As you probably know, Google is holding its annual I/O developer conference this week. Though the event is underway, most of Google’s updates could be seen in the signature keynote. And the headline there is that Google, after a relatively late start, is now blitzing AI. The term was mentioned 120+ times.

That includes the wider rollout and rebrand of the previously beta-labeled search generative experience (SGE). It’s now called Collections and it’s all about providing direct answers to search queries, which is similar to, but different than, the summarized knowledge panel results long seen in Google SERPs.

There’s also a whole lot of Gemini that now blankets Google products – from Gmail to Maps. As for non-AI action, Google now has a “web” tab that offers good old-fashioned 10-blue links, free of knowledge panels, shopping results, etc. – a good hedge against zero-click escalations brought by all the above.

So to synthesize Google’s frenetic slate of I/O AI updates, below is a highlight reel of the top 10 most relevant items for Localogy Insider readers, in no particular order (non-ranked). And for anyone who wants to watch the entire keynote, here it is in its full glory…

Highlight Reel

1. Overviews 

Google search results will now contain synthesized answers to questions. Erstwhile sitting under the search generative experience (SGE) umbrella, launched last year at I/O, it will now roll out more broadly and with a fresh coat of paint. The difference between Overviews and knowledge panel results is mostly two things. First, the answers are synthesized and summarized from web results rather than being direct quotes and highlights from pages Google deems credible and authoritative. Second, at least in our experience with SGE, there’s no link to a source or search result… the answer is meant to be self-sustaining. This is sure to ruffle some features among those who continue to speak out against Google’s zero-click search evolutions (or devolutions).

2. Web Tab/Filter

Google’s new Web tab sits alongside the standard tabs for images, news, shopping, etc.. It’s meant to provide a vanilla search experience that stays true to Google’s 10-blue links beginnings. This is sold as a way to get back to basics when you want that pure search experience without all the bells and whistles that increasingly crowd SERPS. For Google, we can’t help but think this is partly a political move, to hedge against the inevitable backlash to the factor noted above: zero-click searches. This gives all those link-heavy SERPs a place to live, while providing Google some degree of cover and defensibility against the slings and arrows of self-interested allegations.

3. Gemini on Google Maps

Generative AI summaries are coming to Maps. Now places and destinations can carry some of the Overview vibes explained above. This will be delivered via the Places API so that developers can infuse the functionality into their apps that use/embed Google Maps.

4. Gemini in Gmail

As a logical extension to all the other Gemini-based infusions to summarize things, Gmail users can now parse their inboxes by asking natural language questions to find things. A relatable use case that comes to mind is finding an email confirmation or receipt when you need to process a product return. Beyond searching, the tool will also help users draft and compose emails – which will likely be a hit for all those who hate writing emails.

5. Gemini Live

Gemini just got more conversational. Gemini Live will let users have full-on dialogues on their smartphones, including the ability to interrupt the chatbot mid-sentence and ask clarifying follow-up questions. This is meant to make it more like a human dialogue versus frustrating Siri-like (or Google Assistant) interactions that are much more rigid. Gemini Live also has a multimodal twist, using computer vision to contextualize whatever you point your camera at (including a teased smartglasses form factor). This has long been the promise of Google Lens, but makes it more interactive and dynamic.

6. Circle to Search

Speaking of Google Lens, its underlying tech is being applied to Google’s Circle to Search feature. This already-existing feature lets users circle a portion of an image to launch a visual search about that thing. It’s particularly useful for product searches to find out more about fashion and style items. The latest functionality now includes more complex computer vision tasks like solving physics and math word problems. This should be a good homework assistant. Available only on Android for now…

7. Gemini Nano

A compact version of Gemini will be available in the Chrome desktop client, starting with Chrome 126. This puts AI-based searches in a more portable and convenient place for Chrome browser users. There it can launch several features such as “help me write” in open tabs for Gmail or Workspace apps like Docs.

8. Gemini on Android

Taking the place of Google Assistant (Apple should consider a similar path for Siri), Gemini on Android operates across apps on your smartphone to be a more holistic and effective assistant. It can provide answers to questions with relevant signals in mind such as your calendar. There are also time-saving integrations like dropping generative AI images into your messaging app to quickly send that perfect comic zinger on your friends and family threads.

9. Scam detection

Utilizing Gemini Nano for on-device AI, Google can listen to your calls to detect conversational patterns commonly associated with scams… then alert you in real time to keep your guard up. We’re talking things like money transfers or phishing schemes to pry out account credentials over the phone. This should be a welcome utility, but could have some privacy concerns given that it’s listening (albeit on-device).

10. Veo

An answer to OpenAI’s Sora, Veo takes the magic of generative AI images and brings it to video. It can create 1080p video clips up to a minute long given text prompts. It can even apply various cinematic styles. This is likely more related to entertainment and creative endeavors as opposed to commerce, but it’s interesting enough to go in several potential directions.