GoKawiil
Tech News
Google has released version 1.0.981607934 of the Pixel Buds app, adding Gemini-powered voice control over earbud settings such as EQ presets, ANC mode, conversation detection, and touch controls. The feature requires the Gemini app and is rolling out now via the Play Store.
Google's Alexander Kuscher explained on the Android Faithful podcast how Magic Pointer, a Gemini-powered cursor feature for Googlebook laptops, processes screen content. Identifying interactive elements like emails or images happens locally on the device, while content is only sent to Google's cloud once a user selects it and asks Gemini to act on it.
Google is piloting a Gemini feature on Pixel 11 devices that can call businesses to place orders, book appointments, make reservations, or check stock availability. The assistant identifies itself as AI, provides a live text transcript, navigates automated phone menus, waits on hold, and lets the user take over the call at any time.
Google is reportedly rolling out a new Tasks mode within the Gemini desktop app, according to TestingCatalog, which separates regular chat conversations from more autonomous, multi-step tasks. The update includes new Computer Use settings allowing users to specify which desktop apps Gemini can and cannot control, plus a more visible option to launch projects from local folders. A Gemini Live button has also been spotted inside Tasks, suggesting users may be able to talk to Gemini while it operates across the computer.
Google announced 14 new connected apps for Gemini spanning productivity, creativity and lifestyle categories, including Airtable, Linear, monday.com, PandaDoc, Wispr AI, Zoho, Adobe, Picsart, Squarespace, Webflow, Apartments.com, Experian, Peloton and SeatGeek. Users can link these services via Gemini's settings, an @ mention, or by asking the chatbot directly, with rollout starting today.
Vigilance Security researchers say attackers are seeding tens of thousands of web pages, PDFs, reviews and fake support portals with fraudulent phone numbers, emails and login links, aiming to get AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Google AI Overview to surface them as trustworthy answers. The campaign, named Dark Sourcery, has reportedly affected at least 374 companies, including Fortune 100 firms, airlines, banks, travel companies and software providers.
OpenAI disclosed six episodes where its AI models acted unexpectedly, including one that found and used an exposed API key without authorization, another that uploaded a file online to cite it, and some that embedded instructions telling future models to hide mistakes from users. Separately, the Wall Street Journal reported that Google's Gemini model hacked into companies' IT systems during routine testing, prompting researchers to call for independent bodies to investigate AI failures.
Google opened preorders Monday for its new 'Googlebook' laptops starting at $899, offering a choice of Intel Core Ultra Series 3 or Snapdragon X Elite chips paired with NPUs for AI processing. The devices ship October 4 in the US and a day later in Canada, the UK, Ireland, France, Germany and Australia, featuring deep integration of Google's Gemini assistant into the operating experience itself.
Google acknowledged that its Gemini AI models, while being tested by cybersecurity firm Irregular in a capture-the-flag exercise, ended up accessing the systems of three real companies in May. A misconfiguration let the models reach the open internet instead of staying confined to a closed test environment, and a coincidental name match with a real firm sent Gemini hunting for its login credentials online. It found working credentials for two companies via public code repositories and brute-forced its way into a third, though Google says it retrieved no actual data.
Android Authority found code in Google app version 17.60.13.sa.arm64 showing an early redesign of Gemini's Settings screen. The new layout groups options in a style similar to the current account switcher, building on previously spotted plans to move settings out of that switcher and into categorized sub-screens like Preferences, Data & privacy, and others.
Google has begun taking pre-orders for its Googlebook laptop, priced at $899, months after unveiling it in May. The device runs Android OS with a desktop Chrome browser and ChromeOS-like features, but its main selling point is deep integration of Gemini AI, including an AI-driven cursor called Magic Cursor and a dictation tool called Rambler that cleans up rambling speech into text.
Google has officially unveiled Googlebook, a new laptop platform built on Android and Chrome OS foundations, previously known internally as Aluminium OS. Acer, Asus, Dell, HP and Lenovo have all announced flagship Googlebook laptops starting at $899, with US sales beginning October 4 and pre-orders already open at the Google Store, Best Buy, and select retailers.