Google’s AI Edge Gallery Empowers Offline AI on Android
Google has introduced the Google AI Edge Gallery, an innovative app that enables Android users to download and run AI models locally without an internet connection. This app allows users to perform tasks such as generating images, answering questions, and writing or editing code directly on their devices. By leveraging models from Hugging Face and Google’s own Gemma 3n, the app ensures privacy and faster processing by keeping computations on-device. Currently in its “experimental Alpha release,” the app is available for Android and will soon be accessible on iOS .
The AI Edge Gallery features a user-friendly interface with shortcuts to various AI tasks like “Ask Image” and “AI Chat.” Users can explore a list of compatible models tailored for each task. Additionally, the app includes a “Prompt Lab” for initiating single-turn tasks such as summarizing or rewriting text, complete with task templates and configurable settings. While performance may vary depending on device capabilities, the app is designed to run efficiently on modern smartphones. Google encourages feedback from the developer community and has made the app available under an Apache 2.0 license, allowing for broad usage.
Gemini Now Auto-Summarizes Long Emails in Gmail—Opt-Out Available
Google has introduced a new feature in Gmail that automatically generates AI-powered summaries for lengthy email threads. Previously, users had to manually request summaries; now, Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, proactively creates summaries for complex conversations. These summaries appear at the top of the email thread and are updated as new replies are received. The feature is currently available on mobile devices for English-language emails and may take up to two weeks to roll out to users. Users still have the option to manually request summaries or disable all AI features by turning off “Smart features” in Gmail settings.
While the automatic summaries aim to enhance productivity, it’s important to note that AI-generated content can sometimes be inaccurate. Users should verify critical information, especially in professional or sensitive communications. The feature is part of Google’s broader efforts to integrate AI tools into its services, offering users more efficient ways to manage their inboxes.
Perplexity Labs: Your AI-Powered Project Assistant
Perplexity has launched Perplexity Labs, an AI-driven tool designed to help users create reports, spreadsheets, dashboards, and even simple web apps. Available to Pro subscribers, Labs leverages advanced capabilities like web search, code execution, and chart generation to assist in tasks that traditionally require significant time and expertise. Whether you’re planning a marketing campaign, analyzing business finances, or developing a web application, Labs aims to streamline the process, enabling users to accomplish these tasks in approximately 10 minutes.
Accessible via web, iOS, and Android platforms, with Mac and Windows versions forthcoming, Perplexity Labs organizes all generated files—such as charts, images, and code—into a dedicated tab for easy access and download. This feature enhances productivity by consolidating resources in one place. While the tool is still in its early stages, it represents a significant step in Perplexity’s expansion beyond its core search engine, aiming to provide users with a comprehensive suite of AI-powered tools for various projects.
Meta AI Hits 1 Billion Monthly Active Users
Meta’s AI assistant has reached a significant milestone, now boasting one billion monthly active users across its suite of applications, including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and the newly launched standalone Meta AI app. CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced this achievement during the company’s annual shareholder meeting, highlighting the rapid growth of Meta AI, which doubled its user base from 500 million in September 2024.
Looking ahead, Meta plans to enhance the AI assistant’s capabilities with a focus on personalization, voice interactions, and entertainment features. While the company is not yet monetizing the service, Zuckerberg indicated that future opportunities may include introducing paid recommendations or a subscription model to access advanced features. This strategy positions Meta AI to compete with other major AI platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
The New York Times and Amazon Ink AI Licensing Deal
The New York Times has entered into its first generative AI licensing agreement with Amazon, allowing the tech giant to utilize its editorial content—including articles from The Times, NYT Cooking, and The Athletic—to train AI models and integrate them into products like Alexa. This move marks a significant shift for the Times, which had previously sued OpenAI and Microsoft for using its content without permission. The deal aims to ensure fair compensation for quality journalism and expand the Times’ reach through Amazon’s AI-powered services. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Amazon’s use of the Times’ content will enhance user experiences across its platforms, providing summaries and excerpts that link back to the full articles. This partnership reflects a broader trend of media companies collaborating with tech firms to monetize their content while safeguarding intellectual property rights. The agreement is seen as a strategic move for both companies, positioning them at the forefront of AI-driven content delivery.