Google Maps now has AI integration that allows users to do a whole lot more with the app than just navigate. The new capabilities include things like checking on hotel availability, comparing prices, and even placing food delivery orders.

On August 6, Google announced new capabilities, which build on the Gemini-powered Ask Maps experience it introduced earlier this year.

Ask Maps uses Gemini to understand your multi-step requests, search across Maps for the information it needs, and help you get things done.

For example, if you ask Maps to find a restaurant that serves Chicago-style pizza on your way home, it can search for options along your route, take your preferences into account, and add a pie to your cart. You still get to review and complete the order yourself.

Continue reading “AI-Powered Google Maps Can Order Food and Find Hotel Rooms for You” →

BMW is pushing a Spider-Man: Brand New Day promotion onto the Control Displays of compatible vehicles in more than 70 countries.

You might think those who purchased their cars a few years ago would be safe from the onslaught, but that’s not the case. Even drivers of vehicles built as far back as 2020 are being subjected to the ad.

As soon as the car starts, a Spider-Man banner pops up on the center screen: “Surprise! Spider-Man just dropped into your BMW!”

If the driver taps it, they get a full-screen animation with music. In some suitably equipped vehicles, the ad is accompanied by a light show through the ambient lighting system.

Continue reading “BMW Owners Annoyed by Spider-Man Banner on Dashboard Display — ‘Not an Ad,’ Claims Company” →

The United States government has blocked new foreign-made robot vacuums from entering the American market. Manufacturers can circumvent the new ban only by obtaining a government exemption or conditional approval while working to relocate production to the United States.

The new restriction went into effect after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) added foreign-produced “advanced robotic devices” to its Covered List on July 28, 2026. The Covered List identifies equipment that the government considers an unacceptable security risk.

While the announcement mostly highlighted humanoid robots and robotic dogs, the FCC confirmed to The Verge that the definition also covers the robot vacuum cleaners that have become common in U.S. households.

Continue reading “The FCC’s New Robot Vacuum Ban Could Mean Higher Prices, Fewer Choices and Older Tech” →

LinkedIn has begun testing a “Seems like AI slop” reporting option that lets users flag generic, repetitive, or automated posts they see in their feeds.

The company will use these reports to help it refine its models and improve what users see in their feeds. It’s also testing private warnings for users who’ve posted content that LinkedIn members have flagged as AI slop.

To encourage users to write in their own voice, the professional networking site is removing a feature that lets users rewrite posts with AI, replacing it with a more limited proofreading tool. Continue reading “LinkedIn Wants Users to Help Clean AI Slop From Its Feed” →

X Money began rolling out to U.S.-based Premium and Premium+ subscribers on July 27. The service brings interest-bearing accounts, direct deposit, peer-to-peer transfers, bill payments, and a Visa debit card to the social media platform.

Eligible users can earn up to 6% annual percentage yield (APY) on deposits and 3% cash back on qualifying debit card purchases.

To entice users to deposit their paychecks, X Money will also let them receive their pay up to two days early, send wires, mail checks, and receive reimbursement for any ATM fees they pay.

Continue reading “Elon Musk’s X Money Offers 6% Interest, But Comes With Subscription Fees and Fine Print” →