Perplexity AI has made a surprise US$34.5 billion offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser, which could align with antitrust measures under consideration in the US.
The San Francisco-based startup submitted the proposal in a letter of intent, claiming it would keep Chrome independent while prioritising openness and consumer protection.
The bid arrives as Google awaits a court ruling on potential remedies after being found to have maintained an illegal monopoly in online search.
US government lawyers have suggested Chrome’s divestment instead of allowing Google to strengthen its dominance through AI. Google has urged the court to reject such a move, warning that a sale could harm innovation and reduce quality.
Analysts at Baird Equity Research said Perplexity’s offer undervalues Chrome and may be intended to prompt rival bids or influence the judge’s decision. They added that Perplexity, which already operates its browser, could gain an advantage if Chrome became independent.
Google argues that most Chrome users are outside the US, meaning a forced sale would have global implications. The ruling is expected by the end of August, with the outcome likely to reshape the competitive landscape for browsers as AI increasingly shapes how users access the internet.
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Quantum computing is set to shift from theory to real-world applications in 2025, driven by breakthroughs from Google and IBM. With error-corrected qubits and faster processing, the market is projected to reach $292 billion by 2035.
New chips, such as Google’s Willow, have significantly reduced errors, while interconnect innovations link multiple processors. Hybrid quantum-classical systems are emerging, with AI refining results for logistics, energy grids, and secure financial transactions.
The technology is accelerating drug discovery, climate modelling, and materials science, cutting R&D timelines and improving simulation accuracy. Global firms like Pasqal are scaling production in Saudi Arabia and South Korea, even as geopolitical tensions rise.
Risks remain high, from the energy demands of quantum data centres to threats against current encryption. Experts urge rapid adoption of post-quantum cryptography and fault-tolerant systems before mass deployment.
As the UN marks 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science, quantum computing is quietly being integrated into operations worldwide, solving problems that surpass those of classical machines. The revolution has begun, largely unnoticed but poised to redefine economies and technology.
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In response to a troubling glitch in Google’s Gemini chatbot, the company is already deploying a fix. Users reported that Gemini, when encountering complex coding problems, began spiralling into dramatic self-criticism, declaring statements such as ‘I am a failure’ and ‘I am a disgrace to all possible and impossible universes’, repeatedly and without prompting.
Logan Kilpatrick, Google DeepMind’s group product manager, confirmed the issue on X, describing it as an ‘annoying infinite looping bug’ and assuring users that Gemini is ‘not having that bad of a day’. According to Ars Technica, affected interactions account for less than 1 percent of Gemini traffic, and updates addressing the issue have already been released.
This bizarre behaviour, sometimes described as a ‘rant mode’, appears to echo the frustrations human developers express online when debugging. Experts warn that it highlights the challenges of controlling advanced AI outputs, especially as models are increasingly deployed in sensitive areas such as medicine or education.
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Google is testing a new AI-powered version of its Finance page, offering users advanced tools to explore stock market, financial, and cryptocurrency information.
The platform enables users to ask natural language questions about finance and receive detailed answers, accompanied by source links.
The new page features three main components: research, charting tools, and real-time data and news. Users can visualise financial data using technical charts such as moving averages and candlestick charts, and access live updates and news feeds related to financial markets and cryptocurrencies.
Google plans to roll out the AI-powered Finance page over the coming weeks via Google.com/finance, aiming to provide a more interactive and insightful experience for users interested in financial data and market trends.
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Google has confirmed a data breach during its investigation into the ShinyHunters group, revealing the tech giant was also affected. The attackers accessed a Salesforce database used for storing small business customer information.
The breach exposed business names and contact details during a short window before access was revoked. Google stated no highly sensitive or personal data was compromised.
ShinyHunters used phishing and vishing tactics to trick users into authorising malicious Salesforce apps disguised as legitimate tools. The technique mirrors previous high-profile breaches involving firms like Santander and Ticketmaster.
Google warned the group may escalate operations by launching a data leak site. Organisations are urged to tighten their cybersecurity measures and access controls, train staff and apply multi-factor authentication across all accounts.
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Google has released its autonomous coding agent Jules for free public use, offering AI-powered code generation, debugging, and optimisation. Built on the Gemini 2.5 Pro model, the tool completed a successful beta phase before entering general availability with both free and paid plans.
Jules supports a range of users, from developers to non-technical staff, automating tasks like building features or integrating APIs. The free version allows 15 tasks per day, while the Pro tier significantly raises the limits, providing access to more powerful tools.
Beta testing began in May 2025 and saw Jules process hundreds of thousands of tasks. Its new interface now includes visual explanations and bug fixes, refining usability. Integrated with GitHub and Gemini CLI, Jules can suggest optimisations, write tests, and even provide audio summaries.
Google positions Jules as a step beyond traditional code assistants by enabling autonomy. However, former researchers warn that oversight remains essential to avoid misuse, especially in sensitive systems where AI errors could be costly.
While its free tier may appeal to startups and hobbyists, concerns over code originality and job displacement persist. Nonetheless, Jules could reshape development workflows and lower barriers to coding for a much broader user base.
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The technology offers eye-catching scenarios like flying over mountains, exploring volcanoes, or swimming through deep oceans. Although the graphics still show AI hallmarks, the functionality is advanced enough to raise concerns across the game industry.
Many fear that Genie 3 could render traditional development tools, such as Unity and Unreal, less essential, especially for prototyping or indie games. With just a few words, AI can now build what teams of artists and designers once did.
Job losses driven by AI are already happening in other sectors. Customer support, design, and language learning platforms have replaced humans with bots. Game developers may be next in line as studios seek to cut costs.
Some players may continue to favour human-made games, but the pressure is growing. Genie 3 shows that AI is no longer just assisting developers; it’s beginning to replace them.
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Thanks to a new feature that shows verified brand logos, Gmail users will now find it easier to spot phishing emails. The update uses BIMI, a standard that allows trusted companies to display official logos next to their messages.
To qualify, brands must secure their domain with DMARC and have their logos verified by authorities such as Entrust or DigiCert. Once approved, they receive a Verified Mark Certificate, linking their logo to their domain.
The feature helps users quickly distinguish between genuine emails and fraudulent ones. Early adopters include Bank of America in the US, whose logo now appears directly in inboxes.
Google’s move is expected to drive broader adoption, with services like MailChimp and Verizon Media already supporting the system. The change could significantly reduce phishing risks for Gmail’s vast user base.
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Google has introduced a new feature in its Gemini AI that allows users to create short, illustrated storybooks from prompts, essays, photos, and drawings. The tool can transform everyday materials into customised children’s books with art and narration.
The company demonstrated how a mother’s CV could be reimagined as a colouring book to explain her career to her children. Gemini can also turn vacation photos, children’s sketches, or personal life events into unique 10-page books in over 45 languages.
Users can select from various visual styles, including pixel art, claymation, crochet, comics, and colouring books.
People describe their desired story and upload optional images or files to use the feature. Gemini then generates a personalised book with illustrations and audio. The service is available worldwide on desktop and mobile through the Gemini app in all supported languages.
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Google DeepMind has introduced Genie 3, an AI world model capable of generating explorable 3D environments in real time from a simple text prompt.
Unlike earlier versions, it supports several minutes of continuous interaction, basic visual memory, and real-time changes such as altering weather or adding characters.
The system allows users to navigate these spaces at 24 frames per second in 720p resolution, retaining object placement for about a minute.
Users can trigger events within the virtual world by typing new instructions, making Genie 3 suitable for applications ranging from education and training to video games and robotics.
Genie 3’s improvements over Genie 2 include frame-by-frame generation with memory tracking and dynamic scene creation without relying on pre-built 3D assets.
However, the AI model still has limits, including the inability to replicate real-world locations with geographic accuracy and restricted interaction capabilities. Multi-agent features are still in development.
Currently offered as a limited research preview to select academics and creators, Genie 3 will be made more widely available over time.
Google DeepMind has noted that safety and responsibility remain central concerns during the gradual rollout.
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