Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Google.
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The Best Game Key Deals on G2A.COM – June 2026
G2A.COM is featuring several deals on games and software for June 2026, including Forza Horizon 6 for Xbox Series X/S and PC, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight for PC, and Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era for PC. Non-gaming deals include Google AI Gemini Pro and Adobe Creative Cloud.
Google pledges to replenish more water than it uses at data centers by 2030
Google has announced a new initiative to replenish more water than its data centers consume by the year 2030. This move comes amid increasing concerns regarding the significant water usage of data center operations.
Google shares Fitbit Air blueprints so you can 3D print your own accessories
Google has released 2D CAD drawings for the Fitbit Air, allowing users to 3D print their own accessories. This move provides the blueprints for custom hardware creation.
Google will allow websites to exclude themselves from AI search results
Google will allow websites to opt out of having their content used in AI-powered search results. The company stated that opting out will not affect a website's placement in traditional search results.
Android will now warn you if a caller is impersonating someone you know
Google is introducing a new feature for Android that will alert users if a caller is attempting to impersonate someone they know. This update leverages AI to enhance caller identification. Additionally, Google Photos and Google Play Books are receiving new AI-powered updates.
The European Parliament may be ditching Google as its default search engine
The European Parliament is considering dropping Google as its default search engine as part of its broader digital sovereignty initiatives. This move reflects a growing trend within the EU to reduce reliance on major tech companies.
Google is raising an army of 32 million mosquitoes like some kind of Metal Gear Solid villain
Google's Debug project is releasing 32 million male mosquitoes, infected with the wolbachia bacteria, in California and Florida to reduce the population of disease-carrying female mosquitoes. This method aims to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria and dengue fever without using chemicals or genetic modification, building on decades of research in pest control.
Randy Pitchford says his friend found an unannounced Pixel Watch 5 in the sea
Randy Pitchford shared that a friend discovered an unannounced Pixel Watch 5 in the sea, suggesting a potential leak of the upcoming wearable. This unexpected find offers a first glimpse at the device before any official announcement from Google.
Morning Mobilization
ASUS has launched a new ROG XBOX Ally X20 Bundle, aiming to elevate the gaming handheld market. Concurrently, Google is integrating its Gemini AI into future smart glasses, with the company also opening its first flagship store.
Google is opening its first flagship store outside of the US
Google announced it will open its first flagship store outside of the United States in Tokyo this summer. This marks a significant expansion of Google's retail presence into the international market.
There's one game Don't Nod narrative designer Nina Freeman won't ever uninstall from her PC, because it's banned on Steam: 'It's tragic, because everyone should play this game'
Narrative designer Nina Freeman discusses her PC gaming habits, highlighting Devotion as a game she will never uninstall due to its quality and controversial Steam ban. She also shares her most played game, Dota 2, and her appreciation for complex branching narratives in titles like Scarlet Hollow.
Amnesty International reports unprecedented AI data theft and VPNs are more popular than ever
Amnesty International reports that generative AI companies like OpenAI, Google Gemini, and Midjourney are unlawfully scraping private data from the internet. This has led to a significant increase in VPN popularity, with searches for VPNs reaching unprecedented levels. The article discusses concerns about AI's impact on data privacy, copyright, and potential misuse for manipulation.
Traffic to DuckDuckGo's proudly 'No AI' search page has tripled since latest Google AI search update
DuckDuckGo has reported a threefold increase in traffic to its 'No AI' search page following recent updates to Google's AI-integrated search. The privacy-focused search engine is offering users an opt-in experience that limits AI-generated results, positioning itself as a choice-driven alternative to Google's AI-first approach. DuckDuckGo also provides browser extensions to make its AI-free search the default on Chrome and Firefox.
AI Yi-Yi!
Google's AI agent, Spark, is now available to Ultra subscribers on Android devices. This 24-7 AI agent aims to provide continuous assistance and information.
Everything We Saw at TechEx North America 2026
TechEx North America 2026, held at the San Jose Convention Center, showcased seven sectors of industrial and business technology. The event featured companies like HP Inc., TuxCare, and LG CNS, highlighting advancements in AI, IoT, and cybersecurity. Future events are planned for 2027, continuing the focus on networking and exploring industry solutions.
"They have the biggest bullsh*t detectors on the planet": How the unlikely EVE Online x Google DeepMind AI partnership landed with players
Fenris Creations, formerly CCP Games, has announced a research partnership with Google DeepMind, which will involve training AI agents on a separate version of EVE Online. Despite player skepticism towards generative AI in gaming, the partnership was met with cautious optimism at EVE FanFest, with discussions focusing on potential applications like improving the game's complex codebase and enhancing NPC interactions. Players, known for their critical feedback, seem willing to see how this collaboration unfolds, especially given Google DeepMind's history with game AI.
AI Yi-Yi!
Several major companies are facing scrutiny over their AI implementations. Google has adjusted usage limits for its Gemini AI following user complaints, while TikTok's AI moderation system has been criticized for wrongly punishing filmmakers. Paramount+ is also reportedly serving "AI slop" content.
Morning Audio Files
Google has announced that issues affecting YouTube Music on iPhones have been resolved. The company confirmed the fixes after users reported problems with the music streaming service.
The Morning After: Apple's dramatic Siri overhaul is coming and it might look like this
Apple is reportedly planning a significant overhaul of its virtual assistant, Siri, with a focus on artificial intelligence capabilities. This news comes alongside reviews of Google's latest wearable device and GoPro's newest action camera.
ByteDance has had enough of waiting months for processors, so it's going to make them itself
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is reportedly developing its own CPUs to support its artificial intelligence infrastructure and reduce reliance on external chip manufacturers like Intel and AMD. The company is exploring both Arm and RISC-V architectures for its custom silicon. This move follows similar initiatives by other major tech companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon.
