The Comunicano for Wednesday May 21st 2025

Whatabout Wednesday

You know, every once in a while, something shifts. Not in the headlines. Not in the hardware. But in the way we think. What we saw this week at Google I/O wasn’t just product announcements. It was the early sketch of a new interface for life. The screen is no longer the destination—it’s becoming a bridge. A pair of glasses that translate the world in real time. A search bar that listens, understands, and reasons. Tools that respond not to clicks or commands, but to context and intent.

We’re not just asking better questions. We’re being asked what we mean—by machines that remember, adapt, and evolve.

There’s an ambition here that’s unmistakable. Search is no longer about information. It’s about conversation. Assistance is no longer about convenience. It’s about cognition. And AI is no longer a feature. It’s the foundation.

But there’s something deeper happening. These technologies are stepping off the screen—into cars, into calls, into the space around us. Into you.

A live voice that translates across borders, with tone and rhythm intact. A dashboard that talks, thinks, and plans as you drive. A workspace that finishes your thoughts before you’ve finished typing them.

And yet… in the margins, a different story is taking shape. The cost of this intelligence is not just battery life or data plans. It’s trust. It’s ethics. It’s the quiet places we’ve allowed algorithms to enter—into our homes, our hiring, even our children’s futures.

This is the paradox of progress. It expands what’s possible, but only if we remain aware of what’s permissible. We stand at a new threshold. Not just of technology, but of responsibility. And the question we have to ask—more than ever—is simple:

Are we designing a future we want to live in? Because the tools are here.

Now it’s up to us to decide what we’ll build with them. Which is why you’re reading THE COMUNICANO!!!

Andy Abramson

Google Watch

Google I/O 2025 LIVE: All the Details About Android XR Smart Glasses, AI Mode, Veo 3, Gemini, Google Beam and More (Tom's Guide)—At Google I/O 2025, Google unveiled a flurry of AI innovations that highlight its aggressive push into smarter, more integrated experiences. The standout announcement was Android XR smart glasses, offering real-time translation and hands-free navigation. Gemini AI was shown embedded across Google's platforms, from Search and Workspace to Android. AI Mode in Search now enables natural, conversational queries, while Project Astra pushes boundaries with multimodal responsiveness. Google Beam and Veo 3 also debuted, broadening Google's AI portfolio into new interactive spaces. These updates point to a future where AI is not a feature—it’s the foundation. Read more here

Google's Future is Google Googling (Platformer)—Google is reengineering search from the ground up with its new “AI Mode,” turning static queries into dynamic, conversational exchanges. Rather than simply list links, Search now breaks complex questions into subtopics, delivering synthesized answers that span text, images, and even video. Supporting features like Project Mariner let users automate complex online tasks, while Agent Mode executes goal-based workflows using natural language. Google’s long-term vision, showcased at I/O 2025, is clear: Search will become less about keywords and more about goals, with Gemini AI acting as the engine behind it all. Read more here

Google Offers 'AI Mode' in 'Total Reimagining of Search' (Financial Times)—Google’s AI Mode marks a fundamental shift in how users interact with the web. Replacing keyword-driven searches, AI Mode introduces fluid dialogue that understands nuance, context, and even follow-up questions. At I/O 2025, Google also launched Project Mariner, designed to handle tasks like trip planning or scheduling, and Project Astra, a vision-based assistant with memory and spatial awareness. The company rolled out Gemini Advanced as a paid upgrade for pro users, signaling its commitment to monetizing premium AI capabilities. With these changes, Google’s future looks increasingly like a personal assistant that never sleeps. Read more here

Warby Parker and Google Collaborate on AI-Powered Smart Glasses (MarketWatch)—Warby Parker is partnering with Google to develop AI-powered smart glasses aimed at challenging Meta’s wearable tech efforts. The glasses will support prescription and non-prescription lenses with AI functionality. Google is investing $150 million—half for product development, half as equity. The move taps Google’s previous smart glasses experience despite earlier privacy issues. Warby Parker’s stock jumped nearly 17% on the news, while Alphabet fell slightly. Meta, meanwhile, has seen strong sales growth in its Ray-Ban smart glasses. The collaboration marks a bold step into tech retail convergence. Read more here

Watch Me Try Google's Live Language Translator. It's Wild. (Wall Street Journal)—Google Meet’s new live translation feature is a bold attempt to break language barriers during video calls. Using Gemini AI, it not only translates in real time but replicates the speaker’s tone and cadence, delivering an experience that feels less robotic and more human. In practice, the results are mostly impressive, though occasional misinterpretations still occur—especially with idioms and cultural context. The tool currently supports English and Spanish, with more languages planned. For global teams and international meetings, this could be a game-changer in remote collaboration and cross-border communication. Read more here

Volvo Will Be the First to Install Google's Gemini in Its Cars (The Verge)—Volvo will be the first automaker to integrate Google’s Gemini AI into its vehicles, starting with select models later this year. This move enhances Android Automotive’s voice assistant, allowing for natural conversations that support navigation, translation, and productivity while driving. Gemini will first appear in Android Auto, then expand to embedded systems. The upgrade aims to make in-car interaction smarter, more intuitive, and less distracting. By embedding Google's latest AI in cars, Volvo positions itself at the forefront of connected driving, giving users a hands-free, conversational interface that blurs the line between car tech and mobile AI. Read more here

Android Auto Will Get Weather and Video Apps Soon, Google Says (9to5Google)—Android Auto is expanding its app ecosystem with support for weather, video streaming, and web browsing, giving drivers more versatility—especially when parked. Google says weather apps are already rolling out without extra approval, while video and browser apps will launch later this year alongside Android 16. However, these features will only be functional when the car is stationary, maintaining a safety-first approach. Google is also working with automakers to ensure compatibility. These upgrades aim to make Android Auto more than just a navigation hub, pushing it closer to a full in-car infotainment platform powered by contextual AI. Read more here

Apple Watch

Inside China's 'Stolen iPhone Building' (Financial Times)—In Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei district, the Feiyang Times building has gained notoriety as a hub for second-hand iPhones—many of which are believed to be stolen or lost devices from Europe and the U.S. These phones often pass through Hong Kong’s grey markets before ending up in mainland China, where they’re either resold as-is or dismantled for parts. Traders in the building openly admit to handling locked phones and selling them piecemeal. Hong Kong’s tax-free status and relatively lax enforcement make it an ideal funnel. The global south remains a major buyer, underscoring the persistence of this informal tech trade. Read more here

Microsoft Watch

Microsoft’s AI Security Chief Accidentally Reveals Walmart’s AI Plans Amid Protest Disruption (The Verge)—At Microsoft Build, a protest by ex-employees interrupted a session on AI security, prompting an accidental screen share by Neta Haiby, Microsoft’s AI security chief. The screen showed private messages discussing Walmart’s use of Microsoft’s Entra and AI Gateway services, praising them as superior to Google’s offerings. The leak unintentionally disclosed Walmart’s internal AI strategy. Protestors condemned Microsoft's partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Defense, alleging ethical violations. Microsoft denied wrongdoing, calling the deal standard commercial practice. The moment underscored tensions between corporate AI ambitions and ethical scrutiny in the age of public accountability. Read more here

Robotaxi Watch

Waymo Hits 10 Million Paid Robotaxi Rides, Eyes Expansion Despite Losses (CNBC)—Waymo has crossed 10 million paid robotaxi rides, doubling usage in just five months, according to co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana. The milestone highlights deeper customer integration across cities like Austin, LA, SF, and Phoenix. Despite delivering over 250,000 weekly rides, Waymo remains unprofitable, with “Other Bets” revenue falling 9% in Q1 and losses growing to $1.23 billion. Still, Mawakana insists profitability is within reach. Waymo is expanding into more of the Bay Area as Tesla prepares its own robotaxi rollout. Mawakana emphasized Waymo’s commitment to safety-first, citing years of continuous autonomous service. Read more here

Workplace Watch

Fake Job Ads on Facebook, Telegram Trap Indonesian Tech Workers (Rest of World)—Indonesian tech workers are being tricked by fake job ads on platforms like Facebook and Telegram, leading them into forced labor in scam operations across Southeast Asia. Recruited under false pretenses, victims are trafficked and forced to use AI tools like deepfakes and voice clones to target global scam victims. Often operated by Chinese syndicates, these scam centers confiscate passports and subject workers to abuse. If they fail to meet fraud targets, they are sold to other operations. This exploitation highlights the growing intersection between labor trafficking and the misuse of emerging tech in organized cybercrime. Read more here

AI Watch

The NYC Algorithm Deciding Which Families Are Under Watch for Child Abuse (The Markup)—New York City uses an algorithm to predict child abuse risk, influencing whether families are investigated by child services. The system considers nearly 300 variables—like income, mental health, and location—to generate risk scores, many of which disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Families are not notified when flagged, leading to hidden surveillance and deep anxiety. Critics say the tool lacks transparency, accountability, and fairness, potentially widening systemic biases in child welfare. As AI becomes more embedded in public services, this case exposes the ethical dilemma of predictive policing applied to family life and vulnerable populations. Read more here

AI’s Growing Energy Appetite Sparks Climate Concerns (MIT Technology Review)—As AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini scale globally, the energy required to power them has exploded. Training massive models uses tens of millions of kilowatt-hours, with inference and deployment compounding that demand. Experts now warn that AI could become a significant driver of emissions, outpacing other digital sectors. Google’s own disclosures show surging energy use, with even “green” data centers falling short of offsetting the climate cost. The article stresses the urgent need for greater efficiency, transparency, and policy oversight to avoid repeating the environmental mistakes of Web2 infrastructure in the AI era. Read more here

Robot Watch

China's Robot Makers Crowd the Market Amid Tariff Relief and Scaling Ambitions (South China Morning Post)—At the Guangzhou International Intelligent Robot Exhibition, more than 800 Chinese robotics firms competed for attention in a market now flooded with humanoid and industrial bots. Companies like Li-Gong Industrial and DX Intech Technology are scaling production, with plans to build hundreds of robots each month for manufacturing, logistics, and service sectors. The landscape mirrors China’s earlier electric vehicle surge, marked by rapid innovation and fierce competition. A recent easing of U.S. tariffs has added momentum, opening doors for export and raising stakes at home. As the field matures, only a few players are likely to survive the shakeout. Read more here