Google has shown Project Astra — an AI assistant with voice and visual recognition similar to GPT-4o
At the Google I/O 2024 presentation, the company showed Project Astra, a virtual assistant with artificial intelligence and visual recognition based on Google Gemini that is currently under development. Speaking about Astra, Demis Hassabis, CEO of DeepMind Experimental Laboratory, said that his team has always wanted to develop a universal AI agent…
Gemini 1.5 Flash — fast multimodal Google model with a contextual window of 2 million tokens
Google announced announces the release of Gemini 1.5 Flash, a small multimodal model designed to scale and solve narrow high-frequency problems.
Ask Photos in Google Photos lets you search for images using voice and text contextual queries
Google intends to integrate artificial intelligence deeper into the Google Photos photo and video storage service. As part of this integration, a new Ask Photos feature will appear in the service. It will allow users to search for the images they need using complex voice or text queries.
Complete scan of 1 mm³ of human brain using AI took 1.4 PB — Harvard and Google researchers scan 57 thousand cells and 150 million synapses
The full scan data of 1 cubic mm of the human brain took 1.4 petabytes of memory just to store the sample images. The deep dive into neural mapping was done by researchers from Harvard and artificial intelligence experts at Google. Expanding this experiment to the entire brain would take 1.6 zettabytes, the required storage would cost $50 billion,…
YouTube for Android TV gets updated sidebar interface
The YouTube app for Android TV has received an interface update. The developers have added a new animation when accessing the side menu bar with updated highlighting of items during navigation.
Google Pixel 8a gets Tensor G3 chip, 120Hz display, 7 years of OS updates, and $499 price tag
Google has prepared to release a more affordable version of its smartphone lineup, the Pixel 8a. Despite some updates, the new product retains the price of its predecessor.
Google will teach you how to create chatbots with Gemini for free. You only need to know Python
Google has launched registration for the free Startup School program: Gen AI program. The program is free of charge and aims to create applications, agents, and chatbots using Gemini artificial intelligence.
The Verge’s article about the «best printer 2024», generated by AI and SEO-optimized, tops Google for a month for the query «best printer»
In early April, the technology publication The Verge published an article «Best printer 2024…»which is still the first Google result for the query «best printer». In fact, this material, generated by the language model Google Gemini and SEO-optimized, is an experiment and an example of how technology can bypass people’s attempts to…
Wi-Fi and cable at the same time: Google plans to speed up the data transfer process when setting up a new Android phone
When you set up a new Android phone, you usually have three options for moving data from your old device: you can simply copy the data by connecting the two phones with a compatible cable, use Wi-Fi, or restore data from a Google One backup. However, Google wants to combine the two methods to make transferring or restoring data faster.
Google programmer fired for protesting in the office — says he just came to watch (company denies)
A programmer who was fired from Google because of protests at the company’s offices says he was simply observing a protest against an Israeli defense contract. The former employee said anonymously that he went to the lobby of Google’s New York office just to watch the protest.
Google has added Ukrainian support to some Gemini features: text queries on Android and «Extensions»
Google has introduced support for key Gemini features in more languages and countries. Among other things, users now have access to functions in Ukrainian.
Google Phone now has Audio Emoji – sound effects (from laughing to farting) that can be inserted into a conversation
Google has updated the Google Phone app and added sound effects to the Android dialer. As a result, during a phone call, users will be able to press one of the six Audio Emoji buttons to play a short sound signal for both parties to the conversation.
Apple lures AI specialists from Google and has a secret lab in Zurich — Financial Times
According to Financial TimesApple has lured dozens of AI experts from Google and created a «secret European laboratory» in Zurich. A new team of employees works there to create new AI models and products.
Google removes most 3D models of animals and other objects from Search
Over the past few years, Google has created a lot of 3D models of animals and other objects that can be viewed in augmented reality. However, Google recently removed the vast majority of these fun models from Search.
Need «cheap» labor: Google has completely laid off its Python team in the US
Google has fired the entire Python team in the United States.
Google’s value exceeded $2 trillion — the company announced its first dividend payment in 25 years
The last time the market capitalization of Google’s parent company Alphabet briefly approached this milestone was in 2021.
Google Meet now allows you to transfer video calls between different devices: PC, iOS and Android
Google has announced the launch of a new feature in Google Meet that allows you to transfer calls from one device to another. Moreover, the transition is smooth and does not interrupt the conversation.
Google has changed its mind — cookies in the Chrome browser will not be disabled until at least 2025
Google has postponed its plan to phase out cookies for all Chrome users. Just a few months ago, the search giant planned to stop using third-party cookies by mid-2024. But now Google has postponed this step until at least 2025.
Google disowned contractors and canceled their minimum wage and bonuses
Google on Friday canceled minimum wage, health insurance and other benefits for its contractors and staffing companies.
Google merges Android and Chrome teams with hardware division — all for AI
The united team will be responsible for implementing artificial intelligence in smartphones and everything running on Android.
Google has allocated 700 thousand euros to Ukraine to study the basics of artificial intelligence
In February, Google released Gemma open-source language models and at the same time launched a special educational fund worth 25 million euros to teach Europeans about this very artificial intelligence. And now the program has become available for Ukraine.
Google employees arrested for office protest against cooperation with Israel
A dozen Google employees were arrested at the company’s offices because they protested against cooperation with the Israeli government.
Google’s foldable smartphone will be called Pixel 9 Pro Fold, not Pixel Fold 2 — insider
Previously, Google presented only two smartphones in its main lineup, as well as a model with an index of «a». In 2024, this will not be the case — the company has significantly changed the naming of its devices, including a folding phone called Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Google Pixel 9 is likely to get a satellite SOS feature similar to Apple’s solution
According to Android Authority, Google intends to add a new feature to its future mobile devices that resembles Apple’s emergency call function. It is supposed to be available in the Pixel 9 series and the next Pixel Fold. It reportedly will partner with T-Mobile to offer the feature, but may add other partners later.
Google adds camera and microphone previews for video communication services to Chrome
Google is adding a Chrome preview function for video and audio from the user’s camera to be used in video communication services that work through the browser (Zoom, Google Meet). The Chrome preview screen will allow you to set up your camera and microphone in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Android 15 adds apps archiving, encryption key management, and TalkBack for Braille displays
Google has released the first beta version of Android 15, which includes several new features. Most of them will be of interest to developers.
Google launches Gemini Code Assist — another competitor to GitHub’s Copilot
On Tuesday, at its Cloud Next conference, Google unveiled Gemini Code Assist — an AI coding assistant previously announced as Duet AI.
Google gives Gemini 1.5 Pro «ears» and launches Vertex AI bot builder
According to the announcement at the Google Next event, from now on Gemini 1.5 Pro will hear its users — in practice, the model will be able to listen to uploaded audio files or extract information from calls and videos without the need to download transcripts.
Android 15 will feature Private Space. Here’s how it works
Experts recommend installing a strong screen lock on your smartphone to prevent others from accessing your data. However, you can also turn on an extra layer of security in case you need to pass your phone to someone else. On Samsung devices, the Secure Folder feature (encrypted space for storing files and apps) is available for this purpose, and…
Google has finally launched the Find My Device search network
After much testing, Google has finally launched its long-awaited Find My Device network. This technology uses a crowdsourced network of more than a billion Android devices to help people find lost gadgets. The basic functionality of this solution is similar to similar offers from Apple and Tile.
JPEG is far behind: Google introduces improved image compression format
Google has introduced a new ops library, Jpegli, that compresses images 35% more efficiently while maintaining high quality.
Sorry, Sora. YouTube says that the OpenAI neural network does not have the right to learn on videos from the platform
It is not known for certain whether the new OpenAI neural network has used YouTube videos, but the video platform’s CEO assures that this would be a clear violation of the terms of use.
Alphabet + HubSpot: Google’s owner is considering a $35 billion acquisition of a software company
HubSpot offers cloud-based software for automation, online marketing and sales
Android 14 QPR3 managed to enable the built-in improved desktop mode
Android usually lags behind macOS and Windows when it comes to desktop computing. The operating system lacks some features and a suitable interface to meet the requirements of the desktop user. This may change in the upcoming Android 15, with improved features managed to be included in Android 14 QPR3.
Google may make search paid — premium options will use AI
Google Search is considering charging for new premium features based on artificial intelligence. The addition of paid features to the search engine may be the first case of direct monetization of the company’s main product for ordinary users. It is reported by Financial Times, citing insiders.
Gmail is — 20 years old. April Fools’ Day «joke» Google, which has become the world’s most popular email service
On April 1, 2004, Google revolutionized email by launching Gmail.
Settlement agreement for $5 billion: Google to delete Chrome data collected in privacy mode
Google has agreed to destroy or anonymize web browsing data records collected in Chrome’s privacy mode. The proposed settlement agreement in Brown v. Google would also require the company to provide greater disclosure about how it collects data in this mode and set limits on future data collection.
Google believes that Rust programming language is twice as efficient as C++
Google believes that the efficiency of developers using the Rust programming language is twice as high as when using C++.
Google DeepMind and Stanford develop AI data verification system — corrects 76% of false answers
One of the biggest drawbacks of AI-based chatbots is the so-called «hallucinations», when AI makes up invalid information, i.e., actually lies. Some experts say that this is one of the interesting features of AI, and it can be useful for generative models that create images and videos — but not for language models that answer questions from…
Google leaked the timing of RCS implementation on iPhone
Apple is likely to introduce a new RCS messaging standard in the fall, which should replace SMS/MMS.
More than a quarter of YouTube affiliate program participants receive money from Shorts, but the payouts are small
A year after YouTube enabled monetization for Shorts, more and more creators are getting paid for this format. More than a quarter of the creators in the YouTube Partner Program are now earning money through YouTube Shorts. Given that more than 3 million creators participate in this program, this amounts to approximately 750 thousand Shorts…
Google to offer Gemini Nano local artificial intelligence on regular Pixel 8 smartphones
Google intends to provide access to the Gemini AI model for Pixel 8 smartphones. Previously, advanced AI capabilities were only available on the Pixel 8 Pro. As a reminder, both models are equipped with the same Tensor G3 processor, which was designed to accelerate AI performance. Thus, the overall experience with both gadgets should be similar.
Yoga, massage and full all-inclusive: journalists visit Google’s new $2.1 billion office
In February, Google opened a new office worth $2.1 billion.
Like an iPhone: unofficial renders of Google Pixel 9 and information about Pixel 9 Pro XL
Informant @OnLeaks and the website 91mobiles presented renders of the Google Pixel 9 phone. Four images and a 360° video show a black smartphone with flat edges, and this applies not only to the edges of the device itself but also to the camera unit.
Waiting for X Elite: Google has created Chrome for laptops with Snapdragon processors
Google has introduced a version of Chrome for Windows laptops running on Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. According to two unnamed partner companies, the Snapdragon version of Chrome demonstrates «significant performance improvements». The new version of Chrome is already available for download.
Microsoft to improve text rendering in Chrome on Windows PCs
After years of complaints, Microsoft has finally made changes to Chromium that should improve text rendering in Google’s browser on Windows computers.
Opera records 164% increase in iOS — users (spoiler: DMA helped)
The Digital Marketplace Act (DMA), which came into force on March 7, provides for free choice of a given browser for EU users, among other things.
Apple, Meta and Google — are under investigation by the EU. Tech giants «suspected» of violating the new Digital Markets Act
If the suspicions are confirmed, companies face fines of up to 10% of global annual revenue or up to 20% in case of repeated violations.
US authorities demand that Google disclose the identities of viewers of certain YouTube videos
The US federal government requested from Google the names, addresses, phone numbers, and activities of account users who watched certain YouTube videos between January 1 and January 8, 2023. People who watched these videos without logging in were also not safe, as the government also requested their IP addresses. Investigators are demanding that…
IdeaSoft launches AI Hub with free lectures on AI from speakers from Google and Meta
Ukrainian IT company IdeaSoft, a part of Sigma Software Group, has launched IdeaSoft AI Hub— is an open source community with a focus on Artificial Intelligence technologies.Representatives of IdeaSoft told the editorial board about this.The project will include:
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