Google is injecting more AI into searches with Web Guide


With interests in both web searching and AI, that Google has blended the two should surprise no one. With the launch of Web Guide, the company is taking things a step further.
At the moment, the new Web Guide is both optional and experimental. This is not necessarily a vision of what Google has in store for its search engine, but it very likely is. This time around, Google is turning to artificial intelligence to change the way in which search results are displayed.
Google Expands its AI Overviews to YouTube App, Starting with U.S. Premium


Google-owned YouTube started testing a new “AI-powered search results carousel” to help users find what they are looking for faster.
The new feature is only available on the mobile apps (iOS and Android) and only in English. Only a small, randomly selected group of YouTube Premium members in the United States who opt in through the YouTube Labs page will have access to this new feature.
Google Maps can now use your screenshots to help you plan trips thanks to Gemini AI


Screenshotting stuff can seem like a great way to remember something for later, but captures soon get lost and forgotten. Google is looking to change this by bringing new Gemini-powered features to Google Maps.
The company thinks that it can help you to make sense of the “travel blogs, news articles or social media posts” you’ve screengrabbed while researching a trip. Turning to AI to make sense of a heap of images is Google’s solution. Here’s how it can help you.
ASUS unveils Chromebook CX14 and CX15 with bold colors, recycled materials, and optional Plus AI features


ASUS is bringing some much-needed excitement to the Chromebook market with its newly announced CX14 and CX15 series computers. These new ChromeOS laptops deliver a fresh mix of style, performance, and environmental awareness. These 14-inch and 15.6-inch laptops are built for everyday users but with enough polish to appeal to professionals and students alike. What sets them apart isn’t just the design, but more importantly, the surprising variety of configurations. Not to mention, there is optional support for Google’s Chromebook Plus platform, which includes a year of Google One AI Premium at no extra cost.
The CX14 and CX15 models come in seven different color choices including Misty Green, Cream Pink, Rock Grey, Fabric Blue, and Quiet Blue. There are also three distinct finish types: Crystallice, Washi, and Paint. Believe it or not, the finishes are more than just for looks. For instance, the Paint version is mixed with diamond and stone particles, giving it 2.5 times the abrasion resistance of traditional coatings. ASUS clearly wants these Chromebooks to look good for the long haul, and the company is using 30 percent post-consumer recycled plastics in the chassis to help reduce environmental impact. Very cool, ASUS!
Google announces Linux-powered Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus and Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11-inch


Google has unveiled two new Chromebooks, loaded with fresh AI-powered features that are set to boost productivity and take the ChromeOS experience to a new level. With ChromeOS being a Linux-based operating system, the introduction of these features could make Microsoft nervous, as Chromebooks continue to gain ground in offering advanced tools at affordable prices. The new computers include the ultra-thin Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus and the versatile Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11”.
The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, starting at $699, is the lightest and thinnest Chromebook yet, boasting a sleek 15.6-inch OLED display and an Intel Core 3 processor. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11”, priced from $339, offers a compact design with a convertible form factor that switches between laptop and tablet modes. Both Chromebooks are equipped with AI-driven features that take ChromeOS to new places.
Google AI brings the heat to fight scorching urban temperatures


With 2024 expected to exceed 2023 as the hottest year on record, rising temperatures continue to affect urban areas disproportionately. Urban heat islands -- locations where infrastructure such as buildings and roads trap and radiate heat -- experience temperature increases at twice the global average. This poses a particular risk to vulnerable populations, including older adults, children, and people with chronic health issues. From 2017 to 2021, heat-related deaths among those aged 65 and older increased by roughly 85 percent.
Google Research is working on AI-driven solutions to address this issue. The company's new Heat Resilience tool uses artificial intelligence to analyze satellite and aerial imagery, helping cities estimate the impact of cooling strategies such as tree planting and installing reflective surfaces like cool roofs.
Google unveils Pixel Buds Pro 2: More lightweight, improved noise cancellation, and packed with new features


Earlier today, Google introduced the latest Pixel 9 smartphones. And now, the search giant reveals the Pixel Buds Pro 2 equipped with enhanced design and technology for a superior audio experience.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are 24 percent lighter and 27 percent smaller than their predecessors and incorporate the new Tensor A1 chip. This chip enables industry-leading audio performance and robust Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) that is twice as effective as the previous model. This ANC adapts to ambient noise up to three million times per second, designed to deliver clear sound in various environments.
Google expresses deep regret: Gemini image generation paused for rework


In a new announcement by Google, Senior Vice President Prabhakar Raghavan revealed that the Gemini conversational app (formerly known as Bard) has temporarily halted its image generation feature for people. This decision comes after user feedback highlighted inaccuracies and offensive content in some generated images.
Launched three weeks ago, the feature was built on the Imagen 2 AI model and aimed to provide diverse and accurate representations of people. However, it fell short, producing images that were not only incorrect but also potentially harmful.
Recent Headlines
Most Commented Stories
BetaNews, your source for breaking tech news, reviews, and in-depth reporting since 1998.
Regional iGaming Content
© 1998-2025 BetaNews, Inc. All Rights Reserved. About Us - Privacy Policy - Cookie Policy - Sitemap.