LWiAI Podcast #229: Google defaults Gemini 3 Flash ChatGPT app launch Nemotron 3
The latest episode of LWiAI, numbered 229, dives into three headlines that have been buzzing the AI community this week. First up, Google has rolled out Gemini 3 Flash and placed it as the default model inside its Gemini app—a move that could reshape how users interact with the service. Next, OpenAI’s ChatGPT platform has opened an app store, signaling that third‑party developers can now publish extensions directly to the chatbot’s ecosystem. Finally, the conversation turns to Nemotron 3, a new model that’s generating its own set of questions among researchers.
The hosts structure the show around a quick banter, a news preview, and a tools‑and‑apps segment, each punctuated by timestamps that let listeners jump to the parts they care about most. If you want the precise moments when each story is introduced—Google’s launch at 2:56 minutes, the ChatGPT store at 10:13, and the Nemotron discussion at 13:35—you’ll find them listed below.
Timestamps: (00:00:10) Intro / Banter (00:02:09) News Preview Tools & Apps (00:02:56) Google launches Gemini 3 Flash, makes it the default model in the Gemini app | TechCrunch (00:10:13) ChatGPT launches an app store, lets developers know it’s open for business | TechCrunch (00:13:35) Introducing GP
Timestamps: (00:00:10) Intro / Banter (00:02:09) News Preview Tools & Apps (00:02:56) Google launches Gemini 3 Flash, makes it the default model in the Gemini app | TechCrunch (00:10:13) ChatGPT launches an app store, lets developers know it's open for business | TechCrunch (00:13:35) Introducing GPT-5.2-Codex | OpenAI (00:19:23) Story about OpenAI release - GPT image 1.5 (00:22:27) Meta partners with ElevenLabs to power AI audio across Instagram, Horizon - The Economic Times Applications & Business (00:23:16) OpenAI to End Equity Vesting Period for Employees, WSJ Says (00:28:20) How China built its 'Manhattan Project' to rival the West in AI chips (00:36:47) China's Huawei, SMIC Make Progress With Chips, Report Finds (00:41:03) OpenAI in Talks to Raise At Least $10 Billion From Amazon and Use Its AI Chips (00:43:32) Amazon has a new leader for its 'AGI' group as it plays catch-up on AI | The Verge (00:47:27) Broadcom reveals its mystery $10 billion customer is Anthropic (00:49:12) Vibe-coding startup Lovable raises $330M at a $6.6B valuation | TechCrunch (00:50:38) Fal nabs $140M in fresh funding led by Sequoia, tripling valuation to $4.5B | TechCrunch Projects & Open Source (00:51:10) Nvidia Becomes a Major Model Maker With Nemotron 3 | WIRED (00:59:24) Meta introduces new SAM AI able to isolate and edit audio • The Register (00:59:54) [2512.14856] T5Gemma 2: Seeing, Reading, and Understanding Longer (01:03:10) Anthropic makes agent Skills an open standard - SiliconANGLE Research & Advancements (01:03:47) Budget-Aware Tool-Use Enables Effective Agent Scaling (01:08:21) Rethinking Thinking Tokens: LLMs as Improvement Operators (01:10:50) What if AI capabilities suddenly accelerated in 2027?
Will these releases shift the market? Google’s decision to make Gemini 3 Flash the default model in its Gemini app signals confidence in the flash‑speed architecture, yet the practical impact on everyday users remains unclear. Meanwhile, OpenAI rolled out GPT‑5.2 Codex, promising more advanced coding assistance; early benchmarks look impressive, but real‑world developer adoption has yet to be measured.
Nvidia introduced the open‑source Trion‑3 models, posting strong benchmark numbers that suggest competitive performance, though how they will integrate into existing pipelines is still uncertain. ChatGPT’s new app store opens the platform to third‑party developers, a move that could broaden functionality, but the quality and security of those apps have not been evaluated. Funding updates were mentioned, but details were sparse, leaving investors to wonder about the financial health behind these projects.
In short, the week delivered a cluster of high‑profile announcements, each backed by promising metrics; however, whether they translate into lasting improvements for users and developers alike is yet to be determined.
Further Reading
- Gemini 3 Flash: frontier intelligence built for speed - Google Blog
- Introducing Gemini 3 Flash, a major upgrade to your everyday AI - Gemini Apps Release Notes
- Release notes | Gemini API - Google AI for Developers - Google AI for Developers
- Introducing Gemini 3 Flash: Intelligence and speed for enterprises - Google Cloud Blog
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Common Questions Answered
Why did Google make Gemini 3 Flash the default model in its Gemini app?
Google rolled out Gemini 3 Flash and set it as the default to showcase its flash‑speed architecture, aiming to improve response times and user experience within the Gemini app. The move signals confidence that the newer model can handle a broader range of queries more efficiently than previous versions.
What new opportunity does the ChatGPT app store provide for third‑party developers?
The ChatGPT platform opened an app store, allowing third‑party developers to publish extensions directly into the chatbot’s ecosystem. This enables developers to create specialized tools, integrations, and plugins that users can add to enhance ChatGPT’s functionality.
How does the introduction of GPT‑5.2‑Codex relate to the topics discussed in the LWiAI Podcast #229?
During the episode, OpenAI’s release of GPT‑5.2‑Codex was highlighted as a more advanced coding assistant, complementing the discussion of other AI releases like Gemini 3 Flash and the ChatGPT app store. The codex aims to improve code generation and debugging, though real‑world adoption remains to be measured.
What is Nemotron 3 and why is it mentioned alongside other AI releases in the podcast?
Nemotron 3 is a new AI model referenced in the episode as part of the week’s notable AI headlines, indicating ongoing competition among large‑scale language models. While details are limited, its inclusion suggests it could impact the market alongside Google’s Gemini 3 Flash and OpenAI’s updates.