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Pentagon strikes classified AI deals with OpenAI, Google, and Nvidia — but not Anthropic

2026-05-01T10:22:45-04:00

The Pentagon has struck deals with OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia, Elon Musk's xAI, and the startup Reflection, allowing the agency to use their AI tools in classified settings, according to an announcement on Friday. At the same time, the Defense Department has left out Anthropic - which it previously used for classified information - after declaring it a supply-chain risk.

This builds upon deals with OpenAI and xAI, which have already reached agreements with the Pentagon for the "lawful" use of their AI systems. A report from The Information suggests Google has struck a similar agreement. As noted by The Wall Street Journal, Mi …

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Gemini is rolling out to cars with Google built-in

2026-04-30T08:49:46-04:00

Here’s an early look at the new Gemini assistant on a vehicle infotainment system. | Image: Google

Google is preparing to update vehicles that have Google built-in with its Gemini AI assistant. This will be an upgrade from the current Google Assistant according to Google's announcement, and promises to provide an improved experience for natural conversations, fetching vehicle-specific information, settings adjustments, and more.

"When cars with Google built-in first hit the road in 2020, we made a commitment that your car will get better over time," Google senior product manager Alankar Agnihotri said in the announcement. "That means that Gemini is coming not only to new cars, but also to existing ones through a software update."

The a …

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Google Search queries hit an ‘all time high’ last quarter

2026-04-30T10:05:12-04:00

Google Search queries hit an "all time high" in the first quarter of 2026, according to a statement from CEO Sundar Pichai published as part of Alphabet's earnings on Wednesday.

"Our AI investments and full stack approach are lighting up every part of the business," Pichai says. "Search had a strong quarter with AI experiences driving usage, queries at an all time high, and 19% revenue growth." He also notes that Q1 was "our strongest quarter ever for our consumer AI plans, driven by the Gemini App" and that the company now has more than 350 million paid subscriptions, with "YouTube and Google One being the key drivers."

Alphabet also anno …

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Google Photos launches an AI try-on feature for clothes you already have

2026-04-29T16:54:19-04:00

Google Photos is launching a new AI-powered feature you can use to virtually try on clothes you already have. Using the photos in your gallery, Google will create a virtual "wardrobe," allowing you to mix and match outfits, save the looks you like, and share them with friends.

A video shared by Google shows how Photos organizes your outfits and individual pieces of clothing into a virtual "wardrobe." You can browse through the outfits you were captured wearing, as well as create new ones by choosing from tops, bottoms, skirts, dresses, and shoes to put together a new look.

You can also select the button in the bottom right corner of each o …

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Google TV is getting a dedicated row for YouTube Shorts

2026-04-29T12:11:46-04:00

Here’s what the new short videos row will look like after it rolls out this summer. | Image: Google

Google is making it easier to jump into watching YouTube Shorts on its TV devices without having to open the dedicated YouTube app. The Google TV homepage will soon introduce a new "Short videos for you" row that features a feed of personalized videos.

The update is expected to roll out to Google TV devices in the US sometime this summer, though Google didn't specify an exact date. The company did say, however, that the videos showcased via this feature will start with YouTube Shorts, which suggests that similar vertical video hosting services like TikTok and Instagram's Reels may also eventually be supported.

The short video homepage row …

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General Motors is adding Gemini to four million cars

2026-04-29T05:14:38-04:00

Gemini is coming to Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC vehicles. | Image: General Motors

General Motors is planning to bring Google's Gemini AI assistant to around four million vehicles across the US. Model year 2022 and newer Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC vehicles with Google built-in will be eligible for the AI upgrade, which will be rolled out via over-the-air software updates for GM's infotainment system "over several months," according to GM's announcement.

GM says this update represents "one of the largest deployments of Gemini in the industry," and that "customers will notice an upgrade from the current Google Assistant to a smarter, more intuitive AI assistant that continues to improve over time."

The assistant …

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Google Home makes it easier to understand why devices aren’t working

2026-04-28T14:31:08-04:00

Thanks to Google Home's latest update, users may be able to get offline devices working again with less troubleshooting. Now, whenever a device goes offline, users may get "instant account-relinking prompts" in the app's device controller pages, which will tell users right away if an expired partner link is the reason one of their smart home devices isn't connected.

Google's new "Home Vitals" program may also help prevent connection issues from causing devices to go offline to begin with. According to Google, its new Home Vitals website "enables developers to monitor their device integration health, identify connection errors, and proactiv …

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Google Translate can now help you with pronunciation

2026-04-28T08:45:13-04:00

The pronunciation guides are written out phonetically to give you a fighting chance. | Image by Google / The Verge

Google has launched a new AI-powered feature for Translate that can help you correct and practice your enunciation when learning a new language. The "pronunciation practice" tool analyzes your speech to provide instant feedback on how to improve before jumping into an actual conversation in your chosen language.

The result bears some resemblance to pronunciation features on Duolingo's language learning app. Google Translate pronunciation practice is available for Android users in the US and India starting today in English, Spanish and Hindi. Google hasn't announced if or when it will be expanded to other regions or made available for iOS u …

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Google and Pentagon reportedly agree on deal for ‘any lawful’ use of AI

2026-04-28T08:18:47-04:00

Google has signed a classified deal that allows the US Department of Defense to use its AI models for "any lawful government purpose," The Information reports. The agreement was reported less than a day after Google employees demanded CEO Sundar Pichai block the Pentagon from using its AI amid concerns that it would be used in "inhumane or extremely harmful ways."

If the agreement is confirmed, it would place Google alongside OpenAI and xAI, which have also made classified AI deals with the US government. Anthropic was also among that list until it was blacklisted by the Pentagon for refusing the Department of Defense's demands to remove we …

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Google is testing AI chatbot search for YouTube

2026-04-28T05:44:18-04:00

Google is trying out an AI Mode-like search experience for YouTube. The company is now testing "a new way to search on YouTube that feels more like a conversation," with results pulling in things like longform videos, YouTube Shorts, and text about what you're searching for. The "experiment" is now available if you're a YouTube Premium subscriber in the US who is 18 or older.

I turned it on for my account. Now, in the search bar, I see an "Ask YouTube" button, and clicking the search bar shows prompts to ask like "funny baby elephant playing clips," "summary of the rules of volleyball," and "short history of the Apollo 11 moon landing." If …

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