Tag: Google

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Technology

Google launches Gemini Omni, Nano Banana

Google has expanded its artificial intelligence portfolio with the launch of Gemini Omni and Nano Banana 2 Lite, two new AI models designed to make conversations more natural and image creation significantly faster.

The company says Gemini Omni is built to handle voice, video and visual inputs in real time, allowing users to interact with AI more smoothly. The model can understand multiple forms of information simultaneously, enabling quicker and more human-like responses during conversations.

The second launch, Nano Banana 2 Lite, is a lightweight AI model focused on rapid image generation. Google says it can create and edit images from simple text prompts within seconds while using fewer computing resources. The model is intended for developers, businesses and creators looking for fast, high-quality visual content without the need for powerful hardware.

By introducing the new models, Google aims to make AI more accessible across a wide range of applications. From digital assistants and creative tools to educational platforms and business software, the technology is expected to improve productivity and user experience.

Google’s latest offerings place equal emphasis on performance and ease of use, ensuring that AI tools can run efficiently while delivering advanced capabilities.

Developers will be able to integrate both models into applications through Google’s AI ecosystem, opening new possibilities for conversational assistants, image editing, content creation and customer support.

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Technology

Google relaxes Play Store billing

Google is set to roll out one of the biggest changes to its Play Store business model in recent years, giving developers more freedom to choose how payments are processed on Android apps.

The company has expanded its Play Billing Choice programme, allowing eligible app developers to offer alternative payment systems alongside Google’s own billing service. The updated policy takes effect next week and is expected to reduce the fees developers pay for transactions made through external payment providers.

For years, developers have argued that mandatory use of Google’s billing system increased costs and restricted competition. The latest changes are designed to address some of those concerns while still keeping Google Play Billing available as an option for users.

Under the revised programme, developers using alternative payment systems will receive fee reductions compared to standard Play Store commissions. Google says the lower fees reflect the fact that some payment-related services will be handled by third-party providers instead of the company itself.

The policy shift comes amid increasing scrutiny from regulators worldwide. Governments and competition watchdogs have pushed major app store operators to provide more choice and reduce barriers for developers. In response, both Google and other technology giants have gradually adjusted their marketplace rules.

Developers are expected to benefit from greater flexibility and potentially higher earnings. Companies offering subscription services, streaming platforms and digital content could see lower operating costs, allowing them to invest more in product development and customer acquisition.

Google has stressed that security, transparency and consumer protection will remain central to the Play Store experience. Users will continue to see clear payment information regardless of which billing option they choose.

As the new rules come into effect, developers will be watching closely to assess whether lower fees and additional payment choices translate into meaningful business benefits. For the broader app ecosystem, the changes represent another chapter in the ongoing debate over platform control, competition and digital marketplace fairness.

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Technology

Gemini powers Google’s new home speaker

Google is making a fresh push into the smart home market with a new Google Home speaker powered by its Gemini artificial intelligence platform, betting that advanced AI can reignite interest in smart speakers.

The device marks Google’s first major smart speaker launch in nearly six years and represents a shift away from traditional voice assistants. Instead of responding only to simple commands, the new speaker is designed to hold more natural conversations, understand context and handle multiple requests in a single interaction.

Powered by Gemini for Home, the speaker allows users to speak in a more conversational manner. Users can ask follow-up questions, control multiple smart home devices at once and receive more detailed responses without repeating commands.

Google says the speaker has been built specifically for AI-first experiences. It features improved voice recognition, better noise handling and local AI processing to make interactions faster and more reliable. The device also acts as a hub for connected smart home products and supports industry standards such as Matter and Thread.

The company hopes the product will help it compete more effectively with Amazon’s Echo range and Apple’s growing smart home ecosystem. Industry experts believe the integration of generative AI could give smart speakers a new purpose after years of limited innovation in the category.

The speaker is expected to be available from June 25 and comes with access to premium Gemini features for early buyers. Google has reportedly fixed thousands of software issues during testing to improve the user experience before launch.

With AI becoming central to consumer technology, Google is positioning Gemini as the future of home assistance, transforming smart speakers from simple voice-controlled gadgets into more capable digital companions.

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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.

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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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