A Bloomberg report suggests Apple could soon allow third‑party voice‑enabled AI assistants such as ChatGPT and Gemini to appear on the CarPlay dashboard. Siri would remain the default assistant, but users might be able to launch alternative chatbots directly from CarPlay. The change is expected in the coming months, though no exact rollout date has been confirmed. The move follows recent enhancements to Siri with generative AI and a partnership with Google to power future Siri updates, indicating Apple’s willingness to open its platforms to additional AI services. Leer más →

ChatGPT’s new voice mode offers a conversational experience that feels more human than traditional assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant. Users can choose from distinct voice personalities, experience a more thoughtful pacing, and even shift perspectives to unlock creative responses. The feature transforms routine tasks into fluid dialogues, making planning, brainstorming, and everyday inquiries feel natural and engaging. Leer más →

Apple is preparing to unveil a significantly upgraded version of Siri that will be powered by Google’s Gemini artificial‑intelligence models, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The upgrade could appear as early as the second half of February and would be tied to an upcoming iOS beta. The Gemini‑backed Siri is expected to understand screen content better, use personal context for tasks, and deliver richer conversational responses, marking a major shift in Apple’s AI strategy and its partnership with a traditional rival. Leer más →

Vibe, the smart whiteboard maker, has launched the Vibe Bot, a desk‑friendly AI device that combines a voice assistant, rotating smart webcam and AI‑driven note‑taking. Shaped like a cylindrical speaker with a circular screen and beam‑forming microphones, it can track speakers during meetings, record audio, provide live transcription and generate post‑meeting summaries. The device also integrates with calendars and project‑management tools, allowing users to ask questions about past meetings and trigger actions. Designed for both office desks and meeting rooms, the Vibe Bot aims to streamline hybrid work by improving video‑call quality and automating meeting documentation. Leer más →

Google has launched its biggest update yet for the Gemini Live voice‑assistant, making interactions more natural with better handling of tone, nuance, pronunciation and rhythm. The upgrade adds richer storytelling abilities, including varied accents and character voices, and expands educational tools that let users request tutorials, language lessons and adjustable pacing. Safeguards remain in place to limit misuse of accents or impersonation. The enhancements are now available on Android and iOS Gemini apps. Leer más →

Google is adding its Gemini AI chatbot to Android Auto, making hands‑free voice conversations possible for drivers in dozens of countries. The update will reach millions of vehicles equipped with Android Auto and will work for users who have upgraded Google Assistant to Gemini on their phones. Drivers can ask Gemini for destination recommendations, manage emails, compose texts, create playlists and more, all while staying focused on the road. Google says the rollout follows extensive safety testing and will comply with industry distraction guidelines. Leer más →

Microsoft promotes Windows Copilot as a conversational AI that can see, speak, and act on a user’s behalf, but early testing reveals a gap between marketing promises and reality. The assistant struggles to correctly identify objects in images, provides inconsistent answers, and cannot perform many of the tasks it advertises, such as controlling system settings or running simulations. While the technology shows potential for accessibility and future integration, its current performance leaves users frustrated and raises questions about Microsoft’s timeline for a fully functional AI‑driven PC experience. Leer más →

Google has rolled out its biggest update to Gemini Live, the real‑time conversational AI interface, on Android and iOS. The upgrade adds smarter models that better understand intonation, rhythm, and pitch, letting users hear the assistant speak more slowly or quickly, adopt a range of accents, and deliver dramatic storytelling. Gemini Live also offers adaptive tutoring for language learning and other subjects, as well as practice‑conversation tools for interviews and challenging personal talks. The enhancements aim to make interactions feel more natural, expressive, and tailored to individual learning needs. Leer más →

Google has begun rolling out its new Gemini voice assistant for Google Home smart speakers and displays, positioning it as the default assistant across its ecosystem. While a recent blog post praised the rollout and highlighted a user’s positive experience, the accompanying FAQ revealed recurring problems, including misinterpreted commands and unreliable device control. Access to Gemini requires enrollment in an Early Access program that launched in late October, and the rollout is expected to be gradual, potentially not reaching all users until next spring. Early feedback suggests the generative‑AI‑driven assistant still struggles with basic smart‑home tasks. Leer más →

Google announced that its Gemini generative AI is being rolled out to the Google TV Streamer, where it will replace Google Assistant. The new system lets users ask natural language questions about movies, TV shows, education, DIY projects and more, using the remote microphone button. The rollout begins this week for users aged 18 and older and will expand to additional streaming devices such as select TCL and Hisense models and the Walmart Onn 4K Pro. The move is part of Google’s broader plan to shift its voice ecosystem from Assistant to Gemini across all platforms. Leer más →

Apple is reportedly close to finalizing a partnership with Google that would see the iPhone maker pay roughly $1 billion annually for a customized version of Google’s Gemini AI model. The deal would power a major revamp of Siri, using a model with 1.2 trillion parameters—far exceeding Apple’s current 150 billion‑parameter cloud‑based Apple Intelligence. Apple, which traditionally relies on its own technology, evaluated models from Google, OpenAI and Anthropic before choosing Google as a temporary solution until its own AI capabilities catch up. The upgraded Siri is slated for a launch next spring, though timelines could shift. Leer más →

Google is integrating its Gemini artificial‑intelligence model into Google Maps, bringing a suite of new driver‑focused features. The upgrade adds conversational voice controls that let users ask for recommendations, report traffic incidents and even add calendar events without leaving the app. Directions become more precise by referencing real‑world landmarks, while proactive alerts warn of road disruptions before a trip starts. A Gemini‑enhanced Lens tool lets drivers identify nearby businesses and receive instant information. The changes roll out on Android and iOS in the coming weeks, with Android Auto slated for later release. Leer más →

Amazon has rolled out Alexa+, its AI‑powered assistant, within the Amazon Music app for iOS and Android. The feature is available to all subscription tiers but requires early‑access enrollment. Alexa+ enables conversational music discovery, letting users ask detailed questions about artists, lyrics, or movie placements, and it can generate personalized playlists on request. Early users report deeper engagement, exploring songs more frequently and listening to more recommendations. The launch positions Amazon Music against competing AI‑enhanced streaming services and showcases the company’s broader AI ambitions. Leer más →

Apple is reportedly planning a significant AI overhaul for Siri by partnering with Google’s Gemini model. Insider Mark Gurman says Apple will pay Google to create a custom Gemini‑based model that runs on Apple’s private cloud, offering features such as AI‑powered web search and deeper integration with Apple apps. The move follows an internal bake‑off between Anthropic and Google, with Apple choosing Gemini for financial and strategic reasons. If true, the upgrade could bring a more capable voice assistant to iPhone users, aligning Siri with the capabilities seen in Android’s top AI assistants. Leer más →

Microsoft introduced its Copilot Fall Release on Thursday, spotlighting a new AI chatbot persona named Mico. Designed as an expressive, customizable companion, Mico serves as the official successor to the classic Clippy. The optional avatar can change colors, animate, and even perform cartwheel‑like motions, aiming to make voice interactions feel more natural. A hidden Easter egg lets users tap the avatar until it temporarily transforms into Clippy, while a "real talk" feature promises conversational nuance. The announcement video highlights Mico at the 42‑minute mark, underscoring Microsoft's push toward a more personable AI experience. Leer más →

Microsoft introduced Mico, an expressive, customizable visual avatar designed to accompany the Copilot voice assistant. Positioned as a modern take on the classic Clippy, Mico appears as a responsive blob that changes color and expression based on user interaction. The AI companion aims to provide respectful, supportive guidance, even pushing back when needed. Integrated with Copilot’s new Learn Live feature, Mico serves as a Socratic tutor, guiding users through concepts with questions, visual cues, and an interactive whiteboard. Initially available in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, users can enable or disable the visual presence at will. Leer más →

Google has begun rolling out its Gemini AI upgrade to select Google TV devices, with early availability on TCL's QM9K model and reports of the feature appearing on Sony Bravia TVs running Android TV 14. The update introduces a new conversational voice interface, a suite of botanical-themed voice options, and expanded capabilities such as answering content queries, summarizing headlines, generating screensavers, locating YouTube clips, and creating images. Google plans to expand Gemini to additional TCL models, upcoming Hisense TVs, the Google TV Streamer, and Walmart's onn 4K Pro streaming box over the coming months. Leer más →

Google has reaffirmed its dedication to smart displays, linking them to the new Gemini for Home platform. Anish Kattukaran, head of Google Home, emphasized the multi‑modal strengths of displays—combining microphones, speakers, screens and cameras—to deliver a richer home experience. While no specific hardware has been announced, the company signals that future smart displays will be integral to its AI‑driven home strategy, positioning them as the ultimate form factor for interacting with Gemini and the broader Google ecosystem. Leer más →

OpenAI, led by Sam Altman, is partnering with designer Jony Ive to develop a palm‑sized, screen‑less AI gadget that can sit on a desk or be carried. The device will interact through microphones, speakers and cameras, aiming to offer a conversational experience that feels like a helpful friend rather than a generic digital assistant. Engineers are wrestling with challenges around the device’s voice, personality, engagement timing, privacy and the massive compute power needed to run advanced language models. The first unit is slated for release in late 2026 or early 2027. Leer más →

Apple has created an internal application, dubbed Veritas, that mirrors ChatGPT to evaluate upcoming Siri capabilities. The tool lets employees search personal data on devices and perform actions in apps, providing a rapid feedback loop on the value of a chatbot interface. Bloomberg reports the effort reflects a more advanced stage for Apple’s promised Siri upgrade, originally announced at WWDC 2024, and signals the company’s continued exploration of both its own AI models and potential third‑party partnerships for future releases. Leer más →