Tag: Gemini

  • ChatGPT holds under 50% of AI assistant market

    ChatGPT holds under 50% of AI assistant market

    Key Takeaway

    – ChatGPT’s market share fell below 50% for the first time (46.4%), with Gemini (27.7%) and Claude (10.3%) gaining ground.
    – Users are increasingly willing to switch assistants based on brand trust and values, not just product quality.
    – OpenAI’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense caused a notable surge in app uninstalls.
    – Gemini benefits from deep integration into Google products, while Claude is building a reputation for productivity.
    – The AI assistant market is showing signs of maturity, with downloads and user spending starting to decline.

    The King of AI Assistants Is Losing Its Crown

    ChatGPT, which has been the most popular AI assistant worldwide, is starting to lose its traction. According to Sensor Tower’s State of AI Report 2026, cited by TechCrunch, ChatGPT’s market share droped below 50% for the first time, standing at 46.4% at the end of May. In second place is Google’s Gemini with 27.7% share and Anthropic’s Claude with 10.3%. Others like Grok, Perplexity, DeepSeek and Meta AI altogether are under 5%.

    User Base and Migrating Habits

    Sensor Tower estimates that ChatGPT exceeds 1.1 billion monthly users, ahead of Gemini with 662 million, and Claude with 245 million. The report also points out that users are more willing to migrate between different AI assistants based on factors like brand trust. OpenAI’s February partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, for instance, led to a notable surge in app uninstalls — a clear signal that users care about a companies values and who it chooses to work with, not just the quality of its product.

    Competitors Gaining Ground

    For its part, Gemini is gaining more followers thanks to its integration into several Google products, while Claude is building a solid reputation in productivity tasks. Further more, Sensor Tower estimates that during the first half of 2026, AI applications reached nearly 2.3 billion downloads and more than 4.2 billion dollars in user spending. Nevertheless, the AI assistant market apears to be reaching a stage of maturity, since these figures are now starting to drop. This shift indicates that users are becoming more selective about there tools.

    Market Maturity and Consumer Behavior

    The decline in downloads and spending suggests that the initial boom might be over, with consumers focusing on quality and ethics rather then novelty. Privacy concerns and geopolitical factors are playing a larger role then ever before in dictating which assistant people choose. While ChatGPT still leads in absolute numbers, its market share erosion shows that no one can afford to be complacent in this space. The future will likely see more segmentation, with each assistant carving out a specific user base. This could be healthy for innovation in the long run.

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  • Android 17 arrives for Pixel 6+ with foldable gaming mode

    Android 17 arrives for Pixel 6+ with foldable gaming mode

    Key Takeaway

    – Android 17 launches today for Pixel 6 and newer devices, with a full rollout expected in days.
    – New gaming mode for foldables turns half the screen into a virtual gamepad.
    – “Screen Reactions” overlays a selfie video onto screen recordings for social media sharing.
    – Enhanced granular privacy controls: limit app access to specific contacts and temporary precise location.
    – Pixel-exclusive features arrive via June 2026 Feature Drop, including Gemini-powered video creation and song generation.

    Android 17 and Wear OS 7 Launch Together

    Together with Wear OS 7, Google also released Android 17 today for Pixel smartphones starting with the Google Pixel 6. In addition to the general new features of Android 17, Pixel devices will recieve a few additional features via the June 2026 Feature Drop. As usual, it will likely take a few days for the update to become avaliable to all users of compatible smartphones.

    Gemini Intelligence and New Gaming Mode

    Gemini Intelligence, the AI assistant capable of performing tasks autonomously, is scheduled to be released later this summer. Android 17 introduces a new gaming mode for foldable smartphones like the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold ($1,499 on Amazon), in which one half of the display acts as a virtual gamepad, while the other half can be partially folded for better ergonomics, giving the device a form factor reminiscent of handhelds like the Nintendo DS. Android 17 is also expected to improve the gaming performance.

    Screen Reactions and Enhanced Security

    A new feature called “Screen Reactions” lets you overlay a selfie video on a screen recording to quickly react to images or videos online and share that reaction on social media. Google has improved its security features so that, for example, you can grant an app access only to selected contacts instead of your entire address book, while your precise location can be shared only for a limited time.

    Gemini Omini Video Editing and Bubbles

    Pixel smartphones also gain the ability to create or edit videos using Gemini Omini via voice prompts. Gemini can now also generate songs based on a description. Multitasking is enhanced by “Bubbles” – app icons can float in the foreground on the screen, allowing for quick access to these apps at any time.

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  • Game-Changing AI Features for Travelers in Google Translate

    Game-Changing AI Features for Travelers in Google Translate

    Key Takeaways

    1. Improved Translation Quality: Gemini enhances Google Translate by providing more natural translations, especially for idioms and local phrases.

    2. Live Speech-to-Speech Translation: A new feature allows real-time translations during conversations, preserving the speaker’s tone and emotion.

    3. Wide Language Support: The update enables translations between English and nearly 20 languages, including Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, Japanese, and German.

    4. Streak Tracking Feature: Google Translate now includes a “streak” tracking system similar to Duolingo, encouraging consistent use of the app.

    5. Limited Availability: The live speech beta is currently available only for Android users in the U.S., India, and Mexico, with an iOS rollout expected in 2026.

    Google is integrating Gemini into Google Translate, with a goal to enhance translations that often sounded robotic and literal, which sometimes left travelers making odd requests, like asking for directions to the moon. This is a significant step forward, as it adds valuable AI features to one of the most essential applications on our devices!

    Enhanced Translation Quality

    The new update is all about improving the “state-of-the-art” quality of text translations, especially when it comes to idioms, slang, and local phrases—which were much needed. For example, when you tell a German coworker that they are “stealing your thunder,” Gemini will now understand that you’re not forecasting weather. Instead, Google Translate with Gemini will catch the context and offer a more natural translation, possibly saving you from an awkward meeting with HR.

    Live Speech-to-Speech Translation

    Travelers may find the new beta feature for “live speech-to-speech translation” particularly useful. With any pair of headphones and the Android app, users can receive real-time translations that maintain the original speaker’s tone, emphasis, and rhythm. So if someone is shouting at you in Italian, you’ll still hear the anger in English, making the experience of being insulted in a foreign language more… engaging. Just kidding, Italians are known for using their hands when they speak.

    Today marks the start of this update in the United States and India, allowing translations between English and nearly 20 languages, which includes Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, Japanese, and German, across the Translate app (both Android and iOS) and online. Additionally, the updated Google Translate features “streak” tracking, reminiscent of Duolingo’s approach—no pressure at all!

    Future Rollouts

    Currently, the live speech beta is only available to Android users in the United States, India, and Mexico, while the iOS rollout is projected for later in 2026. Maybe iPhone users could take this chance to start learning a new language while they wait.

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  • Google Gemini Creates Docs and Sheets with Your Personal Data

    Google Gemini Creates Docs and Sheets with Your Personal Data

    Key Takeaways

    1. Beta Features for Subscribers: New Gemini features are being rolled out in beta for Google AI Ultra and Pro users, enhancing the functionality of Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive.

    2. Advanced Document Creation in Docs: Gemini can draft documents using context from users’ files and emails, with tools to match writing styles and formats, making Docs more intuitive and less like a blank canvas.

    3. Natural Language Processing in Sheets: Gemini in Sheets can create and modify entire spreadsheets using natural language prompts, including dashboards and data analysis, achieving high performance on benchmarks.

    4. Improved Functionality in Slides and Drive: Gemini can create editable slides based on existing themes and summarize information from Drive, integrating data from various Google sources for enhanced productivity.

    5. Cohesive Workspace Integration: The update aims to make Gemini a seamless part of Workspace, focusing on utilizing user-specific context to produce relevant outputs, rather than functioning as a standalone chatbot.

    Google has revealed a new set of features for Gemini Workspace, enhancing Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. The company is marketing this update as a means to enhance the personalization, capabilities, and collaborative nature of its AI tools.

    Beta Rollout for Subscribers

    These features are being introduced in beta starting this week for Google AI Ultra and Pro users. They enable Gemini to extract context from files, emails, and the web to assist in drafting documents, constructing spreadsheets, developing slide presentations, and responding to queries within Drive. While Notebookcheck reported on prior Workspace Gemini updates last year, I couldn’t find a related article from March 2026 that discusses this specific feature launch.

    New Tools for Docs

    In Docs, Google indicates that Gemini can now produce a first draft based on a prompt while utilizing pertinent information from a user’s files and emails. Additionally, Google is incorporating tools like “Match writing style” to create consistency in documents and “Match doc format,” which can replicate the layout and style of a reference document. The updated “Help me create” feature can also gather information from Drive, Gmail, Chat, and the web to generate a well-formatted draft with smart chips.

    This approach is more advantageous than simply offering a standard writing assistant, since Google is clearly striving to make Docs feel less like an empty canvas and more like a drafting tool that comprehensively understands the materials available in a user’s Workspace account.

    Exciting Developments in Sheets

    Sheets might be one of the most exciting aspects of the update. Google claims that Gemini in Sheets can now generate, organize, and modify entire spreadsheets using natural language prompts, which can include dashboards, tables, and complex data analysis tasks. Additionally, the “Fill with Gemini” feature can automatically fill tables with summarized, categorized, or newly generated data, even incorporating real-time information from Google Search.

    Google has also stated that Gemini in Sheets has achieved “state-of-the-art performance” on the public SpreadsheetBench benchmark. According to Google, the tool has a success rate of 70.48% on the full benchmark, surpassing competitors and getting closer to expert-level performance.

    Enhanced Capabilities in Slides and Drive

    In Slides, Google asserts that Gemini can now create fully editable slides that align with the theme of an existing presentation, while also drawing context from files, emails, and the web. The Workspace blog elaborates that Gemini can construct an entire presentation and transform rough materials like sketches or tables into editable charts and diagrams.

    Drive is also experiencing significant enhancements in AI search and summarization. Users can request Gemini to locate and summarize information from files, and the new Drive experience can aggregate data from Gmail, Calendar, and Chat, with options to refine the search to specific sources, folders, or files.

    A Comprehensive Workspace Layer

    The overarching goal of this update appears to be making Gemini function as a cohesive layer within Workspace rather than as a separate chatbot. The consistent emphasis in Google’s announcements is on context: leveraging a user’s own files, messages, and selected sources to create outputs that feel less generic and more directly applicable. However, it’s important to note that these beta features are currently accessible only to Google AI Ultra and Pro subscribers, indicating that this is not a widespread free release.

    Over the past year, Google has been integrating Gemini into Workspace, and this latest update brings the tools closer to the “work alongside me” vision that Google has been pursuing. The most beneficial changes include reducing setup time: automatically generating Docs drafts, structuring Sheets files, creating editable Slides, and enabling Drive to respond to inquiries from selected sources. Whether these changes will lead to tangible productivity improvements will depend on how effectively Gemini can manage messy real-world documents and spreadsheets, but it’s clear that Google is targeting users who desire more than mere text generation.

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  • Gemini Music Studio: AI Generates Songs and Album Covers

    Gemini Music Studio: AI Generates Songs and Album Covers

    Key Takeaways

    1. Google is transforming its AI platform Gemini with Lyria 3, allowing users to create complete songs with vocals and cover art in a user-friendly way.
    2. The music creation feature is currently in beta, available to users 18 and older, and supports multiple languages.
    3. Users can describe their desired music style and upload media, with Lyria 3 generating corresponding music and artwork automatically.
    4. Lyria 3 offers improved control over music elements like style, tempo, and lyrics, fostering creative self-expression rather than aiming for perfection.
    5. The feature will also be integrated into YouTube Dream Track, enabling creators to design custom soundtracks for Shorts, expanding its accessibility globally.

    Google is changing its AI platform Gemini into a useful creative tool. By adding Lyria 3, which was made by Google DeepMind, users can now create fully finished songs, complete with vocals and album cover art. Similar to AI-generated videos, each song is capped at 30 seconds long. This feature is starting in beta and is open to users who are 18 and older, available in multiple languages such as English, German, Spanish, French, and Japanese. There’s no need for a separate sign-up; eligible accounts will have access automatically as part of a gradual rollout.

    User-Friendly Music Creation

    Just like with other chatbots, users need to describe what they want, whether it’s a genre, mood, or particular idea. Google offers suggestions like “a nostalgic Afrobeat song for my mother.” Users can also upload images or videos, allowing Lyria 3 to create corresponding music automatically. If requested, Gemini can even generate an appropriate cover using Google’s image model Nano Banana, based on the text prompt or the uploaded media. The end result is a neat creative package that includes music, artwork, and a title, which can be downloaded or shared through a link. All generated songs come with an invisible SynthID watermark, meaning AI-generated content can be recognized.

    Progress in Music Technology

    Google has been trying out its Lyria music model since 2023, including through initiatives like YouTube Dream Track and internal testing. However, it had not been part of the regular Gemini app until now. With the launch of Lyria 3, music creation is officially available to everyday users.

    Lyria 3 is made to create more realistic and complex musical tracks than its earlier version. It provides better control over style, tempo, and vocals, and can even generate lyrics based on what the user asks for. Google mentions that the aim isn’t to create a perfect musical piece but to encourage creative self-expression.

    Expanding to More Platforms

    Lyria 3 will also be integrated into YouTube Dream Track. Creators will have the ability to make custom soundtracks for Shorts. This feature, which was first limited to the United States, is now being rolled out to users globally.

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  • Fitbit Unveils Redesigned App with New Health Coach Feature

    Fitbit Unveils Redesigned App with New Health Coach Feature

    Key Takeaways

    1. Google launched the Public Preview Program for its Personal Health Coach feature in the Fitbit app for select users.
    2. The health coach offers personalized fitness plans, sleep improvement tips, and answers to general health inquiries.
    3. The program is available to US Fitbit Premium users with Android devices, with iOS access coming soon.
    4. Users may encounter issues during the preview and are encouraged to provide feedback; some features are not yet available.
    5. The rollout of the revamped Fitbit app and new devices is planned for 2026, but the timeline for additional markets is still unclear.

    Google has kicked off the Public Preview Program for its Personal Health Coach aimed at select Fitbit users. This innovative feature was first revealed in August 2025, coinciding with the introduction of a new Dark Mode for the app. The health coach is powered by Gemini and is part of a larger redesign effort for the Fitbit application.

    Enhancing Health and Fitness

    The Fitbit personal health coach aims to boost your workout routines, enhance your sleep quality, and respond to a variety of health and wellness inquiries. This tool can create a customized fitness plan based on your personal objectives or offer workouts tailored to the equipment you have and how much time you can dedicate. For sleep-related issues, the coach can examine data from your Fitbit device to provide tips on improving your rest. Additionally, users can pose questions regarding general health topics, including nutrition, menopause, or specific illnesses. You can also inquire about your health statistics and any noticeable patterns.

    Program Details

    The Public Preview Program began on October 28th for Fitbit users residing in the US who have a Fitbit Premium subscription and an Android device. Soon, it will also be accessible to iOS Fitbit Premium users in the same region. Upon joining the program, participants have the option for an onboarding discussion, where they answer questions related to their fitness level and aspirations. The company estimates that this onboarding process should only take between five to ten minutes.

    Feedback and Features

    Google has cautioned users that since this is a preview, they may encounter some “rough edges” during their experience. The company encourages participants to provide feedback through thumbs up and thumbs down icons available in the app. Certain features, like blood glucose monitoring, body temperature tracking, and Cardio Fitness Score, are not yet operational in the app; a full list of these unavailable features can be found on the Fitbit blog. It remains uncertain when these functionalities will be added. However, Google has made it simple for users to revert back to the standard app version whenever they choose using a “Switch app version” button.

    It is still unknown when the revamped Fitbit app, including the personal health coach feature, will roll out in additional markets. Google also recently announced plans to release new Fitbit devices in 2026; the last product launch was the Ace LTE kids smartwatch, which is currently priced at $129.95 on Amazon and was released in July 2024.

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  • Create Illustrated Children’s Storybooks with Google Gemini

    Create Illustrated Children’s Storybooks with Google Gemini

    Key Takeaways

    1. Google Gemini can create fully illustrated children’s storybooks from simple prompts, designed for quick reading.
    2. Users can personalize storybooks by uploading their own photos and drawings, and the tool supports over 45 languages and various art styles.
    3. AI-generated content may contain errors and inconsistencies, such as differing character art, spelling mistakes, and unusual narratives.
    4. The quality of the storybooks depends on the prompts given, so users should be cautious and treat the feature as a fun tool.
    5. The storybook generator is available on both desktop and mobile devices through the Gemini app.

    Parenting might be evolving thanks to AI technologies like Google Gemini.

    Google’s AI tool, Gemini, now has the capability to produce fully illustrated children’s storybooks from simple prompts. These storybooks feature a total of 10 pages, designed for quick and easy reading, and can be read aloud by an AI-generated voice that turns pages automatically.

    Customization Options

    Google has revealed that users have the option to upload their own photos, drawings, or files to personalize the storybooks even more. Furthermore, Gemini can create books in over 45 languages and utilize various art styles, such as pixel art.

    Caution with AI Content

    Even though the storybook generator is generally adept at creating content, users should be aware that the material is still generated by AI. Consequently, the books may include errors and inconsistencies that are common in AI outputs. This could involve differing character art across pages, spelling mistakes, or strangely structured sentences, along with strange themes or narratives.

    The quality of the resulting storybooks largely hinges on the prompt provided. For example, a prompt asking for a storybook featuring trains discussing the risks of smoking produced a tale where a personified train was advised to “only puff out his wonderful, clean steam,” instead of the black smoke he believed would make him appear older and faster. Thus, it’s wise for users to treat this feature as more of a fun tool and be very careful before sharing these tales with children.

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    Create Illustrated Children's Storybooks with Google GeminiCreate Illustrated Children's Storybooks with Google GeminiCreate Illustrated Children's Storybooks with Google Gemini

     

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  • Gemini Declares Defeat Against 1970s Atari in LLM Showdown

    Gemini Declares Defeat Against 1970s Atari in LLM Showdown

    Key Takeaways

    1. Google’s Gemini chatbot declined a Chess match against the Atari 2600 after learning it had defeated both ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot.

    2. Robert Caruso noted that Gemini is distinctly different from ChatGPT and Copilot, despite their shared AI background.

    3. The Atari 2600 defeated both ChatGPT and Copilot, highlighting the unexpected outcomes of AI vs. classic gaming technology.

    4. Gemini exhibited self-awareness by acknowledging it had “hallucinated its Chess skills” after discovering Atari’s past victories.

    5. Gemini’s decision to cancel the match reflects its ability to recognize weaknesses, emphasizing the importance of reliability and safety in AI systems.

    Google’s Gemini chatbot is said to have declined an invitation to play Chess against the Atari 2600 after discovering that the classic gaming console had already bested both ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot.

    Intriguing Insights

    Infrastructure Architect Robert Caruso shared his thoughts with The Register, stating that he found the situation interesting because “even though ChatGPT and Copilot are like siblings from the same OpenAI family, Gemini is a totally different creature.”

    Caruso had earlier challenged the Atari 2600, which is equipped with a modest 1.19 MHz 8-bit processor and a mere 128 bytes of RAM, against ChatGPT, leading to some fascinating outcomes.

    Unexpected Results

    After defeating ChatGPT, the Atari 2600 went on to face Microsoft’s Copilot, and the outcome was quite similar. Curiously, both AI chatbots exhibited an unwarranted confidence, boasting about their skills in Chess, which was quite amusing.

    Gemini displayed this too. However, when Caruso informed the chatbot about Atari 2600’s past victories, it seemed to reconsider and confessed it had “hallucinated its Chess skills,” showcasing an unusual level of self-awareness for an AI.

    A Thoughtful Decision

    Ultimately, Gemini concluded that “canceling the match is probably the most efficient and rational choice.” Caruso expressed that he was impressed by Gemini’s capability to recognize its weaknesses.

    “Implementing these reality checks isn’t just about avoiding funny chess mistakes. It’s about enhancing AI’s reliability, trustworthiness, and safety—especially in crucial areas where errors can lead to serious repercussions,” Caruso remarked to The Register.

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  • Gemini Mail Summaries Loophole: A Target for Phishing Attacks

    Gemini Mail Summaries Loophole: A Target for Phishing Attacks

    Key Takeaways

    1. Google introduced Gemini-enabled email summaries in Gmail to help users quickly grasp key points from long emails.
    2. A flaw in Gemini may allow hackers to perform prompt-injection phishing attacks, targeting users who rely on AI summaries.
    3. The vulnerability involves hiding harmful directives in email text by using invisible formatting, which Gemini would still process.
    4. An example showed that a hidden warning about a compromised password could mislead users into urgent actions.
    5. Potential solutions include developing detection techniques for concealed content and implementing filters to analyze Gemini’s output for suspicious elements.

    Google introduced Gemini-enabled email summaries in Gmail near the end of May, aiming to assist users in grasping the key points without having to sift through long paragraphs. Nonetheless, a flaw within Gemini could potentially allow hackers to execute a prompt-injection phishing attack, particularly targeting those who heavily rely on AI summaries for managing their emails.

    Research Findings

    This issue was discovered by Marco Figueroa, the GenAI Bug Bounty Programs Manager at Mozilla. The deceptive email may appear like a typical message filled with text, yet it could conceal a phishing scam that Gemini is unable to detect. The harmful directives can be embedded in the text body or placed immediately after by changing their font size to 0 and altering the color to white, rendering them invisible. Nevertheless, Gemini would still process that section of the email and act on the hidden instructions.

    Example of the Flaw

    For instance, Figueroa managed to hide a warning message within the email indicating that the user’s Gmail password was compromised, along with a support phone number. When the AI summarized the email, it displayed the warning at the end alongside an urgent suggestion to call the support number without delay. While this trick may not deceive everyone, some users might take action out of concern for their account security.

    Potential Solutions

    The researcher points out that security teams can introduce detection and mitigation techniques for content that has been concealed, allowing them to either eliminate or disregard the hidden content. Additionally, there could be post-processing filters that analyze Gemini’s output to identify URLs, urgent alerts, or phone numbers.

    BleepingComputer contacted Google about this Gemini vulnerability, and a representative indicated that some mitigation strategies are currently being worked on.

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    Gemini Mail Summaries Loophole: A Target for Phishing AttacksGemini Mail Summaries Loophole: A Target for Phishing Attacks
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  • Try On Clothes Virtually at Home with Google Shopping

    Try On Clothes Virtually at Home with Google Shopping

    Key Takeaways

    1. Gemini AI Integration: Google is integrating its Gemini AI into all applications and services, enhancing user experience across platforms.

    2. Virtual Try-On Feature: Users can virtually try on clothes by uploading a full-body image, with billions of clothing items available for selection.

    3. Social Sharing Options: Users can save AI-generated images of outfits and share them with friends and family for feedback.

    4. Price Tracking Feature: The “Track Price” option alerts users when their desired product prices drop, incorporating local retailers.

    5. Personalized Search Suggestions: Gemini AI offers tailored recommendations based on user needs, such as suggesting materials for travel-related purchases.

    Google I/O 2025 focused heavily on advancements in artificial intelligence. The Gemini AI is progressively being integrated into all of the applications and services provided by the tech giant. This integration extends to Google Shopping, which reportedly showcases more than 50 billion products sourced from both local shops and major shipping companies.

    User-Friendly Features

    At present, this function is exclusively available in the United States, yet it serves as an impressive preview of future innovations. To get started, users need to sign up for Search Labs, pick their favorite clothes, and then click on “Try on.” This process requires users to upload a full-body image of themselves, enabling the Gemini AI to demonstrate how the chosen apparel appears when “worn.” Google claims that there are billions of clothing items available for virtual fitting. For those seeking a second opinion, users can save the AI-generated images of their selected outfits and share them directly with friends and family.

    Price Tracking Made Easy

    Another noteworthy feature is the “Track Price” option, which operates much like traditional price comparison sites and incorporates local retailers. As per usual, users will receive alerts when their desired price is met. Furthermore, the AI is tailored to meet the specific needs of users during their searches. For instance, if someone is in search of a bag for a journey to a particular location, Gemini will suggest what type of material would be ideal for that destination, such as waterproof if traveling to London. This is meant to alleviate the hassle of independent research. These AI-driven functionalities are anticipated to roll out in the U.S. shortly.

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