1.Google Maps Preparing Power Saving Mode for Android Users
Google Maps is about to drop a new trick, and it could seriously help you out if you're always running low on battery. It's called Power saving mode, and basically, it makes Google Maps super simple when you're driving.
⚡ What's This Power Saving Mode Thing?
Apparently, the folks over at Android Authority found this thing. It's like, when you're driving and your battery's about to die, you can hit the power button on your phone (yeah, the power button!) and it turns on this mode. Instead of showing you all the fancy stuff, it just gives you the basics:
No traffic info clogging things up.
No street names all over the place.
No colors or fancy map designs.
Just the important stuff—like when to turn and how much longer you've got.
Basically, it goes black and white and keeps things as simple as possible. It's way different than how Google Maps usually looks, with all the traffic and details.
🖤 Why Black and White?
Why ditch the colors? Well, black and white uses way less power, especially on those phones with OLED screens. Google already has dark mode, but it still uses some power. This Power Saving Mode goes all-in with black and white to save as much juice as possible. This is really helpful if you're on a long trip without a way to charge your phone or if you're trying to save battery in an emergency.
🚗 Super Simple Navigation
With this mode on, Google Maps becomes super basic. Forget about seeing different routes, landmarks, or traffic jams. It just shows you:
Which way to turn next.
How far you've still got to go.
When you should get there.
It might not be the best for every situation, but if your battery is dying, it's perfect. It's like a survival mode for your phone.
🔋 Battery vs. What You Can See
There's a trade-off: saving battery means you don't get all the fancy stuff. But it's better to have some kind of map than no map at all, right? Think about it:
Long car trips where you can't charge your phone.
Long days where your phone's battery is draining fast.
Times when you need to save as much power as possible.
It's a smart idea from Google, since we use our phones for basically everything when we travel. Having this low-power option means you can still use Maps even when your battery is almost dead.
🧠 How Do You Turn It On?
One weird thing is how you turn it on: by pressing the power button. Usually, you mess with settings in the app. We don't know if you'll be able to change how to turn it on later.
The mode also tells you if the app is working right, like if it's still connected to the internet—which is important so you don't get lost.
🌍 Is It Worth Using?
Would you actually use this? It all depends on what you need. If you want all the details on the map, this might not be for you. But if you've ever been stuck with a nearly dead battery, this could save you.
It's also great for people who are always worried about their battery, especially if they have an older phone. And for people who travel a lot, it's just another way to make sure you can get where you're going.
🧭 What's the Bottom Line?
Google Maps' Power Saving Mode is a smart idea because it deals with something we've all problems with: low battery. By making the app simpler and using black and white, Google's giving us a useful option that focuses on being practical and easy to use.
It might not be the way you use Maps every day, but it could be a lifesaver when you need to save power. It just goes to show that sometimes, less is actually more.
2.Google Launches Gemini for Home Integration Across Smart Devices
Google's got this new thing called Gemini for Home. Basically, it's Google Assistant, but a lot smarter. They've given it a super-powered AI brain. Right now, they're only letting some people in the US test it out.
Don't start begging Google for an invitation right now. It's still pretty early, so it's probably gonna have some bugs. And keep in mind: when you go to Gemini, you are finished with Google Assistant on those things. You can't switch back to Google Assistant if you don't like Gemini. Once you do to switch, you are done with Google Assistant!
So, what's up with Gemini for Home? How might you become a tester? And is it a good idea to give up Google Assistant? Here's what I know:
### Gemini for Home: Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
Think Google Assistant, but better. It's using the same AI that's making the Gemini chatbot work right. The whole point? Talking to your smart home gadgets like they're real people chatting in real time. Google's trying to get these talks feel easy and real. This thing should know what you're trying to do, so you can get stuff done around the house without struggling and frustration. I've heard it might guess what you want before you actually ask. Plus, the Gemini Live thing should make chatting with the AI super easy. Want to check who's at the door? Just ask, and it'll show your security camera feed. Cool, huh?
Google wants to put Gemini into everything, from smart speakers to your phone. Everywhere your tech goes!
### OK, sign me up for beta!
If you live in the USA and you really want to try Gemini for Home, you'll need to get an invitation from Google. Here are some things you should do:
**First, Tweek Google Groups settings:**
* Go to the Google Groups settings. You need to login as yourself to do this.
* Find Global Settings.
* Click the box next to Add me to their groups. This could sign you up for stuff Google sends out. The word is that Google's giving out early access invites this way. But Google might also be giving invites in other ways!
**Next, check Google Home App**
* Pop open the Google Home app on your tablet or phone.
* Tap your profile pic at the top.
* Tap on Home settings
* Hope that button that says Early Access! Keep your eye on it. If it shows up, tap fast.
Now, wait. If Google reaches out, awesome. If they don't, hold on in there.
### Wait a second!
Before you start, keep these things in your head.
1. **No backing out :** Once you change over to Gemini for Home, Google Assistant gets turned off for good on those devices. And what if stuff goes wrong when testing? You are taking all the responsibility! Are you okay to wait while you work out the issues?
2. **Premium cost?** Gemini could start costing you. If you have to pay extra on Google Home Premium for the good parts. Here are some features that could cost some money:
* **Gemini Live:** Talk with the assistant naturally. You can talk to it all day long!
* **Home Security:** Look at your security camera easy.
There's also a regular Gemini Version for regular users.
3. **Devices might not talk:** Gemini might not be friendly with all your devices. It works the best Nest speakers, screens, and other Google smart home gadgets. Older devices might be left out. Google hasn't said how it will work with non Google devices.
### What are the awesome parts?
Gemini for Home is better than Google Assistant. These are a list of why.
* **Speak like a human:** You can talk with the assistant naturally.
* **It knows my name! :** People are saying it helps a lot by remember previous things.
* **Home is like a Smarter Home:** Gemini can do many things so quickly.
* **Check Security Quickly:** Its easy to see security feeds.
Google's making an AI that knows what you need, instead of following directions. How cool?
### Gemini, Yes or No?
Gemini for Home is fun if you want new stuff. If you are okay with Google Assistant, then you can wait a little longer. If you try it out, submit feedback and help Google.
If you like the old Google Assistant, why risk tinkering with it? New is not necessarily better!
### The End
Gemini for Home might change life. Give it a read to determine if its correct choice.
3.Xbox Q1 Hardware Revenue Falls 29%, but Third-Party Content Outperforms Expectations
Microsoft just dropped their Q1 FY26 gaming report, and it's a bit of a mixed bag. Overall, Microsoft is making a lot of money! But when you look closely at the gaming stuff, it's more complicated. Xbox sales went down a little, which kind of sucked. But on the bright side, people are still buying games and subscribing to Xbox, which helped make things a little better.
**Breaking Down the Numbers: Microsoft is Doing Great**
So, what does the report actually say? Well, let's look at what happened during those three months that ended on September 30, 2025:
* Total sales: A huge $77.7 billion. That's an 18% increase from last year. Wow!
* Profit: $27.7 billion, which is 12% higher. Not bad at all!
* The part of Microsoft that includes Xbox: $13.8 billion, which is 4% higher. Pretty good!
Microsoft is doing so well because of their cloud services and tech that acts like humans. Those went up 28% to $30.9 billion! Amy Hood, the CFO, even mentioned that things went better than they expected at the beginning of the year. It seems like their plan is working, and it shows that companies need to think carefully about new plans.
**Gaming: Some Problems**
Okay, so the gaming stuff decreased, with total income dropping 2%. Why? Xbox sales were down a surprising 29%. It's not great when you see numbers like that on a quarterly report. Microsoft just explained they didn't sell as many consoles as they wanted. Maybe most people who want an Xbox already have one. Or, with the economy how it is, people might be saving money, and there are tons of entertainment options now, like playing on their Playstation.
The good news is that what they make from Xbox stuff and services, like subscriptions, softened the blow about the console sales decrease, growing by 1%. That includes:
* Xbox Game Pass subscriptions
* Game purchases (even games that Microsoft didn't make)
* Things people buy inside games
Microsoft mentioned that games from other companies are doing well. So, it looks like people are playing more than just Microsoft games; they're spending money on other games too. They should know that what people want changes and also accept that other sources of entertainment exist.
**Prices Are Going Up**
This decrease in income is happening while Microsoft is trying to charge more for their gaming stuff. Last September, they raised console prices in the US *again*. They blamed it on the economy. Prices went up, depending on the console. Because the economy isn't doing as well as it was, they raised the price.
In October, Microsoft also increased the price of Xbox Game Pass. They explained the extra money will help them offer even more games and content. No one likes to pay more. Microsoft is hoping that the huge bunch of games on Game Pass will keep current subscribers happy and get new ones to sign up. It might be a tough sell for gamers, but Microsoft thinks the expanded game library makes it worth paying more. They think that the gamers will eventually realize that the games they'll now have access to are worth what they will pay.
**Looking Ahead: Is it Subscriptions or Big Games?**
For the next three months (Q2), Microsoft is guessing they'll bring in about $79.5 billion to $80.6 billion in sales. That's about a 14% to 16% increase. But they do think what they earn from Xbox stuff and services will decrease a little. It's not because of subscriptions, but because they don't have as many big Microsoft games coming out around this time next year. Microsoft is hoping Game Pass subscriptions will soften the blow. If they can keep the subscriber numbers up, it'll not only keep players loyal, but it'll also balance out decreases on their hardware end. The quality of games will impact how the customers spend money on this subscription service. Keeping the games new and fresh and also in-line with other services is worth maintaining their user base.
**Maybe New Partnerships**
The Xbox group is looking at mixing things up with new partnerships. Sarah Bond, the head of Xbox, talked about teaming up with AMD. She said, We've been working with them before, and we'll keep working with them. She added, Now we're seeing some things that we can change in different ways and give players options other than just the normal next-gen console. We'll be ready if customers want something new. This could mean that all gamers will have access to everything when it comes to the hardware they use. They want to make sure the hardware that is in the customer base's hands is accessible.
This could lead to different console versions or new ways to play the game content that they develop, possibly using AMD's tech. We don't know exactly what it'll look like, but it sounds like Microsoft is thinking up ideas for people to get their gaming fix. It could mean they sell hardware that would let people stream from the web to any device to play some of the games in their library.
**Wrapping Up**
Microsoft's Q1 FY26 results shows that the gaming world is changing. While console sales aren't amazing, the extra content and service plan seems to be working well. The growth of Xbox Game Pass shows that people like online stuff and subscriptions. It would be a good idea to invest in getting the hardware.
Of course, Microsoft is dealing with price increases, fewer new game releases, and people spending their money differently. But all these problems might mean that customers will be loyal in the end. Microsoft is rumored to be considering creating a streaming service that would be able to go head-to-head with services like GeForce Now and others. With a service like that, Microsoft could be more accessible to a larger audience. Sarah Bond and her staff are trying to come up with new games that would be enjoyed by all. With games and easy ways to play, they want to have the best performing gaming market. They are considering creating phone games that can be downloaded from the app store.
Gaming is always changing. Microsoft needs to change and to invest in new technology. The ability to do these things will be key to them staying competitive. We don't know what will happen. But gaming isn't going anywhere.
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