Google has rolled out a major update to its Gemini AI assistant, enabling seamless integration with multiple applications to create a more powerful and versatile digital companion for users.
Gemini Live, Google's voice-based AI assistant, now connects with Google's own suite of productivity apps including Maps, Calendar, Keep, and Tasks. This integration allows users to perform cross-application actions through natural language commands without switching between different interfaces. For example, users can create Calendar events, set Tasks reminders, and add notes to Keep during conversations. The functionality extends beyond voice commands to include camera input, enabling users to scan physical items like posters with dates or paper shopping lists.
Beyond Google's own applications, Gemini has expanded to work with third-party services. The AI assistant can now interact with popular apps like WhatsApp and Spotify, allowing users to send messages, make calls, or control music playback through simple prompts. Spotify is the second third-party app to integrate with Google Gemini after WhatsApp. Google has also begun rolling out a Utilities extension for Gemini, adding functionality such as opening specific apps, websites, or Android settings.
This aggressive expansion marks a reimagining of Android with AI at its core, addressing a long-standing problem: our devices have been smart in isolation but rarely smart together. Google's bet is that a ubiquitous, context-aware assistant can seamlessly unify the user experience across all screens and gadgets.
A key feature of this integration is Gemini's cross-device memory, which allows it to retain context between different devices such as phones, watches, and other gadgets. This enables Agent Mode to seamlessly combine advanced features like live web browsing, in-depth research, and smart integrations with Google apps, empowering it to manage complex, multi-step tasks from start to finish with minimal user oversight.
Users can manage what apps Gemini connects to at any time through the Apps page in Gemini settings. Some connected apps such as Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities are available whether Gemini Apps Activity is on or off, while other connected apps like Google Workspace may be unavailable if Gemini Apps Activity is turned off.