Did Google just invent a better way to search?
Plus: Pie delivery by drone, 5 websites that make life easier, and a genius charging cable you didn’t know you needed
Hello and thanks for taking a look at my newsletter!
This week, I did a road trip up to Google HQ for their annual Google I/O event. Usually, they show off what’s new with search, Android, and other projects. But this year? It was almost entirely focused on AI.
Before I get into the takeaways, let me paint a quick picture of what I/O is like. It’s held at the Shoreline Amphitheater, just steps from Google’s campus. Normally it’s a concert venue, but during I/O it feels more like a festival—big keynote on stage, plus tons of demo stations where you can try out what Google’s working on. It’s mostly aimed at developers building stuff on Google’s platform, but there’s a lot to take in.
One of my favorite parts is chatting with the Googlers themselves. These are the folks who actually build the tools we use every day. You can ask them why a certain feature works the way it does, share what you love—or don’t—and give feedback. They’re often surprisingly open to it.
Now, you wouldn’t know it from the laid-back, festival vibe, but Google is under serious pressure right now. Probably the most pressure it’s faced in the history of the company. ChatGPT has completely changed how people search for info and interact with the web. And while Google has been doing AI for a long time, they’re clearly feeling the heat.
Here’s what stood out.
Google’s rolling out a new feature called AI Mode. Think of it as a mashup between a regular Google search and an AI chatbot. You can ask more complex, specific questions, and the AI pulls from various sources—websites, live data, maps—and gives you a clear summary.
Instead of clicking around a bunch of links, you get straight answers. So instead of typing “best weekend getaways near LA,” you can say, “best family-friendly weekend driving spots from LA, two hours or less, good for kids aged 10 and 13.”
It works really well. But the big question is: how will Google make money from this? The old model was all about those top paid links you clicked. But, from a user perspective, it’s one of the most useful upgrades to search in a long time—and even if you’re a regular ChatGPT user, this is worth trying.
To check it out, go to google.com/aimode.
The other big thing Google is working on is a universal AI assistant—specifically, something called Gemini Live.
Gemini is Google’s AI assistant that you normally type to, like ChatGPT. But “Live” means you’re actually talking to it, back and forth, like a phone call. And now, you can give it eyes—meaning it can see through your smartphone’s camera. This used to be Android-only, but it’s now rolling out to iPhones, too. You can even share your screen in real time and get help based on what’s showing.
The implications are huge, and we’re just starting to see how useful this could be. Imagine pointing your camera at a painting or landmark and asking questions about it. Or showing it a gadget and asking how to fix something—without knowing the part names. Or getting feedback on your outfit.
To try it, open the Gemini app on your phone, tap the “Live” icon next to the microphone, then choose either the camera or screen sharing option. Just know that this may not be available to everyone right away—these features tend to roll out slowly in case there are bugs to fix.
Another thing: Gemini can now generate video with a new tool called Veo 3. It’s wild. You give it a prompt, and it can create entire scenes—including dialogue and background audio—completely generated by AI. This stuff is moving fast.
I also got to try out two pieces of hardware at I/O: a pair of augmented reality glasses and an upcoming XR headset.
The glasses were lightweight and wirelessly connect to a phone. They pack a speaker, mic, camera, and a tiny screen built into one of the lenses. I tested them by looking at a painting and having Gemini AI identify it, and by following virtual directions projected into the real world ahead of me. Think Meta’s Ray-Bans—but more advanced thanks to that built-in screen.
They were impressive. What makes them exciting is the idea of having a super-smart, always-on companion that can layer useful information on top of the world around you. Whether you’re walking through a new city, visiting a museum, or even wandering a zoo—these could replace the old-school pamphlet or the constant need to pull out your phone.
They also have major potential to improve accessibility.
The other device I tried was Samsung’s upcoming XR headset, codenamed Project Moohan. It reminded me a lot of the Apple Vision Pro—another mixed reality headset that overlays apps, videos, and content in your field of view. I explored immersive maps, watched a YouTube video, and browsed through 3D versions of Google Photos.
It was neat, but not a big leap forward—more evolutionary than revolutionary. That said, it’s expected to cost less than Apple’s headset, and since it’s packed with Google’s core apps, it may have better luck in the market.
There was a lot more on display, too—real-time language translation through the glasses and in Google Meet, a new AI tool that lets you virtually try on clothes, 3D video calls, and more.
Oh, and Google now has a premium AI tier called Ultra—which will set you back a whopping $250 a month.
Google is clearly all-in on AI, not just as a chat tool but as something you’ll interact with in daily life—whether you’re searching, sightseeing, or just trying to get dressed. It’s a big shift in how we’ll use tech moving forward.
If you want to see some of this in action, check out my Google I/O TV segment below.
Download This
OK, I know there’s a lot of Google news this week—but that’s what happens when they drop a bunch of new stuff at once.
Still, there’s a new app you need to check out if you love learning or digesting information in fresh, creative ways.
It’s called Notebook LM. Previously only available as a website, it’s now out as a full app—and its coolest feature? It can turn your notes or documents into a podcast.
Let’s say you’re learning a new topic, reviewing a presentation, or trying to absorb a dense handbook. Just drop the content into Notebook LM, and it’ll generate something called an Audio Overview. The app uses AI to create a short podcast with two virtual hosts who talk through the material—like a conversational explainer. And because it only uses the info you feed it, there’s less risk of hallucinations or off-topic tangents.
You can also “chat” with the content, asking the virtual hosts questions about what you uploaded.
Notebook LM is free and available now for both iPhone and Android.
Five websites that make life easier
This week on TV, I shared five super useful websites—tools to help you avoid spam, share files fast across devices, analyze suspicious files, check if a site is down, and find (or give away) free stuff in your neighborhood.
From wired to wireless
I also featured the story of a guy who, about a decade ago, created a hoodie with wired headphones built in. Times have changed—now he’s back with a new version that swaps the wires for Bluetooth.
Tech Tidbits
Mozilla is shutting down Pocket, its popular read-it-later tool. Good alternatives include Instapaper, Readwise (paid) or the built-in reading modes in Chrome and Safari.
There’s a disturbing TikTok trend where students are jamming objects into Chromebook ports—causing them to short circuit, smoke, or even explode.
ZDNet has a solid explainer on why you should disable ACR (Automatic Content Recognition) on your smart TV to protect your privacy.
Fast Company highlights four free online AI courses you can take right now—worth a look if you’re trying to level up your skills.
You can now set Google Translate as your default translation app on iPhone.
Q&A: Physical keyboard comeback
QueenUglyDuckling from Bronx, NYC writes in…
“I’m aware it’s 2025, but in your opinion, are there any chances a tech company will bring back a QWERTY keyboard smartphone with all the modern bells and whistles? I really miss the T-Mobile Sidekick — nothing on the market today interests me.”
You’re not alone—plenty of people miss the tactile feel of a real keyboard. There’s actually a product called Clicks that brings a physical keyboard to modern smartphones. It started with iPhones and now supports some Samsung and Motorola models, too. It’s not a full Sidekick-style flip-out, but it’s probably the closest option out there right now.
Clicks tells me they’ve already sold over 100,000 of their keyboards—so clearly, you’re not the only one who misses that classic buttoney experience. Who knows, maybe a full QWERTY keyboard phone is next.
Feedbag
Rick writes in…
“You have a great gift of explaining fixes in plain English. Keep it up—I never miss a KFI show or a newsletter.”
Caroline writes in…
Thank you for your expertise—I really appreciate your KTLA segments and your weekend show. My family and friends look forward to watching your segments—live and taped!
Thanks Rick and Caroline! Got something to tell me? Get in touch at feedbag@richontech.tv.
Gadget of the Week
I know it sounds silly, but a power cable might be one of the smartest, simplest ideas I’ve seen in a while.
Twelve South has a new all-in-one charging cable that doesn’t need a separate charging brick. It’s just a USB-C cable with a built-in power plug on the other end. That’s it. One piece. No more digging around the house for the right combo of brick and cord. One and done.
The PowerCord also has a premium feel—it’s made from a woven, tangle-free fabric.
It’s especially handy for my kids, who always want their iPads plugged in while gaming. Turns out Minecraft and Roblox drain battery fast.
Also great for travel, sleepovers, or just keeping next to the couch. I love having a USB-C cable within reach so I can plug in whatever I’m using at the moment.
The PowerCord comes in two useful lengths—4 feet and 10 feet—so you’re not yanking on a short cable every time you roll over in bed or shift on the couch.
It delivers 30 watts of power, which is plenty for most gadgets, including something like a MacBook Air. The 4-foot version is on Amazon now, but I’d spring for the 10-foot version for max flexibility.
Pie in the sky idea?
One more cool thing I saw at Google I/O: pie delivery by drone.
I’ve heard about the promise of drone delivery for years, but this was the first time I actually saw it in action.
Wing is one of Alphabet’s side projects. They operate lightweight delivery drones, currently working with Walmart and DoorDash in places like Charlotte and Dallas.
To my surprise, the drones look almost like toys—they weigh just 11 pounds and can carry packages up to 2.5 pounds. They fly up to 65 mph and handle most of the delivery autonomously. A typical drop takes about 15 minutes.
What I didn’t realize—but totally makes sense—is that they don’t land. Instead, they hover above and lower the package to the ground using a tether. They use Google Maps data to find a safe drop zone in your yard or driveway.
Definitely futuristic—but it kind of makes sense not to send a 6,000-pound delivery truck just to drop off a bottle of Advil.
That’s going to do it for this week’s edition—thanks for reading!
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Hope you’re planning a reflective and relaxing Memorial Day weekend.
Rich