Gear News of the Week: Google Drops Another Android Update, and the Sony A7 V Is Here

A destructive storm in 2020 led to the premature shutdown of Iowa’s only nuclear plant. Google has announced plans to reopen this facility to supply power to its nearby data centers, raising concerns about the reactor's safety in the face of extreme weather events.

Android has introduced Emergency Live Video for 911 calls, allowing dispatchers to view real-time scenes during emergencies, enhancing situational awareness and response times. Additionally, the Pixel Watch 4 now supports gesture controls, enabling users to manage notifications with simple hand movements.

The week of December 12, 2025, saw significant developments in the tech sector, highlighted by stories from Disney, Paramount, DC, and Android, including the testing of Android XR glasses and the introduction of a revolutionary smart ring. These stories reflect ongoing innovations and shifts in technology, particularly in user experience and immersive technologies.

Google has launched a beta version of its Translate app that enables ordinary headphones to function as instant language interpreters, supporting over 70 languages. This innovative feature aims to enhance communication across language barriers, making it easier for users to engage in conversations without the need for specialized devices.

Google has announced the expansion of its live translation feature to all earbuds on Android devices, with plans to roll out similar capabilities to iOS in the coming months. This enhancement aims to facilitate real-time communication across language barriers, making it easier for users to converse in different languages seamlessly.

Google has enhanced its Translate service to better interpret slang terms and idioms using artificial intelligence, marking a significant improvement in its language processing capabilities. This update aims to provide users with more accurate translations that reflect the nuances of everyday language.

Google has launched an upgraded version of its Gemini Deep Research agent, built on the Gemini 3 Pro reasoning model, coinciding with OpenAI's release of GPT-5.2. This strategic timing highlights a competitive landscape in AI technology, as both companies vie for dominance in advanced AI capabilities.

Android users can now utilize Gemini technology to receive live translations in over 70 languages through their earbuds, effectively preserving the speaker's tone and cadence. This feature enhances communication across language barriers, making conversations more fluid and natural.