Google

U.S. DOJ may break up Google after antitrust ruling; ex-google CEO warns of AI startups stealing IP

Published

1 month ago

August 15, 2024

Tom Carter

Top 3 Key Points:

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is considering breaking up Google after ruling it has an illegal monopoly in search.
Potential divestments could force Google to separate from its Android operating system and Chrome browser.
Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt suggests AI startups could bypass legal concerns by launching first and dealing with lawsuits later.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is weighing the possibility of breaking up Google following a ruling that the company maintains an illegal monopoly in search. According to reports, the DOJ is exploring two major options for divestment: forcing Google to separate from its Android operating system or its Chrome web browser. This move comes after Judge Amit P. Mehta found that Google unfairly leveraged its dominance, requiring smartphone manufacturers and other device makers to agree to specific terms to access essential apps like Gmail and the Play Store.

If the DOJ pursues this breakup, it would mark one of the most significant antitrust actions since the division of AT&T in 1984. However, other options are also on the table. For instance, the DOJ might consider a less drastic measure, such as requiring Google to share its search data with competitors like Microsoft’s Bing and DuckDuckGo. Google currently holds a massive lead in search data, reportedly controlling 16 times more data than its closest competitors, further solidifying its market position.

While no final decision has been made, any action would need approval from Judge Mehta before Google is compelled to comply. Should the DOJ move forward with breaking up Google, it would represent a historic step in the ongoing battle against monopolistic practices in the tech industry.

In a related development, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt recently made headlines for his remarks on how AI startups might succeed by bending the rules. During a talk at Stanford University, Schmidt suggested that new AI companies could potentially steal intellectual property (IP) and quickly launch products, only to hire lawyers later to “clean up the mess” if the products become successful. He later clarified that he wasn’t advocating for illegal actions but was instead commenting on the aggressive nature of Silicon Valley’s entrepreneurial culture.

Schmidt’s remarks reflect a broader concern about how rapidly advancing AI technologies could disrupt established companies, including giants like Google. His comments underscore the competitive pressures within the tech industry, where startups might take bold risks to gain a foothold.

Schmidt, who stepped down as Google’s chairman in 2015, remains a significant figure in Silicon Valley. He continues to invest in startups and maintain close ties with influential tech leaders, including OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Tesla’s Elon Musk. His comments at Stanford have sparked discussions about the future of AI, intellectual property, and the evolving landscape of the tech industry.

In a Stanford talk posted today, Eric Schmidt says the reason why Google is losing to @OpenAI and other startups is because Google only has people coming in 1 day per week 👀 pic.twitter.com/XPxr3kdNaC

— Alex Kehr (@alexkehr) August 13, 2024

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.