Remember back in August when Google teased that it was bringing the power of Gemini to Assistant? Well, it looks like the wait is finally over; at least for some users. Reports are coming in of interesting changes to how Google Assistant sounds and responds on smart speakers and displays. And it's … [Read more...] about Google Assistant’s Gemini upgrade is arriving and using a new voice
AI
Support our independent tech coverage. Chrome Unboxed is written by real people, for real people—not search algorithms. Join Chrome Unboxed Plus for just $2 a month to get an ad-free experience, access to our private Discord, and more. Learn more about membership here.
START FREE TRIAL (MONTHLY)START FREE TRIAL (ANNUAL)
Gemini will soon make calls, send messages even when your phone is locked
Google's been working to make Gemini a more capable phone assistant for months on end, and this latest update brings a useful and welcome improvement: the ability to make calls and send messages without first needing to unlock your device. This new feature, found in Gemini Settings > Gemini on … [Read more...] about Gemini will soon make calls, send messages even when your phone is locked
Gemini is getting a Spotify extension for playback and search
Google is continuing to reveal and release Gemini Extensions for users looking to leverage the LLM on their phones to actually get things done outside of simply chatting with an AI bot with endless, factual (most times) knowledge. While the roll-out of these new extensions has been a bit slower than … [Read more...] about Gemini is getting a Spotify extension for playback and search
Gemini-infused Google smart speakers and displays might be just around the corner
Remember back in August when Google casually dropped the news that Assistant was getting a Gemini-powered upgrade? Well, it seems like the time for that upgrade might finally be just around the corner. Folks at 9to5Google have been digging through the latest Google Home APK and uncovered some … [Read more...] about Gemini-infused Google smart speakers and displays might be just around the corner
Pixel Phone app real-time Scam Detection is rolling out in Beta
Remember that awesome real-time Scam Detection feature Google demoed at I/O 2024 back in May? Well, it's finally rolling out to Google's phones from Pixel 6 and newer - in the beta version of the Google Phone app, anyway. This is a pretty big-time addition to the Pixel's anti-spam arsenal, and it's … [Read more...] about Pixel Phone app real-time Scam Detection is rolling out in Beta
Google’s Gemini Gems are a hit, and they are getting even more powerful
Google just dropped some new features that make their already-useful Gemini Gems even more impressive. If you aren't yet familiar with Gemini's custom Gems, think of them as specialized AI assistants tailored to your specific and evolving needs. With their initial announcement, you've already been … [Read more...] about Google’s Gemini Gems are a hit, and they are getting even more powerful
Google’s Gemini 2.0 update could be happening fairly soon
When Google introduced Gemini 1.0 Pro last December, it felt like a big shift in the AI landscape, with Bard (remember it being called that?) getting a serious upgrade and the Pixel 8 Pro being the first to showcase Gemini Nano. Then, we got 1.0 Ultra in Gemini Advanced in February 2024, followed by … [Read more...] about Google’s Gemini 2.0 update could be happening fairly soon
Google’s NotebookLM gets even better podcast-like Audio Overviews
Remember that experimental AI-driven podcast feature in NotebookLM we talked about not too long ago? Well, Google is seeing a lot of buzz around this particular tool and they've updated NotebookLM in a few very interesting ways. First up, the "experimental" tag is gone, meaning NotebookLM is here … [Read more...] about Google’s NotebookLM gets even better podcast-like Audio Overviews
Help me read is coming to summarize content for you in ChromeOS 130
Just yesterday we talked about the new Recorder app on the way in ChromeOS 130. That new tool will be a very helpful addition to the Chromebook ecosystem later in October when it arrives along with ChromeOS 130 for all Chromebook users. For those on Chromebook Plus, an extra feature in the … [Read more...] about Help me read is coming to summarize content for you in ChromeOS 130
More upgrades to really leverage NotebookLM for audio and video files
NotebookLM, Google's AI research companion, just got another pretty sizable upgrade. You can now add YouTube videos and audio files directly into your notebooks, opening up a whole new world of learning possibilities without having to find workarounds to do so. Insights from YouTube video You … [Read more...] about More upgrades to really leverage NotebookLM for audio and video files
Google TV is getting some incredibly helpful new features
Google TV is rolling out a slew of new features designed to transform your TV experience. From seamless smart home control to AI-generated art and enhanced sports viewing, this update has something for everyone. Let's dive into the details! First up is the all-new home panel that is making its … [Read more...] about Google TV is getting some incredibly helpful new features
Everything we know about the new, upcoming Lenovo Chromebook Duet
Of the upcoming Chromebooks ready to roll out, we have the best overall sense of what's on the way with two models: the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus and the Lenovo Chromebook Duet. Of all the devices that could be just around the corner from release, these two have historically been the most … [Read more...] about Everything we know about the new, upcoming Lenovo Chromebook Duet
