Tag: Google

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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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1 Minute-Read

Google tests YouTube AI search tool

Google is testing a new AI-powered feature called “Ask YouTube” that allows users to search using full questions instead of simple keywords.

The tool provides text summaries, suggested videos, Shorts and highlighted clips related to the query. Users can also ask follow-up questions, making search more conversational.

The feature is currently being tested with selected YouTube Premium users in the United States. Google has not announced a wider rollout date yet.

The move is part of its broader AI push and could change how users discover tutorials, reviews and educational content on YouTube.

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Technology

Google plans a huge $40 bn investment in Anthropic

Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has announced plans to invest up to $40 billion in artificial intelligence startup Anthropic, one of the leading rivals in the fast-growing AI space. The deal strengthens an already close partnership between the two companies.

According to reports, Google will immediately invest about $10 billion in Anthropic. A further $30 billion may follow, but only if the startup meets certain performance targets. The investment values Anthropic at around $350 billion.

Anthropic is best known for its AI chatbot family called Claude, which competes directly with OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s own Gemini models. The company has seen rapid growth in demand, especially for its coding-focused tools.

Along with funding, the deal also includes major support for computing power. Google will provide large-scale access to its cloud infrastructure and specialized AI chips to help Anthropic train and run its models. This kind of computing capacity is seen as critical for building advanced AI systems.

The investment comes as competition among big tech firms intensifies. Amazon recently announced its own multi-billion-dollar backing for Anthropic, making the startup one of the most heavily funded AI companies in the world.

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Leaders

Gucci-owner to launch AI smart glasses with Google

French luxury group Kering, best known for brands like Gucci, is planning to step into the world of smart technology with a new line of high-end smart glasses, developed in partnership with Google. The company aims to launch the product as early as next year, signalling a shift toward combining fashion with advanced digital features.

The idea is simple: take the elegance and style associated with Gucci and merge it with Google’s expertise in artificial intelligence and wearable tech. The result could be a pair of smart glasses that not only look premium but also offer practical features powered by AI.

This move comes at a time when the luxury industry is looking for new ways to attract customers. Kering, in particular, has been facing slower growth at Gucci, its biggest brand. By entering the smart eyewear space, the company hopes to open up a fresh revenue stream and appeal to younger, tech-savvy consumers.

Competition in this space is already heating up. Companies like EssilorLuxottica have partnered with Meta to produce Ray-Ban smart glasses, which combine classic design with features like cameras and voice assistance. Kering’s entry could raise the bar by bringing a stronger focus on luxury and design.

Kering’s leadership says the project is part of a broader plan to expand beyond traditional fashion and adapt to changing consumer habits. As people increasingly look for products that combine style with functionality, smart glasses could become a key category in the future.

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Technology

Google brings AI search to Windows desktop

Google has introduced a new desktop app for Windows users, making it easier to search the web and access information without opening a browser.

The app works on Windows 10 and newer versions and is currently available in English. It is designed to simplify how people search by bringing everything—web results, files, apps, and even cloud content—into one place.

One of its main features is “AI Mode,” which allows users to ask questions in a natural, conversational way. Instead of just showing a list of links, the app provides clear answers along with useful sources. This makes searching feel more like having a conversation than typing keywords.

Another useful feature is a quick shortcut. By pressing Alt + Space, users can instantly open the search bar and look for anything on their computer or online. This helps save time and reduces the need to switch between apps or browser tabs.

The app also includes tools like screen-based search and image recognition. Users can select something on their screen and ask questions about it, translate text, or identify images using built-in tools similar to Google Lens.

This launch is part of Google’s broader push to bring artificial intelligence into daily use. By placing AI tools directly on the desktop, the company is trying to make technology more helpful and less time-consuming.

For now, the app is limited to English, but more languages are expected in the future. With this move, Google is taking a step towards making search more personal, faster, and easier to use.

Also Read: Anthropic brings in Novartis CEO Narasimhan to board

 

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Technology

Anthropic partners Google, Broadcom for AI expansion

Anthropic has entered into a major long-term partnership with Google and Broadcom to strengthen its access to advanced AI chips and computing infrastructure.

The agreement is aimed at meeting the growing demand for high-performance computing required to train and run advanced artificial intelligence models. As part of the deal, Anthropic will use Google’s custom-built Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), which are designed specifically for AI workloads.

The partnership is expected to significantly scale Anthropic’s computing capacity over the coming years. Reports suggest that the company could gain access to several gigawatts of compute power, reflecting the massive infrastructure needed for next-generation AI systems.

Broadcom will play a key role by helping design and supply custom chips that power Google’s AI infrastructure. The collaboration is part of a broader, multi-year arrangement that will support the development of future AI processors.

For Anthropic, the deal ensures a steady supply of critical resources needed to expand its AI offerings, including its Claude chatbot. The company has been rapidly growing and requires large-scale computing to keep up with increasing user demand and more complex AI models.

The partnership also highlights a wider trend in the tech industry, where companies are entering long-term agreements to secure access to chips and computing power. With AI systems becoming more resource-intensive, reliable infrastructure has become a key competitive factor.

For Google, the deal strengthens its cloud and AI ecosystem by promoting the use of its in-house chips. For Broadcom, it reinforces its role in the global semiconductor supply chain.

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Technology

Google unveils Gemma 4 AI model

Google has launched its new AI model, Gemma 4, to help developers create smarter applications with ease. Built by Google DeepMind, the model is designed to be simple to use while still offering powerful features.

Gemma 4 is available in multiple sizes, allowing it to run on a variety of devices such as smartphones, laptops, and servers. This makes it more accessible, especially for developers who may not have high-end hardware.

The model can perform tasks like answering questions, generating text, and assisting with coding. It also supports text, images, and audio, making it capable of handling different types of data in one system.

Another key feature is that Gemma 4 can work directly on devices, sometimes without needing an internet connection. This helps improve speed and enhances data privacy.

With support for over 140 languages, the model can be used to build applications for users around the world. It can also process large amounts of information at once, making it suitable for more advanced tasks.

Google has made Gemma 4 available under an open licence, allowing developers to freely use, modify, and build on it, including for commercial use.

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Technology

Google restricts ‘Agent Smith’ AI tool after internal surge

Google has limited access to its internal AI tool “Agent Smith” after it quickly gained popularity among employees. The tool is designed to automate coding and handle routine work tasks with minimal human involvement.

Agent Smith stands out for its ability to perform multi-step tasks independently. Employees can assign work from their smartphones, and the AI continues processing in the background, allowing greater flexibility and efficiency.

The system also connects with Google’s internal platforms to retrieve documents and relevant data, reducing manual effort and speeding up workflows. Its growing use reflects a shift from basic AI assistants to more advanced, autonomous agents.

The rise of the tool aligns with CEO Sundar Pichai’s focus on integrating AI into daily operations. Sergey Brin has also emphasized that such AI agents will play a key role in the company’s future.

While details remain limited, Agent Smith’s rapid adoption signals how AI is increasingly transforming workplace productivity.

Also Read: Anthropic plans $60 billion IPO amid AI boom

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Technology

Google, Accel pick five India-linked AI startups

Google and venture capital firm Accel have chosen five artificial intelligence startups connected to India after evaluating more than 4,000 applications for their joint accelerator program, emphasizing the growing importance of building original AI technology rather than simple integrations.

The startups were selected for the Atoms accelerator, a program launched by Google and Accel to support early-stage AI companies developing products tied to India’s technology ecosystem. After a rigorous selection process, the firms picked K-Dense, Dodge.ai, Persistence Labs, Zingroll, and Level Plane for the new cohort.

During the screening process, investors found that a large portion of submissions lacked substantial technological depth. Around 70% of the applications were categorized as “AI wrappers,” meaning the products mainly relied on existing large AI models without creating meaningful proprietary technology or infrastructure.

According to the organizers, the final five startups demonstrated stronger technical foundations and clearer long-term innovation potential. Each company focuses on a different application of AI across industries.

K-Dense is developing an AI “co-scientist” aimed at supporting researchers and accelerating discoveries in fields such as life sciences and chemistry. Dodge.ai is building autonomous AI agents designed to work within enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Persistence Labs is working on voice-based artificial intelligence tools for customer service and call-center operations.

Meanwhile, Zingroll is building a platform that enables AI-generated content for film and television production. Level Plane focuses on creating AI solutions to streamline enterprise workflows and improve operational efficiency.

Startups selected for the program may receive up to $2 million in investment from Accel and Google’s AI Futures Fund. In addition, they can access up to $350,000 worth of cloud and computing credits, including infrastructure from Google Cloud and advanced AI tools such as Gemini.

The initiative reflects a broader shift in the startup ecosystem, where investors are becoming more cautious about companies that simply layer existing AI models onto products without developing unique technology.

Through the accelerator, Google and Accel aim to support startups capable of building deeper AI systems with long-term global potential, while strengthening India’s growing role in the artificial intelligence landscape.

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Technology

Airtel + Google bring AI spam protection to RCS

Bharti Airtel and Google have teamed up to fight spam and fraud on RCS messaging, the upgraded messaging platform that allows users to share media, chat interactively, and receive messages from verified businesses. The partnership uses Airtel’s AI-powered spam detection to screen messages in real time, blocking unwanted or malicious content and ensuring a safer user experience.

With billions of spam calls and SMS already blocked by Airtel, the collaboration brings similar protections to enhanced messaging. Messages from verified businesses are clearly identified, while messages violating Do Not Disturb (DND) settings or containing suspicious links are filtered automatically.

Google said the partnership strengthens trust in RCS and encourages safe adoption of new messaging features. Airtel highlighted that AI-based spam detection at the network level can significantly reduce fraud and protect users from phishing attempts, unsafe links, and unwanted promotions.

The initiative is especially relevant in India, where millions rely on messaging platforms for personal and business communication. By blocking spam before it reaches users’ phones, the system provides peace of mind while making enhanced messaging more reliable.

In addition to filtering spam, the system ensures faster and more secure delivery of legitimate messages. Consumers can now interact with businesses safely, access interactive features, and trust that RCS messaging remains free from malicious content.

Experts say the collaboration sets a global example for integrating carrier-level AI security into messaging platforms. With billions of daily messages, Airtel and Google aim to make RCS safer, smarter, and more user-friendly, positioning India as a leader in secure next-generation messaging technologies.

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