Tech Trends 📰

Google’s AI search features are killing traffic to publishers | TechCrunch

Google’s AI Overviews and chatbots are reducing traffic to news websites.. Users get answers directly from AI, so they click fewer links to publishers.. The New York Times' search traffic dropped from 44% to 36.5% in three years.. Some publishers are now making deals with AI firms to earn revenue.. Publishers say the industry must quickly adapt its business model to survive..

Google fixes bug that could reveal users' private phone numbers | TechCrunch

A researcher found a bug that could reveal Google account recovery phone numbers.. The bug exploited Google’s account recovery system and bypassed rate limits.. The process could expose numbers in under 20 minutes using a script.. Google fixed the issue after being notified in April.. The researcher, brutecat, was awarded $5,000 by Google’s bug bounty program..

Google Gemini can now handle scheduled tasks like an assistant

Google Gemini now supports scheduled tasks for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. Users can ask Gemini to summarize their calendar daily or create content ideas on specific days. One-time tasks like event summaries can also be scheduled. Tasks can be managed in the “scheduled actions” page of the Gemini app. The feature brings Gemini closer to acting like a true digital assistant.

DeepSeek may have used Google's Gemini to train its latest model

DeepSeek’s new R1-0528 model shows signs it may have been trained on Google Gemini outputs, according to AI developers.. The model uses language and reasoning patterns similar to Gemini, raising suspicions of unauthorized training data use.. DeepSeek has previously been linked to distillation techniques involving OpenAI’s models, including ChatGPT.. Companies like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic are strengthening security to prevent such model copying.. It’s becoming harder to filter out AI-generated content from training datasets due to widespread “AI slop” online..

Gmail’s AI summaries now appear automatically

Gmail now shows AI-generated summaries automatically for longer or complex email threads.. Previously, users had to manually ask for summaries — now they appear on their own.. These summaries are only available for English emails on mobile devices (not desktop).. Summaries update automatically when new replies are added to the thread.. Users can still manually request summaries or disable them completely via Gmail settings..

Google will let you use Lens to search what you see while watching YouTube Shorts

Google is testing a beta version of Google Lens inside YouTube Shorts.. Users can pause a Short and tap on objects (like landmarks, clothes, or gadgets) to search visually.. The search results will appear instantly without leaving the YouTube app.. This feature helps identify locations, products, and more directly from the video.. It enhances the user experience by making Shorts more interactive and informative..

Google Unveils A.I. Chatbot, Signaling a New Era for Search

Google has launched a new “A.I. Mode” in its search engine that works like a chatbot, allowing users to ask follow-up questions and get detailed answers.. This move is part of Google’s strategy to compete with A.I. tools like ChatGPT, which have started affecting Google’s search traffic.. This move is part of Google’s strategy to compete with A.I. tools like ChatGPT, which have started affecting Google’s search traffic.. Currently, A.I. Mode does not display ads, but Google may reveal monetization plans in an upcoming advertiser event.. The shift to A.I. has caused concerns among publishers about losing traffic and comes amid increasing legal pressure on Google over monopoly issues..

Google Play adds topic pages, audio previews, and new subscription tools for developers | TechCrunch

Google Play is adding new topic pages where users can explore apps related to over 100,000 shows and movies. Developers can include audio previews of their apps which have helped increase installs up to three times. New subscription tools allow developers to sell base subscriptions and add-ons together with a single payment and offer a 30-day grace period for failed payments. The Play Console is getting upgraded with new tools and insights for testing releasing and improving app performance.

Google updates the Gemini app with real-time AI video, Deep Research, and more | TechCrunch

Gemini Live now supports real-time video and screen sharing for all iOS and Android users.. Gemini will integrate more deeply with apps like Google Maps, Calendar, and Tasks.. Two new AI plans launched—AI Pro ($20/month) and AI Ultra ($250/month) with advanced features.. Deep Research can now analyze user-uploaded PDFs and images to generate personalized reports..

Google Launches New AI-Powered Scam Detection Features

Google is using its AI model, Gemini Nano, to detect and block scams on Chrome, Google Search, and Android.. The AI already helps protect users from tech support scams and will soon expand to cover more threats on Android. A new feature in Chrome for Android detects spam disguised as website notifications and lets users unsubscribe or view blocked content.. Scam detection is coming to Google Messages and Phone by Google, alerting users if a call or text seems suspicious.. Users can override AI warnings if they believe the alerts are errors, maintaining control over blocked content and communication..

Chrome’s Android app will now let you zoom in on text without affecting the webpage

Chrome for Android now lets users zoom in on just the text using a slider without affecting the page layout.. Chrome’s desktop version can now automatically recognize text in scanned PDFs, making it easier to highlight, copy, or use screen readers.. Google’s TalkBack screenreader on Android now supports follow-up questions about images, like identifying colors or objects.. A new feature called Expressive Captions uses AI to show real-time captions that reflect how something is said, including emotional expressions.. Expressive Captions also adds support for non-verbal sounds like whistling or throat clearing, rolling out in English on Android 15+ in select countries..

Google's Gemini chatbot can now more easily analyze GitHub projects | TechCrunch

Google Gemini can now connect to GitHub, but only for users on the $20/month Gemini Advanced plan.. Users can import code by pasting a GitHub URL, allowing Gemini to analyze, debug, and explain the code.. This update comes right after OpenAI launched a similar GitHub connector for ChatGPT deep research.. AI companies like Google and OpenAI are racing to add new features to stay competitive in the growing AI market..