I tried Googles new live AI search and it barely feels like search anymore

Date:
Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Description:
Googles global rollout of Search Live shows how AI is replacing traditional search with real-time conversation

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member
features. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting
your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter 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 its the most radical shake-up of searching I can remember.

Weve all known that search is changing. Googles 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, Googles insanely popular AI. In Live mode, you
can talk to Gemini as if it were a person and have a natural-feeling conversation. Article continues below You may like Google's AI-powered conversational Search Live tool is going global with real-time answers now available in more languages Google Search gives AI Overviews Gemini 3 upgrade and and AI Mode connection Gemini gets its biggest upgrade yet 'Personal Intelligence' that uses your Gmail, Photos, Search and YouTube history - and it could be our first glimpse of the new Siri in iOS 27 Let's have a live
chat If youve never tried Gemini Live, then its worth trying, because its 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 youll be able to use it in your preferred language all
around the world. Its not entirely the same as using it in the Gemini app, though. For instance, when youre using Live Search, youll 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, youll 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. Youll notice three buttons at the bottom of the screen. Mute will stop Gemini listening, Video will enable Gemini to see what youre 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. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. (Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda) Welcome to the new world of search Thats about all you need to know to use Live Search. Now you can just tell Gemini what youre searching for,
and it will start the process for you. Of course, because youre 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 AirPods Pro 2 case on my desk and asked it to find them online. It asked if Id be interested in upgrading to
the AirPods Pro 3. I said yes, and it found me a pair on Amazon for a bargain price. What to read next I turned on Location in ChatGPT and it changed how
I searched How Gemini in Google Maps makes travel more flexible Google TV
gets a Gemini glow-up, with a ton of new upgrades

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. Its 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, Im not looking back. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/ai-platforms-assistants/gemini/i-tried-googles-new-l ive-ai-search-and-it-barely-feels-like-search-anymore


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