Tag: google

  • Google launches stand-alone NotebookLM apps for Android and iOS

    Google announced on Monday that it has formally launched the NotebookLM apps for Android and iOS, a day earlier than Google I/O 2025 and a day earlier than the corporate said it would roll out.

    Since its launch in 2023, the AI-based note-taking and analysis assistant has solely been accessible through desktop. Google has now made the service out there on the go.

    NotebookLM is designed to assist individuals higher perceive advanced info by means of options like sensible summaries and the flexibility to ask questions on paperwork and different supplies.

    Picture Credit:Google

    The app offers entry to Audio Overviews, that are NotebookLM’s AI-generated podcasts based mostly on the supply supplies you’ve got supplied. There’s background playback and offline help for Audio Overviews.

    The app additionally permits individuals to create new notebooks and examine those they’ve already created. Plus, while you’re viewing an internet site, PDF, or YouTube video in your machine, you possibly can faucet the share icon and choose NotebookLM so as to add it as a brand new supply. Customers also can view sources that they’ve already uploaded in every of the notebooks.

    NotebookLM on Android and iOS additionally encompasses a gentle and darkish mode that’s utilized based mostly on the person’s machine’s system settings.

    Given the timing of the launch, Google might share extra in regards to the app through the firm’s I/O keynote Tuesday.

  • How to use Bluetooth audio sharing on a Google Pixel phone

    Android 16 is about to carry Auracast to the lots, however Google Pixel customers with supported telephones can attempt all of the upcoming Audio sharing options immediately. The instruments permit customers to pair a number of Bluetooth headphones to the identical Pixel telephone for content material sharing, and make it attainable to begin or hearken to a mass broadcast.

    The Auracast and Bluetooth LE Audio function is about to be a game-changer for each accessibility and content material consumption. In the event you’re all for sharing your audio with a number of Bluetooth headphones or earbuds, you are able to do so now by following this information. It will solely get simpler when Android 16 formally releases, too.

    In the event you’re nonetheless catching as much as what the terms Auracast or LE Audio even mean, let’s dive in, as a result of we’ll cowl that as effectively.

    What it is advisable to use Audio sharing on a Pixel telephone

    The Android 16 logo on a Google Pixel 8a outdoors.

    (Picture credit score: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

    Bits of the Audio sharing function have appeared throughout a number of Android beta applications, together with Android 15 and Android 16. At the moment, the Audio sharing settings web page is not seen in Android 16 Beta 4, however it may be enabled in Developer Options on supported Pixel telephones. You have to a Google Pixel 8 sequence or newer telephone to entry this function, because it requires Auracast.

    It seems that working the Android 16 beta is definitely elective to activate Audio sharing, because the Developer Choices toggle it is advisable to discover is offered on Android 15 gadgets. If you’re all for changing into a tester, you may follow this guide to install the Android 16 beta on your Pixel phone.

    After that, you may observe these steps to make it seem:

    1. Open the Settings app.

    2. Scroll down and faucet About telephone.

    3. Faucet your construct quantity a number of occasions in succession to allow Developer Choices.

    4. You may see You at the moment are a developer when you might have accomplished this efficiently.

    (Picture credit score: Future)

    Now, you have efficiently activated Developer Choices and may discover the hidden toggle wanted to disclose Audio sharing. Here is easy methods to do it:

    1. Open the Settings app.

    2. Faucet the System web page, then press the Developer Choices tab.

    3. Discover Allow Bluetooth LE Audio Broadcast UI preview within the record, and flip the toggle on.

    4. Observe the on-screen prompts to restart your telephone in order that the adjustments take impact.

    (Picture credit score: Future)

    Now, you’ll discover the Audio sharingweb page in your Settings app on a supported Google Pixel telephone. It is a good bit of labor to realize entry to a function, however that is as a result of Audio sharing continues to be not publicly out there but.

    All of the steps on this part will not be required when Google formally rolls out Bluetooth LE and Auracast help through Audio sharing in a public launch, however it’s unclear when that will probably be. Because the function is not seen by default within the newest Android 16 Beta 4.1 launch, it isn’t assured that Audio sharing will probably be out there on day one.

    How one can begin Audio sharing

    Audio sharing requires supported earbuds or headphones, as you will not be capable of begin it on a Pixel telephone with out no less than one pair related. Your audio gadgets must help Bluetooth Low Vitality (LE) Audio to work with Audio sharing, and we now have a rundown of some supported earbuds and headphones here. Not the entire best Android earbuds and headphones help this function, however many — just like the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and 3 Pro — supply Bluetooth LE Audio.

    Tip: In the event you do not instantly see your supported headphones or earbuds present up as Audio sharing suitable, fully forgetting the system and re-pairing ought to do the trick. Examine if there is a toggle forLE Audio within the system settings web page for every set of suitable earbuds, too.

    With all that in thoughts, when you might have Audio sharing seen on a Pixel telephone and supported earbuds prepared, you can begin sharing by following these steps:

    1. Open the Settings app.

    2. Faucet the Linked gadgets web page, then press Connection preferences.

    3. Faucet the Audio sharing web page, which is now seen.

    4. Flip the toggle beside Audio sharingto begin.

    5. You may now see a QR code seem in your broadcast alongside your system title and elective broadcast password — each of that are wanted for others to connect with your broadcast.

    6. Faucet Pair new system so as to add earbuds or headphones or Shutto complete.

    7. You may also be part of an present broadcast by tapping Discover an audio stream.

    (Picture credit score: Future)

    After that, you have created a broadcast and have the choice to pair a number of LE Audio-compatible headsets to your Pixel telephone. With full Auracast help, that is crucial for accessibility reasons — public occasions, sporting contests and live shows, and transit hubs can ship out Auracast-compatible broadcasts that anybody can hearken to. It is also a helpful software basically, as you may share music or a film with the individual subsequent to you or your complete room.

    When will Audio sharing publicly debut?

    The Android 16 logo on a Google Pixel 8a outdoors.

    (Picture credit score: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

    Audio sharing, with Bluetooth LE and Auracast, is confirmed to be heading to Pixel telephones quickly with the discharge of Android 16. Google touted the function as a part of Android 16 Beta 3’s release notes, the identical replace that reached platform stability for the primary time. In the meanwhile, we do not know precisely when in Android 16’s lifecycle the function will launch — it could possibly be out there on day one or arrive in a future Android 16 replace.

    The excellent news is that you do not have to attend as a result of Pixel telephone customers working each Android 15 and the Android 16 beta can use Audio sharing immediately. Whether or not you want listening to help or just wish to share your telephone’s audio with a pal, this helpful Android 16 function will help.

  • Google I/O 2025: What to expect, including updates to Gemini and Android 16

    Google I/O, Google’s greatest developer convention of the , is almost upon us.

    Scheduled for Might 20 to 21 on the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, I/O will showcase product bulletins from throughout Google’s portfolio. Anticipate loads of information regarding Android, Chrome, Google Search, YouTube, and — after all — Google’s AI-powered chatbot, Gemini.

    Earlier this week, Google hosted a separate occasion devoted to Android updates: The Android Show. The corporate introduced new ways to find lost Android phones and other items, additional device-level features for its Advanced Protection program, security tools to protect against scams and theft, and a new design language called Material 3 Expressive.

    Right here’s what else you possibly can anticipate.

    Extra Android 16

    In this photo illustration, an Android 16 logo is seen on a smartphone screen
    The brand for Android 16.Picture Credit:Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Photos/LightRocket / Getty Photos

    We’ll seemingly find out about different features of Android 16 throughout I/O correct.

    Android 16 is predicted to convey with it improved notifications. In any other case, it’s largely a quality-of-life replace, judging by reviews. It’ll introduce assist for Auracast, which ought to make it simpler to change between Bluetooth units. Additionally in tow are lock screen widgets and a range of new accessibility features.

    Google might also highlight capabilities within the newest variations of Android XR, its blended actuality working system, and Put on OS, the corporate’s software program for wearables.

    Gemini and AI

    The Google Gemini AI logo is seen displayed on a smartphone screen.
    Picture Credit:Thomas Fuller/SOPA Photos/LightRocket / Getty Photos

    AI is the tech du jour, and Google, like its rivals, has been investing closely in it.

    A shoo-in for I/O is a brand new addition (or a number of) to Google’s flagship Gemini household of AI fashions. Leaks over the previous few weeks recommend that an up to date Gemini Extremely mannequin is on the way in which, Gemini Extremely being Google’s top-of-the-line Gemini providing.

    With this upgraded Gemini Extremely might come a pricier Gemini subscription.

    Google affords a single premium tier, Gemini Superior ($20 per 30 days), to unlock further capabilities in its Gemini chatbot, which is powered by the corporate’s Gemini fashions. However Google might quickly launch two new plans, Premium Plus and Premium Pro. It’s not but clear what advantages may be hooked up and the way these plans may be priced relative to Gemini Superior.

    Google will nearly definitely discuss Astra, its wide-ranging effort to construct AI apps and “brokers” for real-time, multimodal understanding. Additionally most likely on the agenda is Project Mariner, Google’s AI “brokers” that may navigate and take motion throughout the online on a person’s behalf. Of us on X spotted references to “Laptop Use” within the code for Google’s AI Studio developer platform, which may effectively pertain to Mariner.

    Every part else

    Going by the official I/O schedule, Google could have loads to debate following The Android Present and I/O keynote addresses.

    The schedule lists classes devoted to Chrome and Google Cloud, Google Play (the Android app retailer), Android growth instruments, and Gemma, Google’s assortment of “open” AI fashions.

    Final , Google unveiled a number of AI-themed surprises at I/O, together with a set of fashions fine-tuned for schooling purposes referred to as LearnLM. An improve to Google’s viral podcast-generating NotebookLM could possibly be one such shock. Leaked code reveals a “Video Overviews” instrument that presumably would create video summaries, most certainly leveraging Google’s Veo 2 video-generating mannequin.

    Up to date: 3:19 p.m. Pacific: Added a listing of latest Android options introduced throughout The Android Present.

  • Google rolls out new AI and accessibility features to Android and Chrome

    Google announced on Thursday that it’s rolling out new AI and accessibility options to Android and Chrome. Most notably, TalkBack, Android’s display screen reader, now helps you to ask Gemini about what’s in pictures and what’s in your display screen.

    Final yr, Google introduced Gemini’s capabilities to TalkBack to present people who find themselves blind or have low imaginative and prescient entry to AI-generated descriptions for pictures, even when Alt textual content isn’t obtainable. Now, folks can ask questions and get responses about their pictures.

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    Picture Credit:Google

    For instance, if a buddy texts you a photograph a their new guitar, you may get an outline of it and ask questions in regards to the model and colour. As well as, now you can get descriptions and ask questions on your complete cellphone display screen. So, should you’re procuring in an app, you possibly can ask Gemini in regards to the materials of an merchandise you’re involved in or if there’s a low cost obtainable.

    Google additionally introduced immediately that it’s updating Expressive Captions, Android’s real-time captions function that makes use of AI to seize what somebody says, and the way they are saying it.

    Google says it’s conscious that one of many methods folks categorical themselves is by dragging out the sound of their phrases, which is why it has developed a brand new length function on Expressive Captions. Now, you’ll know if a sports activities announcer is asking out an “amaaazing shot” or when somebody isn’t merely saying “no” however “nooooo.” You’ll additionally begin to see new labels for sounds, comparable to when an individual is whistling or clearing their throat.

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    Picture Credit:Google

    The replace is rolling out in English within the U.S., U.Okay., Canada, and Australia for units operating Android 15 and above.

    Google can be making it simpler to entry PDFs on Chrome. Till now, you wouldn’t have the ability to use your display screen reader to work together with a scanned PDF in your desktop Chrome browser. Now, Chrome mechanically acknowledges some of these PDFs, permitting you to focus on, copy, and seek for textual content like some other web page and use your display screen reader to learn them. That is due to the introduction of Optical Character Recognition (OCR), Google says.

    Plus, Web page Zoom on Chrome on Android now helps you to enhance the dimensions of the textual content you see with out affecting the web-page structure. You possibly can customise how a lot you wish to zoom in after which select to use the choice to the entire pages you go to, or simply sure ones. You possibly can entry this function by tapping the three-dot menu within the top-right nook of Chrome.