Google Search evolves with AI, Lens adds voice and video features, YouTube Shorts extends to 3 minutes
Key Points:
- Google Lens Enhances with Voice and Video Search: Lens now supports voice queries and video understanding, enabling more intuitive searches.
- AI-Driven Google Search Overhaul: AI-generated results and ads streamline search experiences, with improved shopping features.
- YouTube Shorts Expands to 3-Minute Videos: Creators get more flexibility with longer video uploads, new features, and easier content remixing.
Google is significantly upgrading its search capabilities with new AI-powered tools, making it easier for users to interact with information visually, through voice commands, and even video analysis. At the same time, YouTube Shorts is getting an upgrade, extending video lengths to 3 minutes, which brings exciting opportunities for creators. Here’s a detailed look at these developments.
Google Lens Gets Voice and Video Search
With more than 20 billion visual searches happening each month, Google Lens is rapidly becoming one of the most used search tools. Now, it’s gaining powerful new features with voice input and video analysis, making it even more versatile.
Instead of just typing or snapping a photo to search, users can now speak their questions to Lens. By simply long-pressing the screen, you can ask something about what you see in the image. For example, if you take a photo of an artwork but aren’t sure what to search for, you can now ask your question out loud. The lens will process the image and your voice simultaneously, providing a more accurate response.
In addition, Google is introducing video understanding for Lens. You can ask questions about moving objects within a video. By pressing and holding the screen for up to 20 seconds, you can speak your query, and Google will analyze both the video and the question to provide helpful results. This feature is available on Android and iOS in English, through Search Labs.
On top of this, Google is enhancing its shopping features within Lens. If you search for a product, Lens will now provide more detailed results, including reviews, pricing, availability, and deals, along with relevant shopping ads. This new shopping experience is rolling out on Android and iOS in selected regions, just in time for the holiday season.
Moreover, Google’s Circle to Search feature, which complements Lens, is now available on more than 150 million Android devices, offering broader access to this visual search capability.
Google Search Revamped with AI Organization
Google Search is transforming with the introduction of AI to better organize search results. Users searching for topics like recipes or meal ideas in the U.S. will notice an “Organized with AI” badge and a sparkle icon, indicating that AI is grouping results into relevant categories. Instead of seeing a flat list of links, users will get AI-generated headlines that guide them through the content in a more organized manner. According to Google’s internal testing, this format makes it easier for people to find what they’re looking for.
To improve visibility and transparency, Google is also adding inline URLs in AI-generated overviews, making it easier to visit related sites. This feature is rolling out globally wherever AI overviews are available.
Alongside this, Google is incorporating ads directly into AI Overviews. These ads are designed to be relevant to both the user’s query and the generated AI response. For instance, if you search for a cleaning tip, such as “how to remove grass stains,” the AI might suggest related products through a carousel of ads, helping you find what you need faster. These sponsored ads will be marked clearly, appearing above, within, or below the AI results.
Google notes that this change has increased traffic to websites by making it simpler for users to follow through on their queries. Ads in AI overviews are now live for U.S. users on mobile devices and are part of Google’s broader strategy to integrate more AI-driven shopping experiences.
YouTube Shorts Extends Video Length and Adds New Features
In another exciting update, YouTube Shorts is expanding the maximum video length from 60 seconds to 3 minutes, effective from October 15. This feature has been highly requested by creators, who will now have more flexibility to create engaging content. The new rule applies to videos with a square or taller aspect ratio, with no changes to older uploads.
YouTube is also rolling out improvements to its recommendation system, especially for these longer Shorts. In the coming months, there will be a country-specific “Trends” section at the top of paused Shorts, allowing users to explore what’s popular in their region more easily. Furthermore, YouTube will refine the Shorts player interface, with updates like simplified buttons and a cleaner design.
For users who prefer shorter content, YouTube is adding a “Show fewer Shorts” option, allowing them to temporarily reduce the number of Shorts appearing in their Home feed. This option can be activated by selecting the three-dot menu on any Short video in the feed.
Creators will also benefit from new tools to remix content. Soon, users will be able to pull clips from other YouTube videos, including music videos, directly from their Shorts camera. This new functionality opens up endless possibilities for creative remixes. Additionally, YouTube is making it easier to jump on trends with ready-made templates that align with popular sounds and formats. With just a tap, creators can select “Use this template” from a Short they like and put their unique spin on it.
Google is rolling out two new updates to help users connect and set up devices more easily.
Easier chatting with the Pixel VIPs widget
Google is testing a new widget for Android called “Pixel VIPs.” This widget puts your most important contacts right on your home screen. With it, you can quickly see recent conversations, calls, and messages from your favorite people. The goal is to make it simple to keep in touch without searching through different apps. This feature is being tested on Pixel phones and could come to other Android devices soon.
A simpler way to set up your Google TV
Google is also updating the setup process for Google TV. Now, when you get a new Google TV device, the setup is much faster and easier. You can use your phone to finish most of the steps, like signing in and connecting to Wi-Fi. The new process makes it less confusing and saves time, especially for people who aren’t tech experts. This update is rolling out to more devices, so setting up your TV will soon be a smoother experience for everyone.
What does this mean for you?
These updates show that Google wants to make technology easier for everyone. Whether you’re chatting with friends or setting up a new TV, these changes help you spend less time figuring things out and more time enjoying your devices.
Google has decided not to hold its special early preview event for the Pixel 10, which was meant for its most dedicated fans. In past years, Google invited “superfans” to see new Pixel devices before anyone else. This year, however, Google canceled the event without giving a clear reason. Fans who were looking forward to getting an early look at the Pixel 10 will now have to wait for the official launch, like everyone else. This change has disappointed many in the Pixel community, who enjoyed feeling included and valued by Google.
At the same time, Google is making it easier for people to get information from its search engine. The company is rolling out a new feature called “audio overviews.” With this update, when you search for something, you can listen to a summary of the information instead of reading it. This is helpful for people who are busy or prefer listening over reading. The audio overview gives a quick explanation of the topic, making it more convenient to learn new things on the go.
In summary, while Google has skipped its early Pixel 10 preview for superfans, it is improving its search experience by letting users listen to summaries of their search results. These updates show Google is still working to make its products better, even if some fans are disappointed by the event cancellation.
Google is making Android and Wear OS even better with some helpful new features.
Easier call controls with Android 16
Android 16 is testing a new “call chip” that makes it easier to manage phone calls. When you’re on a call, a small button will appear at the top of your screen. This “call chip” lets you quickly get back to your call if you switch to another app. You can tap it to return to the call screen, mute yourself, or hang up, all without searching for the call app. This update should make handling calls much simpler, especially if you often multitask on your phone.
Earthquake alerts coming to wear os smartwatches
Google is also bringing earthquake alerts to Wear OS smartwatches. If there’s an earthquake nearby, your watch will vibrate and show a warning on the screen. This helps you get alerts even if your phone isn’t in your hand. The feature uses the same technology as Android’s earthquake alert system, which gathers data from phones to detect quakes quickly. Now, with alerts on your wrist, you can get to safety even faster.
What does this mean for users
These updates show that Google wants to make daily life safer and easier. With better call controls and quick earthquake warnings, Android and Wear OS devices are becoming even more helpful for everyone.
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