Google is adding AI Mode to Search, here is how it works
The AI-fication of Google Search has levelled up. Google is rolling out a major upgrade to its Search experience with a new AI Mode, allowing users to ask complex questions and receive detailed, personalised results – all within the Search interface. The feature combines Search's real-time information access with AI capabilities to create a more intelligent search engine experience. It can be especially helpful for tasks like planning a holiday. With AI Mode, a single search could bring together details like ticket information, weather updates, and things to do, all in one place.advertisementThe feature is somewhat of an extension or the next step to the AI Overviews that you see in Google Search right now. Currently, when you search on Google you see an AI-generated summary on top, which is based on information from all the links below. AI Mode will be that but more detailed and personalised. The feature has been available as part of the experimental Labs. However, only to a select number of users – Google has a waitlist thing. But Google says that AI Mode will now be available to all Labs users in the US. That would still be a small number. 'We're removing the waitlist so anyone in the US can now get immediate access to AI Mode in Labs,' said Soufi Esmaeilzadeh, Director of Product Management for Google Search.advertisement
Google says the AI Mode works best on mobile, especially for multimodal queries that include both text and images.If you are in India and you want to try out the feature, you should sign up to Google Experimental Labs.Google is also experimenting with bringing AI Mode outside of Labs. A small percentage of US users will start to see an AI Mode tab directly in the main Search interface.Google says that besides providing answers to layered queries (like comparing the best health insurance), the AI Mode also supports follow-up questions and can tailor its results as users refine what they're looking for. Additionally, Google says it has also added new visual elements to the results in AI Mode. Over the next week, users will begin seeing rich visual cards for local businesses and products. These cards will offer key details such as ratings, opening hours, pricing, current promotions, and even real-time availability from nearby stores. Tapping on a product or place will pull up further details, allowing users to dig deeper or take immediate action like placing a call or getting directions.These results are powered by Google's Shopping Graph — a massive and constantly updated index of over 45 billion product listings. According to the company, more than 2 billion of these listings are refreshed every hour, ensuring users receive current, trustworthy data.advertisementIn addition to that, Google says that users in AI Mode will now also be able to revisit past searches. On the desktop, a new left-side panel will soon appear, allowing users to pick up where they left off. This is especially helpful for long-running tasks like planning a trip or making a big purchase. Each topic in the panel includes previously surfaced information, and users can continue asking follow-up questions without starting from scratch.'So many of the questions people ask are part of longer-running tasks and projects, and often they want to get back to the information they found. So now, we're making it easier to jump right back in on desktop,' Google's blog post reads.The company emphasises that these changes are still evolving and encourages users to try AI Mode via the Labs feature in the Google app. Esmaeilzadeh added, 'We'll continue to quickly improve and evolve AI Mode based on your input.'The AI Mode update to Google Search comes as the company is facing a critical lawsuit in the US wherein the court has ruled that the company is a monopolist in the search market. The case is currently in the remedies phase and there is a possibility that Google could be forced to sell Chrome and Chromium platform. Tune In
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Chinese hackers, user lapses turn smartphones into 'mobile security crisis'
Cybersecurity investigators noticed a highly unusual software crash - it was affecting a small number of smartphones belonging to people who worked in government, politics, tech and crashes, which began late last year and carried into 2025, were the tipoff to a sophisticated cyberattack that may have allowed hackers to infiltrate a phone without a single click from the attackers left no clues about their identities, but investigators at the cybersecurity firm iVerify noticed that the victims all had something in common: They worked in fields of interest to China's government and had been targeted by Chinese hackers in the past. Foreign hackers have increasingly identified smartphones, other mobile devices and the apps they use as a weak link in US cyberdefences. Groups linked to China's military and intelligence service have targeted the smartphones of prominent Americans and burrowed deep into telecommunication networks, according to national security and tech experts. It shows how vulnerable mobile devices and apps are and the risk that security failures could expose sensitive information or leave American interests open to cyberattack, those experts say. "The world is in a mobile security crisis right now," said Rocky Cole, a former cybersecurity expert at the National Security Agency and Google and now chief operations officer at iVerify. "No one is watching the phones." US zeroes in on China as a threat, and Beijing levels its own accusations US authorities warned in December of a sprawling Chinese hacking campaign designed to gain access to the texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. "They were able to listen in on phone calls in real time and able to read text messages," said Rep Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois. He is a member of the House Intelligence Committee and the senior Democrat on the Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, created to study the geopolitical threat from China. Chinese hackers also sought access to phones used by Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance during the 2024 campaign. The Chinese government has denied allegations of cyberespionage, and accused the US of mounting its own cyberoperations. It says America cites national security as an excuse to issue sanctions against Chinese organizations and keep Chinese technology companies from the global market. "The US has long been using all kinds of despicable methods to steal other countries' secrets," Lin Jian, a spokesman for China's foreign ministry, said at a recent press conference in response to questions about a CIA push to recruit Chinese informants. US intelligence officials have said China poses a significant, persistent threat to US economic and political interests, and it has harnessed the tools of digital conflict: online propaganda and disinformation, artificial intelligence and cyber surveillance and espionage designed to deliver a significant advantage in any military conflict. Mobile networks are a top concern. The US and many of its closest allies have banned Chinese telecom companies from their networks. Other countries, including Germany, are phasing out Chinese involvement because of security concerns. But Chinese tech firms remain a big part of the systems in many nations, giving state-controlled companies a global footprint they could exploit for cyberattacks, experts say. Chinese telecom firms still maintain some routing and cloud storage systems in the US - a growing concern to lawmakers. "The American people deserve to know if Beijing is quietly using state-owned firms to infiltrate our critical infrastructure," US Rep John Moolenaar, R-Mich. and chairman of the China committee, which in April issued subpoenas to Chinese telecom companies seeking information about their U.S. operations. Mobile devices have become an intel treasure trove Mobile devices can buy stocks, launch drones and run power plants. Their proliferation has often outpaced their security. The phones of top government officials are especially valuable, containing sensitive government information, passwords and an insider's glimpse into policy discussions and decision-making. The White House said last week that someone impersonating Susie Wiles, Trump's chief of staff, reached out to governors, senators and business leaders with texts and phone calls. It's unclear how the person obtained Wiles' connections, but they apparently gained access to the contacts in her personal cellphone, The Wall Street Journal reported. The messages and calls were not coming from Wiles' number, the newspaper reported. While most smartphones and tablets come with robust security, apps and connected devices often lack these protections or the regular software updates needed to stay ahead of new threats. That makes every fitness tracker, baby monitor or smart appliance another potential foothold for hackers looking to penetrate networks, retrieve information or infect systems with malware. Federal officials launched a program this year creating a "cyber trust mark" for connected devices that meet federal security standards. But consumers and officials shouldn't lower their guard, said Snehal Antani, former chief technology officer for the Pentagon 's Joint Special Operations Command. "They're finding backdoors in Barbie dolls," said Antani, now CEO of a cybersecurity firm, referring to concerns from researchers who successfully hacked the microphone of a digitally connected version of the toy. Risks emerge when smartphone users don't take precautions It doesn't matter how secure a mobile device is if the user doesn't follow basic security precautions, especially if their device contains classified or sensitive information, experts say. Mike Waltz, who departed as Trump's national security adviser, inadvertently added The Atlantic's editor-in-chief to a Signal chat used to discuss military plans with other top officials. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had an internet connection that bypassed the Pentagon's security protocols set up in his office so he could use the Signal messaging app on a personal computer, the AP has reported. Hegseth has rejected assertions that he shared classified information on Signal, a popular encrypted messaging app not approved for the use of communicating classified information. China and other nations will try to take advantage of such lapses, and national security officials must take steps to prevent them from recurring, said Michael Williams, a national security expert at Syracuse University . "They all have access to a variety of secure communications platforms," Williams said. "We just can't share things willy-nilly." (AP)
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First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
Phantom crash: How Chinese hackers covertly targeted smartphones of US officials and journalists
Cybersecurity investigators noticed a highly unusual software crash — it was affecting a small number of smartphones belonging to people who worked in government, politics, tech and journalism. read more Cybersecurity experts have uncovered a highly unusual software crash pattern affecting smartphones of government officials, political figures, tech professionals and journalists. The crashes, which began in late 2024 and persisted into 2025, indicated a sophisticated cyberattack potentially enabling hackers to infiltrate devices without any user interaction. Investigators at cybersecurity firm iVerify found that all victims worked in sectors of interest to China's government and had previously been targeted by Chinese-linked hackers. The attack highlights the growing threat to mobile devices and apps as critical vulnerabilities in US cyberdefenses, with foreign groups linked to China's military and intelligence increasingly exploiting these weaknesses. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Experts warn that such security failures could expose sensitive data and compromise American interests. 'The world is in a mobile security crisis right now,' Rocky Cole, a former cybersecurity expert at the National Security Agency and Google and now chief operations officer at iVerify told AP. 'No one is watching the phones.' US authorities warned in December of a sprawling Chinese hacking campaign designed to gain access to the texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. 'They were able to listen in on phone calls in real time and able to read text messages,' Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois told Associated Press. He is a member of the House Intelligence Committee and the senior Democrat on the Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, created to study the geopolitical threat from China. Chinese hackers also sought access to phones used by Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance during the 2024 campaign. The Chinese government has denied allegations of cyberespionage, and accused the U.S. of mounting its own cyberoperations. It says America cites national security as an excuse to issue sanctions against Chinese organizations and keep Chinese technology companies from the global market. 'The U.S. has long been using all kinds of despicable methods to steal other countries' secrets,' Lin Jian, a spokesman for China's foreign ministry, said at a recent press conference in response to questions about a CIA push to recruit Chinese informants. US intelligence officials have said China poses a significant, persistent threat to U.S. economic and political interests, and it has harnessed the tools of digital conflict: online propaganda and disinformation, artificial intelligence and cyber surveillance and espionage designed to deliver a significant advantage in any military conflict. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Mobile networks are a top concern. The US and many of its closest allies have banned Chinese telecom companies from their networks. Other countries, including Germany, are phasing out Chinese involvement because of security concerns. But Chinese tech firms remain a big part of the systems in many nations, giving state-controlled companies a global footprint they could exploit for cyberattacks, experts say. Chinese telecom firms still maintain some routing and cloud storage systems in the US, a growing concern to lawmakers. 'The American people deserve to know if Beijing is quietly using state-owned firms to infiltrate our critical infrastructure,' U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich. and chairman of the China committee, which in April issued subpoenas to Chinese telecom companies seeking information about their U.S. operations. Mobile devices can buy stocks, launch drones and run power plants. Their proliferation has often outpaced their security. The phones of top government officials are especially valuable, containing sensitive government information, passwords and an insider's glimpse into policy discussions and decision-making. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The White House said last week that someone impersonating Susie Wiles, Trump's chief of staff, reached out to governors, senators and business leaders with texts and phone calls. It's unclear how the person obtained Wiles' connections, but they apparently gained access to the contacts in her personal cellphone, The Wall Street Journal reported. The messages and calls were not coming from Wiles' number, the newspaper reported. While most smartphones and tablets come with robust security, apps and connected devices often lack these protections or the regular software updates needed to stay ahead of new threats. That makes every fitness tracker, baby monitor or smart appliance another potential foothold for hackers looking to penetrate networks, retrieve information or infect systems with malware. Federal officials launched a program this year creating a 'cyber trust mark' for connected devices that meet federal security standards. But consumers and officials shouldn't lower their guard, said Snehal Antani, former chief technology officer for the Pentagon's Joint Special Operations Command. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'They're finding backdoors in Barbie dolls,' said Antani, now CEO of a cybersecurity firm, referring to concerns from researchers who successfully hacked the microphone of a digitally connected version of the toy. It doesn't matter how secure a mobile device is if the user doesn't follow basic security precautions, especially if their device contains classified or sensitive information, experts say. Mike Waltz, who departed as Trump's national security adviser, inadvertently added The Atlantic's editor-in-chief to a Signal chat used to discuss military plans with other top officials. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had an internet connection that bypassed the Pentagon's security protocols set up in his office so he could use the Signal messaging app on a personal computer, the AP has reported. Hegseth has rejected assertions that he shared classified information on Signal, a popular encrypted messaging app not approved for the use of communicating classified information. China and other nations will try to take advantage of such lapses, and national security officials must take steps to prevent them from recurring, said Michael Williams, a national security expert at Syracuse University. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'They all have access to a variety of secure communications platforms,' Williams said. 'We just can't share things willy-nilly.' With inputs from agencies
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Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business Standard
Smartphone cybersecurity at risk due to user lapses, Chinese hackers
Cybersecurity investigators noticed a highly unusual software crash it was affecting a small number of smartphones belonging to people who worked in government, politics, tech and journalism. The crashes, which began late last year and carried into 2025, were the tipoff to a sophisticated cyberattack that may have allowed hackers to infiltrate a phone without a single click from the user. The attackers left no clues about their identities, but investigators at the cybersecurity firm iVerify noticed that the victims all had something in common: They worked in fields of interest to China's government and had been targeted by Chinese hackers in the past. Foreign hackers have increasingly identified smartphones, other mobile devices and the apps they use as a weak link in US cyberdefences. Groups linked to China's military and intelligence service have targeted the smartphones of prominent Americans and burrowed deep into telecommunication networks, according to national security and tech experts. It shows how vulnerable mobile devices and apps are and the risk that security failures could expose sensitive information or leave American interests open to cyberattack, those experts say. The world is in a mobile security crisis right now, said Rocky Cole, a former cybersecurity expert at the National Security Agency and Google and now chief operations officer at iVerify. No one is watching the phones. US zeroes in on China as a threat, and Beijing levels its own accusations US authorities warned in December of a sprawling Chinese hacking campaign designed to gain access to the texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. They were able to listen in on phone calls in real time and able to read text messages, said Rep Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois. He is a member of the House Intelligence Committee and the senior Democrat on the Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, created to study the geopolitical threat from China. Chinese hackers also sought access to phones used by Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance during the 2024 campaign. The Chinese government has denied allegations of cyberespionage, and accused the US of mounting its own cyberoperations. It says America cites national security as an excuse to issue sanctions against Chinese organizations and keep Chinese technology companies from the global market. The US has long been using all kinds of despicable methods to steal other countries' secrets, Lin Jian, a spokesman for China's foreign ministry, said at a recent press conference in response to questions about a CIA push to recruit Chinese informants. US intelligence officials have said China poses a significant, persistent threat to US economic and political interests, and it has harnessed the tools of digital conflict: online propaganda and disinformation, artificial intelligence and cyber surveillance and espionage designed to deliver a significant advantage in any military conflict. Mobile networks are a top concern. The US and many of its closest allies have banned Chinese telecom companies from their networks. Other countries, including Germany, are phasing out Chinese involvement because of security concerns. But Chinese tech firms remain a big part of the systems in many nations, giving state-controlled companies a global footprint they could exploit for cyberattacks, experts say. Chinese telecom firms still maintain some routing and cloud storage systems in the US a growing concern to lawmakers. The American people deserve to know if Beijing is quietly using state-owned firms to infiltrate our critical infrastructure, US Rep John Moolenaar, R-Mich. and chairman of the China committee, which in April issued subpoenas to Chinese telecom companies seeking information about their U.S. operations. Mobile devices have become an intel treasure trove Mobile devices can buy stocks, launch drones and run power plants. Their proliferation has often outpaced their security. The phones of top government officials are especially valuable, containing sensitive government information, passwords and an insider's glimpse into policy discussions and decision-making. The White House said last week that someone impersonating Susie Wiles, Trump's chief of staff, reached out to governors, senators and business leaders with texts and phone calls. It's unclear how the person obtained Wiles' connections, but they apparently gained access to the contacts in her personal cellphone, The Wall Street Journal reported. The messages and calls were not coming from Wiles' number, the newspaper reported. While most smartphones and tablets come with robust security, apps and connected devices often lack these protections or the regular software updates needed to stay ahead of new threats. That makes every fitness tracker, baby monitor or smart appliance another potential foothold for hackers looking to penetrate networks, retrieve information or infect systems with malware. Federal officials launched a program this year creating a cyber trust mark for connected devices that meet federal security standards. But consumers and officials shouldn't lower their guard, said Snehal Antani, former chief technology officer for the Pentagon's Joint Special Operations Command. They're finding backdoors in Barbie dolls, said Antani, now CEO of a cybersecurity firm, referring to concerns from researchers who successfully hacked the microphone of a digitally connected version of the toy. Risks emerge when smartphone users don't take precautions It doesn't matter how secure a mobile device is if the user doesn't follow basic security precautions, especially if their device contains classified or sensitive information, experts say. Mike Waltz, who departed as Trump's national security adviser, inadvertently added The Atlantic's editor-in-chief to a Signal chat used to discuss military plans with other top officials. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had an internet connection that bypassed the Pentagon's security protocols set up in his office so he could use the Signal messaging app on a personal computer, the AP has reported. Hegseth has rejected assertions that he shared classified information on Signal, a popular encrypted messaging app not approved for the use of communicating classified information. China and other nations will try to take advantage of such lapses, and national security officials must take steps to prevent them from recurring, said Michael Williams, a national security expert at Syracuse University. They all have access to a variety of secure communications platforms, Williams said. "We just can't share things willy-nilly.
