Google AI Plus

Google has restricted which AI models are available to free Gemini users and subscribers of the AI Plus plan, according to ZDNET Japan. The change narrows the range of models those users can choose from, with the most capable versions presumably reserved for higher-paying tiers. The move is drawing attention in Japan as users assess what the limits mean for everyday Gemini use.

Mozilla's head of Firefox says a major redesign is central to the browser's push to reclaim users from Google Chrome. In an interview with Ars Technica, he outlined product priorities and expressed skepticism about rushing AI features into the browser, arguing Firefox must offer a genuine alternative as competition in the browser market narrows.

Orkut Buyukkokten, creator of the once-hugely popular social network Orkut, is working to relaunch the platform. The new version is being positioned against algorithmic feeds and AI-generated content, with the founder arguing for a return to more human, authentic online socialising. Orkut was shut down by Google in 2014 but retains nostalgic appeal, particularly in Brazil and India, and the revival has drawn interest from former users and tech commentators.

Google is set to limit which Gemini AI models free users and Google AI Plus subscribers can access, with changes taking effect October 9. From that date, free users will only be able to use the Gemini Flash-Lite 3.5 model, a move seen as pushing people toward paid plans for access to more capable models. Coverage is drawing attention to what this means for casual users of Google's AI assistant.

Google is reshaping access to its Gemini app. Free-tier and AI Plus subscribers are being limited in which models they can use, while AI Pro subscribers gain access to Deep Think, the company's more advanced reasoning model. The changes sharpen the line between paid and free tiers, pushing heavier users toward pricier subscriptions as competition in AI chatbots intensifies.

Google is set to change Gemini access limits starting October 2026. Free users will be moved to the Flash-Lite model, while AI Plus subscribers will lose access to the Pro model. The reported downgrades are drawing attention from tech and AI communities discussing how Google is narrowing capabilities on lower-cost plans.

A Japanese tech roundup covering late September to early October reports that xAI has released Grok 4.7, that support services are launching for building private-network AI using Google's Gemini Enterprise, and that NTT's IOWN all-photonic network is being used for remote 3D sports viewing. The item aggregates recent artificial intelligence developments, including agentic AI and moves toward general artificial intelligence.