Google Assistant gets a new look on Android Auto

Image: 9to5Google

Android Auto brings a new design for Google Assistant. Version 10.0 of the feature shows a glowing animation with Google colours when you use voice commands. It's similar to the design first seen on Pixel phones (and then brought to all Android devices). The Google Assistant logo appears beside the All Apps button, while the voice command text appears above the taskbar.

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Major Nelson says goodbye to Microsoft and Xbox after 20 years

Larry Hryb, also known as "Major Nelson," is leaving Microsoft after 20 years as one of the most prominent faces of Xbox. He has been involved in many Xbox marketing activities, from the original Xbox and Xbox Live to the Xbox 360 and beyond. He thanked the millions of gamers who have included him as part of their lives.

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FTC fails to stop Microsoft’s mega-merger with Activision Blizzard

Microsoft's USD 69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the maker of Call of Duty, cleared a significant hurdle on Friday when a U.S. appeals court denied the FTC's request to halt the deal. The FTC argued that the deal would harm consumers and competition in the video game industry, but a district court judge and an appeals court both rejected that claim. Microsoft offered 10-year licenses to rivals like Sony Group to address the FTC's concerns.

The deal—the largest in video game history—still needs approval in Britain, where the competition regulator is reviewing a new proposal from Microsoft. The U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority extended its deadline for a final ruling to August 29. But it hopes to reach a decision as soon as possible. The merger agreement expires on July 18, after which either company can choose to walk away unless they negotiate an extension.

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Google launches NotebookLM, an AI-first notetaking software

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Google has launched NotebookLM, an "AI-first notebook" that uses a language model to help you understand and create content. NotebookLM works with your existing notes and sources and uses AI to generate summaries, questions, answers, and more. You can ask NotebookLM to help you with various tasks, such as writing a script, summarizing your documents, preparing a pitch deck, and more.

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