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For years, AI assistants have largely lived inside chat windows: you ask a question, they answer, and the exchange ends. Google now appears ready to take that concept much further with Gemini Spark, a new AI agent that is being rolled out to all Google AI Ultra subscribers in the United States. Instead of hopping between multiple apps and manually handling tasks, you can delegate the work to Gemini Spark and let it operate in the background.

Google says Gemini Spark can act autonomously across your digital ecosystem, completing tasks even when your phone or laptop is off. Users may watch it perform actions in real time or let it run silently behind the scenes. Crucially, Google emphasizes that the system stays under the user’s control and is designed to request permission before carrying out any major actions.

**Google wants AI to become the middleman**

The debut of Gemini Spark highlights a broader shift in the AI sector. Companies are no longer satisfied with chatbots that merely answer queries; the next frontier is AI agents that can actually perform tasks on your behalf. Imagine asking an assistant for restaurant suggestions, then having it compare options, book a reservation, add the event to your calendar, and remind you when it’s time to leave. That’s the kind of capability many AI firms are pursuing.

Google’s strategy suggests it wants Gemini to serve as the layer between users and the apps they rely on daily. Rather than bouncing between services, the AI becomes the coordinator that links them all.

**The biggest challenge isn’t capability**

The technology itself may not be the hardest sell; gaining trust will be. Most people are comfortable letting AI summarize an email or answer a question. Granting it permission to act independently is a very different proposition. Even with approval checkpoints, many users will likely demand proof that an AI agent can make reliable decisions without creating new problems.

That’s why Gemini Spark feels like more than just another feature update. It offers an early glimpse of a future where AI doesn’t merely respond to commands but actively manages parts of your digital life. Whether users are ready for that level of automation remains an open question, but Google is clearly betting that the next step in AI is getting people comfortable enough to let AI take action on their behalf.

For years, AI assistants have mostly lived in chat windows. You ask a question, they answer it, and the interaction ends there. Google appears ready to push that idea much further with Gemini Spark, a new AI agent that is now rolling out to all Google AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. So, instead of opening multiple apps and manually managing tasks, you hand the job to Gemini Spark and let it work in the background.

According to Google, Gemini Spark can operate autonomously across your digital ecosystem, handling tasks even when your phone or laptop is turned off. Users can either watch it work in real time or let it run quietly in the background. Importantly, Google says the system remains under user control and is designed to seek approval before taking significant actions.

Google wants AI to become the middleman

The arrival of Gemini Spark highlights a broader shift happening across the AI industry. Companies are no longer satisfied with building chatbots that answer questions. The next frontier is AI agents that can actually do things on your behalf. Think of the difference between asking an assistant for restaurant recommendations and having it compare options, make a reservation, add it to your calendar, and remind you when it’s time to leave. That’s the vision many AI companies are chasing.

Google’s approach suggests it wants Gemini to become the layer between users and the apps they rely on every day. Rather than jumping between services, the AI becomes the coordinator that connects them all.

The biggest challenge isn’t capability

The technology itself may not be the hardest sell; trust will be. Most people are comfortable letting AI summarize an email or answer a question. Giving it permission to act independently is a very different proposition. Even with approval checkpoints in place, many users will likely want proof that an AI agent can reliably make decisions without creating new problems.

That’s why Gemini Spark feels like more than just another feature update. It’s an early glimpse at a future where AI isn’t simply responding to commands but actively managing parts of your digital life. Whether people are ready for that level of automation remains an open question. But Google is clearly betting that the next step in AI is getting users comfortable enough to let AI take action on their behalf.

Scanning documents from a phone has always been a frustrating experience, especially on Android smartphones. You’ve to scan one page at a time, blurry captures you don’t notice until after, or accidentally hovering over the same page twice; all these issues bother users on a day-to-day basis. 

Well, Google Drive’s new document scanner redesign fixes all three problems at once. Announced by Sameer Samat, the President of Android Ecosystem at Google, the feature is now rolling out for Android users.

What’s actually new in the Google Drive scanner?

The biggest change, in my opinion, is Smart Batch Scanning. Instead of hitting the capture button for each page, you can simply hover your phone over a bunch of documents arranged on a table or your bed, as if you’re recording a video.

The tool identifies each one of them and separates them into individual documents. You also get a pause button to disable auto-scanning in the middle of the session, along with a system file picker that lets you add pictures you’ve already taken. 

Apart from batch scanning, you also get Auto-Best Frame and Duplicate Detection. While the former replaces blurry images with the sharpest frame available from what you capture, the latter identifies pages you’ve scanned twice and skips them automatically. 

Is there a catch?

Google Drive’s scanner also gets a redesigned interface, which drops the old beaker icon in the top-right corner in favor of a cleaner Material 3 Expressive viewfinder. Since the feature is embedded within Google Play Services, it also works in the Files by Google app, and not just Google Drive. The catch, however, is slightly disappointing. 

The entire automated scanning experience runs on the device: it works offline and keeps your documents off Google’s servers. And it’s because of the on-device processing that it requires at least 8GB of RAM. So, if your Android device doesn’t meet that requirement, you won’t have access.

Scanning documents on a phone has always been a pain, especially on Android devices. Users often have to capture each page separately, deal with blurry shots that aren’t obvious until later, or accidentally scan the same page twice – all everyday annoyances.

The latest redesign of the Google Drive document scanner tackles these three issues at once. Announced by Sameer Samat, President of Android Ecosystem at Google, the update is now being rolled out to Android users.

What’s new in the Google Drive scanner?

The most significant addition, in my view, is Smart Batch Scanning. Instead of pressing the capture button for every single page, you can simply sweep your phone over a stack of documents placed on a table or bed, much like recording a video.

The scanner recognises each sheet, separates them into individual files, and even includes a pause button that lets you stop auto‑scanning mid‑session. A system file picker also lets you import pictures you’ve already taken.

Beyond batch scanning, the update introduces Auto‑Best Frame and Duplicate Detection. Auto‑Best Frame automatically swaps blurry captures for the sharpest frame available, while Duplicate Detection spots pages you’ve scanned twice and skips them.

Is there a catch?

The scanner also receives a refreshed interface, swapping the old beaker icon in the top‑right corner for a cleaner Material 3 Expressive viewfinder. Because the feature is built into Google Play Services, it works in the Files by Google app as well as Google Drive. The downside, however, is a bit disappointing.

The entire automated scanning process runs on‑device, meaning it works offline and keeps your documents away from Google’s servers. This on‑device processing demands at least 8 GB of RAM, so devices that don’t meet that threshold won’t be able to use the feature.

When Apple introduced the MacBook Neo in March for $599, it gave Windows laptop manufacturers a serious challenge. Powered by the A18 chip, the Neo quickly became a top recommendation for students and casual users who didn’t need a Windows machine.

Now Acer is fighting back with the Swift Air 14, a 14‑inch notebook unveiled just before Computex 2026. Priced from $699, it runs on Intel’s latest Core Series 3 processors, also known as Wildcat Lake. On paper, it appears to be one of the first genuine attempts to create an affordable Windows laptop that can sit next to Apple’s Neo without being completely outclassed.

Wildcat Lake still has a performance problem

The biggest question revolves around performance. The Swift Air 14 is offered with either a Core 5 or Core 7 Wildcat Lake chip, both featuring six cores. Early testing shows these CPUs improve on older budget parts, but they still lag noticeably behind Apple’s A18. That performance gap makes the Swift Air 14 a tougher sell, especially since it starts $100 above the Neo.

There’s another drawback: the Swift Air 14 won’t qualify as a Copilot+ PC because its NPU delivers only 17 TOPS. In plain language, running AI features locally on this laptop will be challenging.

The likely base configuration also raises eyebrows. Acer says the model supports up to 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 512 GB of storage, yet the $699 version is expected to ship with 8 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD. That may be adequate for light users, but 8 GB on a Windows 11 machine can feel cramped once multiple browser tabs, Teams, background apps, and updates start piling up.

Acer may still have a few practical wins

The Swift Air 14’s strongest asset could be its overall hardware package. It sports a 14‑inch WUXGA panel (1920 × 1200) with a 16:10 aspect ratio, 120 Hz refresh rate, 350 nits brightness, and 100 % sRGB coverage. It isn’t the sharpest or brightest screen in its class, but the higher refresh rate is a pleasant addition.

The notebook is powered by a 70 Wh battery, with Acer claiming up to 19 hours of video playback and up to 16 hours of web browsing. It’s also slim and lightweight at 1.25 kg and just 12.9 mm thick, featuring an aluminum chassis available in sage green, frost blue, blossom pink, and lilac purple.

Additional practical features include an FHD IR webcam with a privacy shutter, Windows Hello facial recognition, quad stereo speakers, dual digital microphones, Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, two USB‑C ports, one USB‑A port, and a headphone jack.

While the Swift Air 14 may not surpass the MacBook Neo in raw performance, it still offers Windows shoppers a stylish, portable, and long‑lasting alternative.

Dell released a wave of new laptops on May 29, 2026, just four days before Computex 2026 opens in Taipei on June 2. Amid a loaded spec sheet, nearly every flagship model in the new batch offers optional 5G cellular connectivity.

While the capability has traditionally been reserved for ultraportable or enterprise‑grade devices, Dell is signalling that always‑connected laptops are no longer a niche requirement.

Which Dell laptops now offer 5G in the US?

There are three models in this batch that ship with optional 5G cellular connectivity, all from the Pro 7 Series family.

First, the Pro 7 Series 13 2‑in‑1 compact laptop runs on Intel Panther Lake and is priced at $2,539 in the US for a custom build, or $2,989 for a pre‑configured unit.

You can configure it with up to a 16‑core Intel Core Ultra 7 366H processor, 64 GB of LPDDR5X RAM, a 2 TB PCIe Gen 5 SSD, Wi‑Fi 7, and optional 5G. The top‑end spec reaches $6,353.

For a more budget‑friendly option, the Pro 7 Series 13 2‑in‑1 with AMD Ryzen AI 400 (P703265) starts at $2,421 configured. It can be equipped with the Ryzen AI 9 HX Pro 470, 64 GB of LPDDR5X‑8533 RAM, 2 TB PCIe Gen 5 storage, Wi‑Fi 7, and optional 5G connectivity.

If a larger display is desired, the Pro 7 Series 14 2‑in‑1 also offers the 5G option and comes in both AMD and Intel variants. The AMD model (P704265) begins at $2,552, while the Intel version (P704260) starts at $2,719. Both support up to 64 GB RAM and 2 TB PCIe Gen 5 storage.

What else did Dell launch in the US without 5G?

Dell also introduced three non‑5G laptops in the US this week. The Pro Precision 5 Series 14 (PW514261) is a 14‑inch workstation starting at $2,577, featuring Intel Panther Lake with vPro, up to 64 GB of LPCAMM2 RAM, and a unique Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS option alongside Windows 11 Pro.

Finally, the Pro 3 Series 14 and Pro 3 Series 16 are the most affordable devices in this release, priced at $1,579 and $1,569 respectively. Both run Intel Wildcat Lake processors, support up to 48 GB RAM, and offer optional 120 Hz displays.

One of my favorite things about macOS is that it comes with default apps to handle your everyday tasks. You get Safari to browse the web, the Mail app to handle your emails, and the Preview app to open and view photos and PDFs.

But what if you want to use a third-party app you prefer over the default app? Thankfully, Apple makes it easy to change the default apps on your Mac. So, whether you want to use Google Chrome or Outlook, here’s how you can set them as the default on your Mac. 

Change the default app for specific file types

Unless you’re looking to change your default web browser or email client (which we’ll cover below), there’s only one method you need to remember when it comes to changing your default apps on a Mac.

Let’s say you have a PNG file and want to change which app it opens in. By default, your Mac will open it with Preview, Apple’s built-in photo viewing and editing app. To change that, right-click or Ctrl+click the file in question, then click Get Info.

This will bring up a new window. Here, head to the “Open with:” section and choose your new app from the drop-down list.

Now, click the Change All button. Next time you double-click to open a file with the same extension, it will open with your new default app.

Change your default web browser

Safari is the default browser on the Mac, and it will satisfy most users. It’s fast, automatically stops any tracking links, and is easy on the battery. However, it’s also missing features. The extension support is abysmal, and tab management is not up to the mark. 

If for these reasons or some reason of your own, you want to switch your default web browser, you can easily do so in macOS. To do that, click the Apple logo in the top-left corner and open the “System Settings” app. 

Now, open the “Desktop & Dock” settings and scroll down to the Widgets section. Here, you will see a dropdown menu next to the “Default web browser” setting. Click on it and select your preferred browser to set it as the default. 

Now, whenever you click on a link, for instance, in an email forwarded from a friend, you’ll see this new default pop up instead.

Change your default email app

If there’s an app category that will have most productivity workers up in arms, it will be the email app. No two people can seem to agree on the best email app for their workflow. I myself constantly switch between email apps, hoping to find something that can stick for a long time, but never do. 

This has led me to conclude that there’s no perfect solution for emails, and we are doomed to switch to the next shiny thing. If you are also the same, these steps will help you switch the default email client on your Mac. 

Launch the Mail app on your Mac and hit the keyboard shortcut “⌘,” to open the settings. Alternatively, click on Mail in the Menu Bar and open settings. 

Click to open the General settings, and you will see a “Default email reader” option. As you can see, I am currently using Spark as my default email client, and you can use the dropdown menu to set your favorite email client as default. 

Common default-app change locations

As you saw, not all default apps are managed the same way in macOS. Use the table below to quickly find where Apple places the settings for the most common app categories.

Frequently asked questions

Q. How do I make Chrome my default browser on Mac?

Click the Apple logo, open System Settings, and navigate to Desktop & Dock. Scroll down to the Widgets section and click the dropdown next to Default web browser. Select Chrome from the list.

Q. How do I change the default PDF viewer on Mac?

Right-click any PDF file and click Get Info. Under the Open With section, select your preferred PDF viewer from the dropdown and click Change All. All PDFs will now open with that app.

Q. Why does my Mac keep opening files with the wrong app?

Your Mac opens files with whatever app is set as the default for that file type. If the wrong app is launching, right-click the file, click Get Info, and change the default app under the Open With section.

Q. What does the “Change All” button do on Mac?

Clicking Change All sets your chosen app as the default for every file sharing that extension, not just the one you right-clicked. So if you do it on a PNG file, all PNG files will open with the new app going forward.

Q. How do I reset default app settings on a Mac?

Follow the same steps you used to change the default app. Right-click the file, open Get Info, and select the original app from the Open With dropdown. Click Change All to restore it as the default.

Q. What should I do if my preferred app doesn’t appear in the Open with list?

Click Get Info on the file, open the Open With dropdown, scroll down, and click on Other. Now, change the filter from Recommended Applications to All Applications to find and select your app.

Q. Can different users on the same Mac have different default apps?

Yes. Default app settings are tied to each user profile, so every user on the same Mac can set their own preferred defaults without affecting anyone else.

Default Mac apps are good, but third-party apps can offer more

There’s no doubt that Apple includes some excellent apps with macOS, and that too, for free. However, they offer limited features, and once you grow out of them, you can use the methods above to switch your default apps. You can read my favorite Mac apps list to find some excellent apps for your Mac.

Call of Duty players on last‑generation consoles are hitting another roadblock. After Activision revealed that the upcoming title, now identified as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, will skip PS4 and Xbox One, the publisher is also pulling Call of Duty: Warzone from those platforms.

Activision has confirmed a phased reduction of Warzone support on PS4 and Xbox One, culminating in a full termination later this year. The first phase starts on June 4, when Warzone will be removed from the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One digital stores, ending any new downloads for both systems.

Players who already own Warzone can still install and play it for a limited period. The game will remain functional on PS4 and Xbox One through the conclusion of Season 06 of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.

The next major change arrives on June 25, when the in‑game store for Warzone will disappear from the legacy versions. COD Points can be redeemed in the store until that date, and gameplay will continue to count toward Battle Pass progress. Those without a paid Battle Pass can still earn free‑tier rewards, such as new weapons, during the remaining Black Ops 7 seasons.

The final shutdown coincides with the launch of Modern Warfare 4 Season 1. Once that season begins, Warzone will no longer run on PS4 or Xbox One.

Upgrading may sting for PS4 holdouts

For PlayStation users, the timing is inconvenient. Sony’s Days of Play 2026 sale is active, but the PS5 console itself isn’t discounted. The upside is that players who upgrade can still snag discounted PS5 games, accessories, and PlayStation Plus memberships while the sale runs through June 10.

Activision assures that players won’t lose their Warzone progress if they switch to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or PC using the same linked Activision account. Items purchased with COD Points will also transfer. However, unused COD Points remain tied to the same console family, so PS4 owners can use them on a PS5, and Xbox One owners can use them on an Xbox Series X|S.

Warzone gave PS4 and Xbox One users a lengthy runway after the current‑gen consoles debuted. That runway is now almost gone, and anyone who wants to keep playing Call of Duty’s battle royale after this season will need to move to newer hardware soon.

I’m a fan of noise‑cancelling earbuds because the world outside tends to intrude without invitation. A short walk to the gym shouldn’t mean I have to hear every motorcycle, car horn, or construction drill the city throws at me.

The issue shows up on the way back, typically when I stop to make a purchase. I’m at the checkout holding my earbuds like tiny pricey pebbles, trying not to be impolite, trying not to drop them, and somehow turning the whole moment into a drama. Then one slips, and I’m bent over searching for inconspicuous black earbuds on scorching pavement.

So yes, I understand the attraction.

### Why open‑ear earbuds make sense

That minor irritation is where this segment starts to click. Shokz built its reputation on bone‑conduction headphones for runners and cyclists, while Bose and Sony have introduced designs that sit outside the ear rather than sealing it shut.

It’s a compelling pitch. Closed‑in earbuds send a clear social signal. Open‑ear models leave room for negotiation. Traffic noise still gets through. Colleagues are still audible. Boarding announcements, checkout small talk, and someone asking if you’re “free for a quick sync” can still reach you. You can keep a playlist, podcast, or call playing and still appear to be a functional member of society.

That convenience is hard to argue against, and that’s when the optics start to look a bit suspect.

### When the line blurs

In the office, things get stranger. Large headphones convey an unmistakable message. Noise‑cancelling earbuds do the same. They suggest, rightly or wrongly, that you’re working, hiding, concentrating, or choosing not to hear anyone read a calendar invite aloud.

Open‑ear models soften that cue. Someone can call your name and you can probably answer without removing anything. Maybe that’s considerate. Maybe the room has simply become another background layer, tucked behind a podcast, a playlist, a call, or an AI voice dictating your next move.

It creates a tidy social loophole: you’re technically reachable, but not fully present.

### How perpetual listening learned manners

This phenomenon extends beyond earbuds, illustrating how a harmless gadget can become overly self‑assured. The same logic applies to audio glasses, smart glasses, wearable AI, and any device that wants to stay invisible while staying active.

The hardware isn’t the villain. For runners, commuters, travelers, and anyone who needs situational awareness, it can be the difference between enjoying music and missing something crucial. I’d rather notice an oncoming car than savor one last crisp chorus before becoming a cautionary tale.

In the office, the effect leaves a strange aftertaste. Awareness becomes a product feature, while the underlying habit stays the same: constant stimulation delivered with better etiquette. Open‑ear earbuds don’t block the world; they renegotiate the terms.

I’ll listen if I have to, but until then I’d rather be elsewhere.