Following the wide Utilities rollout yesterday, Google is rolling out the Messages, Phone, and WhatsApp Gemini Extensions. These integrations were announced in late October.
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The “Utilities” Gemini Extension has been rolling out over the past few weeks, and it’s now seeing wider availability in the Android app.
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Back in August, Google said it would be using Gemini large language models to improve Assistant on smart speakers/displays with better responses and a new voice. This is beginning to roll out for some users and commands.
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Google’s work on adding more basic features that make Gemini a good phone assistant continues today with the ability to place calls and send messages without unlocking your device.
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Google’s Gemini has become a valid replacement for Google Assistant, and on top of offering answers to your burning questions only AI can answer, the model has the ability to integrate a fair few apps for a wider helping hand. That’s made possible by Gemini extensions.
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Following the announcement in September, Google is allowing Workspace (work and education) users to access the Gemini app on Android and iOS.
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Following WhatsApp, the second third-party Gemini Extension is Spotify. The “play & search” functionality is similar to YouTube Music.
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With a new remember feature available for Advanced subscribers, Gemini now has a memory of your “interests and preferences” that can be used to “provide even more helpful and relevant responses, tailored precisely to your needs.”
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Back in August with the Google TV Streamer and new Nest Learning Thermostat, Google revealed that Assistant is being upgraded with Gemini.
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Following Help me visualize in Slides, Google is adding Gemini image generation to Docs on the web for Workspace users.
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After being part of the Google (Search) application since February, Gemini is now its own standalone app on the iPhone.
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The Gemini side panel on the Gmail website now works with Google Calendar after initially integrating Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
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Gems, or custom instances of Gemini focused at specific tasks, can now incorporate files in their instructions for “more tailored and contextually relevant responses.”
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As teased in August, Gemini is coming to Google Home, starting with “AI Camera Search” and “Help Me Create.”
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As announced at the end of last month, Gemini’s Google Home Extension is now seeing wider availability this week.
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Since launch, Gemini on iOS has been part of the Google (Search) app. That’s about to change with at least one iPhone user today spotting a standalone “Google Gemini” app on the App Store that also lets you access Gemini Live.
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Google has rolled out a number of small tweaks to the Gemini app UI in recent weeks, and the latest changes the dark theme on the web.
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As previewed back at I/O 2024 in May, Google is beginning to roll out the Gemini Utilities Extension that can “control your Android mobile device & apps.”
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Following Gmail, Drive, and Docs/Sheets/Slides, the Gemini side panel is now available in Google Chat if you’re a paid Workspace subscriber.
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Following the last upgrade at the start of October, Google has updated the Gemini 1.5 Pro model used by Gemini Advanced.
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Besides providing an initial Android 16 timeline today, Google has a number of developer updates across Android Studio and the Play Store.
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Following the Workspace additions in September, there are seven Gemini Extensions on Android, and Google is in the process of “gradually releasing” the next batch for WhatsApp, Google Home, Phone, and Messages. They replace the current Google Assistant fallback for those tasks.
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With over 2 billion monthly users, Google Maps is adding Gemini to power a trio of experiences that do seem quite useful on Android and iOS.
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Google showed off Project Astra at I/O 2024 in May and said it was coming to Gemini Live “later this year.” CEO Sundar Pichai briefly talked about Project Astra, and the Pixel 9, during Alphabet’s Q3 2024 earnings call.
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