Skip to main content

Google Magic Compose could soon pull through bars, shops or shows from your search history

A fresh Google patent could bring significant and time-saving upgrades to Google's AI-powered message generator, Magic Compose.

Picture the scene: you're planning a night out to counteract those Blue Monday blues. Messages on the group chat are flowing like happy hour cocktails – everyone's free! Only, what was the name of that place you wanted to check out? Was it Bemelman's, written like that? Or was it Beekman (and was there an 's' on the end so you don't look silly)? You pause. You quickly type, 'Bear with me guys, brb' and head off to your search history. 

Well, that bit of faff when planning could soon be a thing of the past. 

It's all thanks to a newly published Google patent (thank you for spotting, business aid Website Rating and David from @xleaks7) which could bring significant upgrades to Google's AI-powered text message generator. 

Magic Compose was initially unveiled during Google I/O 2023 in May 2023 as the Google Messages equivalent of Gmail's Help Me Write for mobile devices, and rolled out not long after. 

Google's patent (originally filed September 21, 2023 and published January 11, 2024) includes images that go to great lengths to describe how it could save you precious time when planning, too. 

Basically, in the scenario I created above, Google's AI wizardry for Messages could pull through the name, website and booking details for the bar you found while browsing on Yelp last week, along with Google Maps directions, thus saving you the time and effort of jumping between applications when you're oh-so busy. 

See more

Analysis: anything that simplifies planning via text is a huge win for Google

The idea is that these recommendations will come from prompts made by your contacts. So, if a friend suggests 'Want to grab dinner?' you'd get an immediate restaurant recommendation based on a review you read – et voilà, you've made dinner plans without leaving your messaging app. And if your plans are set in stone, you'd get a suggestion to add this to Google Calendar, too; you're so organized! 

But that's not all. The filing also includes AI-enhanced access to your media. Say I messaged a colleague asking for snaps from their recent trip to Las Vegas for CES 2024; (because I didn't go, guys…) no drama! Rather than having to scroll back through their camera reel, they'd get an input suggestion for all media tagged with those locations to quickly ping me.

Obviously, this technology aims to simplify the process of texting en route (when your fingers are frozen or when running to catch your train, say) and the patent certainly aligns with Google's desire to create an ecosystem of devices that seamlessly integrate with their users’ needs.

Do we want a bot writing our messages, knowing our plans and casually harvesting information on our whereabouts even more than the likes of ChatGPT – the chatbot which recently got its own equivalent of the App Store? That remains a hot topic of discussion, but if it simplifies messaging quickly, I predict some users will embrace it willingly. 

For me, the idea of not needing to switch apps to find the information or media I seek seems the biggest win – for example, I rarely remember it's actually called 'Bar Room at the Beekman' and it would be nice not to have to.

You might also like



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Garmin's new radar-equipped tail light will keep you safe on your e-bike

Garmin's Varia bike radars are some of the most popular pieces of cycling tech around – and now the company has delivered its first rearview radar to have been specially designed for some of the best e-Bikes .   Garmin's Varia range mounts to the back of your bike and broadcasts a radar signal behind you, so you can get visual and audible alerts when something's overtaking you. Even better, the new Varia eRTL615 plugs directly into most e-bikes, with no battery required. Because the catchily-named Varia eRTL615 is also a tail light, it'll also make sure you're visible to other vehicles too, promising to emit a flashing or solid light that's visible from up to a mile away in daylight. To connect Garmin's new radar tail light to your e-bike, you'll need to pick the right Garmin adapter cable (which isn't included). You can buy power cables compatible with Bosch, Shimano, or USB-A terminals or connections, with more info on those available on Garmin...
Post a Comment
Read more

Revolution Software is using their own AI technology to remake Broken Sword

TechRadar Gaming is reporting live from Gamescom 2023 on the latest and greatest developments in gaming and hardware. Revolution Software announced at Gamescom 2023 that Broken Sword would be coming back, with Broken Sword - The Shadow of the Templars getting a full remake while a sixth title in the series is coming in the future too, under the title Broken Sword - Parzival’s Stone .  Speaking to TRG ahead of the announcement, Cecil talked about the studio’s plans for a Broken Sword remake and the sixth title in the series. Cecil is a larger-than-life character, who is able to talk about the studio’s plans with enthusiasm. It even carries a pocketful of stones to illustrate the plans for Parzival’s Stone , but he also talks about how Broken Sword - The Shadow of the Templars would be using AI to upscale.  Cecil wasn’t shy about the studio’s use of AI technology, but he gave a fairly robust explanation of why the game was using it. The AI technology will be used to upda...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hackers steal passwords, emails from hookup websites

Two gay hookup websites have been breached with sensitive and personal user data stolen and sold online, new reports have claimed. The databases, which are now being sold on dark web forums, were taken from platforms called TruckerSucker, and CityJerks. They contain enough personally identifiable information to engage in identity theft , such as usernames and passwords, email addresses, profile pictures, sexual preferences, birth dates, postal addresses, IP addresses, and bios. The passwords are encrypted, but according to TechCrunch, the algorithm is “weak” and could be broken by a more persistent hacker. The silent treatment HaveIBeenPwned founder Troy Hunt, who was tipped off on the leak, described the incident as a “typical forum breach, albeit with super sensitive content.”  However the content includes more than just identity data, as there are also messages users exchanged, including arranging meetings and describing their sexual preferences.  In total, more than...
Post a Comment
Read more