Gemini 3.5

Google launched its updated AI models at I/O, starting with Gemini 3.5 Flash, which becomes the default model for the Gemini app and AI Mode in Search. Gemini 3.5 Pro will follow next month. The new Flash model is significantly faster, better at handling agentic tasks, and offers improved agentic coding capabilities, including generating richer, more interactive web UIs and graphics. Google also emphasized enhanced guardrails that make the model less likely to produce harmful content or incorrectly flag safe queries as unsafe. Alongside the model, the Gemini app is getting a redesigned look called “neural expressive,” featuring new animations, pops of color, a new font, and haptic feedback. This redesign rolls out starting May 19th on the web and mobile apps.

Gemini Omni

A new family of AI models, Gemini Omni, was introduced, with the first variant—Omni Flash—launching today in the Gemini app, Google Flow, and YouTube Shorts. Unlike Google's Veo model, which is text-to-video only, Omni Flash can generate video clips from prompts that include text, photos, video, and audio. Down the line, Google says Omni will be able to create anything from any input, signaling a push toward truly multimodal content generation.

Gemini Spark

Google's answer to OpenAI's “Operator” concept, Gemini Spark is an always-on AI agent that runs background tasks using virtual machines on Google Cloud 24/7. It can write emails, create study guides, monitor for hidden credit card fees, and connect to Google Workspace apps like Docs, Gmail, Sheets, and Slides, as well as third-party services like Canva and Instacart. Future plans include access to local files via the Gemini app on macOS.

Build Full Android Apps with Prompts in Google AI Studio

Developers and tinkerers can now vibe-code entire native Android apps using natural language prompts in Google AI Studio. The feature includes an embedded Android emulator for live previews, and users can plug in their phone to install apps directly for testing. Apps can be exported to Android Studio, GitHub, or as a ZIP file. Google will also soon allow publishing apps exclusively for friends and family, with Firebase integrations coming later.

Project Aura Smart Glasses

Google showed an updated version of its Project Aura smart glasses, developed in collaboration with Xreal. The external compute puck has been redesigned with a fingerprint sensor and a lanyard. New features include widgets for display glasses, Gemini integrations with Google Calendar and Google Keep, and improved Gemini performance. The glasses are part of Google's broader XR platform efforts.

New Android XR Glasses from Warby Parker and Gentle Monster

Two new pairs of Android XR smart glasses are launching this fall from Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. These audio-only glasses (no display) will support live translation, navigation assistance with Gemini, and notification summaries, similar to the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.

One Checkout for Everything with Google’s Universal Cart

Google introduced a Universal Cart that lets users add products from YouTube, Search, Gemini, and Gmail, and check out from multiple merchants in a single transaction. It works with brands like Nike, Target, Walmart, Ulta Beauty, Sephora, Wayfair, and Shopify. The cart can spot potential issues, such as incompatible parts for a gaming PC, and leverage loyalty info from Google Wallet to find savings.

Search Your Inbox with Your Voice Using Gmail Live

Gmail Live brings a voice-driven AI experience to the inbox. By tapping an icon in the search bar, users can ask questions verbally and receive extracted information from relevant emails, rather than scrolling through chains. Similar features are coming to Google Docs and Keep, with data pulled from Drive and Gmail.

Google Workspace Gets Pics for AI Image Editing

Google Workspace is adding a new app called Pics, powered by Nano Banana 2 and Gemini, that allows iterative AI-generated updates to images. Users can click on a part of an image and leave a comment describing edits, eliminating the need for lengthy prompts. Pics capabilities will eventually integrate into other Workspace apps.

Agents, Generative UI, and Mini Apps in Search

Google is revamping the search box: it expands for longer queries, includes AI-generated suggestions, and supports text, images, files, videos, and Chrome tabs as input. New “information agents” provide summarized updates on specific topics, launching this summer for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. Generative UI can create visuals like simulations and interactive tables, and Search can generate “mini apps” for recurring tasks, such as event planning dashboards.

Google’s AI Ultra Plan Gets a Price Cut

Google reduced the cost of its premium AI Ultra subscription from $249.99 to a starting price of $100 per month, with a $200 tier that includes access to Project Genie. This aligns pricing with competitors like OpenAI.

Google Is Making Its AI Detection Tools More Accessible

To combat misinformation, Google is expanding SynthID watermarking and C2PA Content Credentials to Chrome and Search. Uploading or selecting images in Search can now reveal provenance details. A future Chrome feature will let users circle questionable images on websites to see their origin.

Google Is Experimenting with AI Agents for Google Beam

Google Beam (formerly Project Starline) now supports lifelike AI agents. An early demo showed “Sophie,” an agent that responds to questions, reads documents held up to the camera, and looks up restaurant recommendations. Google also demonstrated group calls using Beam, which works with Google Meet and Zoom.

Source: The Verge News