You Can Try These New Google I/O Features for Free Right Now.
At its I/O 2026 conference, Google announced a slew of updates . The first modern smart glasses (called “Intelligent Eyewear”) will arrive later this year , as will Google’s universal shopping assistant, Universal Cart . There’s even a brand-new AI model , Omni, that can create any output from any input, which should significantly help address the problem of AI-generated misinformation. But not all of the features Google announced on Tuesday are available now (or free). For example, most of the new Workspace features require a subscription, as will many of the AI enhancements coming in the future. If you want to test Omni today, you can, but you’ll need to pay for one of Google’s AI subscriptions.
But there’s good news: you can try some of the features and changes Google announced at I/O right now, completely free. These are new enhancements to the apps and services you use every day, like Google Search, the Gemini app, and Gemini itself. While Google plans to release even more free features at I/O later this year (and as early as this summer), here are the new features you can try today:
Gemini 3.5 Flash app is now available in Google Search and in the Gemini app.
The Google I/O 2026 conference was dedicated to artificial intelligence. Therefore, one of the most important announcements of the presentation was the update to the Gemini 3.5 Flash , the latest version of Google’s Gemini model. This is the first model in the Gemini 3.5 family, as Google states that work on the Gemini 3.5 Pro is ongoing.
According to Google, the Gemini 3.5 Flash competes with other flagship AI models “on multiple metrics.” The company claims that the 3.5 Flash outperforms the 3.1 Pro in programming and agent performance tests, and is an industry leader in multimodal understanding. Because it is a “Flash” model, it is designed for higher speed than other models, which prioritize performance over speed. In this regard, Google claims the 3.5 Flash is four times faster than other “leading” models.
According to Google, Gemini 3.5 Flash is an option for virtually anyone using AI. If you’re a developer, Google claims 3.5 Flash will save you time and money, as it often costs less than half the price of similar models. But for everyone else who doesn’t use AI for programming or development, Gemini 3.5 will be most accessible through Google Search and the Gemini app. As of Tuesday, this is the model powering Google’s flagship AI products, so if you’ve used Gemini in the past 24 hours, you’ve likely used 3.5 Flash.
Google’s new “Intelligent Search” feature has already begun rolling out.
Numerous changes are coming to Google Search, many of which fundamentally alter how the platform operates. Google wants search to become truly AI-powered, focusing more on interactions with AI and AI reviews than on individual links and the sources from which these answers are retrieved. As websites continue to lose traffic due to these AI updates, it’s no exaggeration to say that this new approach could forever change the internet.
The major changes will arrive next week. However, you’ll notice other changes when using Google Search today. Sure, you now know that Gemini 3.5 Flash powers AI mode and AI reviews, but that’s far from the only change . Perhaps the most notable update is the new “Intelligent Search” field. When you select “AI mode” in the search bar, Google uses Gemini 3.5 Flash to suggest AI-powered suggestions as you type. As advertised, this feature seems designed for more conversational queries rather than quick questions. For example, “I’m looking for a new hobby and am interested in pottery.” As you type, Google might suggest the next question: “Is it easier to learn to use a pottery wheel or to sculpt by hand?” The idea is to guess your question to save time or suggest search queries you might not have thought of on your own. The feature is also multimodal, so you can search using images, files, videos, or Chrome tabs, in addition to text.
Google began rolling out this feature to users on Tuesday, so it may be available to you too, but it may take some time. (At the time of writing, I haven’t seen it yet.)
AI mode has become even easier to use.
AI-powered reviews are met with mixed reactions: many find them convenient for getting quick results, while others criticize the tool’s accuracy . (Remember that AI reviews once recommended applying glue to pizza to prevent the cheese from falling off .) However, if you enjoy using Google’s AI-powered search tools, you might appreciate this next change.
On Tuesday, Google released an update to AI reviews that makes it easier to switch to AI mode directly from search results. Now, when you receive an AI review, you can expand it, and a chat box will appear at the bottom of the window. This allows you to initiate a conversation in AI mode if you want to continue asking questions about the topic.
New search features are coming this summer.
This summer, Google will also introduce a host of new search features. Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers will be able to try out “information agents” that monitor specific topics, sales, or trends and alert you to changes. Both free and paid users will be able to use agents to book goods and services, including restaurant reservations and private karaoke rooms, directly in search results. Additionally, this summer, Google is launching Universal Cart for all users, allowing you to add items from multiple stores to a single digital shopping cart.
But perhaps the most significant update for free users, in my opinion, is agent-based programming. Google will use Flash Gemini 3.5 to create real-time interactive elements based on your queries. If you’re interested in black holes, Google can create a demo for you to experiment with and see how they work. These features will also be available for free this summer.
The Gemini app has received a design update in the style of “Neural Expressiveness.”
In addition to running on the Gemini 3.5 Flash engine, the Gemini app has received a new visual update. Google calls it “Neural Expressive” and includes new animations, colors, typography, and haptic feedback. It’s definitely a departure from the original Gemini app, as well as Google’s familiar design language, so if you’re interested in the user interface updates, you can check them out today.