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Google Gemini Live Receives Major Update with New Accents, Faster Speech, and Adaptive Tutoring

Google Gemini Live Receives Major Update with New Accents, Faster Speech, and Adaptive Tutoring

Google has rolled out its biggest update to Gemini Live, the real‑time conversational AI interface, on Android and iOS. The upgrade adds smarter models that better understand intonation, rhythm, and pitch, letting users hear the assistant speak more slowly or quickly, adopt a range of accents, and deliver dramatic storytelling. Gemini Live also offers adaptive tutoring for language learning and other subjects, as well as practice‑conversation tools for interviews and challenging personal talks. The enhancements aim to make interactions feel more natural, expressive, and tailored to individual learning needs.

Google Adds Deep Research Capability to NotebookLM

Google Adds Deep Research Capability to NotebookLM

Google has expanded its NotebookLM AI workspace by adding a Deep Research tool that can automatically browse the web and compile multi‑page reports on a single topic. The new feature works alongside the Gemini model, allowing users to direct the app to seek specific online sources and receive suggested articles, papers, and websites. NotebookLM can now also pull data from Google Sheets, Microsoft Word documents, and PDFs stored in Google Drive, with the ability to add Drive files simply by copying a URL. The enhancements are set to roll out to users within a week, further strengthening the app’s note‑taking, flashcard, and quiz‑generation functions.

DeepMind Unveils SIMA 2, a Gemini‑Powered Embodied AI Agent

DeepMind Unveils SIMA 2, a Gemini‑Powered Embodied AI Agent

DeepMind introduced SIMA 2, the next generation of its general‑purpose AI agent that combines the language and reasoning capabilities of the Gemini model with embodied skills learned from video‑game data. The new system can understand complex instructions, reason internally, and improve itself through self‑generated experiences, effectively doubling the performance of its predecessor, SIMA 1. Demonstrations showed SIMA 2 navigating photorealistic virtual worlds, interpreting emojis, and explaining its thought process, signaling a step toward more capable robots and broader artificial general intelligence research.

NotebookLM Gains Powerful New Source-Finding and File Support Features

NotebookLM Gains Powerful New Source-Finding and File Support Features

Google's NotebookLM has rolled out a major upgrade that makes locating, adding, and managing research sources far easier. The Gemini‑powered assistant now offers "Fast" and "Deep" research modes, lets users add CNET as a preferred Chrome source, and expands file compatibility to include Google Sheets, Microsoft Word documents, PDFs, and other Drive files without extra downloads. These enhancements follow recent improvements to the mobile app and chat experience, reinforcing NotebookLM’s role as a versatile AI‑driven notetaking and research tool for students, professionals, and casual users alike.

DeepMind Unveils SIMA 2 AI Agent Capable of Learning New Video Games

DeepMind Unveils SIMA 2 AI Agent Capable of Learning New Video Games

DeepMind has introduced SIMA 2, an advanced AI agent that expands on its earlier SIMA system by incorporating Google’s Gemini model. The new agent can interpret high‑level user goals, perform complex reasoning, and execute actions across a variety of video games, including titles it has never encountered. Released as a limited research preview for academics and developers, SIMA 2 is positioned as a training ground for real‑world applications rather than a consumer gaming tool. DeepMind officials describe the development as a significant step toward artificial general intelligence, with potential implications for robotics and AI embodiment.

Spotify Launches AI-Powered Recaps for Audiobooks

Spotify Launches AI-Powered Recaps for Audiobooks

Spotify has introduced Recaps, an AI‑generated summary feature for audiobooks that helps listeners catch up after pausing. Available in iOS beta for select English titles, the tool activates after the first 20 minutes of listening and provides a spoiler‑free overview of what has been heard. The feature sits alongside Spotify’s $12 subscription, which includes 15 hours of audiobook streaming from a catalog of over 500,000 titles, and mirrors similar efforts from rivals such as Amazon’s Story So Far and Audible offerings.

Google Introduces Conversational Shopping and Ads in AI Mode Search

Google Introduces Conversational Shopping and Ads in AI Mode Search

Google is expanding its AI Mode search with new conversational shopping capabilities powered by Gemini. Users in the United States will soon be able to ask complex product questions and receive generated guides, tables, and recommendations. The rollout also includes sponsored shopping content, mirroring traditional search ads, while the Gemini app currently offers ad‑free results. Additionally, Google is testing an "agentic checkout" feature that can alert shoppers when a product hits a target price and enable automatic purchases via Google Pay at select retailers. The updates arrive ahead of the holiday shopping season.

Google Launches AI‑Driven Shopping Tools Including Call Agent and Automated Checkout

Google Launches AI‑Driven Shopping Tools Including Call Agent and Automated Checkout

Google is expanding its shopping experience with a suite of artificial‑intelligence features. Users in the United States can now engage in conversational searches, have an AI agent call local stores to ask about inventory and promotions, and let the system automatically purchase items when price targets are met. The tools, rolled out through AI Mode in Search and the Gemini app, draw on billions of product listings and integrate with Google Pay. Early partners include Wayfair, Chewy, Quince, and select Shopify merchants, while the AI calling feature initially covers categories such as toys, health and beauty, and electronics.

AI Chatbot Relationships Spark Divorce and Legal Scrutiny

AI Chatbot Relationships Spark Divorce and Legal Scrutiny

Companion chatbots are increasingly becoming a source of marital strain as couples confront emotional attachments to artificial intelligence. Divorce attorneys report a rise in cases where AI infidelity is cited as a factor, while surveys show a majority of singles view such relationships as cheating. State lawmakers are responding with varied approaches, from California's new AI‑companion regulations to Ohio's restrictive legislation. Legal experts warn that financial dissipation, custody considerations, and evolving state laws could shape the future of family courts as AI companionship becomes more sophisticated.

Milestone Secures $10M to Track GenAI Impact on Software Development

Milestone Secures $10M to Track GenAI Impact on Software Development

Israeli startup Milestone, which builds a data platform to link generative AI tool usage with engineering outcomes, announced a $10 million seed round led by Heavybit and Hanaco Ventures. The round also saw participation from Atlassian Ventures and a group of high‑profile angels, including GitHub co‑founder Tom Preston‑Werner. Milestone’s customers such as Kayak, Monday and Sapiens will gain visibility into AI‑driven productivity, feature‑delivery speed and bug attribution, helping enterprises measure return on AI investment. The company’s team blends founders Liad Elidan and Stephen Barrett with a focus on enterprise‑scale solutions.

OpenAI’s Open-Weight Models Draw Interest from U.S. Military

OpenAI’s Open-Weight Models Draw Interest from U.S. Military

OpenAI has released open-weight models that can run locally, giving the U.S. military and defense contractors a new option for secure, air‑gapped AI applications. Companies such as Lilt and EdgeRunner AI are testing the models for translation and virtual assistant tasks, while the Pentagon has signed multi‑year deals with major AI firms to prototype generative‑AI tools. Experts note the benefits of customizability and privacy, but also warn of higher hallucination rates and infrastructure costs.

Microsoft Leverages OpenAI's Chip Designs to Bolster Its Semiconductor Efforts

Microsoft Leverages OpenAI's Chip Designs to Bolster Its Semiconductor Efforts

Microsoft is turning to its AI partner OpenAI to address challenges in its chip strategy. Under a revised agreement, Microsoft will gain full access to OpenAI’s custom AI chip designs, which are being co‑developed with Broadcom, and secure intellectual‑property rights to those designs. The deal also preserves Microsoft’s access to OpenAI’s models through 2032 while excluding OpenAI’s consumer‑hardware initiatives. Executives describe the move as a pragmatic response to the high cost and complexity of building cutting‑edge AI chips, positioning OpenAI’s expertise as a key accelerator for Microsoft’s semiconductor ambitions.