Google Unveils Advanced AI Features for Search, Shopping, and More in U.S. Rollout

In May, Google announced a series of groundbreaking AI enhancements designed to revolutionize various aspects of user interaction and experience. These updates span across search, shopping, mobile applications, and wearables, integrating the advanced Gemini AI model to offer more intuitive and powerful functionalities. Search Enhancements Google unveiled AI Mode, a sophisticated AI search tool that provides deeper, more reasoning-rich results. AI Mode supports multimodal queries, allowing users to engage with images, videos, and text, and includes follow-up questions and helpful links to provide comprehensive answers. This summer, the company plans to roll out Deep Search within AI Mode, enhancing the query fan-out technique to deliver even more thorough responses. Additionally, Project Astra’s live capabilities will be integrated, enabling real-time back-and-forth interactions using a camera. Project Mariner's agentic capabilities will help users complete tasks more efficiently, such as purchasing tickets. AI Overviews, which summarize complex information, are now available in over 200 countries and 40 languages, broadening global accessibility. Shopping Experiences AI Mode’s shopping capabilities have been significantly upgraded. By combining Gemini’s intelligence with Google’s extensive Shopping Graph, users can explore billions of product listings, weigh different options, and refine their searches. The agentic checkout feature ensures that users can purchase items at a price that fits their budget. Moreover, a virtual try-on feature for apparel is being introduced, allowing users to see how clothing looks on them using just a selfie. Wearables and Mobile Apps Google previewed Android XR, a new platform that integrates Gemini with glasses and headsets, aiming to provide a more natural AI experience. These devices will be equipped with cameras, microphones, and speakers, allowing seamless interaction with phone apps and enhancing everyday navigation. The NotebookLM app, which offers Audio Overviews for understanding complex information, is now available on both Android and iOS. Users can interact with these overviews on-the-go, share sources, and listen offline. Android and Wear OS Redesign At the Android Show, Google showcased a major redesign for Android and Wear OS. The new interface, powered by Gemini, introduces Material 3 Expressive, making devices more user-friendly and secure. Advanced AI features will combat scam text messages and sophisticated security threats. The redesign focuses on fluidity, personalization, and quick access to essential information. Gemini App Upgrades The Gemini app has been updated with several new features, making it a versatile AI assistant. Veo 3, the first video generation model with native support for sound effects, background noises, and dialogue between characters, allows users to create high-quality videos effortlessly. Other enhancements include Deep Research, Canvas, Imagen 4, and Gemini Live, which facilitate creation, learning, and exploration tailored to individual needs. AI Filmmaking Tool Google introduced Flow, an AI filmmaking tool specifically designed for its advanced models. Flow aids storytellers in exploring ideas and generating cinematic clips and scenes, supporting both beginners and professionals. It features camera controls for angles and perspectives, a scene builder for extending shots, and an asset management tool for organizing project elements. Subscription Plans To cater to different user needs, Google launched the Google AI Ultra subscription plan, offering the highest usage limits and access to the most capable models and premium features. This plan is ideal for filmmakers, developers, and creative professionals seeking the best of Google AI. The existing AI Premium plan has been rebranded as Google AI Pro and includes the new Flow tool. Free access to Google AI Pro is being expanded to university students in Japan, Brazil, Indonesia, and the UK, in addition to the U.S., for the academic year. Industry Insiders' Evaluation Industry experts praise Google’s latest AI announcements for their potential to transform user experiences across multiple domains. The integration of multimodal search and live interaction in AI Mode represents a significant leap in AI capabilities. The shopping enhancements, particularly the agentic checkout and virtual try-on, are seen as game-changers in e-commerce. The introduction of Flow and the expanded subscription plans highlight Google's commitment to democratizing advanced AI tools, providing valuable resources to students and professionals alike. Google continues to lead in the AI space, leveraging its cutting-edge technology to enhance both everyday tasks and creative endeavors.