I tried Google’s new live AI search — and it barely feels like search anymore | Tech Radar

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I tried Google’s new live AI search — and it barely feels like search anymore

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For over 25 years, searching has meant typing words into a little white box on your screen. Well, that could all be about to change because Google has just launched Live Search globally, and it’s the most radical shake-up of searching I can remember.

We’ve all known that search is changing. Google’s AI Mode was the first indication. It was hated at first, but it has quickly become the new normal, at least for me. AI Mode is what you usually see first when you perform a Google search, and to be honest, it does a pretty good job of answering any question you have.

The latest update from the boffins in Google Labs is to add Live Search to the Google mobile app. The ‘Live’ concept will be familiar to anybody who uses Gemini, Google’s insanely popular AI. In Live mode, you can talk to Gemini as if it were a person and have a natural-feeling conversation.

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If you’ve never tried Gemini Live, then it’s worth trying, because it’s pretty good. In fact, this week it was upgraded to use Gemini 3.1 Flash Live, making it more accurate and easier to use than ever before. Gemini Live used to be pretty bad at dealing with interruptions. Since the switch to the new Flash 3.1 model, it feels much smoother to use and handles interruptions better, which makes for better conversation.

Live Search is also based on the latest Gemini 3.1 Flash Live, which is multilingual, so you’ll be able to use it in your preferred language all around the world. It’s not entirely the same as using it in the Gemini app, though. For instance, when you’re using Live Search, you’ll notice that you have to tap the Interrupt button to interrupt Gemini — any attempt to talk over it with your voice is ignored.

I actually preferred having a button to press, because talking over Gemini always felt a bit awkward.

If you open the Google app on your mobile, you’ll now see a Live icon just below the Search bar. Tap it, and you enter the Live Search screen. Here you can talk to Gemini and get answers. You’ll notice three buttons at the bottom of the screen. Mute will stop Gemini listening, Video will enable Gemini to ‘see’ what you’re looking at (useful if you want it to say “Find me one of these online” while pointing your camera at an object in your house), and Transcript, which will enable you to read your conversations.

That’s about all you need to know to use Live Search. Now you can just tell Gemini what you’re searching for, and it will start the process for you. Of course, because you’re in an interactive chat, Gemini will ask you some follow-up questions to narrow down your search.

For example, I asked Live Search to find me a PC for home, and it came back with sensible questions about what I wanted to use it for to help it find the best fit.

I used the camera to show Live Search my Air Pods Pro 2 case on my desk and asked it to find them online. It asked if I’d be interested in upgrading to the Air Pods Pro 3. I said yes, and it found me a pair on Amazon for a bargain price.

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It showed links to pages it had found at the bottom of the screen, and if you click one, it takes you there while your Live Search conversation continues in the background as you browse the website. It’s almost too easy!

This was when I realized it felt less like searching and more like a conversation with a personal shopper who was helping me find exactly what I wanted.

Forget AI Mode — real-time conversation with Live Search feels like the moment traditional search finally gets replaced, and after using it, I’m not looking back.

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Graham is the Senior Editor for AI at Tech Radar. With over 25 years of experience in both online and print journalism, Graham has worked for various market-leading tech brands including Computeractive, PC Pro, i More, Mac Format, Mac|Life, Maximum PC, and more. He specializes in reporting on everything to do with AI and has appeared on BBC TV shows like BBC One Breakfast and on Radio 4 commenting on the latest trends in tech. Graham has an honors degree in Computer Science and spends his spare time podcasting and blogging.

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