Google Gemini’s updated thinking level allows you to increase its cognitive abilities.

      Google

      With Google I/O 2026 approaching, Google appears to be struggling to keep Gemini leaks under wraps. Every few days, new information emerges regarding the app, and this time it seems that Google is looking into providing users with greater control over the extent of "thinking" that Gemini performs before generating a response.

      A report from 9to5Google indicates that some users are beginning to notice a new "Thinking Level" feature in the Gemini app. This option reportedly appears within the existing model selection interface, where users can already pick from options such as Fast, Thinking, Pro, or Google AI Plus.

      Things are becoming more nuanced

      Rather than just selecting a model, Google seems to be testing how thoroughly that model processes a task. The report mentions that the new Thinking Level option currently appears when choosing Fast (Gemini 3 Flash) or Gemini 3.1 Pro with thinking activated. At this stage, the rollout looks to be very limited.

      If this sounds familiar, it's because Google AI Studio already provides similar controls with Low, Medium, and High reasoning settings. Integrating this flexibility into the standard Gemini app seems like a logical next step, especially as AI firms increasingly focus on how "thoughtful" or autonomous their assistants are.

      Honestly, I believe this could prove to be more beneficial than it seems.

      Not every AI request requires maximum reasoning capabilities. Sometimes, you simply need a quick response without waiting extra seconds for the model to overthink your grocery list, as though it were preparing a PhD dissertation. Allowing users to manage the balance between response speed and in-depth reasoning could enhance Gemini's day-to-day user experience.

      Google is also expanding the growing network of third-party app integrations within Gemini. Currently, Gemini collaborates with applications and services like GitHub, OpenStax, Spotify, and WhatsApp.

      However, support documents reportedly suggest that integrations for Canva, Instacart, and OpenTable are on the horizon. None of these integrations seem to be active yet, but they are timely. Google I/O typically showcases Gemini evolving beyond a simple chatbot into a genuine digital assistant capable of performing tasks across various apps and services.

      At this point, the evolution of Gemini appears to focus less on delivering smarter answers alone and more on transforming the app into one that seamlessly manages aspects of your digital life in the background — ideally without complicating things unnecessarily.

      Shimul is a contributor at Digital Trends, with over five years of experience in the tech field.

      Google's Gemini might be testing weekly limits, which may not please free users

      Currently, nearly every significant AI chatbot adheres to a similar strategy: attract users with an unexpectedly capable free tier, then gradually encourage them to switch to a paid subscription when they begin depending on the service. For many users, the free versions are already sufficient. You can pose questions, create images, summarize documents, and brainstorm ideas without encountering constant paywalls. This is why a recently discovered change within Google's Gemini app seems notably intriguing.

      A user on X shared a screenshot indicating that Google might be testing stricter usage monitoring and potential weekly limits within Gemini. The screenshot contains a new section that reads, "Plan limits determine how much you can use Gemini over time." This suggests that Google may be gearing up for a more stringent system that tracks how often free users engage with Gemini, particularly when utilizing more resource-intensive AI models.

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      Scientists just broke a wireless speed record that could shape the future of 6G

      Researchers achieved 112Gbps over a 560GHz wireless connection, indicating faster backhaul before 6G reaches mobile devices.

      Scientists have revolutionized wireless speed beyond the capabilities of current mobile networks. A team from Tokushima University demonstrated a 112Gbps wireless connection in the 560GHz band, employing soliton microcombs to create a more stable terahertz signal for prospective 6G systems.

      The immediate benefit isn't a quicker smartphone; it lies in the underlying infrastructure that transfers traffic between network locations, where backhaul capacity will determine if future 6G speeds feel genuine or become obstructed by congested network channels. This represents a significant 6G speed discovery to monitor, even if consumers won't see it reflected in device specifications anytime soon.

      Japan developed robot wolves to prevent bear attacks, and they’re flying off the shelves

      Orders for the "Monster Wolf" have reportedly surged in response to a rise in wildlife encounters.

      Few headlines sound equally plausible as both a leap in robotics and the storyline of a low-budget sci-fi horror film. Japan's deployment of illuminated robot wolves to deter bears is certainly one of them. The country’s unusual robots are experiencing a dramatic increase in demand, as reported by AFP, due to a surge in bear attacks and sightings throughout Japan. Japan’s robot wolves have become unexpectedly popular as anti-bear measures.

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