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Technology

Google signs $920 mn-a-month AI deal with SpaceX

Google has signed a major cloud computing agreement with SpaceX, committing to pay about $920 million every month for AI computing capacity in one of the largest technology infrastructure deals announced this year. The agreement was disclosed in regulatory filings ahead of SpaceX’s planned stock market debut.

Under the deal, Google will gain access to approximately 110,000 Nvidia graphics processing units (GPUs), along with related computing infrastructure such as CPUs, memory, and networking resources. The contract is scheduled to run from October 2026 through June 2029, with a lower-priced ramp-up period before full capacity becomes available.

The computing power will help Google meet growing demand for its AI products and services, including its Gemini Enterprise platform. As companies race to develop and deploy advanced artificial intelligence systems, access to large-scale computing resources has become a critical competitive advantage.

The agreement also includes performance guarantees. SpaceX must deliver the promised GPU capacity by the end of September 2026. If those commitments are not met, Google will have the option to terminate the contract after a short grace period. Beginning in 2027, either company can end the agreement by providing 90 days’ notice.

The deal further strengthens SpaceX’s growing presence in the AI infrastructure market. Earlier this year, the company secured another large computing agreement with AI startup Anthropic. Together, the contracts are expected to generate tens of billions of dollars in revenue and create a significant new business line beyond SpaceX’s traditional space and satellite operations.

The announcement comes just days before SpaceX’s highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO). Investors are closely watching the company’s efforts to expand beyond rockets and satellite services into AI computing, a sector experiencing rapid growth as demand for advanced AI models continues to rise worldwide.

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Technology

Google brings Search profiles to boost creator visibility

Google has launched a new feature called Search Profiles, giving content creators and publishers a dedicated space to showcase their work directly in Google Search. The initiative aims to help users discover creators more easily while allowing creators to highlight content from multiple platforms in one place.

The new profiles act as a digital hub where eligible creators can display links to their websites, social media accounts, videos, articles and other online content. When users search for a creator’s name, they can access a profile that presents a consolidated view of the creator’s online presence.

Google said the feature is designed to improve content discovery and help creators reach wider audiences. By bringing content together under a single profile, users can find verified information and explore a creator’s work without having to search across multiple websites.

The rollout is currently targeted at creators and publishers with established online audiences. Reports suggest that eligibility may require creators to have at least 100,000 followers on supported platforms. Google is expected to expand access gradually as the feature develops.

The launch comes as the creator economy continues to grow rapidly worldwide. Digital creators are increasingly using multiple platforms to engage audiences, making it challenging for followers to keep track of all their content. Search Profiles seeks to address this issue by creating a central and easily accessible online identity.

Industry observers believe the feature could help creators strengthen their personal brands and improve audience engagement. Publishers may also benefit through increased visibility and traffic to their original content.

Google has been introducing several tools aimed at supporting creators, businesses and publishers as competition for online attention intensifies. Search Profiles represents another step in making search results more useful and personalized for users.

The company says the feature will continue to evolve based on user feedback and creator participation. As more creators join the platform, Search Profiles could become an important tool for content discovery, helping audiences connect with creators and publishers more efficiently across the web.

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1 Minute-Read

Alphabet plans $80 bn fundraise to accelerate AI expansion

Alphabet, the parent company of Google, plans to raise $80 billion through stock sales to fund its growing artificial intelligence ambitions.

The company said the proceeds will be used to expand AI infrastructure, including data centres, computing power and advanced AI systems. Reports indicate that the fundraising package includes a $10 billion investment from Berkshire Hathaway.

The move reflects the enormous capital requirements of the global AI race as technology giants compete to build next-generation AI platforms. The announcement highlights Alphabet’s commitment to scaling its AI capabilities to meet rapidly growing demand.

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Beyond

Google fined ₹30 lakh in Hindware trademark case

The Delhi High Court has imposed a ₹30 lakh penalty on Google for allowing the trademark “Hindware” to be used as a keyword in its advertising platform, ruling that the practice amounted to trademark infringement.

The case was filed by Hindware, which argued that advertisers were able to use its registered trademark through Google Ads to divert online traffic and potentially mislead consumers searching for its products.

In its ruling, the court held that Google could not escape responsibility by claiming it was merely an intermediary. The court observed that the company’s advertising system facilitated the use of a registered trademark for commercial gain and contributed to consumer confusion.

The High Court directed Google not to permit advertisers to use the “Hindware” trademark as a keyword in its advertising services without authorisation. It also ordered the company to pay ₹30 lakh in damages and costs.

The dispute centred on Google’s keyword advertising model, where businesses can bid on specific words or phrases to make their advertisements appear in search results. Hindware argued that allowing competitors to purchase its trademark as a keyword diluted its brand value and unfairly benefited rival businesses.

The court agreed that trademarks are valuable intellectual property assets and must be protected from unauthorised commercial use. It said companies that own registered trademarks have a legitimate right to prevent others from exploiting those marks in ways that could mislead customers.

The decision also adds to the ongoing global debate over the responsibility of technology companies in regulating advertising practices and protecting intellectual property rights.

For trademark owners, the judgment is being seen as an important affirmation of brand protection in the digital marketplace, while for online platforms it underscores the need for greater vigilance in managing advertising systems and keyword-based marketing.

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Technology

Google rolls out Gemini 3.5 flash

Google has introduced a new artificial intelligence model called Gemini 3.5 Flash, along with upgraded AI-powered search tools, as part of its latest technology announcements.

The company said Gemini 3.5 Flash is built to be faster and more efficient, offering quick responses while using lower computing power. It is designed for tasks like answering questions, generating content, coding help and real-time assistance.

Google also unveiled new AI search agent tools that aim to make search more interactive. Instead of just showing links, the tools are designed to provide direct answers and help users complete tasks using AI.

The updates are part of Google’s efforts to make AI more practical and widely accessible. The company is focusing on improving both performance and cost efficiency as competition in the AI sector continues to grow.

With Gemini already being integrated across several Google products, the new version is expected to strengthen its AI ecosystem and expand use cases for both individuals and businesses.

Industry experts say the emphasis on faster and cheaper AI could help drive wider adoption of generative AI tools, especially in everyday digital tasks.

The announcement reflects Google’s continued push to lead in the global AI market through improved models and smarter search technology.

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Technology

Google introduces Gemini for science

Google has introduced Gemini for Science, a new artificial intelligence initiative aimed at helping scientists and researchers handle complex research work more efficiently. The company said the tools are designed to support researchers in analysing information, identifying patterns and assisting with scientific discoveries across different areas of study.

Research today often involves handling huge amounts of data, studies and technical information. Google said Gemini for Science is intended to reduce the time spent on repetitive and data-heavy tasks so researchers can focus more on experiments and innovation.

The AI system can assist in reviewing scientific papers, organising large datasets and helping researchers identify possible connections and insights that might otherwise take much longer to find. The technology is expected to support work in areas such as healthcare, biology, chemistry and other scientific fields.

Google said the goal is not to replace scientists but to create a tool that works alongside them, helping improve productivity and speed up the research process. Experts believe AI-powered research tools could become increasingly important as scientific work becomes more data-driven.

The launch reflects the growing role of artificial intelligence beyond consumer technology, with companies increasingly building specialised AI tools for research and industry applications.

Also Read: Nvidia profit rises despite China export challenges

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Technology

Google, Blackstone launch $5 bn AI cloud venture

Google and Blackstone have announced a joint venture to create a new artificial intelligence-focused cloud company, backed by an initial $5 billion investment from Blackstone. The move is aimed at meeting the rapidly growing global demand for AI computing infrastructure.

The new US-based company will focus on building large-scale data centre capacity and offering access to Google’s custom-built AI chips, known as Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), through a cloud service model. These chips are widely used for training and running advanced AI systems.

Under the plan, Blackstone will take a majority stake in the venture while providing the initial equity funding. Google will supply hardware, software, and technical expertise to power the platform.

The project is designed to bring around 500 megawatts of computing capacity online by 2027, with scope for further expansion as demand increases. The total investment could eventually reach as much as $25 billion, including additional financing over time.

The venture will be led by long-time Google executive Benjamin Treynor Sloss, reflecting Google’s deep involvement in the project despite it being structured as a separate company.

The partnership comes at a time when global demand for AI infrastructure is surging, driven by the rapid growth of generative AI tools and large-scale machine learning systems. Companies across industries are competing for access to high-performance computing power, particularly specialised chips that can handle AI workloads efficiently.

The initiative also positions Google more directly in competition with other cloud and chip players by allowing external customers to access its proprietary TPU technology outside its core Google Cloud platform.

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Technology

New Google accounts may face 5GB storage limit

Google is reportedly testing a new approach to free cloud storage that could reduce the default limit for new accounts from 15GB to 5GB. The storage applies across Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos, which all draw from a shared quota.

In the test, some users signing up for new Google accounts are shown only 5GB of free storage initially. To access the full 15GB, users may need to complete phone number verification during or after the registration process.

This change does not appear to affect existing Google accounts, which continue to receive the standard 15GB free storage allocation. The experiment is currently limited in scope and has not been officially rolled out worldwide.

For years, the 15GB free storage plan has been a key part of Google’s ecosystem, giving users a unified space for emails, files and photo backups. It has also been a competitive advantage in the cloud storage market.

However, storage usage has increased significantly over time as users store more high-resolution photos, videos and documents. This has led many users to eventually upgrade to paid Google One plans once their free limit is reached.

The new test suggests Google may be exploring ways to better manage storage demand while also tightening account verification processes. Industry observers note that linking storage benefits to identity confirmation could become a broader trend across digital platforms.

Google has described the move as a controlled experiment aimed at improving platform security and reducing the creation of fake or spam accounts. By linking full storage access to verification, the company may be trying to discourage mass sign-ups that exploit free storage offerings.

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Technology

Google showcases next-generation AI tools

Google has unveiled a range of new artificial intelligence features for Android devices along with a new AI-powered laptop platform called GoogleBook during its Android Show 2026 event.

The company introduced “Gemini Intelligence”, an upgraded AI assistant integrated directly into Android smartphones and tablets. Google said the system is designed to help users perform tasks more naturally through voice and text commands.

According to the company, Gemini Intelligence can summarise conversations, organise information, draft messages and assist users across multiple apps. Google said the AI will make Android devices more personalised and interactive.

Another major announcement was GoogleBook, a lightweight laptop platform built around AI-powered tools. Google showcased features such as real-time summarisation, smart writing assistance, voice-based commands and AI-supported search.

The company demonstrated how users could ask Gemini to manage schedules, write emails, edit photos and retrieve information from files using simple conversational prompts.

Google said more details about the rollout of Gemini Intelligence and GoogleBook will be shared during its upcoming developer conference, Google I/O.

Industry experts believe the announcements highlight Google’s push to compete aggressively in the rapidly growing AI market, where companies including Microsoft, Apple and OpenAI are introducing similar technologies. Google said the new AI features will also improve services like Maps, Search, messaging and accessibility tools on Android devices.

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Technology

Google introduces AI-powered Fitbit Air

Google has entered the growing AI-driven wearable market with the launch of Fitbit Air, a new screenless fitness tracker designed to focus on health monitoring rather than smartwatch-style features. The company said the wearable combines passive health tracking with artificial intelligence-based wellness insights.

Priced at $99, Fitbit Air does not include a display, notifications, or apps. Instead, the lightweight wrist strap continuously tracks user health data in the background and delivers personalised recommendations through Google’s new Health app. The device is powered by Google’s Gemini AI technology, which analyses fitness and biometric information to provide coaching related to sleep, recovery, activity levels, and overall wellness.

The wearable includes features such as continuous heart-rate monitoring, sleep analysis, blood oxygen tracking, activity tracking, temperature sensing, and heart rhythm notifications. Google claims the device can offer up to seven days of battery life on a single charge.

According to the company, Fitbit Air is aimed at users who want health insights without the distractions associated with traditional smartwatches. The product reflects a growing trend in the wearable technology industry, where companies are shifting focus toward continuous biometric tracking and AI-powered health analysis.

Google has also announced a unified Google Health app that will replace the older Fitbit app experience. The new platform combines fitness, sleep, and wellness information in one interface while offering AI-generated recommendations based on user data patterns.

The company confirmed that Fitbit Air will support both Android and iPhone users, widening its potential customer base. Alongside the device, Google is also introducing a subscription-based AI Health Coach service that provides more advanced health analysis and customised wellness guidance.

Fitbit Air directly competes with popular screenless wearable brands such as Whoop and Oura, which have gained popularity among fitness-focused users and professional athletes.

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