You can never have enough home security, and there are certainly no shortage of DIY surveillance devices. But if you’re the type of person who likes to keep tabs on package deliveries, front-door visitors, and whatever could be going on across the street, it sounds like you should be looking for security camera deals. Fortunately, we came across a great offer on one of these gadgets earlier today:

Right now, when you order the Blink Video Doorbell on Amazon, you’ll only spend $30. That’s half off its $60 retail price!

Why you should buy the Blink Video Doorbell

We see plenty of security camera promos on a daily basis, but this exceptional Blink offer is likely brought to you by Amazon’s October Big Deal Day savings. Take $30 off the Blink Video Doorbell when you order on Amazon. You may also want to check out some of the best Ring deals we’ve been finding.

Google has started rolling out the Gemini AI Q&A feature for the Gmail app on Android and iOS. Located in the search bar and as a dedicated panel, the Gmail Q&A feature accepts queries in the form of text prompts or suggestions.

Gmail Q&A is a “new way of searching inbox” on Android and iOS devices

Google announced the Gmail Q&A feature at this year’s Google I/O 2024. This feature essentially replicates the Gemini side panel that’s available on the desktop web on the Gmail app for Android devices.

The same Gmail Q&A is now reportedly rolling out to iOS devices. The Gemini interface for iPhones is similar to Android. However, there are some visual discrepancies such as the lack of Material 3 implementation in other areas of the app.

Google recently tweaked the search bar in the Gmail app. The search giant placed its Gemini Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) front and center for Gmail users.

In case Gmail app users miss Google’s AI “sparkle”, the Gemini button also appears in the toolbar when users open an email. Positioned at the left of the archive feature, tapping the same slides up another panel. Here users can either pick one of the suggested prompts or type a new query.

Google restricts Q&A to a per-session history

Google has launched the Gmail Q&A feature but it is not available to all. Specifically speaking, Google is offering this feature to personal accounts subscribed to Google One AI Premium. Additionally, those with Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, or Education Premium subscriptions will also be able to benefit from the Gemini AI-driven feature.

Unlike, the desktop web view where Gemini appears in the side panel, Gmail users on Android will see the Gemini “How can I help you today?” panel taking over the bottom part of the app’s screen offering a few suggestions. Users can either enter text prompts in that panel or expand it to take up the entire screen.

The feature also users to search for specific details from an email or ask Gemini to display unread messages from a particular sender. Gemini can also help summarize emails about a topic from the inbox.

Gmail Q&A has a per-session history. Additionally, users have easy access to the “Clear history” button located in the corner. This could help users limit Gemini’s access to emails in Gmail.

Once again, the European Union has issued a ruling preventing Meta from going too crazy with user information. The top court in the EU ruled that limits must be put in place for how long Meta and other social media networks can use people’s information for ad targeting strategies.

reported that the EU’s highest court sided with an earlier opinion published in April by a court adviser. The previous ruling also urged for limits on the amount of time companies could retain customers’ personal data for the purpose of targeting advertising.

The rulings referred its retention guidelines to the bloc’s established by the EU in 2018. Recital 65 of the GDPR establishes a person’s “right to be forgotten” and the right to rectification and erasure of personal data. Failure to comply with the GDPR could result in a 4 percent global annual turnover penalty, a number that could reach into the billions for a social media mega-corporation like Meta. Last year, Meta had to pay (or approximately €390 million) for illegally requiring users of its social media outlets like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp to accept personalized ads.

The EU and Meta along with other big tech companies like Apple and Google have tangled over the use of personal data in relation to the . Meta is currently awaiting a fine ruling for when it required users to pay to prohibit the company from collecting and sharing their personal data. Last year, the EU’s Court of Justice ruled that before delivering personal ads to users in the region.

As artificial intelligence continues to transform industries, a select few development studios have emerged as trusted partners, providing the technological infrastructure and innovation that enable high-growth companies to scale and compete. Lateral, founded in 2008, is one such firm — quietly powering several emerging AI companies across healthcare, sustainability and industrial technology. But in today’s market, where AI talent is being rapidly absorbed by many well-known tech giants, Lateral’s role has become more critical than ever.

The AI industry is facing an unprecedented talent shortage. For startups looking to compete in a landscape dominated by major players, securing top-tier AI engineers comes with an astronomical price tag — which only continues to spike for the most seasoned pros in the market. Even when they can offer these inflated salaries, startups struggle to attract and retain the kind of talent that can turn their visions into reality. This is where Lateral steps in, offering not just technical expertise, but a dedicated team positioned to help AI companies scale without the burden of building massive in-house engineering teams.

A strategic partner amid the AI talent drought

Lateral’s trajectory as a global leader in tech development is built on a foundation of reliability, innovation and a client-first approach. In an industry notorious for budget overruns and missed deadlines, Lateral has made a name for itself by delivering projects “on time, on budget and on quality.” This consistency has allowed it to fill a crucial void for startups navigating the scarcity of AI talent.

“From the very beginning, our approach had to be world-class in order to compete on the world stage,” says Ciprian Morar, CEO of Lateral. “I think I owe this drive to my time at Microsoft and later at Expedia — experiences that taught me the fundamentals of building for the long run, assembling exceptional teams and crafting exceptional products.”

The shortage of AI talent, while a challenge for many, has created an opportunity for development firms like Lateral to step in as an essential partner. By integrating seamlessly into their clients’ teams, Lateral enables startups to keep pace with the rapid technological advancements that are critical for their growth, without the overhead of building massive internal engineering departments.

Powering breakthroughs for ambitious AI startups

Ezra, a company revolutionizing early cancer detection using AI, chose Lateral not simply as a vendor, but as a strategic partner. Ezra’s mission to detect cancer early, using advanced computer vision and AI models, required technical capabilities beyond the norm. Lateral’s ability to provide end-to-end technological infrastructure made them the obvious choice for this critical mission.

“Ezra is an early cancer screening company, and their mission of using AI models to save lives everyday was one we were thrilled to get behind, says Morar. “When Ezra approached us, they weren’t just looking for another service provider. They needed a technology partner who could match their pace and propel their innovations in healthcare, AI and computer vision forward.”

The results of this collaboration were striking. Lateral’s proficiency in managing complex AI and computer vision projects allowed Ezra to raise over $40 million from tier-1 VCs to develop a revolutionary cancer detection model that has the potential to save lives through early diagnosis — a testament to the role Lateral plays in enabling AI-driven breakthroughs.

Filling the AI engineering gap with scale and expertise

The partnership with Ezra is emblematic of how Lateral is stepping into the breach left by the AI talent drought. In the past, startups might have aimed to build in-house teams to handle the complexities of AI. Today, however, the astronomical costs and competition for AI engineers have made outsourcing to a development studio like Lateral not just a smart choice, but often the only viable option.

A similar dynamic played out with Rubicon, a billion-dollar company reshaping waste management through AI and data analytics. The complexity of their system demanded more than just technical support — it required a partner that could integrate cutting-edge technologies into the business. Lateral stepped up to that challenge, delivering scalable solutions tdesigned to transform Rubicon’s logistics and city operations.

“At first glance, Rubicon might look like just another recycling company — a ‘rideshare for trash.’ But Rubicon is so much more than that,” says Morar. “They’re rethinking waste management, logistics and even how our cities operate. Partnering with Rubicon wasn’t just an opportunity—it was an exciting challenge. They’re tackling one of the most pressing issues of our time: sustainability and waste reduction. By bringing our expertise in data analytics, AI and IoT into the mix, our goal was to not only improve the way things worked, but to provide transformational changes and updates that could lead to future scaling opportunities for Rubicon.”

A global team to bridge the talent gap

In the face of the AI talent drought, Lateral has leveraged its global team to maintain a competitive edge. With over 300 employees across five studios worldwide, the company draws on a diverse pool of top-tier innovators, ensuring that no matter how tight the talent market becomes, Lateral can deliver.

“We handpick top-tier innovators from across the world, each bringing unique perspectives and areas of expertise,” says Morar. “Our global reach enables seamless collaboration around the clock. Time zones become irrelevant when passion and purpose align.”

Doubling down on Lateral’s commitment to supporting ambitious tech ventures, Mike Stitt has recently joined Lateral Group, bringing over two decades of entrepreneurial leadership and business strategy experience to help spearhead the company’s growth. With a proven track record in scaling companies, such as his time as CEO at Removery and President at Travelzoo North America, Mike will play a crucial role in accelerating Lateral’s strategic initiatives.

Shaping the future of AI with strategic vision

Looking ahead, Lateral remains focused on expanding its partnerships with ambitious AI companies. As the demand for AI-driven solutions grows and the talent gap widens, Lateral has positioned itself as not only a resource for technology solutions, but also as a strategic partner for companies seeking to scale while keeping costs in check.

“We’re not just excited about the future, we’re actively building it,” Morar notes. “Our commitment to quality will continue to guide us as we grow. We’re not just building technology, we’re shaping how technology integrates with and enhances every aspect of our lives.”

VentureBeat newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.