Alexey Shabanov@TestingCatalog
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Google is aggressively integrating its Gemini AI model across a multitude of platforms, signaling a significant push towards embedding AI into everyday technologies. The initiatives span from enhancing user experiences in applications like Google Photos to enabling advanced capabilities in robotics and providing developers with powerful coding tools via the Gemini CLI. This widespread integration highlights Google's vision for a future where AI is a seamless and integral part of various technological ecosystems.
The integration of Gemini into Google Photos is designed to improve search functionality, allowing users to find specific images more efficiently using natural language queries. Similarly, the development of on-device Gemini models for robotics addresses critical concerns around privacy and latency, ensuring that robots can operate effectively even without a constant internet connection. This is particularly crucial for tasks requiring real-time decision-making, where delays could pose significant risks. Furthermore, Google's release of the Gemini CLI provides developers with an open-source AI agent directly accessible from their terminal. This tool supports various coding and debugging tasks, streamlining the development process. Additionally, Gemini models are being optimized for edge deployment, allowing for AI functionality in environments with limited or no cloud connectivity, further demonstrating Google's commitment to making AI accessible and versatile across diverse applications. Recommended read:
References :
@www.analyticsvidhya.com
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References:
DEVCLASS
, Pivot to AI
Google has launched Gemini CLI (command line interface), a terminal-based version of its AI assistant. This new tool allows users to interact with Gemini through a command line, offering a generous free tier of up to 60 model requests per minute and 1,000 per day. The Gemini CLI is designed to cater to developers and other users who prefer a command-line interface for coding assistance, debugging, project management, and querying documentation. It supports various operating systems, including Mac, Linux (including ChromeOS), and Windows, with a native Windows version that doesn't require WSL.
Google’s Ryan Salva highlighted the "unmatched usage limits" of Gemini CLI, which includes a 1 million token context window and use of the Gemini 2.5 Pro LLM. The CLI also integrates with the gcloud CLI, suggesting Google's intent to encourage developers to deploy applications to Google Cloud. While there is a free tier, a paid option that uses an AI Studio or Vertex API key exists. It unlocks additional features such as policy and governance capabilities, choice of models, and the ability to run agents in parallel, while removing the requirement to use Gemini activity to improve Google’s products. The tool is open source on GitHub under the Apache 2.0 license. Verizon has integrated a Google Gemini-based chatbot into its My Verizon app to provide 24/7 customer service. The company claims to be seeing accuracy "north of 90 percent" with the bot, however this means up to 10% of responses are not accurate. David Gerard mentions an example of Personal Shopper, where random items are added to bills. Verizon's CEO, Sowmyanarayan Sampath, stated that AI is the answer to customer churn after a price increase in the first quarter of 2025. Recommended read:
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@blog.google
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edu.google.com
, Google Workspace Updates
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Google is expanding access to its Gemini AI app to all Google Workspace for Education users, marking a significant step in integrating AI into educational settings. This rollout, announced on June 20, 2025, provides educators and students with a range of AI-powered tools. These tools include real-time support for learning, assistance in creating lesson plans, and capabilities for providing feedback on student work, all designed to enhance the learning experience and promote AI literacy. The Gemini app is covered under the Google Workspace for Education Terms of Service, ensuring enterprise-grade data protection and compliance with regulations like FERPA, COPPA, FedRamp, and HIPAA.
A key aspect of this expansion is the implementation of stricter content policies for users under 18. These policies are designed to prevent potentially inappropriate or harmful responses, creating a safer online environment for younger learners. Additionally, Google is introducing a youth onboarding experience with AI literacy resources, endorsed by ConnectSafely and the Family Online Safety Institute, to guide students in using AI responsibly. The first time a user asks a fact-based question, a "double-check response" feature, powered by Google Search, will automatically run to validate the answer. Gemini incorporates LearnLM, Google’s family of models fine-tuned for learning and built with experts in education, making it a leading model for educational purposes. To ensure responsible use, Google provides resources for educators, including a Google teacher center offering guidance on incorporating Gemini into lesson plans and teaching responsible AI practices. Administrators can manage user access to the Gemini app through the Google Workspace Admin Help Center, allowing them to set up groups or organizational units to control access within their domain and tailor the AI experience to specific educational needs. Recommended read:
References :
Ellie Ramirez-Camara@Data Phoenix
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Google has recently launched an experimental feature that leverages its Gemini models to create short audio overviews for certain search queries. This new feature aims to provide users with an audio format option for grasping the basics of unfamiliar topics, particularly beneficial for multitasking or those who prefer auditory learning. Users who participate in the experiment will see the option to generate an audio overview on the search results page, which Google determines would benefit from this format.
When an audio overview is ready, it will be presented to the user with an audio player that offers basic controls such as volume, playback speed, and play/pause buttons. Significantly, the audio player also displays relevant web pages, allowing users to easily access more in-depth information on the topic being discussed in the overview. This feature builds upon Google's earlier work with audio overviews in NotebookLM and Gemini, where it allowed for the creation of podcast-style discussions and audio summaries from provided sources. Google is also experimenting with a new feature called Search Live, which enables users to have real-time verbal conversations with Google’s Search tools, providing interactive responses. This Gemini-powered AI simulates a friendly and knowledgeable human, inviting users to literally talk to their search bar. The AI doesn't stop listening after just one question but rather engages in a full dialogue, functioning in the background even when the user leaves the app. Google refers to this system as “query fan-out,” which means that instead of just answering your question, it also quietly considers related queries, drawing in more diverse sources and perspectives. Additionally, Gemini on Android can now identify songs, similar to the functionality previously offered by Google Assistant. Users can ask Gemini, “What song is this?” and the chatbot will trigger Google’s Song Search interface, which can recognize music from the environment, a playlist, or even if the user hums the tune. However, unlike the seamless integration of Google Assistant’s Now Playing feature, this song identification process is not fully native to Gemini. When initiated, it launches a full-screen listening interface from the Google app, which feels a bit clunky and doesn't stay within Gemini Live’s conversational experience. Recommended read:
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@cloud.google.com
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AI & Machine Learning
, google.github.io
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Google Cloud is offering Financial Services Institutions (FSIs) a powerful solution to streamline and enhance their Know Your Customer (KYC) processes by leveraging the Agent Development Kit (ADK) in combination with Gemini models and Search Grounding. KYC processes are critical for regulatory compliance and risk mitigation, involving the verification of customer identities and the assessment of associated risks. Traditional KYC methods are often manual, time-consuming, and prone to errors, which can be challenging in today's environment where customers expect instant approvals. The Agent Development Kit (ADK) is a flexible and modular framework for developing and deploying AI agents. While optimized for Gemini and the Google ecosystem, ADK is model-agnostic, deployment-agnostic, and is built for compatibility with other frameworks. ADK was designed to make agent development feel more like software development, to make it easier for developers to create, deploy, and orchestrate agentic architectures that range from simple tasks to complex workflows.
The ADK simplifies the creation and orchestration of agents, handling agent definition, tool integration, state management, and inter-agent communication. These agents are powered by Gemini models hosted on Vertex AI, providing core reasoning, instruction-following, and language understanding capabilities. Gemini's multimodal analysis, including image processing from IDs and documents, and multilingual support further enhances the KYC process for diverse customer bases. By incorporating Search Grounding, the system connects Gemini responses to real-time information from Google Search, reducing hallucinations and increasing the reliability of the information provided. Furthermore, integration with BigQuery allows secure interaction with internal datasets, ensuring comprehensive data access while maintaining data security. The multi-agent architecture offers several key benefits for FSIs including improved efficiency through the automation of large portions of the KYC workflow, reducing manual effort and turnaround times. AI is leveraged for consistent document analysis and comprehensive external checks, leading to enhanced accuracy. The solution also strengthens compliance by improving auditability through clear reporting and source attribution via grounding. Google Cloud provides resources to get started, including $300 in free credit for new customers to build and test proof of concepts, along with free monthly usage of over 20 AI-related products and APIs. The combination of ADK, Gemini models, Search Grounding, and BigQuery integration represents a significant advancement in KYC processes, offering FSIs a robust and efficient solution to meet regulatory requirements and improve customer experience. Recommended read:
References :
Ruben Circelli@PCMag Middle East ai
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References:
PCMag Middle East ai
Google is making significant strides in the realm of artificial intelligence with advancements in both video generation and browser assistance. The company's new Veo 3 AI video generator is capable of creating realistic videos from simple text prompts, marking a potentially revolutionary step in generative AI technology. Furthermore, Google is expanding access to Project Mariner, its AI-driven browser assistant, to a wider audience of Ultra plan subscribers, bringing more advanced features to users seeking enhanced web navigation and automation. These developments highlight Google's continued investment in and exploration of AI-powered tools designed to improve productivity and user experience.
The introduction of Veo 3 has sparked both excitement and concern. While the technology is undeniably impressive, with the ability to render finely detailed objects and create realistic audio, it also raises serious questions about the future of authenticity online. The potential for misuse, including the creation of deepfakes, online harassment, and the spread of misinformation, is significant. Experts worry that combining Veo 3's capabilities with weak content restrictions could lead to a catastrophic erosion of truth on the internet, especially once the ability to upload images for video generation is added. The implications of easily creating lifelike videos of individuals saying or doing things they never would are profound and potentially damaging. In other AI developments, Google is rolling out Project Mariner to more Ultra plan subscribers, positioning it as a browser agent that interacts with open Chrome tabs via a dedicated extension. This allows Mariner to query and manipulate information from webpages, similar to other agent browsers. Users can instruct Mariner through a prompt bar, enabling tasks such as web navigation, hotel booking, and automated searches. However, the tool's frequent permission requests have led to feedback that it can be slow and requires significant manual oversight, limiting its autonomous value. While Google sees Project Mariner as a long-term bet within its AI-powered productivity suite, the immediate benefits may be overshadowed by its limitations. Recommended read:
References :
Alexey Shabanov@TestingCatalog
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References:
TestingCatalog
, siliconangle.com
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Google is aggressively enhancing its Gemini platform with a suite of new features, including the integration of Imagen 4 for improved image generation, expanded Canvas capabilities, and a dedicated Enterprise mode. The Enterprise mode introduces a toggle to separate professional and personal workflows, providing business users with clearer boundaries and better data governance. Gemini is also gaining the ability to generate content from uploaded images, indicating a more creator-focused approach to multimodal generation. These additions aim to make Gemini a more comprehensive and versatile workspace for generative AI tasks.
Gemini's Canvas, a workspace for organizing and presenting ideas, is also receiving a significant upgrade. Users will soon be able to auto-generate infographics, timelines, mindmaps, full presentations, and even web pages directly within the platform. One particularly notable feature in development is the ability for users to describe their applications, prompting Gemini to automatically build UI visualizations for the underlying data. These updates demonstrate Google's strategy of bundling a broad set of creative tools for both individuals and organizations, continuously iterating on functionality to stay competitive. The new Gemini 2.5 Pro model is out, the company claims it is superior in coding and math, and is accessible via Google AI Studio and Vertex AI. Google claims the Gemini 2.5 Pro preview beats DeepSeek R1 and Grok 3 Beta in coding performance, with performance metrics showing the new version of Gemini 2.5 Pro improved by 24 points in LMArena and by 35 points in WebDevArena, where it currently tops the leaderboard. This model is priced at $1.25 per million tokens without caching for inputs and $10 for the output price. It’s better at coding, reasoning, science + math, shows improved performance across key benchmarks. Recommended read:
References :
Amanda Caswell@Latest from Tom's Guide
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Google has introduced "Scheduled Actions" to its Gemini app, a feature aimed at enhancing user productivity by automating tasks. This new capability, announced during Google I/O and now rolling out to select Android and iOS users, allows Gemini to handle recurring or time-specific tasks without repeated prompts. Users can instruct Gemini to perform actions such as generating weekly blog brainstorms, delivering daily news digests, or setting one-time event reminders. With Scheduled Actions, Gemini is evolving to become a more proactive AI assistant, providing users with a hands-off experience.
The Scheduled Actions feature enables users to automate prompts within the Gemini app. Examples include setting up a daily calendar and email summary, receiving blog post ideas on a recurring schedule, or getting reminders for specific appointments. Once a task is scheduled, it can be easily managed from the Scheduled Actions page within the Gemini settings. This functionality positions Gemini as a more competitive alternative to AI technologies with similar features, such as ChatGPT, by offering a personalized experience to help users "stay informed, inspired, and on track." Google is also expanding its AI capabilities in other areas. AI Mode in Google Search now displays charts and tables, particularly for finance-related queries drawing data from Google Finance. Additionally, users with Google AI Pro, Ultra, or some Workspace plans can use voice commands to set "scheduled actions" within the Gemini app. These scheduled tasks are automatically integrated into Google Calendar or Gmail. This new feature offers a more comprehensive AI experience. Recommended read:
References :
@cloud.google.com
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References:
AI & Machine Learning
Alpian, a pioneering Swiss private bank, is revolutionizing the financial services industry by integrating Google's generative AI into its core operations. As the first fully cloud-native private bank in Switzerland, Alpian is embracing digital innovation to offer a seamless and high-value banking experience, balancing personal wealth management with digital convenience. This strategic move positions Alpian at the forefront of the digital age, setting a new benchmark for agility, scalability, and compliance capabilities within the tightly regulated Swiss financial landscape. Alpian's partnership with Google, leveraging tools like Gemini, enables developers to interact with infrastructure through simple conversational commands, significantly reducing deployment times.
Alpian faced the challenge of innovating within the strict regulatory environment of the Swiss banking system, overseen by FINMA. The integration of generative AI required meticulous attention to compliance and security. By implementing a platform that utilizes generative AI, Alpian has created a defined scope where engineers can autonomously interact with IT elements using a simplified conversational interface. This approach allows teams to focus on innovation rather than repetitive tasks, accelerating deployment times from days to hours and empowering them to develop cutting-edge services while adhering to stringent compliance standards. The benefits of this generative AI integration extend beyond internal workflows, directly enhancing the client experience. Faster deployment times translate into quicker access to new features, such as tailored wealth management tools and enhanced security measures. Furthermore, Google’s NotebookLM, which now allows users to publicly share notebooks with a link, can be used to provide clients with AI-generated research summaries or briefing documents. This initiative not only optimizes internal operations but also establishes a new benchmark for operational excellence in the banking sector, showcasing the transformative potential of AI in redefining private banking for the 21st century. Recommended read:
References :
Tulsee Doshi@The Official Google Blog
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Google has launched an upgraded preview of Gemini 2.5 Pro, touting it as their most intelligent model yet. Building upon the version revealed in May, this updated AI demonstrates significant improvements in coding capabilities. One striking example of its advanced functionality is its ability to generate intricate images, such as a "pretty solid pelican riding a bicycle."
The model's enhanced coding proficiency is further highlighted by its ethical safeguards. When prompted to run SnitchBench, a tool designed to test the ethical boundaries of AI models, Gemini 2.5 Pro notably "tipped off both the feds and the WSJ and NYTimes." This self-awareness and alert system underscore the advancements in AI safety protocols integrated into the new model. The rapid development and release of Gemini 2.5 Pro reflect Google's increasing confidence in its AI technology. The company emphasizes that this iteration offers substantial improvements over its predecessors, solidifying its position as a leading AI model. Developers and enthusiasts alike are encouraged to try the latest Gemini 2.5 Pro before its general release to experience its improved capabilities firsthand. Recommended read:
References :
@workspaceupdates.googleblog.com
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References:
Google Workspace Updates
, www.tomsguide.com
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Google is significantly expanding the integration of its Gemini AI model across the Google Workspace suite. A key focus is enhancing Google Chat with AI-powered features designed to improve user efficiency and productivity. One notable addition is the ability for Gemini to provide summaries of unread conversations directly within the Chat home view. This feature, which initially launched last year, has been expanded to support four additional languages: French, Italian, Japanese, and Korean, making it more accessible to a global user base. Users can activate the "Summarize" button upon navigating to a conversation to receive a quick, bulleted synopsis of the message content, allowing for rapid review of recent activity and prioritization of important conversations.
The new summaries in home feature in Google Chat is aimed at streamlining the user experience and helping users find what they need faster. It works by leveraging Gemini's ability to quickly process and condense information, providing users with a concise overview of their active conversations. To access these summaries, users need to ensure that smart features and personalization are turned on in their Google Workspace settings. This can be managed by administrators in the Admin console, or by individual users through their personal settings. The rollout of this feature is gradual, with both Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains experiencing visibility within a 15-day period starting May 30, 2025. Google is also exploring the potential of AI to revolutionize email management. Demis Hassabis, head of Google DeepMind, has expressed a desire to develop a "next-generation email" system that can intelligently sort through inboxes, respond to routine emails in a user's personal style, and automate simpler decisions. This initiative aims to alleviate the "tyranny of the email inbox" and free up users' time for more important tasks. Hassabis envisions an AI assistant that not only manages emails but also protects users' attention from other algorithms competing for their focus, ultimately serving the individual and enriching their life. Recommended read:
References :
Chris McKay@Maginative
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Google's AI research notebook, NotebookLM, has introduced a significant upgrade that enhances collaboration by allowing users to publicly share their AI-powered notebooks with a simple link. This new feature, called Public Notebooks, enables users to share their research summaries and audio overviews generated by AI with anyone, without requiring sign-in or permissions. This move aims to transform NotebookLM from a personal research tool into an interactive, AI-powered knowledge hub, facilitating easier distribution of study guides, project briefs, and more.
The public sharing feature provides viewers with the ability to interact with AI-generated content like FAQs and overviews, as well as ask questions in chat. However, they cannot edit the original sources, ensuring the preservation of ownership while enabling discovery. To share a notebook, users can click the "Share" button, switch the setting to "Anyone with the link," and copy the link. This streamlined process is similar to sharing Google Docs, making it intuitive and accessible for users. This upgrade is particularly beneficial for educators, startups, and nonprofits. Teachers can share curated curriculum summaries, startups can distribute product manuals, and nonprofits can publish donor briefing documents without the need to build a dedicated website. By enabling easier sharing of AI-generated notes and audio overviews, Google is demonstrating how generative AI can be integrated into everyday productivity workflows, making NotebookLM a more grounded tool for sense-making of complex material. Recommended read:
References :
@github.com
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Google Cloud recently unveiled a suite of new generative AI models and enhancements to its Vertex AI platform, designed to empower businesses and developers. The updates, announced at Google I/O 2025, include Veo 3, Imagen 4, and Lyria 2 for media creation, and Gemini 2.5 Flash and Pro for coding and application deployment. A new platform called Flow integrates the Veo, Imagen, and Gemini models into a comprehensive platform. These advancements aim to streamline workflows, foster creativity, and simplify the development of AI-driven applications, with Google emphasizing accessibility for both technical and non-technical users.
One of the key highlights is Veo 3, Google's latest video generation model with audio capabilities. It allows users to generate videos with synchronized audio, including ambient sounds, dialogue, and environmental noise, all from text prompts. Google says Veo 3 excels at understanding complex prompts, bringing short stories to life with realistic physics and lip-syncing. According to Google Deepmind CEO Demis Hassabis, users have already generated millions of AI videos in just a few days since its launch and the surge in demand led Google to expand Veo 3 to 71 countries. The model is still unavailable in the EU, but Google says a rollout is on the way. The company has also made AI application deployment significantly easier with Cloud Run, including deploying applications built in Google AI Studio directly to Cloud Run with a single click, enabling direct deployment of Gemma 3 models from AI Studio to Cloud Run, complete with GPU support, and introducing a new Cloud Run MCP server, which empowers MCP-compatible AI agents to programmatically deploy applications. In addition to new models, Google is working to broaden access to its SynthID Detector for detecting synthetic media. Veo 3 was initially web-only, but Pro and Ultra members can now use the model in the Gemini app for Android and iOS. Recommended read:
References :
Tripty@techvro.com
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Google has begun rolling out automatic email summarization powered by its Gemini AI model within the Gmail mobile app. This new feature aims to streamline the process of reviewing lengthy email threads by providing a concise summary at the top of the message content, without requiring manual activation. The Gemini-generated summaries are designed to help users quickly grasp the main points of an email thread, especially when dealing with complex or multi-reply conversations. This initiative reflects Google's broader strategy to integrate AI more seamlessly across its Workspace applications to enhance user productivity and efficiency.
The automatic summarization feature is currently available for English-language emails on Android and iOS devices, specifically for Google Workspace Business and Enterprise users, as well as Google One AI Premium subscribers. As new replies are added to an email thread, the summaries are dynamically updated to reflect the latest information. Users who prefer manual control can collapse the summary cards if they find them unhelpful, and they can still use the "Summarize this email" button for messages where the automatic feature isn't triggered. This rollout follows Google's push to embed Gemini across its products. Google emphasizes its commitment to user data protection and privacy with this AI integration. Users need to have smart features and personalization turned on in Gmail, Chat, and Meet, as well as smart features in Google Workspace. This new capability has been generally available since May 29, 2025. While it is currently limited to mobile devices, Google may consider expanding the feature to desktop users in the future. Google also has indicated that they plan to add more languages at a later date. Recommended read:
References :
Ellie Ramirez-Camara@Data Phoenix
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Google has unveiled a series of major updates to its Gemini app, showcasing significant advancements in artificial intelligence. These updates include the rollout of Gemini Live, now available for free, offering users real-time visual assistance through their smartphone cameras on both Android and iOS. This feature enables users to engage in more extended and interactive conversations, reportedly five times longer than text-based interactions. To enhance its capabilities, Gemini is also introducing deeper integrations with Google Maps, Calendar, Tasks, and Keep, allowing the AI to take actions such as scheduling events directly from conversations.
The tech giant also announced new subscription tiers to cater to a diverse range of users. The Google AI Pro plan, priced at $19.99 per month, is designed as an upgrade to the existing Gemini Advanced subscription. For power users, Google is offering the Google AI Ultra subscription at $249.99 per month, providing the highest rate limits and early access to experimental features. Subscribers to the Google AI Ultra plan also gain access to Veo 3, Google's advanced video generation model with native sound effect support. A key highlight of the announcement is Veo 3, the latest AI video model capable of generating synchronized audio, including dialogue, background noise, and music, directly within video outputs. Google is also testing Flow, a new video creation platform that allows users to create videos from text, frames, or ingredients, indicating a move towards modular pipelines with project-based workflows. Additionally, Google is exploring "AI Mode" in Google Search and developing Jules, an asynchronous coding agent, to further expand the capabilities of its AI ecosystem. Recommended read:
References :
Aminu Abdullahi@eWEEK
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Google has unveiled significant advancements in its AI-driven media generation capabilities at Google I/O 2025, showcasing updates to Veo, Imagen, and Flow. The updates highlight Google's commitment to pushing the boundaries of AI in video and image creation, providing creators with new and powerful tools. A key highlight is the introduction of Veo 3, the first video generation model with integrated audio capabilities, addressing a significant challenge in AI-generated media by enabling synchronized audio creation for videos.
Veo 3 allows users to generate high-quality visuals with synchronized audio, including ambient sounds, dialogue, and environmental noise. According to Google, the model excels at understanding complex prompts, bringing short stories to life in video format with realistic physics and accurate lip-syncing. Veo 3 is currently available to Ultra subscribers in the US through the Gemini app and Flow platform, as well as to enterprise users via Vertex AI, demonstrating Google’s intent to democratize AI-driven content creation across different user segments. In addition to Veo 3, Google has launched Imagen 4 and Flow, an AI filmmaking tool, alongside major updates to Veo 2. Veo 2 is receiving enhancements with filmmaker-focused features, including the use of images as references for character and scene consistency, precise camera controls, outpainting capabilities, and object manipulation tools. Flow integrates the Veo, Imagen, and Gemini models into a comprehensive platform allowing creators to manage story elements and create content with natural language narratives, making it easier than ever to bring creative visions to life. Recommended read:
References :
Eric Hal@techradar.com
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Google I/O 2025 saw the unveiling of 'AI Mode' for Google Search, signaling a significant shift in how the company approaches information retrieval and user experience. The new AI Mode, powered by the Gemini 2.5 model, is designed to offer more detailed results, personal context, and intelligent assistance. This upgrade aims to compete directly with the capabilities of AI chatbots like ChatGPT, providing users with a more conversational and comprehensive search experience. The rollout has commenced in the U.S. for both the browser version of Search and the Google app, although availability in other countries remains unconfirmed.
AI Mode brings several key features to the forefront, including Deep Search, Live Visual Search, and AI-powered agents. Deep Search allows users to delve into topics with unprecedented depth, running hundreds of searches simultaneously to generate expert-level, fully-cited reports in minutes. With Search Live, users can leverage their phone's camera to interact with Search in real-time, receiving context-aware responses from Gemini. Google is also bringing agentic capabilities to Search, allowing users to perform tasks like booking tickets and making reservations directly through the AI interface. Google’s revamp of its AI search service appears to be a response to the growing popularity of AI-driven search experiences offered by companies like OpenAI and Perplexity. According to Gartner analyst Chirag Dekate, evidence suggests a greater reliance on search and AI-infused search experiences. As AI Mode rolls out, Google is encouraging website owners to optimize their content for AI-powered search by creating unique, non-commodity content and ensuring that their sites meet technical requirements and provide a good user experience. Recommended read:
References :
Josh Render@tomsguide.com
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Apple is reportedly undertaking a significant overhaul of Siri, rebuilding it from the ground up with a new AI-centric architecture. This move comes after earlier versions of Siri, which relied on AI, did not perform as desired, struggling to provide helpful and effective responses. Attempts to integrate AI capabilities into the older version only resulted in further complications for Apple, with employees noting that fixing one issue often led to additional problems. Recognizing their delayed start in the AI race compared to other tech companies, Apple is now aiming to create a smarter and more conversational Siri, potentially leveraging a large language model developed by its Zurich AI team.
In a notable shift, Apple is also considering opening its operating systems to allow iPhone users in the European Union to choose third-party AI assistants like ChatGPT or Gemini as their default option, effectively replacing Siri. This potential change is reportedly driven by regulatory pressures from the EU, which are pushing Apple to allow more flexibility in its ecosystem. If implemented, this move would align Apple more closely with competitors like Samsung and Google, who already offer more diverse AI options on their devices. The possibility of integrating external AI assistants could also provide Apple users with access to advanced AI features while the company continues to refine and improve its own Siri. However, Apple's AI strategy is also facing scrutiny on other fronts. The Trump administration previously raised national security concerns over Apple's potential AI deal with Alibaba, specifically regarding the integration of Alibaba's AI technology into iPhones sold in China. These concerns center around the potential implications for national security, data privacy, and the broader geopolitical landscape, given the Chinese government's regulations on data sharing and content control. While Apple aims to comply with local regulations and compete more effectively in the Chinese market through this partnership, the US government worries that it could inadvertently aid China's AI development and expose user data to potential risks. Recommended read:
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@cloud.google.com
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References:
AI & Machine Learning
, www.tomsguide.com
Google Cloud is enhancing its text-to-SQL capabilities using the Gemini AI model. This technology aims to improve the speed and accuracy of data access for organizations that rely on data-driven insights for decision-making. SQL, a core component of data access, is being revolutionized by Gemini's ability to generate SQL directly from natural language, also known as text-to-SQL. This advancement promises to boost productivity for developers and analysts while also empowering non-technical users to interact with data more easily.
Gemini's text-to-SQL capabilities are already integrated into several Google Cloud products, including BigQuery Studio, Cloud SQL Studio (supporting Postgres, MySQL, and SQL Server), AlloyDB Studio, and Cloud Spanner Studio. Users can find text-to-SQL features within the SQL Editor, SQL Generation tool, and the "Help me code" functionality. Additionally, AlloyDB AI offers a direct natural language interface to the database, currently available as a public preview. These integrations leverage Gemini models accessible through Vertex AI, providing a foundation for advanced text-to-SQL functionalities. Current state-of-the-art LLMs like Gemini 2.5 possess reasoning skills that enable them to translate intricate natural language queries into functional SQL code, complete with joins, filters, and aggregations. However, challenges arise when applying this technology to real-world databases and user questions. To address these challenges, Google Cloud is developing methods to provide business-specific context, understand user intent, manage SQL dialect differences, and complement LLMs with additional techniques to offer accurate and certified answers. These methods include context building, table retrieval, LLM-as-a-judge techniques, and LLM prompting and post-processing, which will be explored further in future blog posts. Recommended read:
References :
@www.theapplepost.com
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References:
Ken Yeung
, Shelly Palmer
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Google is expanding its use of Gemini AI to revolutionize advertising on YouTube with a new product called "Peak Points," announced at the YouTube Brandcast event in New York. This AI-powered feature analyzes videos to pinpoint moments of maximum viewer engagement, strategically inserting ads at these "peak points." The goal is to improve ad performance by targeting viewers when they are most emotionally invested or attentive, potentially leading to better ad recall and effectiveness for marketers.
This new approach to ad placement signifies a shift from traditional contextual targeting, where ads are placed based on general video metadata or viewer history. Gemini AI provides a more granular analysis, identifying specific timestamps within a video where engagement spikes. This allows YouTube to not only understand what viewers are watching but also how they are watching it, gathering real-time attention data. This data has far-reaching implications, potentially influencing algorithmic recommendations, content development, talent discovery, and platform control. For content creators, Peak Points fundamentally changes monetization strategies. The traditional mid-roll ad insertion at default intervals will be replaced by Gemini's assessment of content's engagement level. Creators will now be incentivized to create content that not only retains viewers but also generates attention spikes at specific moments. Marketers, on the other hand, are shifting from buying against content to buying against engagement, necessitating a reevaluation of brand safety, storytelling, and overall campaign outcomes in this new attention-based economy. Recommended read:
References :
Scott Webster@AndroidGuys
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Google is aggressively expanding its Gemini AI across a multitude of devices, signifying a major push to create a seamless AI ecosystem. The tech giant aims to integrate Gemini into everyday experiences by bringing the AI assistant to smartwatches running Wear OS, Android Auto for in-car assistance, Google TV for enhanced entertainment, and even upcoming XR headsets developed in collaboration with Samsung. This expansion aims to provide users with a consistent and powerful AI layer connecting all their devices, allowing for natural voice interactions and context-based conversations across different platforms.
Google's vision for Gemini extends beyond simple voice commands, the AI assistant will offer a range of features tailored to each device. On smartwatches, Gemini will provide convenient access to information and app interactions without needing to take out a phone. In Android Auto, Gemini will replace the current Google voice assistant, enabling more sophisticated tasks like planning routes with charging stops or summarizing messages. For Google TV, the AI will offer personalized content recommendations and educational answers, while on XR headsets, Gemini will facilitate immersive experiences like planning trips using videos, maps, and local information. In addition to expanding Gemini's presence across devices, Google is also experimenting with its search interface. Reports indicate that Google is testing replacing the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button on its homepage with an "AI Mode" button. This move reflects Google's strategy to keep users engaged on its platform by offering direct access to conversational AI responses powered by Gemini. The AI Mode feature builds on the existing AI Overviews, providing detailed AI-generated responses to search queries on a dedicated results page, further emphasizing Google's commitment to integrating AI into its core services. Recommended read:
References :
Scott Webster@AndroidGuys
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References:
PCMag Middle East ai
, www.tomsguide.com
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Google is significantly expanding the reach of its Gemini AI assistant, bringing it to a wider range of devices beyond smartphones. This expansion includes integration with Android Auto for vehicles, Wear OS smartwatches, Google TV, and even upcoming XR headsets developed in collaboration with Samsung. Gemini's capabilities will be tailored to each device context, offering different functionalities and connectivity requirements to optimize the user experience. Material 3 Expressive will launch with Android 16 and Wear OS 6, starting with Google’s own Pixel devices first.
Google's integration of Gemini into Android Auto aims to enhance the driving experience by providing drivers with a natural language interface for various tasks. Drivers will be able to interact with Gemini to send messages, translate conversations, find restaurants, and play music, all through voice commands. While Gemini will require a data connection in Android Auto and Wear OS, cars with Google built-in will offer limited offline support. Google plans to address potential distractions by designing Gemini to be safe and focusing on quick tasks. Furthermore, Google has unveiled 'Material 3 Expressive', a new design language set to debut with Android 16 and Wear OS 6. This design language features vibrant colours, adaptive typography, and responsive animations, aiming to create a more personalized and engaging user interface. The expanded color palette includes purples, pinks, and corals, and integrates dynamic colour theming that draws from personal elements. Customizable app icons, adaptive layouts, and refined quick settings tiles are some of the functional enhancements users can expect from this update. Recommended read:
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Matthias Bastian@THE DECODER
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OpenAI has announced the integration of GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 mini models into ChatGPT, aimed at enhancing coding and web development capabilities. The GPT-4.1 model, designed as a specialized model excelling at coding tasks and instruction following, is now available to ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Team users. According to OpenAI, GPT-4.1 is faster and a great alternative to OpenAI o3 & o4-mini for everyday coding needs, providing more help to developers creating applications.
OpenAI is also rolling out GPT-4.1 mini, which will be available to all ChatGPT users, including those on the free tier, replacing the previous GPT-4o mini model. This model serves as the fallback option once GPT-4o usage limits are reached. The release notes confirm that GPT 4.1 mini offers various improvements over GPT-4o mini, including instruction-following, coding, and overall intelligence. This initiative is part of OpenAI's effort to make advanced AI tools more accessible and useful for a broader audience, particularly those engaged in programming and web development. Johannes Heidecke, Head of Systems at OpenAI, has emphasized that the new models build upon the safety measures established for GPT-4o, ensuring parity in safety performance. According to Heidecke, no new safety risks have been introduced, as GPT-4.1 doesn’t introduce new modalities or ways of interacting with the AI, and that it doesn’t surpass o3 in intelligence. The rollout marks another step in OpenAI's increasingly rapid model release cadence, significantly expanding access to specialized capabilities in web development and coding. Recommended read:
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