Technologies

Too Busy to Read? Google’s Audio Overviews Summarize Your Search Results Aloud

This new feature turns some Google queries into bite-size podcast clips so you can learn without reading.

The next time you wonder why school buses are yellow, you might not have to read a single word to get the answer. Google’s latest experimental feature can literally tell you the answer, in a tiny audio clip that loads right to your results page.

Launched Friday in Search Labs, Audio Overviews uses Google’s latest Gemini AI models to turn certain queries into 30- to 45-second, podcast-style explainers, complete with on-screen source links for fact-checking.

The move pushes Google’s AI Overviews beyond text, positioning Search for a semi-hands-free, voice-first future, while also raising more questions about what this means for publishers who rely on clicks.

How you can try out Audio Overviews right now

If you’re interested, you can try out Google’s Audio Overviews right now. Go to the Google Labs website, opt in to the Search Labs program if you’re not already signed up and toggle on Audio Overviews.

The next time you run a query, like «How do I stop apps from tracking my exact location on my iPhone,» Google might show you a button that says Generate Audio Overview, which you’ll have to scroll down a little to see.

You can then tap on the Audio Overview to process the clip, and then press play. You can speed up the audio, mute the clip and also rate it with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to better train it.

Below the player, Google lists the web pages it drew from, so you can click through to fact-check the information or just dig deeper.

For those with visual impairments, this new feature offers a glimpse at what a voice-first Google might look like. But until Google expands language support and proves the summaries are dependable, consider this a nifty experiment for now, not a substitute for reading the full story.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Sunday, Dec. 14

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Dec. 14.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It’s fairly easy, but 1-Across will make you think. Read on for the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Stringed instrument that becomes an exclamation if you switch its second and third letters
Answer: VIOLA

6A clue: Place for unread emails
Answer: INBOX

7A clue: Back of a 45 record
Answer: BSIDE

8A clue: Olympic fencing event
Answer: EPEE

9A clue: Emergency call in Morse code
Answer: SOS

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Good ___ only
Answer: VIBES

2D clue: Bit of creative motivation, for short
Answer: INSPO

3D clue: Theater awards since 1956
Answer: OBIES

4D clue: Ore deposit
Answer: LODE

5D clue: Tool for a firefighter or lumberjack
Answer: AXE

Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Dec. 14, #447

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Dec. 14, No. 447.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition has a purple category that could be super-easy, if you spot the connection right away. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Enjoy the game.

Green group hint: Look up there!

Blue group hint: Remember the Alamo.

Purple group hint: The worldwide leader in sports.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Information on a ticket.

Green group: Things in the sky at sporting events.

Blue group: Members of the San Antonio Spurs.

Purple group: Where the initialism «ESPN» came from

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is information on a ticket. The four answers are date, row, seat number and section.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is things in the sky at sporting events. The four answers are blimp, fireworks, flyover and skycam.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is members of the San Antonio Spurs. The four answers are Barnes, Castle, Fox and Wembanyama.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is where the initialism «ESPN» came from. The four answers are entertainment, sports, programming and network.

Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for Dec. 14, #917

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for Dec. 14, #917.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s NYT Connections puzzle is an odd one in that the purple category, usually the toughest, was the easiest — if you know a certain group of fictional animals. If you need help sorting them into groups, you’re in the right place. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Butter up.

Green group hint: Like The Little Match Girl.

Blue group hint: Letter that makes no sound.

Purple group hint: Oink!