What You Missed from Google I/O 2025

This Week

Google and Microsoft both dropped product bombs last week. Hundreds of features. Dozens of demos. If you didn’t have time to watch the keynotes, read the recaps, and sort out the jargon, you’re not alone. I sat through it all so you don’t have to. 

This week: Google I/O.

Next week: Microsoft.

Let’s get into it…

What You Missed from Google I/O 2025

Sundar opened I/O with a stat that says it all: Google is now processing 480 trillion tokens a month. A year ago, that number was 9.7 trillion. That’s a 50x increase, fueled largely by 3 billion Workspace users and the rise of the Gemini app, which now boasts over 400 million monthly active users.

Still, scale on its own doesn’t impress me. What matters is whether it actually changes how products work. And this year, it feels like it finally does. Vergecast called it the first I/O in years where the products caught up to the promise, and I agree.

Here’s what’s worth your time.

AI Mode

AI Mode—Google’s new AI-powered search experience—is now rolling out in the U.S., and it feels familiar. The interface is almost identical to what you’ll find in Perplexity or ChatGPT’s search mode: conversational answers, clickable sources, follow-up prompts. If you’ve used AI Overviews, it’s a natural extension of that.

Google also previewed what’s next—things like Deep Search, Live Search, and Agentic Search—but those are still in the teaser phase.

If you want to try AI Mode now, look for it in the top left tab of your browser or access it via Labs.

One gripe: I wish Google would streamline its AI branding. Right now, features are scattered across Gemini, Search Labs, Workspace, and more. From what I’ve read, the sprawl is intentional—a way to test without breaking core products for billions of users. That makes sense, but it also means we’re stuck navigating a pretty confusing mess of names and features in the meantime.

Gmail

Gmail is finally getting smarter replies that sound like you. 

Gemini will draft messages using your past emails and Drive files as reference, adjusting for context and tone. It’s a huge step up from the current “draft an email” tool, which is still stiff and mechanical.

If you’ve been leaning on ChatGPT to clean up your emails, you’re not alone. This upgrade can’t come soon enough.

The catch: it won’t land until year’s end.

NotebookLM

NotebookLM got a few solid upgrades. 

You can now control the length of Audio Overviews, making summaries as short or detailed as you need. It’s also easier to add sources. Just tap “share” on any site, PDF, or YouTube video and send it to NotebookLM, no matter what app you’re in. 

Google also launched a mobile app for iOS and Android. It’s a solid first version, with core features live and more on the way.

Flow

Google also unveiled Flow, its new text-to-video model. You can describe shots in plain language, control camera angles and movement, and either bring in your own assets or generate them on the fly.

There’s also a tool called Scenebuilder, which helps you extend or transition scenes with smooth motion and consistent characters. Asset management is baked in too, so your clips and prompts stay organized.

It’s not ready for serious work yet, but it’s a fun sandbox—and a glimpse at where things are headed.

Gemini

Gemini also picked up some upgrades:

• You can now run Deep Research reports that combine public sources with your own PDFs and images.

• Imagen 4, Google’s new text-to-image model, is now live in the Gemini app.

• Coming soon: Agent Mode, which blends web browsing, research, and Google app integrations to complete tasks with minimal input. You will need to fork out $249/month for the AI Ultra subscription.

• Google Meet now supports live voice translation between English and Spanish, also only available on AI Ultra.

One of my favorite updates didn’t come from the keynote—it came from McLaren. Their latest ad shows off Gemini’s Chrome integration, with a nod to how AI can keep drivers (and tabs) on track. 

As a brand marketer (and a Piastri fan 🇦🇺, of course) I loved seeing Google use a championship contender to make AI feel fast, useful, and fun. Smart move and great storytelling.

Test Your I/O Knowledge

Think you’ve got the Google I/O announcements down? 

Put yourself to the test with this quiz, built using Gemini’s new AI quiz feature: Take the quiz.

Let’s see how closely you were paying attention.

Until next week.