I use Gemini for all sorts of things on my phone, from general assistant help and smart home control to generative AI creation. The app tries to be a jack-of-all-trades, capable of creating text, images, audio, and video from simple prompts. Gemini Omni is Google's latest video-generation tool, announced at Google I/O 2026 and bundled with the June Pixel Drop.

Gemini Omni's calling card is conversational prompts. Like how you can generate images with Nano Banana from simple inputs, Google wants you to be able to do the same with Gemini Omni. I tried it on my Pixel 10 Pro, and the experience felt way more polished than any Veo model. I don't generate AI videos very often, but when I do, I'll be using Gemini Omni going forward. Here's how you can, too.

Gemini Omni is a new model designed to create videos

Open up the Gemini app and tap the model picker, and you won't see Gemini Omni. You'll find 3.1 Flash-Lite, 3.5 Flash, and 3.1 Pro (availability varies depending on your Google AI subscription), but not Gemini Omni. That's because Gemini Omni is specifically designed for video. In fact, Google's landing page for Gemini Omni says we should "think of it like Nano Banana for video."

The model you'll be using in the Gemini app is called Gemini Omni Flash, and it's also available in Google Flow and YouTube Shorts. While it's wholly focused on video for now, Gemini Omni will eventually support image and audio outputs as well. The idea is that Gemini Omni will one day be able to "create anything from any input," which is a lofty goal. This will happen "in time," according to Google, but you can start using Omni for videos today.

Another oddity about Gemini Omni is that it's highlighted as a June Pixel Drop feature, but it's available on any smartphone. Gemini Omni isn't a Google Pixel exclusive; it's limited by your Google AI subscription status. There is a free version with strict rate limits, but more availability is reserved for Google AI Plus, Google AI Pro, and Google AI Ultra subscribers.

That's good news for anyone without a Pixel — everyone can try it in the Gemini app or on the web.

How I create videos with AI using Gemini Omni

Gemini Omni is designed to support multiple inputs and conversational prompts. In other words, anyone can use it. Here's how to get started:

1. Open the Gemini app.

2. Tap the + button and select Videos.

3. Now, you'll see the Gemini Omni prompting box. Tap the bottom-left button to upload a photo or video as part of your prompt, or press the bottom-right button to choose between a Landscape or Portrait aspect ratio.

4. Next, come up with a text prompt. You can type your prompt or tap the microphone button to record an audio snippet as part of your prompt.

5. Tap the Send arrow to submit your prompt to Gemini Omni.

6. Wait for your video to generate. You may see the following message: "I'm generating your video. This could take a few minutes, so check back to see when your video is ready.

7. When your video is ready, you can hit the Share button to create a public link to it. Or you can tap the three-button menu and select Save video to download it to your device.

Now, you've created your first video with Gemini Omni. Remember, you can use any mix of text, images, audio, or video to inform your Gemini Omni prompt.

If you're not sure where to start, you can tap one of the suggestions on the Gemini Omni page. It'll tell you exactly what it needs to generate a video. For example, the Talking pets suggestion will ask you for a picture of your pet to customize the output.

Should you use Veo or Gemini Omni for videos?

Gemini Omni is replacing Veo models in the Gemini app, although you'll still be able to find Veo models in other Google products. I've used both, and my vote goes to Gemini Omni. With its broad support for inputs and easy-to-follow suggestions, it doesn't take much skill to create a fun AI video with Omni.

I made a video of my seafood dinner coming to life and jumping off the plate, and well, Gemini Omni did its job. I'm not sure how often I'll turn to Omni to generate videos with AI, but I know it's up to the task.

Gemini Live is one of Google's best AI tools to date, but it often feels more like a party trick than something you'd want to use daily. I intermittently used Gemini Live's multimodal camera and screen sharing features in situations where the extra context seemed important.

However, the basic Gemini chatbot remained my go-to AI feature for casual questions and everyday help. That all changed following a major Gemini app update that added a completely overhauled Neural Expressive user interface. Everyone is talking about the colorful and minimal Gemini app design or Gemini Daily Brief, but the feature I can't stop using following the update is Gemini Live.

Gemini Live's old voice-first user interface is gone, and in its place is a new approach that focuses on AI-generated content. It displays spoken words, generated images, and more on the screen as you go about your Gemini Live chat. You can copy, share, or export Gemini Live's responses without ending the conversation. It's the most underrated upgrade to come out of Google I/O, and I can't stop using it.

What's new about the Gemini app's UI?

The old Gemini Live experience made sense for long-running voice conversations or questions that required real-time multimodal context. It wasn't ideal for quick chats or basic questions. That's because the outgoing Gemini Live user interface took up the entire screen and didn't provide much visual value. There was a waveform graphic that moved as Gemini spoke, but you couldn't see or act upon anything it said.

The video experience was slightly better, as it displayed a viewfinder for the video stream being shared with Gemini. I've used Gemini Live's video streaming feature for everything from improving my plant health to rearranging my apartment layout. Still, these visuals were about the content you're sharing with Gemini, not the other way around.

Google's new Neural Expressive design language for Gemini Live condenses that waveform animation into a tiny pill. All the extra space is now used to highlight Gemini's responses. Like before, you can speak casually with Gemini Live and hear spoken responses uttered in real time. The difference now is that these responses will also appear on the screen, so you can read or listen to what Gemini Live has to say.

How I multitask using Gemini Live's new interface

The newfound focus on visual content enables new use cases for Gemini Live. You can ask it to generate images with Nano Banana 2, for example, and view the output immediately. The conversation remains active, allowing for follow-up tweaks and workshopping. This is something the old Gemini Live could never do.

To try it out, tap the waveform icon in the new Neural Expressive pill on the Gemini app home screen. The Gemini Live experience will begin, but you'll be kept on a tweaked version of the homepage.

Surrounding the Gemini Live animation pill, you'll see buttons for live video streaming, screen sharing, microphone mute, and exit. Get started by asking Gemini Live a question and watch the screen fill with the chatbot's answers.

This is where things get really useful. You can tap to interrupt Gemini Live, and when you do, a plain-text transcript of what the chatbot said appears — it's just like the one you'd see using the text-based Gemini version. This opens up a slew of controls and features. I can like, dislike, refresh, or copy the text of a Gemini Live response while the conversation is still going.

Previously, the old Gemini Live experience required users to end the live chat before the transcript and text controls would appear.

A response from Gemini Live can be exported to Docs, moved to a draft in Gmail, or used to branch a new chat. With the copy function, you can easily move a Gemini Live response to any other app without ending the conversation.

Gemini Live also works straight from your home screen. You can activate Live by holding down the power button or swiping up from the bottom-right corner, and tapping the Gemini Live waveform icon. The compact user interface makes even more sense for multitasking as you use your device.

As you continue to use your phone, the Gemini Live interface collapses into a tiny orb, leaving plenty of space for your content. All the while, you can still chat with Live. Tapping the circular overlay brings the buttons back, so you can share your screen, stream your camera feed, or mute your microphone. You can also hang up or mute Gemini Live from the live notification in the notification shade.

Gemini Live might be better than basic Gemini now

If I'm being honest, the main Gemini chat experience took a step backward with the Neural Expressive overhaul.

Things are harder to find, like how tools and attachments are strangely combined under a unified menu. There are no longer suggestion chips to spark ideas or help users experiment with new Gemini features. While the basic Gemini chat screen arguably became less functional, the Gemini Live experience only got more functional.

The updated version of Gemini Live lets you see text, images, and more on your screen as the voice AI helper speaks. I get almost all the benefits of using the chat experience without having to type or send off multiple queries. Now that Gemini Live is this useful, I don't see myself using anything else.

What you need to know

• Google announced that it's rolling out Gemini in Chrome in desktop and iOS users in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and more.
• This AI assisted feature brings Personal Intelligence, Nano Banana 2, and more to help users summarize lengthy posts or draft emails on the fly.
• Personal Intelligence lets Gemini dip into your connected Google apps to personalize its responses whenever the user has a question or request.

Gemini in Chrome has become a significant part of Google's browsing experience (should you enable it), and now it's headed to more users.

Google wastes no time in its announcement today (June 10): Gemini in Chrome is rolling out now on "desktop and iOS users in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and more." At the forefront of Google's post is security. It states that users receiving Gemini in Chrome will be protected by safeguards, such as the AI "asking for confirmation" before completing sensitive tasks.

What's more, the company is protecting users against "prompt injection." On a flashier note, Gemini in Chrome's main course lets users personalize their browsing. Google highlights its AI's ability to "summarize content, compare information across multiple tabs, and more." What's more, Gemini offers a deeper level of integration with Google's apps. That means users can connect Calendar, Maps, Gmail, and more with Gemini in Chrome, enabling the AI to create drafts and set reminders/events without interrupting your browsing.

Nano Banana 2 is stepping up to welcome new users. Joining Gemini in Chrome, the AI image generator can "transform" images you come across while browsing with a text prompt. Gemini's Personal Intelligence joins the fray, meaning any questions you might have for it feel more, well, personal since it's connected to what you care about.

Gemini's getting personal to help

Personal Intelligence for Gemini completely changed the game for the AI. While we always hear the same buzzwords (companion, assistant, etc.), this feature truly focused on embodying those names. Essentially, Google's AI can get cozy with your personal data from various apps. Users can connect Photos, Gmail, YouTube, and more so the AI has something to work with when you ask questions.

Google held The Android Show: I/O Edition 2026 earlier this year, and during the event, it discussed bringing Gemini 3.1 into Chrome for Android's toolbar. Users can ask the AI to summarize long articles, ask questions about what they're viewing, or extract details for later use without leaving the page. Personal Intelligence is also a part of this. Google stated Chrome users on Android could utilize the feature's personalized experience as if they were using the main Gemini app.

Android Central's Take

Gemini in Chrome is like putting a bow on a useful browser. For users who want a little extra assistance, whether that be summaries or pulling information, the Gemini in Chrome can help. Of course, all of this in opt-in, so it'll exist for these new users like it exists for others. Turn it on if you want, or not.

What you need to know

• Apple's upgraded Siri and Apple Intelligence features are indirectly powered by Google's Gemini technology.
• Apple says all AI requests run on-device or through Private Cloud Compute without sharing user data.
• Apple Foundation Models are trained by Apple but refined using techniques from Gemini frontier models.

Apple's upgraded Siri AI stole the spotlight at WWDC today, and it turns out Google Gemini is playing a bigger role behind the scenes than expected.

Earlier this year, Apple announced that it was partnering with Google to leverage Gemini's capabilities, and today we finally saw the first major result of that collaboration. Apple introduced a number of new Apple Intelligence features across its ecosystem, including a much more capable Siri, improved dictation, and even small and thoughtful features like the ability to create Shortcuts using natural language prompts.

On its website, Apple says these new experiences are powered by its own Apple Foundation Models. However, those models were developed in collaboration with Google and Gemini.

Apple also emphasizes that the models run on-device whenever possible, and when cloud processing is required, requests are handled through the company's Private Cloud Compute infrastructure. According to Apple, that means user data isn't shared with either Google or Apple itself.

Apple later clarified that iOS 27 doesn't directly use Gemini apps or Google's client-side code to power these features (via 9to5Mac).

That said, Apple's AI chief, Subramanya, explained that the new Apple Intelligence experience is built on four Apple Foundation Models, or AFMs. At the base level is AFM Core, which is somewhat similar to Gemini Nano and handles on-device AI tasks.

Above that sits AFM Core Advanced, which adds multimodal capabilities. On the cloud side, Apple uses AFM Cloud and AFM Cloud Image models for more demanding requests.

Apple says these models are trained on the company's own proprietary datasets but are refined using techniques derived from Gemini's frontier models.

All things considered, while Apple is understandably positioning Apple Intelligence as its own AI tech, it's pretty clear that Google's Gemini models played a significant role in helping Apple get there.

How good the actual implementation ends up being is a completely different question, though. We'll have to spend more time with iOS 27 before making that call.

What you need to know

• Google has shut down Pixel Studio image generation and now redirects users to use the Gemini app for powerful Nano Banana models.
• Pixel Studio version 2.3 completely disables image creation after Google gradually removed features.
• Existing images remain accessible inside Pixel Studio, allowing users to continue viewing and sharing them.

Nearly two years after its debut, Google has officially killed the Pixel Studio image generation app for Pixel devices.

When the Pixel 9 series launched in 2024, Google introduced Pixel Studio as an on-device image generation app aimed at creating things like greeting cards, stickers, and AI-generated images directly on Pixel phones. But despite Google's efforts, the app never really found a large audience, and now it's being shut down less than two years later.

Google has confirmed that Pixel Studio is effectively being discontinued with the latest version 2.3 update. Instead of generating images itself, the app now directs users to Gemini for image creation using Google's newer Nano Banana models.

Over the past few updates, Google had already started stripping away parts of the Pixel Studio experience, but the latest version goes a step further by completely disabling image generation (via 9to5Google).

The app now prominently displays an 'Open Gemini' button that redirects users to the Play Store and encourages them to use Nano Banana through the Gemini app instead.

That said, existing creations aren't disappearing. If you've previously generated images inside Pixel Studio, those creations will still remain accessible within the app and can continue to be viewed or shared.

Honestly, Google already offers several different ways to generate images across Android, and with how much better and faster the latest Gemini-powered image models have become, I'm not sure many people will actually miss Pixel Studio. It always felt like one of those Pixel features that most users either never discovered or never really cared about in the first place.

What you need to know

• Amazon announced a few "visual search" upgrades headed to its app, and the main event involves AI-generated images based on what the user types.
• This feature will rely on your provided color, texture, and pattern descriptions, but every word added changes what the AI "creates."
• Amazon has rolled out AI features before, such as "help me decide," which leverages its AI to find real "Top Pick" or budget-friendly products.

Update

(Update: 6/5 3:20 pm ET): Amazon is clearing the air about tis AI-generated images while shoppers search for products in the app.

A representative from Amazon's Shopping PR team reached out to Android Central to offer deeper insights about this feature. According to the representative, the AI images shoppers see are simply "visual representations of the keywords customers are typing." This is meant to help guide them whilst they search before tapping to find true products in the realm of what they're looking for.

Amazon says that if you're looking for, say, a rug, the app might give very basic results. However, using your "visual cues," you can narrow things down. Shoppers can add specific colors like "blue and cream" and say that the rug was "round." The AI-generated image is like an extension of what you're thinking in this scenario before diving into the product results.

What's more, the Amazon Shopping PR team says there are labels in place to inform users about these images. Shoppers will find "AI image" beneath the search bar, so they know that what they're currently seeing is based on their descriptions, not an actual product. Moreover, the app will tell users that they can "Find products that look like these AI images" before tapping an image that best fits what they're looking for.

Amazon is rolling out a few search updates in its shopping app, and the main highlight is questionable.

This week, Amazon announced a series of "visual search" features headed to its app, and what's got us furrowing our brows is its use of AI. Amazon states that it will use AI-generated images to help users find items they're unfamiliar with. Its official statement reads, "Now, as customers search for products using descriptive language—like color, texture, or pattern—AI-generated images instantly take shape in the suggestions below the search bar."

What's more, it says that, as users type their description, the images will "shift and refine" with each added word. This is where the visual aspect of these updates comes into play, as users might've seen an item before but never had a chance to find its true name. Your descriptions will matter, but it affects the AI's interpretation of what you're talking about, not necessarily the product itself.

Another AI-generated feature that Amazon's rolling out is "Shop by style." This is intended to be AI-curated collages of products after you've searched for something broad like "women's silk shirt," as Amazon states. Its AI will take that and compile different styles of silk shirts into categories. Shoppers can find shirts that fit more of a business theme or a party theme and more.

Amazon Lens Live comes into play, allowing shoppers to use their cameras to ask about products and find them in the app. It's awfully similar to how Gemini Live works today. Elsewhere, the company is rolling out "circle to search." Similar to Google's version, users curious about a product in an image can highlight (or circle) it for Amazon Lens' AI to find it for them.

Amazon's AI has been helpful before

Amazon has rolled out AI-fueled features in the past for its shopping experience, but never quite like what's highlighted today. Late last year, the company introduced "Help me decide." This feature was designed to leverage a user's search history and product preferences to produce "Top Pick," "Budget Pick," and "Upgrade Pick." These categories are pretty straightforward. Some are at the top of the industry (likely pricey), while others are more affordable or something to step up what you already have.

The main difference here is that Amazon's new AI-generated path is trying to create an "image" of what you're searching for to guide you toward listed products.

What you need to know

• Google is capping how much quota a single Gemini prompt can consume after user complaints.
• Failed Gemini requests will no longer count against your usage limits or available quota.
• Google will add detailed usage breakdowns so users can better understand quota consumption.

After users started complaining about Gemini's new usage limits, Google has now announced that it's making changes based on that feedback.

One of the bigger announcements from Google I/O 2026 was the shift away from fixed message limits toward a new compute-based usage system. Under the new setup, Gemini usage is capped within rolling five-hour windows, alongside a broader weekly usage limit.

However, users quickly started complaining on Reddit and X that they were hitting those limits much sooner than expected. One user claimed they exhausted a significant portion of their quota with a single prompt, while another reported hitting the limit while asking Gemini Omni to generate a video before the request had even finished processing.

Google has now confirmed that it is adjusting the system. In a post, Gemini lead Josh Woodward said the company is now "capping the amount of quota a single prompt can use so you get more out of the Pro model."

Woodward also clarified that users won't be charged quota for failed requests. According to him, only successfully completed requests will count toward usage limits, meaning errors and failed generations shouldn't consume any of your allowance.

He also acknowledged that heavier tasks, particularly things like Deep Research, require significantly more compute resources. To make this clearer, Google says it will introduce more detailed usage breakdowns and notifications so users can better understand where their quota is going.

Google is also making another small but welcome change. Gemini will now remember which model you prefer to use across sessions. As Woodward explained, once you select a model, Gemini will continue using it unless you manually switch models or hit a usage cap that forces an automatic fallback to a lighter model.

What you need to know

• Google is adding Preferred Sources labels to AI Overviews and AI Mode for more trusted answers.
• AI Overviews will now surface an article carousel more prominently in Search.
• Google's "Highly Cited" labels are expanding to highlight original reporting across Search results.

Google is making AI Overviews and Search more trustworthy by adding Preferred Sources support and surfacing more original reporting directly inside AI-generated results.

AI Mode in Google Search has now become a major part of Google's core experience. The company even highlighted during its recent earnings call that AI-powered Search has been driving growth, and Google also gave Search a major overhaul at I/O earlier this month. Now the company is announcing another major change aimed at improving trust and credibility in AI-generated answers.

The bigger update here, though, is how Google is now surfacing actual articles more prominently beneath AI Overviews. For example, when you search for a topic or breaking news, Google will now display a much more visible carousel of original reporting underneath the AI-generated summary, similar to how Top Stories currently appear in regular Search.

Google is also expanding its "Highly Cited" labels across Search. These labels are meant to highlight original reporting that gets frequently referenced by other outlets, helping users identify more authoritative sources.

This all comes just days after former Eric Schmidt was loudly booed when talking about AI during a graduation speech. It's pretty clear Google isn't slowing down its AI push anytime soon. If anything, the company is doubling down on it.

But, at the very least, it does seem like Google is finally trying to preserve and surface original publisher content more visibly alongside AI-generated answers.

What you need to know

• Students booed ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt during a graduation speech focused heavily on AI.
• Schmidt defended AI as the future, but many students clearly view it as a job threat.
• The viral moment highlights growing distrust toward AI among younger people entering the workforce.

AI might be on everyone's mind at Google (and I/O 2026 made that clearer than ever), but Silicon Valley still seems to be missing how a lot of regular people actually feel about it. That includes students, who now seem genuinely terrified of AI and even booed ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt over it during a recent graduation speech.

During a graduation ceremony at the University of Arizona, where Schmidt was invited to speak, he started talking about artificial intelligence and its impact on the future. But the moment he brought up AI, he was met with loud boos from students in the crowd.

Schmidt began by mentioning how Time magazine's Person of the Year for 2025 recognized the architects behind AI. As soon as he made that point, the crowd reacted loudly. He then continued by saying that society is "standing on the edge of another technological transformation that will be larger, faster, and more consequential than before."

That statement also drew boos from the audience. Schmidt acknowledged that students are entering a much more difficult job market heavily impacted by AI and said that the fear surrounding the technology is rational. But even then, the crowd clearly wasn't buying into the optimistic Silicon Valley pitch.

The former Google CEO continued defending AI throughout the speech, arguing that the technology will eventually become one of the defining tools of the next generation. "The question is not whether AI will shape the world. It will," Schmidt added. "The question is whether you will have shaped artificial intelligence."

The moment quickly went viral online because it highlighted something the tech industry increasingly seems disconnected from: younger people don't necessarily view AI the same way tech executives do anymore.

For companies like Google, AI is still being framed as the next major productivity revolution. But for students graduating into today's job market, AI feels a lot less exciting.

We're already seeing thousands of layoffs every month across industries, and for many younger people, AI now feels more like a threat to stability than anything.

Android Central's Take

Wow. Just wow. As someone whose own job feels increasingly at risk because of AI, I completely understand where these students are coming from. I don't think Schmidt's comments were technically wrong — in fact, I believe we all are probably still in the denial phase about how much AI will change things — but there's definitely a better way to frame that conversation to students about to enter an already brutal job market.

What you need to know

• T-Mobile sticks to its word and finally rolls out its network-native AI Live Translation beta for customers.
• This feature runs natively through its 5G network, meaning you will only need to dial *87* when on a call to initiate the real-time AI translator (no extra downloads needed).
• T-Mobile states that since this AI runs natively in its network, it can work on "virtually any phone" from smartphones to old flip phones.

T-Mobile teased and talked about the basics a few months ago, and now it's ready for the full "native" Live Translation beta.

Back in February, T-Mobile talked about how it wanted to move into a "native" AI experience to help people using its service. Today (May 21), T-Mobile sent a press release, highlighting the Live Translation beta. Its president of technology and CTO, John Saw, says this test will serve as an "early example of network-native AI." Together with its 5G network, T-Mobile is leaning on telco edge and its distributed cloud infrastructure to implement AI processes in its cell network.

A blog post goes into more detail, stating that the Live Translation beta has officially arrived "into the network our customers use every day, so conversations can truly flow, with no language barriers."

This AI translator is "contextually-aware" and operates in real-time to translate what callers are saying. T-Mobile ensures its users that all call translations are handled over its network, without needing to download an extra app or software. To use it, you must be a T-Mobile customer and dial *87* during a call. The post says its AI Live Translation supports "over 80 languages (and counting)." However, only one person needs to be on T-Mobile's network to use this feature and dial *87*.

Another statement reads, "It all works on virtually any phone that connects to our network, from the newest smartphone to a classic flip phone."

Just the start

With Live Translation's beta arriving today, T-Mobile is teasing its network-based AI. It says that, for the longest time, cell networks have been "defined by how fast and how far they could go." In this new age, T-Mobile foresees a shift toward an "intelligent network" with network-native AI. Live Translation's capabilities will expand throughout the year. T-Mobile states consumer feedback will be invaluable, as it looks to enhance this feature for callers.

We got our first glimpse of T-Mobile's network-native AI feature in February. Details were light; however, its CEO, Srini Gopalan, said, "Some of the biggest barriers wireless customers face are the simplest ones — like being able to understand each other." The entire purpose of this feature is to better connect people with others, like family members who live in other countries and primarily speak Spanish, Portuguese, or Korean.

Android Central's Take

This feature sounded cool back in February when T-Mobile first discussed. Now that it's actually here for customers, hopefully it works as good as they say. This is an opt-in feature, so if you can understand what your family member is saying, then you don't need to turn it on. But this is something convenient, and feels like a next (useful) step up from what we have on our phones. If I can open this app and understand what you're saying, shouldn't a cell network carry that same usefulness if I want it?

What you need to know

• Google AI Pro now uses a new credit-based quota system instead of fixed Gemini message limits.
• Complex Gemini prompts and AI tools can now consume a large chunk of your available usage quota.
• The new limits apply across Gemini features inside apps like Google Photos and other Google services.

Gemini was front and center at Google I/O 2026, with the company unveiling a number of new AI-powered features and tools. However, alongside all those announcements, Google also quietly made a change to its $20/month Google AI Pro plan, and not everyone is happy about it.

At I/O 2026, Google introduced a new $100/month Google AI Ultra plan while also reducing the pricing of its higher-end $250 plan down to $200 per month. But quietly alongside that, the company also changed how usage limits work on the standard Google AI Pro plan.

Previously, Google used a more straightforward fixed-message count system for Gemini usage limits. Now, the company is moving to a credit-based system where token usage depends on things like prompt complexity, the features being used, and even the length of conversations.

Google says paid users will now see a rolling five-hour usage window along with weekly quotas based on how intensive their prompts are. However, many users feel the limits are much lower than before.

Some users on Reddit are already calling the new system a scam, with reports of a single prompt consuming around 13% of their quota. Others say certain Gemini AI Plus features can burn through nearly 30% in one go.

The system feels very similar to the usage-based quota approach used by Claude, where more demanding tasks consume more credits. The five-hour quota refreshes automatically, but there's also a stricter weekly cap that users can hit.

And importantly, these limits apply across other Google apps and services, including the Gemini app, Flow and Antigravity. So if you're using Gemini features inside these apps, all of that contributes toward the same quota. Thankfully, though, apps like Google Photos and other Google apps powered by Gemini do not share this quota.

You can check these limits directly inside the Gemini app under Settings > Usage limits.

To be fair, Google has added some value elsewhere. The company recently increased cloud storage for subscribers from 2TB to 5TB, which does soften the blow a bit. But for heavier Gemini users, this definitely feels more restrictive than before, and it may push many power users toward the new $100/month Ultra plan.

What you need to know

• Meta reportedly chopped a staggering 8,000 members of its workforce today (May 20), as it seemingly looks to chase AI even more.
• Another report says Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has started informing what remains of his employees that he "does not expect more layoffs this year."
• Meta has had a long history is letting go its staff in massive chunks, whether that be for "efficiency" or to "better align with its goals."

In what's become an unsightly trend, Meta has reportedly laid off another massive chunk of its workforce.

It's been reported today (May 20) by the New York Post that Meta has laid off 8,000 more employees. The publication states Meta's latest layoffs will take place in "three massive waves." Meta has been notifying employees that they've been let go via emails sent out (and received) at 4 AM in their respective time zones globally. What makes matters worse is that the publication states employees already knew the end was coming.

Meta reportedly informed its staff last month that a "10% reduction" in its workforce was looming for May—now it's here. The New York Post points out that this did nothing for morale, as people became frantic, unsure if they'd be out of a job in a month, courtesy of the San Francisco Standard. It appears that Meta is doing this as it drastically shifts its focus to AI development.

Reuters got involved, highlighting an exclusive it received, which claims that Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, told what remains of his employees that he "does not expect more layoffs this year." He added, "...we haven't been as clear as we aspire to be in our communication, ​and that's one area I want to make sure ​we improve."

Employees have not taken too kindly to this, with many not offering up their faith in the CEO's words today. Reports also highlight that while 8,000 employees have been let go today, Meta is seemingly poised to "restructure" another 7,000 to AI-focused positions.

Morale is low

Going back to how negative Meta employees have been feeling lately, this has been written in the stars for a while. Android Central's Nicholas Sutrich found a report by Fast Company, suggesting Meta's employees aren't too pleased with AI or the layoffs. The publication highlights that there's been a sharp increase in negative posts over Meta's overwhelming AI push on the workplace forum, Blind. Meta has certainly been pushing for AI, and its Q1 earnings report tells the story.

While the company posted a $56.31 billion in revenue (a 33% year-over-year increase), its spending also shot up to $33 billion from January 1 to March 31, 2026. Senior analyst at Investing.com, Jesse Cohen, states, "Meta's earnings beat was overshadowed by the Capex surprise. Investors are digesting the reality that Meta's ambitious AI ambitions come with a hefty price tag that will pressure profitability in the near term."

This has not been the only time that Meta has delivered a gut punch to its staff. Late in 2024, it cut employees (to "align with its goals"), which came a year after 10,000 were lost due to its "Year of Efficiency." In 2022, the company let go of around 11,000 employees. In 2026, the company dropped 1,500 people involved in its Reality Labs.

Android Central's Take

I'd like to take a moment to echo what Mark Zuckerberg reportedly said to employees earlier today: "I want to be clear that we do not expect ​other company-wide layoffs this year" (thanks, Reuters). I can say all that I want to say about this, but it's the people working there—the people—who are raising their voices, trying to be heard. Unfortunately, it seems their cries are falling on deaf ears, as Meta will do what it will when it comes to laying people off for "efficiency" or to "better align" with its goals.

Google I/O 2026 just wrapped up, and unsurprisingly, almost every major announcement during this year's keynote revolved around Gemini. From the new Gemini models to a Gemini-powered shopping cart that can track prices and deals for you, nearly everything Google announced had Gemini integrated into it in some form.

I haven't really been too sold on Google's Gemini push over the past few I/O events. A lot of the features felt interesting on stage, but never really impacted my day-to-day life in a meaningful way. But the I/O 2026 felt a little different. Google has now integrated Gemini much deeper into its core products, and some of the new features genuinely look like they could save users a lot of time.

Here are the top five things you need to know from Google I/O 2026.

Gemini is slowly becoming the AI assistant Google always wanted

Ever since Google announced Gemini, the company has been trying to position it as the replacement for the original Google Assistant. But after I/O 2026, it finally feels like that transition is actually happening. Google introduced something called Gemini Spark, which is essentially a personal AI agent that can run 24/7 in the background and take actions on your behalf.

And these actions aren't limited to your device. Since Gemini Spark runs in the cloud, it can continue working even after you close your laptop or lock your phone. For example, you could ask it to monitor your credit card bills for suspicious charges or track updates from your kid's school and summarize important information directly into Gmail.

It works somewhat similarly to projects like OpenClaw, although Google still doesn't allow local browsing, messaging, or emailing directly through Spark just yet. The company says those features are coming later. Google also emphasized that Spark won't take important actions like spending money or sending emails without explicit user approval.

Alongside this, Google also introduced a new feature called Daily Brief. It works similarly to the Daily Hub on the Pixel 10 series, pulling together updates from Gmail, Calendar, and other Google apps into a more digestible overview. It can automatically prioritize tasks based on your goals and even suggest immediate next steps.

Both Gemini Spark and Daily Brief are starting to roll out for Google AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S.

Gemini will now edit videos for you

Gemini can already generate images and edit photos, but now Google is taking things much further with video. Replacing the older Veo branding, the company introduced Gemini Omni, which brings conversational video editing directly into Gemini.

For example, you can simply type things like "apply a cinematic zoom to this clip" or "swap the background," and Gemini will edit the video for you automatically.

What makes Gemini Omni even more interesting is that it supports multiple types of input at once. You can combine text, images, videos, and even audio into one final output. For example, you could provide a still image, an audio track, and a visual effect prompt, then ask Gemini to generate a complete video using all of them together.

Since Omni is built on Gemini's reasoning architecture, Google says it has a much better understanding of real-world physics and movement, including things like gravity, motion, and object interaction, making the generated videos look more realistic overall.

For now, Google is launching the first model in the Omni family called Gemini Omni Flash. It's rolling out to Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers through the Gemini app. Google also says users will be able to remix YouTube Shorts using Gemini Omni starting later this week.

Gemini can now track deals and price drops across the web for you

One of the best features Google announced today, at least in my opinion, is the new Gemini-powered Universal Cart. The feature works across different retailers and Google services, and once you add products to the cart while browsing Search or chatting with Gemini, it starts working in the background automatically.

Google says Universal Cart will track price drops, monitor stock availability, show price history insights, and even notify you when a product comes back in stock.

What makes it even more interesting is how smart it seems to be. For example, if you're building a custom PC, Gemini can understand compatibility behind the scenes and stop you from adding incompatible components to your cart. And if something doesn't work, it'll suggest alternative products automatically. It can also analyze the cards you've saved in Google Wallet and recommend the best payment method to maximize cashback, rewards, or savings.

Another big advantage is that it works across multiple retailers instead of locking you into one storefront. So whether you're adding products from Amazon, Walmart, Nike, or Target, everything gets tracked together in one Universal Cart.

Universal Cart is expected to begin rolling out later this summer, although only in the U.S. for now.

Google Search is getting a whole lot different

For years, the Google search box has basically just been a place where you type questions and get results from the web. But at I/O 2026, Google announced some major changes to Search that could dramatically change how people use it going forward.

Search is no longer limited to just text. Google says users will now be able to combine text, images, videos, and even Chrome tabs into a single search query. Search is also getting something called Search Agents, which work somewhat similarly to Gemini Spark. These agents can run in the background 24/7 and keep track of information that matters to you.

For example, you could create a Search Agent to monitor a stock you're interested in or continuously look for properties in a specific area within a certain budget and size range.

Google is also introducing custom dashboards and trackers for ongoing tasks. The company describes these as personalized "mini apps" built around your own workflows, whether that's planning a wedding, tracking nutrition goals, or managing long-term projects. Google says these agents and mini apps will begin rolling out later this summer, initially for AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S.

Gmail is finally getting the conversational AI search it needed

If you've ever wondered why Gmail still felt stuck with old-school keyword search despite Google pushing conversational AI everywhere else, Google is finally changing that at I/O 2026.

The company has introduced a new feature called Gmail Live, which lets users conversationally search through their inbox instead of typing traditional keywords. For example, you could simply ask something like, "Find the flight number for my flight today," and Gmail will pull up the relevant information directly.

Alongside this, Google is also expanding the AI Inbox experience it first introduced earlier this year. The feature essentially turns Gmail into a more personalized dashboard for tasks, updates, and important information using Gemini. Google says the expanded AI Inbox experience will now roll out to Google AI Plus and AI Pro subscribers as well.

What you need to know

• Daily Brief creates personalized morning digests using Gmail and Calendar data.
• Gemini Spark is coming to macOS and will automate workflows involving local files and desktop tasks.
• Android Halo will show live AI agent activity directly on your phone without interrupting your workflow.

Alongside the new Gemini Spark, Google also unveiled a wave of new Gemini updates focused on desktop workflows, personalized briefings, and deeper Android integration.

One of the new features is called Daily Brief, which feels very similar to Samsung's Now Brief. Think of it as a personalized morning digest powered by Gemini. Google says it works across apps like Gmail and Calendar to surface important updates, upcoming events, and actionable information in a format that's easy to skim through quickly.

According to Google, Daily Brief goes beyond simple summaries by actively organizing and prioritizing information based on your goals, while also suggesting what you should do next. Users will also be able to improve the experience over time through thumbs-up and thumbs-down feedback.

Daily Brief starts rolling out today for Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers in the U.S.

Google also recently released the Gemini app for macOS, and the company announced several upgrades for it at I/O. The macOS app will soon integrate Gemini Spark, allowing it to automate workflows involving local files and help users complete desktop tasks more efficiently.

Google is also bringing over a similar feature to Rambler that we first saw at The Android Show last week. The feature can clean up natural speech patterns like pauses, corrections, and filler words, while also turning free-flowing speech into more polished drafts automatically.

Google says the Gemini Spark integrations and the upgraded voice features will arrive for the macOS app later this summer.

The company also briefly previewed Android Halo, a new Android-level interface designed to keep users updated about ongoing AI activity. Google says Halo will surface live status updates from AI agents directly at the top of the screen, allowing users to monitor ongoing tasks without interrupting what they're currently doing.

Google already shows a Live Activity when Gemini's screen automation is running, but this feels like a much broader version of that, likely built for future AI agents beyond just Gemini.

Google says Android Halo will work with Gemini Spark and other supported AI agents later this year. The company also hinted that devices powered by Gemini Intelligence will unlock even deeper Halo capabilities, although we expect more details closer to the Pixel 11 launch later this year.

Android Central's Take

I'm not entirely sold on Daily Brief, mostly because brands like Samsung already do something similar with widgets. But Gemini getting deeper macOS integration and proper desktop workflow automation? That's the part that actually feels useful to me!

What you need to know

• Gemini Spark works like a proactive AI agent that can manage tasks and workflows in the background.
• Spark integrates deeply with Gmail, Docs, Slides, and other Google Workspace apps.
• Google says Spark can summarize meetings, scan emails, and automate recurring tasks.
• Gemini Spark starts rolling out to trusted testers first, with Google AI Ultra users in the U.S. getting beta access next week.

Google just unveiled Gemini Spark, and it might be the company's clearest vision yet for what an AI assistant is supposed to become. Instead of simply acting like a chatbot that answers questions, Spark is designed to proactively manage tasks and workflows for users in the background throughout the day.

Google is calling Spark a "24/7 personal AI agent," and it's powered by the company's latest Gemini 3.5 Flash model. It uses the Antigravity harness and is deeply integrated with the Workspace tools like Gmail, Docs, Slides, and more. Unlike traditional assistants, Spark isn't tied to your device. It runs in the cloud, and it can continue working even after you close your laptop or lock your phone.

Google shared several examples of what Spark can do. Users can create recurring workflows that automatically scan credit card statements for hidden subscriptions, monitor school-related emails and flag important messages, summarize meetings, generate Google Docs, and even draft follow-up emails tied to ongoing projects.

The company is also expanding Spark through MCP integrations with services like Canva, OpenTable, and Instacart. Google says more integrations are on the way, alongside future features like custom sub-agents that can work directly in your browser, as well as the ability to interact with Spark through email or text messages.

Google says Spark remains user-controlled. The company says users decide when Spark is enabled, what apps it can connect to, and that the AI will ask for approval before performing high-stakes actions like spending money or sending emails.

Gemini Spark starts rolling out to "trusted testers" this week, while Google AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. are expected to get beta access starting next week.

Android Central's Take

This is probably the first time Google's AI ambitions actually feel useful to me. Gemini Spark feels less like another chatbot gimmick and more like something that could genuinely save time in day-to-day life.

That said, the idea of Google constantly sitting in the background reading emails, tracking tasks, and managing workflows still feels a little too invasive. I still don't fully know if I can trust it yet

What you need to know

• Google's Project Genie development continues, and at I/O, the company unveiled its newest merge with Google Maps' Street View.
• Users can click on maps, select a place in the U.S., and reimagine that place in a new way with a prompt (think Chicago as a desert).
• Google says Street View is rolling out gradually to AI Ultra subscribers today (May 19) for places in the U.S.

This project name might sound familiar if you tuned in last year to I/O; regardless, Google is announcing the next steps for Project Genie "in the real-world."

Simulations are a pretty straightforward concept, and Google's continuing its Project Genie ambitions by merging your imagination with what's real. The company said during I/O that it's "taking a leap forward by connecting Genie's generative power with real-world imagery of Google Street View..." Project Genie is still the company's prototype; however, it's infusing Street View's "grounding capabilities" into the AI model to put a "creative twist" on what's in our world.

What users will soon find is the ability to create an imaginary world in Genie with the backbone of a real place as its base.

Street View is a recognizable name, as it's one of the primary features in Google Maps. With this Genie update, users can "tap the Maps pin to choose a place in the U.S. and optionally select a style for your world." This last bit is the imaginary aspect. If you're clicking on Chicago, you can try turning it into a barren wasteland, marred by time and sandstorms. Moreover, you can add a character to try to bring the scene together.

Beyond just environmental changes, Google teases that users can turn a city black and white with vintage cars and more. Maps Imagery Grounding carries this feature forward. It's software that developers reportedly utilize to blend an AI-generated creation with Street View.

Genie sprinkles more AI

Genie's Street View is available today (May 19) for places in the U.S. Google states it plans to expand this in the future. With that, Google AI Ultra users will see this feature gradually arrive starting today.

Project Genie made a brief appearance during I/O 2025. Genie 3, the company's AI model in the spotlight, was highlighted as a feature that would let users create a 3D world based on a written prompt. That wasn't all, as Google also stated users could then "traverse" or "explore" this generated world. What you're dropped into is a 720p, 24FPS world that the AI generated based on your description.

This simulated world would respond to your actions and would even survive for over a minute before giving out. Similar to how Google views Genie today, this is still an experiment, and things could get a little wonky. Still, the company is interested in advancing its AI simulation tech.

Android Central's Take

This gives a little bit of intrigue. To be able to "see" what a real city would look like in a totally different light. Like Chicago as a wasteland that makes you think of Mad Max. Maybe London is posing as Atlantis. Of course, it's just an AI-generated creation, so it'll lack some of that finesse, but it might be a cool thing to mess around with when there's a friend or a family member around. Just to get crazy and see what you can mess with.

What you need to know

• Google's new Universal Cart tracks prices, stock changes, and deals across multiple retailers automatically.
• Gemini can suggest compatible alternatives when shopping for things like custom PC components.
• Google Wallet integration recommends the best saved payment method for maximum savings and rewards.
• Products from Amazon, Walmart, Nike, and other stores can appear in one shared shopping cart.

Google is making it significantly easier to track prices and find deals on products you want with a new feature called Universal Cart.

Announced alongside Gemini 3.5 Flash and Gemini Spark, Google is now using Gemini to turn shopping into a much more intelligent experience. Universal Cart acts like a persistent shopping hub that works across Google's ecosystem, including Search, Gemini, YouTube, and even Gmail.

Once you add a product to the cart, Google says it starts working in the background. It can monitor price drops, track stock availability, analyze price history, and even recommend alternatives before you check out.

Google also says the system is smart enough to understand what you're buying and why. For example, if you're shopping for a component for a custom PC build, Gemini can analyze compatibility issues and suggest better alternatives if needed. And if you've saved cards in Google Wallet, it can even recommend which payment method to use to maximize rewards or savings.

One of the best parts about Universal Cart is that it works across different retailers instead of locking users into one storefront. So whether you're shopping on Amazon, Nike, Walmart, or elsewhere, everything can appear in one unified cart.

Google says users will be able to add products while browsing Search, chatting with Gemini, watching YouTube, or even reading emails in Gmail.

Google also says checkout is becoming more seamless thanks to the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) that it introduced earlier this year. The company claims users will be able to complete purchases using Google Pay in just a few taps, while many merchants will still finalize the transaction directly on their own websites.

Universal Cart will start rolling out across Google Search and the Gemini app in the U.S. later this summer. Integrations with YouTube and Gmail are expected to follow later, while UCP-powered checkout experiences are also expanding to Canada and Australia soon, with the U.K. support planned afterward.

What you need to know

• Google's long streak of AI advancements continues with Flow and Flow Music.
• Each benefit from its new Gemini Omni Flash model, which brings a conversational touch to creating music and videos, alongside an extreme number of tools.
• Google announces that a Flow app is headed for Android (iOS waits a bit), as well as a Flow Music app for iOS (Android must wait a bit).

Google Flow has been expanded into an "AI creative studio" for interested users; however, the company sees more potential, and it's delivering that now.

This year's I/O has already been packed with loads of reveals, but Google Flow is making sure it gets its time on stage. This is an AI that's loaded with several of Google's AI models, like Imagen, Veo, and Gemini. Now, Flow and Flow Music are getting upgraded with a new agentic experience: Gemini Omni. Its involvement with Flow Music includes the ability to work "conversationally" with the AI.

Officially known as "Gemini Omni Flash," this AI lets users "guide the styles, subjects, and scenes to match the narrative and pacing" of their track. Omni's availability in Flow Music is coming for all Google AI subscribers.

Google Flow Music already leans on its Lyria 3 Pro model to help with users' AI-generated music creations. At I/O, the company revealed that it's rolling out improved editing and music video creation, too. Now, users are receiving more granular control over the tracks and where they want to edit. Google says you can highlight any part of your track in preparation for a change. Lyric translations and rewrites are available, as well as "restyles" for beat drops.

The idea of a music cover shines in this update, too. Google states users can reimagine their rock track into lo-fi or something else.

Omni heads to Google Flow

Alternatively, Google Flow handles all the other "creative studio" features users can lean on AI for. Omni is a big part of this, as it was for Flow Music. Google likens this AI model to Nano Banana, but for video generation. Omni in Flow grabs Gemini Intelligence for additional aid in blending real-world inspiration with generated content "conversationally."

What's more, Omni Flash's enhanced capabilities should facilitate better character consistency between scenes, such as their voice. This new AI model is coming to Google AI subscribers globally.

Elsewhere, the company introduced the Google Flow Agent and Flow Tools. The former is all about acting as your AI assistant throughout the creation process. It leans heavily into Gemini's systems to understand the complex tasks you might give it, so it can complete them with satisfying results. Moreover, the Flow Agent can help you with editing your videos, like turning a day scene into night.

This Flow Agent is available now (May 19) for all Google Flow users globally.

Lastly, the Flow Tools help users create their own set of tools, like color shaders or a video resizer, with "no required coding experience." Google says "existing tools" are rolling out for Flow users globally; however, Google AI subscribers can "create and remix them."

Take it with you

There's so much going on with Flow and Flow Music that Google doesn't want to restrict users to sitting at their PCs. The company says it's launching Google Flow and Flow Music apps for mobile devices. It states that the web-based versions (on PC) are still the "go-to," but these apps for phones are a little more flexible if you're out and about.

Users 18 and over can download the Flow app on Android in beta. Users with an iPhone will have to wait a little longer for this app, but iOS users can get in on the Flow Music app. This leaves Android users waiting for a bit until Flow Music arrives.

Flow and Flow Music step up the level of AI-generated content and tools available for users. This has pushed Google to lean into its transparency and verification software even more. It states, "Content transparency is a complex challenge, but we'll keep developing ways to push the technology forward and set a high bar for the industry." Verifying content advances, too, with the company saying it is adding this software to C2PA Content Credentials, to "easily check if content is an unaltered original from a camera or if it has been modified, and by what tools."

Android Central's Take

I enjoy seeing Google take verification and transparency seriously. There's a lot of AI here. I knew that coming into I/O this year that there would be. I'm sure we all did. This is content generated by a computer that lacks the true creative flair from a person who sat down to make music or to create a video or whatever. Understanding what's been AI-generated and what's legit makes navigating the web so much easier. It takes the guesswork out of things in a digital world where we're already skeptical.

What you need to know

• Google is gradually rolling out a new Android feature called “Contextual suggestions” that tries to predict what users want before they even tap anything.
• The feature is rolling out to some devices, including the Google Pixel 10 lineup running Android 16.
• Android can learn routines and habits, then surface timely suggestions like starting a TV cast before a sports game begins.

Android has been a reactive operating system for what feels like forever: It waits for you to tap an icon, type a search, or toggle a setting. But new findings indicate Google is trying to turn that relationship on its head to make Android a proactive assistant that knows what you want before you even know you need it.

Android Authority reports that a new feature named “Contextual suggestions” is now starting to roll out. The feature was first seen in development late last year, but is now rolling out in the stable channel to some devices, including the Google Pixel 10 series running Android 16.

The idea is that Android learns your routines, your patterns of behavior, and then offers suggestions at just the right moment. For example, if you regularly stream sports games to your TV on Saturday nights, Android could prompt you to begin casting before the game starts.

Not Google's first rodeo

This isn’t entirely new territory for Google. The company has been inching toward predictive Android experiences for years with things like Assistant routines, Smart Replies, At a Glance, and the Magic Cue system exclusive to Pixels. Contextual suggestions appear to be that idea made more mainstream, for a broader set of Android devices rather than just flagship Pixels.

What’s even more impressive about this rollout is how much Google is leaning into on-device AI. The feature processes activity and location data locally within an encrypted space within the phone itself, according to screengrabs shared by Android Authority. Google says the raw data is not sent off the device unless users opt in to share diagnostics or feedback.

Contextual suggestions sounds suspiciously like the sort of predictive computing many users have been wary of for years. A phone that knows when you’re going to the gym or about to watch sports can feel handy, but it also raises clear questions about how much your device is always learning about you.

Google seems to know of that concern. The feature can be turned off or controlled completely by Android settings. It will be found under Settings > Google Services > All services > Others when it’s ready.

Still, the rollout looks limited for now and it's unclear if or when non-Pixel devices will get full access.

What you need to know

• The Android Show discussed what AI features users can expect on the Galaxy S26 series and Pixel 10 this summer.
• Gemini Intelligence will arrive soon, giving users task automations, as well as the AI's ability to understand visual context and what's on your screen.
• With this Agentic Future, Google says it will continue to give users control over the AI, so it doesn't do anything without their explicit request, and users reserve the ability to turn it off or on whenever.

Gemini Intelligence was a hot topic for Google during the Android Show, showcasing how the company wants to help users automate certain tasks.

The software is headed to Android devices following the Android Show "this summer," and Google says you can expect it on its Pixels and the latest Samsung Galaxy phones. Dressed in the company's Material 3 Expressive design, Gemini Intelligence is receiving automation capabilities for apps for food and rideshare. But there's more, Google teases. It adds that soon, "Gemini will navigate tasks for you — whether it’s snagging a front-row bike for your spin class or finding your class syllabus in Gmail, then putting the books you need in your cart."

Sure, your voice is a pretty good way to work with an AI, but Google says there's potential there for visual context. Gemini Intelligence is said to incorporate "screen and image context." Without switching between a bunch of apps, Gemini can be activated over your notes app (for example) to help you create a grocery list. This could even work for a photo you snapped of a banner or poster.

Google adds that you can watch Gemini's progress via Live Notifications, and the AI will stop once it's done. Users can expect Gemini Intelligence to arrive on the Galaxy S26 series and the Pixel 10 first this summer. This feature will roll out "in waves" as they become ready.

Gemini Intelligence isn't stopping there, as users should expect a smarter Autofill on their phones. Google says it wants to tackle one problem: filling out complex forms on a mobile screen. Typically, you only autofill with recent data, such as your email address. With Gemini, users can connect the AI to Autofill, allowing it to connect with your apps to automatically write in the right information.

Google reiterates that this is an opt-in-only feature. It can be enabled or disabled whenever you like in your settings. In a similar vein of filling in text, Gboard is getting a new feature called "Rambler." It's exactly what you think it might be. We all ramble at times, and Rambler, when converting your speech into text, will take out unnecessary words and phrases.

What's more, Rambler can understand multiple languages. A bit of Spanglish (Spanish and English) is now effortlessly added to your text message, thanks to Gemini's smarts working as the backbone of Rambler.

Google's AI is also staring down another ambition: generative UI. In short, Gemini Intelligence will help users create custom widgets on their phones. This will be introduced as "Create My Widget." Users can tell Gemini on their home screen what kind of widget they'd like. If you want a widget that counts down the days to your first marathon, helps you find meals to make during the week, and more, Gemini can do that. These capabilities are coming to your Android phone and Wear OS devices.

Agentic? Yes, but Google wants safety

Google is slowly but surely altering our perspective on Android. It states that it wants to shift it from a regular, static OS to an "intelligence system."

To do that, Gemini Intelligence is required. While we've already gone over its major processes and features for 2026, Google isn't shying away from your security. This is often a major concern, as many features require users to provide sensitive information or access to things on their devices that would give anyone pause.

Explicit user control is one area where Google says it's focused. Through this, it ensures that users receive "granular controls" over the AI, meaning you can turn it on or off whenever you like. It's security talks confidence. Gemini is said to only automate tasks or complete a request when you've asked it to. Moreover, "Gemini is designed to require user confirmation before making purchases on your behalf." Then, there's your explicit intent. Users stay in control over how and where Gemini uses their data.

If you're okay with sharing your text messages, that is your choice (and vice versa). Google has also worked on several layers of data protection for users, thanks to the Private Compute Core, Private AI Compute, and protected KVM. Transparency is a must, which is why users will find AI assistant history logs and Live Notifications, which let you know how Gemini is doing, exist on Android.

Android Central's Take

For me, Gemini shines when it comes to automation and questions and discovering new activities. To take a photo of a poster that you've seen, and to then ask Gemini to find something similar for you, is cool. It's a decent bit of helpfulness that I feel will position Gemini nicely in people's minds. For a quick bit of help while you're out, Gemini can be a powerful aid to avoid spending too much time researching, which will take away from your vacation time.

What you need to know

• Reports regarding Meta's AI outlook in 2026 suggest there are plans to debut an agentic AI bot on Instagram that can shop for the user.
• Supposedly, this bot could debut late in 2026, as it's influenced by another AI agent: OpenClaw.
• Other reports say that Meta's OpenClaw inspiration might extend to a set of "agentic tools" to be powered by its new LLM, Muse Spark.

Reports are surfacing late week, all involving Meta and its supposed AI plans moving forward for users on Instagram and more.

The Information alleges that Meta is looking to create an AI bot for Instagram that goes on shopping sprees for users (via Reuters). It was stated that there are internal plans to integrate this AI within the Instagram app with "agentic tools" for users. With that agentic backing, it seems like Meta wants the user in the proverbial driver's seat for this AI bot, codenamed "Hatch." Essentially, users would be able to tell the AI what they want (likely what they're looking to purchase) before setting it free.

That is the main selling point behind agentic AI, after all, to be able to "analyze, think, and act."

Allegedly, the company wants to debut this agentic AI shopping bot on Instagram late this year. The Information adds that Meta has supposedly taken inspiration from OpenClaw, too, an AI agent that's been turning some heads. Similarly, the publication spotted a Financial Times report, which claims Meta's OpenClaw inspiration runs much deeper than just an agentic AI shopping bot. Tapping its source, the Financial Times states this agentic assistant is currently being "trialled internally by a group of staff."

It adds that Meta is working on a set of "agentic tools," but details weren't provided. All that was stated was that this AI agent would likely have to lean on Muse Spark AI.

Meta's been spending on AI

Muse Spark is a relatively new addition to Meta's ever-growing AI mindset. The company debuted its new LLM early in April, stating it wanted to take its AI into a "people first" era. It was already stated at the time that Muse Spark could leverage multiple agents to handle user tasks with speed and accuracy. What's more, Muse Spark is multimodal, meaning you could ask it to do something fun, like create a minigame.

Elsewhere, Meta highlighted its hopes for people to lean on Muse Spark for medical assistance. It tried to position it positively by mentioning its collaboration with over 1,000 physicians, who have offered up "curated training data for the AI." Are we surprised to see reports about Meta looking to advance its AI yet again? Not at all; especially after what went down during its Q1 2026 earnings call.

Meta posted $56.31 billion in revenue, marking a 33% YoY (year-over-year) growth this past first quarter. However, when you look at its spending, Meta shot up by 35% ($33 billion) from January 1 to March 31, 2026. It was stated by a senior analyst at Investing.com, Jesse Cohen, that "Meta's earnings beat was overshadowed by the Capex surprise. Investors are digesting the reality that Meta's ambitious AI ambitions come with a hefty price tag that will pressure profitability in the near term."

What you need to know

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A staggering report states Google installed an incredibly large AI model on users' devices without their knowledge.

Word broke about Google reportedly installing a 4GB Gemini Nano model on users' computers from That Privacy Guy. Their blog post goes into fine detail; however, one glaring key point is that this file was downloaded without users knowing. The post states that this model is there to carry processes, such as "Help me write," AI-assisted browsing features, and AI scam detection while browsing.

Upon further inspection, Alexander Hanff (That Privacy Guy) says that this enormous 4GB download is triggered when "Chrome's AI features are active, and those features are active by default in recent Chrome versions."

This Gemini Nano model for Chrome's alleged "benefit" has been an object of discussion for Windows users, who've reported a sharp decline in their computer's storage (by 4GB to be exact). Moreover, users can't exactly run from this unwanted installation. Hanff states users who've never interacted with Chrome's AI features will still get this AI model downloaded onto their hard drives without their knowledge. Uninstalling it requires an extreme number of hoops to jump through, as Hanff states.

Users would need to discover the hidden path Google hid the AI model in on your machine, but it would just "silently re-download it on the next eligible window..."

Here's where things escalate. Hanff states that, with Chrome 147 (which many should already have), there is an AI Mode button on the far right of your address bar. Users can open a new tab to see this appear. One might think that this on-device AI model is useful for that, to handle tasks you might require it to do. Hanff says otherwise. The post states, "every query the user types into it is sent over the network to Google's servers for processing by Google's hosted models."

This development is creating a buzz, considering Google never asked users—any user—if they wanted to download this 4GB AI model onto their computer. On one hand, Hanff likens this behavior to what Anthropic did with Claude Desktop. Additionally, this might be illegal under U.K. and EEA law. This could be a breach of Article 5(3), with Hanff adding, "The 4 GB Gemini Nano weights file is information stored in the user's terminal equipment. The user did not consent."

We see these features, but did we need this?

Let's get something out of the way: many of the features this AI model "helps" with are tools we've already been exposed to. Back in April, Google expanded its browsing assistant to more countries. The feature can pull content from webpages or videos you've visited to help you plan trips or summarize long articles online. What's more, Nano Banana's involvement lets you transform images you see into something entirely new.

This feature is here, even if it is a little concerning. Those AI scam detection parameters have been around for a while longer on Android and desktop. To walk the same line as my colleague, Jay Bonggolto, we usually have these "you're in control" messages thrown at us about Google's AI—most AI, too. But then, you see a report like this, and it begs the question: are we?

Android Central's Take

I hate this. Flat out. I'll give credit where credit is due, my colleague Nicholas Sutrich came up with this headline, and I couldn't agree more. This is 4GB of my storage space, of my computer, that's gone to... Google and it's AI model? The answer is no, and the answer will always be no. I agree with Alexander Hanff, this is a breach in trust from a consumer's perspective. No one was asked if they wanted this ginormous AI model on their computer. No one was asked if this was "okay to do." It was just done, and Google is quiet about it.

What you need to know

• Amidst Alphabet's earnings call this week, Google's chief business officer, Philipp Schindler, said that ads could be considered for Gemini.
• First, the company is said to be chasing an ad format for AI Mode, and if this performs well, it seems like they could be headed to the Gemini app.
• There were reports late in 2025 that said Google was thinking of doing just this, but it was quickly declined by another executive at the time.

There are times when it seems like ads are everywhere, and that may continue as Google reportedly chases a new venture for its AI.

Alphabet, Google's parent company, had its Q1 2026 earnings call this week, and BusinessWire reports that ads for Gemini are back on the table. Putting this into perspective, Philipp Schindler, Google's chief business officer, commented about ads, stating, "But let's also be clear, ads have always been a big part of scaling products to reach billions of people." Schindler adds, "And if done well, ads can be really valuable and really helpful commercial information..."

There still seems to be some work going on behind-the-scenes, as "at the right moment we'll share any plans as we have said, but we're not rushing anything here," per Schindler's statement. This is where our focus is right now. According to Schindler during the earnings call, Google will focus its outlook on ads on AI Mode first.

This would fit well with the ads already present in AI Overviews, as BusinessWire points out; however, Schindler states that there's "belief" behind the ad format Google has planned for AI Mode. It's also this belief that would see this same ad format arrive in the Gemini app if all goes well.

Ads & Revenue

We get into an interesting narrative here, as this isn't the first time we've heard about a chance for ads in the Gemini app. This first started in December, when word broke on social media that Google was "holding calls with advertisers" in preparation to bring ads to the Gemini app in 2026. There was very little information about how users would see ads arrive, and whether it would be for the web app only or for mobile, too.

What was clear was a statement shortly after by Google Ads product liaison, Ginny Marvin. They stated, "In short, there are no ads in the Gemini app, and there are no current plans to change that." Ads in AI Overviews were reportedly the only place Google focused on to remain "helpful," not frowned upon. However, given Philipp Schindler's recent comments this week, that might change.

Alphabet's earnings call went off without a hitch earlier this week, as the company posted strong Q1 growth. The company posted $109.9B in revenue, adding that it rose 22% YoY (year over year), as well. AI was given a gold star, well, Gemini was, as it was the main culprit behind the growth spurt in Search, Cloud, and subscriptions. Alphabet also said it was doubling down on AI moving forward.

What you need to know

• Rumors allege that Google is working on "Proactive Assistance," a feature that will help the AI offer timely "suggestions" throughout the day.
• There's a chance Google is working on letting Gemini lean on your Personal Intelligence data and apps, like Gmail, as it takes your notifications into account.
• This new rumor is along the lines of a previous report that said Gemini could get "Your Day," a feature similar to Samsung's Now Brief.

With rumors saying Google is working on new features for Gemini, what's surfaced recently could be the umbrella under which everything sits.

The latest was discovered by 9to5Google, which claims the company is working on a "Proactive Assistance" feature for the Gemini app. This feature is reportedly designed to leverage your chosen connected apps to surface "personalized suggestions." The publication cites an APK dive it conducted, which supposedly highlighted the feature's secure handling of your data.

It adds that this is because Proactive Assistance can use your content in Gmail and Calendar.

In leveraging the data in such apps (and likely other Workspace-related apps), Proactive Assistance will use "your notifications and what's on your screen," per the post. This is still pretty barebones, as the publication's APK dive only unearthed these mentions within the Gemini app's code. It's still unclear just what Proactive Assistance will look like and how it'll get this stuff done. What's more, the post states that Google's early code highlights its ability to surface suggestions "at the right time."

Perhaps this is when an email comes through, as the code mentioned that notifications were part of this. There's a chance Gemini could proactively snatch any important dates from there with an option to add them to your Calendar app.

Busy, busy Gemini

This is where things get interesting because, as previously noted, we've had prior rumors about Gemini getting more proactive with users. A report earlier this month claimed that Google was working on "Your Day," a feature that, early on, sounds similar to Samsung's Now Brief. It was alleged that "Your Day" would lean on Gemini's Personal Intelligence with a link to your Connected apps for a "proactive feed" and card. These could be highlights and things to remember for the day ahead.

Funnily enough, 9to5 mentions this older leak, too, stating Google has supposedly renamed it to "Daily Brief." Regarding Personal Intelligence, Gemini recently got an upgrade with Google's rollout of Nano Banana 2 support. Now, if the AI is able to see your content stored in Photos, users can generate images based on those memories for a wacky new creation. Its capabilities go beyond Photos, too, with support for your history, video history, and more.

What you need to know

• Google's giving some Workspace Intelligence this week, as it detailed the agentic AI future for users during Cloud Next 2026.
• Workspace Intelligence is integrated into every app, understanding what matters to you, so it can produce it for you via automation.
• Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Chat all receive Gemini, Workspace Intelligence-infused updates for file creation and AI assistance.

Workspace gets businesses (big and small) through their days, and now Google is detailing major AI-focused updates to make their time even easier.

Amid Google's Cloud Next 2026 event, the company debuted Workspace Intelligence as part of its agentic push to help users work smarter. According to Google, this new approach aims to deliver "real-time understanding" to your apps by merging your projects into an automated process. It reports that Workspace Intelligence understands the relationships between your apps, projects, collaborators, and more.

This understanding is done via intelligence gathering. Google says Workspace Intelligence will "gather the information you need" from Gmail, Docs, Slides, and more, so when you're working on your project, you have everything. "Situational Awareness" leans on Gemini to know "what's important to you." For this, you can think of dates, emails, files, and the like.

The personalization aspect of this comes into play, as the agentic AI learns who you are and how you speak, even understanding your workstyle and formatting preferences. While Workspace Intelligence is the huge umbrella that's tying all of its apps together, Google announced a few updates for those apps.

Agentic AI for the working future

Updates for the big three—that is Docs, Slides, and Sheets—bring Gemini up a few notches, as well as Workspace Intelligence. For Google Docs, Gemini's involvement can create infographics using your data, make edits based on other comments, and "edit multiple images," thanks to the new agentic AI upgrade. Gemini in Sheets can scour your emails, documents, chats, and web info to "visualize all of your data."

Workspace Intelligence will take into account your files and your company's visual style to create presentations in Slides. Google Chat receives "Ask Gemini in Chat," a unified experience that is said to merge the AI with every chat you have with colleagues and partners. If you need assistance, Google says you can query the AI, and its results will appear in chat once it's compiled.

What's more, Ask Gemini in Chat can provide a daily brief of unread messages and "urgent action items," generate new Docs or Slides, schedule meetings, and find files for you. The company then highlights the new AI Inbox for Gmail, which launched early in April. This new inbox makes sure you're privy to important emails about upcoming bill payments, appointments, and messages from "priority" contacts.

After testing, AI Inbox is here and ready to roll, but only if you're interested. Google is offering this feature at $250 per month for Google AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S.

Android Central's Take

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: this is where Google's AI truly shines. The usefulness of Gemini merging with Workspace Intelligence is when you start seeing a true work assistant. For larger companies and people tasked with keeping an eye on so many things and working on projects, this will likely be a boon to them. I'm not sure how I feel about the AI trying to generate something in my voice or my company's image. That just sounds like a recipe for disaster, but everything else? I'm with it.

What you need to know

• Google's rolling out a hotel discovery update that builds on what it started for the summer of '25.
• Now, mobile and desktop users can search for a specific hotel and track price changes for that particular place, which will surface as email alerts for you.
• Google's last big hotel update looped in Gemini, letting users ask the AI about cheap hotels and "affordable activities" for wherever they're traveling.

Temperatures outside are heating up, and Google's revealing an update that's rolling out late this week to help you plan your trips.

To end the week, Google's Keyword post highlights an update that's rolling out with a keen eye on helping you find affordable hotels for the summer (via 9to5Google). The company states this is an expansion of what's already capable through Hotels. Starting today (Apr 17), users can use Search to find "specific hotels by name" and track their individual pricing.

This update is headed for desktop and mobile users. Regarding the former, desktop users should find a toggle after checking the prices for the hotel they've searched for. If you're on Android, Google says you'll need to tap the "Prices" option and then hit the toggle for tracking. No matter your method, Google will send you an email (so, make sure you're logged in) "if rates change significantly during your chosen dates."

Additionally, this individual price tracking capability is arriving on google.com/hotels. Helpful summer features joined Google's hotel reveal today, as it reiterates AI Mode's ability to help users make travel plans. Alongside Canvas, users can lean on the AI for visuals (maps), flights, and hotel information.

What's more, Google recently expanded its Agentic Booking to more countries (the U.S. has this), which lets you lean on AI Mode to book restaurants.

Hotels shouldn't be difficult

We're right around the time that Google usually starts dropping updates for the summer. Last year, AI and hotel discovery went hand in hand. Google highlighted the user's ability to query Gemini about cheap hotels or "affordable activities" when looking to travel to another country. Additionally, this was also when we got a good look at Google's hotel price tracking.

The company rolled this out in tandem with Google Flights. After finding your plane, users could search for hotels in a city they were traveling to, like Chicago or New York. This price tracking option encompasses all hotels for your desired destination, and an email would be sent if prices dropped for any hotel in that city. What we're seeing now takes that up a notch, especially if you're not vibing with just an old hotel in a city.

Android Central's Take

What also accompanied Google's big hotels and traveling update last year was a look at popular destinations on Search. It did the same this year, so if you're interested, take a look. This update for hotels, though, is a decent addition. I know people who always prefer to stay at one specific hotel in Chicago, and they've never really changed in well over a decade. Sometimes, you just know what you like when it comes to a place to stay. If that ever happens, now you won't be bombarded with useless information.

What you need to know

• Google's Gemini receives a major personalization upgrade this week, as the AI uses Personal Intelligence and Nano Banana 2.
• Now, users can tell the AI to generate a quirky photo of them and their family without being so long-winded.
• Depending on your simple prompt, Gemini will dive into your photos, history, video history, and more to create what it believes you're seeking.
• Gemini's personalized image creation is rolling out "over the next few days" for subscribed AI Pro, Plus, and Ultra users.

Gemini's popular image generator, Nano Banana, is getting a huge, personal upgrade that's all about recognizing who you and your family members are.

A press release teased the personal touch Gemini can give the images you want it to create using Nano Banana. To put it plainly, Google announced today (Apr 16) that Gemini's Personal Intelligence can now leverage your memories stored in the Photos app and Nano Banana 2 to create AI reworks of you and your loved ones. Users can connect their Photos app to Personal Intelligence, so the AI can "use actual images of your loved ones to guide the image generation process."

To get this done, Google says Gemini will lean heavily on the labels you've placed on your photos. This enables the AI to complete an image generation task without you needing to say too much. One example provided was, "Generate an image of me and my family doing our favourite activity." While it might seem vague to an outside party, for Gemini (and your labeled photos), it should know exactly what you're talking about.

Moreover, users can get specific by telling Gemini to generate the image in a claymation style or with watercolors, as an oil painting, and more. We've been down this road before, as Google reminds users that Gemini—an AI—can make mistakes. What's more, it might not even pick the right photos to use for its generation process.

If that happens, users can tap the plus icon to select a more appropriate photo. Google adds that it does not use your photos as training material for Gemini. This feature is also completely optional, meaning you don't have to give Gemini access to your photos, nor do you have to engage with Personal Intelligence if you don't want to.

Who you are pushes Gemini further

This integration for Personal Intelligence and Nano Banana 2 goes beyond mixing you and your family into generated content. Google says that by looping in what Personal Intelligence knows about you—your tastes and lifestyle—it can create images from simple requests. If you were to tell Gemini to "design my dream house," it would do its best by leveraging the information it knows about you. This might come from your YouTube history or even your most basic Google searches.

Gemini's new image generation capabilities will begin rolling out "over the next few days" to eligible Google AI Pro, AI Plus, and AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. The post teases that there are plans to bring this capability to desktop Chrome users and more "soon."

Nano Banana was incredibly popular, but its second iteration took that several steps forward. Nano Banana 2 launched in February and quickly became the AI's default image generator, replacing the first. This version is faster and much more precise when listening to the user's request. What's more, Nano Banana 2 now offers its generated content at 512px to 4K resolution across a selection of aspect ratios.

What you need to know

• Google announced that it's making the Gemini app available for macOS computers v15 or higher today (Apr 15).
• The app brings a native shortcut, which surfaces Gemini for quick questions and answers, as well as AI image/video generation.
• Apple users can also share their window's content with Gemini to better understanding and more accurate help.

Apple users are getting a major boost in their AI capabilities today (Apr 15), thanks to Google's software arriving on desktop.

Google announced this morning that it's bringing the Gemini app to Apple's macOS devices. The post highlights this as a "native desktop experience" for Mac. One of its capabilities that Google mentions is the ability for users to take advantage of shortcuts. When you're busy multitasking and hopping between windows, Google says you can surface Gemini using the Option+Space shortcut. It adds that doing so won't remove you from the current window.

A quick Q&A session, drafting help for documents, or AI-generated images and videos are all possible through this shortcut for Gemini.

However, for those instances when you need Gemini to "see" exactly what you're talking about, Google points macOS users toward the "Share Window" option. Once the Gemini app is on your computer, Google says you can "share anything on your screen with Gemini to get help with exactly what you’re looking at, including local files." Sharing the content of your window can be accompanied by a prompt (or question), so Gemini knows exactly what you're looking for.

The Gemini app for macOS users is available today (Apr 15) for devices with v15 and higher. Google says this is rolling out for computers globally, as its download is now available.

Integrated, like it was meant to be

This announcement of a "native" experience for macOS devices comes a few months after Google and Apple announced a multi-year collaboration. The collaboration involved the two companies finding ways to integrate Gemini into Apple's next-gen devices to enable "enhanced AI features." It was stated that Gemini would empower Apple's Siri, while also unifying AI for Android and iOS. Apple also stated that it would "retain user privacy," as it leverages Google's AI software.

Apple's iPhones got the Gemini app officially a couple of years ago. The debut was accompanied by Imagen 3, but it also brought Gemini Live, which was a boon for students looking to study. Its capabilities were pretty much identical to what Android users received, but for those who were missing out.

Android Central's Take

Since Apple's iPhone has the app, it only makes sense macOS would get it, too. It did take a while, and that's likely because of the integrations Google seemingly wanted to make for it. I'm sure users on a Mac would find this useful. If you consider the fact that the alternative would be to head to Gemini on the web, having the AI right at your fingertips makes a huge difference.

Tom's Guide, one of our sister sites and a leading source for consumer electronics, is being relaunched with a new look and plenty of new features. The new website is set to make it easier to stay on top of the latest news, find the tech you want, and get the answers you need from the people who spend their days testing and reviewing these products.

This new experience starts with the homepage, which has been redesigned to give you the content you want without having to endlessly scroll. Thanks to a dedicated live feed on the Tom's Guide homepage, you can stay up to date with the latest news on consumer tech and reactions from their expert writers.

Also coming to the home page is a dedicated section highlighting Tom's Guide's popular TikTok videos. This is where you can easily gain access to unboxings, hands-on reviews, roundups, and more, directly from Tom's Guide's TikTok channel. This comes as Tom's Guide expands its content offerings with a dedicated fitness page on Instagram and an entertainment page on TikTok.

With these changes to the Tom's Guide homepage, readers will be able to get to what's most important to them even quicker. However, this is only just the start, as readers can find more as they dig deeper into the new website.

AI for you

The new Tom's Guide is using AI to power its latest tools. These tools will help consumers not only find the products they're looking for but also decide whether a product is worth upgrading to.

With the new Product Finder, you can search for products by simply typing something like "best OLED TVs under $1,000," and it will filter through content on the Tom's Guide site to point you in the right direction, using expert advice. For now, it only works when searching TVs, but the idea is to get you to what you want without having to scroll through tons of search results.

Beyond search, Tom's Guide is introducing a new Leap-O-Meter tool, which may sound a bit silly, but it's a comparison tool that will essentially tell you if a new device is worth upgrading to. Enter your device and the new device you're curious about, and the tool will provide a Leap Score summarizing the biggest upgrades and access to the best deals for the new device. Upgrades made easy.

More community benefits

Tom's Guide Club community members are gaining access to even more exclusive content. In addition to community polls, discounts, and more, Tom's Guide is relaunching its daily newsletter, where users will find the latest expert insights from new specialty newsletters written by Tom's Guide staff.

Finally, Tom's Guide is launching Live Q&As, where members can ask questions about products, whether it's to troubleshoot or get advice. These questions will be answered by Tom's Guide staff, giving members first-hand access to experts in various consumer tech categories.

What you need to know

• A report claims that Google is working on a new Gemini feature that could be called "Your Day."
• Supposedly, this feature leans on the AI's Personal Intelligence to use a user's Connected Apps to create a "proactive feed" and card.
• Personal Intelligence launched in January, and allows the AI (if enabled) to dive into your Gmail, Photos, and more to help personalize its answers.

Google has been positioning Gemini as your go-to assistant throughout the day, but this leaked feature suggests it might put in more work to help you out.

After digging through the Google app's code, 9to5Google claims it's discovered a feature under development for Gemini. The supposed feature, titled "Your Day" in Google's early code, was reportedly discovered in the app's side menu with the search bar and New Chat. The publication took a closer look and found that "Your Day" is intended to be a "proactive feed from Gemini to stay ahead of your day."

Personal Intelligence is rumored to be the driving force behind this AI feature under development. In what way? The post doesn't explain, as there's reportedly not much else to the rumor that really showcases its potential. However, an icon for this feature is supposedly on the way for a "card."

There's a chance this card could appear when opening the Gemini app. Similarly, it wouldn't be surprising if Google is preparing a notification to alert people that their card has been prepared in the morning. Another aspect 9to5 is curious about (us, too) is what the UI for Your Day will look like.

Proactive & Personal

Gemini's Personal Intelligence launched in January, a feature that uses your data from your connected Google apps to assist. If enabled, Personal Intelligence would give Gemini access to what's stored in Photos, Gmail, YouTube, and more. All of this personal information would be called back whenever you ask Gemini a question. If you want to revisit memories made over the summer, Gemini would peruse through your photos.

If you're curious about a deadline you can't quite remember, that's where Gmail's connection comes into play. Of course, enabling this is entirely optional. You don't have to give the AI anything more than what you want, but hearing this "Your Day" rumor mention Personal Intelligence gives us a trail to follow. Perhaps "Your Day" will provide a round-up of the most important emails and dates for projects from Gmail.

When it comes to photos, maybe it'll surface memories from this date from a year or two prior. We're speculating, of course, but at least there's a trail.

What you need to know

• Niantic Spatial launches two upgraded version of its Scaniverse app and VPS 2.0.
• The former is useable on regular phones, giving users in construction or logistics, the tools to scan the world around them and reconstruct it digitally, which others can contribute to.
• VPS 2.0 is now capable of delivering precise locations without requiring a previous scan; however, if you have scanned with Scaniverse, users will find "near centimeter-accurate" readings.

To give AI a "map of the real world," Niantic says that requires heavy-duty data, which is where its latest debut comes into play.

Niantic Spatial's foray into geospatial facilitates its latest update, which launches two products: Scaniverse and VPS 2.0. Scaniverse is quite significant for Niantic Spatial, as it states this is the "entry point" into its spatial services. The post says Scaniverse is a "self-serve platform" that powers a wide range of services, such as data capture and upload, generation of spatial assets, and more. Scaniverse is said to work on everyday phones for the capturing, reconstruction, and localization of the real-world.

With a phone, Niantic says can create a precise map and high-fidelity meshes and splats with Scaniverse. You're not the only one involved in a project, as others invited to a shared project can add their scans, which are "fused into a single unified model." Niantic sees this as useful for people in logistics or construction, which is why the Scaniverse app still operates in low-connectivity settings.

More than that, once the scans are uploaded, users can validate their data via the VPS map preview. While the Scaniverse app remains relatively unchanged—aside from a few upgrades—Niantic Spatial says it pairs well with computers. Data uploaded can be managed, giving users the ability to reconstruct 360-degree camera footage for large areas.

Collaborations remain consistent even in the web view, alongside upcoming VPS support for 360-degree videos.

Forget GPS, it's all about VPS

Niantic Spatial's VPS 2.0 is capable of providing users with "precise visual positioning that now works at a global scale" with no prior scanning required. In addition to this, if you've previously scanned an area with Scaniverse, VPS 2.0 can provide "near centimeter-accurate 6DoF localization." The company also touts its VPS software as being "resilient to GPS degradation."

Any available visual context, as well as multiple data sources, contribute to VPS 2.0's enhanced capabilities. Niantic adds that VPS 2.0 can play a key role for companies that utilize robots, as positioning can be lost when indoors if they're leveraging GPS alone. April makes the NDSK documentation available for developers looking to update their mobile apps or robotic systems.

You might remember Niantic from when it owned Pokémon Go. Last year, the company dropped its gaming division and set out on a new path: Niantic Spatial, an organization focused on developing a geospatial model to merge AI with the real-world. Niantic Spatial got started with $250 million in its pocket for its new ambitions. It stated that, while there are ideas behind bringing its AI into smaller devices, it also set its sights on automatic systems.

Android Central's Take

This is cool. This gives me sci-fi vibes. It's also not entirely new to see a company try and create a model that lets its AI "see" the world we live in. To help it understand for better assistance. As Niantic said, many AI models focus on text and images. Mapping the world, and turning that into a reconstructed model that construction workers can use, is huge. Sure, they can run the numbers themselves, find the faults, but AI can be there to help streamline things, so they can get what matters done even faster.

What you need to know

• A report claims that Samsung is looking into a "future update" to bring the Galaxy S26's AI Call Screening to the S25 series, alongside other features.
• However, another update from April 3 from an overseas publication claims Samsung is keeping this feature exclusive.
• The Galaxy S26 series recently received its April security patch in India, as well as Europe.

Samsung's Galaxy S26 series launched with a heavy dose of AI, as has become the norm, but there's a group of devices feeling left out.

Earlier today (Apr 6), SamMobile reported that Samsung may consider a future update that brings its Galaxy S26 AI features to the S25 series. There's a chance that this could take place during the eventual official One UI 8.5 release for the 2025 phones. Now, the publication cites a Samsung Community moderator post in response to user interest on the forums. Supposedly, the S26's AI Call Screening feature is on the way to the Galaxy S25 series.

That's not all: Samsung is reportedly looking to make this "future patch" quite substantial for the S25 series, with more AI tools. This goodie bag could be full of Audio Eraser, Now Brief, and Photo Assist updates, Agentic AI, "Notification Highlights," and more.

This is where the narrative gets interesting, as Ice Universe highlighted a South Korean outlet's post, claiming such AI features will remain "exclusive" to the S26 series. This report was made on April 3, alleging "Samsung Electronics has decided not to support the AI-based convenience features introduced with the Galaxy S26 series on its existing flagship models." The publication even highlights a community moderator's post that says Samsung will provide such features "starting with the Galaxy S26."

With this conflict, it'll be worth waiting for now and not jumping to any definite conclusions.

There was a lot to unpack

Around the time of the S26's launch, Android Central's Derrek Lee got to go hands-on with the new series and try out everything new. Among many things, the phone's AI Call Screening was a stop that had to be made. As Derrek states, Samsung brought in this call screening feature for unknown numbers. In short, if you've got a Pixel, it works a lot like that. Your device's AI would answer a call for you, transcribe what's said, and filter out spam from other calls.

It's a useful feature, and one that Galaxy S25 users would like to have. We'll see if this ends up happening, as reports begin to conflict here in April.

The Galaxy S26 series also just started updating to the April security patch in India, as well as Europe, after South Korea.

Android Central's Take

These are one of those AI features I'd like to have. It's useful, you know? Practical, even. This would require a little more research on my end, but I'm not sure if there is a hardware limitation on the Galaxy S25 series that would prevent it from having such a tool. If there isn't one, then most certainly, S25 users should have this feature. Is it make or break? No, not exactly. If I don't know a number, you better believe I'm pretending I don't see a thing.

What you need to know

• Google Vids is getting some help this week for all users and for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers.
• Veo 3 is assisting by providing higher quality videos and AI avatar customization/interaction capabilities.
• Lyria 3 models enter Google Vids to assist with generating 30 second to three minute long songs based on the user's prompt.

This week, Google Vids is getting a major update that incorporates AI software from two of the company's newest models.

Two of Google's AI generation models, Veo 3.1 and Lyria 3, are contributing to the Google Vids update rolling out this week. A Keyword post kicks off with Veo 3.1's contributions, stating all Vids users can "generate video clips at no cost." All users are also receiving the Google Vids Screen Recorder extension in Chrome, too. What's more, the company says users will receive high-quality videos, thanks to Veo 3, by using a prompt or a photo. For Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, users will find improved AI avatars.

Veo 3 contributes here, too, as Google says users can now place their AI avatars in different "scenes" and even have them interact with other objects you've given the software. Additionally, customization hits these AI avatars, meaning users can decide the clothes they wear, where they are, and their mood.

On the other hand, we have Lyria 3 and 3 Pro, which directly aid your "soundtrack." This is another feature that's rolling out to AI Pro and Ultra users. These users will find the ability to give Lyria a prompt and receive a piece of AI-created music ranging from 30 seconds to three minutes long. Users need only write in the vibe they're going for and hit "Generate."

Google Vids will deliver the song right beneath your description box. Users can listen to it and immediately pop it into their video, or they can "recreate" it. You can attach captions, as well, to bring your video together.

More AI in Vids

YouTube support is arriving in Google Vids in this update. The company says users can immediately upload their AI-generated content to the platform; however, it will be "Private" by default. Users can change this by making it public, should they want everyone to access it.

Google Vids is getting a little more AI after some significant updates last year. The app first received its AI voiceovers in March 2025, making it possible for users to ask AI to narrate a generated script. This was a part of the app's "Help me create" button, which we've previously seen across many of Google's Workspace apps. Then came the big summer update that Vids was a part of, bringing in its image-to-video capabilities.

What you need to know

• A rumor claims that Nothing's CEO Carl Pei has started moving the company into developing AI smart glasses, alongside the usual devices.
• Supposedly, these glasses will lean on a connected phone to process the AI's data, while also featuring a camera, speaker, and microphone.
• Nothing would be entering a market where Meta has already established itself, which recently debuted prescription lenses for its smart glasses.

A surprising report has surfaced, claiming Nothing wants to step into the world of AI-powered smart glasses.

This rumor was alleged by Bloomberg, whose unnamed source states Nothing's CEO Carl Pei, who was previously averse to the idea, has had a change of heart (via 9to5Google). There's little information about these AI smart glasses, such as concrete features and capabilities. However, the publication claims that these glasses won't have the ability to handle everything on their own. As such, Nothing might require users to pair the glasses with their phone.

The post says the glasses may lean on phones for "the cloud to handle AI processing." Data obtained would travel from the glasses to the user's phone, the back. This begs the question of hardware, to which the report purports some features. According to Bloomberg, these Nothing smart glasses could offer cameras, speakers, and a microphone.

A post by TechCrunch highlights previous comments from Carl Pei, which state that Nothing must "innovate on the hardware and software front, and use AI, to stand out in the market."

These aspects scream AI-based smart glasses, likely pointing to strong voice-based assistance. The AI may be able to return results to the user after asking, but things that require visuals will likely push you to grab your phone. The rumors allege Nothing is looking at a release in 2027, alongside phones and other devices.

Nothing Glasses... 1?

When Carl Pei dashed our hopes of a proper flagship this year, there was no mention of smart glasses in Nothing's outlook or even a hint of what's happening elsewhere. If this report is to be believed, Nothing would be stepping into an interesting market, one that Meta has established itself in, and one that Samsung is moving into. Samsung's vice president of mobile business, Jay Kim, offered some insight into what consumers can expect from its first pair.

According to Kim, Samsung's smart glasses will offer an eye-level camera that leans heavily on its AI software to "understand" what the user sees. This is kind of where we'd expect Nothing's AI glasses to go. It'll use its cameras to perceive what the user is talking about, but it'll toss the heavy lifting to their phone and potentially deliver more in-depth info through its speakers.

On the other hand, you have Meta's Ray-Ban glasses that recently debuted prescription lenses out of the box.

Android Central's Take

Purely referencing the rumors here, I think this isn't something that's mindblowing. We've seen this type of idea before, where its purely camera-based or audio-based. It leverages a phone's capabilities for the processing. Sure. What gets me thinking is what these glasses could look like. Nothing likes to break the mold, do a design that's a little different than what you'd expect. However, its Nothing OS AI has moved into a utility mindset, offering users more information, better notifications, and more. I wonder if Nothing will make this like an add-on to what its phones can already do.

What you need to know

• Google is rolling out AI Inbox in Gmail for AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. with Gemini integration.
• AI Inbox highlights important emails like bills, appointments, and messages from priority contacts.
• The feature was previously in testing but is now expanding to paid users in the U.S.

Back in January 2026, Google announced a major revamp for Gmail by integrating AI into the inbox. The company has now started rolling out its new AI inbox for Google AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S.

If you've ever looked at your inbox and wished there was an AI tool to quickly sort through emails and highlight what's important, Google now has a solution. The company has begun rolling out its AI inbox feature.

As the name suggests, AI Inbox brings Gemini into Gmail. As previously announced, it offers a personalized briefing that highlights key to-dos and surfaces what matters most in a dedicated space.

For example, if you have an upcoming bill or a dentist appointment, it'll automatically flag it as a priority. Emails from VIPs and frequent contacts will also be prioritized in this view.

Until now, Google was testing this feature with select Gmail users, but it's now expanding it to paying users in the U.S.

For now, AI Inbox is limited to Google AI Ultra subscribers in the US, which costs around $250 per month. Along with AI Inbox, the plan includes higher Gemini usage limits, access to the most advanced Gemini models, 30TB of cloud storage that can be shared across Drive, Photos, and more. The plan also includes access to YouTube Premium and Google Home Premium Advanced.

Sure, that's a steep price just to access AI features, but the AI Ultra plan is aimed at power users who rely heavily on these tools. That said, Google is expected to expand access over time, potentially bringing it to $20/month AI Pro users and possibly even free users down the line.

Android Central's Take

I'm not entirely sold on this yet. Paying $250 just to get AI inside your inbox feels like a stretch, at least for now. And personally, I'm still a bit skeptical about giving AI that level of access to my emails. That said, Google says it's built with privacy in mind to keep your emails safe and secure.

What you need to know

• Amazon announces Alexa Plus can now take orders for users after they've linked their Grubhub or Uber Eats accounts.
• Users can order from specific restaurants they know or they can ask the AI for options based on the type of food they want and pick from there.
• Orders and fully customizable and "conversational," as users have a wide expanse to order their food from.
• Amazon says this is rolling out for Alexa Plus customers on Echo Show 8 and larger devices.

Ever get hungry late at night, but want someone or something to take your order? That's possible now with Amazon's AI.

In a press release, Amazon states users with Alexa Plus can start placing orders with the AI for Grubhub and Uber Eats deliveries. This feature is rolling out today (Mar 31) for users on their Echo Show 8 "and larger devices." A formal announcement post goes into detail, stating users can get to ordering after linking their Grubhub or Uber Eats account via the Alexa app. Users can open the app > More > Alexa+ Store > Food & Reservations. After, you can get started—rather immediately, Amazon adds.

If you're sure of the restaurant you want, users can tell Alexa, "Let's order from (name)." For the curious cats, you can tell Alexa what kind of food you want, and the AI is said to produce a list of options that should fit the bill. Amazon says ordering with Alexa is built on a "conversational" foundation. Basically, users can speak their order to Alexa as they'd normally do to a friend or to a drive-thru window.

Amazon says that users can even bounce between information. The post's example suggests users can go from their order back to a restaurant's menu to see the desserts if they say, "Show me desserts." When it's all said and done, users can review their order before placing, and Alexa will keep you up-to-date with consistent status updates. Alternatively, users can say, "Alexa, where's my food?"

AI that's worth using

The press release says your ability to order food with Alexa Plus is a part of its ability to "dynamically adapt" its style based on the task given. Amazon says ordering food isn't the same as asking a mundane question, so Alexa needs to be flexible. Users have a bit of range with ordering food, as they can ask for what's popular, customize their food order if there's something they don't want, and ask for kid options.

Amazon also teased that it might bring Alexa's newfound capabilities from this update to other areas, like "grocery shopping, travel planning," and more.

In case you're wondering, Alexa Plus is available for customers at $19.99 per month. If you're subscribed to Amazon Prime, you will have Alexa Plus already. The AI was also a co-star to Amazon's huge wave of new Echo devices late last year. For relevance, the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 launched in October with improved displays over previous generations to offer more info. Amazon also launched its first Echo Dot Matrix and an upgraded Echo Studio.

Android Central's Take

You know, this is a dangerous feature. It's cool; don't get me wrong, but now Amazon's given me a way to order food while laying down. This is serious, now. Jokes aside, I think the feature is cool. It's on the useful side of where Amazon's AI shines. Whether it's a little more personal for users, informative, or capable of placing orders for them, it's a hands-free win for subscribers. I am looking forward to whether or not Amazon extends Alexa's capabilities to more areas. We've got food ordering, so is ordering groceries next? Uber Eats is already there.

What you need to know

• Google announced Gemini 3.1 Flash Live, an update for Gemini Live and Search Live that brings low-latency, more natural voice assistance to the AI.
• This version of the AI is lightweight, meaning Google has quickened its response times and granted it a larger context window to keep its assistance going.
• The company highlights notable improvements over the Gemini 2.5 Flash Native model, which first debuted in December.

Google's iterations of Gemini never cease, and this week's no different, with the launch of a new, lightweight, low-latency model.

The company detailed what users can expect from Gemini 3.1 Flash Live, its "highest-quality audio and voice model" to date. Google states this new version of Gemini is a part of its "voice-first AI" ambitions for "speed and natural rhythm." If you've been keeping up with Gemini, you can probably guess where this is heading (hint: Gemini Live). The announcement post states Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite is headed to Gemini Live and Search Live to assist with all voice-based queries.

With this addition, Google paraded "more helpful and natural responses" as a key highlight. It adds that v3.1 is capable of lending assistance for everyday questions and more complex topics. Since "Flash" is in the title, 3.1 Flash Live is designed to deliver responses much quicker than what users experienced before. What's more, "it can follow the thread of your conversation for twice as long."

While you've been skipping your Duolingo lessons (or Google Translate practices), Gemini has not. Google states the AI is "multilingual, meaning real-time responses are possible in your preferred language.

Gemini 3.1 Flash Live has reportedly scored quite high on benchmark tests, benefiting developers and enterprises. On the technical side, Google highlights the AI's "improved tonal" capabilities, as well as the ability to recognize "acoustic nuances," such as your pitch.

Your voice is first

Developers are getting a little more, as Google states they can build conversational agents that help in real time. Available via the Gemini API and AI Studio, developers are reportedly finding higher task completion rates in "noisy" environments. It's not only the AI's ability to deliver appropriate responses better in live conversations, but also the enhancements that separate a person's speech from the loud noise of traffic.

The AI's also been granted upgrades to its instruction-following capabilities. Google states, "Your agent will stay within its operational guardrails, even when conversations take unexpected turns." This joins other previously mentioned updates in Gemini 3.1 Flash Live, such as its multilingual capabilities and low-latency.

As Google boosts the voice-based side of Gemini Live, there was one update that brought it into the real-world to see what you do. Users can share their camera with Gemini, which essentially lets them ask a question about what they're looking at. Additionally, this upgrade also included a screen-sharing function, so if you've searched for something you're unsure about, you can ask Gemini to give you the details.

Android Central's Take

An update like this feels like an obvious next step for Google. It's doing it in a slightly different way than I would've expected. I figured it would've doubled down more on its camera function or its screen-sharing aspect. But boosting its voice-based side isn't all that bad, either. This is real-time assistance we're talking about, so Gemini ability to understand the user, as best as it can, is important. Nothing sucks more than having to repeat yourself to a literal computer.

What you need to know

• Tecno has announced EllaClaw, a new mobile AI agent based on OpenClaw.
• EllaClaw will include natural-language automation, cross-app data integration, and the ability to surface relevant information when needed.
• Tecno will release more details about EllaClaw and user recruitment for the beta, which is set to release in the coming months.

As Tecno continues to evolve its "Practical AI" approach, the company is introducing its latest evolution with OpenClaw. The new EllaClaw AI agent is powered by OpenClaw, bringing the open-source AI agent platform to smartphones for the first time and aiming to bring more advanced AI functions to emerging markets.

OpenClaw is one of the latest AI platforms to garner significant interest from companies such as Nvidia. Unlike many typical AI chatbots, OpenClaw is focused on automation; completing tasks on behalf of the user and with minimal user input. It's also open-source, so companies can take it and build upon it, which is what Tecno is doing for its smartphones.

EllaClaw takes the Tecno's Ella AI assistant and injects OpenClaw's framework into it. This allows the new EllaClaw to integrate with Tecno phones at the system level, with capabilities tuned to the smartphone and its user. As a result, EllaClaw will be able to handle a few different use cases we've already seen on other smartphones. For example, EllaClaw will be able to handle multi-step actions from just a single sentence, using natural language.

But even more than that, EllaClaw will be able to handle multi-app integration, so a task can be carried over from one app to another while the AI agent performs it. This means managing data across your texts, calendar, notes, or weather apps, where you could, for example, have EllaClaw create an easily digestible schedule by aggregating all the available information.

One popular use of AI is summarizing and prioritizing notifications from messaging apps, something we've seen with the latest Galaxy S26 series. EllaClaw can also accomplish this while taking it a step further by highlighting important messages and those you can probably delete.

Finally, Similar to features like Magic Cue and Now Nudge on the Pixel 10 and Galaxy S26, respectively, Tecno is turning Ella into a much more proactive assistant with OpenClaw. EllaClaw will learn about a user's habits over time and surface relevant information when needed, reducing friction for consumers.

Regarding user data, Tecno ensures that EllaClaw has built-in privacy safeguards, with user data isolated and inaccessible to third parties or unauthorized users, which should put Tecno owners at ease.

Tecno tells us that users will be able to beta test EllaClaw "in the coming months," and more details about the beta and registration will come soon.

Android Central's take

After testing Tecno's latest Camon 50 Ultra, which is packed with AI features, it's fascinating to see how quickly the company is moving as it tries to bring more advanced features to more markets, at arguably lower prices than the competition. EllaClaw sounds a lot like what we're getting from two of the largest players in the smartphone business, Google and Samsung, with similar features to boot. However, it'll be interesting to see how the UI evolves throughout the OS.

On the one hand, using OpenClaw is smart, as it allows Tecno to easily create and tailor AI automation for its smartphones with an open-source tool. That said, OpenClaw has received as much scrutiny as it has praise, and even though Tecno ensures user data protection, we will watch this development closely.

As much as it is about new hardware features, Samsung has recently shifted the Galaxy S flagship series toward AI and software features as well. Sure, the Privacy Display feature debuting with the Galaxy S26 Ultra is the headline addition, but there are a few other software features worth talking about.

Features like Gemini screen automation and the upgraded Audio Eraser bring something we are seeing for the first time on Samsung phones (and we've not even seen them on the latest Google Pixel devices). But that isn't all.

Alongside these One UI 8.5 features, Samsung has also added new notification features powered by Galaxy AI, making it easier to manage and read notifications on the Galaxy S26.

Here are two notification features that debuted with the Galaxy S26 series that you might not know about (but are genuinely useful).

Notification Summary and Prioritize notifications in One UI 8.5 explained

Before the Galaxy S26 series debuted, there were several rumors about Samsung adding a notification summary feature to One UI. Even when Samsung rolled out the One UI 8.5 beta for the Galaxy S25 series, the feature wasn't included. Thankfully, with the Galaxy S26 lineup, notification summaries have finally arrived.

As the name suggests, this feature condenses long notifications into a more readable format. For example, if you receive multiple messages in a group chat or a lengthy email, the AI will summarize the content into a short, readable blurb that appears in the notification center. This lets you quickly understand what's happening without opening the full message or app.

According to Samsung, the feature currently supports a range of languages, including English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Polish, Vietnamese, and Hindi. It also works across most major messaging apps, including WhatsApp, Google Messages, Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, Telegram, and others.

Since this is an AI-powered feature, Samsung notes that summaries may occasionally be inaccurate. In my experience, however, it has been mostly reliable.

One thing I noticed is that even after enabling the feature, it took over a week before summaries started appearing on my Galaxy S26 Ultra. There's no manual toggle to force summaries for specific apps. Samsung also notes that the feature may not work when the battery is low or when power saving mode is enabled.

In addition to summaries, Samsung has also introduced the Prioritize notifications feature in One UI 8.5. This feature learns your behavior, such as which apps you open first and which notifications you interact with most, and uses that to sort your notifications accordingly.

For example, when you pick up your phone in the morning and see a long list of notifications, this feature pushes the ones you are most likely to check to the top. It essentially identifies which alerts matter most to you and surfaces them first.

The Prioritize notifications feature also supports the same set of languages as notification summaries. Samsung also emphasizes that all notification processing happens on-device, meaning your data is not sent to the cloud.

How to enable Summarize notifications and prioritize notification features

1. Open the Settings app on your Galaxy device.

2. Tap Notifications and then select Notification highlights.

3. In Notification highlights, you will see both features: Prioritize notifications and Summarize notifications.

4. Open each section and enable the toggle for both features.

It's worth noting that Galaxy AI features must be enabled on your device for these to work. It's also worth keeping in mind that the feature may take a few hours or even days before it starts working.

When notification summaries are active, you will see a three-line icon with an arrow next to the app's notification. You can still open the full notification by swiping down to view all the original content of the message or email.

These may be the most underrated One UI 8.5 features yet

Over the past few years, Samsung has added several features to the Galaxy AI suite, but few feel as subtle and genuinely useful as these notification features that have arrived with One UI 8.5.

It runs quietly in the background and still lets you access the full message content without interrupting your experience. Most importantly, all processing happens on-device, so your data remains private.

It's certainly not perfect yet, and it'd have been useful to manually enable summaries for specific apps, but my guess is that it may be tied to Samsung's power management system. Hopefully, Samsung refines this feature further in a future One UI update and adds an option to manually enable notification summary for specific apps.

What you need to know

• A report claims Google is testing a small change to Gemini's temporary chats that puts it front and center for users.
• This move would see it settled on the main Gemini app view, right beside your account icon, and switching is effortless.
• Google's debut of temporary chats state that what's discussed with Gemini isn't "remembered" by the AI to be called back to in the future.

Google is reportedly running a test to see how it can improve the experience around its temporary chats with Gemini.

This change was supposedly spotted early, indicating it's currently a test being run by the company, per 9to5Google. It looks as though Google is testing a way to make temporary chats easy to initiate, while also bringing them to the forefront for users. The report claims Google is interested in moving the temporary chat icon to the main Gemini app view. It would be positioned right beside your account icon.

From here, users can tap the icon to initiate the feature without having to navigate the side menu. Moreover, the publication reports that the Gemini app will make it pretty obvious you've transitioned. The temporary chat icon will assume a pale blue color in its background when tapped, and the basic Gemini chat information (its greeting, suggestions, etc.) will vanish.

Taking their place will be Google's brief explainer as to how temporary chats function. Even the text box awaiting your query will say "Ask in a temporary chat," not "Ask Gemini." At the moment, there's no indication as to when Google might roll this out for users, though it might not take long, given the magnitude of the change.

It's only temporary

Temporary chats have been part of the Gemini app for several months now, following Google's introduction of them last year. This feature was wrapped in a "privacy" blanket for users, as temporary chats could be used to prevent Gemini from "remembering" certain things you've asked about (or about you). Primary use cases could be for one-off questions you're just floating out there. Google states that anything discussed with the AI in a temporary chat won't appear in your "recent chats."

Additionally, temporary chats won't be used to train Gemini's model to be more helpful in the long run. However, as Google points out, what you've just discussed with Gemini in a temporary chat will remain for 72 hours before it's gone. In the realm of Gemini, Google recently brought its Personal Intelligence to free-tier users across the U.S. in AI Mode, the Gemini app, and Gemini for Chrome.

Android Central's Take

It makes me wonder if not enough people were using Gemini's temporary chats. This move makes the feature easy to use by putting it right in your face. It's a useful feature, in a way, I guess. It's like using Incognito Mode in Chrome or something. However, temporary chats could come in handy if you're talking with friends and you've gotten into one of those conversations about random topics. You can ask Gemini in a temporary chat, since what you're looking up has no relevance at all to you. Looking at it that way, I get it.

What you need to know

• Google's Stitch introduces “vibe design,” letting you build interfaces from simple text prompts.
• Powered by Google’s latest Gemini models, Stitch understands both text and visual cues, enabling users to iterate, refine, and pivot styles in real-time.
• The platform generates editable design files and front-end code, specifically built to plug into existing professional engineering pipelines.

Google wants to change the way apps are built, and it's focusing on one of the slowest parts of the process: UI design.

Google has released a new version of Stitch, an experimental tool from Google Labs. Unlike many other AI tools, Stitch uses what Google calls “vibe design.” You describe what you want, adjust the style, and the interface is built almost right away.

With Stitch, you don’t need designers to sketch in Figma or developers to build front-end code by hand. You can create interactive UI screens just by typing a simple prompt. For example, if you write “a clean finance dashboard with dark mode and charts,” Stitch builds a working layout you can actually use, not just a mockup.

This is a big shift from the usual process. Normally, UI design involves designers making static layouts, developers turning them into code, and both sides fixing things that don’t match. Stitch aims to combine all of that into one step.

Stitch uses Google’s latest multimodal AI models, so it can understand both text and visual ideas. You’re not stuck with just one result. You can keep refining your prompt, adjust parts of the design, or change the “vibe” until it feels right.

Production-ready output

Stitch also gives you editable results. It can create design files that fit into your workflow and generate front-end code, making it easier to go from idea to finished product.

Google is positioning Stitch as more than just a design tool. The goal is to make it a full AI-powered UI platform that supports rapid prototyping, iteration, and collaboration between non-designers and engineers. In short, you don’t have to be a design expert to start building an interface.

AI tools have already changed the way people write code, make images, and edit videos. UI design has been harder to automate because it needs both structure and creativity. Stitch is Google’s way of trying to solve that problem.

For users, faster design cycles could lead to apps that get updated more often, feel more polished, and respond more quickly to feedback.

At the moment, Stitch is still in Google Labs, so it’s experimental and not widely available yet. But if this idea catches on, we might see more tools that let anyone create an app just by describing it.

Android Central's Take

Making design tools easier to use is a real win, but this whole vibe-based approach deserves a closer look. Sure, turning plain text into working interfaces speeds things up, but it also opens the door to sameness. When you simplify the creative process this much, there’s a risk people lean on familiar styles instead of pushing new ideas, and that could leave us with apps that all look and feel alike.

Google frames this as AI-native creativity, but that label skips over a key issue: creativity still needs friction. If startups start relying too heavily on Gemini to build their first products, we could end up with a wave of safe, algorithm-shaped designs that check all the right boxes but lack personality. Stitch clearly makes building faster and easier, but the bigger question is whether a tool optimized for efficiency and business goals can actually deliver something distinct — or just a cleaner, more polished version of what’s already out there.

What you need to know

• Gemini screen automation is now rolling out to the Pixel 10 series in the U.S. after debuting on Galaxy S26.
• The feature lets Gemini handle tasks like ordering food, booking rides, and placing grocery orders.
• Usage depends on subscription tier, with free users getting about 5 requests and Ultra up to 120 daily.

After rolling out Gemini app control on the Galaxy S26 series, the Google Pixel 10 lineup is now picking up the feature in the U.S.

At the Galaxy Unpacked event in February 2026, Samsung and Google showcased a feature that allows Gemini to handle tasks on your behalf. If you are unfamiliar with it, Gemini screen automation can help with actions like ordering food, calling a cab, or placing grocery orders without you touching your phone.

Soon after the Galaxy S26 series went on sale earlier this month, Samsung began rolling out the feature in the U.S. and Korea. Our editor Nick Sutrich tried it hands-on and described it as "next level automation"

And now, the feature is also arriving on the Pixel 10 series in the U.S. As spotted by 9to5Google first, the feature now available across the entire lineup, including the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold running Android 16 QPR3 stable.

You'll be able to trigger the feature the same way you access Gemini now, either by holding the power button or using the "Hey Google" command. Once activated, Gemini walks through the task step by step on screen in a virtual window, showing what it is doing, and you can take control at any time. It also asks for final confirmation before completing the action.

Users can find the feature in the Gemini app settings under Screen automation. For now, it supports a limited set of apps, including Lyft, Uber, Uber Eats, Grubhub, DoorDash, and Starbucks. Gemini can also ask follow-up questions, such as selecting a drink size or store location when placing an order.

The report also notes that usage limits depend on your Gemini subscription tier. Free users can make around five requests per day, while Gemini Ultra subscribers can go up to 120 requests daily. .

Android Central's Take

It's great to see this feature arriving on more Android phones now. This kind of automation is what agentic AI has been about, and we are finally seeing it in action across multiple phone models. I just cannot wait for Google to roll it out to more regions as well.

What you need to know

• Gemini for Home now gives you short, direct responses like "Alarm set for 9 AM," finally cutting down long-winded replies.
• Common commands like turning stuff on and off are now up to 40% faster, as per Google.
• You can now set timers based on real-world events ("wake me when the game starts"), chain multiple commands together, and check both time remaining and original duration.

Google is making changes to its Gemini-powered home assistant. If you’ve ever been frustrated by slow responses or long explanations, this update is meant for you.

One of the biggest changes is how Gemini for Home responds. Instead of padded, overly polite answers, responses are now trimmed down to the essentials, according to Google Nest's updated release notes. For example, if you set an alarm, you’ll simply hear “Alarm set for 9 AM” instead of a detailed explanation.

Speed is improving too. Google says that common commands, like turning on the lights, can now be up to 40% faster.

Smarter features that actually feel useful

Gemini is also getting better at understanding context. Now, you can set alarms based on real-world events, like asking it to wake you up when a certain game begins. It can also handle more complex requests at once, such as canceling a timer and setting a new one in the same command.

Timers and alarms have improved as well. You can now check both the time left and the original duration, and recurring alarms like weekday wake-ups are more reliable.

Gemini is also better at handling local information. It now understands regional weather units and gives more relevant local news, so responses feel more specific and less generic.

Translation, languages, and global expansion

Translation mode is now faster and supports 30 languages. You can ask it to act as an interpreter, and it handles real-time conversations more smoothly than before.

The Google Home app is also changing with Gemini. New automation tools let you trigger actions based on specific conditions, like when your oven starts running. You can also create routines to control lighting effects, such as pulsing or gradual wake lights.

Google is adding more AI features, like “Help me create” and “Ask Home.” These are designed to make building automations easier, so you don’t have to search through menus.

These updates are not limited to the U.S. Google is expanding Early Access for features like Ask Home and Home Brief to 14 more countries, including Mexico, Japan, and much of Europe, such as Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Nordics. Canada now has full support, including Canadian French.

Keep in mind that some features, like the faster Translation mode, require a Google Home Premium subscription. Also, since this is a server-side update, it may take a few days to reach your device, even if you have the latest app version.

Android Central's Take

I like the direction these updates are going, but I’m still a bit skeptical. Faster replies and less unnecessary talk do make a real difference, and I can see this improving how people use their smart homes. Still, it feels like Google is fixing issues it created before. If Gemini stays fast, accurate, and avoids over-explaining in the long run, this could be the upgrade users have wanted. Otherwise, it might just be another promise that things are better now.

What you need to know

• Google announced that it's rolling out access to Personal Intelligence to all free-tier U.S. users in AI Mode, the Gemini app, and Gemini in Chrome.
• Personal Intelligence can dive into your connected apps, such as Gmail and Photos, to help you with questions that are tailored to you.
• Previous updates and introductions saw Personal Intelligence in AI Mode and the Gemini app for Connected Apps.

After Personal Intelligence had a limited debut earlier this year, Google announced an expansion to reach more users.

As a refresher, Google says Personal Intelligence "securely connects the dots" across your connected apps, such as Gmail, Google Photos, and more. The company adds that users can query about a previous purchase or a family getaway, and Personal Intelligence will find it. Now, these capabilities are headed to free-tier users across Google's apps.

Google states Personal Intelligence is expanding to U.S. users on its free-tier (personal accounts) in AI Mode (Search), the Gemini app, and Gemini in Chrome. As this rolls out to more users today (Mar 17), Google reiterates its safety and privacy controls for Personal Intelligence. The company states, "You choose if and when you want to connect apps like Gmail and Google Photos." Of course, such control means you can remove these permissions at any time.

It adds that it won't train its AI model using your personal information from your emails or Photos library.

More users are getting access to Personal Intelligence's ability to help you find places to eat that you might like. The post states that querying Gemini will surface ideas based on your food interests. If you're trying to get food before your flight, Gemini will take its departure time into account to ensure you can eat and still make it. For shopping, Personal Intelligence will dive into your recent purchases to help you match a pair of shoes with a top, pants, and more.

Google got personal this year

Google has had two important Personal Intelligence updates this year: one for AI Mode and another for the Gemini app. The first update introduced the feature to users as a tool with access (if granted permission) to their Gmail and Photos app content. Google highlighted it as a feature that could help plan trips and help with shopping by browsing through their recent purchases to see what they like.

Originally, this was an experimental Labs feature for AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. The following update included the Gemini app, which brought its Connected Apps into the fold. Users could now loop in Photos, Gmail, YouTube, and more with Personal Intelligence.

Android Central's Take

While Personal Intelligence aims to "help" users, I feel as though my colleague Brady Snyder put it best: "I can already give Gemini exactly the information it needs, when it needs it, so why surrender everything?" This is a noteworthy point to make, if I'm being completely honest. It's always a little jarring to feel willing to just let a company's AI into everything about you: emails, photos, etc. This is information you can give Gemini. Google's AI can remember things about you. You can tell it to, as well. I can tell them that I've bought some new black shoes and that I'm looking to pair them with a nice top for a chill summer evening at a park movie night. Easy enough, right?

What you need to know

• Samsung and Google are rolling out Gemini screen automation on the Galaxy S26 series in the U.S. and Korea.
• The feature lets Gemini control apps and complete multi-step tasks like ordering food, calling a cab, or ordering groceries.
• Gemini shows actions in a virtual window and lets users stop the task or take manual control anytime.
• Google plans to expand the feature to the Pixel 10 devices soon.

Samsung has been building its Galaxy S lineup around AI features lately, and the Galaxy S26 series is now getting a feature that could push it further toward agentic tasks.

At the Galaxy Unpacked event in February 2026, Samsung and Google demonstrated a feature where Gemini could complete tasks for users across multiple apps and jump through several steps. The company is now rolling out that capability for Galaxy S26 users in the U.S. and Korea.

With the new update, Gemini is gaining a new "screen automation" feature on the Galaxy S26 series that lets it open and control apps on your phone to complete tasks. For example, Gemini can order food, call a cab, order groceries, and handle similar actions with a single command.

Now, when you long press the power button on the Galaxy S26 and give a command such as "Find me the best coffee from nearby baristas and order it for me," Gemini begins working in a virtual window that shows the steps it is taking.

The assistant navigates menus, opens the correct apps, selects items, adds them to your cart, and performs other steps automatically.

The interface also shows two options: Stop task and Take control. You can jump in at any time if you feel Gemini is taking the wrong steps, or you can cancel the process entirely. Before completing an order or action, Gemini will ask for confirmation.

Currently in the U.S., the feature supports several apps including Lyft, Uber, Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Starbucks, with Instacart support coming soon.

For now, the feature is limited to the Galaxy S26 series in the U.S. and Korea in English language, but Google says it will soon expand to the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL. We'll update you as more Android devices receive Gemini's screen automation feature.

Android Central's Take

This feature is pretty wild. It isn't supported in my region yet, but when I asked Gemini to automate a task, it still recognized what I meant and informed me that the ordering tool was unavailable in my region. I hope Google expands support to more apps and more regions soon.

That said, we've seen plenty of AI features on smartphones, but this feels like one of the most capable agentic features introduced in a while.

After a long 5G rollout, we're finally at the point where flagship phones and networks no longer need to advertise the current cellular technology as a feature — it's the standard. To that end, we're seeing 5G coverage improve nationwide, and new form factors like smartwatches are starting to support the network, too. You may have just gotten used to using 5G instead of 4G LTE, but I'm here to tell you that 6G is much closer than you think.

At MWC 2026, industry leaders like Qualcomm and Nvidia shared their visions for the upcoming 6G mobile network, with a boatload of corporate partners in tow. For the average user, the buildout of 6G infrastructure and companies working together isn't exciting. You want to know what you'll actually be able to do with 6G. We now have that answer, and it's pretty exciting. Here are three new types of experiences the 6G mobile network will provide, and what they'll mean for you.

6G will power low-latency connected AI experiences

Everything goes back to artificial intelligence these days, and 6G is no exception. However, there are signs that the AI-connected world we're building will demand more from our mobile networks, and that's where 6G comes in. Specifically, global wide area network (WAN) traffic is expected to jump by between three and seven times by 2034, compared to 2023 traffic data. AI is also going to account for roughly 30% of all network traffic, according to current projections.

The AI takeover will demand faster, lower-latency connections — hence the need to deploy 6G — but it's about more than just raw traffic spikes. Industry leaders see a future where AI agents become the centerpiece of mobile ecosystems. Right now, your phone is the heart of your technology portfolio, and it connects with earbuds, smartwatches, tablets, laptops, and more. In the future, AI agents might be orchestrating these hardware categories, connecting them all with streamlined software.

That sounds pretty clever, but if AI agents are working across multiple wireless devices at once, they need fast connections. That's why 6G is being built to address these traffic and speed needs. We're expecting 6G to offer a five times greater traffic capacity than 5G, and 50% higher spectral efficiency for uplink and downlink connectivity.

In simple terms, this means your AI devices will be able to connect with each other and cloud servers faster than ever before. 6G will deliver connected experiences that aren't currently possible due to latency limitations.

6G will make XR and spatial computing mainstream

Speaking of connected experiences, 6G will go a long way in making mixed-reality XR experiences mainstream. Currently, devices like Meta Ray-Ban Display or Samsung Galaxy XR are bottlenecked by how much data can be transferred to deliver high-quality video, AI processing, and gaming performance. Then it arrives, 6G will improve these experiences by providing higher uplink speeds capable of supporting multiple 4K or 8K video streams.

Since most XR glasses and headsets rely heavily on streaming, tethering, or cloud processing to provide features, a high-speed and low-latency mobile network like 6G could make use cases like game streaming or remote desktop control actually usable. It's all about cutting down the time you have to wait for your devices to talk with your phone and the cloud to return a response. So, when you look at something and ask a question while wearing camera-equipped smart glasses, the response will feel nearly instant when 6G arrives.

6G will elevate public infrastructure in the next decade

6G will also enable a sensory network that can use RF signals and drones to map out environments, powering new kinds of infrastructure, like self-driving car networks. As self-driving car systems like Waymo become mainstream, you'll need a fast, low-latency network to connect cars to control centers. You'll also need to be able to process data from sensors like cameras, radar, or LiDAR, in a near instant, and 6G will make that possible.

Robotics is another emerging technology that's not too far away, with companies like Tesla going all-in on humanoid robots that could be controlled remotely. Just like with self-driving cars, robots need a fast and efficient network to work properly. 6G's biggest feature might be its capacity upgrade, as new uses for mobile networks like AI, self-driving cars, and robotics will increase congestion. 5G isn't fast enough, nor does it have enough capacity for the expected traffic spikes.

6G aims to solve both of those problems, and you can expect to see advances in autonomous vehicles, robotics, AI, and spatial computing coincide with the upgraded mobile network when it's ready for a commercial release.

When can we expect consumer-ready 6G?

Right now, 6G is currently in development and in the research and study phase. That will continue into 2027 and 2028, when pre-commercial devices will be tested. Then, the commercialization of 6G will happen the following year. That means you'll be able to start using 6G at the end of this decade, with the mobile network likely going mainstream in the 2030s. It sounds far away, but it'll come sooner than you think, bringing new AI and XR experiences with it.

What you need to know

• A tipster discovered evidence in Google's code that suggests an editing feature is headed for the Gemini app for Nano Banana's creations.
• Supposedly, this feature will be presented via a pencil icon on images, giving users the chance to "Mark Up" the changes they want by sketching or typing.
• A rumor from a few months ago alleged a similar capability for users through the Gemini app through a "resubmission" option.

There might be new capabilities headed for Google's popular Nano Banana image generation software in Gemini.

A report from AssembleDebug with Android Authority alleges that Google is working on a way for users to quickly edit Nano Banana's creations. The tipster suggests that the main steps to get Nano Banana to generate an image remain the same; however, the change is once the result is produced. The post claims the Gemini app will show a pencil icon, akin to what you'd see for editing purposes in other apps.

Upon tapping, users may be taken to a "Mark Up" screen. From there, the tipster shows Google's progress at developing a "Sketch" and "Text" option, alongside colors for your pencil in the former. It seems that users can circle or highlight the area that requires c a change. After, the image is returned to your chat bar, as it awaits your text description for what Gemini should change.

The tipster's example reads, "change the color of this to green, as well." With that, it seems Google's AI will take your written description and what's been circled or highlighted into account, so users won't have to (essentially) repeat themselves. The AI's image generator (Nano Banana) will take the image, implement the change, and return the result.

The feature seems relatively fleshed out; however, AssembleDebug's findings didn't narrow down when users could see this arrive in the app.

A similar discovery

What the tipster recently discovered in a recent Google app version is similar to rumors from last year. Previous reports claim Google was working on an "annotation" feature for the Gemini app. This was also concerning what images the AI creates through its generator. Users could "write or draw" items on their images before downloading them, alongside a possible "resubmission" option.

That resubmission was said to enable users to make changes or additions before adding instructions for the AI to complete. AssembleDebug's recent discovery is pretty close to this, which could mean Google hasn't dropped this idea at all and is still actively working on it.

Android Central's Take

There's a bit of QoL here with this rumored feature. Right now, if I want to change something, I'll have to tell the AI and be pretty specific, hoping it'll understand what I'm talking about. Through this leaked method, users can be specific in the drawing itself; essentially pointing out to the AI that "this area right here needs to be different." Combining this with your written instructions makes sure the AI gets it right. It's useful, and will probably help users brainstorm ideas a little more before bringing them to life properly.

What you need to know

• Google announced "Canvas in AI Mode" is rolling out for U.S. users today (Mar 4).
• Canvas receives new capabilities, as users can have it draft documents and create "interactive" tools with the added ability to peep its coding and change it up.
• Canvas debuted last March, as a feature that would let users collaborate with Gemini to create documents, blog posts, research papers, and more.

Google is merging two of its features into one convenient place for users looking to be creative or work with code.

Canvas is all about letting users bring some creative flair to their work, and now Google says it's bringing those capabilities into AI Mode. In a Search post, Google states that it's rolling out Canvas in AI Mode. Users in the U.S. with English as their preferred language will soon notice this feature in AI Mode. Google claims Canvas is "more capable than ever," as it adds "support for creative writing and coding tasks."

From AI Mode, users can click the plus icon, then Canvas. Google informs that users must "describe" what they want to create at this stage. A "working prototype" will be produced in the side panel, which will reportedly pull the latest, most relevant information from its web search and Google's Knowledge Graph.

Google also says that this prototype is fully functional. Users can experiment with their creation's functionality, or they can peek at its code "and refine with conversational follow-ups until it does exactly what you need." The post states that Canvas is capable of drafting documents for users, while also creating interactive tools for them based on their descriptions.

Users may notice Canvas in AI Mode today (Mar 4); however, if you don't, give it a little while and check back again later.

Canvas says hello to Search users

Collaborating with Gemini evolved last year when Google debuted Canvas. The company positioned this feature as one that could help users "create, draft, edit, and refine docs or code in a single space." Gemini is, of course, the brains of the operation, running every process you'd need in the background. On its own, Canvas would export everything you'd made into Google Docs (if the file type fit). Canvas also brought in some of Gemini's capabilities, as it could alter the tone of a document you had drafted or were working on.

Around I/O 2025, Google showcased a web app that it created using Canvas. There's warranted hesitancy about whether or not AI can create a decent web app, and Google sought to show that it's possible.

Android Central's Take

On a useability standpoint, Canvas definitely nails it. It's a feature that can help users understand coding. If you think about it, you can have the AI create something, then peek at its code to see how. I can see this working well for new coders or those with aspirations of becoming a coder. You can "test" your ideas, see how they'd work in practice, then build on that yourself. If I look at this way, Canvas is more a teaching aid than anything else.

What you need to know

• Google revealed Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite, it's newest model that's capable of assisting developers with complex, "high" workloads.
• Seeing as it aims to handle higher data workloads, Google touts this AI model as its cheapest and speediest AI yet, nestled in its Gemini 3 series.
• Google is seemingly positioning 3.1 Flash-Lite as the next best thing, as the AI seeks to overtake what was started by 2.5 Flash last year.

Google's not slowing down its development process for next-gen AI; however, what it's rolling out this week is yet another lightweight, speedy model.

In a Keyword post, Google shared details about its newest lightweight model: Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite for developers. Out of the gate, the company touts 3.1 Flash-Lite as the premier AI model for developers with "high-volume workloads." Similar to previous highly efficient, low-cost AI models from Google, Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite offers its services at $0.25/1M input tokens and $1.50/1M output tokens.

Pricing aside for developers, Google dives into what's important: its upgrades over its 2.5 Flash model. The post states 3.1 Flash-Lite is "2.5X faster Time to First Answer Token." Additionally, the AI has received a 45% boost in its output speed. On the Arena.ai Leaderboard, Google's latest lightweight model achieved a score of 1,432.

Google highlights 3.1 Flash-Lite's ability to "outperform" other models within reasoning and multimodal understanding benchmarks, even its own 2.5 Flash. Developers requiring different thinking levels will find them with this AI model. Google states developers can control how the AI "thinks," fine-tuning it to handle tasks "at scale." For complex situations, Google says its AI model can handle "in-depth reasoning."

This would enable it to generate UI, create simulations, and follow a developer's instructions. Users from Latitude, Cartwheel, and Whering have reportedly been testing 3.1 Flash-Lite in AI Studio and Vertex AI with seemingly positive remarks.

Even faster with improved thinking, too

Developers interested in trying Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite can do so beginning today (Mar 3). Google says the AI will be available in a preview in the Gemini API in AI Studio and Vertex AI.

Google called back to its 2.5 Flash model quite often in its announcement. It's a model that debuted last spring with "hybrid reasoning" and high speeds, while maintaining its accuracy. This model holds a few similarities to what Google's come with today. Low-latency performance, alongside cheaper costs, and speed for the developer's needs. However, 3.1 Flash-Lite takes that and raises it severely by taking over that complex, high-workload space for users.

In short, this is likely the model Google is hoping developers will reach for next time they need to work with a lot of data. Gemini 3 Flash arrived in December, but this model was positioned as more of the "for everybody" lightweight model. The company brought this to developers through the usual channels and to every user through AI Mode in Search.

2026 marks the 20th anniversary of MWC in Barcelona, and instead of a big fat cake to celebrate, the mobile industry is facing one of the most unprecedented challenges in its history.

If you’re heading to Barcelona for Mobile World Congress 2026 expecting new Android phones and flashy demos, you’ll certainly not be disappointed. However, the real story runs deeper.

AI is becoming core to Android devices, foldables, and maturing into credible premium contenders, satellite connectivity is edging toward mainstream adoption, and a global memory crunch is reshaping pricing, upgrade cycles, and the broader industry landscape.

As an IDC market analyst, these are the themes I’ll be watching closely at MWC this year.

AI on smartphones: From feature to foundation

In 2024 and 2025, the smartphone industry was dominated by an experimental “AI awe” phase. Most devices announced were labelled AI-enabled, but despite the excitement, most felt experimental. In 2026, the defining shift will be the transition of generative AI from a “cool” feature to the device's foundational architecture.

IDC forecasts that GenAI-enabled smartphones will account for over 37% of total shipments in 2026, representing a market value of $433 billion. The segment is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 32% over the next five years. Critically, the democratization of AI is finally reaching mid-range devices, enabling personalized, proactive assistants to run locally rather than relying on the cloud.

AI becomes foundational. On Android, that shift is particularly visible, as chipmakers such as Qualcomm and MediaTek, alongside Google’s own platform strategy, are expanding on on-device AI performance. More GenAI tasks are now processed locally rather than in the cloud.

However, the bigger change is architectural. AI is embedded into the OS itself, in app permissions, background services, and system-level workflows. It is no longer a standalone feature, but a structural component of the user experience. This will be a key message from most OEMs as they unveil their latest flagships.

From a market perspective, AI has become one of the primary drivers for sustaining premium pricing in a mature smartphone market.

The rise of agentic AI: When your Phone acts on your behalf

AI agents will dominate conversations at MWC. OEMs are expected to showcase on-device AI agents capable of autonomously executing multi-step tasks such as planning travel, coordinating schedules, and managing smart home environments. This will offer an enhanced user experience when compared to simply responding to prompts.

The technical foundation is already visible on Apple Intelligence or Samsung Galaxy AI. On Android, this will mean deeper Google Gemini integrations, smoother cross-app coordination, persistent contextual memory, and greater use of powerful NPUs in flagship chipsets.

Consumers will benefit from faster, more seamless task execution, while smartphone makers gain ecosystem stickiness.

However, agentic AI raises a strategic question: trust. When devices begin to act on the user’s behalf, privacy, transparency, and control become critical. Android’s openness remains a competitive advantage, but it also introduces complexity in delivering consistent and secure AI experiences across multiple vendors.

Foldables: From experiment to strategic pillar

Foldables still account for a single-digit share of total smartphone shipments (1.6% in 2025, according to IDC), but within the Android ecosystem, they play an outsized strategic role, accounting for 15% of the premium segment.

Samsung, Honor, Xiaomi, and others continue refining fold-type foldables as productivity-first devices rather than novelty hardware.

At MWC, we expect thinner designs, improved hinge durability, and reduced display creasing to narrow the gap with traditional bar-type smartphones.

From a market standpoint, foldables are less about volume and more about defending the premium tier. In a world where smartphone innovation feels incremental, foldables offer differentiation and margin protection.

The real question isn’t whether foldables will dominate shipments in 2026 — they will not. It’s whether they will become the growth engine at the high end of the market.

The memory crunch: Pricing pressure increases

While AI dominates the headlines, supply chain dynamics are becoming more influential.

Memory manufacturers are prioritising high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for AI data centres, tightening supply for the DRAM and NAND components used in smartphones. This reallocation is placing upward pressure on component costs across consumer devices.

For Android buyers, this may mean fewer aggressive mid-range price cuts and more cautious storage configurations at entry levels. For OEMs, the challenge is balancing AI-driven performance requirements, which demand more memory, with consumer sensitivity to rising prices.

For years, the industry has relied on predictable declines in component costs to sustain innovation without inflating retail prices. That assumption is now under strain, and it may influence upgrade cycles more than any single feature announcement.

IDC expects the memory supply challenges to persist throughout 2026 and likely well into 2027. There is no scenario in our current model in which memory pricing returns to 2025 levels within the forecast period

The downstream consequences of the crisis are becoming clearer and will reshape competitive dynamics in the PC and smartphone markets, and will be at the top of every conversation in Barcelona next week.

Power innovation: Charging and battery chemistry

Battery technology is quietly becoming one of the most meaningful enablers of next-generation Android devices.

Ultra-fast charging, with demonstrations approaching 300W in controlled environments, shifts the narrative from “all-day battery” to “minutes of charging.” This could change user behaviour from overnight charging to rapid top-ups throughout the day. The real test, however, will be long-term battery health and thermal management.

At the same time, silicon-carbon anode batteries are increasing energy density compared to traditional graphite lithium-ion cells. This allows manufacturers to pack larger capacities into the same footprint or design thinner devices without sacrificing endurance.

As on-device AI workloads and high-refresh displays push power consumption higher, improvements in battery chemistry become strategically essential rather than incremental. At MWC, we expect OEMs to frame battery and charging not as secondary specifications, but as core enablers of AI performance.

Satellite connectivity: Expanding the coverage map

Satellite connectivity is evolving beyond emergency-only use cases. Discussions at MWC are expected to focus on non-terrestrial networks and expanded messaging capabilities, alongside deeper partnerships between mobile operators and satellite providers.

For Android users, satellite integration promises extended coverage in remote areas and improved resilience during natural disasters. The technology itself is largely proven. The next phase will depend on commercial models, carrier integration, and pricing structures that make satellite access practical rather than purely promotional.

Smart glasses

AI-powered smart glasses are emerging as a complementary interface to the smartphone. Advances in optics, miniaturisation, and AI processing are enabling the development of contextual assistants embedded directly into eyewear. For the Android ecosystem, this presents an opportunity to extend AI experiences beyond the handset while reinforcing the broader device portfolio.

Shipments of smart glasses will grow 50% in 2026 to just under 14 million units, according to IDC. While modest compared to smartphone volumes, smart glasses represent a strategic early step toward ambient computing, where the smartphone becomes one node in a larger AI-driven personal network.

Twenty years on

Twenty years after MWC arrived in Barcelona, the smartphone is no longer just a mobile communications device. It is becoming a personal AI endpoint at the center of a broader connected ecosystem. The companies that succeed in this next phase will be those that combine intelligent software, resilient supply chains, and coherent ecosystems — not just compelling spec sheets.

MWC 2026 will not be only about new hardware announcements. It will signal a structural inflexion point.

AI is becoming architectural rather than optional. And yet, despite decades of exponential innovation with faster processors, sharper displays, better cameras, foldable form factors, and intelligence, the industry finds itself constrained by something far more fundamental.

A component long taken for granted is now dictating the pace and economics of innovation. For years, the assumption was clear: component prices, particularly DRAM and NAND, would decline predictably. This assumption no longer holds. Supply chain reallocation toward AI infrastructure has tightened availability and costs.

After decades of engineering breakthroughs, the smartphone industry is being reminded of a simple truth: technological progress is only as strong as the supply chain beneath it.

So my main question heading into MWC 2026 discussions is simple: will competitive advantage come from software intelligence or supply chain resilience?

About IDC

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