Google unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered assistant for use on mobile devices.
\nThe new Gemini Live became available in English to\u00a0Gemini Advanced subscribers on Android phones on Tuesday (Aug. 13)\u00a0and will be expanded to iOS devices and more languages in the coming weeks, the company said in a Tuesday blog post.
\n\u201cGemini Live is a mobile conversational experience that lets you have free-flowing conversations with Gemini,\u201d\u00a0Sissie Hsaio, vice president and general manager, Gemini experiences and Google Assistant, said in the post.
\nWith this AI\u00a0assistant, users can interrupt in mid-sentence to ask for additional details, pause a conversation and come back to it later, and keep talking with it in the background or when the phone is locked, Hsaio added.
\nGoogle will also make Gemini connect with more Google apps and tools, according to the post. The company will launch extensions for Keep, Tasks, Utilities, Calendar\u00a0and expanded features on YouTube Music in the coming weeks.
\nBecause Gemini is fully integrated into Android, users can access it at any time, no matter what else they\u2019re\u00a0doing on their phone, per the post. It can also read the screen and interact with apps like Gmail and Google Messages.
\nWith the user\u2019s permission, Gemini can access their relevant personal data and add it to its own knowledge in order to\u00a0provide the help the user needs, Google said in another Tuesday\u00a0blog post.
\n\u201cFor example, Gemini can help create a daily workout routine based on your personal trainer\u2019s email, or\u00a0use your resume in Google Drive to write a work bio,\u201d\u00a0Sameer Samat, president, Android Ecosystem, said in the post. \u201cOnly Gemini can do all of this with a secure, all-in-one approach that doesn\u2019t require hand-off to a third-party AI provider you may not know or trust.\u201d
\nIt was reported Monday (Aug. 12) that\u00a0generative AI features have created an opportunity for tech companies to boost consumer interest in smartphones and encourage them to update their devices more frequently.
\nIn addition, with its latest Pixel smartphones, Google is making a more aggressive push into the consumer device market, Bloomberg\u00a0reported.
\nFor all PYMNTS digital transformation coverage, subscribe to the daily\u00a0Digital Transformation Newsletter.
\nThe post Google Unveils New Gemini Live AI-Powered Assistant for Mobile Devices appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Google unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered assistant for use on mobile devices.\nThe new Gemini Live became available in English to\u00a0Gemini Advanced subscribers on Android phones on Tuesday (Aug. 13)\u00a0and will be expanded to iOS devices and more languages in the coming weeks, the company said in a Tuesday blog post.\n\u201cGemini Live is a mobile conversational experience that lets you have free-flowing conversations with Gemini,\u201d\u00a0Sissie Hsaio, vice president and general manager, Gemini experiences and Google Assistant, said in the post.\nWith this AI\u00a0assistant, users can interrupt in mid-sentence to ask for additional details, pause a conversation and come back to it later, and keep talking with it in the background or when the phone is locked, Hsaio added.\nGoogle will also make Gemini connect with more Google apps and tools, according to the post. The company will launch extensions for Keep, Tasks, Utilities, Calendar\u00a0and expanded features on YouTube Music in the coming weeks.\nBecause Gemini is fully integrated into Android, users can access it at any time, no matter what else they\u2019re\u00a0doing on their phone, per the post. It can also read the screen and interact with apps like Gmail and Google Messages.\nWith the user\u2019s permission, Gemini can access their relevant personal data and add it to its own knowledge in order to\u00a0provide the help the user needs, Google said in another Tuesday\u00a0blog post.\n\u201cFor example, Gemini can help create a daily workout routine based on your personal trainer\u2019s email, or\u00a0use your resume in Google Drive to write a work bio,\u201d\u00a0Sameer Samat, president, Android Ecosystem, said in the post. \u201cOnly Gemini can do all of this with a secure, all-in-one approach that doesn\u2019t require hand-off to a third-party AI provider you may not know or trust.\u201d\nIt was reported Monday (Aug. 12) that\u00a0generative AI features have created an opportunity for tech companies to boost consumer interest in smartphones and encourage them to update their devices more frequently.\nIn addition, with its latest Pixel smartphones, Google is making a more aggressive push into the consumer device market, Bloomberg\u00a0reported.\nFor all PYMNTS digital transformation coverage, subscribe to the daily\u00a0Digital Transformation Newsletter.\nThe post Google Unveils New Gemini Live AI-Powered Assistant for Mobile Devices appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-08-13T15:47:18-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-08-13T15:48:17-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Google-Gemini-Live.jpg", "tags": [ "AI", "AI Assistants", "android", "Apple", "artificial intelligence", "digital transformation", "Gemini", "Gemini Live", "Google", "iPhone", "mobile devices", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Smartphones", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2051403", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/google/2024/google-ramps-up-smartphone-push-with-latest-pixel-devices/", "title": "Google Ramps Up Smartphone Push With Latest Pixel Devices", "content_html": "Google will reportedly make a more aggressive push into consumer devices with the upcoming launch of its latest\u00a0Pixel smartphones.
\nThe company signaled this effort by moving up the launch of the phone from October to August, scheduling it before the debut of the next iPhone from its rival,\u00a0Apple, Bloomberg\u00a0reported Monday (Aug. 12).
\nGoogle will unveil its latest phones Tuesday (Aug. 13) at its hardware\u00a0launch event, according to the report.
\nThe company is doing so at a time when generative artificial intelligence (AI) features have created an opportunity to boost consumer interest in smartphones and encourage them to update their devices more frequently, according to the report.
\nApple and\u00a0Samsung have made similar moves, with Apple promoting a new suite of features it calls \u201cApple Intelligence\u201d and Samsung positioning its Galaxy smartphones as being \u201cAI-first\u201d offerings, the report said.
\nGoogle has embraced AI in the camera software for its Pixel lineup and has developed a mobile chip called Tensor that it uses to differentiate its smartphones from others, per the report.
\nThe company has also worked to speed the movement of its AI to its Android partners, the report said.
\nAndroid President\u00a0Sameer Samat told Bloomberg: \u201cIt allows us to take some of our AI innovation and actually bring\u00a0it to more of the ecosystem more quickly. It\u2019s all been about trying to move faster around our AI endeavor and improving the consumer experience.\u201d
\nWhen Google introduced its Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro\u00a0smartphones in October, the company emphasized new features powered by AI and said the new devices were engineered to offer a more helpful and personal experience for users.
\nThese\u00a0AI-powered features enabled users to summarize web pages, measure their body temperature and process more data directly on the device itself and in the cloud.
\nApple unveiled its Apple Intelligence suite of\u00a0AI features in June, saying they would revolutionize the iPhone, Mac and iPad experience \u2014 all while keeping the user\u2019s data secure.
\nWith Apple Intelligence, the company said, generative AI is combined with a user\u2019s context to deliver \u201ctruly helpful intelligence.\u201d
\nThe post Google Ramps Up Smartphone Push With Latest Pixel Devices appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Google will reportedly make a more aggressive push into consumer devices with the upcoming launch of its latest\u00a0Pixel smartphones.\nThe company signaled this effort by moving up the launch of the phone from October to August, scheduling it before the debut of the next iPhone from its rival,\u00a0Apple, Bloomberg\u00a0reported Monday (Aug. 12).\nGoogle will unveil its latest phones Tuesday (Aug. 13) at its hardware\u00a0launch event, according to the report.\nThe company is doing so at a time when generative artificial intelligence (AI) features have created an opportunity to boost consumer interest in smartphones and encourage them to update their devices more frequently, according to the report.\nApple and\u00a0Samsung have made similar moves, with Apple promoting a new suite of features it calls \u201cApple Intelligence\u201d and Samsung positioning its Galaxy smartphones as being \u201cAI-first\u201d offerings, the report said.\nGoogle has embraced AI in the camera software for its Pixel lineup and has developed a mobile chip called Tensor that it uses to differentiate its smartphones from others, per the report.\nThe company has also worked to speed the movement of its AI to its Android partners, the report said.\nAndroid President\u00a0Sameer Samat told Bloomberg: \u201cIt allows us to take some of our AI innovation and actually bring\u00a0it to more of the ecosystem more quickly. It\u2019s all been about trying to move faster around our AI endeavor and improving the consumer experience.\u201d\nWhen Google introduced its Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro\u00a0smartphones in October, the company emphasized new features powered by AI and said the new devices were engineered to offer a more helpful and personal experience for users.\nThese\u00a0AI-powered features enabled users to summarize web pages, measure their body temperature and process more data directly on the device itself and in the cloud.\nApple unveiled its Apple Intelligence suite of\u00a0AI features in June, saying they would revolutionize the iPhone, Mac and iPad experience \u2014 all while keeping the user\u2019s data secure.\nWith Apple Intelligence, the company said, generative AI is combined with a user\u2019s context to deliver \u201ctruly helpful intelligence.\u201d\nThe post Google Ramps Up Smartphone Push With Latest Pixel Devices appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-08-12T18:39:20-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-08-12T22:20:49-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Google-Pixel-smartphones.jpg", "tags": [ "AI", "Apple", "artificial intelligence", "Google", "Google Pixel", "mobile phones", "News", "Pixel", "PYMNTS News", "Smartphones", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2050010", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/google/2024/unpacking-googles-week-antitrust-ruling-and-targeting-minors-with-meta/", "title": "Unpacking Google\u2019s Week: Antitrust Ruling and Targeting Minors With Meta", "content_html": "Alphabet\u2019s Gmail email service, the world\u2019s largest free email provider, was down Thursday (Aug 8).
\nBut the multi-hour disruption was merely the latest \u2014 and potentially the smallest \u2014 of a series of developments this week that have cast a shadow over Google\u2019s operations along with its titanic position within the tech industry.
\nIt was on Monday (Aug. 5) that, in a landmark ruling, Alphabet\u2019s Google was found to have illegally monopolized web search.
\n\u201cThis decision recognizes that Google offers the best search engine but concludes that we shouldn\u2019t be allowed to make it easily available,\u201d said Google global affairs President\u00a0Kent Walker in a\u00a0statement sent to PYMNTS.
\nThere are more antitrust cases alive and ongoing in the tech sector as well, involving\u00a0Meta and Amazon, among others.
\nAdding fuel to the tech sector fire, on Thursday (Aug. 8), news broke that Google and Meta made a \u201csecret deal\u201d to target teenagers with ads for Meta\u2019s Instagram platform. Google\u2019s project for Meta was designed to show ads for Instagram to 13- to 17-year-olds and disregarded many of Google\u2019s own internal rules.
\nThe rulings have put Google in a precarious position, challenging the foundation of its dominance in the digital space and leaving the tech giant grappling with significant legal and ethical challenges.
\nRead more: Tech Industry Braces for Fallout From Google Antitrust Verdict
\nFrom antitrust rulings that threaten to dismantle its business model to allegations of targeting minors with ads, Google\u2019s path forward appears fraught with hurdles.
\nAt the heart of the antitrust cases is Google\u2019s relationship with Apple and the allegations that Google paid billions to remain the default search engine on Apple devices. This arrangement, critics argue, stifled competition and cemented Google\u2019s monopoly in the search engine market. The recent ruling demands that Google cease these payments, a move that could open the door for competitors like Microsoft\u2019s Bing to gain market share.
\nAs PYMNTS reported, the case, formally known as\u00a0United\u00a0States of America et al. v. Google LLC, centered on Google\u2019s extensive and complex business practices that, according to the plaintiffs, stifled competition and innovation. The ruling, detailed in a comprehensive 286-page opinion by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, outlines how Google\u2019s practices created barriers to entry for competitors, thereby maintaining what he called its monopolistic status.
\nMoreover, the antitrust scrutiny extends beyond the United States. Google faces similar challenges globally, with regulatory bodies in Europe and other regions taking a closer look at its business practices. The cumulative effect of these rulings and investigations poses a significant threat to Google\u2019s traditional revenue streams and its position as a tech behemoth.
\nAs Google navigates these turbulent waters, the tech giant must reassess its strategies and operations. The antitrust rulings demand a restructuring of its business model, particularly in how it dominates the search engine market. Meanwhile, the allegations of targeting minors with ads call for a more ethical approach to advertising.
\nRead more: Google Vows to Appeal Antitrust Ruling as Tech Industry Speculates on Implications
\nThe challenges facing Google are emblematic of the broader issues within the tech industry, where regulatory scrutiny and ethical considerations are becoming increasingly paramount.
\nElsewhere in the tech landscape, the U.K.\u2019s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has initiated an investigation into Amazon\u2019s recent partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic, a probe that follows closely on the heels of a similar inquiry launched by the CMA into Alphabet\u2019s own partnership with Anthropic.
\nMeanwhile, PYMNTS reported that two private law firms that played a pivotal role in Texas securing a $1.4 billion biometric privacy settlement with Meta Platforms, Facebook\u2019s parent company, could collectively earn over $300 million in legal fees for their efforts.
\nBut there was some good news this week, too. On Tuesday (Aug. 6) news broke that\u00a0Web Monetization is coming to Google Chrome, allowing website owners to receive embedded micro-payments as an additional way to generate revenue. PYMNTS unpacked the implications the rise of\u00a0embedded payments could have for\u00a0online B2B commerce and\u00a0marketplace platforms, as well as the opportunity for small- to medium-sized businesses.
\nOn Wednesday (Aug. 7), financial education-focused FinTech Greenlight launched a collaboration with\u00a0Google. The partnership connects Greenlight\u2019s debit card to Google\u2019s Fitbit Ace LTE, a smartwatch designed for kids, letting them learn to \u201cspend wisely\u201d and tap to pay with their watches.
\nThe post Unpacking Google\u2019s Week: Antitrust Ruling and Targeting Minors With Meta appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Alphabet\u2019s Gmail email service, the world\u2019s largest free email provider, was down Thursday (Aug 8).\nBut the multi-hour disruption was merely the latest \u2014 and potentially the smallest \u2014 of a series of developments this week that have cast a shadow over Google\u2019s operations along with its titanic position within the tech industry.\nIt was on Monday (Aug. 5) that, in a landmark ruling, Alphabet\u2019s Google was found to have illegally monopolized web search.\n\u201cThis decision recognizes that Google offers the best search engine but concludes that we shouldn\u2019t be allowed to make it easily available,\u201d said Google global affairs President\u00a0Kent Walker in a\u00a0statement sent to PYMNTS.\nThere are more antitrust cases alive and ongoing in the tech sector as well, involving\u00a0Meta and Amazon, among others.\nAdding fuel to the tech sector fire, on Thursday (Aug. 8), news broke that Google and Meta made a \u201csecret deal\u201d to target teenagers with ads for Meta\u2019s Instagram platform. Google\u2019s project for Meta was designed to show ads for Instagram to 13- to 17-year-olds and disregarded many of Google\u2019s own internal rules.\nThe rulings have put Google in a precarious position, challenging the foundation of its dominance in the digital space and leaving the tech giant grappling with significant legal and ethical challenges.\nRead more: Tech Industry Braces for Fallout From Google Antitrust Verdict\nMaking Sense of Google\u2019s Mounting Court Cases\nFrom antitrust rulings that threaten to dismantle its business model to allegations of targeting minors with ads, Google\u2019s path forward appears fraught with hurdles.\nAt the heart of the antitrust cases is Google\u2019s relationship with Apple and the allegations that Google paid billions to remain the default search engine on Apple devices. This arrangement, critics argue, stifled competition and cemented Google\u2019s monopoly in the search engine market. The recent ruling demands that Google cease these payments, a move that could open the door for competitors like Microsoft\u2019s Bing to gain market share.\nAs PYMNTS reported, the case, formally known as\u00a0United\u00a0States of America et al. v. Google LLC, centered on Google\u2019s extensive and complex business practices that, according to the plaintiffs, stifled competition and innovation. The ruling, detailed in a comprehensive 286-page opinion by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, outlines how Google\u2019s practices created barriers to entry for competitors, thereby maintaining what he called its monopolistic status.\nMoreover, the antitrust scrutiny extends beyond the United States. Google faces similar challenges globally, with regulatory bodies in Europe and other regions taking a closer look at its business practices. The cumulative effect of these rulings and investigations poses a significant threat to Google\u2019s traditional revenue streams and its position as a tech behemoth.\nAs Google navigates these turbulent waters, the tech giant must reassess its strategies and operations. The antitrust rulings demand a restructuring of its business model, particularly in how it dominates the search engine market. Meanwhile, the allegations of targeting minors with ads call for a more ethical approach to advertising.\nRead more: Google Vows to Appeal Antitrust Ruling as Tech Industry Speculates on Implications\nThe challenges facing Google are emblematic of the broader issues within the tech industry, where regulatory scrutiny and ethical considerations are becoming increasingly paramount.\nElsewhere in the tech landscape, the U.K.\u2019s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has initiated an investigation into Amazon\u2019s recent partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic, a probe that follows closely on the heels of a similar inquiry launched by the CMA into Alphabet\u2019s own partnership with Anthropic.\nMeanwhile, PYMNTS reported that two private law firms that played a pivotal role in Texas securing a $1.4 billion biometric privacy settlement with Meta Platforms, Facebook\u2019s parent company, could collectively earn over $300 million in legal fees for their efforts.\nBut there was some good news this week, too. On Tuesday (Aug. 6) news broke that\u00a0Web Monetization is coming to Google Chrome, allowing website owners to receive embedded micro-payments as an additional way to generate revenue. PYMNTS unpacked the implications the rise of\u00a0embedded payments could have for\u00a0online B2B commerce and\u00a0marketplace platforms, as well as the opportunity for small- to medium-sized businesses.\nOn Wednesday (Aug. 7), financial education-focused FinTech Greenlight launched a collaboration with\u00a0Google. The partnership connects Greenlight\u2019s debit card to Google\u2019s Fitbit Ace LTE, a smartwatch designed for kids, letting them learn to \u201cspend wisely\u201d and tap to pay with their watches.\nThe post Unpacking Google\u2019s Week: Antitrust Ruling and Targeting Minors With Meta appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-08-09T11:46:18-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-08-09T11:46:18-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Google-1.jpg", "tags": [ "advertising", "Alphabet", "Antitrust", "BigTech", "cma", "Competition and Markets Authority", "Gmail", "Google", "Instagram", "Lawsuits", "legal", "Meta", "Minors", "Monopoly", "News", "partnerships", "PYMNTS News", "search engines", "Teenagers" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2022417", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/google/2024/wix-becomes-first-google-partner-offering-gemini-for-workspace/", "title": "Wix Becomes First Google Partner Offering Gemini for Workspace", "content_html": "Software-as-a-Service platform Wix has begun offering its customers access to Google\u2019s Gemini for Workspace artificial intelligence (AI) tool.
\n\u201cOver the last decade, Wix augmented their website building solution with the best online tools from Google \u2014 search, advertising, maps and productivity,\u201d\u00a0 Yuval Dvir, senior director of online channels and partnerships at Google, said in a Monday (Aug. 5) news release.
\n\u201cToday, with our new agreement and the launch of Gemini for Workspace, they\u2019ve become the first partner to offer Gemini, offering the best generative AI solution in the market that can orchestrate across the apps and turbo charge their customer\u2019s productivity,\u201d Dvir added.
\nAccording to the release, Gemini integrates with Google Workspace apps such as Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets and Meet, letting users do things like write documents, design slideshows, write and summarize emails, and organize projects.
\n\u201cThis collaboration further deepens the strategic partnership between Wix and Google, highlighting a shared commitment to innovation and providing our users with latest tools to help them streamline their work,\u201d said Itay Shmool, Wix\u2019s chairman for premium and payments. \u201cBy integrating Gemini Workspace into the Wix platform, we are enabling our users to achieve new levels of productivity and creativity.\u201d
\nThe partnership comes soon after Google launched significant upgrades to Gemini, enhancing its capabilities and expanding its reach. The tech giant is rolling out Gemini 1.5 Flash, a faster and more capable version, to users of the free tier in more than 230 countries and territories.
\n\u201cThis update quadruples the context window to 32,000 tokens, allowing for longer conversations and more complex queries,\u201d PYMNTS wrote last week. \u201cAdditionally, Google is introducing a new feature to combat AI hallucinations by displaying related content links within Gemini\u2019s responses.\u201d
\nGoogle is also aiming to make Gemini more accessible, expanding to the European Economic Area, U.K. and Switzerland. In a move to engage younger users, it is extending Gemini access to teenagers globally in over 40 languages.
\nWix last month said it was adding a series of AI-powered tools for building and managing websites, part of a series of similar recent offerings being developed to help merchants reach their customers.
\nFor example, eCommerce platform Shopify said in July it will soon launch an AI-powered chatbot assistant called Sidekick, designed to help merchants with any questions related to their stores, such as sales and order trends.
\nThe post Wix Becomes First Google Partner Offering Gemini for Workspace appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Software-as-a-Service platform Wix has begun offering its customers access to Google\u2019s Gemini for Workspace artificial intelligence (AI) tool.\n\u201cOver the last decade, Wix augmented their website building solution with the best online tools from Google \u2014 search, advertising, maps and productivity,\u201d\u00a0 Yuval Dvir, senior director of online channels and partnerships at Google, said in a Monday (Aug. 5) news release.\n\u201cToday, with our new agreement and the launch of Gemini for Workspace, they\u2019ve become the first partner to offer Gemini, offering the best generative AI solution in the market that can orchestrate across the apps and turbo charge their customer\u2019s productivity,\u201d Dvir added.\nAccording to the release, Gemini integrates with Google Workspace apps such as Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets and Meet, letting users do things like write documents, design slideshows, write and summarize emails, and organize projects.\n\u201cThis collaboration further deepens the strategic partnership between Wix and Google, highlighting a shared commitment to innovation and providing our users with latest tools to help them streamline their work,\u201d said Itay Shmool, Wix\u2019s chairman for premium and payments. \u201cBy integrating Gemini Workspace into the Wix platform, we are enabling our users to achieve new levels of productivity and creativity.\u201d\nThe partnership comes soon after Google launched significant upgrades to Gemini, enhancing its capabilities and expanding its reach. The tech giant is rolling out Gemini 1.5 Flash, a faster and more capable version, to users of the free tier in more than 230 countries and territories.\n\u201cThis update quadruples the context window to 32,000 tokens, allowing for longer conversations and more complex queries,\u201d PYMNTS wrote last week. \u201cAdditionally, Google is introducing a new feature to combat AI hallucinations by displaying related content links within Gemini\u2019s responses.\u201d\nGoogle is also aiming to make Gemini more accessible, expanding to the European Economic Area, U.K. and Switzerland. In a move to engage younger users, it is extending Gemini access to teenagers globally in over 40 languages.\nWix last month said it was adding a series of AI-powered tools for building and managing websites, part of a series of similar recent offerings being developed to help merchants reach their customers.\nFor example, eCommerce platform Shopify said in July it will soon launch an AI-powered chatbot assistant called Sidekick, designed to help merchants with any questions related to their stores, such as sales and order trends.\nThe post Wix Becomes First Google Partner Offering Gemini for Workspace appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-08-05T13:58:32-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-08-05T22:21:02-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Wix.jpg", "tags": [ "AI", "AI Assistants", "artificial intelligence", "B2B", "B2B Payments", "commercial payments", "GenAI", "Google", "Google Gemini", "News", "partnerships", "PYMNTS News", "What's Hot", "What's Hot In B2B", "wix" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2016232", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/google/2024/google-readies-to-move-retailers-to-upgraded-merchant-center/", "title": "Google to Move Retailers to New AI-Driven Merchant Platform", "content_html": "Google is moving all retailers to a new version of its Merchant Center.
\nThe change should happen by September, the tech giant wrote on its blog Wednesday (July 24), giving merchants \u201cplenty of time to get acclimated and start benefiting from the updates before the holiday shopping season.\u201d
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve brought over key features, including ones like supplemental data sources and rules that help brands work at scale,\u201d the blog post continued.
\nGoogle updated the Merchant Center in May, announcing several new features, including the introduction of visual brand profiles on Google Search, designed to highlight information provided by retailers with engaging product and brand imagery, videos, customer reviews, and current deals and promotions.
\nTo help retailers create better, on-brand content, Google has enhanced its Product Studio, an AI-powered content creation platform, the post said.
\nMerchants can now generate new product images that align with their company\u2019s style by just uploading an image and adding a prompt describing the scene. Product Studio also allows the generation of videos from just one photo, letting retailers create short videos or GIFs for social media.
\nAccording to Wednesday\u2019s blog post, Google is upgrading Product Studio even further, letting users animate still images or tweak existing images to match their brand\u2019s style.
\n\u201cGoogle is leveraging its generative AI technology to bring shopping ads to life with three new ad formats,\u201d PYMNTS wrote at the time.\u00a0\u201cThese formats include the ability to connect short-form product videos or videos from creators to ads, allowing shoppers to engage with these videos directly from Search. Additionally, AI summaries will be displayed below the video highlights, providing key details about the product.\u201d
\nMeanwhile, PYMNTS wrote earlier this year about the way eCommerce merchants were using AI to get a better idea of what their customers wanted. The technology lets them analyze vast quantities of data and use the information to offer better search results.
\n\u201cFor example, AI algorithms can analyze engagement rates, trends, and hashtag performance, enabling retailers to optimize their posts for better visibility and engagement,\u201d Damian Rollison, director of market insights at the online marketing platform SOCi, told PYMNTS in March.
\n\u201cAdditionally, some are leveraging AI to create personalized shopping experiences directly within these social platforms, such as virtual try-ons or AI-driven chatbots that provide product recommendations based on user interactions,\u201d he added.
\nThe post Google to Move Retailers to New AI-Driven Merchant Platform appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Google is moving all retailers to a new version of its Merchant Center.\nThe change should happen by September, the tech giant wrote on its blog Wednesday (July 24), giving merchants \u201cplenty of time to get acclimated and start benefiting from the updates before the holiday shopping season.\u201d\n\u201cWe\u2019ve brought over key features, including ones like supplemental data sources and rules that help brands work at scale,\u201d the blog post continued.\nGoogle updated the Merchant Center in May, announcing several new features, including the introduction of visual brand profiles on Google Search, designed to highlight information provided by retailers with engaging product and brand imagery, videos, customer reviews, and current deals and promotions.\nTo help retailers create better, on-brand content, Google has enhanced its Product Studio, an AI-powered content creation platform, the post said.\nMerchants can now generate new product images that align with their company\u2019s style by just uploading an image and adding a prompt describing the scene. Product Studio also allows the generation of videos from just one photo, letting retailers create short videos or GIFs for social media.\nAccording to Wednesday\u2019s blog post, Google is upgrading Product Studio even further, letting users animate still images or tweak existing images to match their brand\u2019s style.\n\u201cGoogle is leveraging its generative AI technology to bring shopping ads to life with three new ad formats,\u201d PYMNTS wrote at the time.\u00a0\u201cThese formats include the ability to connect short-form product videos or videos from creators to ads, allowing shoppers to engage with these videos directly from Search. Additionally, AI summaries will be displayed below the video highlights, providing key details about the product.\u201d\nMeanwhile, PYMNTS wrote earlier this year about the way eCommerce merchants were using AI to get a better idea of what their customers wanted. The technology lets them analyze vast quantities of data and use the information to offer better search results.\n\u201cFor example, AI algorithms can analyze engagement rates, trends, and hashtag performance, enabling retailers to optimize their posts for better visibility and engagement,\u201d Damian Rollison, director of market insights at the online marketing platform SOCi, told PYMNTS in March.\n\u201cAdditionally, some are leveraging AI to create personalized shopping experiences directly within these social platforms, such as virtual try-ons or AI-driven chatbots that provide product recommendations based on user interactions,\u201d he added.\nThe post Google to Move Retailers to New AI-Driven Merchant Platform appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-07-24T17:04:33-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-07-24T23:03:39-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Google-Merchant-Center.jpg", "tags": [ "AI", "AI in retail", "artificial intelligence", "ecommerce", "Google", "Google AI", "Google Merchant Centers", "News", "online shopping", "PYMNTS News", "virtual try-on", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2016017", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/google/2024/b2b-marketers-avoid-cookiepocalypse-as-google-reverses-third-party-data-plans/", "title": "B2B Marketers Avoid \u2018Cookiepocalypse\u2019 as Google Reverses Third-Party Data Plans", "content_html": "Google\u2019s years-long effort to remove third-party cookies on Chrome was once termed the \u201cCookiepocalypse.\u201d
\nThird-party cookies are small data files that track users across various websites, and have been a cornerstone of digital marketing campaigns and inbound and outbound sales. These cookies have enabled businesses to gather detailed user information and serve personalized ads, as well as measure their impact.
\nBut with the news Monday (July 22) that Google is pulling a U-turn entirely and will no longer be phasing out third-party tracking cookies in Chrome, the continuity of marketing plans is back on the agenda for businesses, particularly those in the B2B space.
\n\u201cOn third-party cookies, given the implications across the ecosystems and considerations and feedback across so many stakeholders, we now believe user choice is the best path forward there,\u201d said Alphabet CEO\u00a0Sundar Pichai on his company\u2019s Tuesday\u2019s (July 23) earnings call.
\nGoogle\u2019s unexpected pivot ensures that, for the foreseeable future, marketers can continue to utilize the Chrome-native tools they are comfortable and familiar with. The reversal on this policy underscores the difficulties in balancing user privacy with the economic realities of the digital advertising ecosystem, which relies heavily on data-driven insights.
\nThis is particularly crucial for B2B marketers who have been bracing for a shift toward a more privacy-focused advertising model that would have necessitated significant adjustments in strategy and potentially increased costs associated with reaching their target audiences.
\nRead more:\u00a0The Power of Precision: Driving Revenue From B2B Customer Data
\nFor years, Google has been navigating the complex waters of privacy concerns and regulatory pressures. The tech giant\u2019s initial plan to phase out third-party cookies was aimed at enhancing user privacy and aligning with stringent regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the United States.
\n\u201cThroughout this process, we\u2019ve received feedback from a wide variety of stakeholders, including regulators like the U.K.\u2019s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and Information Commissioner\u2019s Office (ICO), publishers, web developers and standards groups, civil society, and participants in the advertising industry. This feedback has helped us craft solutions that aim to support a competitive and thriving marketplace that works for publishers and advertisers, and encourage the adoption of privacy-enhancing technologies,\u201d said Anthony Chavez, vice president of privacy sandbox at Alphabet, in a statement.
\nFor B2B marketers, the availability of third-party cookies has been crucial for obtaining granular insights into potential customers\u2019 behaviors and interests. These cookies enable marketers to track business professionals across different websites, thereby creating detailed profiles that inform targeted advertising efforts. The decision to retain third-party cookies means that B2B marketers will continue to have access to rich data sets, allowing for precise segmentation and personalized messaging.
\n\u201cThe moment you slice the world through the lens of\u00a0historical transactional behavior, you can then leverage a predictive GenAI framework and say something about the likelihood of those future transactions,\u201d Pecan CEO and Co-founder\u00a0Zohar Bronfman told PYMNTS. \u201cIt\u2019s evolutionary in terms of how businesses can operate.\u201d
\nRead more: AI\u2019s Impact on B2B Marketing Spotlights Value of Workflow Automation
\nDespite Google\u2019s decision, the industry-wide trend toward greater privacy and data protection is unlikely to reverse. B2B marketers should view this moment as an opportunity to diversify their data strategies.
\nFirst-party data collection, which involves gathering data directly from users through owned channels like websites and CRM systems, offers a privacy-compliant alternative. Additionally, partnerships with data providers and the use of consent-based data sources can help mitigate reliance on third-party cookies.
\n\u201cA spray-and-pray tactic in today\u2019s increasingly competitive financial service and merchant services landscape is a recipe for disaster,\u201d Charles Zhu, then-vice president of product at data intelligence platform Enigma, told PYMNTS in March. \u201cYou\u2019re essentially revealing that you haven\u2019t differentiated yourself to tackle a market in any kind of way.\u201d
\nAnd while the continuation of third-party cookies offers immediate benefits for data collection and analysis, it also perpetuates privacy concerns that have been a focal point of regulatory scrutiny.
\nB2B marketers must remain vigilant about compliance with evolving data protection laws, as reliance on third-party cookies could expose companies to legal risks. This situation highlights the need for robust data governance frameworks and transparent communication with clients and prospects regarding data usage.
\nThe post B2B Marketers Avoid \u2018Cookiepocalypse\u2019 as Google Reverses Third-Party Data Plans appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Google\u2019s years-long effort to remove third-party cookies on Chrome was once termed the \u201cCookiepocalypse.\u201d\nThird-party cookies are small data files that track users across various websites, and have been a cornerstone of digital marketing campaigns and inbound and outbound sales. These cookies have enabled businesses to gather detailed user information and serve personalized ads, as well as measure their impact.\nBut with the news Monday (July 22) that Google is pulling a U-turn entirely and will no longer be phasing out third-party tracking cookies in Chrome, the continuity of marketing plans is back on the agenda for businesses, particularly those in the B2B space.\n\u201cOn third-party cookies, given the implications across the ecosystems and considerations and feedback across so many stakeholders, we now believe user choice is the best path forward there,\u201d said Alphabet CEO\u00a0Sundar Pichai on his company\u2019s Tuesday\u2019s (July 23) earnings call.\nGoogle\u2019s unexpected pivot ensures that, for the foreseeable future, marketers can continue to utilize the Chrome-native tools they are comfortable and familiar with. The reversal on this policy underscores the difficulties in balancing user privacy with the economic realities of the digital advertising ecosystem, which relies heavily on data-driven insights.\nThis is particularly crucial for B2B marketers who have been bracing for a shift toward a more privacy-focused advertising model that would have necessitated significant adjustments in strategy and potentially increased costs associated with reaching their target audiences.\nRead more:\u00a0The Power of Precision: Driving Revenue From B2B Customer Data\nThe Impact on B2B Marketing Strategies and Campaign Measurement \nFor years, Google has been navigating the complex waters of privacy concerns and regulatory pressures. The tech giant\u2019s initial plan to phase out third-party cookies was aimed at enhancing user privacy and aligning with stringent regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the United States.\n\u201cThroughout this process, we\u2019ve received feedback from a wide variety of stakeholders, including regulators like the U.K.\u2019s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and Information Commissioner\u2019s Office (ICO), publishers, web developers and standards groups, civil society, and participants in the advertising industry. This feedback has helped us craft solutions that aim to support a competitive and thriving marketplace that works for publishers and advertisers, and encourage the adoption of privacy-enhancing technologies,\u201d said Anthony Chavez, vice president of privacy sandbox at Alphabet, in a statement.\nFor B2B marketers, the availability of third-party cookies has been crucial for obtaining granular insights into potential customers\u2019 behaviors and interests. These cookies enable marketers to track business professionals across different websites, thereby creating detailed profiles that inform targeted advertising efforts. The decision to retain third-party cookies means that B2B marketers will continue to have access to rich data sets, allowing for precise segmentation and personalized messaging.\n\u201cThe moment you slice the world through the lens of\u00a0historical transactional behavior, you can then leverage a predictive GenAI framework and say something about the likelihood of those future transactions,\u201d Pecan CEO and Co-founder\u00a0Zohar Bronfman told PYMNTS. \u201cIt\u2019s evolutionary in terms of how businesses can operate.\u201d\nRead more: AI\u2019s Impact on B2B Marketing Spotlights Value of Workflow Automation\nPrivacy Concerns and Regulatory Compliance\nDespite Google\u2019s decision, the industry-wide trend toward greater privacy and data protection is unlikely to reverse. B2B marketers should view this moment as an opportunity to diversify their data strategies.\nFirst-party data collection, which involves gathering data directly from users through owned channels like websites and CRM systems, offers a privacy-compliant alternative. Additionally, partnerships with data providers and the use of consent-based data sources can help mitigate reliance on third-party cookies.\n\u201cA spray-and-pray tactic in today\u2019s increasingly competitive financial service and merchant services landscape is a recipe for disaster,\u201d Charles Zhu, then-vice president of product at data intelligence platform Enigma, told PYMNTS in March. \u201cYou\u2019re essentially revealing that you haven\u2019t differentiated yourself to tackle a market in any kind of way.\u201d\nAnd while the continuation of third-party cookies offers immediate benefits for data collection and analysis, it also perpetuates privacy concerns that have been a focal point of regulatory scrutiny.\nB2B marketers must remain vigilant about compliance with evolving data protection laws, as reliance on third-party cookies could expose companies to legal risks. This situation highlights the need for robust data governance frameworks and transparent communication with clients and prospects regarding data usage.\nThe post B2B Marketers Avoid \u2018Cookiepocalypse\u2019 as Google Reverses Third-Party Data Plans appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-07-24T11:45:16-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-07-25T22:07:08-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Google-Alphabet-cookies-policy.jpg", "tags": [ "advertising", "B2B", "B2B marketing", "B2B Payments", "commercial payments", "Cookies", "data", "data collection", "data protection", "Google", "News", "privacy", "PYMNTS News", "third-party cookies" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2015762", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/google/2024/british-regulators-monitoring-googles-decision-to-continue-allowing-third-party-cookies/", "title": "British Regulators Monitoring Google\u2019s Decision to Continue Allowing Third-Party Cookies", "content_html": "British regulators are reportedly monitoring Google and the digital advertising industry after the tech giant said Monday (July 22) that it will continue to allow cookies in its Chrome browser, while allowing users to turn them on or off.
\nGoogle had pledged in 2020 to eliminate all cross-website cookies within two years, and its announcement on Monday that it would not do so was unexpected, the Financial Times (FT) reported Tuesday (July 23).
\nStephen Bonner, deputy commission of the United Kingdom\u2019s Information Commissioner\u2019s Office (ICO), told the FT that the regulator was \u201cdisappointed\u201d by the change announced by Google, that it will monitor the digital advertising industry and that it will \u201cconsider regulatory action where systemic noncompliance is identified for all companies including Google.\u201d
\nThe U.K.\u2019s Competition and Markets Authority said that it is \u201cconsidering the impact of this announcement\u201d and welcomes public comment, per the report.
\nGoogle\u2019s earlier plans to eliminate cookies aimed to protect user privacy by getting rid of that tracking technology, according to the report.
\nHowever, those plans were opposed by online advertisers, who use cookies to monitor users\u2019 movements across websites and target them with personalized ads, the report said.
\nGoogle had pushed back its plans in the past in an effort to give advertisers more time to adjust to the planned elimination of cookies, per the report. As recently as February, the company said it still planned to turn off all cookies by the end of 2024.
\nWhen announcing the company\u2019s change of plans on Monday, Google\u2019s manager in charge of its Privacy Sandbox, Anthony Chavez, wrote in an update that the company recognizes that the transition would require \u201csignificant work by many participants and will have an impact on publishers, advertisers and everyone involved in online advertising.\u201d
\nChavez added that allowing users an informed choice in their web browsing, rather than deprecating third-party cookies, is an approach that \u201celevates user choice.\u201d
\n\u201cWe\u2019re discussing this new path with regulators, and will engage with the industry as we roll this out,\u201d Chavez wrote.
\nGoogle had also faced questions from regulators about its earlier plans to eliminate third-party cookies. The company said in April that it delayed its plans because a British regulator expressed concerns about Google\u2019s proposed alternative to using cookies.
\nThe post British Regulators Monitoring Google\u2019s Decision to Continue Allowing Third-Party Cookies appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "British regulators are reportedly monitoring Google and the digital advertising industry after the tech giant said Monday (July 22) that it will continue to allow cookies in its Chrome browser, while allowing users to turn them on or off.\nGoogle had pledged in 2020 to eliminate all cross-website cookies within two years, and its announcement on Monday that it would not do so was unexpected, the Financial Times (FT) reported Tuesday (July 23).\nStephen Bonner, deputy commission of the United Kingdom\u2019s Information Commissioner\u2019s Office (ICO), told the FT that the regulator was \u201cdisappointed\u201d by the change announced by Google, that it will monitor the digital advertising industry and that it will \u201cconsider regulatory action where systemic noncompliance is identified for all companies including Google.\u201d\nThe U.K.\u2019s Competition and Markets Authority said that it is \u201cconsidering the impact of this announcement\u201d and welcomes public comment, per the report.\nGoogle\u2019s earlier plans to eliminate cookies aimed to protect user privacy by getting rid of that tracking technology, according to the report.\nHowever, those plans were opposed by online advertisers, who use cookies to monitor users\u2019 movements across websites and target them with personalized ads, the report said.\nGoogle had pushed back its plans in the past in an effort to give advertisers more time to adjust to the planned elimination of cookies, per the report. As recently as February, the company said it still planned to turn off all cookies by the end of 2024.\nWhen announcing the company\u2019s change of plans on Monday, Google\u2019s manager in charge of its Privacy Sandbox, Anthony Chavez, wrote in an update that the company recognizes that the transition would require \u201csignificant work by many participants and will have an impact on publishers, advertisers and everyone involved in online advertising.\u201d\nChavez added that allowing users an informed choice in their web browsing, rather than deprecating third-party cookies, is an approach that \u201celevates user choice.\u201d\n\u201cWe\u2019re discussing this new path with regulators, and will engage with the industry as we roll this out,\u201d Chavez wrote.\nGoogle had also faced questions from regulators about its earlier plans to eliminate third-party cookies. The company said in April that it delayed its plans because a British regulator expressed concerns about Google\u2019s proposed alternative to using cookies.\nThe post British Regulators Monitoring Google\u2019s Decision to Continue Allowing Third-Party Cookies appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-07-23T20:20:14-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-07-23T20:20:14-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Google-cookies.jpg", "tags": [ "Anthony Chavez", "Competition and Markets Authority", "Cookies", "cross-website cookies", "Google", "Information Commissioner's Office", "internet privacy", "News", "Privacy Sandbox", "PYMNTS News", "Stephen Bonner", "third-party cookies", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2008492", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/google/2024/google-reportedly-eyeing-23-billion-purchase-of-wiz/", "title": "Google Reportedly Eyeing $23 Billion Purchase of Wiz", "content_html": "Google is reportedly in talks to purchase cybersecurity startup Wiz for about $23 billion.
\nThat\u2019s according to a Sunday (July 14) report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), which pointed out that this would be Google\u2019s largest-ever acquisition.\u00a0
\nThe tech giant is in advanced talks with Wiz and a deal could come soon, the report said, citing sources familiar with the matter.
\nThe report noted that the proposed deal comes as Google and other Big Tech companies are dealing with strict scrutiny from antitrust regulators. It could also, the report said, help bolster the company\u2019s efforts to compete with Microsoft and Amazon in the cloud computing space.
\nGoogle has been trying to grow its cybersecurity business, with an emphasis on the cloud, the report added. The company\u2019s largest recent acquisition \u2014 and its second biggest ever \u2014 was the nearly $5.4 billion it paid two years ago for Mandiant, also a security firm.
\nPYMNTS has contacted Google for comment but has not yet gotten a reply.
\nWiz was valued at $12 billion in May after raising $1 billion. Co-Founder and CEO Assaf Rappaport told WSJ at the time that the company expects this year to be a time of consolidation in the cybersecurity sector. Wiz itself had acquired another company, cloud detection and response firm Gem Security, in April of this year.
\nGoogle\u2019s efforts to expand its cybersecurity offering comes amid what PYMNTS has referred to as the \u201cyear of the cyberattack.\u201d
\nThat was on July 4, and since then even more high-profile breaches have emerged. For example, last week saw hackers gain unauthorized access to dozens of HubSpot accounts.\u00a0
\n\u201cDespite the smaller scale of the breach, considering that many people reuse passwords across accounts, a single, targeted breach on a defined customer subset can trigger extensive and far-reaching consequences,\u201d PYMNTS wrote last week.
\nDays later, AT&T revealed that the call and text records of \u201cnearly all\u201d\u00a0of its customers were stolen in April when a fraudster accessed an AT&T workspace on a third-party cloud platform and exfiltrated the files. The company said it delayed providing public disclosure of the incident at the request of the Department of Justice, according to a regulatory filing.
\n\u201cThis heightened emphasis on cybersecurity coincides with a broader debate surrounding data security in the connected economy, particularly in connected workplaces and smart homes, where the growing use of connected devices highlights new vulnerabilities, given the vast amounts of personal data they gather,\u201d PYMNYS wrote earlier this month.
\nThe PYMNTS Intelligence report \u201cFraud Management in Online Transactions\u201d found that 82% of eCommerce merchants suffered cyberattacks or data breaches in the past year, with 47% saying the breaches resulted in both lost revenue and lost customers.
\n\u00a0
\nThe post Google Reportedly Eyeing $23 Billion Purchase of Wiz appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Google is reportedly in talks to purchase cybersecurity startup Wiz for about $23 billion.\nThat\u2019s according to a Sunday (July 14) report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), which pointed out that this would be Google\u2019s largest-ever acquisition.\u00a0\nThe tech giant is in advanced talks with Wiz and a deal could come soon, the report said, citing sources familiar with the matter.\nThe report noted that the proposed deal comes as Google and other Big Tech companies are dealing with strict scrutiny from antitrust regulators. It could also, the report said, help bolster the company\u2019s efforts to compete with Microsoft and Amazon in the cloud computing space.\nGoogle has been trying to grow its cybersecurity business, with an emphasis on the cloud, the report added. The company\u2019s largest recent acquisition \u2014 and its second biggest ever \u2014 was the nearly $5.4 billion it paid two years ago for Mandiant, also a security firm.\nPYMNTS has contacted Google for comment but has not yet gotten a reply.\nWiz was valued at $12 billion in May after raising $1 billion. Co-Founder and CEO Assaf Rappaport told WSJ at the time that the company expects this year to be a time of consolidation in the cybersecurity sector. Wiz itself had acquired another company, cloud detection and response firm Gem Security, in April of this year.\nGoogle\u2019s efforts to expand its cybersecurity offering comes amid what PYMNTS has referred to as the \u201cyear of the cyberattack.\u201d\nThat was on July 4, and since then even more high-profile breaches have emerged. For example, last week saw hackers gain unauthorized access to dozens of HubSpot accounts.\u00a0\n\u201cDespite the smaller scale of the breach, considering that many people reuse passwords across accounts, a single, targeted breach on a defined customer subset can trigger extensive and far-reaching consequences,\u201d PYMNTS wrote last week.\nDays later, AT&T revealed that the call and text records of \u201cnearly all\u201d\u00a0of its customers were stolen in April when a fraudster accessed an AT&T workspace on a third-party cloud platform and exfiltrated the files. The company said it delayed providing public disclosure of the incident at the request of the Department of Justice, according to a regulatory filing.\n\u201cThis heightened emphasis on cybersecurity coincides with a broader debate surrounding data security in the connected economy, particularly in connected workplaces and smart homes, where the growing use of connected devices highlights new vulnerabilities, given the vast amounts of personal data they gather,\u201d PYMNYS wrote earlier this month.\nThe PYMNTS Intelligence report \u201cFraud Management in Online Transactions\u201d found that 82% of eCommerce merchants suffered cyberattacks or data breaches in the past year, with 47% saying the breaches resulted in both lost revenue and lost customers.\n\u00a0\nThe post Google Reportedly Eyeing $23 Billion Purchase of Wiz appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-07-14T17:48:40-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-07-14T17:50:41-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Goggle-Wiz.jpg", "tags": [ "acquisitions", "Assaf Rappaport", "cloud computing", "cyberattacks", "Cybersecurity", "Google", "News", "PYMNTS News", "What's Hot", "Wiz" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=1973772", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/google/2024/google-maps-extends-speedometer-speed-limit-feature-to-apple-users/", "title": "Google Maps Extends Speedometer, Speed Limit Feature to Apple Users", "content_html": "Google Maps is reportedly extending\u00a0to Apple\u2019s iOS and CarPlay a speedometer and speed limits feature that it has long offered for its own operating system, Android.
\nTechCrunch reported Tuesday (July 9) that it spotted the feature being available to iPhone users in India last week and that Google confirmed Tuesday that the feature will be rolled out globally.
\nThe feature helps users avoid speeding tickets while driving by showing the vehicle\u2019s speed when people start navigation on Google Maps and by changing colors on the speed indicator to remind people to drive within the speed limit, according to the report.
\nThe vehicle\u2019s speed is shown for \u201cinformational use only,\u201d according to a Google support page, suggesting that drivers should rely on their vehicle\u2019s speedometer, per the report.
\nGoogle launched the speedometer and speed limits feature on Android in 2019, the report said.
\nThis new feature will join some others that have been added to Google Maps in recent months.
\nThese include a generative artificial intelligence (AI)-powered feature launched in February that helps people discover places by providing personalized recommendations based on users\u2019 specific needs.
\nFor example, if someone is visiting San Francisco and wants to explore vintage shops, they can simply ask Google Maps for \u201cplaces with a vintage vibe in SF.\u201d The AI\u00a0models will then analyze the available information, including photos, ratings\u00a0and reviews from the Maps community, to provide suggestions.
\nIn November, Google Maps added a feature that helps groups plan trips by creating a collaborative list in which members of the group can add places they would like to visit and can vote on group activities by using emojis like a heart or a thumbs down.
\nDuring that same month, Google added a \u201csmall business attribute\u201d that allows merchants to prominently display their small business status on both Maps and Search, making those businesses easier to spot among the list of merchants.
\nThis feature is designed to help consumers find and shop at new small businesses. It is meant to appeal to the 84% of consumers who said they prioritize supporting local and small businesses.
\nThe post Google Maps Extends Speedometer, Speed Limit Feature to Apple Users appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Google Maps is reportedly extending\u00a0to Apple\u2019s iOS and CarPlay a speedometer and speed limits feature that it has long offered for its own operating system, Android.\nTechCrunch reported Tuesday (July 9) that it spotted the feature being available to iPhone users in India last week and that Google confirmed Tuesday that the feature will be rolled out globally.\nThe feature helps users avoid speeding tickets while driving by showing the vehicle\u2019s speed when people start navigation on Google Maps and by changing colors on the speed indicator to remind people to drive within the speed limit, according to the report.\nThe vehicle\u2019s speed is shown for \u201cinformational use only,\u201d according to a Google support page, suggesting that drivers should rely on their vehicle\u2019s speedometer, per the report.\nGoogle launched the speedometer and speed limits feature on Android in 2019, the report said.\nThis new feature will join some others that have been added to Google Maps in recent months.\nThese include a generative artificial intelligence (AI)-powered feature launched in February that helps people discover places by providing personalized recommendations based on users\u2019 specific needs.\nFor example, if someone is visiting San Francisco and wants to explore vintage shops, they can simply ask Google Maps for \u201cplaces with a vintage vibe in SF.\u201d The AI\u00a0models will then analyze the available information, including photos, ratings\u00a0and reviews from the Maps community, to provide suggestions.\nIn November, Google Maps added a feature that helps groups plan trips by creating a collaborative list in which members of the group can add places they would like to visit and can vote on group activities by using emojis like a heart or a thumbs down.\nDuring that same month, Google added a \u201csmall business attribute\u201d that allows merchants to prominently display their small business status on both Maps and Search, making those businesses easier to spot among the list of merchants.\nThis feature is designed to help consumers find and shop at new small businesses. It is meant to appeal to the 84% of consumers who said they prioritize supporting local and small businesses.\n\nThe post Google Maps Extends Speedometer, Speed Limit Feature to Apple Users appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-07-09T20:07:45-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-07-09T20:07:45-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Google-Maps-Apple-iOS-CarPlay.png", "tags": [ "Apple", "CarPlay", "digital transformation", "Google", "Google Maps", "iOs", "navigation", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Technology", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=1966888", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/google/2024/google-begins-adding-ai-assistant-gemini-to-gmail/", "title": "Google Begins Adding AI\u00a0Assistant Gemini to Gmail", "content_html": "Google is adding its artificial intelligence (AI) assistant, Gemini, to the side panel of Gmail.
\nThe rollout of this feature on both web and mobile began Monday (June 24), the company said in a Monday\u00a0blog post.
\nThe AI assistant will be available to Google Workspace customers with the Gemini Business and Enterprise add-on, the Gemini Education and Education Premium add-on, and Google One AI Premium, according to the post.
\nThe rollout of this feature follows the addition of Gemini to the side panel of Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides and Google Drive, the post said.
\nWith Gemini in Gmail on the web, users can deploy the technology to summarize an email thread, suggest responses to an email thread, get help drafting an email, and find specific information from emails within their inbox or from their Google Drive files, per the post.
\n\u201cWhile Gemini in Gmail will provide proactive prompts to help you get started, you can also ask freeform questions,\u201d the company said in the post. \u201cFor example, you can ask Gemini to search your inbox for things like \u2018What was the PO\u00a0number for my agency?\u2019, \u2018How much did the company spend on the last marketing event?\u2019,\u00a0or \u2018When is the next team meeting?\u2019 And just like that, you\u2019ll\u00a0have the information you need to quickly reply without having to ever leave Gmail.\u201d
\nGemini in the Gmail mobile app on Android and iOS can be used to analyze emails threads and see a summarized view, as can be done with the side panel on the web, per the post.
\nAdditional mobile features will be added soon, the post said.
\nGoogle announced in May at its annual developer conference,\u00a0Google I/O, that it would be enhancing Gemini to enable users to establish a virtual teammate.
\nThe company said this\u00a0AI-powered team member is designed to integrate with Google Workspace and perform various tailored tasks, including monitoring and managing projects, organizing data, providing insights, detecting trends and aiding in collaborative efforts.
\nMicrosoft, too, has been expanding the capabilities of its\u00a0AI assistant, Copilot, and other AI tools. The company recently reported that Copilot is being adopted across industries.
\nThe post Google Begins Adding AI\u00a0Assistant Gemini to Gmail appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Google is adding its artificial intelligence (AI) assistant, Gemini, to the side panel of Gmail.\nThe rollout of this feature on both web and mobile began Monday (June 24), the company said in a Monday\u00a0blog post.\nThe AI assistant will be available to Google Workspace customers with the Gemini Business and Enterprise add-on, the Gemini Education and Education Premium add-on, and Google One AI Premium, according to the post.\nThe rollout of this feature follows the addition of Gemini to the side panel of Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides and Google Drive, the post said.\nWith Gemini in Gmail on the web, users can deploy the technology to summarize an email thread, suggest responses to an email thread, get help drafting an email, and find specific information from emails within their inbox or from their Google Drive files, per the post.\n\u201cWhile Gemini in Gmail will provide proactive prompts to help you get started, you can also ask freeform questions,\u201d the company said in the post. \u201cFor example, you can ask Gemini to search your inbox for things like \u2018What was the PO\u00a0number for my agency?\u2019, \u2018How much did the company spend on the last marketing event?\u2019,\u00a0or \u2018When is the next team meeting?\u2019 And just like that, you\u2019ll\u00a0have the information you need to quickly reply without having to ever leave Gmail.\u201d\nGemini in the Gmail mobile app on Android and iOS can be used to analyze emails threads and see a summarized view, as can be done with the side panel on the web, per the post.\nAdditional mobile features will be added soon, the post said.\nGoogle announced in May at its annual developer conference,\u00a0Google I/O, that it would be enhancing Gemini to enable users to establish a virtual teammate.\nThe company said this\u00a0AI-powered team member is designed to integrate with Google Workspace and perform various tailored tasks, including monitoring and managing projects, organizing data, providing insights, detecting trends and aiding in collaborative efforts.\nMicrosoft, too, has been expanding the capabilities of its\u00a0AI assistant, Copilot, and other AI tools. The company recently reported that Copilot is being adopted across industries.\nThe post Google Begins Adding AI\u00a0Assistant Gemini to Gmail appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-06-25T19:15:18-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-06-25T19:15:18-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/google-gemini-ai.jpg", "tags": [ "AI", "artificial intelligence", "Gemini", "Gmail", "Google", "Google Workspace", "News", "PYMNTS News", "virtual assistant", "What's Hot" ] } ] }