Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear. I’m Fred Fishkin. There is some new magic in Google Maps. Ask Maps is a new feature rolling out on Android and iOS devices…with desktop on the way. It uses Gemini AI to allow you to converse with Maps. Product Director Amanda Leicht Moore..

“Ask Maps is again a new way to ask maps, just more conversational queries, like you might ask a friend. Let’s say, one of my favorite cases for using it is finding a last minute date night reservation. So I can ask for cozy date night spots with a reservation tonight at 7pm within a fifteen minute drive. And that would have taken me a whole bunch of time in the past to find different places, find places with ability.”

And with a quick tap…Maps can make the reservation for you. There’s another big update too. More on that in my next report.

You can find us at Techstination.com. I’m Fred Fishkin.

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear. I’m Fred Fishkin. The Soundcore brand from Anker is back again with a portable Bluetooth peaker that is perfect for spring and summer fun. The Boom Go 3i is rugged, water resistant and can even strap to your bike handle or maybe your backpack. It has plenty of sound output…at 15 watts…and the Soundcore app lets you adjust the sound to taste. There is RGB lighting on the speaker that can sync to the beat of your music or just give you fun effects. What many may appreciate even more is that the Boom Go 3i can charge your phone….doubling as a power bank when needed. There’s a digital display to indicate the charge level. Keep in mind there is no mic for speakerphone capability and no aux input. You can find the Boom Go 3i for under eighty dollars and learn more at Soundcore.com.

You can find us at Techstination.com. I’m Fred Fishkin

Ford unveils the 30th Anniversary Edition of the Expedition. What's special? Expedition Brand Manager Stephanie Simon chats with Techstination's Fred Fishkin.

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear. I’m Fred Fishkin. She is an extraordinary writer…who has headed publications for AARP, Ladies Home Journal and written for many more. Today, Myrna Blyth is reaching readers through her Editor’s Journal on Substack. And she has lots to say on topics ranging from online personalities pushing ways to live longer, to love and loss. On the What’s Next Living Longer Better Smarter podcast, Blyth told us about studying for a doctorate degree in liberal studies at age 86…using the latest tech to help..

“And I do think now it will be easier now to do a dissertation today than it once was. Not because AI is going to write it, but because AI is going to lead you to the kinds of research you have to do much more easily.”

Watch the full interview at MaryFurlong.com/podcasts.

You can find us at Techstination.com. I’m Fred Fishkin.

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear. I’m Fred Fishkin. ClawStage is the name of what is being called the first embodied personal AI built on OpenClaw architecture. It is a cube using a Raspberry Pi computer featuring an AI assistant that can move from the device to your phone…and back. Chief Technology Officer Ethan Liu..

“For the ClawStage, it combines environmental sensing involving hardware and also agent native interaction to let AI continuously understand the user’s surroundings and their data lives. So in short, we are building the physical world interface for personal AI.”

Watch our video interview on Techstination for a detailed look. ClawStage is now on Kickstarter for under 300 dollars.

You can find us at Techstination.com. I’m Fred Fishkin.

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear. I’m Fred Fishkin. With the first weekend of baseball under our belts, you may notice a new partnership this season between MLB and Ford. They are calling it Celebrating America’s Pastime and the People Who Power It. The partnership will extend to minor league teams and even Little League events according to Ford Senior Director of Consumer Marketing Michael Cope…

“It’s a multi-year deal and following Time’s award of Ford becoming the most iconic American company earlier this year, we thought there was no better way to celebrate that. Particularly in an important year for the country, this year, for us to formalize our partnership with Major League Baseball.”

Fans can enter to win tickets and more…including a car…at FordDriveThemHome.com.

You can find us at Techstination.com. I’m Fred Fishkin

For many, spring break and the holidays mean travel. How to prevent tragedies on the road. State Farm Corporate Responsibility Executive Rasheed Merritt chats with Techstination's Fred Fishkin.

Artemis II is scheduled to carry four astronauts around the Moon in early April. The mission and the meaning? NASA mission scientist Barbara Cohen chats with Techstination's Fred Fishkin.