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Owen Poole goes over the big tech stories of the day, including: YouTube settling a lawsuit brought by President Trump for $24.5 million stemming from account suspensions. Google announcing that Gemini is replacing Google Assistant for its Nest Home line of products along with new Ai-focused security cameras. Amazon is "re-thinking" its Luna cloud-based gaming services to focus more on party games.
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The Comet browser was always intended to be a free competitor to Chrome and other browsers, though it started out locked behind that massive "AI" paywall. (In fact, Perplexity is so committed to the browser bit that it briefly entertained buying Chrome from Google, before the U.S. government decided that antitrust laws are more like guidelines.)
As of today it's free for anyone to use, along with its LLM-powered Sidecar feature, according to TechCrunch. Though the download site still indicates you either need a subscription or an invitation to use it, I was able to download and install it without logging in.
But in order to get the full powers of the browser, you'll still need that $200-a-month subscription. Without it you're rate-limited for its various tools, including text generation, shopping, and even logging in and "browsing" using your identity. Just be careful — like many LLM tools it has some rather glaring security issues.
Chris Hoff
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And yeah, with services like Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce Now, you can even stream big games on certain models. The main thing is grabbing one that nails the basics-runs smooth, feels sturdy, and doesn't' tap out halfway through the day. We've tested these picks hands-on, so if it's on this list, it's earned its spot.
If you decide that you'd prefer a Windows laptop, check out PCWorld's roundup of the best laptops available today.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 - Best overall Chromebook
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We've known for some time that Microsoft Office apps were getting new icons (thanks to a leak). But they're official as of today, according to Jon Friedman (CVP of Design and Research for Microsoft 365) in this Microsoft Design blog post.
Microsoft is rolling out the new design to users with immediate effect. In the post, Friedman explains the redesign's significance:
The last time Microsoft updated the Office icons was in 2018. Below, you can see all the redesigned icons side by side:
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 Google today announced the launch of a new Google Home Speaker, which has a more HomePod mini-like design than prior versions of the smart speaker.
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Gemini for Home begins rollout as Google updates its smart home cameras and says goodbye to Google Assistant. Here's everything that's happening in October.
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Want to see even more? Take a peek at PCWorld's list of the top laptops you can get right now.
Why you should trust us: It's in our name! PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We've been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of the picks below have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who've applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We're also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget.
Best budget laptop deals under $500
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 The United States Federal Communications Commission has confirmed Apple's work on a new version of the MacBook Pro and several other products, leaking details on the devices ahead of launch.
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 In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps.
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