Ask Maps with Gemini Turns Google Maps into a Smart Travel Assistant

Ask Maps with Gemini Turns Google Maps into a Smart Travel Assistant

Get answers, suggestions, and real-time insights directly inside Maps, powered by Gemini.  Google Maps is evolving from a navigation tool into an intelligent assistant that understands what you’re trying to do. With Gemini built in, you can ask natural questions and get personalized, context-aware answers on the fly.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

March 29, 2026

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What if your map could think with you instead of just showing directions?

You’re heading into a new city, looking for a great lunch spot, parking nearby, and something interesting to do afterward. 

Normally, that means jumping between apps, searching, filtering, and guessing. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Ask Maps.

With Gemini inside Google Maps, that entire workflow collapses into a single conversation.

Import Your AI Memories and Chat History to Gemini

Import Your AI Memories and Chat History to Gemini

Stop starting from scratch with every new AI tool and learn how to migrate your existing conversations and preferences directly into the Gemini ecosystem. The biggest hurdle in switching digital assistants is the fear of losing your curated history and personalized settings. Google has launched a dedicated switching tool that makes this transition seamless by allowing you to port your AI memories and chat history from platforms like ChatGPT and Claude directly into the Gemini app.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

March 28, 2026

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Have you ever spent weeks "training" an AI assistant to understand your specific writing style or your complex project requirements, only to feel trapped because moving to a better tool means starting over? 

It is a common frustration in the rapidly evolving world of generative AI. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Import Memories to Google Gemini.

As Google consolidates its AI efforts under the Gemini brand, the company is addressing this "data gravity" head on. 

Instead of losing the context of your previous interactions, you can now bring that intelligence with you. 

This isn't just about saving old text; it is about maintaining the momentum of your digital workflows without skipping a beat.

Unlock Thousands of Free Sound Effects

Unlock Thousands of Free Sound Effects

Discover an overlooked goldmine of professional audio you can use instantly. BBC’s massive sound archive is now searchable, playable, and ready for your next project.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

March 27, 2026

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Have you ever needed the perfect sound effect and ended up sifting through low-quality clips or expensive libraries? 

There’s a better option hiding in plain sight, and it comes from one of the most trusted media organizations in the world.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the Free BBC Sound Effects Archive.

Apple Releases iOS 26.4: New Emojis, Video Podcasts, and Smarter iPhone Features You’ll Actually Use

Apple Releases iOS 26.4: New Emojis, Video Podcasts, and Smarter iPhone Features You’ll Actually Use

Apple’s latest update is not just about polish. iOS 26.4 adds visible, practical features including new emojis, video podcasts, and smarter system behavior.  iOS 26.4 delivers a mix of fun additions and meaningful upgrades that improve how your iPhone works day to day. From fresh emojis to Apple Music and Podcasts enhancements, this update brings both personality and productivity.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

March 25, 2026

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Most iPhone updates promise improvements you barely notice.

iOS 26.4 takes a different approach. It introduces features you will actually see, use, and appreciate. Some are small, like new emojis. 

Others, like video podcasts and smarter notifications, quietly improve your daily workflow.

Improved Bing Video Creator: Turn Text Prompts into Shareable Videos in Seconds

Improved Bing Video Creator: Turn Text Prompts into Shareable Videos in Seconds

Create short videos from simple prompts using Bing’s updated AI-powered Video Creator. It’s fast, visual, and built for everyday users who want content without complexity.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

March 25, 2026

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What if creating a short video was as easy as typing a sentence?

That’s exactly what Microsoft is aiming for with the improved Bing Video Creator. 

Instead of editing timelines or learning video software, you describe what you want, and the system builds it for you.

We first told you about this Bing feature in 2025.

How to Find Receipts on Your Phone Without Digging Through Photos

How to Find Receipts on Your Phone Without Digging Through Photos

Quickly locate receipts, QR codes, and scanned documents right inside your photo library using built-in search tools on iPhone and Android.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

March 24, 2026

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Ever stood at a return counter scrolling endlessly through your camera roll, hoping to find that one receipt?

Here's a Cool Tip: Know How to Search Photos.

Your phone already knows where it is. 

You just haven’t been using the right search.

How To Create QR Codes In Microsoft Word (So People Actually Scan Them)

How To Create QR Codes In Microsoft Word (So People Actually Scan Them)

Turn any Word document into a scannable, mobile-friendly experience with built-in QR codes. No add ins, no sketchy websites, just a smart field code hiding in plain sight.  Creating QR codes directly in Microsoft Word lets you turn reports, handouts, and invoices into interactive documents. 

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

March 23, 2026

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You have probably seen QR codes slapped on posters, menus, and invoices that no one actually scans. 

Often they are too small, too blurry, or point to a link that is already out of date.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Create QR Codes in Microsoft Word.

Microsoft Word has a built in way to generate QR codes that update with your document, without uploading anything to a third party site. 

Once you know the trick, you can drop a QR code into a template in seconds and keep it in sync with your latest URL, form, or contact info.

Gemini for Everyone: Personal Intelligence Moves Beyond the Paywall

Gemini for Everyone: Personal Intelligence Moves Beyond the Paywall

Google has officially expanded its "Personal Intelligence" feature to all Gemini users in the U.S., allowing the AI to connect and reason across Gmail, Photos, and Drive without a paid subscription.  This rollout marks a major shift from beta testing to a standard feature for millions of personal Google accounts.

Byline: By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

March 22, 2026

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Remember when you had to pay $20 a month just to have an AI assistant that actually knew your schedule? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Gemini's Personal Intelligence for Free.

Google flipped the switch to bring Personal Intelligence to the masses. 

No longer reserved for "Pro" subscribers, this feature allows Gemini to act as a unified brain for your digital life. 

If you've ever felt like your data was trapped in silos: an airline confirmation in Gmail, a car's license plate in Photos, and a packing list in Drive, this update is the bridge you've been waiting for.

Learn Math with ChatGPT Using Interactive Visuals That Actually Make Sense

Learn Math with ChatGPT Using Interactive Visuals That Actually Make Sense

See formulas move, variables respond, and hard concepts click faster. ChatGPT’s new interactive math and science visuals turn abstract lessons into something you can test, tweak, and understand.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

March 21, 2026

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What if math stopped feeling like a wall of symbols and started behaving more like a live demo? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Learn Math with ChatGPT.

ChatGPT has launched a new interactive learning experience for math and science. 

This matters because the old pattern for AI study help was often too passive. 

You asked a question, got an answer, and hoped it stuck. 

With these new visual modules, ChatGPT can show how relationships change as you adjust numbers, which is a much better fit for concepts like the Pythagorean theorem, circle area, ideal gas law, and lens equations. 

The feature launched March 10, 2026, with more than 70 core math and science topics and is available globally across all plans.

Channel Surfer Turns YouTube Into a Lean-Back TV Experience

Channel Surfer Turns YouTube Into a Lean-Back TV Experience

Flip through live-style channels built from YouTube and rediscover content without endless searching. Channel Surfer gives you a cable-like viewing experience using YouTube videos, organized into channels you can browse. If you miss the simplicity of flipping channels instead of scrolling feeds, this tool delivers a surprisingly engaging alternative.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

March 19, 2026

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Do you ever open YouTube intending to watch one video and end up spending more time searching than actually watching? 

The paradox of choice has turned streaming into work. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Watch Channel Surfer.

Instead of forcing you to decide, Channel Surfer lets you browse like traditional television, with curated streams that just play.