Google launches Gemini 3.8 Live to take on OpenAI's GPT-Live-1 at a fraction of the cost

Google has released Gemini 3.8 Live and Gemini 3.8 Live Extended Thinking, two audio models capable of processing visual inputs, executing background tool calls, and switching between 97 languages during live conversations. By pricing the service at $1.38 per hour, Google is directly competing with OpenAI’s GPT-Live-1 to capture the developer market for real-time speech-to-speech applications. This release marks a shift toward lower-cost, high-performance voice interaction tools that maintain complex functionality while sustaining continuous dialogue.