Predictably, this year’s Google Pixel event will not be complete without the talk of AI. Gemini is Live and will start rolling out on 13th August to Gemini Advanced subscribers in English on Android smartphones.
According to Google, their new AI tool offers “a mobile conversational experience that lets you have free-flowing conversations with Gemini”, which appears to be basically a Google Assistant with trendy AI branding just like new Infinix Folax AI Assistant.
Gemini Live supports interruption in the middle of a response, if you want to explore a specific point further or pause the conversation and return to it later. The feature also supports hands-free operation, allowing you to continue using Gemini even when the app is in the background or your phone is locked. Additionally, Gemini Live will offer ten new voice options as shown in the accompanying promo video.
Google plans to release new extensions for Gemini “in the coming weeks” that will enable it to work with apps like Keep, Tasks, and Utilities, and enhance its functionality on YouTube Music. A Calendar extension is expected to follow “soon,” allowing users to take a photo of a concert flyer, check their availability on that day, and set a reminder to buy tickets. The ability to actually purchase tickets through Gemini may be a feature that arrives in 2025 or later.
You can still use the “Hey Google” command to ask Gemini for assistance on Android, even if you replace Google Assistant with Gemini. On YouTube, you can tap “Ask about this video” to inquire about the content you’re watching, and a similar “Ask about this screen” option is available elsewhere. Gemini also has the capability to drag and drop generated images directly into Gmail and Google Messages.
The big G has committed to improving the speed and quality of Gemini in the fcoming months, with plans to introduce more integrated features with Google Home, Messages, and Phone.
