Google's universal AI assistant vision, fighting spam and backing up photos

Hindustan Times

22-05-2025

This is when I truly note the onset of summer. Never mind, that's just me being me. However, the annual developer conferences, by the big tech, are a big deal. May and June are the months when Google, Microsoft, Apple, Meta…pretty much all the important names you can think of, will lay down their vision with all things software, apps, developer engagement, and now increasingly, all things artificial intelligence (AI). Google plays its cards early in 2025, with this year's I/O more than delivering on expectations. And then some. I had mentioned to a friend recently, Google has rewritten some chapters, and reset some benchmarks. Having the first mover advantage this summer has most certainly worked in terms of timing, and gives competition little time to realign. If at all they need to.
AI announcements, rightly so, needed as much time as possible in the keynote. There was a lot to pack in. I'll summarise this for you.
Google is introducing two new AI subscription plans, and this shouldn't be a surprise, since there is pressure on the widening AI tools, to generate revenue for the tech giant. There is the Google Al Pro (this is a renaming of the current Google AI Premium plan, with some add-ons), and Google Al Ultra that will cost $249.99 per month.
Google Meet's logical successor? The 3D communication platform,, as Google Beam is being called, uses an AI volumetric video model is what makes these calls appear fully 3D from any perspective. It transforms standard 2D video streams into realistic 3D experiences.
Last week on Wired Wisdom: Android's security envelope, an impressive 'Tank' backpack, and OpenAI's corrective steps
It isn't often that mid-range Android phones come this good. Nothing, the UK-based tech startup, is never short as far as that standout element is concerned. That's perhaps best represented by their flagship phones, but the more affordable CMF line-up. Not often do you get a tiny screwdriver as part of the phone's package — in this case, that's to get the back cover accessory in place, if that's what you want. I preferred to use the CMF Phone 2 Pro as is, because the green colour way looks really good. Plus, there's a slimness to the overall design, which many of you may want to leave unaltered. I want to talk about the accessories for a bit, because that's something none of the CMF Phone 2's rivals have. It is a full combination that you can optionally opt for, either in totality or in pieces.
The universal cover can be installed by removing the screws already on the phone, placing this cover and reattaching the screws. The closest we'll get to building your own phone. Which reminds me, where are all those modular phones which everyone raved about, before they got busy with AI? There's the interchangeable lens combination, for which you will need the universal cover since it provides the holding mechanism for these lenses. The fisheye and the macro options should work well if you tend to use the phone for specific types of photos. I must note that even without, the CMF Phone 2 Pro's camera is very, very capable. Even more so, with the latest Nothing OS update. The lanyard is self explanatory, and there is an audience for it (you may not be, ignore and move on). The wallet and stand accessory has genuine utility, as either. It attaches to the universal cover, and if you aren't worried about losing your credit cards if your phone gets snatched or stolen, be my guest. But I'd end up using the stand option more, because that simply works brilliantly on the workstation and the bedside table. Except when the phone's to be plugged in for charging.
Cellular service providers have to take the lead in the battle against spam and scams. There are no two ways around that uneasy conversation. Apps such as Truecaller, as brilliant as they are, aren't on everyone's phone yet. And even if they are, network-level protective mechanisms are really the only way to counter the volume of scam and spam floating around on our mobile networks, and ingenuity that's being shown by these scammers. They could've used their brain cells towards nation building, but targeting vulnerable senior citizens and swindling them of their savings, is the path they chose instead. But I digress.
Airtel's spam detection for incoming calls and incoming SMS on their network, has been a responding success. A much-needed warning for 'suspected scam', enough to alert even the most unsuspecting and technologically not inclined, phone user. Bharti Airtel isn't done yet. They're now integrating something called 'Fraud Detection Solution', which they say is a first of its kind solution worldwide. It may well be, because the scope and relevance, at least with the potential that's being talked about, is astounding.
This solution will use artificial intelligence (AI; of course, would you expect anything that doesn't have AI these days?) detect and block malicious web links that are often included in messages sent by spammers and scammers in WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, SMSes, and they also say across emails and web browsers too, in real time.
'Our AI based tool scans internet traffic, checks with global repositories and our own database of threat actors in real-time and blocks fraudulent websites,' notes Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Bharti Airtel, adding, 'Our solution has already reached a remarkable level of accuracy in the 6 months of trials.' The service works at a network-level which means no app download or update is necessary, and will be auto- enabled for all Airtel mobile and broadband customers at no additional cost.
You could ask a question about how much data is Airtel getting access to, for every link that it detects and flags in any SMS or email or web browsing sessions? There are no clear answers yet, in terms of how the link data is collected, what else is alongside, and how secure is the chain of scan and storage. Airtel says that for now, this feature rolls out in the Haryana telecom circle, and a nationwide rollout will happen in the coming weeks. We really need more from mobile service providers to counter the risks that scammers and spammers pose. Perplexing enough, is Reliance Jio's silence on any similar network-level features. It may perhaps be too much to ask Vodafone Idea, or Vi, considering they've more struggles to contend with.