Breaking news

Google Launches AI-Driven Scheduling Tool For Gmail And Calendar

Google has unveiled an innovative AI-powered scheduling feature designed for Gmail and Google Calendar users. Harnessing the advanced capabilities of its Gemini engine, the new ‘Help Me Schedule’ tool simplifies the process of arranging one-on-one meetings by automatically suggesting optimal times based on your calendar availability.

Streamlining The Scheduling Experience

Embedded directly beneath the email compose interface, the feature displays a range of available time slots sourced from your personal calendar. Users can customize these suggestions by modifying or removing specific time options before inserting them into their outgoing messages. Once a recipient selects a time, the system seamlessly updates both parties’ calendars, eliminating the need for manual coordination.

Contextual Intelligence For Maximum Efficiency

Distinguishing itself from other scheduling solutions like Calendly and Doodle, Google’s tool leverages contextual information from the email content. For instance, if a message specifies a 30-minute meeting, the AI will exclusively propose half-hour slots that align with your availability, ensuring meetings are scheduled precisely and efficiently.

Enhancing The Google Workspace Ecosystem

This launch is part of a broader series of updates aimed at further integrating AI into everyday business tools within Google Workspace. Recent enhancements include the introduction of the Nano Banana image editing model in Google Slides, the ability to share custom AI assistants known as Gems, new formats in NotebookLM, and improved AI video tools in Google Vids. Each of these updates underscores Google’s commitment to innovation and streamlined productivity in the digital workspace.

Additional Updates And Strategic Outlook

Alongside the new scheduling tool, Google has made significant improvements to its productivity features. Notably, Google Keep reminders will now be automatically saved to Google Tasks, ensuring even greater integration across the company’s productivity suite. As organizations increasingly rely on smart, integrated digital tools, these updates position Google at the forefront of workplace efficiency and technology innovation.

Apple Ties Its Mac Strategy To The AI Boom With New Mac Mini And Mac Studio Models

Apple has updated its Mac Mini and Mac Studio desktops with new processors and higher AI performance as developers increasingly use Macs for local AI workloads. The new models are scheduled to ship on Sept. 22, weeks before the company is expected to introduce its next iPhone generation.

Macs Target Local AI Development

Developers and researchers are increasingly using Apple computers to run AI models locally, reducing reliance on cloud infrastructure. Mac Mini systems can support AI agent software, while Mac Studio machines are designed for more demanding model training and deployment workloads.

Apple said its processors combine Neural Engines for machine learning with unified memory architecture designed to reduce performance bottlenecks. The company says the combination allows users to run and fine-tune larger AI models directly on their devices.

Mac Mini Gets First M6 Generation Chip

The updated Mac Mini can be configured with Apple’s M6 and M5 Pro processors, making it the company’s first computer with an M6-generation chip. The M6 is manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) using a 2-nanometer process.

The previous Mac Mini lineup offered M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max processors. Apple said the M5 Pro version of the new model can process large language model prompts 8.5 times faster than earlier Mac Mini Pro configurations.

Pricing has also increased. The new Mac Mini starts at $899, $100 more than the previous model, after Apple raised the price from $599 earlier this summer, citing higher memory costs.

Mac Studio Targets Larger AI Workloads

Mac Studio remains Apple’s highest-performance desktop without an integrated display, following the discontinuation of the Mac Pro earlier this year. New configurations include the M5 Max, which Apple says can run large language models nearly four times faster than the previous generation.

The M5 Ultra is available for users with heavier computing requirements. Apple says multiple Mac Studio systems using the Ultra chip can be connected to pool memory and run models with up to a trillion parameters.

Mac Studio with the M5 Max starts at $2,499, unchanged from the previous generation. The M5 Ultra configuration starts at $5,499, compared with at least $5,299 for the previous model using the M3 Ultra.

Apple Expands Its Local AI Hardware

The new desktops give developers and researchers more computing capacity for running AI models locally. Apple is also increasing the role of its custom processors and unified memory architecture in handling AI workloads without relying entirely on cloud-based computing.

Both Mac Mini and Mac Studio models are available for presale and are scheduled to begin shipping on Sept. 22.

Uol
Aretilaw firm
eCredo
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter