Google has updated its privacy policy in a way that may allow data from Gmail and Photos to inform ads. The change came on October 16, and it removes a clear limit that had previously said personalised ads would not be based on content from Drive, Gmail or Photos. The new wording links that data to Personal Intelligence, a feature released in early 2026 that lets users share data from several apps with Google AI products. Google says connecting apps is opt-in and that ads will not be based directly on Gmail inbox or Photos library content.
A power problem at a Google Cloud data centre in London disrupted services across Europe for hours. Banks, websites and court live streams were affected, with UK institutions hit hardest. Customers of Revolut and Halifax reported trouble accessing their accounts and apps. Court live streams, including the trial of Russell Brand, also went down. Google says services have been restored for most customers and that it will investigate the cause.
Google has made Universal Cart available to US users. The tool lets shoppers save products they find across search and the Gemini app, then return later to the same items without starting over. It can collect products from multiple retailers and send alerts when a saved item's price drops or when a sold-out product is back in stock. Google says the tool can also factor in credit card perks when helping users choose how to pay, and surface relevant promo codes.
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Google is adding more artificial intelligence tools to its Play Store. The Ask Play feature is expanding into a general search for apps and games, offering recommendations that can include comparison charts. A new Game Finder feature uses usage data to build a Gamer DNA profile and match users with similar players. Users can rate games to refine their profile and add or remove tags. Game Finder and Gamer DNA are rolling out in the United States now, with other markets to follow. Google also plans to let users privately host and share apps they build using AI.
Google has announced the Fitbit Edge, a fitness tracker that sits between the Pixel Watch 5 and the Fitbit Air in price and features. It has a compact pill-shaped display, an on-device GPS, and heart and blood oxygen sensors. The device lasts about seven days on a charge, or about two days with the always-on display turned on. It is available for preorder now and will ship on October 27, starting at $180 with the basic band.
Google's Playground AI tool lets users create simple video games by describing their ideas in plain language. The writer used the service to generate three playable but flawed games, including a cyberpunk shooter and a dinner party simulation. While the tool is easy to use, its limitations and repetitive outputs prevent it from being truly useful for serious game development.
Google has launched an AI-powered game-creation platform called Playground, allowing users to build browser-based games using simple text prompts. The platform, available to users aged 18 and older in the U.S., lets creators select genres, game types, and visual styles without needing coding expertise. Games can be played on mobile devices and computers, with options to keep them private, share them via links, or publish them to a public gallery. Google plans to expand the platform's availability to additional countries and add Unity Spark integration for enhanced 3D capabilities.
Google has unveiled a public platform enabling users to check if media files are AI-generated. The service, initially tested with media professionals, now supports various image, video, and audio formats. It employs SynthID technology, adopted by multiple tech firms, to detect AI-created content. Google reports one million daily verification requests, though such tools can sometimes fail. The feature is integrated into Gemini and Chrome, with Apple reportedly planning support.
