Google

Gemini Live expands on Pixel and Samsung: key features and new voices

Published

1 month ago

August 15, 2024

Tom Carter

Top 3 Key Points:

Gemini Live Rollout: Now available on Pixel and Samsung devices.
Voice Control: New “Gemini Live” feature allows voice commands with customizable voices.
Easy Navigation: You can talk to Gemini while using your phone or even with the screen off.

Google has begun rolling out its new Gemini Live feature, initially announced at the “Made by Google 2024” event. This feature is now becoming more widely available on Pixel and other Android phones, including Samsung devices.

Gemini Live is a voice-activated feature that helps users explore complex topics just by talking. When activated, you’ll notice a new Gemini Live icon—a waveform with a sparkle—at the bottom-right corner of the Gemini overlay and fullscreen app.

Upon starting Gemini Live, you’ll be greeted with an introductory prompt explaining how to control the conversation. You can easily pause or end the interaction using the large buttons at the bottom of the screen or by saying “stop.” While Google has confirmed that Gemini Extensions, which would allow you to control your phone and other apps like Gmail and YouTube by voice, aren’t available yet, they’re expected to be added soon.

The Gemini Live interface is designed to be user-friendly. You can continue using your phone or even lock the screen while still engaging with Gemini. In these cases, a notification will appear, letting you know the mic is on and offering an option to end Live mode.

After finishing a conversation, Gemini will provide a text transcript of your discussion, which you can find in the “Recent” history list, just like any other text chat. To restart a conversation, simply tap the Live button.

The Gemini Settings menu now includes options to “Interrupt Live responses,” allowing you to interject during conversations, and to choose from 10 different voice options named after constellations, which are available both inside and outside of Live mode.

Currently, Gemini Live is accessible on Pixel and Samsung devices, with a broader rollout across Android underway. The feature requires a Gemini Advanced subscription and supports English globally.

Source

Android

Android 15 delayed, Gemini Live now free for Android

Published

13 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Carter

Key points:

Android 15 for Pixel devices was pushed back to October 15.
Gemini Live, Google’s AI assistant, is now available for free Android users.
Pixel 6 and later devices will get Android 15, but Pixel 6/6 Pro won’t get future updates.

Android 15 Delayed

Google’s latest Android update, Android 15, is taking a bit longer to reach Pixel phones. While it was released for developers in September, it won’t be available for Pixel users until October 15th. This delay is likely due to Google wanting to make sure the update is as bug-free as possible.

Gemini Live Goes Free

In other Google news, Gemini Live, the company’s AI assistant, is now free for Android users. This means you can use Gemini to help you with tasks like writing emails, summarizing articles, or even translating languages.

Pixel 6 and Later

The Pixel 6 and later devices will be the first to get Android 15. However, this will also be the last guaranteed update for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. While they will continue to receive security updates, they won’t get any new features after Android 15.

Google

Google Calendar and Circle to Search expand to more devices

Published

24 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Carter

Key Points:

Google Calendar is coming to the New Tab Page in Chrome for Workspace users.
Circle to Search is expanding to more Android devices, including Xiaomi 14T.
Chrome is getting other new features for enterprise users.

Google Calendar on Chrome’s New Tab Page:

Google Workspace users will soon see their Google Calendar on the New Tab Page in Chrome. This will make it easier to see upcoming meetings and join them quickly. You’ll also see your daily schedule below the calendar.

Circle to Search Expanding to More Devices:

Circle to Search, a feature that lets you search by drawing circles around objects in your photos, is expanding to more Android devices. This feature was previously limited to Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices, but now it’s coming to Tecno and Xiaomi devices.

Other Chrome Updates:

Chrome is also getting other new features for enterprise users, such as a new sign-in flow that provides more transparency and a feature that lets admins set site shortcuts.

These updates are all designed to make it easier for businesses to use Chrome and Google Workspace.

Source/Via

Google

YouTube gets smarter: AI boosts Shorts and Studio

Published

1 day ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Carter

YouTube is making content creation easier and more fun with new AI features.

AI-powered video backgrounds: Create stunning visuals for your Shorts videos with Google’s Veo AI model.
AI-powered video ideas: Get inspiration for your next video with YouTube Studio’s AI-powered brainstorming tool.
AI-powered comments: Quickly respond to your viewers with AI-suggested replies.

YouTube is adding more AI features to help creators make better videos. One of the biggest announcements is the integration of Veo, a powerful AI model, into YouTube Shorts. This means you can create high-quality backgrounds and even short video clips using just a few words.

Imagine being able to describe a scene, like “a bustling city street at sunset,” and having Veo instantly generate a visually stunning background for your Short. Or, perhaps you need a quick clip to transition between two scenes; Veo can create a short video that perfectly fits your needs.

Another exciting feature is the new AI-powered brainstorming tool in YouTube Studio. This tool can suggest video ideas based on your channel’s history and what’s popular on YouTube. It’s like having a creative assistant that always has fresh ideas.

For example, if you’ve been creating cooking videos, the tool might suggest ideas like “Vegan cooking hacks” or “Quick and easy weeknight meals.” Or, if you’re a gaming channel, it could suggest ideas like “Top 5 new games to try” or “Let’s play a classic game.”

YouTube is also working on AI-powered comments. This feature will suggest replies to comments, making it easier for creators to engage with their audience.

For example, if a viewer leaves a comment saying “Great video!” the AI might suggest a reply like “Thanks for watching!” Or, if a viewer asks a question, the AI could suggest a helpful answer based on the video’s content.

These new AI features are making YouTube an even more powerful platform for creators. By automating tasks like background creation and idea generation, creators can spend more time focusing on what they do best: creating great content.