Google | The Verge

YouTube is expanding its AI deepfake detection tool to all adult users

2026-05-15T18:21:33-04:00

YouTube is expanding its AI likeness detection program to all users over the age of 18 - meaning just about anyone can have the platform hunt for potential deepfakes of themselves.

The likeness detection feature uses a selfie-style scan of a person's face to monitor YouTube for lookalikes. If there is a match, YouTube alerts the user; the person then has the option to request that YouTube remove the content. YouTube has said in the past that it has found the number of removal requests to be "very small."

YouTube began testing the feature with content creators, and then expanded it to government officials, politicians, journalists, and fina …

Read the full story at The Verge.

AI radio hosts demonstrate why AI can’t be trusted alone

2026-05-15T13:09:16-04:00

AI radio DJs demonstrated their volatile personalities. | Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images

Andon Labs has been running a series of experiments in which AI agents run businesses without human intervention. Its latest is a quartet of radio stations run by some of the most popular AI models out there. "Thinking Frequencies" is run by Claude, "OpenAIR" by ChatGPT, "Backlink Broadcast" by Google's Gemini, and "Grok and Roll Radio," obviously enough, by Grok. They were each given a simple prompt:

Develop your own radio personality and turn a profit…As far as you know, you will broadcast forever.

They all failed, some in pretty spectacular fashion. It didn't take long for each to burn through their initial $20 in seed money. Only DJ …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Google updates its spam rules to include attempts to ‘manipulate’ AI

2026-05-15T12:42:59-04:00

Google updated its spam policy to mark attempts to "manipulate" its AI model in search results as spam, including results in AI Overview or AI Mode in Search, as Search Engine Land reports:

"In the context of Google Search, spam refers to techniques used to deceive users or manipulate our Search systems into featuring content prominently, such as attempting to manipulate Search systems into ranking content highly or attempting to manipulate generative AI responses in Google Search."

Some users have been trying to influence AI search responses, using tactics like biased "best-of" listicles or "recommendation poisoning," which injects LLM …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Android’s latest AI feature predicts what you’ll do next

2026-05-14T07:07:49-04:00

The contextual suggestions feature has started appearing on some Pixel 10 series devices. | Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge

Google is rolling out a new AI-powered "contextual suggestions" feature to Android users that recommends actions based on your daily habits, Android Authority reports. The feature is designed to predict your next action based on your location and habits - such as allowing music streaming apps to suggest your usual playlist when you arrive at the gym for your regular workout.

Contextual suggestions were previously available in the Play Services beta, but now Google seems to have expanded it to the stable channel. While Google hasn't announced that the feature has officially launched, some reporters at Android Authority and 9to5Google are see …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Why does the Googlebook exist?

2026-05-13T09:56:06-04:00

Google announced its new Googlebook laptop platform yesterday, and so far I've been left asking, "Why?" Why is Google blowing up its Chromebook and ChromeOS platform for this?

I've been excited by the prospect of Android and ChromeOS unifying under the long-rumored Aluminium OS. The theory was that Aluminium might unite Android and ChromeOS under one house, simultaneously turning Android phones into portable Chromebook desktops, fixing the mess that is Android tablets, and broadening the scope of actual Chromebook laptops.

Instead, we've got the Googlebook; an awkwardly named line of laptops with no hardware details (aside from a glowing l …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Android Auto is now one (screen) size fits all

2026-05-12T13:03:26-04:00

This week at I/O, Google rolled out a series of major updates for Android Auto that include better sizing for unconventionally shaped screens, video streaming through YouTube, widget support, and of course, more AI-powered Gemini features. The company also announced some updates for cars that run on Google's built-in native software, including the ability to ask Gemini questions that are specific to the car you're driving.

First off, it's screen size. It used to be that in-car screens all came in the same basic shape. But now the standard rectangle has evolved into a variety of curved, panoramic, swooping, and even circular displays. Google …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Google announces its Chromebook successor: the Googlebook

2026-05-13T17:25:45-04:00

Google is announcing a new line of laptops coming in the fall called Googlebooks. Details are sparse for now, as the tease is just a small part of various Android announcements during Google's Android Show. But we do know this is a major new initiative in the laptop space for Google, seemingly designed to succeed Chromebooks with something more capable: a platform running a long-rumored new operating system based on a fusion of Android and ChromeOS.

That operating system, through various leaks, has been referred to as Aluminium OS. Google isn't announcing the OS's real name or giving many details about it just yet. "We'll have more to share …

Read the full story at The Verge.

The 9 biggest new features in Android 17

2026-05-12T13:00:59-04:00

AI-generated widgets are among the features coming to Android this year. | Screenshot: Google

Would it shock you to hear that Android 17 is filled with new AI-enabled features, like improved dictation and vibe-coded widgets? Fortunately, that's not all. The platform is getting non-AI updates too, from an emoji overhaul to a new screentime tool that helps you avoid distracting apps.

Google has just revealed the biggest changes coming in its next OS update as part of its dedicated Android Show, ahead of next week's big I/O developer conference. The Android software updates came alongside a tease of upcoming Android-powered Googlebook laptops and a host of Android Auto updates. Here are all the new updates that matter and when you can …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Gemini’s latest updates are all about controlling your phone

2026-05-12T14:07:37-04:00

Gemini Intelligence comes with a Liquid Glass-ish visual treatment. | Image: Google

It is, once again, Gemini season. Google is announcing a host of new Gemini features during its pre-I/O Android showcase, many of which aim to help use your phone for you. You'll find Gemini in more places, like Chrome on Android, in your autofill suggestions, and all up in your apps - if you want.

Google also has a new name for us to remember, because it just can't help itself: Gemini Intelligence. It "brings the very best of Gemini to our most advanced Android devices," according to Google's director of Android experiences, Ben Greenwood. Google is bundling some existing and new Gemini features under this name, and seems to be reserving t …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Android Show 2026: all the news and announcements

2026-05-13T16:54:38-04:00

Google I/O is just days away, and that means it’s time for another Android Show event to unpack all the Android ecosystem highlights Google has in store.

The highlight of this year’s Android Show was Googlebooks, a new line of laptops running Android. They can cast apps from Android phones, pull files directly from a connected Android device, and offer contextual AI suggestions using the mouse pointer. Google says the first of these Chromebook successors are “coming this fall.”

Google also showed off some new features coming in Android 17, including 3D emoji, custom AI-generated widgets, expanded access to Quick Share/AirDrop, the “Rambler” AI transcription tool, and a new “Pause Point” feature for helping manage screen time. Plus, Android Auto got “the biggest update in its 10-year history,” with improved support for different screen sizes (and shapes), support for Material 3 Expressive and widgets, the ability to stream content from YouTube to your car’s screen, and more.