What you need to know
- Google announced an expansion of Connected Apps in AI mode for Search, giving US users access to Instacart, YouTube Music, and Canva.
- These services allow users to take advantage of AI in their grocery shopping, as the AI mode asks them for their preferred store before placing their items in an Instacart bag at checkout.
- Google says it is working with other partners to add more services.
Google’s Connected Apps allow users to bring Gemini into email, Drive, and more. This week, the experience is expanding with the help of AI mode.
Google announced this afternoon (July 16) that it will be rolling out connected apps in AI mode. The post says, “…we’re making it possible to connect apps directly in search.” Connected Apps in AI mode will roll out first to users in the US, adding three “go-to” services for users to get started. US users can connect their YouTube Music account to AI mode to create playlists.
The company gives a simple example, saying users can prompt the AI to create a playlist for someone’s birthday. It helps if you tell them how old you are because the AI takes the time machine back to their birth year and creates a playlist that blends past and present. AI mode generates results in chat. Users can find the AI-generated playlist title, number of songs, playlist length (minutes/hours), and buttons to “Add to Library” or play.
One thing to keep in mind is that YouTube Music’s AI mode playlists expire after a certain period of time. Google recommends that users save playlists to avoid losing them.
Instacart is another service that allows users to take advantage of AI. If you want to buy groceries before a big party, you can tell the AI to “buy everything I need for the barbecue and add it to my grocery cart.” AI mode sifts through your Google account, Gmail, and more to gather details. Since you said “grocery cart,” Instacart is your go-to to complete the process.
Users can select their desired store, view the items in their cart, and open Instacart to complete the transaction.
Let AI do the heavy lifting
image 1 of 3
The last service to come in AI mode is Canva. As you may know, this is the go-to app for creating flyers and other promotional materials. Users can instruct AI Mode to create a specific banner in Canva, along with specific details such as theme, date and time of the event, etc. In AI mode, results are provided in chat. Users can tap on individual AI creations to edit them in the Canva app.
The AI Mode Connect app is rolling out to users in the US today (July 16). Google says it is “working with a variety of partners” and teases that there will be more to come.
Personal Intelligence was a big update for Gemini in January. Now users can bring Gemini into their personal lives by connecting photos, Gmail, YouTube, and other apps. Users can ask Gemini to find a date in a series of recent emails or find a replacement tire. The AI looks through your emails and photos to find the make and model of your car before completing the search.
Google rolled out the experience in AI mode, Gemini, and Gemini in Chrome to more US users in March. This was previously limited to Google’s apps, but this expansion allows users to do even more.
