Google

Google Expands 'Search Live' Multimodal AI Feature Globally


Executive Summary

Google has announced the global expansion of "Search Live," its interactive, conversational AI search feature. Now available in over 200 countries and territories, Search Live allows users of the Google app's AI Mode to ask questions using voice and their device's camera for a more intuitive, real-time search experience. The expansion is powered by a new, inherently multilingual audio and voice model called Gemini 3.1 Flash Live, which enables more natural conversations in users' preferred languages.

Key Takeaways

* Global Availability: Search Live is now accessible in all languages and locations where Google's AI Mode is available, covering more than 200 countries and territories.

* New AI Model: The feature is underpinned by the new Gemini 3.1 Flash Live model, which is designed for more natural, multilingual audio and voice conversations.

* Multimodal Interaction: Users can speak questions aloud to receive audio responses and use their phone's camera to provide visual context for their queries (e.g., asking how to assemble an item they are looking at).

* Access Points: The feature can be initiated by tapping the "Live" icon in the Google app on Android and iOS, or by selecting the "Live" option within the Google Lens interface.

* Target Use Case: It is designed for situations where real-time, hands-free assistance is needed and typing a query is impractical.

Strategic Importance

This global rollout solidifies Google's push to transform traditional search into a conversational, multimodal AI assistant, directly competing with other AI-native interfaces and making its core product more interactive and accessible.

Original article