<p>Google has expanded access to Gemini 4 Argon, its advanced AI model, beyond cybersecurity specialists to enterprise customers and Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers worldwide. The company says the model can tackle complex engineering problems, analyse large collections of information and carry out multi-step professional tasks. Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced the availability in a post on X, writing: “Gemini 4 Argon is here.”</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gemini 4 Argon is here.

It’s available globally today for developers and enterprises in the paid tier of the Gemini API and the Gemini platform, for Ultra subscribers in Google Antigravity, and Ultra and Pro subscribers in the Gemini app and Search.

Hope you all enjoy it! https://t.co/2jyAgqoylU</p>&mdash; Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) <a href="https://x.com/sundarpichai/status/2110038898009407584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>The rollout signals Google's push towards AI systems that can do more than answer questions, including managing extended workflows and connecting information across different formats.</p><h2><strong>Gemini 4 Argon: What can Google's AI model do?</strong></h2><p>According to Google, Gemini 4 Argon supports a context window of up to one million tokens. This allows users to provide large amounts of information, such as lengthy legal or financial documents, project folders and software codebases, for analysis.</p><p>The model can also work across formats, including PDFs, charts, images, audio and video. Users can ask it to combine information from these sources and turn it into research summaries, proposals or structured data.</p><p>Google says Argon can support multi-step tasks such as drafting documents, managing data workflows and setting up automated processes. It also highlights improvements in visual coding, spatial reasoning and mathematical precision.</p><p>These capabilities are intended to make the model useful for professionals handling work that involves several stages and different types of information.</p><h2>Cybersecurity, science and research applications</h2><p>Gemini 4 Argon was previously available to cybersecurity defenders. Google says it can help identify and patch critical security vulnerabilities, although the effectiveness of such work depends on the task and appropriate human checks.</p><p>The company also points to potential applications in quantum computing, nuclear fusion, rare disease diagnosis and enzyme design.</p><p>Alongside the rollout, Google is offering 10,000 scientists six months of free access to the highest usage tier of Antigravity, its AI development platform. The initiative is aimed at supporting scientific research and development.</p><h2>Who can access Gemini 4 Argon?</h2><p>Google says Gemini 4 Argon is available to enterprise users and Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers through the Gemini app. Eligible subscribers can also access it through AI Mode in Google Search.</p><p>The availability of specific features may depend on the subscription or product being used.</p><p>For users, the main difference is the model's focus on handling extensive information and complex tasks rather than simply responding to individual prompts. However, AI-generated documents, research findings and security changes still need appropriate verification before being relied upon.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Google is expanding Gemini 4 Argon globally to enterprise users and Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. The model supports up to one million tokens of context and targets complex workflows, coding, cybersecurity and scientific research.

Google has expanded access to Gemini 4 Argon, its advanced AI model, beyond cybersecurity specialists to enterprise customers and Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers worldwide. The company says the model can tackle complex engineering problems, analyse large collections of information and carry out multi-step professional tasks. Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced the availability in a post on X, writing: “Gemini 4 Argon is here.”

<p>Google is expanding Gemini 4 Argon globally to enterprise users and Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. The model supports up to one million tokens of context and targets complex workflows, coding, cybersecurity and scientific research.</p>

Sundar Pichai announces Gemini 4 Argon rollout: Who can use Google’s advanced AI model?

<p>Google has introduced the Fitbit Edge, a new wearable designed to sit between the slim Fitbit Air band and the Pixel Watch. Priced at $179.99, it combines a lightweight band-style design with an OLED display for viewing directions, notifications, weather updates and music controls.</p><p>The new device also brings Gemini-powered fitness coaching, health monitoring features and improved tracking accuracy. With up to seven days of battery life, the Fitbit Edge aims to offer smartwatch-style information without requiring users to charge it every night.</p><h2><strong>Fitbit Edge features an OLED display and AI health coach</strong></h2><p>The Fitbit Edge adds a screen to the fitness-focused band format, allowing users to check information without reaching for their phones. Google says the wearable can automatically recognise and log up to 100 activities, including running, cycling and walking. It also supports more than 50 exercise modes and provides on-screen prompts during workouts, such as reminders to increase effort or take a break.</p><p>Like the Pixel Watch and Fitbit Air, the Edge works with Google Health Coach, powered by Gemini. A Google Health Premium subscription is required to use the coach. The service can use a person's fitness, health and medical information to create weekly routines and workout plans, then adjust them around their schedule.</p><h2><strong>Health Guardian, improved GPS and sleep tracking</strong></h2><p>The Fitbit Edge includes Google's Health Guardian feature, designed to identify notable changes in health measurements over time, including indicators associated with blood pressure and insulin resistance.</p><p>Google announced these features at the Pixel Watch 5 launch in August. They are intended to help users spot changes in their health data, rather than replace professional medical advice. Google claims the Edge's built-in GPS is 40 per cent more accurate than that of the previous generation. Sleep-stage detection is also said to be 15 per cent more accurate, potentially improving sleep summaries and coaching recommendations. These are company-reported improvements; real-world results may vary depending on usage and conditions.</p><h2><strong>Fitbit Edge price, colours and availability</strong></h2><p>The Fitbit Edge is available to preorder through the Google Store, with retail availability scheduled for October 27.</p><h2><strong>Key details include:</strong></h2><p>- Price: $179.99</p><p>- Battery life: Up to seven days</p><p>- Water resistance: Up to 50 metres</p><p>- Colours: Obsidian, Fog, Olive and Canyon</p><p>- Special edition: Stephen Curry edition priced at $219.99</p><p>The combination of a display, extended battery life and AI-based coaching makes the Fitbit Edge a new option for people who want more information on their wrist without necessarily choosing a full smartwatch. However, buyers should factor in the additional Google Health Premium subscription needed for AI coaching when comparing its overall cost with other fitness wearables.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Google has launched the Fitbit Edge at $179.99, featuring an OLED display, Gemini-powered health coaching, automatic tracking for up to 100 activities and up to seven days of battery life. Preorders are open, with retail availability set for October 27.

Google has introduced the Fitbit Edge, a new wearable designed to sit between the slim Fitbit Air band and the Pixel Watch. Priced at $179.99, it combines a lightweight band-style design with an OLED display for viewing directions, notifications, weather updates and music controls. The new device also brings Gemini-powered fitness coaching, health monitoring features and improved tracking accuracy. With up to seven days of battery life, the Fitbit Edge aims to offer smartwatch-style information without requiring users to charge it every night. Fitbit Edge features an OLED display and AI health coach The Fitbit Edge adds a screen to the fitness-focused band format, allowing users to check information without reaching for their phones. Google says the wearable can automatically recognise and log up to 100 activities, including running, cycling and walking. It also supports more than 50 exercise modes and provides on-screen prompts during workouts, such as reminders to increase effort or take a break. Like the Pixel Watch and Fitbit Air, the Edge works with Google Health Coach, powered by Gemini. A Google Health Premium subscription is required to use the coach. The service can use a person's fitness, health and medical information to create weekly routines and workout plans, then adjust them around their schedule. Health Guardian, improved GPS and sleep tracking The Fitbit Edge includes Google's Health Guardian feature, designed to identify notable changes in health measurements over time, including indicators associated with blood pressure and insulin resistance. Google announced these features at the Pixel Watch 5 launch in August. They are intended to help users spot changes in their health data, rather than replace professional medical advice. Google claims the Edge's built-in GPS is 40 per cent more accurate than that of the previous generation. Sleep-stage detection is also said to be 15 per cent more accurate, potentially improving sleep summaries and coaching recommendations. These are company-reported improvements; real-world results may vary depending on usage and conditions. Fitbit Edge price, colours and availability The Fitbit Edge is available to preorder through the Google Store, with retail availability scheduled for October 27. Key details include: - Price: $179.99 - Battery life: Up to seven days - Water resistance: Up to 50 metres - Colours: Obsidian, Fog, Olive and Canyon - Special edition: Stephen Curry edition priced at $219.99 The combination of a display, extended battery life and AI-based coaching makes the Fitbit Edge a new option for people who want more information on their wrist without necessarily choosing a full smartwatch. However, buyers should factor in the additional Google Health Premium subscription needed for AI coaching when comparing its overall cost with other fitness wearables.

<p>Google has launched the Fitbit Edge at $179.99, featuring an OLED display, Gemini-powered health coaching, automatic tracking for up to 100 activities and up to seven days of battery life. Preorders are open, with retail availability set for October 27.</p>

Google launches Fitbit Edge: Tracks all your fitness activities and offers AI-powered workout plans

<p>Google is making a major change to Gemini model access from October 9, 2026, with different AI subscription plans set to determine which models users can access. The biggest change affects free users and Google AI Plus subscribers, who will have more limited access to Google's most capable Gemini models.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Under the new system, people using Gemini with a personal Google account and no AI subscription will get access to Google's Flash-Lite models. Meanwhile, AI Plus users will continue to have Flash-Lite and Flash models but will no longer get access to Gemini Pro.</p><h2><strong>What happens to Gemini Free users?</strong></h2><p>Free Gemini users will see the clearest restriction. From October 9, Google says they will have access to the smaller Flash-Lite models rather than the broader range of models available through paid plans. For users who mainly use Gemini for basic questions, writing and everyday tasks, the change may have limited impact. But people relying on more capable models for demanding work may need to consider a paid subscription.</p><h2><strong>AI Plus users lose Gemini Pro access</strong></h2><p>The change could be more significant for Google AI Plus subscribers. In India, AI Plus costs Rs 399 per month. Subscribers will retain access to Flash-Lite and Flash, but Google is removing Pro models from this tier. Users who want Gemini's Pro models will therefore need to move to a more expensive plan. Google AI Pro costs Rs 1,950 per month in India, while Google AI Ultra costs Rs 6,500 per month. Both higher-tier plans will retain access to Flash-Lite, Flash and Pro models.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Google says AI Plus subscribers will receive an email explaining when the new rules will apply to their accounts.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Gemini is also getting 'effort' controls Google is also preparing a new way for users to control how much effort Gemini puts into a task. The upcoming options are expected to include low, medium and high effort. A higher setting is designed to make Gemini spend more resources working on a request, potentially improving responses on complex tasks.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>There is a catch: higher effort will consume more of a user's usage limit. The change gives users a simple trade-off. Everyday questions can use lower effort, while difficult research or reasoning tasks can use a higher setting. For Gemini users in India, the key takeaway is straightforward: from October 9, access to Google's most capable models will be increasingly tied to its higher-priced AI plans.</p>

Google is changing Gemini model access from October 9, 2026. Free users will get Flash-Lite, while AI Plus users lose Pro access. AI Pro and Ultra subscribers retain the full model range and will also get new low, medium and high effort controls.

Google is making a major change to Gemini model access from October 9, 2026, with different AI subscription plans set to determine which models users can access. The biggest change affects free users and Google AI Plus subscribers, who will have more limited access to Google's most capable Gemini models. Under the new system, people using Gemini with a personal Google account and no AI subscription will get access to Google's Flash-Lite models. Meanwhile, AI Plus users will continue to have Flash-Lite and Flash models but will no longer get access to Gemini Pro. What happens to Gemini Free users? Free Gemini users will see the clearest restriction. From October 9, Google says they will have access to the smaller Flash-Lite models rather than the broader range of models available through paid plans. For users who mainly use Gemini for basic questions, writing and everyday tasks, the change may have limited impact. But people relying on more capable models for demanding work may need to consider a paid subscription. AI Plus users lose Gemini Pro access The change could be more significant for Google AI Plus subscribers. In India, AI Plus costs Rs 399 per month. Subscribers will retain access to Flash-Lite and Flash, but Google is removing Pro models from this tier. Users who want Gemini's Pro models will therefore need to move to a more expensive plan. Google AI Pro costs Rs 1,950 per month in India, while Google AI Ultra costs Rs 6,500 per month. Both higher-tier plans will retain access to Flash-Lite, Flash and Pro models. Google says AI Plus subscribers will receive an email explaining when the new rules will apply to their accounts. Gemini is also getting 'effort' controls Google is also preparing a new way for users to control how much effort Gemini puts into a task. The upcoming options are expected to include low, medium and high effort. A higher setting is designed to make Gemini spend more resources working on a request, potentially improving responses on complex tasks. There is a catch: higher effort will consume more of a user's usage limit. The change gives users a simple trade-off. Everyday questions can use lower effort, while difficult research or reasoning tasks can use a higher setting. For Gemini users in India, the key takeaway is straightforward: from October 9, access to Google's most capable models will be increasingly tied to its higher-priced AI plans.

<p>Google is changing Gemini model access from October 9, 2026. Free users will get Flash-Lite, while AI Plus users lose Pro access. AI Pro and Ultra subscribers retain the full model range and will also get new low, medium and high effort controls.</p>

Gemini Free users to lose access to powerful models as Google changes AI plans

<p>Google has taken its AI ambitions beyond Earth. The company has successfully placed a prototype satellite carrying its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) into orbit as part of Project Suncatcher, an experimental plan to explore AI data centres in space.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The refrigerator-sized satellite, built with Planet, launched aboard SpaceX's Transporter-18 rideshare mission from California on October 1. Google has confirmed contact with the spacecraft and says it is operating as expected. This is not yet a space data centre. It is a crucial test to answer a much simpler question: can Google's AI hardware actually work reliably in orbit?</p><h2><strong>Four AI chips face the ultimate test</strong></h2><p>The prototype carries four Google TPUs. They will be exposed to the radiation, vibration and thermal conditions of space while Google gathers data on their performance. Cooling is one of the biggest challenges. On Earth, data centres rely heavily on air and liquid cooling. In the vacuum of space, there is no air to carry heat away. Google therefore has to move heat from the chips to radiators that can release it into space. For the initial experiment, the TPUs will operate only in short bursts of around 15 minutes, allowing the thermal system time to manage the heat. Radiation is another concern. Google's testing indicates its TPUs can withstand radiation levels greater than those expected during a five-year space mission, although errors can still occur.</p><h2><strong>Google has a much bigger plan</strong></h2><p>The satellite is only the beginning. Google's longer-term vision involves interconnected satellites carrying AI chips and communicating using high-speed laser links. The company believes near-constant sunlight in orbit could provide significantly more solar energy than comparable systems on Earth. The next major step is planned for 2027, when Google and Planet intend to test two more purpose-built satellites and their ability to communicate with each other. Google's broader research has explored an eventual constellation of 81 satellites working together as an orbital computing system.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>The biggest obstacle may be getting there cheaply</strong></h2><p>The technology is only one part of the challenge. Launching enough hardware into orbit could be enormously expensive. Google's research examines whether falling launch costs could eventually make orbital computing economically viable. The company's analysis points to dramatically higher launch activity being required, including thousands of Starship-class missions over time. That is a major assumption because the required launch cadence does not exist today. For now, Suncatcher remains a research project rather than a commercial product. But Google's first TPU satellite is now in orbit, turning what was once a theoretical idea into a real-world engineering experiment.</p>

Google has launched its first Project Suncatcher prototype into orbit with four Tensor Processing Units aboard a Planet-built satellite. The mission will test AI chips against radiation, heat and spaceflight conditions as Google explores future solar-powered orbital data centres.

Google has taken its AI ambitions beyond Earth. The company has successfully placed a prototype satellite carrying its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) into orbit as part of Project Suncatcher, an experimental plan to explore AI data centres in space. The refrigerator-sized satellite, built with Planet, launched aboard SpaceX's Transporter-18 rideshare mission from California on October 1. Google has confirmed contact with the spacecraft and says it is operating as expected. This is not yet a space data centre. It is a crucial test to answer a much simpler question: can Google's AI hardware actually work reliably in orbit? Four AI chips face the ultimate test The prototype carries four Google TPUs. They will be exposed to the radiation, vibration and thermal conditions of space while Google gathers data on their performance. Cooling is one of the biggest challenges. On Earth, data centres rely heavily on air and liquid cooling. In the vacuum of space, there is no air to carry heat away. Google therefore has to move heat from the chips to radiators that can release it into space. For the initial experiment, the TPUs will operate only in short bursts of around 15 minutes, allowing the thermal system time to manage the heat. Radiation is another concern. Google's testing indicates its TPUs can withstand radiation levels greater than those expected during a five-year space mission, although errors can still occur. Google has a much bigger plan The satellite is only the beginning. Google's longer-term vision involves interconnected satellites carrying AI chips and communicating using high-speed laser links. The company believes near-constant sunlight in orbit could provide significantly more solar energy than comparable systems on Earth. The next major step is planned for 2027, when Google and Planet intend to test two more purpose-built satellites and their ability to communicate with each other. Google's broader research has explored an eventual constellation of 81 satellites working together as an orbital computing system. The biggest obstacle may be getting there cheaply The technology is only one part of the challenge. Launching enough hardware into orbit could be enormously expensive. Google's research examines whether falling launch costs could eventually make orbital computing economically viable. The company's analysis points to dramatically higher launch activity being required, including thousands of Starship-class missions over time. That is a major assumption because the required launch cadence does not exist today. For now, Suncatcher remains a research project rather than a commercial product. But Google's first TPU satellite is now in orbit, turning what was once a theoretical idea into a real-world engineering experiment.

<p>Google has launched its first Project Suncatcher prototype into orbit with four Tensor Processing Units aboard a Planet-built satellite. The mission will test AI chips against radiation, heat and spaceflight conditions as Google explores future solar-powered orbital data centres.</p>

Google sends four AI chips into orbit as it eyes solar-powered data centres in space

<p>Google has unveiled Gemini 4 Argon, its latest frontier artificial intelligence model, but most people cannot use it yet.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The model is initially rolling out to a group of trusted cyber defenders through Google's Fairwind Program. Google says the restricted launch is part of a phased approach to testing the model's capabilities and strengthening safeguards before wider access. Argon is designed for long, complex tasks across software engineering, finance, legal work and cybersecurity. Google says it is already being used internally, where teams have used Argon agents to analyse data-centre memory and identify optimisations that could free up more than 300 TiB of memory once deployed.</p><h2><strong>Gemini 4 Argon gets a huge 1-million-token output limit</strong></h2><p>One of the biggest changes is the model's ability to generate up to 1 million tokens in a single output, compared with 64,000 previously. That matters because Argon is designed to work through lengthy, multi-step problems rather than simply answer individual prompts. Google says its engineers are using it for debugging, algorithm design and large-scale codebase migrations. The company also says Argon achieved a 77.9% score on DeepSWE v1.1, a benchmark for long-horizon software engineering tasks. Google reported leading results in several other professional and business evaluations as well.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The model has also been used for large software migrations, including work moving C/C++ code towards Rust. Google says one Argon-assisted project produced a Rust video decoder that ran 2.7 times faster than an existing Rust implementation while producing identical video output.</p><h2><strong>Its cybersecurity ability is the reason for the caution</strong></h2><p>Argon's most sensitive capability may be cybersecurity. Google says the model can find, validate and patch critical software vulnerabilities autonomously. It is already being used by cybersecurity company Wiz through its Scan for Good initiative. That ability has an obvious dual-use problem. The same technology that can help defenders discover vulnerabilities could potentially be misused to find weaknesses for malicious purposes.</p><p>Google therefore plans to provide Argon without some cyber guardrails only to trusted defenders and internal teams. The company says it is continuing work on safeguards against misuse, prompt injection and model misalignment before expanding availability.</p><h2><strong>When will Gemini 4 Argon be available and how much will it cost?</strong></h2><p>Google says Argon will eventually become available to developers, enterprises and consumers, starting with paid API customers and Google AI Ultra subscribers. The introductory API price is $2 per million input tokens and $10 per million output tokens. Cached input tokens receive a 95% discount during the introductory period. After that period, Google says pricing will rise to $4 per million input tokens and $20 per million output tokens. For now, however, Gemini 4 Argon's most powerful capabilities remain behind a controlled rollout. Google says feedback from its first group of cyber defenders and trusted testers will help determine the next stage of availability.</p>

Google has launched Gemini 4 Argon, a frontier AI model designed for complex coding, enterprise work and cybersecurity. It supports up to 1 million output tokens and can autonomously find and patch vulnerabilities, but access is initially limited to trusted cyber defenders.

Google has unveiled Gemini 4 Argon, its latest frontier artificial intelligence model, but most people cannot use it yet. The model is initially rolling out to a group of trusted cyber defenders through Google's Fairwind Program. Google says the restricted launch is part of a phased approach to testing the model's capabilities and strengthening safeguards before wider access. Argon is designed for long, complex tasks across software engineering, finance, legal work and cybersecurity. Google says it is already being used internally, where teams have used Argon agents to analyse data-centre memory and identify optimisations that could free up more than 300 TiB of memory once deployed. Gemini 4 Argon gets a huge 1-million-token output limit One of the biggest changes is the model's ability to generate up to 1 million tokens in a single output, compared with 64,000 previously. That matters because Argon is designed to work through lengthy, multi-step problems rather than simply answer individual prompts. Google says its engineers are using it for debugging, algorithm design and large-scale codebase migrations. The company also says Argon achieved a 77.9% score on DeepSWE v1.1, a benchmark for long-horizon software engineering tasks. Google reported leading results in several other professional and business evaluations as well. The model has also been used for large software migrations, including work moving C/C++ code towards Rust. Google says one Argon-assisted project produced a Rust video decoder that ran 2.7 times faster than an existing Rust implementation while producing identical video output. Its cybersecurity ability is the reason for the caution Argon's most sensitive capability may be cybersecurity. Google says the model can find, validate and patch critical software vulnerabilities autonomously. It is already being used by cybersecurity company Wiz through its Scan for Good initiative. That ability has an obvious dual-use problem. The same technology that can help defenders discover vulnerabilities could potentially be misused to find weaknesses for malicious purposes. Google therefore plans to provide Argon without some cyber guardrails only to trusted defenders and internal teams. The company says it is continuing work on safeguards against misuse, prompt injection and model misalignment before expanding availability. When will Gemini 4 Argon be available and how much will it cost? Google says Argon will eventually become available to developers, enterprises and consumers, starting with paid API customers and Google AI Ultra subscribers. The introductory API price is $2 per million input tokens and $10 per million output tokens. Cached input tokens receive a 95% discount during the introductory period. After that period, Google says pricing will rise to $4 per million input tokens and $20 per million output tokens. For now, however, Gemini 4 Argon's most powerful capabilities remain behind a controlled rollout. Google says feedback from its first group of cyber defenders and trusted testers will help determine the next stage of availability.

<p>Google has launched Gemini 4 Argon, a frontier AI model designed for complex coding, enterprise work and cybersecurity. It supports up to 1 million output tokens and can autonomously find and patch vulnerabilities, but access is initially limited to trusted cyber defenders.</p>

Gemini 4 Argon: Google’s new AI can find and fix software flaws on its own

<p>Google is preparing to launch four artificial intelligence chips into space on October 1, marking the first major step in its plan to build solar-powered AI data centres in orbit. The refrigerator-sized satellite will carry Google's Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) and test whether they can run AI workloads in the harsh conditions of space, The New York Times reported on September 24.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The mission, called Project Suncatcher, will use a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Google hopes the technology could eventually help power AI computing beyond Earth, with the company exploring satellite fleets of more than 80 spacecraft.</p><h2><strong>Google is sending four AI chips into orbit to run Gemini</strong></h2><p>According to The New York Times, the experimental satellite, named MVP, was built in partnership with Planet Labs. It will carry four Google TPUs, with computing power equivalent to one data centre server. The satellite is designed to answer simple AI queries using Google's Gemini assistant. It will also test whether the processors can withstand radiation, extreme temperatures and the physical stress of spaceflight. Before the launch, technicians inspected the satellite's solar panels and subjected it to vibration tests to simulate the shaking of a rocket journey. They marked individual screws with paint to check whether they loosened during testing.</p><p>The satellite passed the vibration test, according to the newspaper's report. James Manyika, Google's senior vice president for research, described the results as "great", but said he remained curious about how the hardware would perform once it reached space.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The mission is expected to operate for about a year. Google's Travis Beals, senior director of product management for Project Suncatcher, told The New York Times that the chips can run for around 15 minutes before they need to shut down to cool.</p><h2><strong>Why Google wants to build AI data centres in space</strong></h2><p>Google's Project Suncatcher aims to explore whether AI computing can move beyond traditional data centres on Earth. AI systems require enormous computing power. The facilities that support them consume large amounts of electricity and need extensive cooling infrastructure. Google's idea is to place AI processors in orbit, where satellites can capture solar energy and potentially reduce reliance on some of the power infrastructure required on Earth. According to The New York Times, Google estimates that space-based data centres could become cost-competitive with terrestrial facilities by the mid-2030s. However, this remains a long-term ambition, not a commercially proven solution. Cooling, radiation, maintenance and the cost of launching equipment remain major challenges.</p><p>Manyika acknowledged to the newspaper that the effort is still in its early stages and will take years to develop. He said Google does not expect anything usefully operational in the next few years.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>Google plans more AI satellites after October 1</h2><p>The October mission is only the beginning. According to The New York Times, Google plans to launch two additional satellites in 2027 and is developing designs for potential fleets of more than 80 spacecraft.</p><p>These satellites could eventually work together as an orbital AI data centre, expanding computing capacity as demand for AI systems grows. But Google must first demonstrate that its processors can operate reliably in orbit and that the technology can overcome the practical challenges of space-based computing.&nbsp;</p>

Google will launch four AI chips into space on October 1 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Project Suncatcher will test Gemini computing in orbit as Google explores solar-powered AI data centres, with plans for satellite fleets of more than 80 spacecraft.

Google is preparing to launch four artificial intelligence chips into space on October 1, marking the first major step in its plan to build solar-powered AI data centres in orbit. The refrigerator-sized satellite will carry Google's Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) and test whether they can run AI workloads in the harsh conditions of space, The New York Times reported on September 24. The mission, called Project Suncatcher, will use a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Google hopes the technology could eventually help power AI computing beyond Earth, with the company exploring satellite fleets of more than 80 spacecraft. Google is sending four AI chips into orbit to run Gemini According to The New York Times, the experimental satellite, named MVP, was built in partnership with Planet Labs. It will carry four Google TPUs, with computing power equivalent to one data centre server. The satellite is designed to answer simple AI queries using Google's Gemini assistant. It will also test whether the processors can withstand radiation, extreme temperatures and the physical stress of spaceflight. Before the launch, technicians inspected the satellite's solar panels and subjected it to vibration tests to simulate the shaking of a rocket journey. They marked individual screws with paint to check whether they loosened during testing. The satellite passed the vibration test, according to the newspaper's report. James Manyika, Google's senior vice president for research, described the results as "great", but said he remained curious about how the hardware would perform once it reached space. The mission is expected to operate for about a year. Google's Travis Beals, senior director of product management for Project Suncatcher, told The New York Times that the chips can run for around 15 minutes before they need to shut down to cool. Why Google wants to build AI data centres in space Google's Project Suncatcher aims to explore whether AI computing can move beyond traditional data centres on Earth. AI systems require enormous computing power. The facilities that support them consume large amounts of electricity and need extensive cooling infrastructure. Google's idea is to place AI processors in orbit, where satellites can capture solar energy and potentially reduce reliance on some of the power infrastructure required on Earth. According to The New York Times, Google estimates that space-based data centres could become cost-competitive with terrestrial facilities by the mid-2030s. However, this remains a long-term ambition, not a commercially proven solution. Cooling, radiation, maintenance and the cost of launching equipment remain major challenges. Manyika acknowledged to the newspaper that the effort is still in its early stages and will take years to develop. He said Google does not expect anything usefully operational in the next few years. Google plans more AI satellites after October 1 The October mission is only the beginning. According to The New York Times, Google plans to launch two additional satellites in 2027 and is developing designs for potential fleets of more than 80 spacecraft. These satellites could eventually work together as an orbital AI data centre, expanding computing capacity as demand for AI systems grows. But Google must first demonstrate that its processors can operate reliably in orbit and that the technology can overcome the practical challenges of space-based computing.

<p>Google will launch four AI chips into space on October 1 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Project Suncatcher will test Gemini computing in orbit as Google explores solar-powered AI data centres, with plans for satellite fleets of more than 80 spacecraft.</p>

Google to send AI chips into space next week for orbital data centre project

<p>Google is making a new push into premium laptops and this time, Gemini AI is at the centre of the experience.</p><p>The company has officially launched Googlebook, a new category of laptops built on the Android technology stack with desktop foundations from ChromeOS. The devices are designed to work closely with Android phones and bring Gemini-powered tools directly into the laptop experience. Prices start at $899, with five launch models coming from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo. Every Googlebook purchase also includes 12 months of Google AI Pro, with 5TB of cloud storage and access to Gemini Advanced tools. Pre-orders are now open. Sales begin on October 4 in the US and October 5 in Canada, the UK, Ireland, France, Germany and Australia. Google has not announced an India launch date yet.</p><h2>Googlebook specs: What do you get?</h2><p>Google is positioning Googlebook as a premium step beyond traditional Chromebooks.</p><p>The laptops use Intel and Qualcomm processors paired with dedicated NPUs capable of more than 45 TOPS of AI performance. Google says they can deliver up to 14 hours of battery life. Displays go up to 2.8K OLED, while other premium features include haptic glass trackpads, backlit keyboards and aluminium, magnesium alloy or carbon-fibre construction. There is also an unusual visual feature: the Glowbar on the outside of the laptop. It lights up during startup, indicates battery levels and can display animations when interacting with Gemini. Google is also promising long-term software support, with Googlebook OS updates for up to 10 years.</p><h2>Gemini is the biggest difference</h2><p>The most interesting part of Googlebook is not the hardware. It is what Google wants Gemini to do with it. Magic Pointer can bring Gemini into whatever users are viewing on screen. For example, users can highlight information and ask Gemini to organise a calendar, analyse an email or work with images. Then there is Rambler, which turns spoken thoughts into organised notes, headings and checklists. It also supports multiple languages. Google is introducing Create My Widget, allowing users to describe a widget they want and have the system generate it without coding.</p><h2>Built around your Android phone</h2><p>Googlebook is designed to make the Android phone and laptop work as one system.</p><p>Settings, saved passwords, Wi-Fi networks and messages can transfer during setup with end-to-end encryption. Users can also use Files to access phone files and photos, while Cast My Apps lets them use Android phone apps in a desktop window. For developers, Googlebook also includes a full Linux terminal environment and Google's Antigravity platform for building and deploying apps and working with AI coding agents. The bigger strategy is clear: Google is not simply refreshing the Chromebook. It is trying to make the Android phone the centre of a more intelligent laptop experience, with Gemini sitting across both devices.<br>&nbsp;</p>

Google has launched Googlebook, a new $899-and-up premium laptop category built around Gemini AI and Android integration. Five launch models from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo offer OLED displays, 45+ TOPS NPUs and up to 14 hours of battery life.

Google is making a new push into premium laptops and this time, Gemini AI is at the centre of the experience. The company has officially launched Googlebook, a new category of laptops built on the Android technology stack with desktop foundations from ChromeOS. The devices are designed to work closely with Android phones and bring Gemini-powered tools directly into the laptop experience. Prices start at $899, with five launch models coming from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo. Every Googlebook purchase also includes 12 months of Google AI Pro, with 5TB of cloud storage and access to Gemini Advanced tools. Pre-orders are now open. Sales begin on October 4 in the US and October 5 in Canada, the UK, Ireland, France, Germany and Australia. Google has not announced an India launch date yet. Googlebook specs: What do you get? Google is positioning Googlebook as a premium step beyond traditional Chromebooks. The laptops use Intel and Qualcomm processors paired with dedicated NPUs capable of more than 45 TOPS of AI performance. Google says they can deliver up to 14 hours of battery life. Displays go up to 2.8K OLED, while other premium features include haptic glass trackpads, backlit keyboards and aluminium, magnesium alloy or carbon-fibre construction. There is also an unusual visual feature: the Glowbar on the outside of the laptop. It lights up during startup, indicates battery levels and can display animations when interacting with Gemini. Google is also promising long-term software support, with Googlebook OS updates for up to 10 years. Gemini is the biggest difference The most interesting part of Googlebook is not the hardware. It is what Google wants Gemini to do with it. Magic Pointer can bring Gemini into whatever users are viewing on screen. For example, users can highlight information and ask Gemini to organise a calendar, analyse an email or work with images. Then there is Rambler, which turns spoken thoughts into organised notes, headings and checklists. It also supports multiple languages. Google is introducing Create My Widget, allowing users to describe a widget they want and have the system generate it without coding. Built around your Android phone Googlebook is designed to make the Android phone and laptop work as one system. Settings, saved passwords, Wi-Fi networks and messages can transfer during setup with end-to-end encryption. Users can also use Files to access phone files and photos, while Cast My Apps lets them use Android phone apps in a desktop window. For developers, Googlebook also includes a full Linux terminal environment and Google's Antigravity platform for building and deploying apps and working with AI coding agents. The bigger strategy is clear: Google is not simply refreshing the Chromebook. It is trying to make the Android phone the centre of a more intelligent laptop experience, with Gemini sitting across both devices.

<p>Google has launched Googlebook, a new $899-and-up premium laptop category built around Gemini AI and Android integration. Five launch models from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo offer OLED displays, 45+ TOPS NPUs and up to 14 hours of battery life.</p>

Googlebook is here: Google launches $899 AI laptops with Gemini, Android phone integration

<p>Google DeepMind has launched a new research institute focused on one of artificial intelligence’s biggest unanswered questions: what happens to society if artificial general intelligence, or AGI, becomes a reality?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The DeepMind Institute will bring together researchers from Google DeepMind and outside organisations to examine the potential effects of advanced AI on the economy, science and everyday life. The launch comes as the AI industry faces a growing debate over safety, regulation and how quickly frontier systems should advance. Google DeepMind says the institute is intended to encourage research and discussion rather than promote a single view of the future.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">For 20+ years <a href="https://x.com/ShaneLegg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShaneLegg</a> and I&#39;ve discussed AGI’s potential impact on the economy, science &amp; society. With the DeepMind Institute, we&#39;re expanding interdisciplinary research on key questions for the AI era. We hope it spurs the discussions needed to get the next steps right:…</p>&mdash; Demis Hassabis (@demishassabis) <a href="https://x.com/demishassabis/status/2100230524383981702?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>What will the DeepMind Institute study?</strong></h2><p>The institute will examine questions that go beyond building more capable AI models.</p><p>Its research areas include economic policy in an AGI-driven world, how AI systems explain their reasoning, access to advanced AI across different regions and the potential impact of AI on human wellbeing.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The initiative is being led by Shane Legg, Google DeepMind’s co-founder and chief AGI scientist, as managing editor. Google senior vice president James Manyika and DeepMind co-founder and chair Demis Hassabis are also involved in its leadership. Hassabis said he and Legg had discussed AGI’s possible impact on the economy, science and society for more than 20 years.</p><p>He said the new institute would expand that work through interdisciplinary research and help generate the discussion needed as AI develops.</p><h2><strong>DeepMind says researchers may disagree</strong></h2><p>One notable feature of the institute is its acknowledgement that there may not be a single answer to how advanced AI should be developed or managed. In its introductory material, Hassabis, Manyika and Legg said Google, Google DeepMind and researchers elsewhere could reach different conclusions as evidence changes.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The aim, therefore, is not simply to predict the future. It is to study the possible consequences of AGI and give researchers, policymakers and the wider public more information about the choices ahead. Google DeepMind already describes AGI as a potential major transformation for society, while its research has explored possible pathways from human-level AGI towards more advanced forms of machine intelligence.</p><h2><strong>Why is this happening now?</strong></h2><p>The timing is significant.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has recently called for the frontier AI industry to slow the pace at which model capabilities improve, arguing that safety work needs to keep up with rapidly advancing systems. Hassabis has supported greater cooperation around AI safety, while OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has also backed the idea of “pacing the frontier”. The debate has now spread beyond AI companies, with governments and policymakers discussing how advanced AI should be governed. Google DeepMind’s new institute does not amount to a decision to slow AGI development. Instead, it signals that one of the world’s leading AI labs wants a broader research effort examining what AGI could change and how society should prepare for it.</p>

Google DeepMind has launched a new institute to study how artificial general intelligence could affect society, science and the economy. Led by Shane Legg with Demis Hassabis and James Manyika involved, the initiative will bring together internal and external researchers.

Google DeepMind has launched a new research institute focused on one of artificial intelligence’s biggest unanswered questions: what happens to society if artificial general intelligence, or AGI, becomes a reality? The DeepMind Institute will bring together researchers from Google DeepMind and outside organisations to examine the potential effects of advanced AI on the economy, science and everyday life. The launch comes as the AI industry faces a growing debate over safety, regulation and how quickly frontier systems should advance. Google DeepMind says the institute is intended to encourage research and discussion rather than promote a single view of the future.

<p>Google DeepMind has launched a new institute to study how artificial general intelligence could affect society, science and the economy. Led by Shane Legg with Demis Hassabis and James Manyika involved, the initiative will bring together internal and external researchers.</p>

Google DeepMind launches new institute to study how AGI could change society

<p>Google is facing fresh scrutiny in India after Gujarat Police uncovered a network containing 5,13,847 Gmail IDs and passwords allegedly linked to hoax bomb threats and other cybercrime.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Two people have been arrested in the investigation, which began after a threatening email was sent to the Gujarat government on September 10, days before the BRICS summit in New Delhi. Police say the threat was false. They are now preparing to question Google about how such a huge network of accounts could have been created and managed.</p>

<h2><strong>Why are police questioning Google?</strong></h2><p>Senior Gujarat cybercrime official Vivek Bheda told Reuters that police will write to Google and seek policy changes to prevent safeguards from being bypassed. Investigators also plan to formally make Google a subject of the investigation, he said. The discovery has raised a particularly unusual question: how did a criminal network manage hundreds of thousands of Gmail accounts despite Google's security systems? Police say the fraudulent accounts also had two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled, adding another layer to the mystery. Google has not immediately responded to Reuters' request for comment. It is not yet clear whether the company could face any legal charges or penalties.</p><h2><strong>How did the bomb threat network operate?</strong></h2><p>The Gujarat investigation began after the September 10 email threatened government locations and countries cooperating with India around the BRICS summit. Police traced the email and arrested two men, one in Bihar and another in Jharkhand.</p><p>According to Gujarat Police, investigators found a database containing 5,13,847 unique email IDs and corresponding passwords. Police believe the accounts were intended for sending threatening messages to government offices, schools, colleges and courts, as well as for other illegal activities. However, investigators have not established that every account was used to send bomb threats. The wider database is still being analysed.</p><h2><strong>Bangladesh link and cryptocurrency</strong></h2><p>Investigators are also examining an alleged international connection.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Police said one of the arrested suspects was in contact with a buyer in Bangladesh who purchased batches of the accounts. Some payments were reportedly made using cryptocurrency. The suspected Bangladesh connection remains part of the investigation. The case also adds to wider concerns about the misuse of online platforms in India. Authorities have previously scrutinised Google's Firebase platform over its alleged use in financial scams. For now, the biggest unanswered question is not simply who sent the bomb threats. It is how a network of more than half a million Gmail credentials was created and operated at such scale without being stopped earlier.</p>

Gujarat Police have uncovered 5,13,847 Gmail IDs and passwords in a probe into hoax bomb threats. Two people were arrested, while investigators plan to question Google about how the network operated and whether its safeguards were bypassed.

Google is facing fresh scrutiny in India after Gujarat Police uncovered a network containing 5,13,847 Gmail IDs and passwords allegedly linked to hoax bomb threats and other cybercrime. Two people have been arrested in the investigation, which began after a threatening email was sent to the Gujarat government on September 10, days before the BRICS summit in New Delhi. Police say the threat was false. They are now preparing to question Google about how such a huge network of accounts could have been created and managed.

<p>Gujarat Police have uncovered 5,13,847 Gmail IDs and passwords in a probe into hoax bomb threats. Two people were arrested, while investigators plan to question Google about how the network operated and whether its safeguards were bypassed.</p>

‘5 lakh fake Gmail IDs uncovered’: Why Gujarat police want answers from Google

<p>Google has rolled out major changes to its Search results in Europe after coming under pressure from the European Union's antitrust regulators.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The company says the changes could make Search worse for European users and increase costs for businesses. The overhaul follows a €460 million ($534 million) EU fine in July for allegedly giving Google's own services an unfair advantage in Search. Google described the move as the biggest reduction in the quality of its Search service in its 29-year history.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>What is changing on Google Search?</strong></h2><p>The biggest change affects searches for services such as hotels, flights and restaurants. Google will give greater visibility to specialised comparison services, known as vertical search services. Sites such as Booking.com and Expedia could receive more prominent placement than individual businesses that simply provide their own website, phone number or address. A new format will place one specialised search service prominently at the top, followed by two others with less information.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Google will also show carousels for hotels, airlines and restaurants. However, features such as real-time prices will be removed from those displays. The rankings will ultimately be decided by Google's search algorithm.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Why is the EU forcing Google to change?</strong></h2><p>The European Commission found that Google had given its own services more prominent treatment than competing third-party services, including in shopping, hotels, transport and sports. Under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), gatekeepers are required to treat competing services fairly. Google was given 60 days to comply or face periodic penalty payments of up to 5% of its worldwide turnover.</p><p>The EU also fined Google another €430 million over restrictions on how app developers could direct users towards cheaper offers outside Google Play. That took Google's two July DMA fines to €890 million.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Google says businesses could lose traffic</strong></h2><p>Google argues the changes will hurt local businesses that depend on direct Search traffic. The company said earlier DMA-related changes had already caused a 30% decline in free direct booking traffic to European businesses. Google also said tests involving millions of European users showed frustration because people sometimes had to repeat searches to find what they wanted. The European Commission, however, argues that the DMA is designed to create fairer competition and give users more choice. For now, the changes apply to European users. Google says users outside the EU will not be affected by this particular Search overhaul.</p>

Google has changed Search results in Europe after a €460 million EU antitrust fine. Comparison sites such as Booking.com may get greater visibility, while Google warns the changes could reduce Search quality and hurt local businesses.

Google has rolled out major changes to its Search results in Europe after coming under pressure from the European Union's antitrust regulators. The company says the changes could make Search worse for European users and increase costs for businesses. The overhaul follows a €460 million ($534 million) EU fine in July for allegedly giving Google's own services an unfair advantage in Search. Google described the move as the biggest reduction in the quality of its Search service in its 29-year history. What is changing on Google Search? The biggest change affects searches for services such as hotels, flights and restaurants. Google will give greater visibility to specialised comparison services, known as vertical search services. Sites such as Booking.com and Expedia could receive more prominent placement than individual businesses that simply provide their own website, phone number or address. A new format will place one specialised search service prominently at the top, followed by two others with less information. Google will also show carousels for hotels, airlines and restaurants. However, features such as real-time prices will be removed from those displays. The rankings will ultimately be decided by Google's search algorithm. Why is the EU forcing Google to change? The European Commission found that Google had given its own services more prominent treatment than competing third-party services, including in shopping, hotels, transport and sports. Under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), gatekeepers are required to treat competing services fairly. Google was given 60 days to comply or face periodic penalty payments of up to 5% of its worldwide turnover. The EU also fined Google another €430 million over restrictions on how app developers could direct users towards cheaper offers outside Google Play. That took Google's two July DMA fines to €890 million. Google says businesses could lose traffic Google argues the changes will hurt local businesses that depend on direct Search traffic. The company said earlier DMA-related changes had already caused a 30% decline in free direct booking traffic to European businesses. Google also said tests involving millions of European users showed frustration because people sometimes had to repeat searches to find what they wanted. The European Commission, however, argues that the DMA is designed to create fairer competition and give users more choice. For now, the changes apply to European users. Google says users outside the EU will not be affected by this particular Search overhaul.

<p>Google has changed Search results in Europe after a €460 million EU antitrust fine. Comparison sites such as Booking.com may get greater visibility, while Google warns the changes could reduce Search quality and hurt local businesses.</p>

Google warns Europeans will get worse Search results under new EU rules

<p>Google is turning towards air cooling for new data centres as the explosive growth of artificial intelligence creates a new problem: how to remove enormous amounts of heat without using huge quantities of water. The issue is becoming more important as data centres grow towards unprecedented sizes. Facilities approaching 1 gigawatt of power capacity are being planned, including Google’s proposed project in Visakhapatnam.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Almost all electricity used by computing equipment eventually becomes heat. A 1-GW facility could therefore need to continuously remove roughly 1 GW of heat.</p><h2><strong>Why Google is choosing air cooling</strong></h2><p>Traditional air cooling uses fans and air-handling systems to move cool air through server racks and remove hot air. It is a mature technology and generally requires simpler infrastructure than liquid cooling. Most importantly, it can significantly reduce the amount of water needed for cooling.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>That matters in regions where water resources are already under pressure. Google’s reported approach at its Visakhapatnam project therefore highlights a growing trade-off for the AI industry: computers need more power, but cooling them can require more resources too.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>AI chips are creating a massive heat problem</strong></h2><p>There is a catch. Air is not particularly good at carrying large amounts of heat. As AI processors become more powerful, individual server racks are producing far more heat. Air cooling can practically handle around 40 kW per rack, according to the supplied analysis, while high-end AI racks can reach 120–150 kW. At those levels, cooling requires enormous airflow and powerful fans. That consumes electricity, takes up space and can create more noise. This is why liquid cooling is becoming increasingly important for high-density AI computing.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Why liquid cooling is not the only answer</strong></h2><p>Direct-to-chip liquid cooling sends coolant through cold plates attached to processors, allowing heat to be removed much more efficiently than with air. Immersion cooling goes further by placing components directly into a non-conductive liquid.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>But these systems cost more and require specialised infrastructure.</strong></h2><p>That is pushing the industry towards a hybrid approach. Lower-density equipment can use air, while the hottest AI clusters use liquid cooling or rear-door heat exchangers. The contrast is already visible in India. Google’s reported air-cooling approach focuses on reducing water use, while TCS’s proposed 1-GW HyperVault facility is being designed around higher-density computing and direct-to-chip cooling. The lesson is clear: as AI data centres become bigger and hotter, cooling is becoming just as important as the chips themselves.</p>

Google is turning towards air cooling for new data centres to reduce water use as AI drives computing power and heat higher. 

Google is turning towards air cooling for new data centres as the explosive growth of artificial intelligence creates a new problem: how to remove enormous amounts of heat without using huge quantities of water. The issue is becoming more important as data centres grow towards unprecedented sizes. Facilities approaching 1 gigawatt of power capacity are being planned, including Google’s proposed project in Visakhapatnam. Almost all electricity used by computing equipment eventually becomes heat. A 1-GW facility could therefore need to continuously remove roughly 1 GW of heat. Why Google is choosing air cooling Traditional air cooling uses fans and air-handling systems to move cool air through server racks and remove hot air. It is a mature technology and generally requires simpler infrastructure than liquid cooling. Most importantly, it can significantly reduce the amount of water needed for cooling. That matters in regions where water resources are already under pressure. Google’s reported approach at its Visakhapatnam project therefore highlights a growing trade-off for the AI industry: computers need more power, but cooling them can require more resources too. AI chips are creating a massive heat problem There is a catch. Air is not particularly good at carrying large amounts of heat. As AI processors become more powerful, individual server racks are producing far more heat. Air cooling can practically handle around 40 kW per rack, according to the supplied analysis, while high-end AI racks can reach 120–150 kW. At those levels, cooling requires enormous airflow and powerful fans. That consumes electricity, takes up space and can create more noise. This is why liquid cooling is becoming increasingly important for high-density AI computing. Why liquid cooling is not the only answer Direct-to-chip liquid cooling sends coolant through cold plates attached to processors, allowing heat to be removed much more efficiently than with air. Immersion cooling goes further by placing components directly into a non-conductive liquid. But these systems cost more and require specialised infrastructure. That is pushing the industry towards a hybrid approach. Lower-density equipment can use air, while the hottest AI clusters use liquid cooling or rear-door heat exchangers. The contrast is already visible in India. Google’s reported air-cooling approach focuses on reducing water use, while TCS’s proposed 1-GW HyperVault facility is being designed around higher-density computing and direct-to-chip cooling. The lesson is clear: as AI data centres become bigger and hotter, cooling is becoming just as important as the chips themselves.

<p>Google is turning towards air cooling for new data centres to reduce water use as AI drives computing power and heat higher.&nbsp;</p>

Google turns to air cooling for new data centres to cut water use

The Pixel 11 Pro features the 2nm Tensor G6 chip for advanced AI, while the iPhone 17 Pro brings raw A19 Pro power and a triple 48MP camera. Deciding between these two flagship giants comes down to your personal priorities. 

<p>The Pixel 11 Pro features the 2nm Tensor G6 chip for advanced AI, while the iPhone 17 Pro brings raw A19 Pro power and a triple 48MP camera. Deciding between these two flagship giants comes down to your personal priorities.&nbsp;</p>

‘Pixel 11 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro’: Which flagship phone should you buy?

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Google is taking its health tracking ambitions a step further with Health Guardian, a new set of features designed to spot subtle changes in the body that may not be obvious day to day. The tools are coming to the Google Health app for eligible Pixel Watch and Fitbit devices. Google says they can work quietly in the background around the clock, analysing physiological data and highlighting important changes over time. The idea is different from simply checking today's heart rate or number of steps. Health Guardian is designed to look for longer-term patterns and present them in monthly summaries, with notifications when a feature detects something that may need attention.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>What can Google Health Guardian track?</strong></h2><p>Google is introducing four Health Guardian features. Insulin resistance trends analyse multi-week physiological data to track changes in metabolic health without requiring a blood sample, according to Google. Blood pressure trends use pulse and movement patterns collected over time to estimate changes without requiring a traditional blood-pressure cuff. There is also sleep breathing quality, which looks at breathing patterns during sleep and shows how much of the night was spent with optimal breathing. The fourth feature is breathing emergency detection. It is designed to detect a critical drop in blood oxygen and, if the person becomes unresponsive, can automatically contact emergency services and emergency contacts. Google says this feature is limited to Pixel Watch and select European countries.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>AI is doing the heavy lifting</strong></h2><p>Google says its health models were trained using sensor data from millions of opted-in users. Its insulin-resistance model was trained on more than one trillion minutes of data from 5 million opted-in users, while its blood-pressure model was trained using billions of minutes of heart and movement data. Google says the features have also undergone clinical validation using established measurement methods. The company says research supporting the insulin-resistance technology has been published in Nature.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>But Google says this is not a medical diagnosis</strong></h2><p>There is an important limitation. Google says Health Guardian features are intended for general wellness and information, not for diagnosing or treating medical conditions. The company specifically says insulin-resistance and blood-pressure trends should not be treated as real-time clinical readings or used to change medication or treatment plans. Users should consult healthcare professionals about medical concerns. The features are coming soon, with availability depending on the device and region. Google Health Coach can also help users understand the information, although it requires a Google Health Premium subscription or an eligible Google AI Pro or Ultra plan.</p>

Google's new Health Guardian features will use Pixel Watch and Fitbit data to track subtle changes in insulin resistance, blood pressure and sleep breathing. The tools provide longer-term health insights, but Google says they are for wellness and are not medical diagnostic tools.

Google is taking its health tracking ambitions a step further with Health Guardian, a new set of features designed to spot subtle changes in the body that may not be obvious day to day. The tools are coming to the Google Health app for eligible Pixel Watch and Fitbit devices. Google says they can work quietly in the background around the clock, analysing physiological data and highlighting important changes over time. The idea is different from simply checking today's heart rate or number of steps. Health Guardian is designed to look for longer-term patterns and present them in monthly summaries, with notifications when a feature detects something that may need attention. What can Google Health Guardian track? Google is introducing four Health Guardian features. Insulin resistance trends analyse multi-week physiological data to track changes in metabolic health without requiring a blood sample, according to Google. Blood pressure trends use pulse and movement patterns collected over time to estimate changes without requiring a traditional blood-pressure cuff. There is also sleep breathing quality, which looks at breathing patterns during sleep and shows how much of the night was spent with optimal breathing. The fourth feature is breathing emergency detection. It is designed to detect a critical drop in blood oxygen and, if the person becomes unresponsive, can automatically contact emergency services and emergency contacts. Google says this feature is limited to Pixel Watch and select European countries. AI is doing the heavy lifting Google says its health models were trained using sensor data from millions of opted-in users. Its insulin-resistance model was trained on more than one trillion minutes of data from 5 million opted-in users, while its blood-pressure model was trained using billions of minutes of heart and movement data. Google says the features have also undergone clinical validation using established measurement methods. The company says research supporting the insulin-resistance technology has been published in Nature. But Google says this is not a medical diagnosis There is an important limitation. Google says Health Guardian features are intended for general wellness and information, not for diagnosing or treating medical conditions. The company specifically says insulin-resistance and blood-pressure trends should not be treated as real-time clinical readings or used to change medication or treatment plans. Users should consult healthcare professionals about medical concerns. The features are coming soon, with availability depending on the device and region. Google Health Coach can also help users understand the information, although it requires a Google Health Premium subscription or an eligible Google AI Pro or Ultra plan.

<p>Google's new Health Guardian features will use Pixel Watch and Fitbit data to track subtle changes in insulin resistance, blood pressure and sleep breathing. The tools provide longer-term health insights, but Google says they are for wellness and are not medical diagnostic tools.</p>

Google's AI health tool could give Pixel Watch users health updates without a blood test

<p>Google DeepMind has unveiled a new AI system that could change how Deaf and hard-of-hearing people interact with their phones. SL2T, short for sign-language-to-text, can convert sign language into text and is coming first to Pixel 11. The model will power new features in Gboard and Live Transcribe, allowing users to sign in places where they would normally type. Google says the first supported language pair will be American Sign Language (ASL) to English, with more languages and devices planned.</p><p>The announcement is significant because Google is moving sign-language AI beyond a research demonstration and into a consumer product. Google DeepMind describes SL2T as a breakthrough model designed specifically for Deaf and hard-of-hearing users.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SL2T is our breakthrough sign language-to-text model powering new features for Deaf and hard of hearing users on <a href="https://x.com/Android?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Android</a>.<br><br>Starting with American Sign Language-to-English on Pixel 11, people can sign directly into Gboard and Live Transcribe instead of typing. <a href="https://t.co/p9Vx7tJtLT">pic.twitter.com/p9Vx7tJtLT</a></p>&mdash; Google DeepMind (@GoogleDeepMind) <a href="https://x.com/GoogleDeepMind/status/2087541213284946191?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>How Google's sign-language AI works</strong></h2><p>SL2T is designed to understand more than individual hand gestures. Sign language also relies on movement, facial expressions and other parts of the body, making it much harder for AI to interpret than a simple gesture-recognition system. The model can turn signing into text that users can then use for everyday tasks. That includes searching the web, writing messages or documents, and interacting with Gemini. In Live Transcribe, users can also sign responses during conversations rather than repeatedly typing them out. Google says the system was developed with input from members of the Deaf community, helping the technology address real-world signing rather than relying only on laboratory demonstrations.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Designed for real-world signing</strong></h2><p>One challenge is that people do not always sign in perfect conditions. A user may be holding a phone, change their position or sign with one hand.</p><p>Google's model has been designed to handle such situations, according to details shared around the launch. It also considers facial and body movements that carry meaning in sign language. The system's approach is particularly important because sign languages are full languages, not simply hand gestures translated word-for-word into English.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Pixel 11 is only the beginning</strong></h2><p>SL2T will initially support ASL-to-English on Pixel 11, but Google says the technology will expand to additional devices and languages.</p><p>That could eventually make sign-language input a more common part of Android, rather than a specialist accessibility feature. Google's broader AI strategy is increasingly focused on making models interact with the physical world and different forms of human communication. Its Gemini family already supports multimodal inputs such as text, images, video and audio. With SL2T, Google is adding another form of communication to that list giving users a way to communicate with a phone through sign language rather than speech or typing.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Google DeepMind has introduced SL2T, a sign-language-to-text AI model coming first to Pixel 11. It will let Deaf and hard-of-hearing users sign directly into Gboard and Live Transcribe for tasks such as searching, messaging and interacting with Gemini.


Google DeepMind has unveiled a new AI system that could change how Deaf and hard-of-hearing people interact with their phones. SL2T, short for sign-language-to-text, can convert sign language into text and is coming first to Pixel 11. The model will power new features in Gboard and Live Transcribe, allowing users to sign in places where they would normally type. Google says the first supported language pair will be American Sign Language (ASL) to English, with more languages and devices planned. The announcement is significant because Google is moving sign-language AI beyond a research demonstration and into a consumer product. Google DeepMind describes SL2T as a breakthrough model designed specifically for Deaf and hard-of-hearing users.

<p>Google DeepMind has introduced SL2T, a sign-language-to-text AI model coming first to Pixel 11. It will let Deaf and hard-of-hearing users sign directly into Gboard and Live Transcribe for tasks such as searching, messaging and interacting with Gemini.</p>

Google DeepMind unveils AI that can understand sign language

<p>Some of Google's brightest AI minds are leaving the company to pursue an even bigger ambition: building AI that can make scientific discoveries on its own. Former Google DeepMind Chief Scientist Jeff Dean, together with Sanjay Ghemawat, Oriol Vinyals and Quoc Le, has launched Discovery Loop, a new AI startup focused on automating scientific and engineering research. The announcement comes alongside a major leadership reshuffle at Google DeepMind, where Demis Hassabis is stepping down as CEO to become Alphabet's Chief Scientist. The move is one of the biggest talent shifts in Google's AI history and comes as competition with OpenAI and Anthropic continues to intensify.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Announcing Discovery Loop! <br><br>I am very excited to announce that, along with my longtime friends and collaborators <a href="https://x.com/Sanjay_Ghemawat?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sanjay_Ghemawat</a>, <a href="https://x.com/OriolVinyalsML?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OriolVinyalsML</a> and <a href="https://x.com/quocleix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@quocleix</a>, we are founding Discovery Loop (<a href="https://x.com/DiscoLoopAI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DiscoLoopAI</a>), a Public Benefit Corporation whose mission is to automate machine… <a href="https://t.co/ancoplyNvN">pic.twitter.com/ancoplyNvN</a></p>&mdash; Jeff Dean (@JeffDean) <a href="https://x.com/JeffDean/status/2085034604172603724?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>What exactly is Discovery Loop?</strong></h2><p>Discovery Loop is developing AI systems that do more than answer questions or write code. Its goal is to build autonomous "discovery loops" that can propose experiments, run simulations, analyse results and continuously improve themselves with minimal human involvement.&nbsp;<br>Initially, the startup will use its own AI to improve machine learning systems. Over time, it plans to apply the same approach to biology, drug discovery, materials science and semiconductor design. According to Jeff Dean, the founders realised AI could eventually automate the entire scientific and engineering process instead of simply assisting researchers.</p><h2><strong>Why are Google's top researchers leaving?</strong></h2><p>Jeff Dean spent 27 years at Google and helped build technologies including MapReduce, Bigtable, Google Brain and Gemini. Sanjay Ghemawat co-created much of Google's search infrastructure, while Oriol Vinyals led Gemini research and Quoc Le pioneered Google's AutoML projects. According to WIRED, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai tried to persuade the team to remain at Google. Instead, they chose to build a startup where they could move faster and focus entirely on scientific AI. Google will remain a founding investor and provide cloud computing infrastructure during Discovery Loop's early stages.</p><h2><strong>Why Discovery Loop matters</strong></h2><p>Discovery Loop is betting that AI's biggest impact will not be chatbots, but accelerating scientific breakthroughs. The founders believe future AI systems could generate original research ideas, test thousands of hypotheses and help scientists solve problems that would otherwise take years. That vision mirrors comments made by AI leaders including Sam Altman, Dario Amodei and Jensen Huang, who argue AI will become a powerful engine for scientific discovery. However, Discovery Loop's founders bring decades of experience building some of the world's most advanced AI systems, giving the startup unique credibility. As Google restructures its AI leadership and rivals race ahead, Discovery Loop could become one of the most closely watched AI startups in the world.</p>

Four of Google's most influential AI researchers have launched Discovery Loop, a startup that aims to build AI capable of running scientific experiments, generating new ideas and accelerating discoveries in fields ranging from biology to chip design.

Some of Google's brightest AI minds are leaving the company to pursue an even bigger ambition: building AI that can make scientific discoveries on its own. Former Google DeepMind Chief Scientist Jeff Dean, together with Sanjay Ghemawat, Oriol Vinyals and Quoc Le, has launched Discovery Loop, a new AI startup focused on automating scientific and engineering research. The announcement comes alongside a major leadership reshuffle at Google DeepMind, where Demis Hassabis is stepping down as CEO to become Alphabet's Chief Scientist. The move is one of the biggest talent shifts in Google's AI history and comes as competition with OpenAI and Anthropic continues to intensify.

<p>Four of Google's most influential AI researchers have launched Discovery Loop, a startup that aims to build AI capable of running scientific experiments, generating new ideas and accelerating discoveries in fields ranging from biology to chip design.</p>

Google DeepMind's top AI researchers leave to build a startup focused on scientific breakthroughs: Here's what it does

<p>Google has set a retirement date for Google Assistant on Android. Starting September 4, the company will begin shutting down its long-running voice assistant and replacing it with Gemini, its generative AI-powered assistant. The transition will happen gradually over several weeks, but for most Android users, Google Assistant will soon disappear from their phones. The move marks Google's biggest shift in voice AI since Assistant first launched in 2016 and reflects the company's wider strategy of putting Gemini at the centre of its ecosystem.</p><h2><strong>Gemini is replacing Assistant everywhere</strong></h2><p>Google had previously announced plans to retire Assistant, but delayed the move while adding more features to Gemini. Now, Google says Gemini is ready to take over. Besides Android phones, the transition will also affect Wear OS smartwatches, Android Auto, compatible headphones and other connected devices that rely on Assistant through smartphones. Many Google smart home products have already moved to Gemini. However, Assistant will continue working on some platforms, including Android TVs, Google TV devices and vehicles with Google built-in, until Google announces separate migration dates.</p><h2><strong>What changes for Android users?</strong></h2><p>For users already using Gemini, very little will change. Those still relying on Assistant will automatically move to Gemini over the coming weeks. The experience, however, will be different. Unlike Assistant, which relied on predefined voice commands, Gemini uses large language models to understand natural conversations and perform more complex tasks. Google says Gemini can summarise documents, answer detailed questions, generate content and interact with multiple Google services. At the same time, some users may notice that Gemini occasionally responds differently from Assistant because it uses AI reasoning instead of fixed command-based actions.</p><h2><strong>Why Google is making the switch</strong></h2><p>The move is part of Google's broader AI strategy as competition intensifies with OpenAI's ChatGPT, Microsoft's Copilot, Anthropic's Claude and Meta AI. Rather than maintaining two assistants, Google is consolidating its AI efforts around Gemini, which now powers Search, Workspace, Android and other Google products. Users with older Android phones that do not meet Gemini's hardware requirements, or those living in unsupported regions, may temporarily continue using Assistant. For everyone else, Gemini will soon become the only built-in voice assistant on Android.</p>

Google has confirmed that Assistant will begin shutting down on Android phones from September 4. Gemini will replace it as the default AI assistant across phones, smartwatches, Android Auto and other devices as Google accelerates its AI-first strategy.

Google has set a retirement date for Google Assistant on Android. Starting September 4, the company will begin shutting down its long-running voice assistant and replacing it with Gemini, its generative AI-powered assistant. The transition will happen gradually over several weeks, but for most Android users, Google Assistant will soon disappear from their phones. The move marks Google's biggest shift in voice AI since Assistant first launched in 2016 and reflects the company's wider strategy of putting Gemini at the centre of its ecosystem. Gemini is replacing Assistant everywhere Google had previously announced plans to retire Assistant, but delayed the move while adding more features to Gemini. Now, Google says Gemini is ready to take over. Besides Android phones, the transition will also affect Wear OS smartwatches, Android Auto, compatible headphones and other connected devices that rely on Assistant through smartphones. Many Google smart home products have already moved to Gemini. However, Assistant will continue working on some platforms, including Android TVs, Google TV devices and vehicles with Google built-in, until Google announces separate migration dates. What changes for Android users? For users already using Gemini, very little will change. Those still relying on Assistant will automatically move to Gemini over the coming weeks. The experience, however, will be different. Unlike Assistant, which relied on predefined voice commands, Gemini uses large language models to understand natural conversations and perform more complex tasks. Google says Gemini can summarise documents, answer detailed questions, generate content and interact with multiple Google services. At the same time, some users may notice that Gemini occasionally responds differently from Assistant because it uses AI reasoning instead of fixed command-based actions. Why Google is making the switch The move is part of Google's broader AI strategy as competition intensifies with OpenAI's ChatGPT, Microsoft's Copilot, Anthropic's Claude and Meta AI. Rather than maintaining two assistants, Google is consolidating its AI efforts around Gemini, which now powers Search, Workspace, Android and other Google products. Users with older Android phones that do not meet Gemini's hardware requirements, or those living in unsupported regions, may temporarily continue using Assistant. For everyone else, Gemini will soon become the only built-in voice assistant on Android.

<p>Google has confirmed that Assistant will begin shutting down on Android phones from September 4. Gemini will replace it as the default AI assistant across phones, smartwatches, Android Auto and other devices as Google accelerates its AI-first strategy.</p>

Google to shut down Assistant on Android from September 4 as Gemini takes over

<p>Google is entering a new phase in the artificial intelligence race after two of its most influential AI leaders changed roles within days of each other. Jeff Dean, one of Google's earliest employees and the architect behind many of its core technologies, is leaving the company after 27 years. At the same time, Demis Hassabis is stepping down as CEO of Google DeepMind to become Alphabet's Chief Scientist. The changes come as Google faces mounting pressure from rivals such as OpenAI and Anthropic in the race to build the next generation of AI systems.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tomorrow will be my last day at Google after 27 years, and watching it grow from 25 people to 190,000+ has been an amazing journey. Below is a note I shared with many people internally at Google today. An excerpt is:<br><br>It has been an absolute pleasure to work with you and to help… <a href="https://t.co/o3aRNLkssA">pic.twitter.com/o3aRNLkssA</a></p>&mdash; Jeff Dean (@JeffDean) <a href="https://x.com/JeffDean/status/2085083442669318443?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>Jeff Dean starts a new AI company</strong></h2><p>Dean joined Google in 1999 when the company had only around 25 employees. During his career, he helped build technologies including MapReduce, Bigtable and Google Brain, and later played a major role in Gemini and Google's AI research. Announcing his departure on X, Dean said it had been "an amazing journey" watching Google grow into a company serving billions of users worldwide. He is now launching Discovery Loop, a startup focused on building AI systems that can automate scientific and engineering research. The company is co-founded by Google veterans Sanjay Ghemawat, Oriol Vinyals and Quoc Le, with backing from Khosla Ventures. Google will remain an investor and cloud infrastructure partner. According to WIRED, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai attempted to persuade the team to stay, but the founders ultimately chose the flexibility of building an independent company.</p><h2><strong>Hassabis moves to a broader research role</strong></h2><p>While Dean is leaving Google, Demis Hassabis is staying within Alphabet but giving up his operational responsibilities. He has been appointed Alphabet's Chief Scientist and Chair of Google DeepMind, while former DeepMind CTO Koray Kavukcuoglu will take over as CEO and report directly to Sundar Pichai. The move allows Hassabis to focus on long-term AI research, scientific discovery and the pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI), rather than overseeing day-to-day product development.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The twin announcements mark one of the biggest leadership reshuffles in Google's AI history. Dean's departure is particularly significant because Discovery Loop brings together four of Google's best-known AI researchers. Their goal is to develop AI systems capable of generating scientific hypotheses, running experiments and accelerating breakthroughs in biology, materials science, chip design and drug discovery. For Google, the challenge is now clear: continue competing with OpenAI, Anthropic and other AI leaders while replacing decades of engineering experience and accelerating Gemini's development. How successfully the company navigates this transition could shape the next chapter of the global AI race.</p>

Google's AI leadership has undergone a major shake-up. Jeff Dean is leaving after 27 years to launch Discovery Loop with top Google researchers, while Demis Hassabis is stepping down as DeepMind CEO to become Alphabet's Chief Scientist amid growing AI competition.

Google is entering a new phase in the artificial intelligence race after two of its most influential AI leaders changed roles within days of each other. Jeff Dean, one of Google's earliest employees and the architect behind many of its core technologies, is leaving the company after 27 years. At the same time, Demis Hassabis is stepping down as CEO of Google DeepMind to become Alphabet's Chief Scientist. The changes come as Google faces mounting pressure from rivals such as OpenAI and Anthropic in the race to build the next generation of AI systems.

<p>Google's AI leadership has undergone a major shake-up. Jeff Dean is leaving after 27 years to launch Discovery Loop with top Google researchers, while Demis Hassabis is stepping down as DeepMind CEO to become Alphabet's Chief Scientist amid growing AI competition.</p>

Google AI shake-up: Jeff Dean leaves Google after 27 years to launch AI startup with top researchers

<p>Google has begun rolling out Gemini Spark in India, introducing an AI agent designed to work continuously in the background instead of waiting for users to type prompts. The rollout started on July 29 and is gradually reaching Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscribers across the country. The launch is significant because it moves Gemini beyond a chatbot into an AI assistant that can complete tasks over time even after users close their laptops. It also puts Google in direct competition with AI coding and productivity agents from rivals such as Anthropic and OpenAI.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gemini Spark is rolling out to Google AI Pro users outside the U.S.<br><br>Spark is your personal AI agent that works in the background 24/7 to get things done under your direction, handling the heavy lifting so you can focus on what matters. <a href="https://t.co/qq1RQK221m">https://t.co/qq1RQK221m</a></p>&mdash; Google Gemini (@GeminiApp) <a href="https://x.com/GeminiApp/status/2083302569796059271?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>What is Gemini Spark?</strong></h2><p>Google describes Spark as a 24/7 personal AI agent that works under a user's instructions. Instead of answering a single question, Spark can take on longer tasks, continue working in the background and notify users when the job is complete. The idea is to reduce repetitive work while allowing people to focus on more important tasks. According to Google, Spark is built to handle the "heavy lifting", making Gemini less like a chatbot and more like a digital assistant that works independently.</p><h2><strong>More than an AI chatbot</strong></h2><p>Gemini Spark represents Google's broader push into agentic AI systems capable of planning, executing and managing tasks with minimal human intervention. Unlike traditional assistants that require constant prompts, Spark can keep working after a task has been assigned. That makes it useful for research, document preparation, coding workflows, information gathering and other time-consuming activities. The launch also reflects an industry-wide shift from conversational AI to autonomous AI agents that can complete real-world work.</p><h2><strong>Who can use it?</strong></h2><p>Gemini Spark is currently rolling out in phases to Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscribers outside the US, including users in India. Google says availability will expand gradually over the coming weeks, meaning some eligible users may receive access before others. With Spark, Google is signalling its ambition to make Gemini a full-time AI assistant rather than just another chatbot. As competition intensifies between Google, OpenAI and Anthropic, always-on AI agents could become the next major battleground in generative AI.</p>

Google has started rolling out Gemini Spark in India for AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers. The new always-on AI agent can continue working in the background on long-running tasks, marking Google's latest push into autonomous AI assistants.

Google has begun rolling out Gemini Spark in India, introducing an AI agent designed to work continuously in the background instead of waiting for users to type prompts. The rollout started on July 29 and is gradually reaching Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscribers across the country. The launch is significant because it moves Gemini beyond a chatbot into an AI assistant that can complete tasks over time even after users close their laptops. It also puts Google in direct competition with AI coding and productivity agents from rivals such as Anthropic and OpenAI.

<p>Google has started rolling out Gemini Spark in India for AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers. The new always-on AI agent can continue working in the background on long-running tasks, marking Google's latest push into autonomous AI assistants.</p>

Claude Code killer? Gemini Spark is now available in India, and AI can now work without your laptop

<p>Google has officially offered the first look at its upcoming Pixel 11 Pro, confirming the design of its next flagship smartphone weeks before launch. While the familiar horizontal camera bar remains, the biggest surprise is a new RGB lighting feature, dubbed 'Pixel Glow', positioned beside the camera module. The teaser also highlights Google's growing AI ecosystem, showing how the Pixel 11 Pro is designed to work closely with services such as Gmail, Google Maps, Search and Docs.</p>

<h2><strong>Pixel Glow is the biggest visual change</strong></h2><p>Although the overall design stays true to previous Pixel phones, the addition of an RGB light gives the Pixel 11 Pro a fresh identity. Google has not yet explained exactly how Pixel Glow will work, but the teaser suggests it could be used for notifications, AI interactions or camera-related features. The company continues to keep the iconic camera bar, reinforcing the Pixel's recognisable design language while introducing subtle refinements.</p><h2><strong>Tensor G6, better cameras and more storage expected</strong>&nbsp;</h2><p><br>Leaks suggest the Pixel 11 series will be powered by Google's new Tensor G6 processor, reportedly the company's first 2nm chip manufactured by TSMC. The Pixel 11 lineup is also expected to drop the 128GB storage option, making 256GB the standard across all models. Other rumoured upgrades include a MediaTek M90 modem, Titan M3 security chip and a new PowerVR GPU. Camera improvements are also expected, with the standard Pixel 11 tipped to feature a new 50MP main sensor, while the Pro models could receive upgraded primary and telephoto cameras.</p><h2><strong>Price increase confirmed</strong></h2><p>Google has already confirmed that the Pixel 11 series will cost more. Speaking to 9to5Google, Google's Vice President of Devices and Services, Shakil Barkat, said a global memory shortage and rising component costs have forced the company to adjust pricing. He said Google had absorbed higher costs for as long as possible but acknowledged that market conditions had changed. While exact prices remain under wraps, Google says customers can still expect trade-in offers, promotional discounts and bundled Google One subscriptions to make the devices more affordable. The Pixel 11 series is also expected to arrive in several new colours, with brighter finishes for the standard model and more understated options for the Pro variants.</p>

Google has revealed the Pixel 11 Pro's design ahead of launch, introducing a new RGB feature called Pixel Glow. The flagship is expected to feature the Tensor G6 chip, upgraded cameras, 256GB base storage and a confirmed price increase due to rising component costs.


Google has officially offered the first look at its upcoming Pixel 11 Pro, confirming the design of its next flagship smartphone weeks before launch. While the familiar horizontal camera bar remains, the biggest surprise is a new RGB lighting feature, dubbed 'Pixel Glow', positioned beside the camera module. The teaser also highlights Google's growing AI ecosystem, showing how the Pixel 11 Pro is designed to work closely with services such as Gmail, Google Maps, Search and Docs.

<p>Google has revealed the Pixel 11 Pro's design ahead of launch, introducing a new RGB feature called Pixel Glow. The flagship is expected to feature the Tensor G6 chip, upgraded cameras, 256GB base storage and a confirmed price increase due to rising component costs.</p>

Google reveals Pixel 11 Pro design ahead of launch as new ‘Pixel Glow’ feature steals the show

<p>Google has rolled back a newly launched artificial intelligence feature in Google Earth after researchers and open-source intelligence (OSINT) experts warned it could be exploited to generate realistic fake satellite imagery and spread disinformation.</p><p>On Friday (Jul 31), Google Earth and Google AI introduced on X the tool, using which they said users can "combine rich satellite and 3D imagery with text prompts to reimagine your favourite place around the globe."</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today we’re bringing AI image generation with Nano Banana to Google Earth, letting you virtually reimagine anywhere in the real world. 🍌 <a href="https://t.co/zsgvAnbYrl">https://t.co/zsgvAnbYrl</a><br><br>For the first time, you can generate custom images using Google Earth’s satellite, aerial, and 3D imagery. 🌎 <a href="https://t.co/yed45vLZOo">pic.twitter.com/yed45vLZOo</a></p>&mdash; Google Earth (@googleearth) <a href="https://x.com/googleearth/status/2082818165503902043?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What if you could see a city as it looked 100 years ago, or visualize a new basketball court at your local community center?<br><br>Starting today, we&#39;re bringing our latest image generation capabilities to <a href="https://x.com/googleearth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GoogleEarth</a> on the web. Powered by Nano Banana 2, you can combine rich… <a href="https://t.co/xbOnmr8Dr5">pic.twitter.com/xbOnmr8Dr5</a></p>&mdash; Google AI (@GoogleAI) <a href="https://x.com/GoogleAI/status/2082902334984609936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>The company confirmed that it was disabling the "create image" tool, which had been introduced just a day earlier. Here's what happened.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/anthropic-reveals-india-is-claude-ai-s-no-2-market-but-what-are-indians-actually-using-the-ai-for-wion-decodes-1785394109668"><strong>Anthropic reveals India is Claude AI's No. 2 market. But what are Indians actually using the AI for? | WION Decodes</strong></a></p><h2><strong>What did the Google AI 'create image' feature do?</strong></h2><p>The feature allowed users to generate AI-created visualisations using Google's Nano Banana 2 image generation model layered over Google Earth's satellite, aerial and 3D mapping data. However, within hours of the company's announcement, the tool was rolled back because alarming AI-generated images started flooding the social media space.</p><p>"We've seen geospatial professionals using this feature for a range of useful purposes; however, we've also seen people sharing screenshots of generated imagery that appear to violate our policies," a Google spokesperson said, as quoted by AFP.</p><p>"So we're rolling back this feature in Google Earth while we work on implementing stronger guardrails."</p><p>Google added that users "uniquely trust Google Earth for a reliable view of the world," making it essential to protect that trust.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/after-openai-s-scary-agent-anthropic-s-claude-goes-rogue-ai-gains-unauthorised-real-world-access-during-testing-1785475339558"><strong>After OpenAI's 'scary' agent, Anthropic's Claude goes rogue; AI gains unauthorised 'real-world' access during testing</strong></a></p><h2><strong>AI-generated disasters and military targets</strong></h2><p>According to AFP's testing, the tool was able to generate fabricated satellite images depicting an explosion in Paris, a nuclear facility in Iran, a bomb crater in Russia and an Islamic State training camp in Syria.</p><p>It also created fake scenes showing floods in Bangladesh, a migrant caravan camp at the US-Mexico border and a suspicious warehouse in the US state of Georgia.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tonight I typed just one sentence into Google Earth and put refugees near the Mexican border. Then I planted a nuclear plant in Iran. What on earth is Google doing? Check my latest post here: <a href="https://t.co/N0h6CVECqS">https://t.co/N0h6CVECqS</a> <a href="https://t.co/WSjdcEXWJx">pic.twitter.com/WSjdcEXWJx</a></p>&mdash; 𝚑𝚎𝚗𝚔 𝚟𝚊𝚗 𝚎𝚜𝚜 (@henkvaness) <a href="https://x.com/henkvaness/status/2082912544394498228?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just one day after launching AI image generation in Google Earth, Google has pulled the feature.<br><br>The company says some people shared AI-generated images that appeared to break its policies. <br><br>Google clarified that these images were never visible to other Google Earth users and… <a href="https://t.co/BnPbQloXZn">pic.twitter.com/BnPbQloXZn</a></p>&mdash; Pirat_Nation 🔴 (@Pirat_Nation) <a href="https://x.com/Pirat_Nation/status/2083318008458469422?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Google has announced that it is suspending the rollout of its AI image generation feature in Google Earth after major backlash from experts on potential abuse. <a href="https://t.co/hKwedadgeG">pic.twitter.com/hKwedadgeG</a></p>&mdash; OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) <a href="https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/2083267295158153233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I just generated one myself. This is unbelievably reckless and will lead to much more harm than good. Google should remove this feature immediately. <a href="https://t.co/wJ8N1CxrRt">https://t.co/wJ8N1CxrRt</a> <a href="https://t.co/R2qbS8hpUJ">pic.twitter.com/R2qbS8hpUJ</a></p>&mdash; Rocket Man🚀🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@Grimm_Intel) <a href="https://x.com/Grimm_Intel/status/2082987747032072240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>On X, WION found AI-generated images showing a plane crashing into a towering building, reminiscent of the 9/11 Twin Towers tragedy. Another showed a massive sinkhole right in the middle of Iceland. Others show a decimated aircraft carrier, and one even showed Godzilla destroying a town.</p><p>Researchers told AFP that these examples demonstrated how the feature could be misused during conflicts, elections or natural disasters to spread false narratives that appear authentic.</p><h2><strong>Google's safeguards weren't enough</strong></h2><p>Before removing the feature, Google said images generated using the tool carried SynthID digital watermarks and pointed to its AI policy prohibiting misinformation and deceptive content. However, critics argued that invisible watermarks alone were insufficient to prevent abuse.</p><p>The Centre for Information Resilience described the feature as "irresponsible," warning that public confidence in satellite imagery "has taken decades to build and could be irrevocably damaged overnight."</p><p>Volunteer-run verification group GeoConfirmed also urged Google to withdraw the tool, saying it had already observed users experimenting with fake military positions and misleading edits to real-world locations.</p><h2><strong>Experts sound the alarm</strong></h2><p>Google had promoted the feature as a way to help users visualise historical events, create real estate plans and generate location-based imagery within seconds. However, digital investigators and satellite imagery analysts warned that the tool blurred the line between authentic satellite images and AI-generated content, potentially making it easier to spread convincing falsehoods.</p><p>Digital investigations expert Henk Van Ess criticised the rollout, writing: "Google spent 20 years building the reference the world checks against. Today it added a button that makes things up."</p><p>Brady Africk, a satellite imagery analyst at the American Enterprise Institute, said the feature could make it significantly easier to create fabricated satellite images capable of misleading the public. He warned that such content could erode trust in satellite imagery and make verification work far more difficult for journalists, researchers and investigators.</p><h2><strong>Feature removed after backlash</strong></h2><p>Following widespread criticism from researchers, journalists and OSINT communities, Google removed the "create image" button from Google Earth while it works on stronger safeguards.</p><p>The episode highlights the growing challenge facing technology companies as powerful AI image generators become integrated into platforms that millions of people rely on as trusted sources of real-world information.</p>

Google has rolled back a newly launched AI-powered Google Earth feature after researchers and OSINT experts warned it could be used to generate convincing fake satellite imagery. The company said it was removing the "create image" tool while it develops stronger safeguards.

Google has rolled back a newly launched artificial intelligence feature in Google Earth after researchers and open-source intelligence (OSINT) experts warned it could be exploited to generate realistic fake satellite imagery and spread disinformation. On Friday (Jul 31), Google Earth and Google AI introduced on X the tool, using which they said users can "combine rich satellite and 3D imagery with text prompts to reimagine your favourite place around the globe."

<p>Google has rolled back a newly launched AI-powered Google Earth feature after researchers and OSINT experts warned it could be used to generate convincing fake satellite imagery. The company said it was removing the "create image" tool while it develops stronger safeguards.</p>

Google Earth accidentally creates AI's next misinformation nightmare. 'Create image' feature rolled back over terrifying ques: What's real anymore?

<p>Google is taking another major step towards building more capable humanoid robots. The company has unveiled Gemini Robotics 2, a new artificial intelligence model that acts as a high-level brain for robots. Instead of simply following pre-programmed instructions, robots powered by the new system can understand spoken commands, reason about their surroundings and perform complex physical tasks while adapting to changing environments. The launch highlights Google's growing ambition to bring Gemini beyond smartphones and computers into the physical world, where AI-powered robots could eventually work in warehouses, factories, hospitals and even homes.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One brain. For any robot. 🤖<br><br>We’re launching Gemini Robotics 2: our next-generation physical AI bringing full body intelligence to humanoids, advanced dexterity, multi-robot teamwork and more. <a href="https://t.co/1rFw3NUytb">pic.twitter.com/1rFw3NUytb</a></p>&mdash; Google DeepMind (@GoogleDeepMind) <a href="https://x.com/GoogleDeepMind/status/2082844162928381956?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>A smarter brain for humanoid robots</strong></h2><p>Traditional robots are excellent at repeating the same task but often fail when something unexpected happens. Google says Gemini Robotics 2 is designed to solve that problem by giving robots the ability to understand context, plan actions and adjust their behaviour in real time. Rather than programming every movement individually, developers can teach robots to reason through tasks much like humans do.</p><p>One of the biggest upgrades is full-body control. Unlike the previous generation, which mainly controlled a robot's upper body, Gemini Robotics 2 allows humanoids to walk, crouch, balance, bend and use both hands simultaneously. Google also says the model improves dexterity, enabling five-finger robotic hands to perform delicate actions such as tying knots, sealing zip-lock bags and handling small objects, while also supporting industrial grippers for warehouse work.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Gemini Robotics ER 2 plans the work</strong></h2><p><br>Alongside the main model, Google introduced Gemini Robotics ER 2, which functions like a project manager for robots. Instead of controlling motors directly, ER 2 understands spoken instructions, breaks large jobs into smaller steps, monitors progress and replans tasks if something changes. Google says this enables robots to complete long workflows involving hundreds of decisions and even coordinate with other robots. The company also launched Gemini Robotics On-Device 2, allowing robots to run AI locally without relying on cloud connectivity. Developers can reportedly customise the model for new robotic platforms in just a few hours using fewer than 200 training examples.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Safety remains a priority</strong></h2><p>Google says safety has been built into every layer of the platform. The company introduced a new benchmark called ASIMOV-Agentic to evaluate whether robots can refuse unsafe instructions, recognise when human intervention is required and avoid dangerous situations. Robots can also detect nearby people, pause automatically and resume work only when it is safe. As competition in humanoid robotics accelerates with companies including Tesla, Figure AI, Agility Robotics and Unitree all developing increasingly capable machines Google is betting that the future will depend not just on better hardware, but on smarter AI that allows robots to think, adapt and collaborate in the real world.</p>

Google DeepMind has launched Gemini Robotics 2, an AI model designed to give humanoid robots advanced reasoning, full-body movement and task-planning abilities. 

Google is taking another major step towards building more capable humanoid robots. The company has unveiled Gemini Robotics 2, a new artificial intelligence model that acts as a high-level brain for robots. Instead of simply following pre-programmed instructions, robots powered by the new system can understand spoken commands, reason about their surroundings and perform complex physical tasks while adapting to changing environments. The launch highlights Google's growing ambition to bring Gemini beyond smartphones and computers into the physical world, where AI-powered robots could eventually work in warehouses, factories, hospitals and even homes.

<p>Google DeepMind has launched Gemini Robotics 2, an AI model designed to give humanoid robots advanced reasoning, full-body movement and task-planning abilities. The company also introduced Gemini Robotics ER 2 and On-Device 2, expanding its vision for smarter, safer robots that can work both online and offline.</p>

Google unveils Gemini Robotics 2: New AI brain lets humanoid robots walk, think and complete complex tasks

<p>Google may be preparing one of its biggest hardware upgrades in the artificial intelligence race. According to a report by The Information, the company is developing a new custom AI server chip internally known as Frozen v2. Unlike Google's existing Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), the new processor is reportedly designed specifically to run Gemini models faster while using far less electricity. The report excited investors, sending Alphabet shares up about 3 per cent on Monday, as markets viewed the project as a potential answer to Google's growing demand for AI computing power. Google has not confirmed the existence of Frozen v2, but said its teams are constantly researching new hardware and software technologies to improve AI performance and efficiency.</p><h2><strong>What makes Frozen v2 different?</strong></h2><p>Today's AI chips are built to support many different types of machine learning workloads.</p><p>Frozen v2 reportedly takes a much more specialised approach. Instead of relying solely on software, parts of Gemini's architecture would be permanently embedded into the silicon itself. This reduces unnecessary calculations and data movement every time the AI responds to a query. According to engineers cited by The Information, Frozen v2 could deliver six to ten times more AI tokens per unit of power than Google's newest TPUs.</p><p>In simple terms, that means Gemini could answer more questions while consuming significantly less energy one of the biggest challenges facing the AI industry today.</p><h2><strong>Why Google needs a new AI chip</strong></h2><p>Running advanced AI models has become incredibly expensive. Every chatbot response requires massive computing resources, and demand continues to grow as more businesses adopt generative AI. The report says Google has been struggling with an internal shortage of AI computing capacity, forcing difficult decisions over where those resources are allocated. The company has even reportedly relied on external infrastructure to meet enterprise demand. Frozen v2 is designed to ease that pressure by making Gemini much more efficient without requiring the same increase in computing hardware.</p><p>However, there is a trade-off.</p><p>Because the chip is optimised for Gemini's current architecture, major changes to future AI models could reduce its usefulness. That is reportedly why Google views Frozen v2 as an experimental project rather than a full replacement for its TPUs.</p><h2><strong>Hardware is becoming the next AI battleground</strong></h2><p>The reported chip comes at a crucial time for Google.</p><p>The company is facing intense competition from OpenAI, Anthropic, Moonshot AI and Alibaba, while reports suggest the launch of Gemini 3.5 Pro has been delayed. At the same time, demand for AI infrastructure continues to surge as companies look for faster, cheaper and more energy-efficient ways to deploy large language models.</p><p>Increasingly, success in artificial intelligence is no longer determined only by better models. The companies that build the most efficient chips may also gain a significant competitive advantage. If Frozen v2 reaches production around the reported 2028 target, it could become one of Google's most important AI hardware projects, helping the company reduce costs while scaling Gemini to billions of users worldwide.</p>

Google is reportedly developing Frozen v2, a custom AI chip built specifically for Gemini. The processor could deliver six to ten times more AI tokens per unit of power than current TPUs, potentially helping Google lower AI costs and compete more effectively with OpenAI and Anthropic.


Google may be preparing one of its biggest hardware upgrades in the artificial intelligence race. According to a report by The Information, the company is developing a new custom AI server chip internally known as Frozen v2. Unlike Google's existing Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), the new processor is reportedly designed specifically to run Gemini models faster while using far less electricity. The report excited investors, sending Alphabet shares up about 3 per cent on Monday, as markets viewed the project as a potential answer to Google's growing demand for AI computing power. Google has not confirmed the existence of Frozen v2, but said its teams are constantly researching new hardware and software technologies to improve AI performance and efficiency. What makes Frozen v2 different? Today's AI chips are built to support many different types of machine learning workloads. Frozen v2 reportedly takes a much more specialised approach. Instead of relying solely on software, parts of Gemini's architecture would be permanently embedded into the silicon itself. This reduces unnecessary calculations and data movement every time the AI responds to a query. According to engineers cited by The Information, Frozen v2 could deliver six to ten times more AI tokens per unit of power than Google's newest TPUs. In simple terms, that means Gemini could answer more questions while consuming significantly less energy one of the biggest challenges facing the AI industry today. Why Google needs a new AI chip Running advanced AI models has become incredibly expensive. Every chatbot response requires massive computing resources, and demand continues to grow as more businesses adopt generative AI. The report says Google has been struggling with an internal shortage of AI computing capacity, forcing difficult decisions over where those resources are allocated. The company has even reportedly relied on external infrastructure to meet enterprise demand. Frozen v2 is designed to ease that pressure by making Gemini much more efficient without requiring the same increase in computing hardware. However, there is a trade-off. Because the chip is optimised for Gemini's current architecture, major changes to future AI models could reduce its usefulness. That is reportedly why Google views Frozen v2 as an experimental project rather than a full replacement for its TPUs. Hardware is becoming the next AI battleground The reported chip comes at a crucial time for Google. The company is facing intense competition from OpenAI, Anthropic, Moonshot AI and Alibaba, while reports suggest the launch of Gemini 3.5 Pro has been delayed. At the same time, demand for AI infrastructure continues to surge as companies look for faster, cheaper and more energy-efficient ways to deploy large language models. Increasingly, success in artificial intelligence is no longer determined only by better models. The companies that build the most efficient chips may also gain a significant competitive advantage. If Frozen v2 reaches production around the reported 2028 target, it could become one of Google's most important AI hardware projects, helping the company reduce costs while scaling Gemini to billions of users worldwide.

<p>Google is reportedly developing Frozen v2, a custom AI chip built specifically for Gemini. The processor could deliver six to ten times more AI tokens per unit of power than current TPUs, potentially helping Google lower AI costs and compete more effectively with OpenAI and Anthropic.</p>

Google's secret 'Frozen v2' AI chip could make Gemini up to 10 times more efficient, report says

<p>Google's race to stay at the front of artificial intelligence has reportedly hit another obstacle. According to a Bloomberg report, the company has delayed the release of Gemini 3.5 Pro, its next flagship AI model, after it failed to meet internal performance targets. The biggest concern was said to be coding an area where rivals OpenAI and Anthropic have recently gained significant momentum. The model was expected to launch in June, shortly after CEO Sundar Pichai introduced it during Google I/O 2026, saying it was already being used internally. Months later, however, Gemini 3.5 Pro is still undergoing testing.</p><p>The report unsettled investors. Shares of Google's parent company, Alphabet, fell nearly 3 per cent during trading and were down about 4 per cent at one stage.</p><h2><strong>Coding has become the new AI battleground</strong></h2><p>The delay highlights how important coding has become in the AI industry. Large language models are no longer judged only by how well they answer questions or generate text. Increasingly, companies want AI systems that can write, review, debug and improve software with minimal human input. According to Bloomberg, Google retrained Gemini with updated data last month to improve its coding ability, but engineers were reportedly disappointed with the results. Meanwhile, OpenAI's GPT-5.6 and Anthropic's Claude Fable 5 have raised expectations across the industry, particularly for enterprise software development.</p><h2><strong>Internal challenges may also be slowing Google</strong></h2><p>The report suggests Google's size has become one of its biggest challenges. Unlike AI startups that focus on a single product, Google must coordinate across Search, DeepMind, Cloud, Android, YouTube and other divisions before launching major AI models. One former employee reportedly described the process as trying to "boil an ocean," pointing to overlapping teams, changing priorities and internal competition for computing resources. Google has also tightened oversight around AI development as advanced models face growing scrutiny from governments over safety, national security and misuse.</p><h2><strong>Google says testing is still underway</strong></h2><p>Google has not confirmed a launch date for Gemini 3.5 Pro. A company spokesperson told Bloomberg that Google is "shipping quickly across a wide range of models while keeping them highly cost-effective" and confirmed that Gemini 3.5 Pro, an upgraded Flash model and other AI systems are currently being tested with partners. The spokesperson also said Google remains engaged with the US government as oversight of frontier AI models increases.</p><h2><strong>Is Google really falling behind?</strong></h2><p>Despite the reported delay, industry observers say Google remains one of the strongest AI players. Its biggest advantage is deep integration across products used by billions of people, including Search, Gmail, Maps, Android, Chrome and Workspace. Gemini also benefits from Google's search index, giving it access to one of the world's largest information ecosystems.</p><p>Google recently revealed that around 75 per cent of its internal code is now generated with AI assistance before being reviewed by engineers. The company has also consolidated several coding initiatives under its Antigravity platform to accelerate software development. However, with OpenAI and Anthropic releasing increasingly capable models, expectations for Gemini 3.5 Pro have only grown. The reported delay suggests Google is choosing to refine the model rather than launch a product that falls short of its own standards a decision that could prove important as the AI race enters an even more competitive phase.</p>

Google has reportedly delayed the launch of Gemini 3.5 Pro after the AI model failed to meet internal expectations, particularly in coding.

Google's race to stay at the front of artificial intelligence has reportedly hit another obstacle. According to a Bloomberg report, the company has delayed the release of Gemini 3.5 Pro, its next flagship AI model, after it failed to meet internal performance targets. The biggest concern was said to be coding an area where rivals OpenAI and Anthropic have recently gained significant momentum. The model was expected to launch in June, shortly after CEO Sundar Pichai introduced it during Google I/O 2026, saying it was already being used internally. Months later, however, Gemini 3.5 Pro is still undergoing testing. The report unsettled investors. Shares of Google's parent company, Alphabet, fell nearly 3 per cent during trading and were down about 4 per cent at one stage. Coding has become the new AI battleground The delay highlights how important coding has become in the AI industry. Large language models are no longer judged only by how well they answer questions or generate text. Increasingly, companies want AI systems that can write, review, debug and improve software with minimal human input. According to Bloomberg, Google retrained Gemini with updated data last month to improve its coding ability, but engineers were reportedly disappointed with the results. Meanwhile, OpenAI's GPT-5.6 and Anthropic's Claude Fable 5 have raised expectations across the industry, particularly for enterprise software development. Internal challenges may also be slowing Google The report suggests Google's size has become one of its biggest challenges. Unlike AI startups that focus on a single product, Google must coordinate across Search, DeepMind, Cloud, Android, YouTube and other divisions before launching major AI models. One former employee reportedly described the process as trying to "boil an ocean," pointing to overlapping teams, changing priorities and internal competition for computing resources. Google has also tightened oversight around AI development as advanced models face growing scrutiny from governments over safety, national security and misuse. Google says testing is still underway Google has not confirmed a launch date for Gemini 3.5 Pro. A company spokesperson told Bloomberg that Google is "shipping quickly across a wide range of models while keeping them highly cost-effective" and confirmed that Gemini 3.5 Pro, an upgraded Flash model and other AI systems are currently being tested with partners. The spokesperson also said Google remains engaged with the US government as oversight of frontier AI models increases. Is Google really falling behind? Despite the reported delay, industry observers say Google remains one of the strongest AI players. Its biggest advantage is deep integration across products used by billions of people, including Search, Gmail, Maps, Android, Chrome and Workspace. Gemini also benefits from Google's search index, giving it access to one of the world's largest information ecosystems. Google recently revealed that around 75 per cent of its internal code is now generated with AI assistance before being reviewed by engineers. The company has also consolidated several coding initiatives under its Antigravity platform to accelerate software development. However, with OpenAI and Anthropic releasing increasingly capable models, expectations for Gemini 3.5 Pro have only grown. The reported delay suggests Google is choosing to refine the model rather than launch a product that falls short of its own standards a decision that could prove important as the AI race enters an even more competitive phase.

<p>Google has reportedly delayed the launch of Gemini 3.5 Pro after the AI model failed to meet internal expectations, particularly in coding. The setback comes as OpenAI and Anthropic continue releasing more advanced models, increasing pressure on Google in one of the industry's most competitive races.</p>

Google delays Gemini 3.5 Pro after AI model misses coding targets, report says

<p>Google's next foldable smartphone has appeared in another leak just weeks before its expected launch. The latest images, shared by well-known tipster Mystic Leaks, show the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold in a new Pine colour. The render offers one of the clearest looks yet at Google's upcoming foldable and suggests that the company is making small but noticeable design changes rather than a complete redesign.</p><p>The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is widely expected to debut during Google's Made by Google event on August 12, alongside the Pixel 11 smartphone series.</p><h2><strong>A familiar design with subtle changes</strong></h2><p>At first glance, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold looks very similar to last year's Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The leaked render shows a dark green Pine finish paired with a light gold frame and Google's signature "G" logo. The satin-finished frame also appears to return, while the standard Pixel 11 Pro models are expected to use glossier sides. The biggest visual difference is the redesigned camera bar. It appears slightly narrower than before, while the camera cut-outs now extend closer to the edge instead of being surrounded by extra metal.</p><h2><strong>Camera layout could be getting an update</strong></h2><p>The leak also suggests Google has rearranged some camera components.</p><p>The main and ultra-wide cameras remain at the bottom of the module, while the autofocus sensor has moved from the top to the lower section. The telephoto camera now sits in the upper-right corner. One detail attracting attention is the larger camera flash, which appears significantly bigger than the previous generation. Some reports suggest this space could house Google's rumoured Pixel Glow notification system, although Google has not confirmed any such feature.</p><h2><strong>Tensor G6 and AI expected to take centre stage</strong></h2><p>While the leaked images focus mainly on design, previous reports suggest the Pixel 11 Pro Fold will be powered by Google's Tensor G6 processor. The new chip is expected to improve on-device AI, photography, battery efficiency and multitasking. Google is also likely to introduce new Gemini-powered features across the Pixel 11 lineup, continuing its strategy of using artificial intelligence as a key selling point. Foldable smartphones remain a small but growing segment of the premium smartphone market. Rather than changing the hardware dramatically every year, Google appears to be refining its design while focusing on software, AI and everyday usability.</p><p>With the official launch now close, it may not be long before the company reveals the complete picture.</p>

A fresh leak has revealed the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold in a new Pine colour ahead of its expected August 12 launch. The foldable appears to feature a refined camera design, a redesigned camera bar and is expected to run on Google's new Tensor G6 chip with upgraded AI features.


Google's next foldable smartphone has appeared in another leak just weeks before its expected launch. The latest images, shared by well-known tipster Mystic Leaks, show the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold in a new Pine colour. The render offers one of the clearest looks yet at Google's upcoming foldable and suggests that the company is making small but noticeable design changes rather than a complete redesign. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is widely expected to debut during Google's Made by Google event on August 12, alongside the Pixel 11 smartphone series. A familiar design with subtle changes At first glance, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold looks very similar to last year's Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The leaked render shows a dark green Pine finish paired with a light gold frame and Google's signature "G" logo. The satin-finished frame also appears to return, while the standard Pixel 11 Pro models are expected to use glossier sides. The biggest visual difference is the redesigned camera bar. It appears slightly narrower than before, while the camera cut-outs now extend closer to the edge instead of being surrounded by extra metal. Camera layout could be getting an update The leak also suggests Google has rearranged some camera components. The main and ultra-wide cameras remain at the bottom of the module, while the autofocus sensor has moved from the top to the lower section. The telephoto camera now sits in the upper-right corner. One detail attracting attention is the larger camera flash, which appears significantly bigger than the previous generation. Some reports suggest this space could house Google's rumoured Pixel Glow notification system, although Google has not confirmed any such feature. Tensor G6 and AI expected to take centre stage While the leaked images focus mainly on design, previous reports suggest the Pixel 11 Pro Fold will be powered by Google's Tensor G6 processor. The new chip is expected to improve on-device AI, photography, battery efficiency and multitasking. Google is also likely to introduce new Gemini-powered features across the Pixel 11 lineup, continuing its strategy of using artificial intelligence as a key selling point. Foldable smartphones remain a small but growing segment of the premium smartphone market. Rather than changing the hardware dramatically every year, Google appears to be refining its design while focusing on software, AI and everyday usability. With the official launch now close, it may not be long before the company reveals the complete picture.

<p>A fresh leak has revealed the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold in a new Pine colour ahead of its expected August 12 launch. The foldable appears to feature a refined camera design, a redesigned camera bar and is expected to run on Google's new Tensor G6 chip with upgraded AI features.</p>

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold leak reveals redesigned camera layout and new Pine colour

<p>The not-so-subtle “AI war” over export controls has taken a new twist, with reports that American AI firms such as OpenAI and Google have been selling their models to Chinese groups blacklisted by the Pentagon over China-related national security concerns. According to a report in the Financial Times, such transactions are taking place with Chinese firms including Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu through their subsidiaries in Singapore. Has the US lost the AI control race before it has even begun?</p><h2>OpenAI and Google admit to selling advanced AI services to Chinese firms blacklisted by the Pentagon</h2><p>Chinese technology groups Alibaba, Baidu and Tencent were recently included on the Pentagon’s 1260H list, which identifies companies alleged to have links with China’s military establishment. However, according to the FT report, both OpenAI and Google confirmed that they supplied advanced AI services to Singapore-based subsidiaries of these companies.</p><p>Singapore-incorporated entities can legally contract with American AI providers even when their parent companies are blacklisted. This makes it difficult to ensure that AI models face the same level of export controls as those already imposed on advanced semiconductors.</p><p>Singapore’s position as a regional technology hub allows multinational companies to operate under Singaporean law while serving customers across Asia. This has made the city-state an important gateway for AI services and an increasingly significant focus for US regulators.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anthropic-vs-pentagon-judge-blocks-designation-of-ai-firm-as-supply-chain-risk-it-s-1-0-for-now-1774592991787">Anthropic vs Pentagon: Judge blocks designation of AI firm as ‘supply chain risk’. It's 1–0, for now</a></p><h2>US export controls restrict advanced AI services to mainland China, but are rules circumvented?</h2><p>Frontier AI is increasingly being viewed as a national security asset rather than just a commercial technology. This is why the US restricts access to advanced AI services from mainland China. But that does not broadly prohibit overseas subsidiaries of Chinese companies from purchasing US AI models.&nbsp;</p><p>Citing OpenAI, the FT reported that the company “blocks direct access to its models from China” but allows some Chinese-owned companies to use its services in jurisdictions “where safeguards can be enforced.” Google said its AI services are available in markets including Singapore and Hong Kong, subject to its usage policies. However, it acknowledged that “geographical restrictions alone are insufficient” to prevent sophisticated users from circumventing controls.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-anthropic-fable-5-mythos-5-jailbreaking-national-security-1781335223909">US locks down Anthropic's most powerful AI after alarming jailbreak warning</a></p><h2>OpenAI blocks API access for Alibaba-affiliated users</h2><p>The FT report came even as OpenAI said it suspended API access for Alibaba-affiliated users last month after detecting suspected “distillation”, an activity through which developers use outputs from advanced AI models to improve competing systems.</p><p>OpenAI said it reported the suspected activity to the US government.&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-china-tech-tensions-redraw-supply-chains-the-world-scrambles-between-us-china-1783268807974/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-china-tech-tensions-redraw-supply-chains-the-world-scrambles-between-us-china-1783268807974/embed</a></p><h2>Anthropic takes a stricter approach</h2><p>Anthropic has taken a much stricter approach, banning China-headquartered companies and all foreign subsidiaries they own from accessing its most advanced AI models. The company has previously accused Chinese AI labs, including DeepSeek, Moonshot and MiniMax, of attempting model distillation. In Congressional testimony in June, Anthropic alleged that Alibaba used “tens of thousands of fraudulent accounts” to generate more than 28 million exchanges with its Claude models in a distillation operation.</p><h2>US-China technology rivalry extends from AI hardware to software</h2><p>Since 2022, the US has tightened restrictions on exports of advanced AI chips, particularly those made by Nvidia, while expanding blacklists covering Chinese technology companies. The Biden administration introduced sweeping semiconductor controls, while the Trump administration continued to tighten restrictions on advanced AI technologies, arguing that these capabilities could strengthen China’s military and intelligence capabilities.</p><p>In response, China tightened export controls on strategic minerals such as gallium, germanium and rare earth elements, which are critical for advanced technology manufacturing.</p><p>Chinese AI companies, including DeepSeek, Alibaba, Baidu and Tencent, have accelerated the development of competitive large language models (LLMs) to reduce dependence on US technology. The Chinese government has intensified investment in domestic AI models and semiconductor development.&nbsp;</p>

OpenAI and Google’s AI services are being sold to Chinese firms blacklisted by Pentagon, using the Singapore subsidiary route. AI export controls are being challenged this way as the US-China technology rivalry shifts from chips to frontier AI models.

The not-so-subtle “AI war” over export controls has taken a new twist, with reports that American AI firms such as OpenAI and Google have been selling their models to Chinese groups blacklisted by the Pentagon over China-related national security concerns. According to a report in the Financial Times, such transactions are taking place with Chinese firms including Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu through their subsidiaries in Singapore. Has the US lost the AI control race before it has even begun? OpenAI and Google admit to selling advanced AI services to Chinese firms blacklisted by the Pentagon Chinese technology groups Alibaba, Baidu and Tencent were recently included on the Pentagon’s 1260H list, which identifies companies alleged to have links with China’s military establishment. However, according to the FT report, both OpenAI and Google confirmed that they supplied advanced AI services to Singapore-based subsidiaries of these companies. Singapore-incorporated entities can legally contract with American AI providers even when their parent companies are blacklisted. This makes it difficult to ensure that AI models face the same level of export controls as those already imposed on advanced semiconductors. Singapore’s position as a regional technology hub allows multinational companies to operate under Singaporean law while serving customers across Asia. This has made the city-state an important gateway for AI services and an increasingly significant focus for US regulators. Also read: Anthropic vs Pentagon: Judge blocks designation of AI firm as ‘supply chain risk’. It's 1–0, for now US export controls restrict advanced AI services to mainland China, but are rules circumvented? Frontier AI is increasingly being viewed as a national security asset rather than just a commercial technology. This is why the US restricts access to advanced AI services from mainland China. But that does not broadly prohibit overseas subsidiaries of Chinese companies from purchasing US AI models. Citing OpenAI, the FT reported that the company “blocks direct access to its models from China” but allows some Chinese-owned companies to use its services in jurisdictions “where safeguards can be enforced.” Google said its AI services are available in markets including Singapore and Hong Kong, subject to its usage policies. However, it acknowledged that “geographical restrictions alone are insufficient” to prevent sophisticated users from circumventing controls. Also read: US locks down Anthropic's most powerful AI after alarming jailbreak warning OpenAI blocks API access for Alibaba-affiliated users The FT report came even as OpenAI said it suspended API access for Alibaba-affiliated users last month after detecting suspected “distillation”, an activity through which developers use outputs from advanced AI models to improve competing systems. OpenAI said it reported the suspected activity to the US government. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-china-tech-tensions-redraw-supply-chains-the-world-scrambles-between-us-china-1783268807974/embed Anthropic takes a stricter approach Anthropic has taken a much stricter approach, banning China-headquartered companies and all foreign subsidiaries they own from accessing its most advanced AI models. The company has previously accused Chinese AI labs, including DeepSeek, Moonshot and MiniMax, of attempting model distillation. In Congressional testimony in June, Anthropic alleged that Alibaba used “tens of thousands of fraudulent accounts” to generate more than 28 million exchanges with its Claude models in a distillation operation. US-China technology rivalry extends from AI hardware to software Since 2022, the US has tightened restrictions on exports of advanced AI chips, particularly those made by Nvidia, while expanding blacklists covering Chinese technology companies. The Biden administration introduced sweeping semiconductor controls, while the Trump administration continued to tighten restrictions on advanced AI technologies, arguing that these capabilities could strengthen China’s military and intelligence capabilities. In response, China tightened export controls on strategic minerals such as gallium, germanium and rare earth elements, which are critical for advanced technology manufacturing. Chinese AI companies, including DeepSeek, Alibaba, Baidu and Tencent, have accelerated the development of competitive large language models (LLMs) to reduce dependence on US technology. The Chinese government has intensified investment in domestic AI models and semiconductor development.

<p>OpenAI and Google’s AI services are being sold to Chinese firms blacklisted by Pentagon, using the Singapore subsidiary route. AI export controls are being challenged this way as the US-China technology rivalry shifts from chips to frontier AI models.</p>

OpenAI, Google are selling AI to Chinese firms blacklisted by Pentagon, says report: The battleground of AI export controls

<p>DuckDuckGo is seeing a rise in downloads and user activity as some internet users look for alternatives to Google's increasingly AI-powered search experience.</p><p>The privacy-focused search engine reported a sharp increase in app installs following Google's latest Search updates, which introduced expanded AI-generated summaries, conversational search tools and AI Mode. While Google says these features are designed to make searching faster and more useful, some users have expressed concerns about accuracy, website visibility and the growing role of artificial intelligence in search results. The trend highlights a wider debate about the future of online search and how much control users should have over AI-generated content.</p><h2><strong>Why are some users moving away from Google Search?</strong></h2><p>At its annual Google I/O developer conference, Google announced major upgrades to Search, placing artificial intelligence at the centre of the experience. The company expanded AI-generated overviews and introduced AI Mode, a feature that allows users to ask follow-up questions and hold conversations directly within Search.</p><p>Google argues that these tools help users find information more quickly without having to visit multiple websites. However, critics say AI-generated answers can sometimes contain inaccuracies and reduce traffic to publishers and content creators by keeping users within Google's ecosystem. Another concern raised by some users is the lack of a simple option to completely disable AI-generated results and return to a traditional search experience.</p><h2><strong>What do the latest numbers show?</strong></h2><p>According to DuckDuckGo, app installs in the United States increased significantly in the days following Google's latest announcements. The company said downloads rose by an average of 18.1 per cent week-on-week between May 20 and May 25. On May 25, installs reportedly peaked at 30.5 per cent above normal levels. DuckDuckGo also said iPhone downloads increased by an average of 33 per cent during the same period. Independent analytics firm Apptopia reported similar findings, estimating that DuckDuckGo's average daily downloads in the US rose by approximately 29 per cent after Google's AI Search updates gained wider attention.</p><p>While Google remains by far the dominant search engine globally, the figures suggest that a segment of users is actively exploring alternatives.</p><h2><strong>DuckDuckGo's AI-free approach</strong></h2><p>DuckDuckGo has positioned itself as an option for users who prefer more control over how artificial intelligence appears in search results. The company offers an AI-free search experience that removes AI-generated summaries and AI-created images from results pages. According to DuckDuckGo, traffic to this version of its search engine has increased in recent weeks. At the same time, the company is not completely opposed to AI technology. Through its Duck.ai platform, users can access AI-powered tools and chatbots. The key difference, according to DuckDuckGo, is that users can choose when and how they interact with artificial intelligence rather than having it automatically integrated into every search.</p><h2><strong>Privacy remains a major selling point</strong></h2><p>Privacy continues to be one of DuckDuckGo's biggest advantages in a competitive search market. The company says it does not collect users' search histories and does not use personal search data or AI conversations to train its systems. As concerns around data collection and AI training practices continue to grow, privacy-focused services have increasingly become attractive to users looking for alternatives to larger technology platforms. Industry analysts note that privacy, transparency and user choice are becoming more important factors in how people evaluate digital services.</p><h2><strong>The wider battle over AI-powered search</strong></h2><p>The latest developments reflect a broader shift taking place across the technology industry. Google, Microsoft, OpenAI and other companies are investing heavily in generative AI tools designed to transform how people find and consume information online. Supporters argue that AI search can save time by summarising information and providing direct answers. Critics, however, worry that AI-generated content could reduce traffic to publishers, spread inaccurate information and limit exposure to diverse sources.</p><p>The debate has become increasingly important as search engines evolve from simple directories of web pages into AI-powered assistants capable of generating their own responses.</p><p>Google is unlikely to slow its AI ambitions. The company continues to invest heavily in Gemini and AI-powered Search features, viewing artificial intelligence as the future of online information discovery. At the same time, DuckDuckGo's recent growth suggests there remains strong demand for traditional search experiences that prioritise web links, privacy and user choice. The coming months will reveal whether the recent increase in downloads represents a temporary reaction to Google's AI changes or a longer-term shift in how some users choose to search the web.</p>

The privacy-focused search engine reported a sharp increase in app installs following Google's latest Search updates, which introduced expanded AI-generated summaries, conversational search tools and AI Mode. 

DuckDuckGo is seeing a rise in downloads and user activity as some internet users look for alternatives to Google's increasingly AI-powered search experience. The privacy-focused search engine reported a sharp increase in app installs following Google's latest Search updates, which introduced expanded AI-generated summaries, conversational search tools and AI Mode. While Google says these features are designed to make searching faster and more useful, some users have expressed concerns about accuracy, website visibility and the growing role of artificial intelligence in search results. The trend highlights a wider debate about the future of online search and how much control users should have over AI-generated content. Why are some users moving away from Google Search? At its annual Google I/O developer conference, Google announced major upgrades to Search, placing artificial intelligence at the centre of the experience. The company expanded AI-generated overviews and introduced AI Mode, a feature that allows users to ask follow-up questions and hold conversations directly within Search. Google argues that these tools help users find information more quickly without having to visit multiple websites. However, critics say AI-generated answers can sometimes contain inaccuracies and reduce traffic to publishers and content creators by keeping users within Google's ecosystem. Another concern raised by some users is the lack of a simple option to completely disable AI-generated results and return to a traditional search experience. What do the latest numbers show? According to DuckDuckGo, app installs in the United States increased significantly in the days following Google's latest announcements. The company said downloads rose by an average of 18.1 per cent week-on-week between May 20 and May 25. On May 25, installs reportedly peaked at 30.5 per cent above normal levels. DuckDuckGo also said iPhone downloads increased by an average of 33 per cent during the same period. Independent analytics firm Apptopia reported similar findings, estimating that DuckDuckGo's average daily downloads in the US rose by approximately 29 per cent after Google's AI Search updates gained wider attention. While Google remains by far the dominant search engine globally, the figures suggest that a segment of users is actively exploring alternatives. DuckDuckGo's AI-free approach DuckDuckGo has positioned itself as an option for users who prefer more control over how artificial intelligence appears in search results. The company offers an AI-free search experience that removes AI-generated summaries and AI-created images from results pages. According to DuckDuckGo, traffic to this version of its search engine has increased in recent weeks. At the same time, the company is not completely opposed to AI technology. Through its Duck.ai platform, users can access AI-powered tools and chatbots. The key difference, according to DuckDuckGo, is that users can choose when and how they interact with artificial intelligence rather than having it automatically integrated into every search. Privacy remains a major selling point Privacy continues to be one of DuckDuckGo's biggest advantages in a competitive search market. The company says it does not collect users' search histories and does not use personal search data or AI conversations to train its systems. As concerns around data collection and AI training practices continue to grow, privacy-focused services have increasingly become attractive to users looking for alternatives to larger technology platforms. Industry analysts note that privacy, transparency and user choice are becoming more important factors in how people evaluate digital services. The wider battle over AI-powered search The latest developments reflect a broader shift taking place across the technology industry. Google, Microsoft, OpenAI and other companies are investing heavily in generative AI tools designed to transform how people find and consume information online. Supporters argue that AI search can save time by summarising information and providing direct answers. Critics, however, worry that AI-generated content could reduce traffic to publishers, spread inaccurate information and limit exposure to diverse sources. The debate has become increasingly important as search engines evolve from simple directories of web pages into AI-powered assistants capable of generating their own responses. Google is unlikely to slow its AI ambitions. The company continues to invest heavily in Gemini and AI-powered Search features, viewing artificial intelligence as the future of online information discovery. At the same time, DuckDuckGo's recent growth suggests there remains strong demand for traditional search experiences that prioritise web links, privacy and user choice. The coming months will reveal whether the recent increase in downloads represents a temporary reaction to Google's AI changes or a longer-term shift in how some users choose to search the web.

<p>The privacy-focused search engine reported a sharp increase in app installs following Google's latest Search updates, which introduced expanded AI-generated summaries, conversational search tools and AI Mode.&nbsp;</p>

Google AI Search backlash? DuckDuckGo installs jump as users seek alternatives to Google's latest Search updates

<p>Google has announced its entry into the AI smart glasses market, partnering with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to launch its own intelligent eyewear. The move places Google in direct competition with Meta, which currently leads the segment with its Ray-Ban smart glasses developed alongside EssilorLuxottica.&nbsp;</p><p>Google said its smart glasses will be launched in the Northern Hemisphere autumn and will allow users to access directions, take photos, send messages and interact with its voice assistant through audio-based commands.</p><h2><strong>What Google’s AI smart glasses offer</strong></h2><p>Google’s glasses are designed to provide an AI-first experience. According to the company, the device will connect with users’ smartphones and act as a real-time assistant.</p><p>Key features include:</p><p>Voice-based interaction using Google Assistant<br>Navigation and directions support<br>Photo capture and messaging<br>Real-time information access</p><p>Google has also confirmed plans to add built-in displays and augmented reality (AR) features in future versions, which could expand the device beyond basic audio interaction.</p><h2><strong>How Meta’s smart glasses currently lead the market</strong></h2><p>Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses already have a strong presence in the market. The device allows users to:</p><p>Take photos and videos<br>Stream content live<br>Use voice commands via Meta AI<br>Listen to music and make calls</p><p>Industry estimates suggest Meta has shipped millions of units globally, giving it an early advantage in user adoption and brand recognition in the smart glasses category.</p><h2><strong>Key differences: Google vs Meta smart glasses</strong></h2><p>While both companies are focusing on AI-powered wearables, their approaches show some differences.</p><p><strong>Google’s strategy focuses on:</strong><br>Deeper AI integration using its ecosystem<br>Future AR capabilities<br>Strong smartphone connectivity</p><p><strong>Meta’s approach focuses on:</strong><br>Social media integration<br>Content creation and sharing<br>Established hardware partnerships</p><p>Google’s long-term plan to introduce AR displays could give it an edge if successfully implemented, while Meta currently benefits from a mature product already in the market.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://preview.redd.it/google-glasses-vs-mtrbd-v0-w0qmvpyr07dg1.jpeg?auto=webp&amp;s=48d9083e5f46208ef8e20310d1900a54f1b8e4cb" alt="Google glasses vs MTRBD 🔥 : r/augmentedreality"></figure><h2><strong>Why the smart glasses market is growing</strong></h2><p>The wearable technology market is expanding as companies look to move beyond smartphones. AI-powered glasses are seen as the next step in personal computing.<br>According to industry reports, demand is increasing for devices that:<br>Provide hands-free interaction<br>Offer real-time assistance<br>Reduce reliance on screens<br>This has led major technology companies to invest in the category, making it one of the fastest-growing segments in consumer tech.</p><h2><strong>What this means for the tech industry</strong></h2><p>Google’s entry signals increased competition in the AI wearables space. With multiple companies developing similar products, innovation is expected to accelerate.</p><p>The competition may lead to:<br>Better features and performance<br>Wider adoption of smart glasses<br>More affordable devices over time</p><p>Google is expected to share more details on pricing and availability closer to launch. Meanwhile, Meta is likely to continue expanding its product line and AI capabilities. The coming months could shape the future of AI-powered wearables, as Google and Meta compete to define how users interact with technology beyond smartphones.</p>

Google has announced its entry into the AI smart glasses market, partnering with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to launch its own intelligent eyewear.


Google has announced its entry into the AI smart glasses market, partnering with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to launch its own intelligent eyewear. The move places Google in direct competition with Meta, which currently leads the segment with its Ray-Ban smart glasses developed alongside EssilorLuxottica. Google said its smart glasses will be launched in the Northern Hemisphere autumn and will allow users to access directions, take photos, send messages and interact with its voice assistant through audio-based commands. What Google’s AI smart glasses offer Google’s glasses are designed to provide an AI-first experience. According to the company, the device will connect with users’ smartphones and act as a real-time assistant. Key features include: Voice-based interaction using Google Assistant Navigation and directions support Photo capture and messaging Real-time information access Google has also confirmed plans to add built-in displays and augmented reality (AR) features in future versions, which could expand the device beyond basic audio interaction. How Meta’s smart glasses currently lead the market Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses already have a strong presence in the market. The device allows users to: Take photos and videos Stream content live Use voice commands via Meta AI Listen to music and make calls Industry estimates suggest Meta has shipped millions of units globally, giving it an early advantage in user adoption and brand recognition in the smart glasses category. Key differences: Google vs Meta smart glasses While both companies are focusing on AI-powered wearables, their approaches show some differences. Google’s strategy focuses on: Deeper AI integration using its ecosystem Future AR capabilities Strong smartphone connectivity Meta’s approach focuses on: Social media integration Content creation and sharing Established hardware partnerships Google’s long-term plan to introduce AR displays could give it an edge if successfully implemented, while Meta currently benefits from a mature product already in the market. Why the smart glasses market is growing The wearable technology market is expanding as companies look to move beyond smartphones. AI-powered glasses are seen as the next step in personal computing. According to industry reports, demand is increasing for devices that: Provide hands-free interaction Offer real-time assistance Reduce reliance on screens This has led major technology companies to invest in the category, making it one of the fastest-growing segments in consumer tech. What this means for the tech industry Google’s entry signals increased competition in the AI wearables space. With multiple companies developing similar products, innovation is expected to accelerate. The competition may lead to: Better features and performance Wider adoption of smart glasses More affordable devices over time Google is expected to share more details on pricing and availability closer to launch. Meanwhile, Meta is likely to continue expanding its product line and AI capabilities. The coming months could shape the future of AI-powered wearables, as Google and Meta compete to define how users interact with technology beyond smartphones.

<p>Google has announced its entry into the AI smart glasses market, partnering with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to launch its own intelligent eyewear.</p>

Can it challenge Meta’s lead? Google enters AI smart glasses market, set to challenge Ray-Ban dominance

<p>Google DeepMind has said its artificial intelligence system AlphaProof Nexus has solved several long-standing mathematical problems, including some that remained unsolved for more than 50 years. The development has drawn attention across the AI community, especially as debates grow around whether such breakthroughs signal progress towards artificial general intelligence (AGI).</p><p>According to researchers, the system solved nine open problems related to mathematician Paul Erdős, along with 44 open conjectures and a 15-year-old problem in algebraic geometry, showing how AI is increasingly being used in advanced scientific research.</p><h2><strong>How Google’s AI solved complex maths problems</strong></h2><p>The system, called AlphaProof Nexus, works by combining AI reasoning with a formal verification tool known as Lean. Instead of just generating answers, the AI produces step-by-step proofs, which are then checked automatically by the system.</p><p>This approach helps ensure that:</p><p>Every logical step is verified<br>Incorrect assumptions are rejected<br>The final proof meets strict mathematical standards</p><p>Researchers said the cost of solving each problem was only a few hundred dollars in computing power, highlighting how efficient such systems can be.</p><h2><strong>Why ‘hallucinations’ remain a concern</strong></h2><p>One of the key challenges in AI-generated mathematics is the issue of hallucinations, where systems produce results that appear correct but contain hidden errors.</p><p>Experts explain that AI models may:</p><p>Invent new statements that are not proven<br>Skip difficult parts of a problem<br>Present incomplete proofs as finished</p><p>To address this, Google’s system uses Lean to verify every step, reducing the risk of such errors and making the results more reliable.</p><h2><strong>How this compares with other AI developments</strong></h2><p>The announcement comes shortly after OpenAI said one of its models solved a well-known mathematical problem. However, OpenAI relied on external experts to verify the result, while DeepMind used automated verification.</p><p>This difference highlights two approaches in the AI industry:</p><p>Human-reviewed proofs<br>Machine-verified proofs<br>Researchers believe combining both methods may improve future results.</p><h2><strong>Does this mean AI is reaching AGI?</strong></h2><p><br>Despite the progress, Demis Hassabis has said that current AI systems are still far from achieving AGI. He explained that solving specific problems does not mean AI can match human intelligence across all areas. True AGI would require:<br>Creativity across different fields<br>Independent reasoning<br>Ability to generate original ideas<br>According to Hassabis, today’s systems are powerful tools but do not yet show the level of understanding seen in human experts.</p><h2><strong>What this means for research and industry</strong></h2><p><br>The development shows how AI is becoming a useful assistant in scientific research. Instead of replacing mathematicians, these systems can help:</p><p>Explore complex problems faster<br>Check proofs more efficiently<br>Support researchers in difficult areas</p><p>Experts say this could change how mathematics and science are conducted in the future. As AI models continue to improve, their role in research is expected to expand. However, the debate around safety, accuracy and long-term capabilities will remain important. For now, while AI can solve complex mathematical problems, it is still seen as a specialised tool rather than a system with general intelligence</p>

Google DeepMind has said its artificial intelligence system AlphaProof Nexus has solved several long-standing mathematical problems, including some that remained unsolved for more than 50 years.


Google DeepMind has said its artificial intelligence system AlphaProof Nexus has solved several long-standing mathematical problems, including some that remained unsolved for more than 50 years. The development has drawn attention across the AI community, especially as debates grow around whether such breakthroughs signal progress towards artificial general intelligence (AGI). According to researchers, the system solved nine open problems related to mathematician Paul Erdős, along with 44 open conjectures and a 15-year-old problem in algebraic geometry, showing how AI is increasingly being used in advanced scientific research. How Google’s AI solved complex maths problems The system, called AlphaProof Nexus, works by combining AI reasoning with a formal verification tool known as Lean. Instead of just generating answers, the AI produces step-by-step proofs, which are then checked automatically by the system. This approach helps ensure that: Every logical step is verified Incorrect assumptions are rejected The final proof meets strict mathematical standards Researchers said the cost of solving each problem was only a few hundred dollars in computing power, highlighting how efficient such systems can be. Why ‘hallucinations’ remain a concern One of the key challenges in AI-generated mathematics is the issue of hallucinations, where systems produce results that appear correct but contain hidden errors. Experts explain that AI models may: Invent new statements that are not proven Skip difficult parts of a problem Present incomplete proofs as finished To address this, Google’s system uses Lean to verify every step, reducing the risk of such errors and making the results more reliable. How this compares with other AI developments The announcement comes shortly after OpenAI said one of its models solved a well-known mathematical problem. However, OpenAI relied on external experts to verify the result, while DeepMind used automated verification. This difference highlights two approaches in the AI industry: Human-reviewed proofs Machine-verified proofs Researchers believe combining both methods may improve future results. Does this mean AI is reaching AGI? Despite the progress, Demis Hassabis has said that current AI systems are still far from achieving AGI. He explained that solving specific problems does not mean AI can match human intelligence across all areas. True AGI would require: Creativity across different fields Independent reasoning Ability to generate original ideas According to Hassabis, today’s systems are powerful tools but do not yet show the level of understanding seen in human experts. What this means for research and industry The development shows how AI is becoming a useful assistant in scientific research. Instead of replacing mathematicians, these systems can help: Explore complex problems faster Check proofs more efficiently Support researchers in difficult areas Experts say this could change how mathematics and science are conducted in the future. As AI models continue to improve, their role in research is expected to expand. However, the debate around safety, accuracy and long-term capabilities will remain important. For now, while AI can solve complex mathematical problems, it is still seen as a specialised tool rather than a system with general intelligence

<p>Google DeepMind has said its artificial intelligence system AlphaProof Nexus has solved several long-standing mathematical problems, including some that remained unsolved for more than 50 years.</p>

Google AI solves decades-old maths problems, but DeepMind CEO says AGI is still far away

<p>Google has entered the AI smart glasses market with a new product powered by Gemini, marking a direct challenge to Meta, which currently leads the segment.</p><p>The announcement was made at Google I/O 2026, where the company introduced its “intelligent eyewear” built in partnership with Samsung, Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. The product is expected to launch in fall 2026, though pricing details have not yet been disclosed.</p><h2><strong>What Google’s AI smart glasses can do</strong></h2><p>The glasses are designed around an audio-first experience and do not include a display inside the lens. Instead, they rely on voice interaction powered by Gemini AI.</p><p>Key features include:</p><p>Real-time translation across languages</p><p>Navigation with voice-based directions</p><p>Reading signs and identifying surroundings using camera input</p><p>Managing calls, messages and notifications</p><p>Taking photos and editing them using AI</p><p>Completing tasks like ordering food or booking rides</p><p>Users can activate the assistant by saying “Hey Google” or tapping the frame.</p><p>iPhone support expands market reach</p><p>One of the major highlights is that the glasses will support both Android and iPhone devices. This is a strategic move by Google, as it allows the company to reach a wider audience instead of limiting the product to Android users. Industry reports suggest that cross-platform support is important in this category, especially as Meta’s smart glasses already work across both ecosystems.</p><h2><strong>Partnership-led hardware strategy</strong></h2><p>Unlike its earlier Google Glass project, the company is now working with established eyewear brands to improve design and usability.&nbsp;</p><p>Warby Parker will focus on practical and prescription-friendly frames<br>Gentle Monster will bring fashion-focused designs<br>Samsung is handling hardware engineering and production</p><p>Google has also confirmed future collaborations, including a luxury segment with Gucci planned for 2027.</p><h2><strong>Competition with Meta’s smart glasses</strong></h2><p>Meta currently leads the smart glasses market, with around 85 per cent global share and over 7 million units sold in 2025, according to industry estimates. Google’s main advantage lies in Gemini AI, which can handle more complex, multi-step tasks compared to existing systems. However, Meta already has an established user base and hardware presence, giving it a strong position in the market.</p><h2><strong>What comes next in AI wearables</strong></h2><p>Google has indicated that this is just the first step. A future version with a built-in display is expected around 2027, which could show visual information directly in the user’s field of view. The company is also working on extended reality (XR) devices under its Android XR platform, aiming to build a broader ecosystem around AI-powered wearables.</p><h2><strong>What this means for the tech industry</strong></h2><p>The launch signals growing competition in the AI wearable space, with companies focusing on integrating AI into everyday devices.</p><p>Instead of traditional screens, the focus is shifting towards voice-based interaction and real-time assistance.</p><h2><strong>What happens next</strong></h2><p>The glasses will roll out gradually after launch, with more details on pricing and availability expected closer to release. As companies like Google, Meta and others continue to invest in AI wearables, the market is likely to expand in the coming years, shaping how users interact with technology in daily life</p>

Google has entered the AI smart glasses market with a new product powered by Gemini, marking a direct challenge to Meta, which currently leads the segment.


Google has entered the AI smart glasses market with a new product powered by Gemini, marking a direct challenge to Meta, which currently leads the segment. The announcement was made at Google I/O 2026, where the company introduced its “intelligent eyewear” built in partnership with Samsung, Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. The product is expected to launch in fall 2026, though pricing details have not yet been disclosed. What Google’s AI smart glasses can do The glasses are designed around an audio-first experience and do not include a display inside the lens. Instead, they rely on voice interaction powered by Gemini AI. Key features include: Real-time translation across languages Navigation with voice-based directions Reading signs and identifying surroundings using camera input Managing calls, messages and notifications Taking photos and editing them using AI Completing tasks like ordering food or booking rides Users can activate the assistant by saying “Hey Google” or tapping the frame. iPhone support expands market reach One of the major highlights is that the glasses will support both Android and iPhone devices. This is a strategic move by Google, as it allows the company to reach a wider audience instead of limiting the product to Android users. Industry reports suggest that cross-platform support is important in this category, especially as Meta’s smart glasses already work across both ecosystems. Partnership-led hardware strategy Unlike its earlier Google Glass project, the company is now working with established eyewear brands to improve design and usability. Warby Parker will focus on practical and prescription-friendly frames Gentle Monster will bring fashion-focused designs Samsung is handling hardware engineering and production Google has also confirmed future collaborations, including a luxury segment with Gucci planned for 2027. Competition with Meta’s smart glasses Meta currently leads the smart glasses market, with around 85 per cent global share and over 7 million units sold in 2025, according to industry estimates. Google’s main advantage lies in Gemini AI, which can handle more complex, multi-step tasks compared to existing systems. However, Meta already has an established user base and hardware presence, giving it a strong position in the market. What comes next in AI wearables Google has indicated that this is just the first step. A future version with a built-in display is expected around 2027, which could show visual information directly in the user’s field of view. The company is also working on extended reality (XR) devices under its Android XR platform, aiming to build a broader ecosystem around AI-powered wearables. What this means for the tech industry The launch signals growing competition in the AI wearable space, with companies focusing on integrating AI into everyday devices. Instead of traditional screens, the focus is shifting towards voice-based interaction and real-time assistance. What happens next The glasses will roll out gradually after launch, with more details on pricing and availability expected closer to release. As companies like Google, Meta and others continue to invest in AI wearables, the market is likely to expand in the coming years, shaping how users interact with technology in daily life

<p>Google has entered the AI smart glasses market with a new product powered by Gemini, marking a direct challenge to Meta, which currently leads the segment.</p>

Google unveils AI smart glasses with Gemini, targets Meta’s dominance

<p>Google has announced a major shift in its artificial intelligence strategy, with CEO Sundar Pichai focusing on bringing AI agents into everyday products used by billions of people.</p><p>Speaking at the Google I/O 2026 developer conference, Pichai said the company is moving from building AI tools for developers and enterprises to delivering agent-based experiences directly to consumers.&nbsp;</p><p>He noted that Google now has 13 products with over 1 billion users each, including five products used by more than 3 billion people, highlighting the scale at which these AI features can be deployed.</p><h2><strong>Google Search gets its biggest update in years</strong></h2><p>One of the key announcements was a major update to Google Search, described as the biggest change in over 25 years.</p><p>The search box is being redesigned to support longer, more conversational queries. Users will now be able to:</p><p>Ask complex questions</p><p>Upload images, videos or files</p><p>Get AI-assisted suggestions while typing</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Google is combining features like AI Overviews and AI Mode into a single experience. According to company data, AI Overviews already has over 2.5 billion monthly users, while AI Mode has crossed 1 billion monthly users.</p><h2><strong>Introduction of AI agents in search</strong></h2><p>Google also introduced Search Agents, which are designed to work in the background and assist users continuously.</p><p>These agents can:</p><p>Track market trends</p><p>Monitor shopping deals</p><p>Follow sports updates</p><p>Alert users about relevant changes</p><p>For example, users can set up an agent to track stock prices or housing listings based on specific criteria. This marks a shift from manual searching to automated information tracking.</p><h2><strong>Gemini Spark and personal AI assistants</strong></h2><p>Google is launching a new personal AI assistant called Gemini Spark within the Gemini app.</p><p>This always-on assistant can:</p><p>Summarise emails and meetings</p><p>Create documents and reports</p><p>Manage tasks and schedules</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It integrates with tools like Gmail, Docs and Calendar, helping users manage their daily work more efficiently. The system runs on cloud-based infrastructure, allowing it to operate continuously in the background.</p><h2><strong>AI-powered tools and app creation</strong></h2><p>Google is also enabling users to create simple applications directly within Search using its AI tools.</p><p>Users can build:</p><p>Fitness trackers</p><p>Event planners</p><p>Budget tools</p><p>These tools can pull real-time data such as weather updates, reviews and location-based information, making them more dynamic and personalised.</p><h2>Move towards advanced AI models</h2><p>Alongside product updates, Google introduced a new family of AI models called Gemini Omni. These models can process multiple types of input, including text, images, audio and video.</p><p>According to Demis Hassabis, the development represents progress towards artificial general intelligence (AGI), where systems can perform a wide range of tasks.</p><p>The first version, Gemini Omni Flash, will be available across Google platforms, including the Gemini app and YouTube tools.</p><h2>What this means for users and the industry</h2><p>Google’s latest announcements show a shift from traditional search and apps to AI-driven experiences that can act on behalf of users.</p><p>Instead of manually searching and managing tasks, users may increasingly rely on AI agents to handle routine activities.</p><p>The move also reflects growing competition in the AI space, as companies focus on integrating AI deeply into their products.</p><h2>What happens next</h2><p>Many of these features will roll out gradually over the coming months, with some initially available to premium users and testers.</p><p>As adoption grows, Google’s agent-based approach could change how people interact with digital services, moving from simple queries to continuous, AI-assisted workflows.</p>

Google has announced a major shift in its artificial intelligence strategy, with CEO Sundar Pichai focusing on bringing AI agents into everyday products used by billions of people.


Google has announced a major shift in its artificial intelligence strategy, with CEO Sundar Pichai focusing on bringing AI agents into everyday products used by billions of people. Speaking at the Google I/O 2026 developer conference, Pichai said the company is moving from building AI tools for developers and enterprises to delivering agent-based experiences directly to consumers. He noted that Google now has 13 products with over 1 billion users each, including five products used by more than 3 billion people, highlighting the scale at which these AI features can be deployed. Google Search gets its biggest update in years One of the key announcements was a major update to Google Search, described as the biggest change in over 25 years. The search box is being redesigned to support longer, more conversational queries. Users will now be able to: Ask complex questions Upload images, videos or files Get AI-assisted suggestions while typing Google is combining features like AI Overviews and AI Mode into a single experience. According to company data, AI Overviews already has over 2.5 billion monthly users, while AI Mode has crossed 1 billion monthly users. Introduction of AI agents in search Google also introduced Search Agents, which are designed to work in the background and assist users continuously. These agents can: Track market trends Monitor shopping deals Follow sports updates Alert users about relevant changes For example, users can set up an agent to track stock prices or housing listings based on specific criteria. This marks a shift from manual searching to automated information tracking. Gemini Spark and personal AI assistants Google is launching a new personal AI assistant called Gemini Spark within the Gemini app. This always-on assistant can: Summarise emails and meetings Create documents and reports Manage tasks and schedules It integrates with tools like Gmail, Docs and Calendar, helping users manage their daily work more efficiently. The system runs on cloud-based infrastructure, allowing it to operate continuously in the background. AI-powered tools and app creation Google is also enabling users to create simple applications directly within Search using its AI tools. Users can build: Fitness trackers Event planners Budget tools These tools can pull real-time data such as weather updates, reviews and location-based information, making them more dynamic and personalised. Move towards advanced AI models Alongside product updates, Google introduced a new family of AI models called Gemini Omni. These models can process multiple types of input, including text, images, audio and video. According to Demis Hassabis, the development represents progress towards artificial general intelligence (AGI), where systems can perform a wide range of tasks. The first version, Gemini Omni Flash, will be available across Google platforms, including the Gemini app and YouTube tools. What this means for users and the industry Google’s latest announcements show a shift from traditional search and apps to AI-driven experiences that can act on behalf of users. Instead of manually searching and managing tasks, users may increasingly rely on AI agents to handle routine activities. The move also reflects growing competition in the AI space, as companies focus on integrating AI deeply into their products. What happens next Many of these features will roll out gradually over the coming months, with some initially available to premium users and testers. As adoption grows, Google’s agent-based approach could change how people interact with digital services, moving from simple queries to continuous, AI-assisted workflows.

<p>Google has announced a major shift in its artificial intelligence strategy, with CEO Sundar Pichai focusing on bringing AI agents into everyday products used by billions of people.</p>

AI in everyday life: How Google plans to transform user experience

<p>Google has introduced a new screenless fitness tracker called Fitbit Air, along with a redesigned Health app aimed at improving how users track and manage their health. The device focuses on continuous monitoring and minimal distractions, offering a different approach compared to traditional smartwatches.</p><p>The Fitbit Air is designed for 24/7 wear and aims to function as a long-term health companion rather than a notification-based device. According to the company, the wearable is built to deliver accurate data while keeping the user experience simple.&nbsp;</p><h2>Screenless design with focus on health tracking</h2><p>The Fitbit Air comes with a compact and lightweight design, making it suitable for continuous use. It is around 25 per cent smaller than Fitbit Luxe and 50 per cent smaller than Inspire 3, according to Google.</p><p>The company has removed the screen to reduce distractions and encourage users to focus on overall wellness instead of constantly checking stats. Despite its simple design, the device includes several advanced health features such as heart rate monitoring, heart rhythm tracking with atrial fibrillation alerts, blood oxygen levels, sleep tracking and heart rate variability.</p><h2>AI-powered Health app replaces Fitbit app</h2><p>Alongside the wearable, Google has launched a new Health app that replaces the earlier Fitbit app. The app includes an AI-based health coach that provides personalised recommendations based on user data.</p><p>The system can also analyse images of gym equipment or workout routines to log activities. This feature is aimed at simplifying fitness tracking by reducing manual input and improving accuracy over time.</p><h2>Smart tracking and battery performance</h2><p>The Fitbit Air supports automatic workout detection using machine learning. This allows the device to learn from user behaviour and improve tracking accuracy over time.</p><p>The wearable offers up to one week of battery life, with fast charging that can provide a full day’s usage in about five minutes. It is also compatible with both Android and iOS devices, making it accessible to a wider range of users.</p><h2><strong>Price and availability details</strong></h2><p>The Fitbit Air is priced at $99.99 (around Rs 9,400) and is available for pre-order globally. The official sale is expected to begin on May 26.</p><p>Buyers will also receive a three-month trial of Google Health Premium, which includes access to advanced health insights and coaching features.</p><h2>What this means for wearable technology</h2><p>The launch of Fitbit Air reflects a shift in wearable devices towards simpler and more focused designs. Instead of adding more features and screens, companies are now exploring ways to improve long-term health tracking with minimal distractions.</p><p>By combining continuous monitoring with AI-based insights, Google is positioning Fitbit Air as a device that supports everyday wellness rather than just fitness tracking.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Google has introduced a new screenless fitness tracker called Fitbit Air, along with a redesigned Health app aimed at improving how users track and manage their health. The device focuses on continuous monitoring and minimal distractions.

Google has introduced a new screenless fitness tracker called Fitbit Air, along with a redesigned Health app aimed at improving how users track and manage their health. The device focuses on continuous monitoring and minimal distractions, offering a different approach compared to traditional smartwatches. The Fitbit Air is designed for 24/7 wear and aims to function as a long-term health companion rather than a notification-based device. According to the company, the wearable is built to deliver accurate data while keeping the user experience simple. Screenless design with focus on health tracking The Fitbit Air comes with a compact and lightweight design, making it suitable for continuous use. It is around 25 per cent smaller than Fitbit Luxe and 50 per cent smaller than Inspire 3, according to Google. The company has removed the screen to reduce distractions and encourage users to focus on overall wellness instead of constantly checking stats. Despite its simple design, the device includes several advanced health features such as heart rate monitoring, heart rhythm tracking with atrial fibrillation alerts, blood oxygen levels, sleep tracking and heart rate variability. AI-powered Health app replaces Fitbit app Alongside the wearable, Google has launched a new Health app that replaces the earlier Fitbit app. The app includes an AI-based health coach that provides personalised recommendations based on user data. The system can also analyse images of gym equipment or workout routines to log activities. This feature is aimed at simplifying fitness tracking by reducing manual input and improving accuracy over time. Smart tracking and battery performance The Fitbit Air supports automatic workout detection using machine learning. This allows the device to learn from user behaviour and improve tracking accuracy over time. The wearable offers up to one week of battery life, with fast charging that can provide a full day’s usage in about five minutes. It is also compatible with both Android and iOS devices, making it accessible to a wider range of users. Price and availability details The Fitbit Air is priced at $99.99 (around Rs 9,400) and is available for pre-order globally. The official sale is expected to begin on May 26. Buyers will also receive a three-month trial of Google Health Premium, which includes access to advanced health insights and coaching features. What this means for wearable technology The launch of Fitbit Air reflects a shift in wearable devices towards simpler and more focused designs. Instead of adding more features and screens, companies are now exploring ways to improve long-term health tracking with minimal distractions. By combining continuous monitoring with AI-based insights, Google is positioning Fitbit Air as a device that supports everyday wellness rather than just fitness tracking.

<p>Google has introduced a new screenless fitness tracker called Fitbit Air, along with a redesigned Health app aimed at improving how users track and manage their health. The device focuses on continuous monitoring and minimal distractions.</p>

Google enters screenless wearables market: Key details about Fitbit Air

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