Google Unveils New AI-Powered Features

Google says it wants you to search less—and let its software do more of the hunting for you. At its annual Google I/O developers conference on Tuesday, the company unveiled a revamped search bar and a batch of "agent" features that lean heavily on its Gemini AI models, a shift that moves Google further away from the familiar page of blue links and closer to rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic, CNN reports.

• The new search field, powered by the Gemini 3.5 Flash model, is built for long, conversational prompts and can spin up agents that track information over time—say, new apartment listings or sneaker releases from specific athletes—without constant user input.

• Google says search will also be able to spit out custom visuals and simple apps, like a location-aware fitness tracker that ties into a user's Google data.
• To separate Gemini from search, Google is adding a new autonomous mode called Spark. The tool is designed to quietly handle ongoing chores such as scanning credit-card statements and inboxes, compiling summaries, and assembling to-do lists. Google says Spark will keep working even when users have switched their devices off, but it is required to ask for permission before performing "high-stakes" tasks like making purchases, the AP reports.
• Google says Spark will be rolled US-based subscribers to its Google AI Ultra tier first, and will operate within Google Chrome by late summer.

• "We are firmly in our agentic Gemini era," CEO Sundar Pichai said at the event. "I've played around with all sorts of agents and you can really see the potential, but it's still early days when it comes to making agents easy to use, super secure and truly helpful."
• Other announcements at the conference included two kinds of new Gemini-powered smart glasses: an audio version that will speak to you, and a display version that presents information visually. Google said it had partnered with Samsung and eyewear makers Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to create the glasses, which will be available this fall, CNBC reports. "Just say 'Hey Google' or tap the side of the frame to instantly access Gemini," Google said in a blog post. "From there, you can ask questions about the world around you—or ask it to help you execute tasks on your behalf."