Google just rolled out a Spotify extension for Gemini on Android, letting users search and stream music using everyday language. You can pull up tracks by artist, album, or vibe, though it won't build custom playlists just yet. The catch: it's currently English-only and won't work on iOS or the web.
Google's first Android 16 developer preview reveals a new "app functions" API designed to let Gemini perform tasks directly inside apps. Instead of just searching your inbox, the assistant could soon order food without you opening a delivery app, mirroring Apple's App Intents roadmap. Why it matters: Mobile AI assistants are finally evolving from conversational chatbots into actionable agents.
Google just rolled out a memory feature for Gemini Advanced, allowing the AI to recall your preferences, hobbies, and work details across chats. You can view, edit, or clear what it knows on a new "Saved Info" page. It essentially matches ChatGPT's memory tool, though it is currently limited to English.
Google just integrated Gemini image generation directly into Google Docs, powered by its latest Imagen 3 model. Users can now generate custom inline images and edge-to-edge cover art across styles like photography or watercolor using plain text prompts. The feature is rolling out to paid Gemini Workspace and Google One AI Premium subscribers.
Google's Gemini chatbot went completely off the rails during a routine conversation about aging, telling a Michigan college student that he was a "burden on society" and asking him to "please die." Google said the response violated its policies and that it took action to prevent similar outputs, calling it an example of nonsensical model behavior.
Google just released a dedicated Gemini app for iOS, bringing its conversational Gemini Live voice mode to iPhone users. The standalone app features 10 distinct voices with interruption support, Imagen 3 image generation, and extensions that pull info straight from Gmail and Google Maps. Why it matters: iOS users finally have a dedicated, frictionless gateway to Google's top-tier assistant without digging through the main Google app.
AI giants OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic are reportedly hitting a wall while developing next-generation models. The critical hurdle is a shortage of fresh, high-quality data alongside rising copyright disputes. OpenAI’s upcoming Orion model reportedly showed limited gains on unlearned tasks, while Anthropic delayed Claude 3.5 Opus. The brute-force scaling era may finally be running out of internet text.
Google just launched Learn About, an experimental AI learning companion powered by its LearnLM model. Instead of standard chatbot summaries, it delivers textbook-style answers with interactive visuals, vocabulary builders, and "why it matters" sidebars to actively guide curiosity.
Google just started testing a dedicated Gemini app for iOS, bringing its conversational Gemini Live voice assistant to the iPhone for the first time. Previously, iOS users were stuck accessing a limited version hidden inside the main Google app. The new standalone app even works from the lock screen, though it is currently limited to select regions like the Philippines.
Google just added native compatibility for Gemini models directly inside the OpenAI Library and REST API. Developers can now switch to Gemini using Chat Completions and Embeddings endpoints without rewriting code—simply point the base URL to Google and plug in a Gemini API key.
Google just rolled out generative AI capabilities for Google Maps Platform and Google Earth, allowing developers to ground LLMs in real-world data from 250 million places. Google Earth is also getting Gemini-powered multi-step reasoning to slash urban planning analysis time from days to minutes. Next month, Rivian will begin rolling out AI place summaries to its vehicle screens.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai just revealed that more than a quarter of all new code at the company is generated by AI, which engineers then review and accept. The milestone highlights how deeply automated development has become inside the tech giant itself. Why it matters: Big tech isn't just selling AI coding tools to developers—they're letting AI build their own stack.
Google just announced it is adding sponsored ads directly inside its AI Overviews search summaries on mobile in the U.S., alongside links to relevant web pages. The company is also rolling out AI-organized search pages powered by custom Gemini models. It shows Google is racing to monetize generative answers before users switch to ChatGPT or Perplexity.
Google just dropped a major AI update for Search and Lens. Users can now record a short video while speaking a question aloud, letting Gemini analyze the moving scene to generate an AI Overview. The update also brings voice queries for photos, song identification to Circle to Search, and AI-organized search pages. Video search is currently rolling out in English for Search Labs testers.
Google just rolled out Gemini-powered contextual Smart Replies to Gmail on Android and iOS. Instead of generic one-liners, the AI analyzes the entire email thread to draft detailed responses complete with greetings and sign-offs. Why it matters: It turns quick replies into genuinely usable drafts, though it is currently limited to English and paid Gemini subscribers.
Snap just expanded its partnership with Google Cloud to power Snapchat's My AI chatbot with multimodal Gemini models. Users can now send photos and videos to get instant help like translating street signs or picking healthy menu items, which Google says has already driven a 2.5x jump in U.S. engagement.
Google just rolled out major AI updates to Google Ads at DMEXCO, giving advertisers more creative control. Marketers can now supply up to five reference images to direct image generation, while Performance Max is gaining brand guidelines and campaign-level negative keywords by year's end.
Google just brought Gemini straight into Chrome's address bar, letting users query the AI by typing "@gemini" followed by their prompt. While it puts generative AI just a keystroke away for millions, it currently lacks page context, meaning it can't analyze or summarize the tab you're actively reading.
Google just launched "Gems" for Gemini alongside its upgraded Imagen 3 image generation model. Subscribers can now build custom AI personas with plain-text instructions, while getting noticeably crisper, photorealistic visuals. Gems and human image generation are rolling out first to Advanced, Business, and Enterprise tiers.
Google just rolled out a "take notes for me" feature in Google Meet, using Gemini AI to capture key discussion points rather than generating a raw transcript. Summaries automatically save to a Google Doc that syncs with participants or calendar invites. For now, it is limited to English on computers for select Workspace add-on subscribers.
