Technologies

My Dog and I Put Gemini’s New Navigation Features to the Test

For people who commute by bike or rely on walking directions while traveling, being able to ask quick questions without breaking stride could be a real level-up.

If you’re constantly on the move — like navigating an unfamiliar city while traveling or, if you’re like me, squeezing in a few dog walks between meetings every work day — Google just made Maps more useful and hands-off. Gemini in navigation, previously limited to driving, is now available for walking and cycling.

Google describes Gemini in navigation as «like talking to a friend in the passenger seat,» and that idea translates surprisingly well when you’re on foot or on a bike, too. Instead of tapping at your phone, you can now ask conversational questions out loud while navigating and get real-time, context-aware answers based on Google Maps’ data.

Cyclists get hands-free assistance designed to keep them focused and safe on the road. While navigating, you can ask practical questions, such as, «What’s my ETA?» or, «When’s my next meeting?» without taking your hands off the handlebars. If you’re running late, Gemini can help with quick tasks like sending a message. For instance, just say, «Text Sarah I’m 10 minutes behind,» and it’ll take care of the rest.

For walkers, meanwhile, Gemini effectively doubles as a personal tour guide. While exploring a new city, you can ask questions like, «What neighborhood am I in?» or, «What are the top-rated restaurants nearby?» Gemini will surface recommendations along your current route, pulling from Maps’ up-to-date local information.

I tried this feature out for myself on my regular afternoon walk with my dog, Holden (whom I shamelessly try to write about whenever feasible). He’s very calm and low-energy — the benefit of adopting an older dog — and has always been great on the leash. So great, in fact, that I was pondering if he really even needs to be leashed at all. This dog is like Velcro. He’s not going anywhere.

I went about half a mile away from my home before pulling up Google Maps. I entered my home address just to have the navigation feature running, and asked, «Is it illegal to walk a dog without a leash in Florida?» Gemini gave me a thorough answer about how the state of Florida doesn’t have a statewide leash law, but instead leaves leash regulations to individual counties and municipalities to decide. I then asked, «Is it illegal to walk an off-leash dog in St. Petersburg?»

Turns out, it is indeed illegal — so that idea was quickly dashed — but Gemini did give me some solid recommendations for off-leash dog parks and beaches in my city. Fort De Soto Park dog beach it is.

While not groundbreaking, the hands-free and conversational aspects were surprisingly useful, especially since I always have one hand occupied with a Labrador. I also appreciated how the answers were thorough enough to fully satisfy my question while succinct enough not to lose my interest. I can genuinely see how this tool could come in handy in a slew of different use cases, from checking the menu of a nearby restaurant to asking for the best coffee shops while exploring Amsterdam — as long as you don’t mind looking a little goofy talking to your phone aloud.

Gemini in navigation for walking and cycling is live worldwide on iOS, wherever Gemini is available.

Technologies

Verum Messenger Goes Desktop: Launches macOS Version as Part of Expanding Digital Ecosystem

The team behind Verum Messenger has announced a new update, introducing a full-featured macOS version of the application.

The launch of the Mac version marks a significant step in the platform’s development, enabling users to access Verum Messenger not only on mobile devices but also on desktop environments.

The macOS version ensures seamless synchronization across devices while maintaining the platform’s core principles: security, stability, and independence.

Unified Digital Experience

With the release of the macOS version, users can now:

— communicate on a larger screen
— manage chats and files more efficiently
— use the messenger in a full desktop environment
— access core features without limitations

This is particularly valuable for users who rely on messaging platforms for both communication and professional use.

Expanding Capabilities

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional platform combining:

— secure communication
— financial tools (Verum Finance)
— digital asset operations, including Tether
— investment features such as Verum Gold

Toward a Full Ecosystem

The macOS release reflects Verum Messenger’s strategy to become a universal digital platform available across all major devices.

According to the team, the goal is to provide users with continuous access to communication and financial services regardless of device or environment.

Verum Messenger continues to build technologies focused on security, usability, and global accessibility.

Technologies

Google, Meta and Amazon Join Global Pact to Fight Rising Online Scams

The companies will share fraud intelligence and coordinate responses as AI makes scams faster, cheaper and harder to detect.

Modern online scams operate across multiple platforms, perhaps spanning social media, messaging apps, email and online marketplaces. Google, Meta and Amazon are among 11 tech, retail and payments companies that have signed a new agreement to combat online scams by sharing threat intelligence across platforms, Axios first reported Monday.

The initiative, called the Industry Accord Against Online Scams & Fraud, is designed to improve how companies detect and respond to fraud that spans multiple services. Participants say they will exchange signals, such as scam-linked accounts and fraudulent domains, and coordinate enforcement actions.

By sharing intelligence in near real time, companies hope to identify these scams earlier and stop them before they spread.

The effort reflects how modern scams operate. A victim might encounter a fake celebrity investment ad on social media, move to a messaging app where the scammer builds trust, then faces prompts to send money through a fraudulent website, payment app or crypto wallet — spanning multiple companies’ ecosystems.

Google said it now blocks hundreds of millions of scam-related results every day using AI, underscoring how both attackers and defenders are increasingly relying on the same technology. Meta removed more than 159 million scam ads in 2025 and is expanding AI tools to detect impersonation and warn users.

Online scams are growing rapidly, in part because generative AI has lowered the barrier to entry. AI can be used not only to produce realistic phishing emails but also to clone voices and deepfake videos that impersonate executives, public figures and even family members.

The agreement is voluntary and doesn’t create new legal obligations, but it comes after regulators’ increased pressure on tech platforms to address fraud more aggressively. The companies say they will begin building frameworks for reporting and intelligence-sharing, though it’s not yet clear how quickly those systems will be deployed or how effective they will be in practice.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Wednesday, March 18

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for March 18.

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? I thought it was a fairly easy one, but read on for all 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.