Google

Ask Photos rollout stalls as Google tackles speed and UX

Google has temporarily paused the rollout of its Ask Photos feature in Google Photos, citing performance concerns.

The tool, powered by Gemini’s multimodal AI, was designed to enhance search by allowing users to find images using natural language—such as ‘pictures of my dog eating on the sofa’ or ‘me in a swimming pool.’

The feature began rolling out in September last year but has seen limited availability. Google Photos product manager Jamie Aspinall revealed the rollout had stalled at ‘very small numbers’ due to latency, quality and user experience issues.

He confirmed that an improved version is expected within two weeks, promising search speeds comparable to the app’s original functionality.

Users with access to Ask Photos can continue using it, though they may encounter slow response times. Those who prefer to wait can turn off the feature in the app’s settings until the update is released.

In the meantime, Google has improved its traditional photo search capabilities. You can now search for specific text in your images by enclosing keywords in quotation marks. This refined approach delivers more accurate results for users who prefer a faster and more direct search experience.

As part of its tenth-anniversary celebrations, Google Photos has also introduced new features, including an updated image editor with AI tools, the ability to share albums via QR codes, and broader access to formerly Pixel 9-exclusive tools like Reimagine and Auto Frame.

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Google’s AI Edge Gallery boosts privacy with on-device model use

Google has released an experimental app called AI Edge Gallery, allowing Android users to run AI models directly on their devices without needing an internet connection.

The app supports several publicly available models from Hugging Face, including Google’s own lightweight Gemma 3n, and offers tools for image generation, Q&A, and code assistance.

The key feature of the app is its local processing capability, which means data never leaves the user’s device.

This addresses rising concerns over privacy and data security, particularly when interacting with AI tools. By running models locally, users benefit from faster response times and greater control over their data.

AI Edge Gallery includes features such as ‘AI Chat,’ ‘Ask Image,’ and a ‘Prompt Lab,’ where users can experiment with tasks like text summarisation and single-turn AI interactions.

While the app is optimised for lighter models like Gemma 3—just 529MB in size—Google notes that performance will depend on the hardware of the user’s device, with more powerful phones delivering faster results.

Currently in Alpha, the app is open-source and available under the Apache 2.0 licence via GitHub, encouraging developers to explore and contribute. Google is also inviting feedback to shape future updates and improvements.

To enhance app security, especially as AI features become more embedded in mobile experiences, Google suggests integrating secure, passwordless login methods.

Solutions like MojoAuth—offering OTP-based logins via phone or email—can reduce risks of data breaches while offering a smooth, user-friendly authentication process.

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184 million passwords exposed in massive data breach

A major data breach has exposed over 184 million user credentials, including emails, passwords, and account details for platforms such as Google, Microsoft and government portals. It is still unclear whether this was due to negligence or deliberate criminal activity.

The unencrypted, unprotected database was discovered online by cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler, who confirmed many of the credentials were current and accurate. The breach highlights ongoing failures by data handlers to apply even the most basic security measures.

Fowler believes the data was gathered using infostealer malware, which silently extracts login information from compromised devices and sells it on the dark web. After the database was reported, the hosting provider took it offline, but the source remains unknown.

Security experts urge users to update passwords across all platforms, enable two-factor authentication, and use password managers and data removal services. In today’s hyper-connected world, the exposure of such critical information without encryption is seen as both avoidable and unacceptable.

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Google to appeal US ruling in search monopoly case

Google has announced plans to appeal a ruling that found it guilty of anti-competitive practices in the online search market, as the tech giant faces mounting pressure from US regulators to restructure its business.

The company said Saturday it ‘strongly believes the Court’s original decision was wrong’ and will challenge the ruling on appeal.

However, this follows a hearing on Friday in which the US Department of Justice proposed sweeping remedies that could force Google to divest from its Chrome browser and end exclusive agreements with smartphone manufacturers that pre-install Google Search by default.

The government also wants the company to share the data it uses to generate search results on Chrome, a move Google criticised as giving Washington the power to determine who receives access to user data.

The Justice Department’s proposals are part of a broader effort to curb what it sees as Google’s abuse of its dominant position in the search market, which it argues has stifled competition and harmed consumers.

But Google has pushed back, saying the remedies would benefit wealthy competitors like Microsoft’s Bing rather than improve users outcome. Instead, the company has suggested more limited actions, such as letting phone makers pre-install its Play Store without requiring Chrome or Google Search.

The judge’s final decision on penalties is expected by August, marking the end of one of the most significant antitrust cases against a major tech firm in over a decade.

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Shoppers can now let AI find and buy deals

Tech giants are pushing deeper into e-commerce with AI-powered digital aides that can understand shoppers’ tastes, try on clothes virtually, hunt for bargains, and even place orders independently.

The so-called ‘AI agent’ mark a new phase in retail, combining personalisation with automation to reshape how people shop online.

Google recently introduced a suite of tools under its new AI Mode, allowing users to upload a photo and preview how clothing would look on their own body. The AI adjusts sizes and fabric drape, enhancing realism.

Shoppers can also set their price and let the AI search for the best deal, alerting them when it’s found and offering to complete the purchase using Google’s payment platform.

OpenAI, Perplexity AI, and Amazon have also added shopping features to their platforms, while Walmart and other retailers are working to ensure their products remain visible to AI shoppers.

Payment giants Visa and Mastercard have upgraded their systems to allow AI agents to process transactions autonomously, cementing the role of digital agents in the online shopping journey.

Experts say this growing ‘agent economy’ offers powerful convenience but raises questions about consumer privacy, trust, and control.

While AI shoppers are unlikely to disrupt e-commerce overnight, analysts note that companies like Google and Meta are particularly well-positioned due to their vast user data and AI leadership.

The next evolution of shopping may not depend on what consumers choose, but on whether they trust machines to choose for them.

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Gmail adds automatic AI summaries

Gmail on mobile now displays AI-generated summaries by default, marking a shift in how Google’s Gemini assistant operates within inboxes.

Instead of relying on users to request a summary, Gemini will now decide when it’s useful—typically for long email threads with multiple replies—and present a brief summary card at the top of the message.

These summaries update automatically as conversations evolve, aiming to save users from scrolling through lengthy discussions.

The feature is currently limited to mobile devices and available only to users with Google Workspace accounts, Gemini Education add-ons, or a Google One AI Premium subscription. For the moment, summaries are confined to emails written in English.

Google expects the rollout to take around two weeks, though it remains unclear when, or if, the tool will extend to standard Gmail accounts or desktop users.

Anyone wanting to opt out must disable Gmail’s smart features entirely—giving up tools like Smart Compose, Smart Reply, and package tracking in the process.

While some may welcome the convenience, others may feel uneasy about their emails being analysed by large language models, especially since this process could contribute to further training of Google’s AI systems.

The move reflects a wider trend across Google’s products, where AI is becoming central to everyday user experiences.

Additional user controls and privacy commitments

According to Google Workspace, users have some control over the summary cards. They can collapse a Gemini summary card, and it will remain collapsed for that specific email thread.

In the near future, Gmail will introduce enhancements, such as automatically collapsing future summary cards for users who consistently collapse them, until the user chooses to expand them again. For emails that don’t display automatic summaries, Gmail still offers manual options.

Users can tap the ‘summarise this email’ chip at the top of the message or use the Gemini side panel to trigger a summary manually. Google also reaffirms its commitment to data protection and user privacy. All AI features in Gmail adhere to its privacy principles, with more details available on the Privacy Hub.

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How AI could quietly sabotage critical software

When Google’s Jules AI agent added a new feature to a live codebase in under ten minutes, it initially seemed like a breakthrough. But the same capabilities that allow AI tools to scan, modify, and deploy code rapidly also introduce new, troubling possibilities—particularly in the hands of malicious actors.

Experts are now voicing concern over the risks posed by hostile agents deploying AI tools with coding capabilities. If weaponised by rogue states or cybercriminals, the tools could be used to quietly embed harmful code into public or private repositories, potentially affecting millions of lines of critical software.

Even a single unnoticed line among hundreds of thousands could trigger back doors, logic bombs, or data leaks. The risk lies in how AI can slip past human vigilance.

From modifying update mechanisms to exfiltrating sensitive data or weakening cryptographic routines, the threat is both technical and psychological.

Developers must catch every mistake; an AI only needs to succeed once. As such tools become more advanced and publicly available, the conversation around safeguards, oversight, and secure-by-design principles is becoming urgent.

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DeepSeek claims its new AI rivals top global models

Chinese AI start-up DeepSeek has announced a major upgrade to its R1 model, stating that the new version, R1-0528, now matches the performance of top-tier models from global giants like OpenAI and Google.

Unveiled on Thursday, the upgraded model brings notable improvements in reasoning and creative writing, allowing it to generate argumentative essays, fiction, and prose with a style said to be close to human authors.

DeepSeek also reported enhanced coding capabilities, positioning the model as a more versatile tool for both technical and literary applications.

The original R1 model debuted in January. With the R1-0528 update, DeepSeek appears to be accelerating its efforts to compete with established Western AI developers in both domestic and international markets.

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Gemini AI can now summarise videos in Google Drive

Google is expanding Gemini AI’s capabilities in Drive by enabling it to analyse video files and respond to user questions or generate concise summaries.

The new feature aims to save users time by providing quick insights from lengthy content such as meetings, classes or announcements, instead of requiring them to watch the entire video. Until now, Gemini could only summarise documents and PDFs stored in Drive.

According to a blog post published on 28 May 2025, the feature will support prompts like ‘Summarise the video’ or ‘List action items from the meeting.’ Users can access Gemini’s functionality either through Drive’s overlay previewer or a standalone viewer in a separate browser tab.

However, captions must be enabled within the user’s domain for the feature to work properly.

The update is being gradually rolled out and is expected to be available to all eligible users by 19 June. At the moment, it is limited to English and accessible only to users of Google Workspace and Google One AI Premium, or those with Gemini Business or Enterprise add-ons.

For administrators, smart features and personalisation settings must be activated to grant access.

To use the new function, users can double-click on a video file in Drive and select the ‘Ask Gemini’ option marked by a star icon in the top right corner. Google says the upgrade reflects a broader effort to integrate AI seamlessly into everyday workflows by making content easier to navigate and understand.

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Chinese state-linked hackers use Google Calendar to steal data

In a report published this week, analysts at Google have uncovered a campaign in which a China-linked group known as APT41 targeted government ministries and other organisations.

Victims received spearphishing emails directing them to a ZIP file hosted on a compromised official website. Inside, a PDF and some insect images were designed to tempt users into clicking.

Opening the PDF quietly installed a programme called ToughProgress, which runs entirely in a device’s memory to evade antivirus checks. Once active, the malware stole sensitive files and prepared them for exfiltration.

Google Calendar became the hackers’ secret communication channel. An event dated 30 May 2023 carried encrypted data stolen from victims in its description.

Further entries in July contained new instructions. ToughProgress regularly checked the attacker-controlled calendar, decrypted any commands and uploaded its results back as new calendar events.

APT41 is one of China’s most active state-linked cyber groups. US authorities charged five members in 2020 with over a hundred intrusions worldwide and issued arrest warrants for operatives including Zhang Haoran and Tan Dailin.

Earlier investigations tie the group to long-running breaches of Southeast Asian government agencies and a Taiwanese research institute working on strategic technology.

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