Google unveils Gemini AI platform and Fitbit Air tracker as Apple watch rumors swirl

At a glance:

• Google launches Gemini Intelligence, an AI umbrella covering phones, watches, cars and laptops, with cross‑app automation and widget creation.
• Fitbit Air, a screenless $99 fitness tracker with heart‑rate, AFib, HRV, SpO₂ and sleep monitoring, ships May 26; a $129 Stephen Curry edition adds an AI Coach.
• Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to be an incremental upgrade, with no major design change until a redesign in 2028.

Google rolls out Gemini intelligence across devices

Google used this week’s MacRumors Show to unveil Gemini Intelligence, the company’s new umbrella platform that threads generative AI through Android phones, Wear OS watches, Android Auto cars and upcoming laptops. The headline feature is cross‑app automation: a user can snap a photo of an event flyer, ask Gemini to locate tickets on Expedia, or feed a grocery list and have the AI populate a cart in a shopping app. A companion tool called Create My Widget lets users describe a home‑screen widget in plain language; Gemini then pulls data from Gmail and Calendar to assemble a personalized dashboard.

Gemini also arrives in Chrome for Android as an “agentic browsing” layer that begins rolling out at the end of June. Android Auto receives AI‑generated contextual replies and a DoorDash voice‑ordering shortcut. In a partnership with Meta, Google adds Ultra HDR, native stabilization and night mode to Instagram on Android flagship devices.

Gemini‑powered laptops debut this fall

The announcement included the Googlebook, a new laptop category built from the ground up around Gemini. Partner manufacturers Acer, Asus, Dell, HP and Lenovo will release models this autumn, each integrating Gemini’s AI core for on‑device assistance, contextual search and dynamic UI generation. Google says the devices will ship with a dedicated Gemini key, enabling seamless voice and text interactions across the OS.

Fitbit Air: a screenless health tracker for $99

Google introduced the Fitbit Air alongside Gemini news. The pill‑shaped, screenless tracker weighs only 12 g with its band and offers:

• Continuous heart‑rate monitoring, AFib detection, HRV analysis, SpO₂ measurement and detailed sleep‑stage tracking.
• Seven‑day battery life, with a five‑minute fast charge that provides a full day of use.
• No display, no buttons and no notifications, keeping the device ultra‑minimalist.

Pricing and variants:

• Base model: $99, ships May 26.
• Stephen Curry Special Edition: $129, includes exclusive branding.
• Core health tracking is free; Google Health Premium adds an AI Coach for $9.99 per month after a three‑month free trial.

The launch coincides with a broader rebrand: the Fitbit app becomes Google Health on May 19, absorbing Google Fit and adding Apple Health data support on iOS. APIs for Garmin, Whoop and Oura are also opening, positioning Google as a central hub for cross‑platform health data.

Apple’s health ecosystem and watch competition

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple has scaled back its Health+ coaching service, making a launch unlikely. By contrast, Google’s AI Coach is already available via subscription. The Apple Watch SE starts at $249 and requires daily charging, whereas the Fitbit Air’s $99 price point and week‑long battery life target a segment Apple does not cover.

Apple Watch Series 12 rumors

The same episode turned to Apple’s upcoming watch. Gurman said in March that the Series 12 will be an incremental upgrade, with no major design changes expected. A significant redesign is now projected for 2028. Leaker “Instant Digital” claimed Touch ID, which appeared in leaked code last year, has been deprioritized to improve battery life. DigiTimes earlier reported an eight‑sensor array on the back of at least one 2026 model, though blood‑pressure monitoring remains farther out. A new chip is anticipated, with leaked code suggesting a meaningful upgrade from the S10 used in the past three series. watchOS 27 is slated for preview at WWDC on June 8.

What this means for consumers and developers

Gemini’s cross‑app automation could reshape how Android users interact with everyday services, reducing the need to switch between apps. Developers will need to expose APIs that Gemini can call, potentially opening new revenue streams through AI‑enhanced features. Meanwhile, Google’s health‑data consolidation under Google Health may pressure Apple to accelerate its own health‑service roadmap, especially as the Fitbit Air offers a low‑cost, subscription‑free entry point for health‑conscious users.

The Apple Watch’s incremental update suggests Apple is focusing on refining existing hardware and software rather than overhauling design, likely to keep costs predictable while it navigates supply‑chain constraints that have plagued recent product cycles. Watch enthusiasts can expect watchOS 27 to bring new sensor integrations and software optimizations, but major hardware breakthroughs appear to be slated for later in the decade.

Overall, the week’s announcements highlight a growing convergence of AI and health tech, with Google positioning itself as a one‑stop platform for both. Apple remains a strong competitor in wearables, but its slower rollout of new health services may give Google an edge in the emerging AI‑driven wellness market.