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Google’s AI may soon text and make phone calls for you
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Gemini’s expanded functionality: Google’s AI assistant, Gemini Live, is set to receive a significant update that will allow it to make calls and send messages from locked Android phones, further solidifying its position as the replacement for Google Assistant.

  • Android Authority discovered unreleased code indicating that Gemini will soon be able to perform these actions without requiring users to unlock their devices.
  • This feature is currently exclusive to Google Assistant, but its extension to Gemini suggests a continued shift towards making Gemini the primary AI assistant on Android devices.
  • Users will have the option to enable or disable this functionality through a new switch in Gemini’s settings.

Enhanced user experience: The ability to control communication features from a locked phone aims to improve hands-free operation, catering to situations where users may be driving or otherwise occupied.

  • Users will be able to ask Gemini to text or call contacts without unlocking their phones, streamlining the process of hands-free communication.
  • For security purposes, viewing responses containing personal information will still require unlocking the device.

Interface updates: The upcoming changes also include modifications to Gemini’s user interface, focusing on simplification and improved organization.

  • The floating text box will expand vertically to display all text, enhancing readability.
  • Gemini Extensions will be grouped by category, making them easier to locate and use.
  • The number of example commands for each category will be reduced from three to one, potentially simplifying the interface further.

Strategic implications: These updates reflect Google’s ongoing efforts to integrate AI more deeply into the Android ecosystem and maintain a competitive edge in the mobile AI assistant market.

  • The enhancements to Gemini’s functionality align with Google’s broader AI strategy, particularly in making Android devices the primary platform for Gemini’s features.
  • As Apple continues to develop its own AI capabilities, including the Apple Intelligence rollout, Google’s moves with Gemini can be seen as a response to mounting competition in the AI assistant space.

Privacy and security considerations: While the new features offer increased convenience, they also raise potential privacy and security concerns that users and Google will need to address.

  • Enabling communication features on a locked device could potentially increase the risk of unauthorized access or misuse.
  • Google will likely need to implement robust security measures to ensure that sensitive information remains protected, even when the phone is locked.

User adoption and impact: The success of these new features will depend on how well they are received by Android users and their willingness to trust AI with more sensitive tasks.

  • The convenience of hands-free operation may encourage wider adoption of Gemini as a primary communication tool.
  • However, users may need time to adjust to the idea of an AI assistant handling calls and messages without direct supervision.

Looking ahead: Google’s continued development of Gemini suggests a future where AI assistants play an increasingly central role in mobile device operation and user interaction.

  • As Gemini’s capabilities expand, it may further blur the lines between traditional smartphone functions and AI-assisted operations.
  • The integration of more advanced AI features into locked phone states could pave the way for even more seamless and intuitive device interactions in the future.
Gemini will soon call and text for you, without you needing to unlock your phone

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