Google introduced Gemini 3.8 Live and Gemini 3.8 Live Extended Thinking, two AI models for spoken conversations, on Sept. 15, 2026. In its launch announcement, the company said the models are beginning to roll out across developer tools and consumer products.
What is Gemini 3.8 Live designed to do?
Gemini 3.8 Live is designed for quick back-and-forth voice conversations. Google says it handles interruptions, switches among 97 languages mid-conversation and uses live visual context to help answer questions. The company illustrates that with Search Live: pointing a camera at a plumbing problem and receiving spoken troubleshooting guidance. Those are Google's stated capabilities and demonstration, rather than independently tested results. Google AI's announcement
How does Extended Thinking handle longer tasks?
Gemini 3.8 Live Extended Thinking adds background reasoning and spoken progress updates while external tools run. Google's developer documentation recommends it for tasks such as comparing flights and hotels, diagnosing technical problems or working through code.
The distinction matters when an answer takes more than one quick exchange. The model can acknowledge a request and report progress while it plans and waits for information. A spoken update does not mean the task is finished: Google instructs developers to track a separate completion signal before treating the interaction as done.
That also changes how developers connect tools. Extended Thinking requires tools that can run without blocking the conversation, and offers adjustable reasoning levels. Google recommends the standard Live model for immediate responses and simpler tasks. Live API integration guidance
Where can people use the new models?
Google says both models are rolling out through the Gemini API and Google AI Studio. Live is also coming to Search Live, while Extended Thinking is rolling out in Gemini Live.
Workspace access depends on the subscription: Google lists Docs for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, and Gmail and Keep for all Google AI subscribers. Enterprise access begins in private preview; Workspace business availability is still forthcoming. These are staged rollouts, not a promise of immediate access for every account. Google's rollout details
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