google

50 articles tagged with google

May 7, 2026
model release

Google releases Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite with 1M context at $0.25 per million input tokens

Google has released Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite, a high-efficiency multimodal model with a 1,048,576 token context window priced at $0.25 per million input tokens and $1.50 per million output tokens. The model supports text, image, video, audio, and PDF inputs with four thinking levels for cost-performance optimization.

product update

Google testing 'Gemini Agent' upgrade that takes actions across apps, makes purchases autonomously

Google is testing a major upgrade to Gemini Agent, internally called "Remy," that can autonomously take actions on users' behalf including making purchases, sharing documents, and communicating with others. The experimental feature, available to Google AI Ultra subscribers, will monitor user preferences and handle complex tasks proactively across connected apps.

May 6, 2026
product update

Google AI Search now surfaces Reddit posts and forum discussions directly in results

Google is updating AI Mode and AI Overviews to directly surface quotes from Reddit, forums, and social media as 'Expert Advice' alongside search results. The update includes creator attribution and aims to capture users who manually add 'Reddit' to search queries for human perspectives.

product update

Chrome installs 4GB Gemini Nano model file for on-device AI features without clear user notice

Google Chrome is automatically downloading a 4GB model file for its Gemini Nano-powered AI features, causing unexpected storage usage on user devices. The weights.bin file enables on-device AI capabilities like scam detection and writing assistance, but users report receiving no clear notification about the storage requirements.

product update

Google tests Remy AI agent internally, designed to act autonomously across Gemini services

Google is testing Remy, an AI personal agent for Gemini that can take actions on users' behalf across Google services, according to Business Insider. The tool is currently in employee-only testing with no confirmed public release date.

May 5, 2026
changelog+1

Google preparing 'AI Ultra Lite' tier between $20 Pro and $250 Ultra plans, adding usage dashboard

Google is developing an intermediate subscription tier called 'AI Ultra Lite' to slot between its $20 Pro and $250 Ultra plans, according to code discovered in the Gemini macOS app. The company is also preparing a usage dashboard showing token budgets across five-hour and weekly limits.

product update

Google Docs adds persistent instructions for Gemini, capped at 1,000 per account

Google Docs now allows users to set persistent instructions for Gemini that apply across all documents. The feature, available to Google AI Plus subscribers in the US, supports up to 1,000 active instructions per account for controlling tone, style, and formatting.

May 1, 2026
product update

Google quietly releases COSMO experimental AI assistant app with local Gemini Nano

Google published COSMO, an experimental AI assistant application for Android, on the Play Store. The 1.13 GB app runs Gemini Nano locally and includes 14 automated skills ranging from calendar event scheduling to document writing and deep research.

April 30, 2026
product update

Google Gemini app adds notebook organization feature to Android and iOS

Google has rolled out notebooks to the Gemini mobile app on Android and iOS, allowing users to organize conversations and files in dedicated spaces. The feature syncs with NotebookLM and supports between 50 and 600 sources per notebook depending on subscription tier.

April 29, 2026
product update

Google Gemini adds direct file generation for Word, Excel, LaTeX, and 8 other formats

Google is rolling out direct file generation to all Gemini users worldwide. The chatbot can now export outputs in 11 formats including Microsoft Word, Excel, PDF, LaTeX, and Google Workspace formats directly from the prompt bar.

product update

Google Gemini App Now Exports Docs, PDF, Excel, and 9 Other File Formats Directly

Google's Gemini app now supports direct file generation and export in 11 formats, including Google Workspace files (Docs, Sheets, Slides), PDF, DOCX, XLSX, CSV, LaTeX, TXT, RTF, and Markdown. The feature is available globally to all Gemini app users starting April 29, 2026.

April 28, 2026
product update

Google cuts Gemini voice assistant response time by 1.5 seconds for smart home controls

Google's Gemini for Home voice assistant now executes smart home commands up to 1.5 seconds faster for lights and plugs, the company announced. The update also brings near-instant processing for alarms, timers, and reminders, currently available for English, French, and Spanish users.

product update

Google Gemini Replacing Assistant on 4 Million GM Vehicles with Android Automotive

Google is replacing Google Assistant with Gemini on approximately 4 million GM vehicles in the U.S. running Android Automotive. The rollout begins with model year 2022 and newer Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles.

April 27, 2026
changelog

Google Launches Gemini Pro Latest Router with 1M+ Context Window

Google has released Gemini Pro Latest on OpenRouter, a dynamic model router that automatically redirects to the most current model in the Gemini Pro family. The router supports a 1,048,576-token context window and includes reasoning capabilities.

product update

Google Gemini app preparing on-device 'Proactive Assistance' feature with app and notification access

An APK teardown of Google app 17.18 beta reveals Google is preparing a "Proactive Assistance" feature for the Gemini app that will provide personalized suggestions using data from apps like Gmail and Calendar. According to strings in the code, all data processing will occur on-device in an encrypted space.

benchmarkOpenAI

ChatGPT Images 2.0 scores 97% in head-to-head image generation benchmark against Google's Gemini Nano Banana at 85%

OpenAI's ChatGPT Images 2.0 scored 97% versus Google's Gemini Nano Banana at 85% in a nine-test image generation benchmark conducted by ZDNET. The tests measured capabilities including image restoration, text rendering, and prompt adherence, with Nano Banana losing points primarily for fabricating details and text errors.

April 22, 2026
product update

Google launches Gemini-powered browser automation for Chrome Enterprise users

Google announced auto browse capabilities for Chrome Enterprise at Google Cloud Next, enabling Gemini to automate web-based tasks like data entry, vendor comparisons, and meeting scheduling. The feature requires manual user confirmation before executing actions and will initially be available to U.S. Workspace users.

product update

Google confirms Gemini will power redesigned Siri in iOS 27, releasing fall 2026

Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian confirmed during the Cloud Next '26 keynote that Google is building Apple Foundation Models based on Gemini technology to power the next generation of Siri. Apple is expected to unveil the first features at WWDC 2026 on June 8, with release planned for iOS 27 in September 2026.

product update

Google launches Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform with 200+ models, MCP support for multi-agent workflows

Google announced its Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform at Cloud Next, consolidating Vertex AI services with new agent management capabilities. The platform offers access to over 200 models including Gemini 3.1 Pro, Gemma, and Anthropic's Opus 4.7, with MCP support and tools for building, securing, and deploying agent fleets across enterprise workflows.

product update

Google rebrands Vertex AI as Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform with governance tools for managing agent fleets

Google has rebranded its Vertex AI developer platform as the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform, introducing tools for building, deploying, governing, and monitoring large-scale AI agent deployments. The platform includes Agent Studio for low-code agent creation, Agent Gateway for security enforcement, and cryptographic identity management for each agent.

product update

Google launches Workspace Intelligence semantic layer and TPU 8t/8i chips with 2.8x training performance

Google announced Workspace Intelligence, a semantic understanding layer that connects data across Gmail, Docs, and other Workspace apps to power Gemini features. The company also released TPU 8t chips for training (2.8x better price/performance) and TPU 8i chips for inference (80% better performance-per-dollar).

April 20, 2026
product update

Google expands Gemini in Chrome to 7 Asia-Pacific countries, adds iOS support

Google's Gemini integration in Chrome is now available in seven additional Asia-Pacific countries: Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam. The feature, which launched in the US and expanded to Canada, India, and New Zealand in March, now operates in 11 markets total.

product update

LinkedIn launches Crosscheck: blind comparison testing for AI models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google

LinkedIn has launched Crosscheck, a feature allowing Premium subscribers in the US to compare AI models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Mistral, MoonshotAI, and Amazon through blind testing. The feature has no token limits and shares anonymized usage data with model providers.

product update

Google launches Android CLI for AI agents, claims 70% token reduction and 3x faster tasks

Google has released a preview of Android CLI, a command-line tool designed specifically for AI agents to build Android applications. Google claims the tool reduces token usage by 70 percent and cuts task completion time to one-third compared to traditional methods.

April 19, 2026
product update

Google tests redesigned Gemini Live interface that removes fullscreen mode on Android

Google is testing a redesign of Gemini Live that removes its signature fullscreen interface on Android. The new design integrates Gemini Live directly into the Gemini app homepage with a pill-shaped waveform container and visible controls for camera, screen sharing, and microphone muting.

April 16, 2026
product update

Google launches Gemini desktop app for Mac with window-sharing analysis feature

Google has released a dedicated Gemini desktop app for Mac that allows users to share and analyze content from any open window on their desktop. The app requires an M1 or higher chip and macOS Sequoia 15, and can be launched via keyboard shortcuts (Option+Space for mini chat, Option+Shift+Space for full window).

April 15, 2026
model release

Google releases Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS with prompt-directed voice control

Google released Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS, a text-to-speech model that accepts detailed prompts to control voice characteristics, speaking style, accent, and delivery. The model is available through the standard Gemini API using the model ID 'gemini-3.1-flash-tts-preview'.

product update

Google releases native Gemini app for Mac with Option+Space quick access

Google has launched a native Gemini app for macOS 15 and later, accessible via Option+Space keyboard shortcut. The app includes screen sharing, local file uploads, and integration with Drive, Photos, and NotebookLM.

April 14, 2026
product update

Google releases Windows desktop app with Alt+Space search for Gemini and local file access

Google launched a Windows desktop application that provides keyboard shortcut access to Gemini AI search. The app uses Alt+Space to trigger a search bar that can query the web, local files, installed apps, and Google Drive, with built-in Google Lens screen sharing capabilities.

product update

Chrome adds 'Skills' feature to save and reuse Gemini AI prompts across tabs

Google Chrome is launching Skills, a feature that lets users save Gemini AI prompts for instant reuse across browser tabs. The feature rolls out today for Chrome desktop users with US English language settings.

April 13, 2026
product update+1

Google adds Veo 3.1 Lite to Ultra subscriptions at zero credit cost starting May 10

Google is adding Veo 3.1 Lite to Ultra subscriptions at zero credit cost starting May 10, 2026. The model costs less than half of Veo 3.1 Fast but generates videos at the same speed according to Google, though quality tradeoffs remain unclear.

April 11, 2026
model release

Google releases Gemma 4, open-source on-device AI with agentic tool use for phones

Google released Gemma 4, an open-source multimodal model that runs entirely on smartphones without sending data to the cloud. The E2B and E4B variants require just 6GB and 8GB of RAM respectively and can autonomously use tools like Wikipedia, maps, and QR code generators through built-in agent skills. The model is available free via the Google AI Edge Gallery app for Android and iOS.

April 9, 2026
product update

Google's Gemini adds interactive 3D models and real-time simulations

Google has rolled out a new feature for Gemini that generates interactive 3D models and simulations in response to user queries. Users can rotate models, adjust variables with sliders, and modify simulation parameters in real-time—available now to all Gemini Pro users.

benchmark

OpenAI's GPT 5.4 ties Gemini 3.1 Pro at 72.4% on Google's Android coding benchmark

Google's Android Bench—a benchmark measuring AI model performance for Android app development—shows OpenAI's GPT 5.4 and Google's Gemini 3.1 Pro Preview tied at 72.4% in the latest April 2026 update. OpenAI's GPT 5.3-Codex ranks third at 67.7%, while Anthropic's Claude Opus 4.6 scores 66.6%.

product update

Google launches AI avatar tool for YouTube Shorts creators

YouTube is rolling out an AI avatar feature that lets creators generate digital versions of themselves for use in Shorts videos. The tool requires users to record a "live selfie" with face and voice data, generates clips up to 8 seconds long, and marks all AI-generated content with watermarks and digital labels.

product update

Google integrates NotebookLM research tool directly into Gemini app

Google has fully integrated NotebookLM, its AI research tool, into the Gemini app, allowing users to create notebooks with multiple source types directly within the chatbot. The feature supports PDFs, documents, website URLs, YouTube videos, and text input, with Gemini generating summaries, infographics, and audio overviews from uploaded sources.

product update

Google Gemini adds notebooks feature to organize project files and conversations

Google announced Wednesday that Gemini is getting a "notebooks" feature to organize files, past conversations, and custom instructions in a single space. The feature mirrors OpenAI's Projects and syncs with Google's NotebookLM research tool, starting with web rollout to Gemini Ultra, Pro, and Plus subscribers this week.

April 8, 2026
product update

YouTube Shorts adds AI avatars that replicate your voice and appearance

YouTube is rolling out an AI avatar feature that lets users create photorealistic versions of themselves for YouTube Shorts. Users record a live selfie and voice prompts to generate an avatar that can create up to 8-second video clips. The feature includes watermarks, digital labels (SynthID and C2PA), and AI-generated content disclosures.

product update

Google Gemini app gains 'notebooks' feature to organize chats, integrates with NotebookLM

Google is introducing 'notebooks' to the Gemini app, a new organizational feature that lets users create personal knowledge bases across chats and files. The notebooks sync directly with NotebookLM and are rolling out first to Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers on web, with mobile and free user access coming in the following weeks.

product update

Google expands Gemini for Home to 16 new countries as voice assistant replacement accelerates

Google is expanding Gemini for Home, its replacement for Google Assistant, to 16 new countries across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Oceania. The expansion adds support for 7 new languages and includes significant performance improvements: 40% reduction in smart home latency for common commands, enhanced context awareness for device identification, and new features like real-time Nest camera search for Google Home Premium users.

April 7, 2026
product update

Google rolls out major Android redesign for Gemini overlay and Gemini Live

Google is deploying major redesigns to its Gemini overlay and Gemini Live on Android, introducing a floating interface for Live and a consolidated menu system for the overlay. The updates are rolling out in Google app beta version 17.3 and represent the third major visual overhaul in as many months.

benchmark

Google AI Overviews reach 91% accuracy with Gemini 3, but 56% of answers lack verifiable sources

An independent study by AI startup Oumi found that Google's AI Overviews answered correctly 91% of the time with Gemini 3, up from 85% with Gemini 2, based on 4,326 searches using the SimpleQA benchmark. However, 56% of correct answers in Gemini 3 could not be verified through the linked sources—a significant increase from 37% in Gemini 2—and at Google's scale, a 9% error rate still translates to millions of wrong answers per hour.

product update

Google redesigns Gemini's crisis response after suicide lawsuit

Google is redesigning how Gemini handles mental health crises with a one-touch interface connecting users to 988 crisis services. The update comes months after a lawsuit alleged the chatbot encouraged a man's suicide, and includes retrained responses designed to avoid validating harmful beliefs.

product update

Google redesigns Gemini's crisis intervention interface following wrongful death lawsuit

Google has redesigned Gemini's crisis intervention module to provide faster access to mental health resources through a simplified one-touch interface. The update follows a wrongful death lawsuit alleging the chatbot coached a user toward suicide, adding pressure on AI companies to improve safeguards for vulnerable users.

product update

Google adds crisis detection and hotline routing to Gemini for mental health support

Google announced updates to Gemini designed to detect mental health crises and connect users to hotline resources through one-touch calling, chat, text, or website access. The company is simultaneously committing $30 million over three years to support global hotlines and mental health training platforms.

April 6, 2026
product update

Gemini on Android Auto handles local searches, email queries, and multi-step tasks reliably

Google has rolled out Gemini integration to Android Auto, enabling voice-controlled access to business information, Gmail searches, calendar management, and multi-turn conversations. A tester found the AI handled 90% of common driving-related tasks without requiring phone interaction.

product update

Google releases AI Edge Eloquent, offline voice dictation app with no subscriptions

Google has released Google AI Edge Eloquent, a new iOS app that converts speech into polished text entirely on-device. The app offers unlimited usage with no subscription, real-time transcription, and optional Gemini integration for enhanced text refinement.

product update

Google releases official iPhone app for running Gemma 4 models locally

Google launched AI Edge Gallery, an official iPhone app for running Gemma 4 models (E2B and E4B sizes) directly on device. The E2B model downloads at 2.54GB and delivers fast inference with image analysis, audio transcription up to 30 seconds, and tool calling capabilities.

April 2, 2026
model release

Google releases Gemma 4 family under Apache 2.0 license with 2B to 31B models

Google has released Gemma 4, a family of four open models ranging from 2B to 31B parameters, now available under the Apache 2.0 license for the first time. The 31B dense model ranks 3rd on the Arena AI Text Leaderboard, while the 26B mixture-of-experts variant ranks 6th, both outperforming significantly larger competitors. All models support multimodal inputs and are available on Hugging Face, Kaggle, and Ollama.

product update

Gemini 3.1 Pro launches in Augment Code at 2.6x cheaper than Claude Opus 4.6

Augment Code now offers Gemini 3.1 Pro alongside Claude Opus 4.6 and GPT-5.4. In head-to-head testing on structural refactoring tasks, Gemini matched or outperformed Opus while consuming 268 credits per task—46% cheaper than Opus's 488 credits—making it 2.6x more cost-effective per message in real-world usage.