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At today’s Made by Google 2024 Event, a wave of new AI features was unveiled, including Gemini Live Voice Mode AI, which offers natural voice interactions, along with a host of additional OS-level integrations across the Android ecosystem. This is a strong move to challenge both OpenAI and Apple. Let's dive in…

Today’s Summary:

• 🎤 Gemini Live Voice Mode AI

• 🤖 AI-powered Android future

• 🏡 Google Home gets AI upgrades

• 🧑‍🎤 Synthesia launches realistic personal avatars

• 🧬 Sakana AI announces AI Scientist

• 2 new tools

TOP STORY

Google launches “Gemini Live” Voice Mode AI

The Summary: Google has introduced Gemini Live, a voice mode AI assistant for Android devices. It supports natural conversations adapting to real-time interruptions. The rollout starts today and will continue over the next few weeks.

Key details:

• Offers 10 natural-sounding voices for responses

• Uses Gemini Pro with extended context window for longer conversations

• Initially available in English, with more languages coming soon

• Exclusive to Google One AI Premium Plan subscribers $20/month

Why it matters: Gemini Live is Google’s answer to OpenAI’s Voice Mode, with quick responses in under two seconds adapting smoothly to interruptions. This launch is the first step towards Google’s larger Project Astra, which will integrate real-time audio and video understanding.

GOOGLE

Google unveils its AI-powered Android future

The Summary: Google has announced deep integrations of Gemini AI into Android, apps, and new Pixel devices. These updates will introduce seamless AI features to millions of users, enabling natural language interactions for complex tasks.

Key details:

• AI integrations with Google Calendar, Tasks, Keep

• E-mail writing assistance and playlist creation

• Information recall from screenshots

• AI camera features like Add Me, Made You Look, Magic Editor

• Pixel Studio for on-device image generation

• Pixel Buds Pro 2 with Gemini Voice

Why it matters: Google's aggressive focus on AI integration across its hardware and software ecosystem directly challenges Apple’s AI suite. Google mirrors Apple by prioritizing practical, user-friendly features that rely on both cloud and on-device AI.

Watch the full Keynote

TOOLS

Google Home Gets AI Upgrade

The Summary: Google is integrating Gemini AI into its Google Home ecosystem, enhancing Nest cameras and Google Assistant. New features include AI video descriptions, natural language home automation, and conversational commands on Nest speakers and displays.

Key details:

• Nest cameras now offer AI descriptions of recorded events, such as “the dog is digging in the garden” instead of basic motion alerts

• New "Help me create" feature uses natural language to set up complex home automations

• Features will initially be rolling to Nest Aware subscribers in Public Preview later this year

Why it matters: This move shows Google’s focus on smart home AI. As competition heats up with Amazon Alexa upgrades, consumers will benefit from more capable and user-friendly smart home experiences.

QUICK NEWS

Quick news

• Synthesia releases personal avatars with enhanced realism

• Sakana AI announces AI Scientist for fully automated scientific discovery

TOOLS

🥇 New tools

• Adobe Podcast - AI audio tools to elevate your voice

• Bardeen - The AI agent for your browser