News & Reviews:   Google

Ever since Samsung added Gemini AI support to its Galaxy smartphones last year, smartphone companies have been quick to follow this generative AI boom. Samsung itself has extended Gemini AI support to its mid-range A series, but has plans to add more options beyond that.

Google has launched a new virtual try-on tool across Google Search, Shopping, and Images, with price tracking features. This AI-powered update allows users to preview how clothes might look on their own bodies, while also tracking apparel based on size, colour, and budget.

Google Photos users will soon be able to turn static photos into videos via an updated Create feature right from within the app. Google says that with this new tab, photos are converted into 6-second videos using the Veo 2 model.

Google is officially kicking off its next hardware season with the ‘Made by Google’ 2025 event set for 20 August 2025. The company began sending out invites with the tagline “See what’s new from Pixel”, confirming a 10 a.m. PT livestream. The event is expected to unveil Google's latest Pixel devices and ecosystem updates.

Google has officially announced that Chrome version 139, launching on 19 August 2025, will no longer support macOS 11 Big Sur. Although the browser will still function on this version, it will no longer receive updates, new features, or security patches.

Combining Chrome OS with Android? Well, according to sources, Google is planning a major revamp to create a unified platform tailored for tablets, laptops, and other large?screen devices. This initiative is part of a multi?year project aimed at boosting Android’s competitiveness while streamlining internal engineering efforts.

YouTube will introduce updated monetisation guidelines under the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) starting 15 July 2025. The platform is refining its approach to clarify which types of content are eligible for ad revenue, especially as the use of AI-generated and repetitive content continues to grow.

Google will roll out AI-powered ads in its Search “AI Overviews” in Malaysia by the end of 2025. These sponsored results will appear automatically in AI-generated search summaries during high-intent queries, without additional setup or charges for advertisers.

On 9 July 2025, Google introduced a new feature for Gmail users, designed to help manage email subscriptions more effectively. The update now allows users to view and unsubscribe from unwanted email lists directly within the Gmail interface, making it easier to keep your inbox organized.

Google’s Pixel?7 and Pixel?7 Pro smartphones have been officially banned from sale in Japan following a ruling by the Tokyo District Court.