Google Archive

Jennifer Pattison TuohyApr 21

You can now talk to Google Home again without saying “Hey Google” every time.

When Google launched Gemini for Home, it put one key feature behind a paywall. Continued Conversation became available only on Gemini Live, which required Google Home Premium.

Starting today, users in Early Access can once again ask follow-up questions to Google’s voice assistant on their Google Home devices without saying “Hey Google” every time, and without paying. Another bonus is that the feature now works with all supported languages and in all regions.

Talk Naturally, Get Things Done Faster: Continued Conversation arrives on Gemini for Home

[Google Nest Community Blog]

Google Photos adds subtle touch-up tools for faces

Andrew LiszewskiApr 20

Stevie BonifieldApr 20

Sergey Brin said Google needs to catch up to Anthropic on AI coding agents.

According to The Information, the Google co-founder said in a memo to DeepMind employees that “every Gemini engineer must be forced to use internal agents for complex, multistep tasks.”

Anthropic’s tools have been leading the AI coding race, and Brin apparently sees catching them as a step toward building AI that can improve itself.

Google Creates Strike Team to Improve Coding Models

[The Information]

Terrence O'BrienApr 19

Steph Curry might be teasing a screenless Fitbit in plain sight.

The first hint was a sponsored Instagram post on March 31st. But Curry has been spotted wearing the mysterious device (possibly dubbed “Google Fitbit Air”) in a video from Sotheby’s, and it even made an appearance in a behind-the-scenes clip way back from All-Star weekend. We don’t know much, but it looks like Google is getting ready to take on Whoop.

A screenless wearable on the wrist of Steph Curry.

Screenshot

Screenshot: Droid Life

Our new favorite budget phones

Dominic PrestonApr 17

The best budget smartphones you can buy

Dominic PrestonApr 17

Thomas RickerApr 17

White Lotus, but cheaper.

Google now lets you track price drops of your favorite hotel and receive email alerts if rates drop during your chosen dates:

To get started on desktop, head to Search and look up a specific hotel by name, then tap the new price tracking toggle. On mobile, you’ll find the price tracking option under the Prices tab after you search.

Richard LawlerApr 16

A new Android 17 beta reveals plans for “Pixel Glow” light animations.

Google just released the fourth beta for Android 17 today, and now, 9to5Google and Android Authority point out that it contains mentions of a new lighting feature that we might see on the next round of Pixel phones.

The Pixel Glow details say it “uses subtle light and color on the back of your device to inform you of important activity when it’s face down,” when interacting with Gemini, or when favorite contacts are calling.

Pixel Glow 'visual feedback' tool might just hint at big Pixel 11 hardware changes

[Android Authority]

Gucci-branded Google smart glasses are coming next year

Stevie BonifieldApr 16

Google’s AI Mode update lets you open links without leaving the page

Emma RothApr 16

It’s getting easier for Android devs to code with AI agents.

Along with an upgraded Android CLI, Google is launching a new Android skills GitHub repository and an Android Knowledge base, which can provide AI agents with the information and resources they need to perform coding tasks.

Android CLI.

Image: Google

Terrence O'BrienApr 16

Google is reportedly in talks to let the Pentagon use Gemini in clasified settings.

The company is apparently reversing course in its approach to military dealings. Google currently has a contract that allows the DOD to use Gemini for “all lawful purposes,” but only in unclassified settings. According to The Information:

Google’s proposed contract language appears to mirror the terms OpenAI secured in an agreement it struck with the Pentagon over the use of its AI earlier this year… However, lawyers also said at the time that language in OpenAI’s contract that seemed to preclude the use of its AI for fully autonomous lethal weapons and mass domestic surveillance wouldn’t necessarily prevent those applications because OpenAI also agreed that its technology could be used for “all lawful purposes.”