More stories

  • in

    Google’s upcoming AI smart glasses may finally convince me to switch to a pair full-time

    Kerry Wan/ZDNETGoogle I/O 2025, like the few years before it, dove deep into AI and the various ways it’s being integrated across the Search giant’s products and services. Among the recipients is Android XR, Google’s extended reality operating system that underpins the emerging product category of headsets and smart glasses.Also: Here’s the Android XR headset that Google and Samsung are releasing in 2025Android XR was first unveiled last December, but the company mainly covered the general software experience for XR and VR headsets. In fact, Google showcased most of its spatial computing features on a headset it created with Samsung and Qualcomm, codenamed Project Moohan. We’re expecting to learn more about that project later this year.At I/O this week, Google shifted its focus toward Android XR glasses, everyday wearables that can leverage cameras, microphones, and speakers to interpret what you see and assist with Gemini. Many big tech companies, including Meta and Apple, share this same vision of wearables, but Google may have the upper hand. More

  • in

    The best smart glasses unveiled at I/O 2025 weren’t made by Google

    XREAL Project Aura XrealDuring Google I/O 2025, mixed reality company Xreal revealed a new pair of “see-through” XR glasses, codenamed Project Aura. Very little is known about this device; neither the company nor Google said much at the event. What we do know paints an interesting picture. Also: I tested the best AR and MR glasses: Here’s how the Meta Ray-Bans stack upOn the surface, Project Aura looks similar to the Xreal Air 2 Ultra More

  • in

    Google just gave Gmail a major AI upgrade, and it solves a big problem for me

    Kerry Wan/ZDNETThe Google I/O keynote took place on Tuesday, and the company took the stage to unveil new features across all of its product offerings. Of course, this included AI upgrades to the Google Workspace suite of applications, which millions of users rely on every day to get their work done, including Google Docs, Meet, Slides, Gmail, and Vids. Also: Google’s popular AI tool gets its own Android app – how to use NotebookLM on your phoneThe features unveiled this year focused on practicality. They embed AI features into the Google apps you already use every day to speed up your daily workflow by performing tedious and time-consuming tasks, such as cleaning out your inbox. Gmail: Gemini can clean your inbox More

  • in

    Your Google Gemini assistant is getting 8 useful features – here’s the update log

    Artie Beaty/ZDNETGoogle Gemini already offers a host of useful capabilities. From generating text and creating images to live conversations, deep research, and analyzing files, Google’s AI has proven itself a strong contender in the AI field. Also: Everything announced at Google I/O 2025: Gemini, Search, Android XR, and moreAt Google I/O 2025 on Tuesday, the company revealed a slew of new and improved features now available with its AI assistant.1. New Google AI Pro and Ultra plansFirst up are two new Google AI subscriptions that offer more features but naturally come with their own price tags.The first plan is known as Google AI Pro, which is actually the same AI Premium plan that’s been around for a while just with a new name. Still priced at $20 per month, AI Pro offers the same AI features available with the free version of Gemini but adds higher rate limits and special features. AI Pro also includes the Gemini app formerly known as Gemini Advanced, along with products like NotebookLM and the new Flow AI video editor. Those two features will reach AI Pro subscribers in the US first and then expand to other countries. More

  • in

    The Lenovo desktop PC I’d actually use at the office – even if it’s for gamers

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Configurations for Lenovo’s LOQ Tower 17IRR9 start at $1,099. The computer is a great option for people looking for a well-performing, compact, and affordable computer. However, because of its small size, it has a limited number of available ports. more buying choices Lenovo’s Legion series is positioned as the company’s flagship gaming […] More

  • in

    Everything Google just announced at I/O 2025: Gemini upgrades, AI Search, Android XR, and more

    Google began rolling out AI Mode in Search earlier this year, and the feature will now be widely available in the US, with no Labs sign-up required. It’ll come with some new capabilities, too.Deep Search in AI Mode, for example, expands the number of background queries from tens to hundreds to put together a more robust and thought-out search response. The result is a fully cited report that Google says will take just minutes to research and create.Also: Your Google Search experience will never be the same, thanks to 8 new AI featuresFor visual assistance, the Google Search experience is also getting Project Astra’s multimodal capabilities, so users can simply point their camera at an object or setting and ask about it like they would with a Google image search. There’s also a new AI Mode shopping experience that helps you find inspirations, narrow down buying options, and see yourself in an outfit (via image generator) when you upload an image of yourself.Project Mariner’s agentic functions will also transfer to AI Mode, allowing users to prompt Google to find the best event ticket deals or book restaurant appointments. While the AI won’t complete the purchase for you, it will present multiple options, including the one that best fits your inquiry (say you searched for the cheapest option), for you to approve.Finally, Google has expanded AI Overviews to over 200 countries and territories, and more than 40 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Malay, Urdu, and more. More