Alphabet Inc. (GOOG, GOOGL) shares surged following a strong third-quarter earnings report, fueled by robust growth in cloud computing, search, and YouTube, coupled with the company’s significant investments in AI. Analysts are optimistic about Alphabet’s future prospects, citing AI advancements and the company’s strong position in the evolving tech landscape.
Perplexity AI, a startup backed by Jeff Bezos and aiming to challenge Google’s search dominance, is developing a new ad model using sponsored questions. This system allows brands to bid for AI-generated answers to specific questions, offering an alternative to Google’s auction-based ads. Perplexity’s model promises higher CPM rates for advertisers and faster growth in revenue and usage.
Despite recent rulings against Alphabet in antitrust lawsuits, an analyst believes Google may escape major penalties due to the complexity of the cases and the potential for lengthy legal battles. The analyst predicts a possible network spinout as a favorable outcome for Google, but acknowledges the possibility of a multi-billion dollar fine.
Perplexity AI, a Jeff Bezos-backed search engine startup, is planning to introduce advertising in its search results. This move mirrors the strategies of Google, its main competitor, and reflects the growing importance of AI in the search landscape.
Google’s AI-powered search query summarizer, AI Overview, is expanding to six new countries with localized language support. The company is also introducing new features such as link displays for relevant websites and the ability to save and simplify generated Overviews.
Google’s growing reliance on Reddit is evident in both search results and AI training. The search giant has boosted Reddit’s visibility in search, benefiting from its vast repository of user-generated content. This close relationship raises concerns about Google’s motives and the potential impact on the internet’s future.
Google Chrome for iOS and Android is introducing several new features aimed at simplifying your browsing experience. These include enhanced search shortcuts, personalized suggestions, a redesigned address bar, and live sports updates, all designed to make navigating the web smoother and more efficient.
The Google app for Android has introduced a new Notifications feed, providing users with a dedicated space to view and manage alerts from Google Search, weather conditions, flight information, sports scores, movies, TV shows, and more. The Notifications feature, first spotted in the Google app beta, offers a more focused and accessible way to stay on top of important information compared to Android’s system-level history.
A pungent smell has led to a new search of Kersal Dale, the beauty spot where human remains were found three weeks ago. The remains, which included the lower back, buttocks, and a thigh, were wrapped in cellophane and left in plain sight near a footpath. GMP initially mounted a 12-day search of the location and the nearby Kersal Wetlands, but it was suspended. The search was resumed after reports of a pungent odor, but it turned out to be sulfur. The victim is thought to be a male aged over 40, but no further body parts or clothing have been found. Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed something suspicious in the area to come forward.
Google’s search leader, Prabhakar Raghavan, outlined key challenges and initiatives in a recent all-hands meeting. Acknowledging increased competition and regulatory complexities, he emphasized the need for faster adaptation. Raghavan highlighted plans to establish teams closer to users in strategic markets like India and Brazil. Despite resource constraints, Google Cloud is also implementing measures to expedite project completion times. The company’s trusted reputation remains a key advantage in the face of challenges.
