Gear News: iPhone Air Repairable & Gemini to Google TV

In a surprising turn for Apple's sleekest smartphone yet, the iPhone Air—measuring just 5.6mm thick—has proven to be remarkably repair-friendly.

 According to a recent iFixit teardown, the device scored a solid 7 out of 10 on repairability, defying expectations that its ultra-thin design would complicate fixes. 

Apple achieved this by repositioning the logic board to allow more room for the battery, which uses electrically debonding adhesive for easy removal—a feature first introduced in the iPhone 16.

This makes battery swaps straightforward without sacrificing the phone's slim profile.

 Comparatively, the iPhone 17 Pro models also earned a 7/10 but require removing the display for battery access, lacking the Air's dual-entry convenience. 

The Pro's battery is secured with screws for simple replacement, and its backplate allows access to the wireless charging coil.

 However, the Camera Plateau module on the Pro is prone to scratches due to weak anodization, and it's not replaceable—users are advised to use a case for protection.

Shifting to smart TVs, Google is integrating its Gemini AI into Google TV, transforming how users interact with their screens. 

This upgrade enables natural-language searches, such as summarizing previous seasons of shows or recommending content based on vague descriptions—like "that hospital drama everyone's buzzing about" to suggest *The Pitt*. 

Gemini can even mediate family viewing disputes by blending preferences, say, action for one and romance for another. 

Beyond entertainment, it handles general queries, like tutorials on building a model volcano via YouTube integration. 

The rollout starts with TCL's QM9K Series, expanding to the Google TV Streamer, Hisense models, and more by year's end.

These developments highlight a push toward user-friendly tech, blending innovation with practicality in mobile and home entertainment.