News

Google is expanding AI capabilities within Workspace, introducing new features designed to enhance collaboration and research. The May 2025 Workspace update includes intelligent summarization across Gmail, Google Chat, and Google Docs, along with interactive Mind Maps in NotebookLM.

Users can now access instant summaries of emails and conversations. Gmail on mobile features Gemini-powered summary cards for long email threads, while Google Chat provides summaries of shared Workspace files directly within chat, helping users quickly grasp key points. Google Docs introduces a summary building block, allowing users to generate and refresh concise document overviews.

NotebookLM, Google’s AI-driven research tool, now supports interactive Mind Maps, enabling users to visually explore connections between their source materials—such as Docs, Slides, and websites—and discover new resources. Additionally, Google Meet has received AI enhancements to improve video and audio quality in virtual meetings.

The new discover sources feature allows users to find relevant web resources, seamlessly add them to their notebooks, and expand their research. This improves efficiency by providing high-quality background information and research papers directly within NotebookLM.

https://workspace.google.com/blog/product-announcements/may-workspace-feature-drop-new-ai-features

Amazon has finalized a substantial content licensing agreement with The New York Times (NYT), granting the tech giant access to the publisher’s extensive editorial resources for AI training and enhancing its Alexa voice assistant. The multi-year deal, with undisclosed financial terms, represents a significant collaboration between major technology firms and legacy media in the evolving artificial intelligence landscape.

Through this partnership, Amazon will obtain content from The New York Times and its affiliated platforms, including NYT Cooking and The Athletic. This material will contribute to the development of Amazon’s proprietary foundation models, allowing Alexa to deliver real-time summaries and brief excerpts from NYT stories.

According to The New York Times, the agreement expands the existing relationship between the companies and aims to provide additional value to Amazon users while bringing NYT journalism to a wider audience. The deal comes as Amazon intensifies its efforts to strengthen AI capabilities, reflecting a broader industry trend of technology firms partnering with publishers. Meanwhile, The New York Times is pursuing legal action against OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging copyright infringement for using its articles to train AI models.

Google is expanding its hardware presence in India with the introduction of its official online Google Store, launching on May 29, 2025. This new direct-to-consumer platform provides Indian customers with the ability to purchase Pixel smartphones and other Google devices directly, offering discounts, financing options, and enhanced customer support.

Previously available mainly through third-party retailers, Pixel products will now be accessible via Google’s dedicated online store, which aims to streamline the purchasing process. Consumers can compare models, access exclusive deals, and place orders with greater convenience.

To attract buyers, Google is offering competitive pricing and financing options, including no-cost EMI plans for up to 24 months, instant cashback, exchange bonuses, and store credits. Discounts apply to various Pixel models, such as the Pixel 9 series, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel 8a, with price reductions facilitated by partnerships with HDFC Bank and Cashify.

Beyond the online store, Google is strengthening its physical retail presence, expanding availability to over 25 major retail chains, including Croma, Reliance Digital, and Vijay Sales. These stores will offer hands-on experiences with Pixel devices.

Customer support is a core focus of Google’s strategy, with the company committing to improved after-sales service, including same-day repair options, official warranty coverage, and 24/7 expert assistance. A new “Pixel Price Promise” may also provide partial refunds if a customer finds a lower price at an authorized retailer within a specified period.

This comprehensive approach—combining direct online sales, competitive pricing, expanded retail partnerships, and enhanced customer support—indicates Google’s intent to strengthen its foothold in India’s competitive smartphone market. The earlier launch of “Made in India” Pixel 8 production in August 2024 further reflects the company’s commitment to the region, providing local consumers with improved accessibility and purchasing options.

Apple announced on May 28, 2025, the expansion of its Self Service Repair program to include select iPad models for the first time. This update allows iPad owners to access genuine Apple parts, repair manuals, diagnostic tools, and rental kits—resources previously limited to Apple Stores and Authorized Service Providers.

Beginning May 29, 2025, the program will support the iPad Air (M2 and later), iPad Pro (M4), iPad mini (A17 Pro), and the base iPad (A16), covering repairs for displays, batteries, cameras, and external charging ports. Apple highlighted that this initiative helps users “extend the life of their products—without compromising safety, security, or privacy.”

Since its launch in 2022, the Self Service Repair program has expanded to support 65 Apple devices, including the iPhone 16e, MacBook Air, and Mac Studio. Geographic expansion continues, with Canada set to become the 34th country to offer Self Service Repair this summer.

Apple also detailed updates to its Genuine Parts Distributor program, which allows independent repair businesses to purchase official Apple service parts via distributors like MobileSentrix in the U.S. and Mobileparts.shop in Europe. Initially focused on iPhone parts, the program will include iPad components starting May 29, 2025.

Apple’s growing repair initiatives reflect rising consumer demand for sustainable and cost-effective repair solutions, as well as support for the broader right-to-repair movement. While self-repair for complex devices like iPads presents challenges, expanded access to genuine parts for third-party repair shops may have a more immediate impact, offering consumers more competitive options. This trend aligns with increasing expectations for device longevity and repairability in the tech industry.

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/05/apple-launches-self-service-repair-for-ipad-expands-repair-programs

Google Photos celebrates its tenth anniversary with a major update, introducing an AI-driven photo editor and enhanced album-sharing features. Announced around May 28, 2025, these updates aim to make editing more efficient and sharing more seamless for its 1.5 billion monthly users.

The redesigned editor streamlines all editing tools into a single interface and introduces AI-powered suggestions. A new “AI Enhance” feature automatically generates three optimized versions of a photo, applying refinements such as sharpening and object removal, allowing users to select their preferred edit with a single tap.

Additionally, Google is expanding access to AI editing tools previously exclusive to its Pixel 9’s Magic Editor. Features like “Auto Frame,” which intelligently suggests crops and can generate missing portions of an image, and “Reimagine,” which enables users to modify elements—such as adding seasonal changes—will be available on more Android devices starting in June, with iOS support following later. To maintain transparency, Google has begun watermarking images that have undergone significant AI-driven modifications.

Album sharing also sees improvements with the introduction of QR code-based sharing. Users can generate a QR code for an album, making it easy for others to scan and access the collection or contribute photos. This functionality is beginning to roll out now.

In addition to these new features, Google highlighted existing AI-powered tools such as automated “Best of Month” and “Year-End Recap” memories, personal video montage creation with music, and automatic updates to shared albums when new photos of specific people or pets are added. Users can further customize their experience by organizing their photo grid, stacking similar images, hiding screenshots, and tailoring which memories appear in their feed.

These updates reinforce Google Photos’ commitment to leveraging AI for a more intuitive and enriched user experience. While democratizing advanced editing tools enables users to achieve professional-quality results effortlessly, it also raises discussions about the distinction between authentic and AI-enhanced images. The latest sharing enhancements seek to simplify connections through photography, underscoring AI’s central role in shaping Google Photos’ evolution into its next decade.