Google starts testing new Search ‘AI Mode’ internally – Here’s an early look at it - Related to n5/oneplus, mode’, might, teaser, find
Google starts testing new Search ‘AI Mode’ internally – Here’s an early look at it
As previously spotted, Google Search is working on a new “AI Mode” that offers a “persistent place” to ask more “open-ended / exploratory questions” and get generated AI Overview-style responses. Powered by Gemini [website], Google has begun testing this experience with employees.
9to5Google today saw an internal email that invites Google employees to dogfood (test) this “AI Mode.” Google describes the new experience as “Search intelligently research[ing] for you – organizing information into easy-to-digest breakdowns with links to explore content across the web.”.
AI Mode is aimed at open-ended and exploratory questions that are “not well served by” today’s Search results. This includes queries that ask Search for advice and comparisons, as well as exchanges that allow for follow-up questions.
Google gave employees some example queries that AI Mode is aimed at:
“How many boxes of spaghetti should I buy to feed 6 adults and 10 children, and have enough for seconds?”.
“Compare wool, down, and synthetic jackets in terms of insulation, water resistance, and durability”.
“What do I need to get started with aquascaping?” Follow-up: “What are some nearby stores to buy supplies?”.
AI Mode is powered by a “custom version” of Gemini [website] that allows for “advanced reasoning and thinking capabilities.” The user interface is not final, but there’s a screenshot of the “early release” desktop experience available to Googlers today. It also works on mobile.
Like before, you type in a query and press search. What’s new is an “AI Mode” option that appears alongside the existing filters for Images, News, Shopping, etc.
This takes you to a chatbot-like interface that’s somewhat similar to Gemini. What you searched is noted first with the answer appearing below in a fullscreen UI that’s a bit more vast than today’s AI Overviews. It lacks the traditional 10 blue links underneath, but links to “dig deeper on the web” currently appear as a card on the right. This UI is similar to the AI Overviews approach introduced last year, and meant to get a richer design in future versions of AI Mode.
There’s a text field at the bottom of the answer to “Ask a follow up…” question, with the Google app on Android and iOS also offering voice input.
Google Search’s new AI Mode is currently being tested with US Googlers. It might launch this year as CEO Sundar Pichai noted yesterday that “2025 is going to be one of the biggest years for Search innovation yet.”.
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YouTube Music might replace the Song/Video switcher
After introducing in 2019, YouTube Music might replace the Song/Video switcher at the top of the Now Playing screen.
For several years now, this switcher has taken the form of a pill. YouTube Music for Android is now testing an alternate design that moves it to the carousel of actions. The playback position will remain synced like before.
In making this change, YTM is not really doing anything with the freed-up space above. Cast looks a bit lonely, if not out of place, in the corner.
This change comes as YouTube Music has not widely rolled out a Now Playing redesign that was first spotted in November. Playback controls appear first after the song name and artist. A redesigned timeline scrubber is next, while the carousel is the last row. In moving to the bottom, controls are closer to your thumb, thus aiding one-handed usability. Some people have had the latest Now Playing redesign for a few weeks, but it’s not yet widely rolled out.
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Oppo mocks Samsung’s foldable display crease in Find N5/OnePlus Open 2 teaser
As we near the launch of the Oppo Find N5 later this month, Oppo isn’t slowing down with teasers, this week showing off the near-invisible display crease on its new Find N5 foldable (which services as the basis of the OnePlus Open 2) while subtly mocking Samsung’s crater-by-comparison.
In a new post on Twitter/X, Oppo’s Pete Lau demonstrates off the lack of a display crease on the new Find N5 foldable. In the shared image, there’s a very slight visible indication that there’s a hinge on the device, but it doesn’t seem to drop below the line of the screen at all.
The OnePlus Open, based on the Oppo Find N3, was very impressive on this front as well. That previous generation had a very minimal display crease, but it was still visible.
To emphasize the accomplishment, Lau shared this preview of the Find N5’s display up against Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6. The comparison can’t help but elicit a chuckle, as Samsung’s latest generation still has a huge dip in the screen compared to what Oppo is developing.
The big question, obviously, is whether or not this is what the display crease Find N5 and OnePlus Open 2 will look like in real life. Out of the box, creases tend to be minimal, but they get a little worse over time. In any case, it’s impressive Oppo seems to be pushing things so far forward while also putting out a foldable that’s obscenely thin.
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Market Impact Analysis
Market Growth Trend
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.3% | 8.8% | 9.3% | 10.3% | 10.8% | 11.2% | 11.3% |
Quarterly Growth Rate
| Q1 2024 | Q2 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q4 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.6% | 10.8% | 11.1% | 11.3% |
Market Segments and Growth Drivers
| Segment | Market Share | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphones | 42% | 8.7% |
| Mobile Applications | 26% | 14.5% |
| Mobile Infrastructure | 17% | 12.8% |
| Wearables | 11% | 18.9% |
| Other Mobile Tech | 4% | 9.4% |
Technology Maturity Curve
Different technologies within the ecosystem are at varying stages of maturity:
Competitive Landscape Analysis
| Company | Market Share |
|---|---|
| Apple | 24.3% |
| Samsung | 22.7% |
| Huawei | 14.2% |
| Xiaomi | 11.8% |
| Google Pixel | 5.4% |
Future Outlook and Predictions
The Google: Latest Updates and Analysis landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements, changing threat vectors, and shifting business requirements. Based on current trends and expert analyses, we can anticipate several significant developments across different time horizons:
Year-by-Year Technology Evolution
Based on current trajectory and expert analyses, we can project the following development timeline:
Technology Maturity Curve
Different technologies within the ecosystem are at varying stages of maturity, influencing adoption timelines and investment priorities:
Innovation Trigger
- Generative AI for specialized domains
- Blockchain for supply chain verification
Peak of Inflated Expectations
- Digital twins for business processes
- Quantum-resistant cryptography
Trough of Disillusionment
- Consumer AR/VR applications
- General-purpose blockchain
Slope of Enlightenment
- AI-driven analytics
- Edge computing
Plateau of Productivity
- Cloud infrastructure
- Mobile applications
Technology Evolution Timeline
- Technology adoption accelerating across industries
- digital transformation initiatives becoming mainstream
- Significant transformation of business processes through advanced technologies
- new digital business models emerging
- Fundamental shifts in how technology integrates with business and society
- emergence of new technology paradigms
Expert Perspectives
Leading experts in the mobile tech sector provide diverse perspectives on how the landscape will evolve over the coming years:
"Technology transformation will continue to accelerate, creating both challenges and opportunities."
— Industry Expert
"Organizations must balance innovation with practical implementation to achieve meaningful results."
— Technology Analyst
"The most successful adopters will focus on business outcomes rather than technology for its own sake."
— Research Director
Areas of Expert Consensus
- Acceleration of Innovation: The pace of technological evolution will continue to increase
- Practical Integration: Focus will shift from proof-of-concept to operational deployment
- Human-Technology Partnership: Most effective implementations will optimize human-machine collaboration
- Regulatory Influence: Regulatory frameworks will increasingly shape technology development
Short-Term Outlook (1-2 Years)
In the immediate future, organizations will focus on implementing and optimizing currently available technologies to address pressing mobile tech challenges:
- Technology adoption accelerating across industries
- digital transformation initiatives becoming mainstream
These developments will be characterized by incremental improvements to existing frameworks rather than revolutionary changes, with emphasis on practical deployment and measurable outcomes.
Mid-Term Outlook (3-5 Years)
As technologies mature and organizations adapt, more substantial transformations will emerge in how security is approached and implemented:
- Significant transformation of business processes through advanced technologies
- new digital business models emerging
This period will see significant changes in security architecture and operational models, with increasing automation and integration between previously siloed security functions. Organizations will shift from reactive to proactive security postures.
Long-Term Outlook (5+ Years)
Looking further ahead, more fundamental shifts will reshape how cybersecurity is conceptualized and implemented across digital ecosystems:
- Fundamental shifts in how technology integrates with business and society
- emergence of new technology paradigms
These long-term developments will likely require significant technical breakthroughs, new regulatory frameworks, and evolution in how organizations approach security as a fundamental business function rather than a technical discipline.
Key Risk Factors and Uncertainties
Several critical factors could significantly impact the trajectory of mobile tech evolution:
Organizations should monitor these factors closely and develop contingency strategies to mitigate potential negative impacts on technology implementation timelines.
Alternative Future Scenarios
The evolution of technology can follow different paths depending on various factors including regulatory developments, investment trends, technological breakthroughs, and market adoption. We analyze three potential scenarios:
Optimistic Scenario
Rapid adoption of advanced technologies with significant business impact
Key Drivers: Supportive regulatory environment, significant research breakthroughs, strong market incentives, and rapid user adoption.
Probability: 25-30%
Base Case Scenario
Measured implementation with incremental improvements
Key Drivers: Balanced regulatory approach, steady technological progress, and selective implementation based on clear ROI.
Probability: 50-60%
Conservative Scenario
Technical and organizational barriers limiting effective adoption
Key Drivers: Restrictive regulations, technical limitations, implementation challenges, and risk-averse organizational cultures.
Probability: 15-20%
Scenario Comparison Matrix
| Factor | Optimistic | Base Case | Conservative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implementation Timeline | Accelerated | Steady | Delayed |
| Market Adoption | Widespread | Selective | Limited |
| Technology Evolution | Rapid | Progressive | Incremental |
| Regulatory Environment | Supportive | Balanced | Restrictive |
| Business Impact | Transformative | Significant | Modest |
Transformational Impact
Technology becoming increasingly embedded in all aspects of business operations. This evolution will necessitate significant changes in organizational structures, talent development, and strategic planning processes.
The convergence of multiple technological trends—including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and ubiquitous connectivity—will create both unprecedented security challenges and innovative defensive capabilities.
Implementation Challenges
Technical complexity and organizational readiness remain key challenges. Organizations will need to develop comprehensive change management strategies to successfully navigate these transitions.
Regulatory uncertainty, particularly around emerging technologies like AI in security applications, will require flexible security architectures that can adapt to evolving compliance requirements.
Key Innovations to Watch
Artificial intelligence, distributed systems, and automation technologies leading innovation. Organizations should monitor these developments closely to maintain competitive advantages and effective security postures.
Strategic investments in research partnerships, technology pilots, and talent development will position forward-thinking organizations to leverage these innovations early in their development cycle.
Technical Glossary
Key technical terms and definitions to help understand the technologies discussed in this article.
Understanding the following technical concepts is essential for grasping the full implications of the technologies discussed in this article. These definitions provide context for both technical and non-technical readers.
interface intermediate
platform intermediate
5G beginner
foldable display intermediate
API beginner
Visual explanation of API concept
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