KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Gemini Live now supports real-time conversations using your phone’s camera or screen, powered by Project Astra.
- Deep integrations with Google Maps, Calendar, and Tasks are rolling out soon for smarter daily assistance.
- Google introduced two new AI plans: AI Pro ($20/month) and AI Ultra ($250/month) with advanced model access.
- Gemini in Chrome is now available for U.S. Pro and Ultra users, enabling on-screen summaries and answers.
- New AI tools, including Imagen 4 (image generation), Veo 3 (video + audio), and Deep Research file uploads, are now live.
Gemini Live, Project Astra, and Smarter AI Across the Board
At Google I/O 2025, Google unveiled a major wave of updates to its Gemini AI chatbot, and there’s a lot to unpack. From new features like real-time video input to deep app integrations and premium subscription tiers, Gemini is evolving fast to stay competitive in the AI assistant race.
Let’s break it down.
Real-Time Conversations with Your Camera, Meet Gemini Live
The headline feature? Gemini Live, now rolling out on iOS and Android. It enables near-instant verbal conversations with Gemini while sharing live input from your camera or screen, all powered by Google’s long-term AI vision project, Project Astra.
Say you’re exploring a new city. You can point your camera at a building and ask Gemini about its architectural style or history—and get an answer in real time. This adds a whole new layer of interactivity and usefulness that text-only chatbots just can’t offer.
Deeper Integration with Google Apps
In the next few weeks, expect Gemini Live to get even more useful. Google says it’s working on tight integrations with Google Maps, Calendar, and Tasks, so you’ll be able to:
- Get directions without leaving the chat
- Create events on the fly
- Build and manage to-do lists conversationally
These features aim to bridge the gap between AI assistance and everyday productivity tools which is something users have been hoping for.
New Plans: Google AI Pro & Ultra
To keep up with the likes of ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, Google also refreshed its pricing strategy:
- Google AI Pro – The $20/month Gemini Advanced plan now has a new name.
- Google AI Ultra – A premium $250/month plan for power users. It includes:
- Higher usage limits
- Exclusive features
- Early access to Google’s latest models
Ultra subscribers will also gain access to Veo 3, Google’s advanced AI video model capable of generating sound that matches scenes through native audio synthesis.
More Powerful Models and Features for All Users
There are updates across the board:
- Gemini 2.5 Flash is now the default model, promising faster and more accurate responses.
- Free users get Imagen 4, an upgraded image generation model with improved text rendering.
- Deep Research, Gemini’s in-depth analysis tool, now supports private file uploads (like PDFs and images), and soon will pull context from Google Drive and Gmail.
- Students, rejoice! Gemini will now help generate personalized quizzes and study plans based on your weak points. Miss a question? Gemini will follow up with custom practice and tips.
Gemini Expands to Chrome
And finally, U.S.-based Pro and Ultra subscribers who use Chrome in English will now get Gemini integrated directly into the browser. This lets you ask the AI to summarize web content or answer questions based on what’s on your screen, which is perfect for research or catching up on dense articles.
The 404 Take
With over 400 million monthly active users, Google is clearly betting big on Gemini. These updates signal that Gemini is shifting from a chatbot to a full-fledged AI assistant platform, embedded across Google’s ecosystem.
Whether you’re a casual user or a power pro, there’s something in this update for everyone. And with the pace Google’s moving, it’s safe to say this is just the beginning.
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