Google’s I/O 2025 keynote, led by CEO Sundar Pichai, was a deep dive into the future of artificial intelligence, spanning nearly two hours of groundbreaking reveals. While developers received a wealth of technical insights, the event also showcased numerous AI advancements poised to impact everyday users. These innovations underscore Google’s commitment to integrating AI across its product ecosystem, promising exciting new capabilities in communication, search, content creation, and augmented reality. Here are the five major Google IO 2025 announcements that highlight this AI-first approach.
1. Google Beam: AI-Enabled 3D Video Calls
For those who frequently engage in video calls, Google Beam introduces a significant leap forward. Described as an “AI-first video communications platform,” Beam aims to deliver glasses-free 3D visuals, transforming virtual meetings. Using a dedicated Beam device, AI processes your video feed to generate a realistic 3D model of you. This creates the illusion that you are physically present with the person on the other end of the call. Google touts “near perfect head tracking, down to the millimeter, and at 60 frames per second” for an immersive experience.
HP device with multiple cameras showcasing Google Beam's AI-powered 3D video call technology displayed at Google IO 2025.
Specialized hardware, such as the six-camera equipped screen from HP showcased, is necessary to convert 2D video into these dynamic 3D models, indicating Beam is initially targeted at professional environments rather than home use. Current demonstrations feature one-on-one conversations, with no confirmation yet on its capacity for multi-person meetings. The first Google Beam devices are slated for release later this year. Additionally, Google is developing real-time speech translation for Beam, aiming to facilitate seamless conversations between users speaking different languages. [internal_links]
2. Google AI Ultra: The VIP AI Subscription
Google has restructured its AI subscription offerings, introducing two paid tiers for consumers seeking enhanced AI capabilities.
Google AI Pro
Replacing the former AI Premium plan, Google AI Pro is priced at $19.99 per month. Subscribers receive:
- Gemini app access, featuring Gemini 2.5 Pro, Deep Research, and Veo 2.
- Flow, Google’s AI filmmaking tool powered by Veo 2.
- Whisk, with increased limits for image-to-video creation.
- NotebookLM.
- Gemini integration in Gmail, Docs, Vids, and more.
- Early access to Gemini in Chrome.
- 2TB of cloud storage for Photos, Drive, and Gmail.
Google AI Ultra
For users demanding the most advanced AI models and features, Google AI Ultra is available at $249.99 per month. This top-tier plan includes all AI Pro benefits, plus:
- Gemini app with the highest limits and exclusive access to Gemini 2.5 Pro Deep Think and Veo 3.
- Flow access utilizing Veo 3 for AI filmmaking.
- Whisk with the highest limits for image-to-video generation.
- NotebookLM with the highest limits and superior model capabilities.
- Gemini in Gmail, Docs, Vids, and more, with the highest usage limits.
- Early access to Project Mariner, an AI agent research prototype.
- An individual YouTube Premium plan.
- A substantial 30TB of storage for Photos, Drive, and Gmail.
A free tier remains for basic Gemini access without a monthly subscription.
3. Google Search: An AI Makeover and a Fun Shopping Feature
Google Search is undergoing a significant transformation with new AI features, headlined by an “AI Mode.” This mode allows users to pose more complex queries and engage in follow-up questions for a more conversational search experience. Google asserts that AI Mode can address any question, encouraging users to explore their curiosities. It delves deeper than traditional search for answers and reportedly includes verification steps to minimize AI “hallucinations.”
The goal is to provide a more comprehensive experience within Search, reducing the need to navigate multiple websites. Future capabilities include assisting with event ticket purchases and restaurant reservations (via Project Mariner AI agent), supporting school projects (through Project Astra integration), and even a “Try On” feature for clothing. Arriving in the coming months, “Try On” will let users upload a full-length photo to see how apparel from Google Shopping results would look on them. Later this summer, AI Mode will gain complex analysis and data visualization for sports and finance queries, presenting findings in AI-generated graphs and charts. Personal Context Mode, also launching this summer, will enable Search to scan your inbox for more personalized responses. [internal_links]
4. Google Flow: AI-Powered Filmmaking
Google unveiled new iterations of its AI image generator (Imagen) and AI video generator (Veo) during the I/O 2025 keynote, both integral to its new AI filmmaking tool, Google Flow.
Imagen 4 enhances Google’s text-to-image generation with improved picture quality and faster processing. A key advancement is its refined ability to handle characters and text within images, formatting text correctly and placing it logically. Veo 3 elevates Google’s AI video generator by incorporating audio capabilities, enabling the addition of background sound, sound effects, and dialogue to videos generated from text prompts.
While these AI models can be used independently, Google Flow combines them with Gemini into a comprehensive suite for filmmakers. This allows for the creation of cinematic clips and the integration of personal video clips and imagery with AI-generated content. Tools are available to shorten or extend video sections with additional prompts and to control camera direction and angles for optimal scene perspective. Google Flow is currently accessible to Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscribers in the US.
5. Android XR: Smart Glasses Are Closer to Reality
A particularly exciting segment of the I/O 2025 keynote focused on Google’s Android XR platform for VR headsets and AR glasses. Following previous news about its collaboration with Samsung on the Project Moohan VR headset, Google confirmed that its competitor to Apple Vision Pro will be available for purchase later this year.
More impressively, Google showcased a live demo of its Gemini-powered AI smart glasses. The demonstration illustrated how Gemini could display messages, accurately identify subjects in photographs on a wall, recall where the wearer purchased coffee earlier, provide walking directions back to the café, create a calendar entry, and invite a friend to meet—all through the smart glasses interface. Google announced that Gentle Monster and Warby Parker will be the initial partners to launch glasses featuring Android XR, with Samsung to follow. This compelling demonstration suggests that functional, AI-driven smart glasses are rapidly approaching mainstream viability. Further details and a release date for the first Android XR glasses are anticipated later this year.
In conclusion, Google I/O 2025 painted a vivid picture of an AI-integrated future, with innovations set to redefine how we interact with technology for communication, information access, creative endeavors, and perceiving the world around us. These advancements, from 3D video calls with Google Beam to the immersive potential of Android XR smart glasses and the enhanced intelligence of Google Search and AI subscription models, signal a significant evolution in Google’s offerings. As these technologies roll out, users can anticipate more intuitive, powerful, and personalized digital experiences. Stay tuned to MaagX for ongoing coverage and in-depth reviews of these and other emerging tech products.
