Consumers Iffy About AI in Brand Messaging; New Google Smart Speaker with Gemini; Android 17 Rolls Out to Pixel Phones & Watches; White House App Will Auto-Install on Homeland Security Devices

Techcrunch.com notes that a new report out from WordPress VIP indicates that 60% of consumers say that brands that use “AI” in their messaging are a turnoff, and 86% don’t fully trust AI and still want to explore original sources. Notably, 42% of consumers said that AI-generated answers without clear attribution are trusted less than airline fees, confusing privacy policies, and medical bills. Almost 3/4 of those surveyed said the internet feels ‘less human’ than it did 10 years ago. The report is based on a survey of 2,000 respondents conducted in April, comprising 800 enterprise decision-makers and CMOs and 1,200 U.S. adults.

Google is about to release the first new Google Home Speaker in years. The launch for the new $100 speaker is June 25th. According to mashable.com, Google is bragging that this will be the first smart speaker in its stable that was made with Gemini AI commands in mind. The new little speaker is available in Hazel, Porcelain, Jade, and Berry. Google claims that with Gemini, the speaker will be able to respond to natural language commands and complex commands. Sounds like a great deal for $99, right? Oh, but there’s a catch. If you want to take advantage of all the new tricks the Google speaker can do, you have to drop $10 a month for a Google Home Premium subscription. If you already subscribe to Google AI Pro or Ultra, you will automatically get access at no additional cost. 

Android 17 is starting to roll out to Pixel phones, and Wear OS for Pixel Watches is being pushed out, too. Arstechnica.com notes that Google no longer uses an unmodified version of Android on its phones—the Pixel build includes numerous features that are distinct from Android 17 itself. Other device makers will include versions of some of these features when they eventually update their phones, but for now, Google’s Pixel phones are the only way to experience Android 17. A notable feature is the Bubbles system. You can long press on any app icon to open the apps a floating window. When minimized, the bubbles stay on top of otters apps. Google says this interface is ideal for quick multitasking or chatting with Gemini while looking at other content. Other smartphones will get it besides Pixels later. It is worth point out that Samsung has had a floating app framework for years and Google itself has had a similar feature for a while now. 

In a truly Trump intrusive fashion, the White House app will now be installed on all devices managed by the Department of Homeland Security…whether the user likes it or not. Engadget.com reports that the installations may be extended to all federal agencies’ phones in the future. The app is described as  “a convenient way to access official White House communications, including announcements, executive actions, speeches, livestreams, videos and other updates.” In other words, it is pretty much a propaganda app.

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.