Latest news with #AIupgrade
Zawya
27-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Google Search is getting powered by AI
Last year, I said Google Search may be replaced by generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI). In fact, you may refer to and read the complete article that was published last year under the heading 'Will Google Soon Be Replaced by Gen AI?' In it, I also stated that unless Google fastens its seat belt and gets in the AI race, then the Gen AI heavyweights of the likes of OpenAI (creators of the popular ChatGPT), Deepseek (the China version), Adobe, etc will surely take over. Today, I would like to report an update of a massive upgrade to Google Search, which would get it surely back on track as soon as it gets released to the public (here in Oman too, as a practical relevance). So you plan to buy a new car, but your budget is about RO 8,500. You also want to gift the car to your son, who just graduated with outstanding results from college, and you also want ideas on the best place to send the car for packaging (with flowers, ribbons, chocolates, etc.). You also want to prepare a family dinner at home as a celebration but are wondering what to cook or where to order from. All that is now possible to ask as an input to the familiar Google search bar – thanks to Google's new AI mode (only available as a test in the US but soon to be released to all the other markets). The output would not just be a basic raw list of hyperlinks to websites. No, the output would be more of the human-like answers, similar to what you are experiencing today with other Gen AI apps, but of course utilising its massive database of pictures, videos and text too as responsive content. The new Google AI mode will turn your traditional search experience into a smart, human, conversational-style response. You will not need to ask several questions (or inputs per se) on the familiar search bar. You will also not be required to repeat a question you asked previously (as the engine will remember what you're talking about), as it does today with ChatGPT. Everything can be asked at one go and at the same time. What Google will do in the back end is break your question into smaller chunks/parts, search each one behind the scenes, and then merge the results into a smart, clear and cohesive answer. You may also upload a picture for the model to analyse and provide a response/output. Of course this is all powered by Google's Gen AI (Gemini) – the new version 2.0. _ The new feature would cost about RO 8 per month to use. It is now, however, available for free to try via the Google Search Labs. How different it would be compared to other existing search engines! Obviously, faster, smarter, conversational and very AI-driven (powered). Google won't only utilise its massive database, user base and its underlying technology infrastructure, but it would also couple it with its AI model, the Gemini (upgraded to 2.0). Think of putting ChatGPT and almost all of its features in a Google search bar – that's what to expect at the very minimum. Like many, I have replaced much of my traditional online search activities with Gen AI-related apps over the past months. Nevertheless, I'm keen to see the new Google search upgrade become mainstream, where search would feel more human as opposed to a basic robotic-style response, where faster and much smarter output would be generated. Until then, let's keep our fingers crossed. AI continues to get exciting and scary too. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Bloomberg
20-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Asus Co-CEO on Tariffs Impact, AI
Asus Co-CEO Samson Hu says the company anticipates raising prices by 5-10% due to US tariff policy and the costs of supply chain diversification. Speaking with Bloomberg News' Annabelle Droulers on the sidelines of Computex Taipei 2025, Hu also stated that he foresees it will be another one to two years before AI driven upgrade cycle will take hold. (Source: Bloomberg)
CNET
19-05-2025
- CNET
I'm Still Waiting for Amazon's Big Alexa AI Upgrade: Here's What to Know About the Delay
We attended Amazon's February announcement of a massive Alexa AI upgrade with great interest. The new service, called Alexa Plus, promised us conversational AI to set reservations, learn what we like, analyze home video for us and control our smart entertainment on the fly -- even if it came with a wee bit of privacy loss. The enhanced Alexa was supposed to be ready to try in March. Now it's the middle of May and we're still waiting. I wish I could say I was surprised. Here's what's happening and why Echo users should practice their patience. Read more: Amazon Alexa Just Changed Its Privacy Settings. CNET Survey Reveals 73% of Device Users Were Already Worried Alexa Plus stalls out: We've seen this before Alexa Plus promised a lot. Reports indicate it's simply not ready yet. Amazon So, where's the AI? For now, it's still in early access, and that early access period appears to be limited. Even the few who have tried out Alexa Plus have been quiet about it. Those who've spoken up have said the AI is lacking critical features that were mentioned at the announcement, including ordering food on Grubhub with a conversation, entering into a story mode with kids, visually identifying family members during conversations, brainstorming ideas in a casual conversation mode, and using Alexa Plus on the Web. In other words, it's just not ready yet. Read more: The Best Smart Displays for 2025 I've seen this before, very recently, with Apple's announcement that it will be delaying Siri's big AI upgrade, not only for a year after WWDC 2024, but then again in 2025 and possibly for as long as until 2027 according to our latest info. It's possible Amazon watched the fallout from these delay announcements plus leaked employee complaints, and decided to be much quieter about the Alexa Plus rollout. Either way, it could be months before the average consumer sees an option to upgrade to Alexa Plus, and with staggered rollouts, some Amazon customers could be waiting quite some time for the chatty new Alexa. No one at CNET has gotten an early access look at Alexa Plus yet, but the testing period is still ongoing, so we're hopeful to get our hands on it very soon. Waiting for the Show The Amazon Alexa upgrades were announced on Feb. 26. Corin Cesaric/CNET We're ready with Amazon Echos, Echo Shows, home cameras, smart gadgets and more to test out just what's changed with Alexa Plus and what features have actually arrived (and what we still can't do). But for now, it looks like we're waiting for our own wake word -- and I wouldn't be surprised if Alexa Plus is on a similar trajectory to Siri's AI delays, sans the troubling announcements and exposes we saw with Apple. If you're desperate to see what Amazon is doing with the latest Alexa AI technology, there is a way to get to the front of the line. Amazon has mentioned that during the early access period, it will focus on releasing Alexa Plus for Echo Shows. If you have an Echo Show 8, Show 10, Show 15 or Show 21, you're more likely to see an offer for Alexa Plus if you sign up for the program. Otherwise, we'll keep you updated. Check out our AI Atlas to get the latest on Siri, Google Gemini, ChatGPT, Grok and, yes, Alexa Plus as we learn more and test out new capabilities. Read more: The Best Smart Speakers for 2025 (Disclosure: Ziff Davis, CNET's parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)
