Everything unveiled at Google I/O 2025: Smart glasses, Gemini, Search, more – ZDNET
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A big “Welcome to I/O” sign greeted me earlier this week as I walked into one of the biggest developer conferences of the season.
See, most software folks regard Google I/O as the most important one, as millions of developers worldwide must adapt to what’s next across the search giant’s various operating systems and services.
At this point, Google has branched well beyond its core strengths of Android, Chrome, Search, and Workspaces — AI is the next frontier, and the company has announced several key advancements since last year’s developer conference.
Also: I tried Google’s XR glasses and they already beat my Meta Ray-Bans in 3 ways
Here’s a roundup of the most important news (in no particular order) from Google I/O 2025, from Gemini upgrades to special services that may transform the way we communicate, interact, and share ideas in the workplace. Stay tuned as more announcements come in throughout the week.
Developers should know that Google released Gemini 2.5 Pro ahead of schedule. The AI model was originally slated for I/O, but launched weeks ago instead due to an overwhelmingly positive response from beta testers.
With the timeline shifted, Google announced several improvements to Gemini 2.5 Pro and Flash models, including Deep Think support for the former, which allows the AI to enact high-level research techniques to consider multiple hypotheses before responding.
Also: 8 best AI features and tools revealed at Google I/O 2025
Google says Gemini 2.5 Flash has also been buffed across the board, from reasoning to multimodality to coding to response efficiency, requiring 20% to 30% fewer tokens, according to the company’s evaluations.
Gemini 2.5 models will also now support audio-visual input and native audio out dialogue via a preview version in the Live API, allowing developers to build and fine-tune the tone, accent, and speaking style of conversational experiences.
The idea of a “world model” sounds like something straight out of a movie, but Google thinks it’s got the foundations to make it possible.
For example, Veo, its AI video generator, has a deep understanding of physics and the way things interact with each other, while Gemini Robotics has demonstrated that robots can maneuver, operate, and adapt to any given environment.
Also: One of Gemini’s coolest features is now open to all Android and iOS users – for free
By leveraging Gemini 2.5 Pro, Google wants to build an AI that’s “intelligent, understands the context you are in, and that can plan and take action on your behalf, across any device.” We’ve seen glimpses of this future through the lenses of Gemini Live, powered by aspects of Project Astra.
Going a step further, Google has developed Project Mariner, a browser-based agentic AI, to handle up to 10 different tasks at a time now, from booking flights to researching to shopping. The latest version of the research prototype will be available to Google AI Ultra subscribers in the US first.
Google is packaging its latest AI features in two subscriptions: Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra.
The Pro plan includes the company’s full suite of AI products, but it has higher rate limits and special features than the free versions. This includes the Gemini app (with Advanced), Flow, NotebookLM, and more.
Also: Google unveils a $250 AI Ultra subscription – what’s included
The Ultra plan includes Google’s highest rate limits, early access to upcoming experimental AI products like Project Mariner, Veo 3, and Gemini 2.5 Pro with Deep Think mode.
The $250-per-month subscription (or 50% off the first three months for first-timers) also comes with early access to Agent Mode, w
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