Google pays Samsung an 'enormous sum' for preinstalling Gemini

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The Google Gemini push on the Samsung Galaxy S25 series you've seen comes with a significant payday for the South Korean smartphone maker. Testimony from Google's ongoing antitrust trial in the US revealed that the search giant is paying an "enormous sum" as fixed monthly payments as part of a two-year deal between Google and Samsung. The latter also gets a share of Gemini subscription revenue.

For this unspecified amount, Samsung has sidelined its Bixby assistant to make Gemini the default artificial intelligence assistant in its flagship series. Internal documents from Google also revealed that it was considering more restrictive agreements with its partners, requiring them to preinstall Gemini alongside Search and Chrome.

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Gemini Live screensharing now free for Android users

Google has announced that Gemini Live's screensharing feature, which allows the artificial intelligence to see and respond to your camera and screen, is now free for all Android users via the Gemini app. 

This feature was initially planned to be exclusive to Gemini Advanced subscribers. The rollout to all Android users with the Gemini app has started and will continue over the coming weeks.

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Google Gemini turns your Google Docs files into podcasts

Ever thought of turning your Google Docs files into a podcast for some reason? Google Gemini is giving you that opportunity. The app will soon allow you to generate artificial intelligence-powered podcast-like overviews for the key highlights from your documents or have it read your words out loud. If you find it useful to have your writing read back to you, Google will roll out this feature to Workspace accounts in the coming weeks.

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Google Docs gets AI writing coach?

Aside from turning your writing into a podcast, Google Docs uses Gemini to help improve your writing. The app is getting a "help me refine" feature that can share suggestions on how to strengthen your writing, improve its structure, or ensure your key points are clearer. Google says it can also help with formatting consistency. The feature will be available in alpha later this quarter.

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