Google Unveils Gemini 3.5, Smart Glasses, and Search Overhaul at I/O 2026
From the default model powering Google Search to a $100 monthly AI tier and Samsung-backed smart glasses, the Mountain View conference signals a deepening integration of artificial intelligence into consumer and enterprise workflows.
Google has announced a sweeping suite of artificial intelligence and product updates at its 2026 I/O developer conference in Mountain View, California. The keynote centred on a strategic shift towards agentic AI, with the launch of Gemini 3.5 Flash as the default model for AI Mode in Google Search. The company also introduced Gemini Omni, a new model capable of generating video from text, image, and audio inputs, alongside Gemini Spark, a personal AI agent designed for Workspace applications.
Significant enhancements were made to Google Search, including an intelligent AI-powered search box designed to anticipate user intent. The platform now supports generative UI tools via Google Antigravity, allowing users to create custom visualisations and simulations. Google also introduced agentic information agents that can monitor blogs, news sites, and real-time data to provide continuous updates, with features such as agentic booking and local business calls set to roll out to US users this summer.
In the realm of hardware, Google revealed smart glasses developed in collaboration with Samsung and Gentle Monster. These devices feature voice-activated Gemini integration, real-time audio translation, and camera capabilities for photography. The glasses are scheduled for release in certain markets this autumn. Additionally, Google updated its AI subscription pricing structure, introducing a new $100 monthly tier for its AI Ultra plan, while reducing the highest-end tier from $250 to $200 per month.
The company also expanded its multimodal capabilities with the Gemini Omni series, which allows for the generation of video clips from mixed inputs including text, photos, and audio. This technology, initially available as Omni Flash, will be integrated into YouTube Shorts and the Gemini app. Google emphasised that all videos generated using Omni will include SynthID digital watermarks to identify AI-generated content, reinforcing its focus on content verification across its ecosystem.
Further updates included the introduction of Universal Cart, an intelligent shopping feature that aggregates items from Search, Gemini, and YouTube while checking for price history and compatibility issues. Google also announced Ask YouTube for conversational search, new AI-powered tools for Gmail and Docs, and a visual refresh for the Gemini app. These developments underscore Google’s broader push to embed AI more deeply into its core consumer products and enterprise services.
