Google AI Updates: April 16, 2026

1. Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS Launches with Expressive AI Speech in 70+ Languages

Google. Google introduced Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS, a text-to-speech model with improved controllability and expressivity using new audio tags for steering vocal style and pacing across 70+ languages. The model achieved a 1,211 Elo score on industry benchmarks and is available via Google AI Studio, Vertex AI, and Workspace products, with all audio watermarked using SynthID. Source

2. Native Gemini Desktop App Arrives on Mac

Google. Google shipped its first desktop AI assistant with a native macOS Gemini app, activated via Option+Space. The app can analyze screen content, process local files, generate images, video, and music, and run deep research queries. It is free to download with subscription tiers for higher usage limits. Source

3. Boston Dynamics Deploys Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 in Spot for Industrial Inspections

Google DeepMind. Boston Dynamics integrated Google DeepMind’s Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 into its Spot inspection platform via the Orbit/AIVI software, enabling autonomous gauge reading, hazard detection, and safety audits in industrial settings with 93% accuracy. This marks the first commercial deployment of Google’s embodied reasoning model in production environments. Source