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Google’s new Search Live feature lets users hold real-time voice conversations with an AI-powered version of SearchThe Gemini-powered AI attempts to simulate a friendly and knowledgeable human.Google is keen to have all roads lead to Gemini, and Search Live could help entice people to try the AI companion without realizing itGoogle's quest to incorporate its Gemini into everything has a new outlet linked to its most central product. The new Google Search Live essentially gives Google Search's AI Mode a Gemini-powered voice.It’s currently available to users in the U.S. via the Google app on iOS and Android, and it invites you to literally talk to your search bar. You speak, and it speaks back; unlike the half-hearted AI assistants of yesteryear, this one doesn’t stop listening after just one question. It’s a full dialogue partner, unlike the non-verbal AI Mode.It also works in the background, which means I could leave the app during the chat to do something else on my phone, and the audio didn’t pause or glitch. It just kept going, as if I were on the phone with someone.Google refers to this system as “query fan-out,” which means that instead of just answering your question, it also quietly considers related queries, drawing in more diverse sources and perspectives. You feel it, too. The answers don’t feel boxed into a single form of response, even on relatively straightforward queries like the one about linen dresses in Google's demo.AI Search LiveTo test Search Live out, I tapped the “Live” icon and asked for speculative fiction books I should read this summer. The genial voice offered a few classic and a few more recent options. I then opened Pandora's box by asking it about its own favorites. Surprisingly, it had a few. I then decided to push it a bit and tell it it was wrong about the best fantasy books and listed a few of my own. Suddenly, I found myself in a debate not only about the best examples of the genre, but also about how to define it.We segued from there to philosophical and historical opinions about elvish empathy and whether AI should be compared to genies or the mythical brownies that do housework in exchange for cream. Were it not for the smooth, synthetic voice and its relentless good cheer, I might have thought I was actually having an idle argument with an acquaintance over nothing important.It's obviously very different from the classic Google Search and its wall of links. If you look at the screen, you still see the links, but the focus is on the talk. Google isn't unique with a vocal version of its AI, as ChatGPT and others proffer similar features. Google Search Live does come off as smoother, and I didn't have to rephrase my questions or repeat myself once in 10 minutes. Being integrated with Google’s actual search systems might help keep things grounded. It’s like talking to someone who always has a stack of citations in their back pocket.I don't think Search Live is what people will use to replace their usual online search methods, but here’s a real accessibility benefit to it. For people who can’t comfortably type or see, voice-first tools like this open new doors. Same goes for kids asking homework questions, or for someone cooking dinner who has a random question but doesn't want to pause to wipe flour off their screen.There’s a tradeoff, of course, in terms of how people browse the web. If this kind of conversational AI becomes the dominant interface for search on Google, what happens to web traffic? Publishers already feel like they’re shouting into the void when their content is skimmed by AI and hiring lawyers to fight it. What will the AI search if its sources shrink or vanish? It's a complicated question, worthy of debate. I'll have to see how Search Live lays out the arguments.You might also likeI've been using Google's new AI mode for Search – here's how to master itHere’s why you should be excited about Audio Overviews coming to Google SearchGoogle’s AI Mode can explain what you’re seeing even if you can’t

We asked our readers about their thoughts on switching to a new OSMost of our readers are feeling pretty preparedSome think that the upgrade is just a way for Microsoft to make moneyInstalling a new Operating System (OS) isn’t as easy as it may sound, and often requires specific device features or knowledge - so we asked TechRadar readers how confident they were about upgrading, and found even our tech-savvy fans have some reservations.We previously found a shocking number of people don’t even know what version of Windows they have, and many have unfounded confidence about meeting the requirements for upgrades. More exclusive research shows that many of our readers are still confident about upgrading their OS, but some might need a bit of guidance.Almost two thirds of our readers are up for the challenge, with over a third (38%) saying; ‘bring it on - I’m pretty tech savvy’. Slightly more (41%) think it could be done, but they could ‘probably figure it out with some guidance’.Money maker Around 15% said they found the idea of a switch daunting, and a further 6% say they’d ‘rather not break things’ - which is all well and good, but as Windows 10 End of Life (which will come on October 14, 2025) creeps closer, those few that are unprepared may need a little push.Despite this, the overall sentiment is pretty positive, with 37% looking forward to the new features and improvements, although 9% do express frustrations with the endless updates to keep up with - and many content with the system they have right now.The OS transition does represent an opportunity to buy or sell hardware though, with 37% having already upgraded to a new laptop/computer, and 21% admitting to having a look at new devices on offer.That might be just what Microsoft is counting on though, with one respondent saying they believe the OS end of life “is just a way for Microsoft to try and make money, since they know that previous OSes work just fine and that it is planned obsolescence.”Overwhelmingly though, respondents said they would stay with Windows (72%), and only 3% reporting that they would switch to another like Mac, Linux, or Chrome - so even those who think the upgrade is a hassle seem to be loyal to Windows.You might also likeCan’t upgrade to Windows 11? This Linux project wants to save your old PC from the scrapheap when Windows 10 support endsCheck out our choice for best workstation aroundWindows 11 user has 30 years of 'irreplaceable photos and work' locked away in OneDrive