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:
Google Pixel 8A is likely to get a brighter display with 120Hz support
Insider Kamila Wojciechowska has shared new details about the upcoming Google Pixel 8A smartphone. This device is expected to have a display with a 120 Hz refresh rate (compared to 90 Hz in the Pixel 7A) and a higher brightness.
Google Deepmind and FC «Liverpool» have created a football coach based on artificial intelligence
Google DeepMind and Premier League club «Liverpool» have created a prototype of the TacticAI artificial intelligence model for football training. The DeepMind lab, which has previously used AI for complex board games such as Go, notes that AI can be trained on patterns that can be seen on sports fields.
Liz Reid has been appointed to head Google’s search division — she previously managed search products with artificial intelligence
Google Search has a new head. This business is headed by Liz Reid, who has been working at Google for more than 20 years. Most recently, she was the head of artificial intelligence-based search, known as Search Generative Experience (SGE).
OpenAI boss Sam Altman says the world «doesn’t need another copy of Google» because it’s «boring»
Instead, developers should focus on creating new ways for people to search and analyze information.
Mark Gurman: Apple is in talks with Google to integrate Gemini AI model into iPhone
Apple has also recently discussed the prospects of cooperation with ChatGPT developer OpenAI.
Google I/O 2024 conference will be held on May 14
Google has announced the date of this year’s I/O conference. The event is scheduled for May 14 in Mountain View.
Google DeepMind has created SIMA, an AI model that plays games. They don’t know why — yet.
Google’s DeepMind lab has unveiled SIMA — a learning artificial intelligence model that will play games for you. It’s customized to play more like a human than a superhuman artificial intelligence. SIMA, which stands for Scalable Instructable Multiworld Agent, is currently just a research experiment.
Google, Apple, and Mozilla release Speedometer 3.0 — a benchmark for browsers
Speedometer has long been Google’s favorite benchmark because it «best reflects the real world» compares JavaScript performance. Now available in Speedometer 3.0.
«The Ukrainian interface was actually knocked out» — ex-director of Google Ukraine on localization of services
Dmytro Sholomko, who headed Google’s representative office in Ukraine for 17 years (and resigned last October), gave an interview to the DOU publication and, among other things, touched upon the topic of Ukrainian localization of the company’s services.
YouTube stopped showing recommendations after logging out of Google account and in incognito mode
Instead, users are shown a homepage without videos and viewing tips.
Google’s Tensor G4 processor (SoC) will have improved heat management and energy efficiency
This year, Google’s Tensor G4 mobile processor (SoC) will be released, which will be the basis for the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and possibly the Pixel Fold 2. New information from Korea confirms previous rumors that the G4 will be manufactured at Samsung’s 4nm fab.
Following the example of Apple: Google introduces new fees for app developers in the EU
Google has already allowed users to download apps outside the Play Store in accordance with the EU Digital Markets Act, but is now introducing two new commissions for this purpose.
The Pixel 8a will get a 256 GB version and a higher price than its predecessor – media
The upcoming Pixel 8a smartphone will receive a new version with increased storage – 256 GB. Informed sources also report that the device will be available in four colors, just like the Pixel 7a.
Google will increase its opposition to SEO and commercial content on search sites — more content will be considered spam
Google announced an update to its search algorithms which should provide more useful content to the user, while more results will be labeled as spam. The company «is refining» its ranking system to better determine whether web pages are truly useful, have a poor user experience, and are not designed for search engines rather than people.
Google has «definitely messed up» Gemini image generation ─ Sergey Brin, co-founder of the company
Google co-founder Sergey Brin met with entrepreneurs at AGI House, where developers were testing the Google Gemini artificial intelligence model.
Pixel smartphones get a new generation call screen with Google Assistant artificial intelligence
Google has announced that some Pixel phones will have a next-generation call screen. There is a new button «Hello». When you press it, the system will launch Google Assistant, which will speak on your behalf.
Super Mario by AI: Google DeepMind’s new model generates games in the style of classic 2D platformers from scratch
Following Sora by OpenAI, which generates digital virtual worlds in the style of Minecraft Google’s DeepMind generative model has distinguished itself with its own talent for creating games.
Google Chrome will allow you to search even with a «poor» connection
Google announced three features for its Chrome browser that are aimed at «improving» search results. The third one is particularly interesting — it’s an attempt to improve the search engine’s performance when the Internet connection is «poor, although it’s not clear to what extent.
Google CEO calls Gemini’s diversity mistakes «offensive and biased»: «We’re working around the clock to fix it».
Gemini has been found to have problems with the accuracy of some historical figures and groups — particularly with regard to their skin color.
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