Google unveiled EmbeddingGemma 2, a 740-million-parameter multimodal AI model built on the Gemma 4 architecture and released under an Apache 2.0 license, designed to run locally on devices like Pixel phones using minimal RAM. The company also launched Google AI Edge Foresight, a Mac app that uses the model to transcribe meetings, expand shorthand notes into polished text, and answer questions by searching local files, calendars, and Google Drive content—all processed on-device.
9to5google.com
· 2026-10-06
Google has updated its support documentation to limit which Gemini models free and AI Plus ($4.99/month) subscribers can use. Free users will be restricted to Gemini 3.5-Flash-Lite, losing access to Gemini 3.6 Flash and newer models, while AI Plus subscribers will lose access to Gemini 3.1 Pro and other reasoning models, retaining only Flash and Flash-Lite variants. The changes take effect on October 9th and do not affect AI Pro or Ultra subscribers, who retain full access including a Deep Thinking option.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-10-05
Google will limit which Gemini models are available based on subscription tier beginning October 9. Free users will only get Flash-Lite, losing access to Flash and Pro, while AI Plus subscribers ($4.99/month) keep Flash-Lite and Flash but lose Pro access. AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers see no cutbacks and instead gain the Deep Think reasoning option previously reserved for pricier tiers.
9to5google.com
· 2026-10-03
Google is testing a prototype data center positioned in space to explore running AI workloads beyond Earth's surface. The initiative examines whether solar power and the vacuum of space can support computing infrastructure typically housed in terrestrial facilities.
science.slashdot.org
· 2026-10-03
A court has dismissed lawsuits brought by Chegg and Penske that accused Google of monopolistic practices in AI search technology. The judge's ruling clears Google of these allegations, which aimed to challenge its market dominance. The cases had sought to address concerns over competitive fairness in AI-driven search services.
tech.slashdot.org
· 2026-10-02
Android Auto users are reporting that Gemini stalls for about 10 seconds when asked a question or search, then gives up without answering. The issue has been seen across Google, Samsung, and Motorola phones, and affected users say common fixes like resetting Android Auto settings or updating their phone don't resolve it. Android Authority says it has contacted Google for comment.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-10-02
US District Judge Amit Mehta threw out separate antitrust lawsuits filed by Chegg and Penske Media against Google, both alleging that AI Overviews and related features harmed their website traffic. Mehta found that Google had no formal agreement with either company to send them search traffic, so antitrust law did not apply to the dispute. The same judge previously ruled against Google in the DOJ's broader search antitrust case, though penalties there were lighter than prosecutors sought.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-10-01
US District Judge Amit Mehta threw out antitrust lawsuits from Chegg and Penske Media Corporation, which had accused Google of forcing publishers to supply free content for AI Overviews under threat of losing search visibility. Mehta ruled the publishers' claims didn't meet the legal standard for antitrust violations, saying an expectation of referral traffic is not a binding agreement.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-01
Google has been expanding its AI tools into school classrooms, with students and educators reporting both benefits and drawbacks. Some students described AI assistance as slowing their own thinking, while reports point to falling test scores alongside concerns about cognitive and emotional dependence on the technology.
wsj.com
· 2026-10-01
Google has begun rolling out Gemini 4 Argon, describing it as its most capable AI model yet. Access currently is limited to a small group of testers focused on cybersecurity defense, with plans to later expand availability to Google AI Ultra subscribers. Google released benchmark data showing strong performance across coding, legal reasoning, and business/economic tasks.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-30
Google has enrolled about 100 publishers in a pilot that pays them when their content contributes to Gemini-powered AI Overviews, according to The Information. Most participating small and mid-sized publishers reportedly receive payments equal to roughly one-tenth of one percent of their ad revenue, though one early participant is on pace to earn over $1 million annually while another gets $50,000-$60,000.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-09-30
Google is reportedly running a test program, launched less than a year ago, that compensates roughly 100 publishers based on how much their content contributes to AI Overviews, AI Mode, and the Gemini chatbot, according to The Information via Digiday. One early participant reportedly earned over $1 million in a year, while a more recent entrant has earned $50,000 to $60,000.
theverge.com
· 2026-09-30
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