Google’s AI may soon text and make phone calls for you

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.