Google rollsout Gemini Live to free users, Chrome introduces one-tap unsubscribe, and Google Photos improves clutter management
Top 3 Key Points:
- Gemini Live Available to Free Users: Google extends Gemini Live for free Android users, allowing conversational AI interactions.
- Chrome Enhances Security with One-Tap Unsubscribe: Google Chrome adds a feature to easily unsubscribe from web notifications and revokes permissions from unwanted sites.
- Google Photos Boosts Clutter Management: New options to control backed-up content and third-party app images are coming to Google Photos.
Google is expanding its popular Gemini Live feature, initially available to Advanced subscribers, to all free Android users. Gemini Live enables users to interact in real time with an AI, allowing fluid conversations where users can interrupt and add new information during a session. You can access it via a circular waveform icon at the bottom-right corner of the Gemini interface. Once activated, Gemini Live runs in the background, and users can stop the session by either tapping a button or saying “Stop.”
Although the feature is still missing Gemini Extensions that will let it access apps like Gmail and YouTube Music, these capabilities are expected soon. Gemini Live also introduces 10 new voices, each with different tones and characteristics, allowing users to personalize their experience further.
Currently, Gemini Live is available in English on Android devices, with more languages on the way.
Chrome’s New Notification Controls
Google Chrome is also improving user safety and control with a new one-tap “Unsubscribe” button for web notifications. Initially available on Pixel devices, this feature is rolling out to more Android devices soon. Chrome will automatically run Safety Check in the background, checking for compromised passwords, and outdated versions, and ensuring Safe Browsing is turned on. Chrome will also take steps to revoke permissions from sites no longer in use or flagged as deceptive.
Safety Check’s one-time permissions for camera and microphone access will be revoked after leaving a website, ensuring better privacy. On desktop, the tool will also flag risky Chrome Extensions and offer quick removal options. Chrome’s proactive security approach has already reduced notification volume by 30% on supported devices, and it is expected to have a wider impact as more users adopt the feature.
Google Messages Shrinks Gemini Button
Meanwhile, in Google Messages, the floating action button (FAB) for Gemini has been scaled back to its original size. After being enlarged last month, the button is now smaller, providing a more subtle experience without covering significant screen space. The more compact design makes it less obtrusive, which could encourage more users to keep it enabled.
Google Photos Enhances Clutter Management
Google Photos, a favorite app for managing photos and videos, is working on improved clutter management. Users who back up content from third-party apps will soon have more control over how these images appear in their feeds. An option to show only backed-up images from third-party apps is under development, giving users a cleaner, more organized view of their photos.
Additionally, Google Photos will soon show how many photos in each device folder still need to be backed up, helping users manage their storage more effectively. Although this feature is still in development, it promises to offer more control over cloud backups.
These improvements are expected to make Google Photos even more efficient for managing device folders and third-party app content, though the feature isn’t live just yet.
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.
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.
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.
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