As all attention moves over to Gemini, the experience of Google Assistant just continues to crumble, and that’s getting especially bad for Android Auto users as of late.
With last month’s web redesign, the Gemini app gained a “My Stuff” folder, and Google is now updating it with a dedicated “Documents” list of your Deep Research and Canvas generations.
Shopping appears to be one of the big pushes for AI in 2026, and Google is giving Gemini about as large as a boost as it could in this arena thanks to a new partnership with Walmart.
With the launch of “in-line AI experiences” in Gmail yesterday, Google has shared that the Gemini side panel is going away for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the US.
Samsung is reworking its long-standing Bixby assistant this year with AI, and new screenshots are showing off how that will copy from of Google’s AI tools.
Besides previewing the future of Gmail today, Google is making a number of AI features that previously required a subscription free for personal accounts.
Google today previewed the future of Gmail, with new features like AI Overviews for search that are rolling out starting today and the upcoming ”AI Inbox.” This comes as Gmail has over 3 billion monthly active users.
Google TV recently announced a major update with Gemini integration, and Epson is going to be a big part of that as one of the first projector manufacturers to bring Gemini to the big screen.
At this point, Google Voice is primarily an enterprise service, with the vast majority of new features for paid customers. Google Voice is now working on a “Gemini Notes” capability.
One thing that I thought we’d see more of in 2025 was how Gemini could control your Android phone. There was the May demo and other underlying work, but we don’t have Google’s complete vision yet.
YouTube announced Playables in 2023 as lightweight games that could be accessed on the platform. The new Gemini 3-powered YouTube Playables Builder lets anyone build a game without any coding experience.
As Google Assistant was crumbling, the arrival of Gemini in Android Auto felt like a needed step forward. But, as the feature rolls out, it seems a bit divisive. What do you think of it?
It’s not hyperbolic to say that Google has been very thirsty about Nano Banana following its viral success. In Google Messages, the access points for the Nano Banana-powered Remix are being greatly toned down following the November launch.
Google only kicked off its Gemini for Home rollout a few weeks ago, but it’s full steam ahead for the company’s efforts to replace Assistant. After speeding up invites in the US last week, we’re now seeing our first international expansion of the program.
Following yesterday’s big launch, the Gemini app is adding a “new way to prompt with Nano Banana” by drawing or annotating directly on images. Additionally, SynthID now works on video.
Gemini
Android Auto users are frustrated by a crumbling Google Assistant as Gemini rollout drags on
As all attention moves over to Gemini, the experience of Google Assistant just continues to crumble, and that’s getting especially bad for Android Auto users as of late.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app gets dedicated Documents history for Deep Research, Canvas
With last month’s web redesign, the Gemini app gained a “My Stuff” folder, and Google is now updating it with a dedicated “Documents” list of your Deep Research and Canvas generations.
Expand Expanding CloseThe Gemini app has generated 1 billion Nano Banana Pro images in under two months
In just under two months, Gemini app users around the world have generated 1 billion images using Nano Banana Pro.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle and Walmart partner to bring AI shopping recommendations to Gemini
Shopping appears to be one of the big pushes for AI in 2026, and Google is giving Gemini about as large as a boost as it could in this arena thanks to a new partnership with Walmart.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini will officially power Apple’s AI-enhanced Siri starting ‘later this year’
Apple is officially adopting Google Gemini as the backbone of its AI-powered Siri upgrade, with the switch landing for customers “later this year.”
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app and AI Mode adding product checkout, Google Search getting ‘Business Agent’
Google is embracing “agentic shopping” wherein users can easily make purchases through the Gemini app and AI Mode.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Gmail AI features replacing Gemini side panel for some
With the launch of “in-line AI experiences” in Gmail yesterday, Google has shared that the Gemini side panel is going away for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the US.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung’s Bixby reboot will copy Google with ‘Bixby Live’ and ‘Circle to Ask’ [Gallery]
Samsung is reworking its long-standing Bixby assistant this year with AI, and new screenshots are showing off how that will copy from of Google’s AI tools.
Expand Expanding CloseGmail making Help Me Write, AI summaries, & Suggested Replies free for all
Besides previewing the future of Gmail today, Google is making a number of AI features that previously required a subscription free for personal accounts.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle announces the future of Gmail with AI Inbox & new AI Overview search
Google today previewed the future of Gmail, with new features like AI Overviews for search that are rolling out starting today and the upcoming ”AI Inbox.” This comes as Gmail has over 3 billion monthly active users.
Expand Expanding CloseSome of Epson’s Google TV projectors are getting a major Gemini upgrade
Google TV recently announced a major update with Gemini integration, and Epson is going to be a big part of that as one of the first projector manufacturers to bring Gemini to the big screen.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Voice preps ‘Gemini Notes’ call transcripts, but likely for enterprise
At this point, Google Voice is primarily an enterprise service, with the vast majority of new features for paid customers. Google Voice is now working on a “Gemini Notes” capability.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music lyrics sharing adding AI-generated backgrounds
YouTube Music introduced the ability to share lyrics last year and is now upgrading the background options with generative AI.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini will let you control Google TV settings, getting richer Photos support & responses
At CES 2026, Google previewed upcoming Gemini for Google TV features that take better advantage of the large screen form factor.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app gets faster model switching from @-menu
With the launch of Gemini 3 Flash, the Gemini app’s model switcher expanded, and there’s now a faster way to make a selection.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini control to Android: Will we talk to our phones more in 2026?
One thing that I thought we’d see more of in 2025 was how Gemini could control your Android phone. There was the May demo and other underlying work, but we don’t have Google’s complete vision yet.
Expand Expanding CloseThe YouTube Playables Builder lets creators build games with Gemini 3
YouTube announced Playables in 2023 as lightweight games that could be accessed on the platform. The new Gemini 3-powered YouTube Playables Builder lets anyone build a game without any coding experience.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini on Android Auto is an update drivers seem to love or hate – what do you think? [Poll]
As Google Assistant was crumbling, the arrival of Gemini in Android Auto felt like a needed step forward. But, as the feature rolls out, it seems a bit divisive. What do you think of it?
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages toning down how thirsty Nano Banana Remix is
It’s not hyperbolic to say that Google has been very thirsty about Nano Banana following its viral success. In Google Messages, the access points for the Nano Banana-powered Remix are being greatly toned down following the November launch.
Expand Expanding CloseNotebookLM now uses Gemini 3, adds new ‘Data Tables’ output
NotebookLM is getting in a few more features before the holidays, including an upgrade to Gemini 3 and Data Tables.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini will replace Google Assistant on Android in 2026
Back in March, Google said Gemini would replace Assistant on Android phones this year. That “upgrade” is now set for 2026.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle brings Gemini for Home to Canada in its first international expansion
Google only kicked off its Gemini for Home rollout a few weeks ago, but it’s full steam ahead for the company’s efforts to replace Assistant. After speeding up invites in the US last week, we’re now seeing our first international expansion of the program.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app now lets you edit with Nano Banana by drawing, detect AI videos
Following yesterday’s big launch, the Gemini app is adding a “new way to prompt with Nano Banana” by drawing or annotating directly on images. Additionally, SynthID now works on video.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app adds NotebookLM integration, details Thinking/Pro usage limits
Besides Gemini 3 Flash today, the Gemini app on the web is rolling out a new NotebookLM integration.
Expand Expanding Close