Tag Archives: google

Galaxy S26 may bring major Bixby upgrade powered by Perplexity

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Bixby has largely been ignored over the past couple of years. Google’s Gemini AI has taken center stage on Samsung’s mobile devices and the company hasn’t made any meaningful improvements to its own voice assistant. That may be set to change with the Galaxy S26 series next year. A new rumor claims that Samsung will introduce a major Bixby overhaul with the new lineup that will deliver enhanced AI functionality powered by Perplexity. Samsung may expand AI agents on the device The rumor, originally posted on X, Bixby will receive Perplexity integration. Basic tasks, such as setting up alarms, will be handled by the assistant. More advanced tasks, particularly those requiring AI input, will be pawned off to Perplexity. This integration would be similar to how Apple has integrated ChatGPT for Apple Intelligence. This isn’t entirely outside the realm of possibility. Many reports have suggested that Samsung has been evaluating partnership opportunities with Perplexity. Earlier this year a one-year free subscription of Perplexity Pro, which costs $200, was offered to Samsung smartphone and tablet owners in the US. There were even reports that Samsung was interested in buying a stake in the company. A version of this integration has already been released on Samsung’s TVs. An upgraded Bixby experience provides AI capabilities backed by LLMs from Perplexity and Microsoft. So even if this rumor is a shot in the dark, there’s enough circumstantial evidence here to support the theory that Perplexity might have a bigger role in Samsung devices in the future. It’s unlikely that Samsung would completely shift its reliance from Google’s Gemini to Perplexity. It may choose to work with multiple partners to offer a broad range of AI capabilities on its devices, even if that means there may be some overlap.
https://www.sammobile.com/news/galaxy-s26-may-bring-major-bixby-upgrade-powered-by-perplexity/

WeatherNext 2 is here, Google’s improved AI weather forecaster

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Google is improving the weather forecasts you see in the Pixel Weather app, Google Search, and in other locations. The Alphabet subsidiary has introduced WeatherNext 2, a weather forecasting model powered by-what else-AI. Google says that this forecasting model delivers faster and more accurate forecasts. How much faster? Google says that this “most advanced and efficient forecasting model” will generate weather forecasts eight times faster and generates four six-hour weather forecasts daily, with future predictions going out as long as 15 days. WeatherNext 2 uses a new AI modeling approach called a Functional Generative Network (FGN) to replace the Graph Neural Network (GNN) and Conditional Diffusion model used in WeatherNext 1. Models of the latter are still available to use for reference and research purposes. WeatherNext 2 is being pushed out to developers, researchers, and users. In the next few weeks, WeatherNext 2 will also take over the weather forecasting job for Google Maps. So, if you notice an improvement in the quality of the forecasts you see from the Pixel Weather app, Google Maps, the Pixel Weather app and Google Search, it could be due to the improvements made by Google in the WeatherNext 2 forecasting model. WeatherNext 2 understands better the many different variables that make up a weather forecast. These variables, such as temperature, wind, and pressure are related and these relationships can be captured by equations. AI weather forecasting doesn’t rely on crunching data using Supercomputers. Instead, with AI, users are looking for patterns that would be expected to repeat. With WeatherNext 2, in just one minute you could have 15 days of forecasts generated in just one minute. Overall, hundreds and thousands of forecasts can be quickly created.
https://www.phonearena.com/news/google-releases-improved-ai-weather-forecasting-model_id176002

Adobe Adds Google’s Gemini 3 (Nano Banana Pro) Model to Firefly and Photoshop

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Adobe is expanding its lineup of partner AI models with the arrival of Google’s Gemini 3 (Nano Banana Pro), now available in both Adobe Firefly and Photoshop. The addition gives creators another high-end option for image generation and prompt-based editing, joining models from Black Forest Labs, ElevenLabs, Ideogram, Luma AI, Moonvalley, OpenAI, Pika, Runway, Topaz Labs, and earlier Google releases. A New Pro-Grade Option for Creative Workflows Gemini 3 (Nano Banana Pro) is Google’s latest image model aimed at users who want more refined generations and greater control over visual details. Adobe describes it as a strong fit for tasks such as adjusting lighting and camera angles, expanding aspect ratios, increasing resolution, and generating text that cleanly fits within an image, an area where many models struggle. The model leans on Google Search’s knowledge base to produce visuals with accurate details, which may appeal to designers working on concept art, campaigns, and brand-aligned creative. In practice, this means more reliable depictions of objects, locations, and written text without relying on outside tools. Expanded Capabilities in Firefly Within Adobe Firefly, the company’s all-in-one environment for image, video, and audio generation, Nano Banana Pro slots into several workflows: Text to Image: Users can prompt the model to generate scenes, objects, and stylized artwork with improved editing fidelity. Reference-based merging: Firefly now supports up to six reference images that can be blended and refined into a unified output. Localized visual generation: The model can place translated text inside images and maintain cleaner integration. Firefly Boards: Teams can upload assets like icons, images, and copy blocks, then prompt the model to place them into real-world contexts for review, such as mock billboard designs or early brand concepts. These features support both early ideation and the later stages of visual refinement, giving designers and marketing teams a more fluid way to move from rough ideas to polished concepts. More Precision in Photoshop’s Generative Fill Photoshop’s Generative Fill continues to evolve with Nano Banana Pro now in the mix. Adobe points to improvements in prompt-driven edits, such as transforming daylight scenes into nighttime settings, expanding backgrounds, or generating new content that aligns more naturally with the existing image. The model works alongside Firefly and earlier partner additions, including Google’s Nano Banana and Black Forest Labs’ FLUX. 1 Kontext [pro]. Users can jump between generative outputs and traditional Photoshop tools (layers, masks, and selections) without shifting their workflow elsewhere. Unlimited Generations for a Limited Time To help subscribers try the new model, Adobe is offering unlimited image generations using Firefly image models and partner models in the Firefly app until December 1. The offer applies to Creative Cloud Pro and Firefly plan subscribers and is intended to give creators room to experiment without worrying about usage limits. How to Get Started Nano Banana Pro is available today across Firefly and Photoshop. Those interested in testing the new model’s capabilities can find more information directly through Adobe’s Firefly app or the official announcement. More details can be found on the official Adobe website.
https://androidguys.com/news/adobe-adds-googles-gemini-3-nano-banana-pro-model-to-firefly-and-photoshop/

EU Prepares Antitrust Probe into Google’s News Ranking Practices Under DMA

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**EU Launches New Antitrust Investigation into Google’s News Rankings Under the Digital Markets Act**

EU regulators have opened a new antitrust probe into Google, alleging that the tech giant demotes news outlets featuring sponsored content in its search rankings. This practice, according to the European Commission, adversely impacts the visibility and revenue of European news publishers who rely heavily on paid editorial pieces for financial sustainability.

The investigation stems from complaints by multiple European publishers concerned about how their sponsored content is treated in Google’s search results. If found in violation, Google could face fines of up to 10% of its global annual turnover—a sum that could potentially reach billions of euros, based on enforcement precedents under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

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### What Is the European Commission’s New Antitrust Investigation into Google?

The European Commission’s latest investigation focuses on Google’s role as a gatekeeper in digital markets, emphasizing that unfair treatment of news publishers stifles innovation and diversity in the media ecosystem. Under the DMA, gatekeepers like Google are required to ensure fair competition and transparency in their platforms. The Commission’s probe aims to determine whether Google’s algorithms unfairly lower the ranking of news publishers’ sponsored content.

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### Frequently Asked Questions

**What penalties could Google face in this DMA antitrust investigation?**

If found to be violating the DMA, Google could be fined up to 10% of its annual global revenue. Considering Google’s revenues exceed 300 billion euros annually, this could translate to potential penalties in the tens of billions. Beyond fines, the Commission may also require Google to adjust its algorithms to ensure fair treatment for all news publishers. This follows the significant 2.95 billion euro fine imposed on Google in 2024 related to its search advertising practices.

**Is Google currently facing other regulatory challenges in the EU?**

Yes. Google is subject to multiple ongoing DMA investigations within the EU. These include scrutiny over whether Google prioritizes its own services in search results and whether it unfairly restricts app developers from linking to external offers. These investigations, alongside the new probe into news rankings, illustrate the EU’s robust approach to regulating Big Tech’s influence over digital markets. EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager has publicly highlighted the importance of these efforts to foster competition and innovation.

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### Google’s Response to Allegations and Broader Privacy Concerns

Google has consistently defended its search ranking system, stating it aims to deliver the most relevant results to users based on quality and user intent. The company insists its algorithms operate with neutrality and comply with DMA requirements by not arbitrarily favoring any publisher.

However, regulators remain skeptical amid repeated fines totaling over 8 billion euros against Google for various antitrust violations since 2017.

Adding to the scrutiny, a class-action lawsuit was filed in October 2024 in federal court in San Jose, California, alleging Google’s AI technology Gemini was activated across Gmail, Chat, and Meet applications without explicit user consent. The complaint claims this enables the AI to access users’ entire communication histories—including emails and attachments—in violation of the California Invasion of Privacy Act.

While Google notes users can disable Gemini through privacy settings, the lawsuit argues that this option is not prominently disclosed, leading to unauthorized data harvesting. Privacy experts, including those from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, consider these practices a serious threat to user autonomy amid growing AI integration.

Google maintains that Gemini improves user experience and offers opt-out capabilities, but the outcome of this litigation may set important precedents for AI transparency and privacy in communication tools.

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### What Are the Implications of the Gemini AI Lawsuit for User Privacy?

This lawsuit highlights the growing tension between rapid AI development and users’ privacy rights. Alleging violations of a 1967 law that prohibits the unconsented recording of confidential communications, the case could result in monetary damages for affected users and compel Google to enhance transparency around AI deployment.

Privacy advocates point to Federal Trade Commission guidelines emphasizing the need for clear and explicit consent mechanisms to protect personal data in AI-powered services.

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### Key Takeaways

– **Regulatory Pressure on Gatekeepers:** The EU’s DMA investigations into Google underline the Commission’s commitment to preventing unfair advantages in search and advertising, fostering a more equitable digital marketplace for news publishers.

– **Revenue Challenges for News Outlets:** Demotion of sponsored content threatens vital income streams, with industry data from PwC indicating that 20-40% of news publishers’ revenue often depends on such models.

– **Privacy in the AI Era:** The Gemini lawsuit signals increased scrutiny of AI technologies accessing private data. Users are advised to regularly review privacy settings and stay informed about evolving regulations.

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### Conclusion

The European Commission’s latest antitrust investigation into Google illustrates ongoing efforts to regulate the dominance of Big Tech in digital markets while ensuring fair competition and protecting user privacy. As the DMA continues to reshape the digital landscape, both publishers and users must stay informed about these regulatory developments and their implications.

Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story and how it impacts digital competition and privacy in the era of AI.

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*For more on Big Tech regulations and digital market fairness, follow our ongoing coverage.*
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/eu-prepares-antitrust-probe-into-googles-news-ranking-practices-under-dma/

I used AI to predict prices of Amazon’s 20 most popular SSDs for Black Friday and it doesn’t look good at all

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Google Gemini Predicts Smaller SSD Discounts Than Expected for Black Friday 2025

Both portable and internal SSD prices appear likely to remain close to normal this Black Friday, with shoppers expected to see fewer deep cuts on popular drives from Samsung, SanDisk, WD, and Crucial.

Gemini’s AI-generated forecasts for Amazon’s top 20 SSDs suggest that this year’s Black Friday discounts may not deliver the dramatic price drops many buyers are anticipating. Predictions across both portable and internal models mostly indicate minor price changes rather than significant reductions, pointing to a quieter season for storage deals in 2025.

Methodology

We analyzed SSD prices from October 2023, November 2023, October 2024, November 2024, and October 2025. Using this dataset, we had Google’s Gemini AI forecast the expected prices for Black Friday 2025, providing it with additional context for all drives to improve prediction accuracy.

Not Huge Savings on Portable SSDs

Among portable SSDs, the SanDisk 2TB Extreme is predicted to drop slightly from £150 in October to around £140. Samsung’s T7 Portable 2TB follows a similar pattern, dipping from £150 to £135. The larger Samsung T9 4TB, which has maintained a steady price around £280, is forecast to decline modestly to approximately £260.

The Samsung Shield 4TB Portable SSD, fluctuating between £270 and £300, is expected to stabilize near the higher end of that range at roughly £280. Meanwhile, Seagate’s 2TB Expansion SSD and the Crucial X9 2TB Portable show only marginal reductions, hovering around £185 and £110 respectively. The SanDisk 1TB Portable and SSK 1TB USB External drives remain largely unchanged at £75 and £60.

Despite some inconsistencies in Gemini’s data presentation—with a few rows missing or misaligned—the pattern is clear: portable SSDs are unlikely to see meaningful discounts this year.

Internal SSDs Follow a Similar Trend

Internal SSDs reflect a comparable scenario. The Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB is anticipated to fall modestly from £117 to £105, while the 980 Pro 2TB is expected to drop from £140 to £130. The 870 EVO 1TB will nudge down slightly from £88 to £80.

High-performance gaming options such as the WD Black SN7100 and SN850X are projected to hold steady around £65 and £125, respectively. Budget-friendly choices like the PNY CS900 500GB remain roughly at £27.

The Crucial P310 PCIe Gen4 SSD sees a minimal dip from £70 to £68, while the Western Digital WD Blue 1TB edges down from £64 to £60. Neither of these is expected to dip below last year’s price floors.

What This Means for Shoppers

This subdued price movement suggests that manufacturers and retailers are maintaining tighter margins, likely due to higher component costs and lower excess inventory compared to previous seasons. In short, 2025’s Black Friday SSD deals are shaping up to be steady rather than spectacular, with prices already sitting close to their practical limits and leaving little room for significant discounts.

It’s also worth noting that current SSD prices have been excluded from our analysis because they are considerably higher than prices from October, a typical pre-sale pattern that often makes eventual Black Friday discounts appear larger than they actually are.

Follow TechRadar for the latest updates and deal forecasts, and be sure to click the Follow button to stay informed.

https://www.techradar.com/pro/i-used-ai-to-predict-prices-of-amazons-20-most-popular-ssds-for-black-friday-and-it-doesnt-look-good-at-all

Gemini Deep Research Can Now Access Google Workspace Data

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Google’s agentic Deep Research feature in Gemini can now access data from Google Workspace accounts, including emails in Gmail, files in Google Drive, and chat conversations in Google Chat. This integration allows Gemini to gather more context when creating its detailed reports, enhancing the depth and relevance of its analysis.

According to Google’s announcement, users can now start a market analysis for a new product by having Deep Research analyze their team’s initial brainstorming documents, related email threads, and project plans. Similarly, it can build a competitor report by cross-referencing public web data with internal strategies, comparison spreadsheets, and team chats.

Deep Research was initially launched in December 2024 alongside Google’s flagship Gemini 2.0 AI model. Earlier this year, the feature was updated to deliver higher-quality reports packed with more details and insights. One standout capability is that Deep Research shows users how Gemini thinks throughout all stages of its research, allowing transparency during the process. It can also generate multi-page reports in just minutes.

Google noted that adding the ability for Deep Research to draw context directly from Workspace files has been “one of our most-requested features.” This functionality is now available for all Gemini users on desktop, with mobile support expected soon.

It’s important to note that Deep Research must still be selected manually from Gemini’s Tools menu, and the feature comes with usage limits. Nonetheless, this integration marks a significant step forward in leveraging AI to synthesize internal company data alongside public information for richer, more actionable insights.
https://www.thurrott.com/a-i/329314/gemini-deep-research-can-now-access-google-workspace-data

Fortnite maker Epic Games and Google say they’re settling 5-year legal fight over Android app store

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Video game maker Epic Games has reached a “comprehensive settlement” with Google that could bring an end to its five-year legal battle targeting Google’s Play Store for Android apps.

Epic and Google announced the settlement agreement in a joint legal document filed Tuesday in a San Francisco federal court. The two companies stated that the agreement “would allow the parties to put their disputes aside while making Android a more vibrant and competitive platform for users and developers.”

Epic, the creator of the popular online game Fortnite, secured a significant victory this summer when a federal appeals court upheld a jury verdict condemning Google’s Android app store as an illegal monopoly. The unanimous ruling paved the way for a federal judge to implement potentially transformative changes designed to provide consumers with more choices.

While the specific terms of the settlement remain confidential and require approval from U.S. District Judge James Donato, the companies broadly outlined portions of their agreement in their joint filing. They indicated that the settlement closely follows Judge Donato’s October 2024 ruling, which ordered Google to dismantle the digital barriers that currently shield its Android app store from competition.

One notable provision of the ruling mandates that Google’s app store must allow the distribution of rival third-party app stores, enabling consumers to download alternative app platforms to their devices if they choose.

Google had hoped to reverse these changes through an appeal, but the July ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dealt a significant legal setback to the tech giant. This is part of a series of antitrust challenges affecting various parts of Google’s vast internet business.

Epic Games initially filed lawsuits in 2020 against both Google’s Play Store and Apple’s iPhone app store in an effort to bypass exclusive payment processing systems that imposed commissions ranging from 15% to 30% on in-app transactions.

The newly proposed settlement would require Google to reduce those commissions to a range of 9% to 20%, depending on the type of transaction.

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney described the settlement as an “awesome proposal” in a social media post.

A court hearing on the matter is scheduled for Thursday.
https://ktar.com/national-news/fortnite-maker-epic-games-and-google-say-theyre-settling-5-year-legal-fight-over-android-app-store/5770938/

Apple’s big smart home push is finally set for early 2026

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It looks like Apple is finally ready to take the smart home seriously. A new report claims the company is launching its first smart displays in early 2026, marking a significant step forward in its smart home strategy. However, Apple faces a huge uphill battle against well-established rivals like Google and Amazon.

### Apple’s Smart Home Strategy: What’s New?

Apple’s efforts in the smart home space have always felt somewhat half-baked. The HomePod, while an excellent speaker, has never really been the centerpiece of a connected home ecosystem. That could change soon. According to recent reports, Apple plans to kick off a serious smart home push around March-April 2026.

This new initiative is expected to begin with the company’s first-ever smart display. There will reportedly be two versions: a standard speaker-base model (imagine an Apple-fied version of Google’s Nest Hub) and a wall-mounted variant. This product launch isn’t happening in isolation—it’s set to coincide with a major AI upgrade and a much-improved Siri experience.

Moreover, this smart display is just the starting point. Apple is said to be laying the foundation for a broader smart home security ecosystem that will include cameras and other devices later in the year.

### Why This Matters

Apple’s entry into the smart display market is a big deal because, quite frankly, it is very late to the game. Google, with its Nest Hub lineup, and Amazon, with its Echo Show series, have dominated the smart home space for nearly a decade.

These companies have not only sold hardware but have also created massive, sticky ecosystems deeply integrated into millions of homes worldwide. They have built what the report describes as “deep moats” around their platforms—making it difficult for newcomers to compete.

Apple’s biggest challenge isn’t just releasing a good product; it’s convincing users who are already comfortable with Alexa or Google Assistant to either switch or add another smart ecosystem to their homes. Given that Apple’s previous efforts have often felt siloed, this will be no easy task.

### Can Apple Catch Up?

With this upcoming launch, Apple is making a bold bet on the smart home future. But will their newly introduced devices and improved Siri be enough to surpass Amazon and Google? Only time will tell.

What do you think? Can Apple succeed in the smart home arena, or is it too little too late?

**Is Apple poised to surpass Amazon and Google in the smart home space?**

– Yes
– No

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
https://www.phonearena.com/news/apples-big-smart-home-push-is-finally-set-for-early-2026_id175393

OpenAI launches Atlas browser to compete with Google Chrome

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OpenAI introduced its own web browser, Atlas, on Tuesday, marking a significant step that puts the ChatGPT maker in direct competition with tech giant Google. As more internet users increasingly rely on artificial intelligence to answer their questions, OpenAI aims to transform its popular AI chatbot into a gateway for online searches. This move could boost OpenAI’s internet traffic and digital advertising revenue, while also reshaping how users interact with online content.

Atlas could have profound implications for online publishers. If ChatGPT efficiently provides summarized information, users might stop exploring the wider internet and clicking on traditional web links, potentially cutting off vital traffic to publishers.

OpenAI has already announced that ChatGPT boasts over 800 million users worldwide, though many access the service for free. The San Francisco-based company also offers paid subscription plans but continues to spend more than it earns as it searches for effective ways to turn a profit.

**Launch and Availability**

Atlas was launched on Apple laptops this Tuesday, with plans to expand to Microsoft Windows, Apple’s iOS phones, and Google’s Android devices in the near future. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described the release as a “rare, once-a-decade opportunity to rethink what a browser can be about and how to use one.”

Despite the optimism, market analyst Paddy Harrington from Forrester cautioned that competing against a giant with Google’s overwhelming market share will be a considerable challenge.

**Competitive Landscape**

OpenAI’s browser debut comes just months after one of its executives testified about potential interest in acquiring Google’s Chrome browser if a federal judge had ordered it sold. This was part of an attempt to prevent anticompetitive monopolistic practices associated with Google’s dominant search engine.

However, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta recently rejected the proposed Chrome sale sought by the Department of Justice. He cited ongoing advances in the AI field as having already reshaped the competitive landscape.

Chrome remains an imposing competitor, boasting about 3 billion users worldwide. Google has also started integrating AI features powered by its Gemini technology into Chrome, further strengthening its position.

**A Blueprint for Success**

Google’s Chrome revolutionized the browser market when it was launched in 2008. At that time, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer dominated the market, and few believed a new browser could effectively challenge it. However, Chrome quickly captured users by loading pages faster and delivering other advantages, eventually leading Microsoft to retire Internet Explorer and develop the Edge browser, which now holds a distant third place after Safari.

Smaller AI startups are also entering the browser market. For instance, Perplexity launched its own Comet browser earlier this year and expressed interest in purchasing Chrome. The company reportedly made a $34.5 billion unsolicited offer for Chrome but hit a dead end following Judge Mehta’s decision.

**Innovative Features**

Altman envisions a future where the traditional URL bar is replaced by a chatbot interface as the main way people navigate the internet. “Tabs were great, but we haven’t seen a lot of browser innovation since then,” he said during a video presentation on Tuesday.

One of the premium features of the ChatGPT Atlas browser is “agent mode.” This mode allows the browser to access the user’s laptop and effectively browse the internet on their behalf. It uses the user’s browser history and search intent to click through pages, all while explaining its process as it searches.

“It’s using the internet for you,” Altman explained.

Harrington offered a more cautious perspective, suggesting that such functionality might “take personality away from you.” He raised concerns about how the browser’s profiling could shape results based on collected data and advertising preferences. “OK, scary,” he remarked. He questioned whether the browsing experience would truly reflect the user’s independent thinking or be influenced by the engine’s algorithms and ads.

**Growing AI Usage and Concerns**

According to a recent Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll, about 60% of Americans overall—and 74% of those under 30—use AI at least some of the time to find information online. AI-powered search has become one of the technology’s most popular applications.

Since last year, Google has incorporated automatic AI-generated answers that appear at the top of search results, aiming to directly address queries.

However, reliance on AI chatbots raises several issues, including their tendency to sometimes provide confidently stated but false information, a phenomenon known as hallucination.

The news industry is particularly troubled by how chatbots generate new content based on existing online writings. This has resulted in legal actions, including lawsuits against OpenAI from The New York Times and other outlets alleging copyright infringement. Meanwhile, some organizations like The Associated Press have struck licensing agreements with OpenAI.

**Quality Challenges**

A study released Wednesday by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), a coalition of public broadcasters across 56 countries, evaluated four leading AI assistants—such as ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. The research analyzed over 3,000 responses to news-related questions and found that nearly half of the AI-generated replies were flawed and didn’t meet the standards of “high-quality” journalism.

This study aims to highlight quality concerns and help improve AI response accuracy.

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**About the Author**

Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten contributed to this report.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/21/openai-atlas-browser/