Google held its annual developer conference, Google I/O 2026, which serves as the traditional response to Apple’s annual events. While we await Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2026) this coming June, Google decided to reveal its cards early and flex its muscles in the field of artificial intelligence. From advanced Gemini models and revolutionary search tools to smart audio glasses, it seems Google is determined to provide an integrated experience to compete with Apple in all areas. In fact, ironically and surprisingly, some of Google’s live demos at the conference were showcased directly using an iPhone 17 Pro Max!
Stormy updates for the Gemini family and a dedicated app for Mac
Google announced its new generation of AI models, starting with the super-powered Gemini Omni model, which is capable of processing and generating any output from any input, with an amazing ability to simulate gravity and kinetic energy. This model integrates the intelligence of Gemini with advanced generative models like Veo and Nano Banana, allowing users to upload videos and edit any element within them via voice commands. To make this power immediately available, the company launched the fast Gemini Omni Flash version, available starting today for paid subscribers of the Gemini app.
Google didn’t stop there; it also unveiled the Gemini 3.5 Flash model, which combines superior intelligence with execution speed, outperforming the 3.1 Pro model in all standard benchmarks and available to everyone via products and APIs starting today, with promises to internally test the Gemini 3.5 Pro model for release next month. In an interesting gesture for Apple users, the Gemini app received a revolutionary update for Mac; users can now select multiple images and documents in the Finder app and then press the Function Key to issue a voice command to Gemini to handle these files, such as asking it to draft an email and send it via Gmail using information extracted from those files.
Google Search engine fully transforms into an AI engine
The most prominent slogan of the conference was “Google Search is AI Search.” The AI Overviews feature and smart search mode have been updated to rely entirely on the fast Gemini 3.5 Flash model. Google also redesigned the traditional search box to go beyond mere word auto-completion; the new box supports inputting images, files, videos, and Chrome browser tabs as search inputs, which Sundar Pichai described as the biggest upgrade to the search box in over a quarter of a century.
It didn’t stop there; search also received a Generative UI feature that enables the search engine to create custom tools and interactive tables to meet the needs of programmers and users for free this summer. In addition to the “Agents in Search” feature, which allows tracking changes on web pages and sending custom alerts to users, not to mention the Universal Cart feature that allows adding products while reading email or browsing YouTube and completing payment automatically via smart payment agents on your behalf according to the budget and options you specify in advance.
Android XR audio glasses and agents working around the clock
In terms of hardware and devices, Google surprised attendees by announcing the upcoming launch of the first audio glasses running on the Android XR system this fall. Their design was developed in collaboration with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, while Samsung handled the internal hardware manufacturing. These glasses provide constant access to the Gemini assistant, which will speak into the user’s ear with complete privacy, and support taking photos, listening to music, and making calls, with full compatibility with both Android devices and the iPhone alike.
Google also introduced Gemini Spark, a personal smart agent that works in the background around the clock via the cloud (without needing to open your computer) to accomplish long, multi-step tasks and plan sub-tasks. To support this massive ecosystem, Google introduced a new Ultra subscription plan for $100, reduced the price of the higher Ultra plan from $250 to $200, launched the Android Halo feature to keep the user informed of smart agent activity at the top of their phone screen, and introduced creator updates like Google Pics for generating and designing creative advertisements.
Source:
Leave a Reply