

As an Android user, I sometimes feel defeated after sitting through an Apple event, especially when there are new, covetable tablets like the iPad Pro. It reminds me that there are too few viable alternatives in Android land. Android tablets are in a sad state. Even those worth buying are not as flashy or as…

Tech News Florence Ion

Discord Walks Back iOS Block on NSFW Content

Discord has walked back an earlier decision to ban NSFW servers completely from its iPhone and iPad apps. The company changed the guidelineson accessing NSFW content after experiencing severe pushback from its users. The ban now only applies to servers specifically focused on explicit pornographic content, including any server either “organized” around NSFW themes or…

Tech News Florence Ion

The Smart Home May Finally Be Unified Under One CHIP

The tech industry loves a coalition. Sometimes those coalitions lead absolutely nowhere, but in one particular case, the big companies working together is actually beneficial for consumers. Or at least that’s the hope for Project CHIP, an open-source initiative introduced in 2019 as a unifying smart home standard across all ecosystems. According to The Verge,…

Gadgets Florence Ion

You’ll Probably Have to Put Your Next PC Build on Hold as the Chip Shortage Continues Unabated

It’s the worst time to try and pick out the parts for your next PC build. Actually, it’s the worst time to try to buy anything that involves a graphics card or processor. Major component manufacturers, including Nvidia, TSMC, and Intel, have confirmed the global chip shortage is unlikely to let up for…awhile. In an…

Gadgets Florence Ion

The Plan to Give Android Users Their Own Version of iMessage Is Officially Dead

RCS, or Rich Communication Services, was supposed to unite the Androids. But with the news that Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have all abandoned the effort toward a unified messaging platform, it looks like more turbulent times for the green bubbles. According to telecom news outlet Light Reading, the three big carriers have all pulled out…

Internet Florence Ion

Discord’s NSFW Block on iOS Might Hurt Artists the Most

Discord, the gamer-centric chat app that’s become more popular among online fringe communities, has beefed up its restrictions on NSFW adult content. Discord now requires age gates for entire servers rather than limiting them to individual channels. And because of an Apple policy already in place, the app’s iOS users can no longer access NSFW…

Tech News Florence Ion

These Are the 5G Phones Worth Buying This Year

There’s more to 5G than overblown marketing hype and some really weird (and in some cases, dangerous) conspiracy theories. Here’s what you actually need to know: 5G offers faster download and upload speeds, more bandwidth, lower latency, and enough throughput to support a household of people trying to connect to the internet (though 5G home…

Tech News Florence Ion

The Best Gaming Keyboard for Wannabe Esports Athletes

There are plenty of (very justifiable) tropes when discussing video games, but the one that I can’t let go of when I’m thinking of PC gaming is the keyboard being mightier than the sword. It can make or break your gaming experience. And there are so many mechanical gaming keyboards available that choosing the right…

Reviews Florence Ion

The Best Mesh Router with Wi-Fi 6 Is Very Affordable

We are taking a closer look at five new systems that can take advantage of faster internet speeds and a mesh network

Reviews Florence Ion

Amazon’s Eero 6 Is the Cure for Your Stuck-At-Home Internet Problems

We’re all trapped at home sharing broadband for the foreseeable future with no end in sight, and our internet setups need some help. You might be looking at mesh routers as a solution to help blanket your house with wifi and ensure that every Zoom meeting, online class, and virtual exercise session goes off without…

Home Entertainment & Smart Home Florence Ion

The Best Mechanical Keyboards To Buy

You type on a keyboard, I type on a keyboard, this if for people who love typing on a mechanical keyboard

Reviews Florence Ion

Florence Ion

Google Assistant Will Now Finally Be Able to Say Your Name Correctly

Report: HBO Max With Ads Will Cost You $10 a Month

The Jiobit GPS Tracker Changed My Tune on Toddler Surveillance

Google Just Rolled Out New Features to Help You Plan Post-Vaccine Travel

It Turns Out Covid-19 Contact Tracing on Android Is Not So Private After All

Google’s Nest Hub Is Making Its Way Into Your Hotel Room

Who on Earth Is Buying These Rugged Android Phones?

Apple AirTags Have Created a Whole New World of Accessories

Apple’s M1 Chip Is a Cruel Reminder of What Android Users Are Missing Out On

Discord Walks Back iOS Block on NSFW Content

The Smart Home May Finally Be Unified Under One CHIP

You’ll Probably Have to Put Your Next PC Build on Hold as the Chip Shortage Continues Unabated

The Plan to Give Android Users Their Own Version of iMessage Is Officially Dead

Discord’s NSFW Block on iOS Might Hurt Artists the Most

These Are the 5G Phones Worth Buying This Year

The Best Gaming Keyboard for Wannabe Esports Athletes

The Best Mesh Router with Wi-Fi 6 Is Very Affordable

Amazon’s Eero 6 Is the Cure for Your Stuck-At-Home Internet Problems

The Best Mechanical Keyboards To Buy

No More Cheese Grater: The Mac Pro Is Discontinued

Even the ‘Avatar’ Fighting Game Is Disrespecting ‘Legend of Korra’

Bluesky Has a New App, and It’s All About AI

Dammit, Jim, He’s a Doctor And an Action Figure!

Whatever Just Happened with ‘Fruit Love Island,’ Nobody Won

AMC Puts a Stake in ‘Talamasca’ After One Season

Aqara Smart Lock U400 Review: Hands-free Unlocking at Its Best

2027 Is Shaping Up to Be a Great Year for Big Sci-Fi RPGs

MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ Review: A Solid 2-in-1 Laptop With Some Glaring Flaws

Ahead of the SpaceX IPO, xAI Has Now Shed All 11 of Its Non-Elon Musk Founders

Sonos Play Review: Call It a Comeback

Sonos Era 100 SL Review: The Cheapest Way Into Wired Sonos Sound

Asus ROG’s Massive Swift OLED Gaming Monitor Epitomizes Excess in the Best Way

The Ikea Varmblixt Smart Lamp Fills a Donut Hole in My Life

Nothing Headphone A vs. Headphone 1: Which Pair of ANC Wireless Headphones Wins?

Asus ROG’s Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds Might Be Better Than Wearing a Headset

Nintendo’s Talking Flower Is Annoying as Hell. I Love It

Level Lock Pro Review: As Good as a Secret Smart Lock Gets

Apple Studio Display XDR Review: It Looks So Good, I Wish It Were an iMac

RayNeo Air 4 Pro Review: My Eyes Love These Video Glasses, but My Nose Disagrees

Florence Ion

Google Assistant Will Now Finally Be Able to Say Your Name Correctly

Report: HBO Max With Ads Will Cost You $10 a Month

The Jiobit GPS Tracker Changed My Tune on Toddler Surveillance

Google Just Rolled Out New Features to Help You Plan Post-Vaccine Travel

It Turns Out Covid-19 Contact Tracing on Android Is Not So Private After All

Google’s Nest Hub Is Making Its Way Into Your Hotel Room

Who on Earth Is Buying These Rugged Android Phones?

Apple AirTags Have Created a Whole New World of Accessories

Apple’s M1 Chip Is a Cruel Reminder of What Android Users Are Missing Out On

Discord Walks Back iOS Block on NSFW Content

The Smart Home May Finally Be Unified Under One CHIP

You’ll Probably Have to Put Your Next PC Build on Hold as the Chip Shortage Continues Unabated

The Plan to Give Android Users Their Own Version of iMessage Is Officially Dead

Discord’s NSFW Block on iOS Might Hurt Artists the Most

These Are the 5G Phones Worth Buying This Year

The Best Gaming Keyboard for Wannabe Esports Athletes

The Best Mesh Router with Wi-Fi 6 Is Very Affordable

Amazon’s Eero 6 Is the Cure for Your Stuck-At-Home Internet Problems

The Best Mechanical Keyboards To Buy

No More Cheese Grater: The Mac Pro Is Discontinued

Even the ‘Avatar’ Fighting Game Is Disrespecting ‘Legend of Korra’

Bluesky Has a New App, and It’s All About AI

Dammit, Jim, He’s a Doctor *And* an Action Figure!

Whatever Just Happened with ‘Fruit Love Island,’ Nobody Won

AMC Puts a Stake in ‘Talamasca’ After One Season

Aqara Smart Lock U400 Review: Hands-free Unlocking at Its Best

2027 Is Shaping Up to Be a Great Year for Big Sci-Fi RPGs

MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ Review: A Solid 2-in-1 Laptop With Some Glaring Flaws

Ahead of the SpaceX IPO, xAI Has Now Shed All 11 of Its Non-Elon Musk Founders

Sonos Play Review: Call It a Comeback

Sonos Era 100 SL Review: The Cheapest Way Into Wired Sonos Sound

Asus ROG’s Massive Swift OLED Gaming Monitor Epitomizes Excess in the Best Way

The Ikea Varmblixt Smart Lamp Fills a Donut Hole in My Life

Nothing Headphone A vs. Headphone 1: Which Pair of ANC Wireless Headphones Wins?

Asus ROG’s Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds Might Be Better Than Wearing a Headset

Nintendo’s Talking Flower Is Annoying as Hell. I Love It

Level Lock Pro Review: As Good as a Secret Smart Lock Gets

Apple Studio Display XDR Review: It Looks So Good, I Wish It Were an iMac

RayNeo Air 4 Pro Review: My Eyes Love These Video Glasses, but My Nose Disagrees

Dammit, Jim, He’s a Doctor And an Action Figure!