Google Gemini

Google’s AI Assistant Gemini Gets Major Update with Multimodal Capabilities

Google’s AI assistant, Gemini, has received a significant update that enables it to perform tasks across multiple apps in a single interaction. This update was announced alongside the launch of Samsung’s new Galaxy S25 series, which will feature Gemini as the default on-device assistant, relegating Bixby to the app drawer.

Multimodal Capabilities

With this update, Gemini can carry out more complex multimodal tasks. For example, you can ask it to find a dog-friendly Italian restaurant and send it to your friend, or pull up your NFL team’s upcoming games and add them to your calendar, all in a single prompt. Gemini also gives you the chance to confirm multi-app actions before it goes ahead.

App Extensions

The multi-app support is built on top of Gemini’s existing app extensions, which cover a range of Google apps and limited third-party options, including WhatsApp and Spotify. Today’s update adds Samsung’s own apps to that list for S25 users, including Samsung Calendar, Notes, Reminder, and Clock. Other multi-extension prompts are available now to all Gemini users across the web, Android, and iOS.

Gemini Live

Gemini Live, the assistant’s voice-based conversational mode, is also getting an upgrade. This feature is currently limited to the Galaxy S25 and S24 phones and Google’s own Pixel 9 series. Owners of these devices will be able to share images, files, and YouTube videos to the chat interface, asking Gemini for feedback and information. Google also says that Project Astra features like screen sharing and live video streaming will come to Gemini on Android in the coming months.

Circle to Search

Circle to Search is also getting improvements. It will be able to automatically recognize phone numbers, email addresses, and URLs so you can interact with them more easily. The AI Overviews in search results have also been expanded to work with more kinds of visual search results, increasing the probability that using Circle to Search on an image of a place, artwork, or object will generate an AI Overview in the results.

Other Updates

Finally, Google also announced changes that should make it easier to pair braille screen readers and hearing aids to Android devices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Google’s AI assistant Gemini has received significant updates that make it more powerful and versatile. With its multimodal capabilities, app extensions, and voice-based conversational mode, Gemini is becoming an essential tool for Android users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the default virtual assistant on the new S25 phones?

A: Gemini is the default virtual assistant on the new S25 phones, replacing Bixby.

Q: What are the new features of Gemini Live?

A: Gemini Live allows users to share images, files, and YouTube videos to the chat interface, asking Gemini for feedback and information. It is currently limited to the Galaxy S25 and S24 phones and Google’s own Pixel 9 series.

Q: When will Project Astra features come to Gemini on Android?

A: Project Astra features like screen sharing and live video streaming will come to Gemini on Android in the coming months.

Q: What are the improvements to Circle to Search?

A: Circle to Search will be able to automatically recognize phone numbers, email addresses, and URLs, and AI Overviews in search results will work with more kinds of visual search results.