Every new tool and AI model from Google I/O you can try for free

Source: Mashable Tech

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.

I/O was huge for Gemini superusers, as the flashiest new features are all rolling out to paying members right now. Even Google AI Plus and Pro users will miss out on some of them. That makes sense from a business and AI‑safety perspective — test new tools with your most engaged power users, then roll them out widely — but it does make things a bit less exciting for the average Google user.

Fear not, though, because there actually were a few new tools announced on Tuesday that you can use right away, and without dropping a single cent. Let’s talk about them.

Gemini 3.5 Flash

The biggest news out of Google I/O? The immediate launch of Gemini 3.5 Flash, the new default model for the Gemini app and Google Search.

If you want to try it, just open the Gemini app or use Google AI Mode. Google says Gemini 3.5 Flash is faster than other models, can better handle complex agentic tasks, and uses tokens more efficiently. It can even help with “vibe coding.” Gemini 3.5 Flash is now the default Gemini model for everyone, so you can try it immediately.

Gemini Omni Flash for YouTube Shorts and Create

Gemini Omni Flash is a new world model that currently generates video. It can simulate physics and draw from Gemini’s real‑world knowledge, resulting in more accurate environments.

Omni Flash videos can be edited via conversational dialogue with the app—just tell it to change the background of a shot, for example.

At launch 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 for YouTube Shorts and in the YouTube Create app for all users, for free.

SynthID in Chrome and Google Search

Credit: Google / YouTube

During I/O, Google announced that Chrome and Search will now be able to use SynthID—an invisible digital watermark embedded in AI‑generated content—to detect AI‑generated images.

• Right‑click on an image in Chrome to see if SynthID is present.
• Use the Circle to Search feature to check images on the fly.

Several third‑party entities, including OpenAI, have also adopted SynthID, making the watermark more widespread.

Neural Expressive in the Gemini app

Credit: Google

Google introduced a new visual design language for Gemini. While not a separate tool, it’s available for free right now in the Gemini desktop and mobile apps. The redesign features more vibrant colors, new haptic feedback, fluid animations, and integrates Gemini Live (the app’s live voice mode) directly into the core experience.

Google Pics

Google Pics is coming this summer. Credit: Google

Google teased the upcoming launch of Google Pics, a Canva‑like tool for creating images, flyers, and other visual presentations. It will be integrated into Workspace apps such as Google Docs and Keep and powered by Google AI, leveraging Gemini intelligence and the Nano Banana image generator.

Google Pics will initially roll out to paid users, but if you have a Google Workspace business account through your employer, you’ll be able to try it without any additional cost.