Blogroll

Hybrid SUVs may dominate the conversation around fuel savings, but they’re no longer the only smart option for budget-conscious buyers. Some modern gas-powered crossovers have become so efficient that they deliver fuel economy figures surprisingly close to hybrids, all while avoiding the higher upfront costs and added complexity that come with electrification. For buyers who want low running costs without stretching their budget, this compact Japanese SUV makes a seriously compelling case.

I'm lucky enough to have a handful of hobbies that all seem to leave broken gear in their wake. I'm a musician, a video gamer, a pinball enthusiast, and a homeowner. I deal with bad cables, loose wires, scratchy jacks, questionable connections, old electronics, and gear that looks dead long before it really is.

Google kicks off developer conference season with Google I/O 2026 on Tuesday, May 19. You can watch the keynote livestream starting at 10:00 a.m. PT or tune into the Mashable and CNET live viewing party on YouTube. Once again, Mashable tech reporters be providing real-time updates on all of the Google I/O news and announcements coming out of Mountain View, California.

In years gone by, you could expect the latest Android updates to take center stage at Google I/O. But this year, we're expecting Google artificial intelligence to be the headlining act, as Gemini gets integrated across the entire Google ecosystem of products. We've already covered what we expect from Google I/O 2026, but to recap, we'll be watching for a new frontier Gemini model, as well as updates to other AI products such as Nano Banana, Veo, Gemma, and Lyria. Google will likely unveil the latest updates to Chrome, Android, Google Search, and Workspace apps like Gemini, Sheets, and Docs.

Finally, we're hoping to get our best look yet at the upcoming Android XR glasses, which Google will be releasing at some point this year. You'll find all of the latest Google I/O news right here on this page, so keep checking back.

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OpenClaw started a mini-revolution in the AI world by showing what was possible with AI agents, and at Google I/O 2026, the company finally unveiled its own AI agent.

At its annual developers conference, Google introduced Gemini Spark, a personal AI agent that can draw on users' personal files while leveraging Gemini intelligence.

During the keynote address, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said a beta of Gemini Spark would soon be available to Google AI Ultra subscribers, the company's premium AI subscription plan. In addition, Pichai said that Spark will run on the newly announced Gemini 3.5 Flash model.

While OpenClaw has become hugely popular in the AI and early-adopter communities, Google has a massive reach. Billions of people use Google products, and the company says its Gemini app has 900 million monthly active users. So, Gemini Spark could bring agentic AI into the mainstream for the first time.

Here's why Gemini Spark may have an edge over tools like OpenClaw.

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Gemini Spark is a cloud-based AI agent Credit: Google

Famously, OpenClaw runs on a local device such as a Mac Mini. Shortly after the tool became a viral hit (first under the name Clawdbot, then Moltbot), Mac Minis quickly sold out at Amazon and other retailers. However, Gemini Spark is a fully cloud-based AI agent. That makes it far more beginner-friendly, as there's no hardware or complicated installation process to worry about. And when you close your laptop, Spark keeps working.

Gemini Spark will be able to run 24/7 in the background, with no additional devices required.

Gemini Spark will have better access to your data

Second, if you're already a Google user, then Gemini Spark will have native access to your Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Drive. So, if you ask Gemini Spark to plan an event, it can pull in contacts from Gmail, artwork from Google Drive, and a schedule from Google Docs. It will also be built into Google Chrome and works on desktop, Android, and iOS devices.

Yes, all of this can be accomplished if you grant OpenClaw access to all of these tools, but Gemini Spark will make this process instantaneous.

SEE ALSO: Google I/O: Gmail is getting an AI voice tool that lets you talk to your inbox Cybersecurity peace of mind

OpenClaw has a DIY ethos, and, because it has such a high level of control over your hardware, it can be a big cybersecurity challenge. Some of those problems have been addressed now that OpenClaw is a part of Anthropic, of course. Still, billions of people are already familiar with Google and trust it with their emails, private documents, and photos.

Presumably, Spark will be protected with the full might of Google's cybersecurity.

In addition, Google announced a new way of stopping AI agents like Spark from overspending your money. Google will be introducing something called Agent Payments Protocol (AP2). Google says this protocol stops agents from going rogue and making purchases you didn’t intend. Users will be able to place strict limits on how much Spark can spend, what it can purchase, and which merchants it can use.

Google is introducing Gemini Spark slowly, and a beta will be available soon for AI Ultra subscribers. That lets Google test Spark with Gemini power users before launching it to everyday users.

For all these reasons, Gemini Spark could be the first AI agent used by countless internet users.

We've been waiting awhile for an update on the first smart glasses built for Google's Android XR platform, and at Google I/O 2026, we finally got a first look.

Google and Samsung pulled back the curtain on a new pair of glasses, coming this fall and featuring two styles created in partnership with Warby Parker and Korean luxury eyewear brand Gentle Monster. Google previously confirmed that these Android XR smart glasses would be released in 2026, but Google I/O provided our first good look at the design and feature set.

Google and Samsung have been working in sync in recent years, and like other Samsung Galaxy products, the glasses will feature heavy integration with Gemini, Google's AI assistant. Google and Samsung previously worked together on the Galaxy XR headset.

Here are the Gentle Monster glasses. Credit: Google/Samsung And here are the Warby Parker ones. Credit: Google/Samsung

"Intelligent eyewear represents a powerful step forward in our shared vision with Samsung to make AI more helpful and accessible in everyday life," said Shahram Izadi, Vice President and GM of Android XR at Google, in a press release. "Combining the best of Google’s AI and the Android ecosystem together with Samsung’s leadership in mobile hardware and Gentle Monster and Warby Parker’s premium design, we are helping users stay connected and fashionable in a more natural, hands-free way."

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Samsung provided the hardware for the upcoming glasses, while Google's AI technology and Android XR platform will power the functionality. In a press release, Samsung said the glasses are "[designed] to work as a companion device to a mobile phone," and that "the new eyewear enables users to access help through voice interaction in a familiar form factor and connect seamlessly to their phones."

Specifics on the release date and price of the new glasses were notably absent from the presentation. In a press release, Samsung said that the "new intelligent eyewear" is scheduled to launch in fall 2026 and that additional details will be released in the coming months.

"This intelligent eyewear marks an important step in Samsung’s vision for AI," said Jay Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience at Samsung, in a press release. "With this new AI form factor, we are further expanding the Galaxy device ecosystem, where each device is optimized to deliver unique AI experiences that best fit each form."

When Encanto was released, it was something of a cultural phenomenon. You couldn't escape the song "We Don't Talk About Bruno," and the soundtrack went to the top of the charts. If you loved Encanto, there's another overlooked Lin-Manuel Miranda animated musical on Netflix that's better in many ways.

At Google I/O, three new features are coming to Google Workspace. According to Google, over 900 million people use Gemini, and now that AI is being further integrated into Workspace apps.

At a glance, new features coming to Workplace include Gmail Live, Docs Live, Google Pics, and AI Inbox. Gmail Live and Docs Live bring AI voice transcription to Workplace apps. Google Pics is the latest AI image editing and generation tool built on Google's Nano Banana platform. AI Inbox, which was previously announced, is now expanding its user base and features.

Here's everything you need to know about the new features for Google Workspace announced at Google I/O 2026.

No typing necessary: Start dictating in Docs Live and Google's AI will do the rest. Credit: Google

When you're on the go and don't have a moment to type out or search for what you need, Google's new voice capabilities provide answers faster. These conversational features are coming to Gmail, Docs, and Keep.

Now with Gmail Live, you can ask your most important questions like "What's my flight info?" and get the answer in a moment, rather than sifting through your bursting inbox.

In Docs Live, rather than tediously organizing your thoughts, you can get to a first draft sooner. Just speak to Docs Live, and it will brainstorm, write, outline, and refine what you're trying to say.

With Google Keep, where you can keep all your quick notes, just record your thoughts rather than typing them out. Keep will do the rest of the work, organizing and transcribing them.

All of these features will be available to AI Pro and Ultra subscribers.

Google Pics

Built on Google's Nano Banana model, Google Pics is a new image and creation tool. Not only will it help edit existing photos, but it will also create photos from scratch. Google Pics may even be making a run for Canva's crown, as it designs event flyers, social media content, and digital illustrations.

According to Google, Pics includes:

• Object segmentation: Select and edit specific elements with precision. You can easily move an object, resize it, or transform it entirely — like changing a sweater's color or turning a dog into a cat — all without affecting the rest of the image.

• Text editing and translation: Modify text directly inside a photo or translate it into different languages while maintaining the original design and font style.

• Integrations with Workspace: Pics will also be integrated into Workspace apps so you can easily edit images right where they are, starting with Slides and Drive.

Pics is currently launching with select testers. Later this summer, it will launch to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers and be previewed for Google Workspace business customers.

AI Inbox for Gmail Credit: Google

Earlier this year, Google announced AI inbox, which is now live for AI Ultra subscribers. Now announced at Google I/O, AI Inbox is rolling out to AI Pro and Plus users. Alongside this change come three new features:

• Personalized draft replies: Rather than reminding you to reply to an email, the AI inbox gets a draft ready for you to review and send.

• Instant file access: When reviewing a task, AI Inbox sorts through your Google Drive to find the link you need.

• Streamlined task management: No more making your own to-do list, now your view stays clutter-free, marking individual tasks and dismissing unhelpful suggestions.

Looking for more Google I/O announcements? Follow the Mashable Google I/O live blog to see all of the latest news on Gemini, Chrome, and Android.

Google just unveiled a new family of models for Gemini at its annual Google I/O developers conference: Gemini 3.5.

The first model will be Gemini 3.5 Flash, a new AI model that's available now at no cost to billions of people around the world.

In the keynote address of Google I/O 2026, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced that Gemini 3.5 flash is launching immediately via the Gemini app and other Google products. Google also announced that a new frontier AI model, Gemini 3.5 Pro, would be released in June.

"We are also excited for 3.5 Pro,” said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, at a pre-Google I/O media briefing. “We are using it internally. It's showing great improvements. We are still testing and refining it, and it will roll out to everyone next month."

SEE ALSO: Google I/O 2026 keynote livestream: Watch live today Introducing Gemini 3.5 Flash from Google

Starting Tuesday, Gemini 3.5 Flash will become the default model for both the Gemini app and AI Mode worldwide. Google leaders said the new model excels at coding, better supports AI agents, and uses tokens more efficiently.

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Gemini 3.5 Flash is the first model in the 3.5 family, and Google says it outperforms Gemini 3.1 Pro on most benchmarks while also delivering much faster performance. In a blog post announcing the new model, Google said Gemini 3.5 Flash is four times faster than other frontier models in output tokens per second (TPS). This AI performance metric measures response speed.

Credit: Google

"[Gemini] 3.5 Flash is especially good when deploying multiple agents simultaneously and completing long-running tasks with massive improvements in coding and tool use," said Koray Kavukcuoglu, CTO of Google DeepMind and Chief AI Architect at Google, at a media briefing. "It can independently execute complex coding pipelines or manage iterative research projects entirely by itself. We have even managed to successfully test it by having our agents build a working operating system entirely from scratch."

Because of its massive customer base and the ubiquity of Google Search, Google has major advantages in the AI arms race. In the past year, Gemini has grown significantly. The Gemini AI chatbot now has 900 million monthly active users, up from 400 million at this time last year, according to Google.

Like other Big Tech companies, Google has invested hugely in AI infrastructure. This year, Pichai said the company's capital expenditures would reach $180 to $190 billion, up from $31 billion in 2022, before the launch of ChatGPT.

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How to try Gemini 3.5 Flash

Gemini 3.5 Flash is generally available starting today.

You can access the model through a variety of Google products, including:

• Gemini app on iOS, Android, and desktop

• Google AI Mode

• Google Antigravity

• The Gemini API in Google AI Studio and Android Studio

• Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform

• Gemini Enterprise

Looking for more Google I/O announcements? Follow the Mashable Google I/O live blog to see all of the latest news on Gemini, Chrome, and Android.

Google is doing more at I/O than introducing Android 17's AI overhaul — it's also transforming how you create apps. The tech giant has launched a slew of AI-powered programming tools at its conference, including a simple way to write code for native Android apps.

Android has been around for nearly 20 years, and it’s overwhelmingly the most popular mobile OS worldwide. Yet, apps still occasionally launch first on the iPhone and take months to arrive on Android—if at all. Google is hoping to change that with a new Migration Assistant tool.

According to Google, AI Mode in Google Search has now surpassed 1 billion monthly users. And, of course, AI Overviews are now ubiquitous at the top of every Google search results page.

At Google I/O 2026 today, Google shared some new updates coming to Google Search — and surprise! — even more AI features are coming to the search giant's search product.

SEE ALSO: Google I/O 2026 live updates: See the latest reveals, including Gemini, Android XR, more Google Search AI upgrades

First up, Google is upgrading its AI Mode in Google Search to the brand-new Gemini 3.5 Flash, which was also just announced at I/O.

Google is upgrading the search box with AI, too. The new AI Search Box with Intelligent Search is the first update to Google's search box in more than 25 years. 

When typing a search query, the search box will now expand, offering users more space to use natural language to ask Google their questions. The new AI Search Box will also allow users to upload images, videos, files, and Chrome tabs alongside their query for reference.

Google Search AI Search Box Credit: Google

AI Overviews is also getting an upgrade as well. Users will be able to ask a follow-up question in AI Mode about the information AI Overviews display at the top of a search results page. The feature will allow back-and-forth conversation, much like an AI chatbot, so users can dive deeper into the topic based on the information AI Overviews provide.

AI Overviews upgrade Credit: Google Search agents

Another big search-related announcement at Google I/O 2026: AI Search agents are coming to Google Search.

According to Google, users will be able to provide a Search agent with all the relevant details for a query. The Search agent will then scan 24/7 for sources, like news websites, blogs, and social media, to find the most relevant and up-to-date information.

Search agent Credit: Google

Google provided examples of when a user would utilize Search agents. If a user is apartment hunting, they can input all their housing requirements with a search agent, which will scan around-the-clock for new apartment listings that match those parameters. 

Search agent Credit: Google

These information agents will be available for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the summer.

Agentic AI capabilities are also being upgraded for shopping and booking experiences and services in Search. Users will be able to see the latest prices, availabilities, and direct booking links after providing agents with what they're looking for.

In addition, AI agents will be able to call specific businesses for certain services. These agentic capabilities will be available for all users this summer.

Agentic booking Credit: Google Even more AI features announced

Speaking of AI features for all users, Google says it's expanding Personal Intelligence in Search to even more users, no subscription required.

With Personal Intelligence, users can connect their apps, such as Gmail and Google Photos, so that Google's AI in search can understand search query context using their personal information. Google says the ability to connect Google Calendar to Personal Intelligence is coming soon, and users will continue to have full control over the feature and the data that is used.

Additionally, Google is bringing AI coding tools, powered by Google Antigravity, directly into Google Search. It appears that Google is looking to pull non-developers into the mix, offering use cases such as building a custom fitness tracker or a custom dashboard to plan a wedding.

Looking for more Google I/O announcements? Follow the Mashable Google I/O live blog to see all of the latest news on Gemini, Chrome, and Android.

At Google I/O, three new features for Google Shopping were announced. The updates, all ready to improve the AI shopping experience, not only bridge the gap across retailers but also put parameters in so AI agents don't go rogue.

With the new Universal Cart, Google provides important info on how to save the most on each purchase. Credit: Google

Perhaps the most exciting feature launching on Google Shopping is Universal Cart coming across Google platforms, including Gemini, YouTube, and Gmail. The universal shopping cart collects all of the products you add to a cart, whether that be on Target or Amazon, and adds them to your universal Google cart, so you can see everything you're vying for in one spot.

SEE ALSO: Google I/O 2026: Even more AI is coming to Google Search

"The moment you add a product, the cart goes to work for you in the background. It can do things like find deals, price drops, give you insights on price history, and can even alert when something comes back in stock. Now, these are all things that we've gotten used to doing ourselves, but the cart can just do it in the background," said Vidhya Srinivasan, VP/CM, Google Ads and Commerce.

Universal Cart is going to Google and Gemini in the US this summer. Gmail and YouTube support will follow.

Everything you add to your online shopping cart — across retailers — now appears in one cart on Google. Credit: Google

Also announced at Google I/O is Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), allowing AI agents to purchase products, order goods, and reserve hotels for users. Current partners for Google's UCP include eShopify, Amazon, Walmart, Stripe, Salesforce, and Meta. This makes it possible for AI agents to engage with retailers on these platforms to make bookings rather than just planning a trip or suggesting products. UCP will be available soon in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

But with the power being given to AI agents to book and purchase on behalf of users, Google has updated its parameters, launching too. Agent Payments Protocol 2 (AP2) lets users place limits on how much and what an AI agent can purchase. Even with the new protocol in place, mistakes may happen, which is why AP2 also creates a permanent paper trail in the case of returns or order issues.

The new Google Shopping features follow the announcements made at last year's I/O, which included Google's 'Try it on' feature.

Looking for more Google I/O announcements? Follow the Mashable Google I/O live blog to see all of the latest news on Gemini, Chrome, and Android.

Soon you'll be able to literally talk to your Gmail inbox. At its I/O developer conference today, Google unveiled a new native AI voice integration feature for Gmail called Gmail Live.

The tool will let users get information from their emails by verbally asking Gmail for it, rather than typing keywords into its search bar. According to a company blog post, you can "Say things like, 'What's my flight's gate number?' or 'What's going on at my kid's school this week?' and Gmail Live will search your inbox to find the answer instantly." Similar conversational features are coming to Google Docs and Keep, too.

Gmail Live launches this summer for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. Credit: Google

Gmail Live will be available to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers this summer. It will launch in preview to Google Workspace business customers at the same time.

Also at I/O, Google announced the expansion of its AI Inbox tool it originally rolled out to Google AI Ultra subscribers in January. Per the same blog post, it's getting updated with three extra features, and Google AI Pro and Plus subscribers will soon have access to it as well.

SEE ALSO: Google I/O 2026: Even more AI is coming to Google Search

As Mashable's Anna Iovine reported previously, AI Inbox is like a personalized briefing. It provides updates on topics you've gotten emails about and suggests next steps.

AI Inbox's brand-new features include personalized draft replies; instant file access to relevant Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides; and streamlined task management. With the latter, you can "Keep your view clutter-free by marking individual tasks as done, dismissing unhelpful suggestions or marking all emails in a given topic as read with a single click," the blog post reads.

Google will begin deploying AI Inbox's new features and broader availability starting today.

AI Inbox's new features are rolling out today. Credit: Google

In an interview with Mashable, Gmail's VP of product, Blake Barnes, said user privacy is central to both Gmail Live and AI Inbox. "We don't use your data for training, and that remains the case for these features," he said.

Barnes said Google is working to build trust with those who are hesitant to incorporate more AI in their inboxes by building sourcing into the new Gmail features.

"We have, in the UX, a way for you to see the sources," he explained. (UX stands for "user experience.) "So, what are the specific emails that were used to generate the reply and the response that you just received?"

Barnes added: "It's just one of the ways amongst many to sort of give you the confidence that the answer we've given you is the right one and the accurate one."

Looking for more Google I/O announcements? Follow the Mashable Google I/O live blog to see all of the latest news on Gemini, Chrome, and Android.

Google just unveiled a brand new AI world model at Google I/O 2026 called Gemini Omni.

While Google calls Gemini Omni a "new model that can create anything from any output," its showcase focused on the AI model's video-generation capabilities.

The first release within the Omni AI model family is called Gemini Omni Flash.

Credit: Google

So, what's so special about Gemini Omni Flash compared to other AI video tools and Google's Genie world model?

During a presentation at Google I/O, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis described Omni as a crucial step toward AGI. Hassabis said that in the future, Omni would be able to output "anything" the user wanted. Unlike text-to-video tools like Google Veo, Gemini Omni is multi-modal in both input and output. That means users can input text, audio, images, and video into the model, and Omni will generate a unique, interactive world utilizing Gemini's "real-world knowledge." 

Google says Omni will be able to generate videos with more accurate physics and, in turn, create more realistic-looking content. Gemini will also be able to understand the context of a prompt, such as a historical fact, to generate more accurate video content. 

Credit: Google

In addition to video generation, Google says users can also edit videos through conversation with the Omni model. Google showcased some samples of what editing through Omni can do at I/O. For example, users can take a video they shot or an AI-generated video and edit specific aspects of the clip. If a user likes a shot but wants to change the background, they can do so with Omni. Omni can take a video and change the style, the angle, the scenery, or even a specific detail in the clip.

Credit: Google

With Gemini Omni Flash, users can create their own digital likeness through Avatars. However, Google says it is still testing this feature to ensure a responsible launch. 

All videos generated with Omni will be embedded with the SynthID watermark, allowing them to be verified as AI-generated.

Google is rolling out Gemini Omni Flash today to paid Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers within the Gemini app and Google Flow. Later this week, Gemini Omni Flash will also launch in YouTube Shorts and the YouTube Create app at no cost to users.

Looking for more Google I/O announcements? Follow the Mashable Google I/O live blog to see all of the latest news on Gemini, Chrome, and Android.

We live in a world where people need the ability to quickly and accurately identify AI-generated content. And at Google I/O 2026, the company announced a massive expansion of its SynthID digital watermark initiative.

At Google I/O 2026, the company announced that it is adding the Google DeepMind SynthID tool as well as content credential verification from the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (or C2PA) to Search and the Chrome browser. In the Gemini app, C2PA Content Credentials verification will be available starting today.

By expanding this tool to Chrome and Google Search, users will be able to more easily check if a particular image, audio file, or video is generated by AI. As deepfakes and AI videos become a growing problem, digital watermarks are one of the only reliable ways to identify AI-generated content.

Since launching SynthID, Google says that it has watermarked more than 100 billion images and videos, plus 60,000 years of audio content.

In addition, Google announced that OpenAI, Kakao, and ElevenLabs will incorporate SynthID into their products, as well. So, if you see an image that was made with OpenAI's ChatGPT, for instance, it should be watermarked with SynthID going forward.

SynthID in action. Credit: Screenshot: Google

Both SynthID and C2PA exist to help users detect when something is AI-generated; C2PA verification is provided as metadata, and SynthID is an invisible watermark that can hold up even when metadata is lost.

"These two systems reinforce each other. C2PA helps content carry detailed context; SynthID helps preserve a signal when metadata does not survive," OpenAI stated in a press release. "Watermarking can be more durable through transformations like screenshots, while metadata can provide more information than a watermark alone. Together, they make provenance more resilient than either layer would be on its own."

With these tools, it should be as easy as right-clicking on something and asking if it was generated by AI, at least according to Google.

"We want to make sure more people have easy, seamless access to these tools. So, we are expanding both content credentials and syntary verification to Google Search and Chrome," Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said in a briefing ahead of I/O. "That means you can simply circle to search an image, or right click in Chrome and ask, ‘Was this generated with AI?’ and you'll get a clear response, along with other helpful context.”

Looking for more Google I/O announcements? Follow the Mashable Google I/O live blog to see all of the latest news on Gemini, Chrome, and Android.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Google restructured its AI subscription lineup at I/O 2026 today, introducing a new mid-tier Ultra plan and cutting the price of its most expensive plan, while stating it wants to rethink how usage limits work across the board.

SEE ALSO: Google Gemini app to get deeper thinking and more third-party app support, report says

The headline number is $99.99 per month for a new AI Ultra entry point, aimed at developers, technical leads, and power users. It comes with 5x the usage limits of the Pro plan, Gemini 3.5 Flash, priority access to Google Antigravity — the company's agent-first coding platform — 20TB of cloud storage, and a full YouTube Premium individual plan bundled in. For those already on the $250-per-month top tier, Google dropped that price to $200, with all the same capabilities intact.

Credit: Google

The three-tier structure now looks like this: AI Plus at $7.99/month, AI Pro at $19.99/month, and AI Ultra starting at $99.99/month. Gemini Spark, the new autonomous AI agent announced earlier today, is exclusive to Ultra subscribers and rolling out in beta next week in the U.S.

Google also overhauled how it measures usage. Instead of counting individual prompts, the new system measures compute used. This means that a simple text question costs far less against your limit than a complex video or coding task.

SEE ALSO: 3 new features are coming to Google Shopping

Limits now refresh every five hours rather than resetting daily. If you hit your cap on a top-tier model, Google automatically drops you to a faster, lighter model instead of cutting you off. AI Pro and Ultra subscribers will also be able to buy pay-as-you-go credits for Google Antigravity and Google Flow, with Gemini app support coming soon.

Looking for more Google I/O announcements? Follow the Mashable Google I/O live blog to see all of the latest news on Gemini, Chrome, and Android.

Google announced Gemini Spark at I/O 2026 today, and it might be the most ambitious thing the company has put on stage.

Billed as "your personal AI agent," Spark is a cloud-based AI that runs continuously. According to Google, Spark runs in the Cloud, so you don't need a Mac Mini or a dedicated home server. Plus, it's designed to handle the kind of tasks that pile up in your inbox and to-do list while you're busy doing everything else.

SEE ALSO: General Motors adds Google Gemini to 4 million vehicles. Is your car on the list?

Powered by Gemini 3.5 and built with Google's Antigravity coding IDE baked in, Spark connects to Google's own products and integrates with more than 30 third-party tools via MCP, including Adobe, Asana, Dropbox, Lyft, OpenTable, Uber, Zillow, and Zocdoc. Need to send your boss a status update? Spark digs through your inbox and Docs to pull together everything relevant. Running a small business? You can set it to monitor incoming customer inquiries and flag the urgent ones.

Google said Spark will land inside Gmail and Chat soon and begin rolling out to AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. next week.

Gemini Spark has safeguards in place

The question everyone has about an autonomous AI agent is obvious: what stops it from doing something you didn't want? Google's answer was the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2), a framework that imposes hard limits on what Spark can spend, which merchants it can interact with, and what it can actually purchase. For now, users approve any transactions before they go through.

Josh Woodward, VP of Google Labs, described the philosophy at a media briefing ahead of the event: "On the team, we think a lot of it as if you're giving a teenager their first debit card. There are sort of limits and constraints around it, and that's how we'll be designing Spark as we go through the year."

As Google sees it, Spark will gradually gain autonomy over time. For now, though, AP2 will include a permanent digital paper trail for returns and disputes and head to Google Shopping later this year.

Looking for more Google I/O announcements? Follow the Mashable Google I/O live blog to see all of the latest news on Gemini, Chrome, and Android.

Sometimes hotel Wi-Fi is insecure, limited, or an outright hassle to join. Fortunately, there is a way around all of those issues—the humble travel router.

SAVE $350: The Beatbot Sora 70 robotic pool cleaner is on sale at Amazon for $1,149, down from the standard price of $1,499. That's a 23% discount and the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beatbot Beatbot Sora 70 robotic pool cleaner $1,149 at Amazon
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With Memorial Day weekend on the horizon, it's time to think about summer fun. If you have a pool, that means endless time spent in the water, taking advantage of every summer day. But if you own a pool, you also know maintenance can be a hassle. Instead of worrying about pool cleaning or hiring help, check out this Amazon deal.

As of May 19, the Beatbot Sora 70 robotic pool cleaner is on sale at Amazon for $1,149, down from the standard price of $1,499. That's a 23% discount and the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

Ready to clean in-ground or above-ground pools for up to seven hours per session, the Beatbot Sora 70 will be your pool's new companion. It's designed to clean all pool shapes including the walls, floor, waterline, water surface, and platforms as low as eight inches. Beatbot says the 10,000mAh battery is capable of cleaning a 3,200 square-foot pool or continuous floor cleaning for up to five hours.

SEE ALSO: The powerhouse Segway Navimow i110N robot lawn mower is down to a record low at Amazon — save $250

Beatbot says this model uses an industry-first JetPulse cleaning system which uses two water jets and four water flows for the best debris capture possible. It does all of this with 6,800GPH of cleaning power. Once it's finished cleaning, it'll automatically float to the edge for easy retrieval.

Instead of spending a glorious summer morning skimming leaves off the pool's surface, enlist the help of the Beatbot Sora 70 robotic pool cleaner. Since it's sitting at the lowest sale price we've seen, there's no reason to delay.

If you own an external SSD, you're already ahead of the curve when it comes to following the 3-2-1 rule for backups. But while using an external SSD is as easy as just plugging it in and drag-and-dropping some files, you might be hindering its performance by plugging it in at the front.