Microsoft Hangs Up on Skype: Iconic App Shuts Down After 23 Years
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Macy Meyer is a North Carolina native who graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a BA in English and a second BA in Journalism. Macy is a Writer on the CNET How-To team, covering a variety of topics, including home security, fitness and nutrition, smart home tech and more. In each article, Macy helps readers get the most out of their home, tech and wellness. When Macy isn't writing, she's volunteering, traveling, walking her dog, Holden, or watching sports.
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CNET
20 hours ago
- CNET
Gemini Pro Review: My Go-To AI Chatbot Costs $20 Per Month
CNET's expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. 9.0 / 10 SCORE Google Gemini Pro Review Pros Higher-quality responses Accurate, with greatly reduced hallucinations Connection to internet and to other Google services Fast image generation 2TB cloud storage Cons Can still make logical errors Coding assist can make repeated mistakes Failed certain obscure requests Google Gemini Pro Review 9/10/10 CNET Score If the Gemini twins in Greek mythology are meant to guide sailors, then the name Google gave to its AI chatbot finally matches its demigodly ambitions. Compared to when I tested it last year, Gemini has seen tremendous improvements in accuracy and usefulness. While the free version of Gemini is highly capable and is good for most use cases, the paid version I'm reviewing here brings a more powerful AI model that can handle requests of higher complexity with greater "reasoning" abilities. I've found responses to be more informative, with greater nuance. Where 2.5 Flash aims to be a light model that can output answers quickly at little cost, 2.5 Pro takes the extra processing time to give better outputs. At $20 per month, Gemini Pro is worth the upgrade for people looking to accomplish more-complex research and coding tasks, or who want a deeper AI model to communicate with. Considering that a Gemini Pro subscription also comes with 2TB of cloud storage, along with some video generation tools, it could easily become a justifiable expense for some people. At the same time, Gemini isn't all-knowing. It still can make some logical mistakes, because AI chatbots don't truly understand the world around them. They're highly complex autocomplete tools and, as a result, can get information wrong because they don't experience the world like we do. Compared with ChatGPT Plus, Gemini Pro can still lag behind in some scenarios, despite its numerous improvements and further integrations with other Google services, such as Search and Maps. What Google ultimately delivers is a highly capable AI chatbot that can handle a wide host of challenges. From coding to research, Gemini can handle pretty much anything thrown at it. Both ChatGPT Plus, specifically the "reasoning" o3 model, and Gemini Pro offer tremendous functionality, and differentiating between the two comes down to very specific use cases. How CNET reviews AI models Last year, I treated my reviews of AI chatbots as if I were reviewing any other tech product at CNET, running a series of comparison tests to see which came out on top. Though that's a handy way to test camera quality between the iPhone 16 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, it's a little less useful when reviewing AI chatbots. Because AI chatbots are machines that can do practically anything, performing side-by-side A-B testing isn't indicative of how most people interact with AI. Imagine if I were reviewing Google Search and Bing. In this scenario, it would make sense to do comparative searches and record my results. But AI chatbots don't work like traditional online search, which indexes sites to pull up the most relevant results. AIs give novel answers to every question asked, even if it's the same question. It makes standard comparative testing less of a reflection of real-world use. This year, I'm opting for a more experiential approach. It's less scientific, sure, but I feel it gives a better sense of the vibe each AI chatbot brings. And considering that Google, OpenAI, Anthropic and others want to give their AI chatbots a bit of a personality, unpacking that vibe is core to evaluating the AI experience. Research and accuracy Compared with 2024, Gemini Pro is leagues more accurate this year. It seldom makes up facts or links to nonexistent YouTube videos, as the previous version did during my tests last year. Google has also done a much better job of integrating information gathered via Search to pull up the most relevant sourcing. To test how Gemini could help me research current events, I asked the chatbot to analyze talking points from the recent New York mayoral primary. It did an excellent job of pulling together facts with proper sourcing, including Radio Free Europe, PBS, official government sources and, in some instances, YouTube videos from major news channels. Because Google owns YouTube, Gemini can link directly to any of the site's vast trove of videos. That gives Google an edge over the companies behind other AI engines. YouTube, by default, blocks creators from allowing their videos to be used for AI training. Other AI companies have crawled YouTube to train their models, a practice that violated YouTube's terms of service. Something I've found particularly handy is using Gemini as a sounding board for some of my crazier ideas. I own a wide selection of video game consoles, all plugged into my television with multiple HDMI switches and power strips. I asked Gemini if it would be possible to make a superlong HDMI switch that could fit more than 20 devices. Gemini explained that creating a circuit board that could handle 4K, HDR and high refresh rates across multiple inputs would be extremely challenging and beyond the scope of a DIY project. When I asked Gemini to create a schematic of what this project might look like, it attempted to do so with ASCII characters but ultimately failed. Google Gemini Pro fails at making a schematic for a 24-port HDMI switch. Imad Khan/CNET At least Gemini is real with me. Despite Gemini's accuracy, it doesn't understand the world around it. I've recently been trying to cut more sugar out of my diet, (apologies to my local bubble tea shop). I've been wanting to make a basic milk tea using monkfruit sweetener and nondairy creamer. I asked Gemini to create me a healthy milk tea recipe, but it didn't work out so well. Gemini suggested I make a tea base with one cup of water and two bags of black tea. For sweetness, Gemini said to add only 1 tablespoon of monkfruit sweetener. That, plus three-quarters of a cup of milk and 1 to 2 tablespoons of creamer would create that ideal low-calorie milk tea. The result was a chunky mess. After I used these exact measurements, I found that the drink wasn't anywhere sweet enough and that the creamer-to-liquid ratio was all off, leading to clumps in the final product. Gemini has never sipped bubble tea before, so it makes sense that it doesn't understand what 2 tablespoons of nondairy creamer would do in only 14 ounces of liquid. Gemini's 'vibe coding' blew me away I'm not a coder. Back in college, I took an introductory Python course and after much struggle managed to get a C. But with AI chatbots, you don't need to be a coding wiz, or even know how to display "Hello World" at all. With Gemini Pro, I was able to make a fully functioning Chrome extension with virtually no experience (I didn't test coding with Gemini Free). Vibe coding is a term that essentially means to code by talking it out. You express to an AI what you're hoping to accomplish, and through your back-and-forth conversation, the AI will generate the code and help you get a program up and running. I vibe coded with Gemini, and not only was the experience fascinating and a lot of fun, I also found it to be just as impactful as when I used ChatGPT for the first time in late 2023. (Gemini isn't the only AI chatbot with coding assistance. All the other major AI chatbots tout their coding capabilities. But Gemini Pro is the first I've meaningfully tested for that purpose.) I asked Gemini to build me a tool that could scan my articles and add appropriate links to other CNET articles. In my conversation with Gemini to build and test the tool, I explained in plain language any issues, and Gemini would come up with a solution and fix the code. It wasn't a perfect experience, though. There were instances when Gemini would generate an updated piece of code only to leave out a feature that was in the prior version. I'd then ask Gemini where that feature went, and it would apologize and fix the code. Interestingly, when we'd hit roadblocks and I'd suggest that maybe the feature I was envisioning was simply too difficult to implement, Gemini would push back. It would say the feature was still totally doable and would generate revised code. This back-and-forth would go on until Gemini got it right. The larger computer science job market is currently going through an upheaval as Big Tech executives continue laying off thousands of workers while boasting about how much coding AI is doing. After using Gemini to code, I understand why students are worried. Regardless, coding with Gemini has changed my understanding of the power of AI chatbots, and I plan to vibe code more as part of the testing I do for reviews. Gemini Pro is (surprisingly) worse than ChatGPT for shopping Searching for any product on Google Search leads to an obnoxious mix of product carousels and sponsored listings, drowning out all other reviews and articles (including CNET's). Considering how much Google invests in monetizing online shopping, it's surprising how quaint the product research is on Gemini by comparison. ChatGPT has a far more robust shopping experience. Gemini is an excellent tool for basic product research. When I asked it to compare various models of Panasonic micro four-thirds cameras, for example, Gemini could pull up models that met my specifications and could tabulate their features in a handy list when asked. It could add more products to that list as I continued to fall down the DSLR rabbit hole. At the same time, unlike ChatGPT, it doesn't provide links to stores and it doesn't incorporate images. Product research on Gemini required me to have a separate Google Search window open just so I could see current pricing and what various camera models looked like, side by side. Gemini can also sometimes get product details wrong. But ChatGPT would also link to incorrect products. Shopping is one of those instances where Gemini needs to act less like an AI chatbot and more like Google Search. I looked for a piece of furniture to hold my record player and store my vinyl, and Gemini gave me a guide to what to look for when shopping but didn't actually recommend any products. Jumping over to ChatGPT, it was an entirely different experience. There, it was like I was working with a sales associate at a furniture store, going through the various options to find something that fit my needs. Image generation: At least it's better than Gemini Free I didn't extensively test image generation with Gemini Pro, but I found it more than adequate for basic tasks. (CNET will have a separate hands-on of Google's various image and video generation tools.) At the very least, when compared with Gemini Free, Gemini Pro did a better job of following my intent when creating images. Like with my Gemini Free review, I wanted to create a nostalgic image that evoked the feeling of playing a Game Boy on a late night drive in the back seat of a car. Gemini Pro got it on the first go. Google Gemini Pro generates an image of a boy playing his Game Boy in the backseat of a car at night. Imad Khan/CNET My prompt that generated the image above: "I want to create an image. One that evokes a feeling of nostalgia. The image is that of a boy playing his Game Boy in the back of his parents' car on a long road trip at night. Because the screen isn't backlit, he's sitting near the window, trying to catch whatever passing light he can to see where to go. This image should use cool colors accented by the warmth of the light entering in. Feature anime-style artwork with a slight Western design. Should feel hand-drawn with intricately detailed linework. Analog VHS distortion. '90s cartoon aesthetic." My experience with Gemini Free image generation was much more frustrating. The model simply didn't understand world logic and would often place the boy in the front seat facing backward, or with surrounding vehicles driving in the wrong direction. Eventually, I gave up. Redemption Google's done it. After Bard's dismal launch and a bumpy rebrand as Gemini, the latest build of the company's AI chatbot can compete with the best from OpenAI. This time around, Gemini brings with it greater accuracy, collaborative capability, coding power and image generation to make an overall compelling product. The Gemini 2.5 Pro model is simply better than the free Gemini Flash model. Answers have more nuance and density, and features like the image generator work considerably better. It's a tad annoying when Gemini will default to the Flash model even for Pro subscribers. I suspect it does so when traffic is high and Google is trying to lessen the load. It's easy enough to switch back, but you have to notice the switch to do so. Compared with ChatGPT's o3 model, in particular, Gemini 2.5 Pro is faster while maintaining comparable answer quality. Google also says it has a 1 million token context window, which would dwarf what's been reported regarding ChatGPT. Being able to pull in data from other Google services gives Gemini another edge. Gemini isn't perfect, however. It can still stumble with some types of queries, and using it for shopping is lackluster. Despite my qualms, I found myself increasingly reliant on Gemini, moving myself further away from Google Search. AI is slowly moving Google away from being a search company to an answer company. Last year, Gemini's answers were too often wrong to be worth recommending. This time, I have much more confidence in Gemini's answers. Of course, if I ever publish anything incorrect, the responsibility will fall on me. Ultimately, Gemini Pro acts as a professional and handy know-it-all assistant. It doesn't have the attitude of Claude or the controversy of Grok. Instead, it's there to help even if you find yourself giving up. It's that assertiveness that makes Gemini Pro a standout AI product.
CNET
20 hours ago
- CNET
The Art of Freelancing Like a Boss, According to the Folks Who Do It
Jeffrey Hazelwood/CNET Jamie Brindle has been freelancing for 16 years and is on a mission to "demystify" the freelance world. In 2020, amid a shaky job market and widespread rejection of corporate hustle culture, he started helping beginner freelancers become their own bosses. The expansion of remote work, advances in AI and the growth of influencer platforms have all led to a kind of self-employment boom. As Gen Zers and millennials find new ways to upgrade their skills in a flexible work setting, the traditional 9-to-5 has become less inviting -- and less reliable. "People are finally coming over to my side and agreeing that building something for yourself is the safe option now," Brindle told me. Financial instability is not a minor factor. Plenty of full-time professionals rely on part-time side hustles and gig work to compensate for stagnant wages and the high cost of living. Working as an independent contractor can feel like a life raft during tough economic times. Whether by choice or necessity, millions of people are turning to freelancing as a long-term business strategy. "If you lose a client, you're inconvenienced," said Brindle. "If you lose your job, you're unemployed." The term "freelancer" often brings to mind ride-share drivers or creators working from home. Yet the self-employed span nearly every industry and skill level, from entry-level musicians to highly specialized brand consultants. In my research, I discovered a world of artists, technicians, developers, strategists, writers, coaches and tradespeople, each carving their own path. In 2027, freelancers are projected to make up more than half the US workforce, according to Statista. A majority freelance workforce has numerous political and economic implications for future generations. What does a country of nearly 90 million independent contractors look like? Better yet, should you follow the trend? Whether you've recently lost your job or you're following your passion, this article focuses on tips to get started building your own business. Shaped by real-life insights from seasoned freelancers, this practical guide can help you thrive in this expanding work model. How to move from full-time employment to freelance work Freelancing is not always a choice. If you've recently been laid off or left your job out of necessity, you won't necessarily have the luxury to plan for self-employment. But in today's competitive job market, setting up your own gig could be the easiest way to guarantee some income. One of the biggest hurdles is getting started. First, identify your strengths and narrow in on what you're offering. Then tell everyone you're available for work. "If you create a persona for yourself, market yourself and your business, and create that reputation, that's what eventually will bring people to you," said Jeannette Smith, a freelance content writer and editor. Over the years, Smith has cultivated an impressive following, with 11,000 connections on LinkedIn. When making the leap from a conventional employee to an independent contractor, don't wipe your slate clean. Use the experience and connections you've built over the years to devise a business plan and reach out to prospective clients. "Everything that you've done in your 9-to-5 is a launch pad for your freelance work, your network, your skills," said Tia Meyers, CEO and founder of Freelancing Females, the world's largest community of women in the freelancing field. If you need guidance, the Freelancers Union, a nonprofit with over 500,000 members, can provide advocacy, education and access to benefits. Executive director Rafael Espinal said the organization can connect you to fellow freelancers and provide assistance for everything from creating contracts to setting rates. 1️⃣ Understand the business If you're committing to freelance work full time, you might need to formalize your business by registering with the state. Setting up a separate legal structure will give you liability protection, tax flexibility and the ability to secure loans. In Smith's case, she created an LLC (a limited liability corporation) that allowed her to open a business bank account and keep her personal and business finances separate. Alternatively, anyone who is freelancing for occasional side income can be classified as a sole proprietorship. If you don't want to incorporate or form a legal entity to run your business right away, you'll report your income on your personal tax return. "Just be aware that as a 1099 employee (freelancer), no taxes are being withheld," said Smith. "It is your responsibility to estimate your taxes due and pay them quarterly." Ultimately, how you decide to structure your business entity depends on your goals as a freelancer and what legal and tax benefits you're looking for. 2️⃣ Build your reputation A freelance business doesn't grow magically. Once you begin taking on projects, it takes time to find your footing. Depending on the industry and your persistence, Meyers told me to expect anywhere from three months to 12 months to get consistent income and inquiries from clients. To build your reputation, Brindle recommends boosting your visibility on the professional networking platform LinkedIn, which he calls a "24-hour business conference." But don't treat the site like a portfolio or an online resume. Instead, use social media for discussion and commentary, where you can make ongoing contributions and maintain engagement. Brindle said that sharing posts about what your clients find valuable will favor the algorithm, which is designed to keep users on the platform as long as possible. 3️⃣ Find your network No one will know you're looking for work unless you tell them. "Go to your past co-workers, send notes to friends, find a collective of people," said Meyer-Grado. Communities like Freelancing Females, the Freelancers Union and local job boards advertise openings, help you collaborate on work and share client bases. Creating a profile on talent marketplaces like Fiverr and Upwork can also do some of the lifting. According to Nikhil Purwaha, senior director of project management at Upwork, the site has thousands of job posts for freelancers across more than 125 categories, from marketing to software development to customer service. "We recommend creating a profile that highlights your core strengths, then browsing open projects that match your background," Purwaha told me in an email. "Clients are often more interested in outcomes than credentials, and many are open to giving newer freelancers a shot if they show commitment, skill and professionalism." 4️⃣ Grow your client base To generate a loyal clientele, your outreach should be ongoing and diverse, ranging from in-person referrals and professional associations to smaller contract agencies. Once you start completing assignments and proving your reliability, clients are likely to come back to you. "The trust factor is the most important thing to build," said Smith. "If clients like you, they will eventually trust you. And people tend to only buy from people they trust." Though Fiverr and Upwork can help you get started, many independent contractors don't recommend relying on them as the foundation of your business. Sites like these have "pay to play" elements or take a percentage of each transaction as commission. As a result, online gig-work marketplaces are often saturated with low-paying clientele. "They can create a race-to-the-bottom mentality, where freelancers are outbidding each other to secure work," said Espinal. According to Brindle, the majority of your clients should come from your own networking and promotion, and only 10-15% from freelancer platforms. 5️⃣ Market your niche Marketing involves educating prospective clients about your unique service and demonstrating your brand's niche -- a way of planting the flag as a category leader. "If a freelancer comes to me and says, 'I don't know how to get leads,' 99.9% of the time it's because they don't have a niche," Brindle said. For example, if you're trying to generate clients as a personal fitness trainer, you'll stand out if you specialize in something more exclusive, like helping executive women over 50 reach their strength-training goals. "Specificity is your ally," he said. Once you've found your niche, focus on the deliverables, not the skill itself. What will the results be? What should your clients expect? What problem will you solve? Translate everything to the language of ROI to guarantee a solid return on investment, said Brindle. 6️⃣ Determine your price Before you set a price for your services, create a budget sheet of your business costs and work backwards. Independent contractors should put aside 40% of their take-home earnings to cover taxes and professional expenses, according to Espinal. "Consult with other freelancers in your industry and see what they charge," said Smith. Then figure out your "happy price" by considering all the project details -- length, time commitment, resource costs -- to set a figure that feels fair for the value you're offering. Though you might not have a set price for your services out of the gate, have a goal of what you'd like to be charging in a year or two. Ideally, according to Brindle, you're pricing in a way where you could technically subcontract every job -- i.e., hiring another freelancer to do the work -- and still meet your annual revenue goals. Though a lot of freelancers advertise hourly rates, consider charging based on the project or the solution you're offering, not the time it takes. Brindle says not to allow the client to set a ballpark figure. "You're the expert, so you should be the one to present a budget to them," Brindle said. The benefits of freelance work Becoming a business owner comes with different responsibilities, new types of management and increased flexibility. While you might start off working more hours than you had in the past, you'll eventually familiarize yourself with pacing, tracking your hours and working when you're most productive. You also aren't limited by an income ceiling, so you can always make more money by taking on more projects. "The beauty of freelancing is your choice to work when you want, and to work with the clients you actually want to work with," said Meyers. Whereas traditional employment locks you into the same focus area, freelancing allows you to take your skills to the next level or build something unique based on what you love to do. In today's uncertain job market, being an independent contractor can give you increased freedom, according to Espinal. "In a traditional 9-to-5, you don't have control over whether or not you go to work the next day. You have an employer who makes that decision for you," he said. Top advantages to freelance work: ☑️ Set your own schedule ☑️ Choose your own clients ☑️ No salary ceiling ☑️ Flexibility to pivot The downside of freelance work Not everyone is comfortable with marketing their business or managing their time and finances. As a freelancer, you'll have to be willing to sell your services and get used to keeping receipts for expenses, paying quarterly taxes and reconciling your finances monthly. "I recommend getting a bookkeeper if you can, because there are just so many rules that change every single year," said Meyers. If you can't afford to hire someone, try different platforms or accounting software such as QuickBooks and HoneyBook. One major disadvantage to freelance work is the lack of benefits. You won't get paid time off, a retirement account match, short-term disability, health insurance or anything else that typically comes with an employment compensation package. You'll also need to be prepared to give up a steady paycheck and get used to a more erratic income stream. "Payments from clients aren't always prompt, and sometimes you have to chase them down," said Smith. In some cases, clients could refuse to pay entirely, which makes it even more important to have a written agreement when taking on projects. According to Espinal, around 75% of freelancers accept work without a contract, leaving them vulnerable to noncompliant clients. If you go into freelance work to fulfill your passion on a full-time basis, be careful you're not living and breathing work. An otherwise fun hobby, like baking, could become particularly grueling if you're trying to transform your personal kitchen into a cookie factory. Staying motivated requires being cognizant of work-life balance to avoid burnout. Main disadvantages of freelance work: ☑️ Inconsistent payments from clients ☑️ No included insurance or retirement benefits ☑️ Ongoing expenses and taxes ☑️ Fatigue from not setting boundaries Final tips for new freelancers ➡ Be bold When starting out, you'll face a lot of rejection and ghosting. "But you have to keep believing that the next opportunity is going to be the big break," said Smith. Don't be ashamed to market your business however you need to, she added. Remember that a lot of your clients will hire you not only because of your skills, but also your character. "Don't be afraid to share your personality," said Meyers. ➡ Get a website A business website shows off your portfolio and is great for search results. It also demonstrates that you're human, Smith told me. If you don't have a website, make sure you have some type of web presence (substack, landing page, social media), so clients can see your work and contact you easily. Once you have a web presence, don't force your clients to scroll through multiple pages to know what you're selling. Meyers recommends creating clear packages and service offerings. ➡ Prepare the financials First, prioritize building up an emergency fund to cover at least six months of expenses in case of unexpected circumstances. Factor in all your business overhead expenses ahead of time: software, equipment, gas, meals. Study the tax rules to know exactly what you can claim as a deduction. You'll also want to make sure you can afford to pay health insurance out of pocket and contribute to a retirement fund. If you're interested in other insurance offerings besides health insurance, Espinal said the Freelancers Union provides some benefits, including disability, liability, and life insurance, to members at a fraction of the cost.
New York Post
20 hours ago
- New York Post
NYC Mayor Adams vows to use AI, blockchain tech to boost services if re-elected
Welcome to Gotham 2.0. Mayor Eric Adams said he plans to rely much more on artificial intelligence to assist New Yorkers if he's re-elected to a second term. 'We're gonna run a smarter city,' he told The Post Thursday during an interview at Gracie Mansion. Advertisement 'I'm talking about having an opportunity now to use everything from artificial intelligence to blockchain, new technology that's out there that could make our city smarter, so that our working class people can get the proper delivery of services.' One example being explored is using blockchain technology to speed up the process for providing copies of birth and death certificates to the public, the Mayor's Office said. Another is using AI to quickly translate English to other languages when needed, such as helping authorities better assist victims when they use voice-controlled drones during search-and-rescue missions and other emergencies. Mayor Eric Adams said he plans to rely much more on artificial intelligence and blockchain technology to assist New Yorkers if he's re-elected to a second term. J.C. Rice Advertisement 'We're gonna run a smarter city,' Adams told The Post Thursday during an interview at Gracie Mansion. Juli M. – Adams has embraced the tech industry and digital currency since becoming mayor in 2022, as he's pledged to help make NYC the crypto capital of the world. He put his money where his mouth early on by agreeing to take his first three paychecks in bitcoin. Adams, who earns $258,750 a year as mayor, reported the value of the bitcoin ranging from $5,000 to nearly $55,000 in his financial disclosure statement for 2024 filed with the NYC Conflicts of Interest Board.
