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☆ Product managers rule Silicon Valley. Not everyone is happy about it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Amanda Hoover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Several companies, from Airbnb to Snap, are now reconsidering the utility of product managers entirely, while others claim that the product manager's reign will only expand in the age of AI. Advertisement"The shift in power moved from engineering to product managers," says Hubert Palan, the CEO of Productboard, a company that provides software for product managers. "The product manager is at the center of everything," says Avi Siegel, a former product manager who's working on his own startup, Momentum. Whether their coworkers are happy about it or not, product managers are gaining recognition. "The future really does belong to product managers," says Frank Fusco, a product manager turned CEO of a software company called Silicon Society.

Persons: Elle, Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, YouTube's Neal Mohan, Gamble, Hubert Palan, doesn't, Avi Siegel, who's, Aaron, he's, ZipRecruiter, Zippia, I've, they're, Palan, Meg Watson, Watson, Brian Chesky, Paul Graham —, Frank Fusco, Fusco Organizations: LinkedIn, Procter, Hewlett, Packard, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Companies, Big Tech, Carnegie Mellon University, . News, McKinsey, Software, Spotify, Chesky, Silicon Society

The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are enhanced versions of the excellent Pixel 9. The new camera oval on the Pixel 9 Pro phones juts out more than the rear cameras of previous Pixel phones. The Pixel 9 Pro XL (left) has a 6.8-inch display, while the Pixel 9 Pro (right) has a 6.3-inch display. The Pixel 9 Pro XL, with a 6.8-inch display, is a no-brainer for anyone who prefers larger Google Pixel phones or larger Android phones. See our guides to the best Pixel 9 Pro XL cases and best Pixel 9 Pro cases for extra protection.

Persons: Google's, Antonio Villas, Rose, Hazel, it's, Villas, VRR, I'd, I'm, Max, ultrawide, you've, Gemini, It's, you'd Organizations: Business, Google, Pro XL, Amazon, Verizon, XL, Gemini, Boas, Apple, Samsung, Qualcomm, Samsung Galaxy, Galaxy

☆ Google's been on an efficiency drive. Its new CFO said it can 'push a little further.'
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Google's new CFO, Anat Ashkenazi, signaled the company can do more to save money and move faster. She said leaders had done good work cutting costs, and they could "push a little further." Google is ramping up its spending on AI, and Wall Street analysts want more details. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Ashkenazi name-checked Google CEO Sundar Pichai and former CFO Ruth Porat for doing "really good work" in starting to rework Google's cost base.

Persons: Anat Ashkenazi, —, Sundar Pichai, Ruth Porat, Ashkenazi, Mark Mahaney, Pichai, Sundar Organizations: Google, Wall Street, Service, BNP

☆ Google's new CFO makes earnings call debut, says company can 'push a little further' on cost cuts
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Jennifer Elias | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

For nine years, the CFO role at Google and parent company Alphabet was held by Ruth Porat, who took a giant pay package in 2015 to leave Wall Street for Silicon Valley. "But I think any organization can always push a little further and I'll be looking at additional opportunities." During the Q&A portion of the call, Evercore ISI's Mark Mahaney asked, "As you're coming in looking at this fresh, is it clear to you there are a lot of newfound cost efficiencies or ongoing cost efficiencies?" The new CFO said one way Google can find additional efficiencies is by using AI "within our own processes and how we get work done." WATCH: Google search benefiting from generative AI

Persons: Ruth Porat, Porat's, Anat Ashkenazi, Sundar Pichai, Ruth, Sundar, Ashkenazi, Eli Lilly, Porat, There's, Pichai, Askenazi, Evercore, Mark Mahaney Organizations: Google, Tuesday Locations: Silicon Valley

☆ I tried Google's viral new tool that creates an AI podcast about topics you feed it. It's worth the hype.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The feature uses the information you feed it to create a "deep dive" discussion hosted by two AI hosts. Based on the information you feed it, it generates a "deep dive," podcast-like discussion hosted by two AI hosts. Related storiesTo my surprise, this NotebookLM-generated podcast exceeded anything I'd heard so far in terms of AI voice quality. Like any AI tool though, Audio Overviews isn't perfect. Audio Overviews is probably my favorite AI tool I've tried out so far — and it showcases the innovative ways AI can be used in our daily lives.

Persons: Google's NotebookLM, —, livia M oore, ingle, hough, hatter, ike, oices Organizations: Service Locations: NotebookLM

☆ Google Search's new AI makeover is the latest change the rest of the internet needs to navigate
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

In today's big story, Google Search is going to look a whole lot different thanks to generative AI . According to Rhiannon Bell, the vice president of user experience for Google Search, it's a "pretty dramatic shift from where we were before." AdvertisementAnd yes, in case you were wondering if it was coming, Google is going to start putting ads in its AI Search results — but only when Google deems them relevant. Google's new AI-organized search results GoogleSearch's revamp addresses a big concern for the rest of the internet. One survey conducted earlier this year found 60% of people who used Google's AI search found it more effective than non-AI powered Search.

Persons: —, Morgan Stanley, Tyler Le, Hugh Langley, Tech's, Hugh, Rhiannon Bell, Gen, Jenny Chang, Rodriguez, Ned Davis, Kalshi, Andy Jassy F, Carter Smith, Chelsea Jia Feng, Andy Jassy, Marc Andreessen, he's, Alyssa Powell, dockworkers, hasn't, Dan DeFrancesco, Jordan Parker Erb, Hallam Bullock, Milan Sehmbi, Amanda Yen Organizations: Business, Service, Costco, Tech, Google, Getty, Ned, Ned Davis Research, CFTC, Bloomberg, Getty Images, Amazon, LinkedIn, YouTube, EU . US Department of Labor Locations: China, San Francisco, EU, New York, London

☆ Google's new AI podcast tool goes viral
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( Deirdre Bosa | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailGoogle's new AI podcast tool goes viralCNBC's Deirdre Bosa joins 'Money Movers' to report on Google's new AI podcast tool making headlines for its realism.

Persons: Deirdre Bosa

☆ Google Search is about to see 'a pretty dramatic shift'
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A Google VP said the updates are "a pretty dramatic shift from where we were before." Advertisement"From a user perspective, this is a pretty dramatic shift from where we were before," said Rhiannon Bell, vice president of user experience for Google Search, in a roundtable with reporters. Of course, it leads to questions about how Google Search rankings — an ever-changing, ever-elusive algorithm — will work with these new formats. Using Google Lens to searchGoogle is upgrading Lens, a feature that uses the phone camera to search for information about what it sees. "Today, 20% of all Google Lens searches are actually shopping-related, which is pretty interesting," said Lens product director Lou Wang.

Persons: —, Rhiannon Bell, Bell, Lou Wang Organizations: Google, Google VP, Service, Google's, Lens Locations: Lens

☆ Google launches new ad interface for AI searches
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailGoogle launches new ad interface for AI searchesCNBC's Deidre Bosa joins 'The Exchange' with details about Google's new ad interface on mobile AI searches.

Persons: CNBC's, Bosa Organizations: Google

☆ Google files EU antitrust complaint against Microsoft over cloud competition
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Deirdre Bosa | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailGoogle files EU antitrust complaint against Microsoft over cloud competitionCNBC’s Deirdre Bosa joins ‘Money Movers’ to report on Google's new EU complaint against Microsoft and its cloud computing services.

Persons: Deirdre Bosa, ’ Organizations: Microsoft, ‘

☆ Here's what Google's new finance chief will need to do to keep investors happy
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Ashkenazi, who was previously CFO at Eli Lilly and Company, took the reins from Alphabet's previous finance chief, Ruth Porat, in July. They wanted more visibility into the performance of certain parts of Google's business, such as AI and subscriptions, which are increasingly becoming bigger businesses for Google. AdvertisementMorgan Stanley analysts say this is still too ambiguous. Related storiesThe Morgan Stanley analysts also said they would like to see Google separately report earnings from YouTube's advertising and subscriptions. Morgan Stanley analysts said Google has an opportunity to "be more assertive" about "promoting its positive impact" on users and partners, similar to Amazon.

Persons: —, Anat Ashkenazi, Ashkenazi, Eli Lilly, Ruth Porat, Morgan Stanley, Porat, Google's, Sundar Pichai Organizations: Service, Wall Street, Company, Business, Google, Investors, Meta, YouTube, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, US Department of Justice Locations: —

☆ I was a remote worker at Google. I quit after the company refused to let me move to take care of my dad.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-15 | by ( Tom Carter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Business Insider has verified his employment, his request to move locations, and his resignation after this request was denied. In June 2023, the company told employees that working remotely full-time would be allowed "by exception only." I essentially said I was asking to move from a fully remote location to another fully remote location to be with my dying father. I have a fully remote job, so it makes no material difference to them if I am in one remote location or another. A spokesperson for Google told Business Insider that promotions are based on impact relative to business priorities and business needs and that remote employees are promoted.

Persons: —, Jeremy, Philipp Schindler, Google's Organizations: Service, Google, Business Locations: Chicago, Boulder, Minneapolis

☆ Google to relaunch tool for creating AI-generated images of people after pulling service due to inaccuracies
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-28 | by ( Todd Haselton | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Google said it will soon allow users to create images of people using its Gemini artificial intelligence tool, after pulling the AI image generation option in February. "We've worked to make technical improvements to the product, as well as improved evaluation sets, red-teaming exercises and clear product principles," Citron wrote. Google paused its image generation feature earlier this year after saying it was offering "inaccuracies" in historical pictures. "Of course, as with any generative AI tool, not every image Gemini creates will be perfect, but we'll continue to listen to feedback from early users as we keep improving," Citron wrote. "We'll gradually roll this out, aiming to bring it to more users and languages soon."

Persons: Dave Citron, We've, Citron Organizations: Google, Gemini, Business, Enterprise Locations: Brussels, Belgium, British

☆ How Google makes custom chips used to train Apple AI models and its own chatbot, Gemini
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Katie Tarasov | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

He's been covering Google's custom cloud chips since they launched in 2015. Google was the first cloud provider to make custom AI chips. Microsoft 's first custom AI chip, Maia, wasn't announced until the end of 2023. But being first in AI chips hasn't translated to a top spot in the overall rat race of generative AI. Google TPUs still dominate among custom cloud AI accelerators, with 58% of the market share, according to The Futurum Group.

Persons: Google's, Daniel Newman, He's, Maia, wasn't, Gemini, OpenAI's ChatGPT, Newman, Amin Vahdat, Marc Ganley, Vahdat, they've, Stacy Rasgon, Rasgon, it's Organizations: Google, Apple, Apple Intelligence, Nvidia, Futurum, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, CNBC, Systems, Unit, Bernstein Research, Broadcom, TSMC, Trillium, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Intel, Samsung Locations: Mountain View , California, China, Taiwan, U.S

The Pixel Watch 3, which comes in a familiar 41mm size and, for the first time, a larger 45mm size, is available to preorder now ahead of a September 10 release date. AdvertisementGoogle Pixel Watch 3: FeaturesGoogle updated the display for the Pixel Watch 3 to its super-bright Actua display, which can reach a brightness of up to 2000 nits and should make glancing at the Pixel Watch 3 for the time, widgets, and workout data effortless in bright sunny conditions. The new 45mm Pixel Watch 3 is the biggest Pixel Watch so far. Antonio Villas-Boas/Business InsiderApart from a new larger size (45mm) and Actua display, little has changed about Google's signature Pixel Watch design, or even its internals. The Pixel Watch 3 will roll out with Google's Wear OS 5 operating system, which introduces the new Auto Bedtime Mode.

Persons: Antonio Villas, It'll Organizations: Business, Google, Pixel, Boas, Galaxy Watch

For the first time, Google's Pixel Pro series comes in two sizes with the introduction of the brand new Pixel 9 Pro XL. It's the Pixel 9 Pro that offers something that wasn't available before — a Pixel Pro with a smaller display. AdvertisementPixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XLThe Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro models are evolutions over previous generations. Antonio Villas-Boas/Business InsiderGoogle's Pixel 9 Pro Fold is also a total evolution of the original Google Pixel Fold. AdvertisementThe Pixel 9 starts at $799, the Pixel 9 Pro at $999, the Pixel 9 Pro XL at $1,099, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold at $1,799.

Persons: Antonio Villas, Google's didn't Organizations: Business, Google, Boas, Apple, Samsung, Galaxy, Gemini

☆ You won't find any ping-pong tables at Google's newly opened NYC office
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Jaures Yip | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Google's new NYC office does not have the iconic ping-pong tables found in Silicon Valley, according to a new tour video. The 1.2 million square foot office, opened in February, sits atop a 1930s rail terminal. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementIf you're planning to visit Google's newly opened New York office, don't bother packing your paddles. Unlike its Silicon Valley location, the company's latest office doesn't have any of its classic ping-pong tables.

Persons: — Organizations: Global Business Organization, Service, Business Locations: Silicon Valley, New York

☆ Google revamps its ambitions for AR glasses to make up lost ground and stem defectors to Meta
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-12 | by ( Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Hugo Swart, formerly Qualcomm's head of XR, joined Google's AR group in April to lead ecosystem strategy and partner relationships. Related storiesMark Lucovsky, a senior director on Google's AR software, left last July, citing "changes in AR leadership and Google's unstable commitment and vision" to the product. "Doing anything first-party is a challenge relationship-wise," said a former Google AR team member. There is internal speculation that Samsung will be the first to also build glasses with Google's AR software, according to two employees familiar with the matter. Without a device of its own and with its AR software still in development, Google now finds itself on the back foot.

Persons: —, Google, it's, Sergey Brin, Rick Osterloh, Ramin Talaie, Shahram Izadi, HoloLens, Hugo Swart, Swart, reshuffles, Jeffrey Margolis, Mark Lucovsky, Paul Greco, Barry, Betty, Harriet Google, Harriet, Said Bakadir, Iris, Apple, Kim Kulish, Meta, Anshel Sag Organizations: Service, Astra, Business, Google, Samsung, Tech, Getty, Android, Google's, Microsoft, Meta, XR, Qualcomm, Samsung Unpacked, Samsung Google, Vision, Lenovo, Moor Locations: hughlangley

☆ Google employees react to facial-recognition security being tested at one of its campuses
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-03 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewGoogle is testing a new security system that uses facial-recognition technology at its campus in Kirkland, Washington — and early reaction from Google employees in the US is mixed. The interior security cameras collect facial data and are designed to help prevent unauthorized individuals from entering Google's campus, the company said. Google said its security team uses the data to identify people who may pose a security risk. After news of the system was first reported by CNBC, Business Insider talked to Google employees at various campuses to find out what they thought about the change. A Google spokesperson said there were no known plans in place to use the security system for attendance tracking.

Persons: —, Kirkland , Washington —, Kirkland, it's, they've, Chris Rackow Organizations: Service, Google, Business, CNBC, Kirkland, Google's, Amazon, National Labor Relations Board, YouTube Locations: Kirkland , Washington, Google's, Kirkland, New York, San Francisco, Google's New York, Sunnyvale, San Bruno , California, Mountain View , California

☆ Google search head says 'we won't always find' mistakes with AI products and have to take risks rolling them out
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Jennifer Elias | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"I don't think we should take away from this that we shouldn't take risks," Reid said. When we find new problems, we should do the extensive testing but we won't always find everything and that just means that we respond." Reid's comments come at a critical moment for Google, which is scrambling to keep pace with OpenAI and Microsoft in generative AI. "You may have seen stories about putting glue on pizza, eating rocks," Reid told employees at the all-hands meeting. Reid was introduced on stage by Prabhakar Raghavan, who runs Google 's knowledge and information organization.

Persons: Liz Reid, Reid, OpenAI, Sundar Pichai, Barack Obama, America's, Prabhakar Raghavan, we've, we're Organizations: CNBC, Google, Microsoft

☆ People are dunking on Google search AI's nonsensical answers
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Certain searches get responses that are nonsensical or downright wrong. Google said the examples were "extremely rare queries, and aren't representative of most people's experiences." AdvertisementGoogle promised a sweeping overhaul to its ubiquitous search at I/O last week — but users are already pushing its limits. Rather than giving you a list of third-party web pages, the new Google search function creates a new box with conversational answers culled from across the web and fueled by generative AI. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Google, Service, Business

☆ Google's AI updates could spark chaos for web creators — and be a death blow for some startups
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Google's new AI products may be making some start-ups nervous. An AI-enhanced Google Search and email assistant could threaten smaller AI companies. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementGoogle has new AI products — and they might be making some start-ups nervous. The announcements were followed by social media chatter claiming Google's new launches would "kill" email and browser-based agents, including Perplexity AI.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Google, Business

☆ Google's Android chief says AI will change what smartphones can do and reset the battle with Apple for mobile supremacy
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Alistair Barr | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

This job also includes Android TV, Android Auto, and new augmented and mixed-reality technology. With Google's new Gemini AI models, "we can do things that have never been possible on smartphones," he added. The "System UI" levelThis is possible because Google has baked Gemini AI models and assistant technology into the "System UI" level on Android devices. However, he stressed that this doesn't mean the company can't build unique experiences on Android devices, including many new AI experiences. This works through a combination of Google Search, Gemini AI technology, and Android — something that's not possible on any other platform, Samat said.

Persons: —, Sameer Samat, Zak Brown, Samat, He's, It's, Gemini Organizations: Service, Google, Android Ecosystems, Android, Android Auto, Business, Apple, Samsung, Gemini

☆ Google teases the return of Google Glass in Project Astra demo
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

While promoting Project Astra, Google CEO Sundar Pichai teased the possible return of Google Glass. The first Google Glass was originally launched in 2013 and was a remarkable commercial failure. "Google Glass has RE-entered the chat," one user quipped below the YouTube video promoting Project Astra and featuring the prototype glasses. AdvertisementThe original Google Glass debuted in 2013 but was a remarkable commercial failure. Production on the original Google Glass was ultimately discontinued in 2015, though two enterprise editions were attempted in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

Persons: Sundar Pichai, Pichai, —, Sundar Pichar, Pichar, toted, Quinn Meyers Organizations: Astra, Google, CNBC, Service, Project Astra, Business, YouTube, Apple, Gemini

☆ OpenAI may have finally cracked the code on voice interactions with AI
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

In today's big story, everyone's talking — literally — about the big update for OpenAI's ChatGPT that could make your job a lot easier . AdvertisementOpenAI may have finally cracked the code on voice interactions with AI, though. OpenAI says GPT-4o's average response to audio inputs is 320 milliseconds, which is on par with a typical human-to-human conversation. "They've essentially made text input almost be the barbaric form of communicating with ChatGPT (or any AI) now," the developer said. ChatGPT, Tyler Le/BIOpenAI's big reveal shows the shockwaves the startup keeps sending through the tech world.

Persons: —, Here's, ChatGPT Holger Scheibe, Tyler Le, OpenAI, Alex Bitter, They've, ChatGPT, Katie Notopoulos, Siri, it's, Apple that's, Andrew Burton, Justin Sullivan, Rebecca Zisser, Tim Cook's, Tesla, Mark Zuckerberg, he's, Nathan Congleton, Melinda, Gates, French Gates, she'd, Melinda Gates, Bill Gates, Doug McMillon, It's, Dan DeFrancesco, Jordan Parker Erb, Hallam Bullock, George Glover Organizations: Service, Teen, Business, HAL, Hollywood, Apple, Apple's Worldwide, Conference, GPT, Google, Microsoft, Washington, Getty, Tesla, Melinda Gates Foundation, University of Arkansas, Depot, Sony, Disney, Cannes Locations: NBCU, New York, London

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