Sonos Era 100 Pro & new Zones feature now available

Photo: Sonos

Sonos announced the availability of its first speaker designed specifically for professional installers: the Era 100 Pro. This Ethernet-powered speaker is sold in pairs through authorized Sonos installation partners. Pricing is set by these partners, with one Toronto installer estimating a price of $409 each, or $499 CAD with a wall mount. Buyers should note the Era 100 Pro requires a powered Ethernet connection because it won't work with typical wired home networks.

Alongside the new speaker, Sonos has introduced Zones in its app. This new feature allows for the creation of semi-permanent speaker collections of up to 16 compatible devices, simplifying control in commercial settings. Zones offer synchronized content and volume, with individual speaker trim and EQ adjustments. 

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Pixel phones get enhanced security with Google's Identity Check

Image: Android Authority

Google has rolled out its new Identity Check security feature to Pixel phones. This added layer of protection requires you to verify your identity with biometrics and a PIN or password when attempting to change key settings outside of designated "trusted places."

This feature is designed to thwart thieves by making it significantly harder for them to access sensitive information like app passwords, change your PIN, or disable Find My Device. You can designate trusted locations, such as your home or office, where standard authentication methods are sufficient.

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GM bets big on Super Cruise, eyes billions in revenue

Photo: General Motors

General Motors is doubling down on its Super Cruise driver-assistance technology, aiming to generate billions in revenue and establish itself as a tech leader. This move comes as GM exits its loss-making Cruise robotaxi business.

GM projects Super Cruise will bring in approximately US$2 billion (around CA$2.9 billion) in annual revenue within the next five years. The company sees this high-margin revenue stream as key to its transformation, similar to Tesla's focus on technology.

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Gemini App gets speed boost with Gemini 2.0 Flash

Image: Google

The Gemini app just got a whole lot faster. Google has rolled out Gemini 2.0 Flash, a new model promising quicker responses and improved performance across various benchmarks. You can expect a smoother experience when brainstorming, learning, or writing, making Gemini an even more helpful tool for everyday tasks.  

While all users benefit from 2.0 Flash, Gemini Advanced subscribers retain access to the powerful 1M token context window, enabling them to upload and process up to 1,500 pages of files. They also continue to enjoy priority access to features like Deep Research and Gems.  

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