The News/Media Alliance, representing major US news publishers, has condemned Google's new AI Mode in search, claiming it deprives publishers of crucial traffic and revenue. Google's AI Mode, launched at Google I/O, offers AI-generated responses alongside traditional links, effectively using publisher content without compensation. According to Danielle Coffey, CEO of News/Media Alliance, this practice amounts to theft and calls for DOJ intervention to address Google's internet dominance. Documents from Google's antitrust trial reveal the company decided not to seek publisher permission for AI content inclusion, requiring publishers to opt out entirely if they object. Google Search head Liz Reid defended this approach, citing the complexity of allowing selective participation in AI features.

At the recent Google I/O developer conference, Google revealed partnerships with Samsung, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker to develop stylish Android XR smart glasses. These collaborations emphasize Google's focus on fashion-forward design alongside advanced technology. Warby Parker brings accessible, trendy eyewear, while Gentle Monster contributes edgy, celebrity-favored styles. Samsung will provide hardware support, and the first Android XR glasses by Xreal, called Project Aura, were announced. The glasses are designed to integrate Google's Gemini AI assistant, offering features like photo capture, navigation, and live language translation. This approach mirrors Meta's successful strategy with its fashionable Ray-Ban smart glasses, highlighting the importance of style in mainstream adoption of smart eyewear.

Xreal, in partnership with Google, has teased Project Aura, a new pair of smart glasses running on the Android XR platform, announced at Google I/O. Unlike Samsung’s Project Moohan headset, Project Aura resembles regular, slightly chunky sunglasses with advanced features like cameras on the hinges and nose bridge, microphones, and buttons on the temples. The glasses use an optical see-through XR technology providing an immersive experience akin to embedding two mini TVs in the lenses. Equipped with a Qualcomm XR-optimized chipset and Google’s Gemini AI, the device aims to deliver a versatile viewing experience that can switch opacity to interact with the real world seamlessly. This marks Google’s continued strategy of enabling third-party hardware makers to build devices on its XR platform, paralleling its approach with Wear OS. More details are expected at the Augmented World Expo next month, as developers are encouraged to build apps to expand the device’s use cases ahead of launch.

The highly anticipated antitrust trial between Meta and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) began on April 14th, where the court is examining whether Meta, formerly known as Facebook, unlawfully monopolized the personal social networking market through its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. The FTC originally filed the case in 2020, which was initially dismissed but revived after amendments provided more substantial evidence. The trial, lasting around two months, includes testimonies from key figures and evaluates Meta's business practices, competition with platforms like TikTok, and the potential impacts of its dominance. The FTC seeks remedies including potentially spinning off Instagram and WhatsApp. This trial is one of several recent legal challenges against major tech firms in the U.S. aimed at breaking up Big Tech monopolies.

Google's keynote at I/O 2025 featured groundbreaking AI developments and tech updates. Highlights include the nationwide rollout of AI Mode for Search with Gemini chatbot, the evolution of Project Starline into Google Beam with advanced 3D video calling, and significant upgrades to AI models Imagen 4 and Veo 3 for image and video generation. Google introduced Flow, an AI filmmaking app, and enhanced Gemini with a Deep Think mode for complex queries. New partnerships were revealed for Project Aura smart glasses, and Project Astra AI assistant is becoming more proactive. Gemini integration is coming to Chrome, and Google launched an AI Ultra subscription plan. Search Live enables real-time camera interaction with AI, while Stitch generates app interfaces using AI. Google Meet now offers AI speech translation, Gmail smart replies get smarter with inbox data, and AI-driven shopping features are expanding. Chrome will soon update compromised passwords automatically, enhancing security.

The FDA has introduced stricter regulatory requirements for COVID-19 booster shots, limiting vaccine approvals primarily to high-risk groups such as adults over 65 and individuals over six months old with certain risk factors. This decision, outlined in the New England Journal of Medicine, demands more rigorous data for vaccines intended for healthy individuals at low risk, potentially reducing vaccine access for many. Experts, including Anna Durbin and Paul Offit, have criticized the policy as overly restrictive, potentially decreasing vaccine availability and insurance coverage. Despite these changes, the FDA expects around 100 to 200 million Americans to have annual vaccine access, less than 60% of the population. The policy shift coincides with leadership changes in the Department of Health and Human Services, influenced by Robert F. Kennedy, known for his anti-vaccine stance. Public health officials worry this move could undermine vaccination efforts and public trust in immunization.

Lost in Cult, renowned for its beautiful video game books like Outer Wilds: Design Works, has introduced a new game publishing label named Editions. This label focuses on preserving indie games, particularly those not previously available on physical media, and honors their artistic value by including special extras. Collaborating with DoesItPlay?, Editions ensures that games are fully playable from the physical copies without requiring downloads or internet connections. Mirroring the preservation approach of Limited Run Games and inspired by the Criterion Collection, each Editions release includes fold-out posters, stickers, authenticity cards, extensive essays, developer interviews, and striking cover art alongside the game. The inaugural titles—Immortality, The Excavation of Hob's Barrow, and Thank Goodness You're Here—are available for preorder starting at £59.99, with editions for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5. PS5 buyers can purchase a discounted bundle of the first Editions games, plus an upcoming third title due in July. Shipments may take up to six months, but the quality is expected to justify the wait.

Google has started rolling out the colorful new Android 16 interface to beta testers, as reported by 9to5Google. This release, part of the QPR1 beta, features the Material 3 Expressive design language unveiled last week, introducing fresh visuals for the launcher, notifications, lock screen, and a quick settings page inspired by Apple. QPRs, or quarterly platform releases, typically offer more substantial feature updates compared to monthly security patches. Android 16 is expected to launch officially soon, followed by the QPR1 update in the fall that brings these enhanced visuals. Pixel device users from Pixel 6 to 9A enrolled in the Beta program can access this update immediately. Users already beta testing Android 16 can opt out of this QPR1 update if they prefer to wait for the official launch by avoiding installation of the system update, as it will wipe their devices. New users interested in trying Android 16’s redesign can enroll their eligible Pixel devices including series from Pixel 6 through Pixel 9a and Pixel Tablet series to receive the over-the-air update via beta enrollment instructions posted by Google on Reddit.

At Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California, tech journalists lined up to experience Project Moohan, Google's Android XR smart glasses prototype. These glasses, reminiscent of an Android-flavored Apple Vision Pro, are notably lighter and more comfortable. Equipped with a dial for fitting adjustments and an AI assistant called Gemini, users can easily access services like Google Maps through voice commands. The demos, although shorter and more guarded than previous ones, hint at the potential of integrating AI with wearable technology.

Google announced the integration of its Gemini AI assistant into the Chrome browser at Google I/O. Initially, Gemini will help users by clarifying complex information on webpages and summarizing content. Users will see a sparkle icon in Chrome's top right corner to open a movable, resizable chatbot window where they can ask questions about the webpage. Demonstrations showed Gemini summarizing product features, comparing items across different tabs, and navigating websites by scrolling to specific sections or converting units. Currently, Gemini supports conversations across tabs, with plans to allow querying multiple tabs simultaneously later this year. The feature will launch on Windows and macOS for English-speaking users aged 18+ with Google AI Pro or Ultra subscriptions and Chrome beta, canary, or dev channel users. Mobile Chrome support is being considered, with focus currently on desktop.