Page 8 - Latest Updates on Google
Google tests Apple Spotlight-like search bar on PCs with a new Windows app
Google's experimental Windows app adds a Spotlight-like search bar with Lens, AI Mode, and Drive integration for faster local search and web results
 "Google tests Apple Spotlight-like search bar on PCs with a new Windows app")
Google pledges £5 billion UK investment, unveils data centre near London
Google will invest £5 billion in the UK, opening a new data centre near London, creating jobs, backing clean energy plans, and giving a boost to PM Starmer's economic agenda
 "Google pledges £5 billion UK investment, unveils data centre near London")
Over 200 Google AI raters laid off: Did they train their own replacement?
More than 200 contract "raters" working on Google's AI projects were laid off without warning, sparking concerns over job security, pay, and their role in training replacement systems
 "Over 200 Google AI raters laid off: Did they train their own replacement?")
Nano Banana AI: How many images can you generate daily with Google Gemini?
Google has revised its Gemini model image creation limits policy, noting that "basic access" is available to free and "highest access" for Pro and Ultra users who use Gemini 2.5 Flash Image
 "Nano Banana AI: How many images can you generate daily with Google Gemini?")
Gemini's Nano Banana: How Google's AI creates lifelike photo edits
Google's Nano Banana, powered by Imagen 4 in the Gemini app, uses LLMs, diffusion models, and watermarking to produce more realistic and consistent AI images
 "Gemini's Nano Banana: How Google's AI creates lifelike photo edits")
Google Pixel 10 Pro review: AI focus overshadows imaging refinements
Pixel 10 Pro shifts focus from cameras to AI, offering polished design, solid battery life, and long software support, but with only incremental imaging upgrades
 "Google Pixel 10 Pro review: AI focus overshadows imaging refinements")
Google dodges Chrome sale in antitrust case, must share search data
Tuesday's ruling represents a blow to the government, falling far short of the most severe remedies sought by antitrust enforcers after the court found Google illegally monopolised the search market
 "Google dodges Chrome sale in antitrust case, must share search data")
Best of BS Opinion: Ethanol blend welcome, but water security a key concern
Today's wrap of the Opinion Page considers the E20 mandate and its potential impacts, what a US court's ruling on Google means, India's spice trade, and the regulatory aspects of options trading
 "Best of BS Opinion: Ethanol blend welcome, but water security a key concern")
US court's order on Google search data sharing can reduce entry barriers
However, the company may continue to have non-exclusive arrangements to preload or distribute applications. But it could pay Apple, Samsung, etc to preload its Chrome browser and search engine
Rolling Stone, Billboard owner Penske sues Google over AI overviews
News organizations have for months said the new features, including Google's "AI Overviews," siphon traffic away from their sites, eroding advertising and subscription revenue
'Learning how to learn' will be vital skill in AI era: Google scientist
Speaking at an ancient Roman theatre at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens, Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google's DeepMind, said rapid technological change demands a new approach to learning
 "'Learning how to learn' will be vital skill in AI era: Google scientist")
Google's Gemini AI can now analyse your audio files: All you need to know
Google's Gemini app now lets Android, iOS, and web users upload audio files for AI to do a comprehensive analysis, opening new use cases like transcribing interviews, lectures, and voice memos
 "Google's Gemini AI can now analyse your audio files: All you need to know")
Google's Gemini AI reportedly unsafe for teens despite guardrails
Common Sense Media flags Gemini's kid-focused versions as "High Risk," warning that added filters aren't enough to protect children from unsafe or inappropriate content
Google pushes its AI chips into rival data centres, challenging Nvidia
Google is deploying TPUs in rival data centres, challenging Nvidia's GPU dominance and aiming to break developers' reliance
 "Google pushes its AI chips into rival data centres, challenging Nvidia")
Google hit with $3.45 billion EU antitrust fine over adtech practices
The Commission said Google favoured its own online display technology services to the detriment of rivals and online publishers and that it abused its market power since 2014 until today
Google ordered to pay $425.7 mn in damages for improper smartphone snooping
Google had denied that it was improperly tracking the online activity of people who thought they had shielded themselves with privacy controls
Pixel 10 series' Material 3 Expressive expands to older-generation models
Android 16 QPR1 for Pixel smartphones introduces a refreshed Material 3 design, advanced LE Audio streaming, expanded Gboard AI features, Quick Share changes, Pixel Watch navigation support, and more
 "Pixel 10 series' Material 3 Expressive expands to older-generation models")
Australia warns Meta, TikTok to prepare as under-16 ban approaches
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said Thursday she had written to the technology companies saying she expected them to get ready to deactivate accounts held by Australians who are under 16
 "Australia warns Meta, TikTok to prepare as under-16 ban approaches")
Google Pixel's Screenshots app may soon get Read Aloud option: How it works
Google is adding a new Read Aloud feature to the Pixel Screenshots app, letting users listen to saved articles or captured content. This update might soon reach the Pixel 9 series, too
 "Google Pixel's Screenshots app may soon get Read Aloud option: How it works")
How OpenAI 'accidentally' saved Google from losing YouTube, Chrome
Generative AI's sudden ascent reshaped how courts view online search, giving Google an unlikely shield against antitrust efforts to split off YouTube and Chrome
