Google focuses on making AI actually useful in 2026

Google said it will shift from building headline AI models to embedding Gemini’s capabilities into phones, TVs and other hardware to prioritize practical uses. Android Ecosystem president Sameer Samat framed the effort as moving from AI curiosity to “AI utility.”

Google is shifting its emphasis in 2026 from creating headline AI models to finding practical ways to use them across devices. The company aims to bring Gemini-powered features into Android phones, Chromebooks, smart glasses and TVs. This follows a year of model and feature launches in 2025 that expanded Gemini’s creative and agentic abilities. Google described the goal as increasing everyday "AI utility," so people find the technology genuinely helpful. Key details: - Gemini made notable advances in 2025, including new creative models (Veo 3 for video and Nano Banana) and Gemini 3, and introduced AI Mode with agentic features that can perform searches and tasks independently, as reported. - Google plans to integrate Gemini into a range of hardware, including Android smartphones, Chromebooks, smart glasses and televisions, aiming to deliver practical functions on those devices. - Google previously introduced Circle to Search on Android and reported Android users experienced 58% fewer spam messages, per the company’s research. - The company added hands-free chat with Gemini inside Google Maps to help with tasks like finding parking or nearby restaurants, as noted in a live demo. - In January, Google announced expanded TV integrations that include quick custom multimedia "deep dives," conversational chat with the TV, AI-powered photo editing, and tools to generate AI images and videos. Summary: The company is moving from novelty demonstrations toward embedding AI features that perform useful tasks across multiple form factors. Google says next steps include expanding agentic and hands-free capabilities into devices with smaller or no screens, such as vehicle systems and smart glasses, to increase everyday utility.