Date:
October 23, 2024
Google is continuously improving the Gemini AI chatbot to evolve it into an AI agent that can call, text, and perform more tasks on humans' behalf.
To date, Google Assistant is the only application that can perform actions like calling or texting others without unlocking their phone. With rapid advancements brought by the Deep Mind research lab’s AI capabilities, the company may soon replace Google Assistant with a Gemini AI chatbot to unlock higher task performance on Android devices.
According to a recent discovery of an unreleased code by Android Authority, Gemini is working on an update that would further cement Gemini as the go-to assistant for every task. The code also revealed that one of Gemini’s signature capabilities can work even when the phone is locked.
User can already talk to the AI when their phone is locked, but to perform actions it requires manually unlocking them to provide access. On the other hand, Google Assistant can make calls, reply to texts or send messages with the phone locked as it has all the permission prerequisites met. The unreleased code points towards Gemini buffing up on this capability upon user permission.
Though certain functions can be executed without unlocking the phone, viewing more information, such as replies, contact details, and other things, requires unlocking the phone manually for security and privacy reasons. The new capabilities in development can provide users with a single platform to make hands-free operations possible.
The unreleased code also pointed towards a simplified User Interface, the most evident one being the ‘Ask Gemini’ text, evolving from ‘Type, talk, or share a photo to Gemini.’ With a more compact text field design and the fact that microphone and camera icons are placed right next to it, prompt simplification was a great step. All available Gemini extensions will also get grouped in a category to make their discovery easier.
Google has also elevated Gemini in its grid of in-house applications, bringing it to the main grid of 20 products. This move will allow users to discover and access Gemini without expanding the menu. Google Shopping is getting removed from the grid, even though it was recently upgraded with AI features.
