Gemini 3.5 Models Lead the Charge

Google kicked off its I/O 2026 keynote with the launch of Gemini 3.5 Flash, a faster and more capable AI model that becomes the default for the Gemini app and AI Mode in Search. The company promises significantly improved speed, enhanced agentic tasks, and better coding abilities, alongside stronger guardrails against harmful content. Gemini 3.5 Pro is slated to follow next month, expanding the family further.

Gemini Omni: A New Model Family

Alongside the 3.5 series, Google introduced Gemini Omni, a multimodal AI family capable of generating video from text, photos, video, and audio inputs. The first model, Omni Flash, rolls out today in the Gemini app, Google Flow, and YouTube Shorts. Google envisions Omni eventually being able to create any content from any input.

Gemini Spark: Always-On AI Agent

Described as Google’s answer to OpenClaw, Gemini Spark is an always-on AI agent powered by Gemini 3.5 Flash. It runs 24/7 on Google Cloud virtual machines, connecting to Workspace apps (Docs, Gmail, Sheets, Slides) and third-party services like Canva and Instacart. Spark can write emails, create study guides, and monitor for hidden fees, and later will access local files via macOS.

Vibe-Coding Full Android Apps in AI Studio

Google now allows users to build native Android apps using natural language prompts in AI Studio. These apps can be tested in an embedded emulator, installed directly on a phone, or exported to Android Studio or GitHub. Future updates will let users publish apps exclusively to friends and family and add Firebase integrations.

Project Aura Smart Glasses Update

Project Aura, Google’s smart glasses developed with Xreal, received a redesign. The external compute puck now includes a fingerprint sensor and a lanyard. New features include widgets for display glasses, Gemini integrations with Calendar and Keep, and improved performance. The glasses remain a key part of Google’s XR strategy.

Android XR Glasses from Warby Parker and Gentle Monster

Two new pairs of audio-only Android XR smart glasses (no display) will launch this fall from Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. They support live translation, navigation assistance with Gemini, and notification summaries, similar to the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses.

Universal Cart for Cross-Merchant Checkout

Google introduced a Universal Cart that lets users add products from YouTube, Search, Gemini, and Gmail into a single shopping cart. It works with merchants like Nike, Target, Walmart, Ulta Beauty, Sephora, Wayfair, and Shopify. The cart can flag potential issues (e.g., incompatible parts) and interpret perks from Google Wallet. It launches in Search and Gemini this summer, with YouTube and Gmail later.

Gmail Live: Voice Search for Your Inbox

Gmail gains a voice-driven search feature called Gmail Live. By clicking an icon in the search bar, users can ask questions orally, and the system extracts relevant information from emails without listing all messages. Similar features will come to Google Docs and Keep, pulling data from Drive and Gmail.

Workspace Pics: AI-Powered Image Editing

Google Workspace gets a new app, Pics, powered by Nano Banana 2 and Gemini. Users can edit images by clicking on a part of the photo and leaving a comment describing changes, bypassing the need for detailed prompts. Integration into other Workspace apps is planned.

Search Upgrades: Agents, Generative UI, and Mini Apps

Google Search is expanding with a larger search box, AI-generated suggestions, and multimodal input (text, images, files, videos, Chrome tabs). New “information agents” provide summarized updates on specific topics, launching this summer for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. Generative UI can create simulations, interactive tables, and mini apps for repetitive tasks.

AI Ultra Subscription Price Cut

Google lowered the price of its premium AI Ultra subscription from $249.99 per month to two new tiers: $100/month (standard access) and $200/month (includes Project Genie). This matches OpenAI’s pricing structure and aims to attract more users.

AI Detection Tools Expand to Chrome and Search

To help identify AI-generated images, Google’s detection tools (SynthID and C2PA Content Credentials) are now accessible via Search and Chrome. Users can upload or select images to see provenance details. Chrome will later allow circling questionable images on websites to reveal their history.

Beam Gets AI Agents and Group Calls

Google is experimenting with lifelike AI agents for its Beam video-calling platform (formerly Project Starline). An early demo featured Sophie, an agent that responds to questions, reads documents, and looks up information. Beam also now supports group calls via Google Meet and Zoom, a feature years in development.

These announcements, spanning AI models, smart glasses, productivity tools, and search enhancements, underscore Google’s continued focus on integrating artificial intelligence across its ecosystem. The company also revealed new partnerships and pricing changes designed to make advanced AI more accessible. As the I/O 2026 keynote concluded, the clear message was that AI will reshape how users interact with Google’s products, from daily tasks to complex coding and creative projects. The event also hinted at future capabilities, such as the evolution of Omni models and expanded always-on agents, suggesting that Google is betting heavily on agentic and multimodal AI to drive the next wave of innovation.

Source: The Verge News