Rowan Davies

Google is rolling out a Gemini for Home update that improves Spotify voice requests, introduces a two-step message-broadcasting process, and enables smart lights to be set to specific color temperatures. However, Google Home users say core features such as alarms, thermostat automations, and basic factual queries remain unreliable. The continuing problems and slow pace of updates are raising concerns about the transition from Google Assistant and threatening user confidence in Google’s smart home ecosystem.

Spotify has launched Playlist Notes, allowing users to add up to 250-character notes to songs, podcast episodes, and audiobooks in personal or collaborative playlists. The notes can capture memories, recommendations, and context behind audio choices, and are written entirely by users rather than generated by AI. Spotify is also expanding the feature to selected editorial playlists, where curators can explain their recommendations. The feature is available to eligible Free and Premium users aged 16 and over in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, with options to view or hide the notes.

Spotify has begun testing a “Skip ahead” button for Premium podcast listeners that automatically skips baked-in sponsorships, introductions and other promotional segments, while leaving ads sold directly by Spotify unskippable. The feature is welcomed by subscribers but has raised concerns that reduced ad exposure could cut podcast revenue and create an uneven advertising system favoring Spotify. Spotify says the tool is intended to improve listening while preserving ad delivery and claims that listeners may use the saved time to consume more podcast content, limiting any negative effect on monetization.

Rowan Davies explains how they use Spotify playlists and folders to track favorite songs by year and monitor changes in their musical taste. Although Spotify recently expanded mobile folder support and increased library pins, it still does not allow users to organize saved albums directly into folders. Workarounds involving album-based playlists are cumbersome, so Davies uses Musicboard for chronological album lists while calling for Spotify to provide comparable organization tools within its own platform.

A Reddit user says inexpensive liquid silicone replacement tips solved their AirPods Pro 2 slipping problem during activities such as running, walking, and chewing. The roughly $5 set reportedly remains compatible with the charging case, while offering a tackier grip than Apple’s standard tips. The article contrasts these replacements with more expensive Comply foam tips, which may provide stronger isolation but can be less durable and do not work for everyone.

Syitren is launching the RM1, a transparent CD player available for pre-order on Kickstarter for $89. Its clear acrylic construction exposes the spinning disc, mainboard, progress bar and LED display, allowing it to be wall-mounted, stood upright or laid flat. The player offers 6–8 hours of playback, remote controls, a 3.5mm AUX output and Bluetooth 5.3, but lacks built-in speakers and is positioned more as a visual music player than a high-fidelity system. Its design reflects renewed interest in physical music formats and intentional listening as an alternative to algorithm-driven streaming.