The generative artificial intelligence chat bot developed by Elon Musk founded xAI – Grok was introduced in 2023 on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter), and later a standalone app version of Grok also came out which is currently available in several countries (for iOS). Very recently, a web version of the AI chat bot was also released, that can be accessed without an X account and with features like temporary data mode and personalized settings.

Now, it has been reported that Google Search is indexing Grok conversations made by X users, and it is available and accessible to other users on the web. Read more about it below.

Is Google Search Indexing Grok Conversations?

While brands have been assuring safety and privacy across their AI services and taking necessary steps to prevent any misuse of the features, it has come to notice that Google Search has been indexing Grok conversations that have been made by X users (received via @gaganghotra_). xAI’s Grok chat bot which is a direct competitor for OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini was recently introduced as a web version too, and one of its new key features is the ‘Temporary Mode’ that enables users to have conversations with the history not being saved anywhere or used to train language models.

As per what has been shared, a large amount of chat made by Japanese X users with Grok have been indexed on Google Search, and it is not sure whether users are aware about this or not. Just to add, Japan is said to be ranked second as per region-wise number of X users, and do note that Grok’s chat data is being exposed to the public through one of its competitors. Moreover, this news comes following the introduction of the Grok web version.

The matter is a very serious AI privacy issue, and for people who might be talking to Grok as a friend would possibly be at great risk as what they are communicating is accessible to others as well, and can be misused. xAI will have to look into this matter, giving it the utmost importance, and users of AI chat bots are best advised to not be very open and share their personal details as these may always likely pose a privacy threat like this.

The post Grok Conversations Reportedly Indexed by Google Search Posing Serious AI Privacy Threats appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

The California-based tech maker, Google, is in the ever-lasting journey of improving user experience and one of the main thing that happened very recently was the addition of AI features across all Workspace plans. The move now enables every Workspace customer to access Gemini AI features without the need to purchase any particular plan for it.

Taking the brand’s initiatives forward, a ‘You visit often’ label has started to be displayed on Google Search over websites that are being frequently visited by users. Read more about it below.

Google Search Now Displaying a ‘You visit often’ Label?

This feature has been previously reported about and is something that the brand was testing quite a few months back, and it seems that it has finally started to be displayed across Google Search. There isn’t much to say about the feature, it simply displays the label ‘You visit often’ over the websites that are being frequently visited by users.

However, unlike what was said before, instead of the pill-shaped appearance and the label inside of it, the brand has decided to just display the label as a typed message in Blue color.

In related news, apart from just integrating AI features to all Workspace plans, the brand also raised the cost of plans by USD 2 all over the world. Speaking more, the AI features and capabilities that are going to be rolled out to the Business and Enterprise customers include AI assistance in its services (Gmail, Sheets, Meet, Chat, & more), Chat with Gemini Advanced, and NotebookLM Plus. Do check out more about it here.

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Google’s Gemini, the brand’s largest and most capable AI model, has been receiving a lot of upgrades and feature additions in attempts to make it even better and more user-friendly and followed by the introduction of Gemini 2.0 Flash, we had also saw the brand unveiling Chess Champ on Gemini Advanced as well as making Spotify extension available for the Gemini app on Android devices.

A new design change has been brought to the Gemini app, revamping its whole user interface with a much more appealing look. Read more about it below.

Gemini App New Design Now Available to Users

This new updated design language might have reached many users on their smartphone devices already and when compared to the previous one, there are quite a few changes in it. Notably, from the small centrally-aligned pill-shaped module which consisted of the ‘keyboard’, ‘mic’, and ‘camera’ icons for different functions, along with the circular ‘Gemini AI Assistant’ button, the new design brings a rectangular-shaped unit (with rounded corners) on to the platform with an attachment icon that can help in uploading images directly via the Gallery app or by capturing it and uploading through the Camera app. ‘Ask Gemini’ has also been brought inside the rectangular unit, where users can type in what they want to ask. Towards the right, the ‘mic’ and ‘Gemini AI Assistant’ icons have also been added. Furthermore, a greeting ‘Hello, (user’s name)’ has also been added to the app interface.

As mentioned, many users have reportedly already found the new design change on the Gemini app, while a few are still yet to receive it. Most probably, it will be rolled out to more and will reach everyone soon. Stay tuned.

The post Gemini App User Interface Receives a New and Revamped Design Change: Already Made Available to Users appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

The California-based tech maker, Google, had officially unveiled its latest Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds last year back in the month of August 2024 and now, a user of the device has shared his disappointing experience with it via the Reddit platform. From the comments received, it seems that this is a common problem that needs to be addressed.

Read more about the news below.

Pixel Buds Pro 2 Connectivity Issues Troubling Users?

As per what has been shared, this user of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is also an owner of the brand’s own Pixel 9 Pro XL smartphone as well, and while connecting the earbuds to his smartphone by taking out one of the earbuds from the case, the user reports that even if it plays the chime sound to suggest that the earbuds has been connected, 3 seconds later a disconnection chime follows it. He further adds that not only does the earbuds not reconnect properly again, it will indefinitely go through the same issue over and over again until it has been put back inside the case and then taken out.

Moreover, the same Pixel Buds Pro 2 user notes that even if the device’s Settings page or Pixel Buds app shows the connected status, the Bluetooth icon indicator does not show up on the status bar. On top of it, as expected, the audio plays through the phone’s speaker rather than the earbuds after showing the connected status on Bluetooth Settings or Pixel Buds app.

In attempts to rectify the issue, this user has also tried unpairing and then again pairing back, factory reset, and more, but it still remains as it is. The user ends his post by saying that his previous Pixel Buds Pro did not have such an issue and he is likely considering downgrading from the Pixel Buds Pro 2 to its predecessor, likely if no fix works.

Speaking more, this post of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 issue invited quite a few comments too, and almost all the solutions seem to be tried out by the user and failed. Among the comments, another Reddit user has revealed his experience saying that the issue can be overcome by tapping on ‘Connect’ on the device info overview page, even though it auto-connects, to bring the earbuds active.

Based on all these, it is obvious that the issue is not with the connected smartphone or the app, but with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds itself. Also, to connect manually on a flagship device by taking both time and effort is also not at all welcome after paying a higher price when compared to a normal earbuds. Google must be looking at the matter on a serious note and provide users with an update that can help in fixing the problem at the earliest.

The post Google’s Latest Pixel Buds Pro 2 Facing Connectivity Issues, Shares User on the Reddit Platform appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

Google is the first company to release the January 2025 Security patch updates for its Pixel series smartphones. This update is currently rolling out to pixel smartphones running Android 15. If you haven’t updated your Pixel smartphone to Android 15 yet, now is the time.

Along with the January 2025 security patch, the update also includes several bug fixes. Issues that have been resolved include audio delay while using certain apps, camera stability when switching to a connected camera, flashing lines on the screen, and Pixel launcher-themed icon color display problems.

List of Smartphones:

• Pixel 6:                 AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 6 Pro:          AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 6a:               AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 7:                  AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 7 Pro:           AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 7a:                AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel Tablet:          AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel Fold:             AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 8:                  AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 8 Pro:           AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 8a:                AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 9:                  AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 9 Pro:           AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 9 Pro XL:     AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 9 Pro Fold:  AP4A.250105.002

• Pixel 7:                  AP4A.250105.002.B1
• Pixel 7 Pro:           AP4A.250105.002.B1
• Pixel 7a:                AP4A.250105.002.B1
• Pixel Fold:             AP4A.250105.002.B1
• Pixel 8:                  AP4A.250105.002.B1
• Pixel 8 Pro:           AP4A.250105.002.B1
• Pixel 8a:                AP4A.250105.002.B1
• Pixel 9:                  AP4A.250105.002.B1
• Pixel 9 Pro:           AP4A.250105.002.B1
• Pixel 9 Pro XL:     AP4A.250105.002.B1
• Pixel 9 Pro Fold:  AP4A.250105.002.B1

• Pixel 6:                  AP4A.250105.002.A1
• Pixel 6 Pro:           AP4A.250105.002.A1
• Pixel 6a:                AP4A.250105.002.A1

Changelog

• Fix for audio delay and stability issue when using certain apps*[1]

• Fix for issue with camera stability when switching to a connected camera under certain conditions*[2]

• Fix for issue with flashing lines on screen in certain conditions*[2]

• Fix for issue with Pixel launcher themed icon color display in certain conditions*[1]

Here is how you can check for an update:

1. Open your device’s Settings app.
2. Tap System  Software update. You’ll find your update status.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

The post Google Pixel Phones Get January 2025 Security Update with Bug Fixes appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

You might probably be aware that Microsoft Edge is used as a default browser on Windows 11 which turns Bing as the default search engine for the users. Many of us still prefer to go to Google to find answers or use it as a search engine which is why many Windows PC users still search for Google in the address bar powered by Bing while there were also ways to change the default search engine from Bing to Google.com.

But as per a recent report by Windows Latest, Microsoft seems to have found a way to reduce the number of users choosing this alternative.

If a user opens Bing.com and searches for Google or Google.com, a giant animated picture of people celebrating along with a message appears on the screen displaying the Bing search bar. The design looks a lot like Google’s UI when you search for Google on Bing, like a clean layout, a search bar in the middle, and simple illustrations which may lead a user to believe that they are using Google, well Bing trying to copy Google’s UI is quite sneaky.

Previously when users searched for Google on Bing, a small Bing search bar was displayed and then a regular link for Google but this new move by Microsoft will now confuse many users and also grab a lot of attention as if people want to just use a search engine they may click on Bing search bar rather than scrolling down to Google link.

As soon as this news of Microsoft Bing imitating Google made rounds over the internet, Google Chrome head, Parisa Tabriz reacted to this move by the company on the X platform.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but Microsoft spoofing the Google homepage is another tactic in its long history of tricks to confuse users & limit choice.

New year; new low @Microsoft https://t.co/LKSNNKB7Hy

— Parisa Tabriz (@laparisa) January 6, 2025

She commented that Microsoft spoofing the Google homepage is another tactic in its long history of tricks to confuse users and limit choice. She also termed this move as a New Year, New low.

The post Microsoft Bing Spotted Spoofing Google UI When Users Search For Google appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

Samsung has today officially unveiled its all-new 2025 monitors and these monitors will be showcased at the upcoming CES 2025 event. Well, it seems like the tech giant has a lot of surprises for Samsung fans this new year.

Samsung Electronics has officially announced that 3D Eclipsa Audio technology which was developed in partnership with Google will be integrated into Samsung’s 2025 TV and soundbar lineup.

Samsung Brings ‘Eclipsa Audio,’ 3D Technology Developed With Google, to 2025 TVs and Soundbars

— Samsung Electronics (@Samsung) January 3, 2025

Taeyong Son, Executive Vice President and Head of the R&D Team, Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics said in a statement, “We are proud to lead the integration of Eclipsa audio into our 2025 TV and soundbar lineup. This innovation opens new possibilities for immersive audio experiences and reinforces our commitment to shaping the future of home entertainment.”

3D Eclipsa Audio Technology

Samsung will be redefining home entertainment with the integration of this technology. It will allow creators to adjust audio data such as the location and intensity of sounds, along with spatial reflections to create a 3D sound experience

Samsung is the first in the industry to adopt this Eclipsa audio technology and will be integrated into its 2025 TV lineup including the Crystal UHD series to premium flagship Neo QLED 8K models. Also, creators will be able to upload videos with Eclipsa Audio tracks to YouTube while viewers with 2025 Samsung devices will be able to watch YouTube audio with premium spatial audio when available.

Samsung and Google are working with Telecommunications Technology Associations (TTA) to create a certification program for devices using Eclipsa Audio, to ensure consistent audio quality.

The post Samsung To Integrate 3D Eclipsa Audio Technology In Its 2025 TV And Soundbar Lineups appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

2025 is almost near and as we prepare for it, Google has introduced its New Year’s Eve 2024 doodle. As always, the brand has focused on bringing a creative and lively touch to it, with a design that is almost welcoming and marking towards the new beginning.

Here’s more about it.

Google’s Near Year’s Eve 2024 Doodle

The California-based large tech brand, Alphabet Inc.’s Google, is known for the doodles it creates and displays on the Google home page on special occasions, festive days, anniversaries of renowned personalities, and more. Today, on New Year’s Eve 2024, Google has showcased a new doodle with the true essence of celebration and night vibe as we are about to enter New Year 2025.

Speaking more, the doodle features ‘Google’ written in a Shiny Purple color, seemingly with a handwritten font, against the backdrop of night sky with sparkling stars in it. Furthermore, the second ‘O’ has also been converted as a ticking clock too, pointing to the countdown for 2025.

Along with this, the brand has also shared a blog post, mentioning – ‘bust out your sparkles and finalize your resolutions’. Google has also wished users celebrating a new year that would be filled with opportunities and charm, just like the New Year’s Eve doodle that has been listed. Notably, Google has released this new doodle across almost all the countries in the world, apart from a few.

Just to add, in the blog post, users can also search for more doodles by color, as well as doodles that share and are celebrated on the same day of the users’ birthday.

The post Google Introduces its New Year’s Eve Doodle Featuring a Vibrant Design as 2025 Approaches appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

YouTube is testing a new feature that allows creators to respond to comments using their voice. The platform announced that this experiment is currently being rolled out to a small group of creators in the United States. The feature aims to deepen engagement between creators and their audiences while offering a more personal and dynamic way to interact.

Creators who are part of the test group will see a sound wave icon when replying to a comment through the YouTube app on iOS. Tapping this icon lets creators record a voice reply, which is then posted as a comment. While the feature is currently limited to creators responding on their own channels, all viewers and creators can listen to and interact with the voice replies.

This experiment aligns with YouTube’s broader focus this year on building community and enhancing fan engagement. Earlier in 2024, YouTube introduced several tools to strengthen creator-subscriber relationships. In March, the platform rolled out a feature that allows creators to share exclusive YouTube Shorts with their subscribers, fostering a sense of exclusivity. In September, YouTube launched a Discord-like discussion space within creators’ channels, giving subscribers a dedicated space to connect and engage with both creators and fellow fans.

Additionally, YouTube has been working on AI-powered tools to enhance the user experience. On November 25th, we reported that YouTube is planning to roll out an AI-generated video summary feature. This tool will automatically create video summaries to help viewers quickly understand the content before watching.

The voice reply feature represents YouTube’s latest effort to help creators build stronger, more meaningful relationships with their audiences. As the test phase progresses, YouTube will gather feedback to assess how creators and their communities respond to the new tool. For now, only select creators in the U.S. using the YouTube app on iOS can try out the feature.

The post YouTube Tests Voice Reply Feature for Comments to Boost Creator Engagement appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

Alphabet Inc.’s Google, the California-based tech maker, has announced its Veo 2, Imagen 3 improved version, and Whisk. State of the art video and image generation, along with idea visualization and remix using images and AI are being offered with these new services.

Here’s more about it.

Veo 2 and Imagen 3 Improved Version

Google’s Veo 2 was already considered to be the most advanced video generation model when compared with its competitors and now, Google has brought some new improvements to it. Veo 2 will now be able to understand the unique language of cinematography and generate videos with up to 4K resolutions. Genre, lens, and cinematic effects can all be suggested during the process, portraying what its users exactly have on their mind. Moreover, the video length has been extended to minutes and the frequency of unwanted details have been reduced even less. The invisible SynthID watermark will also ensure safety and avoid instances of misinformation, by titling the generated video as made using AI.

Coming to the Imagen 3 Improved version, more brighter and better composed images can now be generated. More diverse art styles with greater accuracy can also now be generated. Prompts will also now start to follow even more faithfully, giving the best outputs for users.

Both the Veo 2 and Imagen 3 improved version are now available on VideoFX and ImageFX respectively. Google also plans to make Veo 2 and Imagen 3 improved version available to more users as well soon.

Whisk (Experiment*)

Whisk is Google’s new experiment in generative AI and which has now been introduced to users in the US. Instead of writing prompts, Whisk will let users add images and generate intended results. Users will also be able to remix them later, bringing what they have exactly in their mind to the generated image. Speaking more, with the help of Gemini, detailed captions are being written about the images and then combining with Imagen 3, the results are generated. Users can pick three images respectively for the subject, scene, and style. Also to note, being an experimental feature, inconsistencies may occur.

As mentioned, Whisk is currently only available to the US audience as of now. Probably on a later date, the brand may introduce it to more users across the world.

The post Google Announces Veo 2, Imagen 3 Improved Version, and Whisk: Video and Image Generation; Visualize and Remix Ideas appeared first on The Tech Outlook.