Google releases Gemini 3.8 Live and Extended Thinking
The new real-time models add asynchronous tool calls, visual context and a separate background-reasoning route for more complex live work.
By Benedict Felix · Updated 7 October 2026
What this changes for UK buyers
Voice-agent teams now have a latency-led default and a deeper-reasoning option at published API rates, but complete resolved-call cost and quality still require a same-flow test.
What buyers should do
Pilot both model codes on identical calls and record completion, interruption, tool failures, escalation, latency and complete cost.
Primary announcement
Google launch announcement ↗This is a dated source-linked buyer briefing. A vendor announcement does not prove UK account eligibility, an independent performance result or regulatory compliance. Open the primary source and confirm the exact plan before changing a production workflow.
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