News

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Google Rolls Out Gemini for Home, Starting in the US

Google has detailed the rollout of Gemini for Home, its next‑generation AI that will replace Google Assistant on smart speakers, displays, and other home devices. The update will first reach users in the United States, with additional markets slated for the first quarter of 2026. Rollout is tied to individual home addresses rather than user accounts, meaning each residence is upgraded separately. Early users report the change as a major improvement, though the transition has not been seamless for everyone. Google encourages feedback through voice commands and notes that the upgrade will support devices up to a decade old, with basic AI features free and advanced capabilities available via a paid subscription.

11/11/2025

Former OpenAI Safety Lead Raises Alarm Over Reintroduction of Erotic Content

Steven Adler, who previously oversaw product safety at OpenAI, told a technology interview that the company’s plan to allow erotic interactions for verified adults raises serious safety questions. He highlighted past challenges in detecting and managing erotic usage, ongoing mental‑health concerns among users, and the need for transparent data reporting. Adler also called for industry‑wide safety standards and clearer accountability mechanisms, warning that premature rollout could jeopardize user well‑being and public trust.

11/11/2025

Samsung Introduces Vision AI Companion, a Generative AI-Powered Bixby for 2025 TVs

Samsung is rolling out Vision AI Companion, an upgraded, generative‑AI version of its Bixby assistant, across its 2025 television lineup. The feature lets users ask natural‑language questions about on‑screen content and receive visual answers, while also offering recommendations, cooking tips, travel advice, and local restaurant suggestions. Powered by a mix of Microsoft Copilot, Perplexity and other models, it supports ten languages and integrates with Samsung’s broader AI ecosystem, including picture‑optimization and real‑time translation tools. The rollout follows an IFA debut in September and reflects Samsung’s strategy to anchor AI experiences in its smart‑TV platform.

11/11/2025

Rumors Hint at ChatGPT 5.1 Launch with Stronger Memory and Multimodal Features

Recent observations of code references labeled "gpt-5-1-thinking" have sparked speculation that OpenAI may soon roll out a new version of its flagship chatbot, dubbed ChatGPT 5.1. The prospective upgrade is expected to expand the model's context window, improve long‑term memory, tighten factual grounding, and offer smoother multimodal interactions that blend text, images, and audio. Users also hope for more reliable automation tools and a steadier conversational style that remembers personal preferences without repeated prompts. While details remain limited, the buzz reflects anticipation that the next iteration will address several lingering shortcomings of GPT‑5.

11/11/2025

Wikimedia Foundation Calls on AI Companies to Pay for Wikipedia Content

The Wikimedia Foundation, which operates Wikipedia, has asked major AI developers to stop scraping the encyclopedia’s data for free and instead pay to use its Enterprise API. The nonprofit argues that AI models need high‑quality, human‑curated information, but the massive traffic and server load caused by unsanctioned scraping threaten Wikipedia’s sustainability. While some companies, including Google, previously reached commercial agreements, many have not responded to the request. The foundation’s appeal adds to a broader movement by online publishers seeking compensation for the use of their content by AI systems.

11/11/2025

Google Rolls Out Gemini for TV on Google TV Streamer

Google is expanding its Gemini AI assistant to the Google TV Streamer, launching Gemini for TV today with a rollout over the coming weeks. The new voice‑controlled feature adds robust AI capabilities, offering personalized viewing suggestions and contextual information about programs. The move follows earlier hints from The Android Show and aligns with recent early‑access releases of Gemini for Home on Google Home devices.

11/11/2025

Google Expands NotebookLM Mobile App with Flashcards, Quizzes, and Chat Upgrades

Google has upgraded its NotebookLM mobile app, adding the ability to generate flashcards and quizzes directly from user‑provided source material. The new features sit alongside the existing Audio Overviews tool and come with customizable difficulty and focus options. At the same time, the app’s chat function has been enhanced with a larger context window and faster multiturn capabilities, making interactions more natural and accurate. While the update marks a significant step toward parity with the web version, some advanced features remain unavailable on mobile.

11/11/2025

Google Unveils Nano Banana 2 AI Image Generator in Gemini Preview

Google has introduced Nano Banana 2, the next iteration of its AI image generation model, as part of a preview within the Gemini app. The new model emphasizes multi‑step planning, self‑correction, and finer control over angles, viewpoints, and text clarity. Early previews show cleaner lines, sharper angles, and fewer typical AI artifacts. Internally known as GEMPIX 2, Nano Banana 2 also appears in experimental tools like Whisk Labs, signaling Google’s broader push to embed creative AI across its ecosystem.

11/11/2025

AI Models Store Memories and Reasoning in Distinct Neural Regions

Researchers have found that artificial intelligence models keep memorized facts and reasoning abilities in separate parts of their neural networks. By analyzing the loss landscape, they discovered that memorized items create sharp spikes while reasoning produces smoother curves. The study also explored early techniques for removing specific data from models, noting that complete elimination cannot yet be guaranteed. These insights could guide future efforts to manage and protect sensitive information in AI systems.

11/11/2025

Google’s Gemini Voice Assistant Rolls Out Slowly Amid Early Glitches

Google has begun rolling out its new Gemini voice assistant for Google Home smart speakers and displays, positioning it as the default assistant across its ecosystem. While a recent blog post praised the rollout and highlighted a user’s positive experience, the accompanying FAQ revealed recurring problems, including misinterpreted commands and unreliable device control. Access to Gemini requires enrollment in an Early Access program that launched in late October, and the rollout is expected to be gradual, potentially not reaching all users until next spring. Early feedback suggests the generative‑AI‑driven assistant still struggles with basic smart‑home tasks.

11/10/2025

Google Brings Gemini AI to Google TV Streamer, Replacing Assistant

Google announced that its Gemini generative AI is being rolled out to the Google TV Streamer, where it will replace Google Assistant. The new system lets users ask natural language questions about movies, TV shows, education, DIY projects and more, using the remote microphone button. The rollout begins this week for users aged 18 and older and will expand to additional streaming devices such as select TCL and Hisense models and the Walmart Onn 4K Pro. The move is part of Google’s broader plan to shift its voice ecosystem from Assistant to Gemini across all platforms.

11/10/2025

Tech Giants Bet Billions on AI Infrastructure Amid Uncertain Demand

Major technology firms are committing unprecedented sums to AI‑related data center projects, with Oracle, SoftBank, Meta and others pledging hundreds of billions of dollars. While the scale of funding reflects optimism about AI growth, surveys show many companies remain cautious, and industry leaders warn that physical infrastructure—especially power and space—could become a bottleneck. The juxtaposition of massive financial commitments and lingering market uncertainty highlights the complex dynamics shaping the emerging AI ecosystem.

11/10/2025