Google I/O 2026: Every new AI tool you can try for free

Google just announced a smorgasbord of new AI tools for productivity and creativity at its Google I/O keynote on Tuesday, but not many of them are available for free right now.

II/O has been big for Gemini’s biggest users, as the standout new features are all coming from paying members right now. Even Google AI Plus and Pro users will miss some of them. That makes sense from a business and security AI perspective – test new tools with your most engaged power users, then roll them out more – but it makes things a little less fun for the average Google user.

However, fear not, because there actually is be Several new tools were announced on Tuesday that you can use right away, and without having to drop a cent. Let’s discuss them.

Gemini 3.5 Flash

Big news coming out of Google I/O? Introducing Gemini 3.5 Flash, a new default version of the Gemini app and Google Search.

If you want to try it out, it’s as easy as opening the Gemini app or using Google AI Mode. Google says Gemini 3.5 Flash is faster than other models and can better handle complex agent tasks, while using tokens more efficiently. And yes, it can help with coding the vibe. This is easy to try, as Gemini 3.5 Flash is now everyone’s default Gemini model. Go check it out.

Gemini Omni Flash for YouTube Shorts and Create

First up is the Gemini Omni Flash, a new world model. Although it only produces video at the moment, it can simulate physics and draw on real-world information from Gemini, resulting in more accurate locations. Besides, Omni Flash videos can be edited through the app’s chat, so if you want to change the background of the shot, you can just tell it to do that.

Ultimately, the Omni will be a fully multimodal global model with both inputs again results. For starters, you can use text, images, videos, or audio as the basis for creation, rather than just text. Omni Flash will be available later this week in YouTube Shortcuts and the YouTube Create app for all users, free of charge.

SynthID in Chrome and Google Search

Tired of not being able to tell if something is powered by AI? Thanks to new developments with Google Search and Chrome, that should be much easier.

During I/O, Google announced that Chrome and Search will now be able to use SynthID (an invisible digital watermark for AI-generated content, created in the production environment) to detect AI content. All you have to do is right-click on an image or use the Circle to Search, at which point you’ll be notified if part of the image is AI — at least, the idea.

Part of this announcement was that several third-party organizations, including OpenAI, have also adopted SynthID, so it should be more widespread than ever.

Neural Expressive in Gemini app

Credit: Google

Finally, Google introduced a new visual design language for Gemini. Although it is not technically speaking tool, you can try it for free right away on the Gemini desktop and mobile app. The new design language uses bold colors, new haptic feedback, and fluid animations. Google says it’s also integrating Gemini Live, the app’s live voice mode, right into important information.

Google Pis

Google Pics is coming this summer.
Credit: Google

Google also teased the upcoming launch of Google Pics, which will be available in Workspace apps like Google Docs and Keep. A Canva-like tool for creating graphics, flyers, and similar visual presentations. Everything is powered by Google AI, of course, so you can use Gemini intelligence and Nano Banana image generation.

Unfortunately, Google Pis is again excluding paid users, with one exception. If you have a Google Workspace business account through your employer, you’ll be able to try Photos without paying anything yourself.