Tag: Google

To bridge the gap between static model knowledge and rapidly evolving software practices, Google DeepMind developed a "Gemini API developer skill" that provides agents with live documentation and SDK guidance. Evaluation results show a massive performance boost, with the gemini-3.1-pro-preview model jumping from a 28.2% to a 96.6% success rate when equipped with the skill. This lightweight approach demonstrates how giving models strong reasoning capabilities and access to a "source of truth" can effectively eliminate outdated coding patterns.

Google I/O 2026 is returning May 19-20 at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA. But before the keynotes begin, you can get into the spirit of the event with our annual tradition: the save the date puzzle. This year's experience highlights how AI can empower and accelerate

Data Commons has launched a free, hosted Model Context Protocol (MCP) service on Google Cloud Platform, eliminating the need for users to manage complex local server installations. This update simplifies connecting AI agents and the Gemini CLI to Data Commons, allowing Google to handle security, updates, and resource management while users query data natively.

To simplify the user experience and prevent startup failures, the Gemini CLI has introduced structured extension settings that eliminate the need for manual environment variable configuration. This update enables extensions to automatically prompt users for required details during installation and securely stores sensitive information, such as API keys, directly in the system keychain. Users can now easily manage and override these configurations globally or per project using the new Gemini extensions config command.

Conductor for the Gemini CLI has introduced a new Automated Review feature designed to verify the quality and accuracy of AI-generated code. This update addresses the challenge of validating agentic development by automatically checking implementations against original plans, enforcing style guides, and identifying security risks or bugs. by incorporating test-suite validation and providing actionable reports, Conductor helps developers ensure that their AI agents deliver safe, predictable, and architecturally sound code before it is finalized.

Google I/O returns May 19-20. Watch the livestreams for updates on Android, AI, Chrome, and Cloud. Registration is open on the Google I/O website.

The Android XR team is using Gemini's Canvas feature to make creating immersive extended reality (XR) experiences more accessible. This allows developers to rapidly prototype interactive 3D environments and models on a Samsung Galaxy XR headset using simple creative prompts.

Google has introduced FunctionGemma, a specialized 270M parameter model designed to bring efficient, action-oriented AI experiences directly to mobile devices through on-device function calling. By leveraging Google AI Edge and LiteRT-LM, the model enables complex tasks—such as managing calendars, controlling device hardware, or executing specific game logic in the "Tiny Garden" demo—to be performed entirely offline with high speed and low latency. Available for testing in the Google AI Edge Gallery app on both Android and iOS, FunctionGemma allows developers to move beyond simple text generation toward building responsive, "agentic" applications that interact seamlessly with the physical and digital world without relying on cloud processing.

Agent Development Kit (ADK) now supports a robust ecosystem of third-party tools and integrations. Connect your agents to GitHub, Notion, Hugging Face, and more to build capable, real-world applications.

While keynotes are available online, Google Cloud Next '26 in Las Vegas offers an irreplaceable in-person experience centered on networking, hands-on problem solving, and the transition to agentic AI. The event features specialized technical tracks covering everything from Gemini multimodal breakthroughs to zero-trust security on Cloud Run, providing developers with the tools to balance individual speed with organizational stability. Beyond formal sessions, the "in-person advantage" lies in over 20 developer meetups and collaborative whiteboard sessions designed to foster serendipitous breakthroughs. Ultimately, the conference serves as a high-energy hub for engineers to move beyond the hype and master the modern building blocks of software architecture together.