Sneak peek at huge Google Gemini AI upgrade for Android owners – fans say rival Apple Intelligence is ‘nothing’ compared
A HANDFUL of new Gemini AI features from Google have been leaked, including big camera and travel boosts.
The new features are set to be rolled out alongside Google’s upcoming Pixel 9 lineup.
AI Call Notes
According to software engineer Dylan Roussel on X (formerly Twitter), Google has been building an AI Call Notes feature that can record phone calls and transcribe them as they happen.
Apple Intelligence, unveiled in June, will host the same feature, allowing users to start recordings in live calls and have chats transcribed.
It also echoes Samsung’s Live AI translate feature, which rolled out in March, that lets users get live translation for calls in multiple languages.
Camera boost
Roussel also revealed that Pixel users can expect a “redesigned Panorama mode” for the camera.
It’s currently unclear what exactly that entails.
However, it’s likely Google will use AI to clean up shaky panorama shots, like it does with its Video Boost and Night Sight features.
What is Google Gemini?
You may have heard of Google's Gemini AI tool - so what exactly is it?
Google’s Gemini AI launched in December 2023 and is available online, billed as a way to “supercharge your creativity and productivity”.
Gemini is a multimodal model that learns from a variety of data types including images, text, and audio.
When a user enters a prompt into Gemini, it generates a response using information it already knows or pulls from other sources (often Google services).
While training on datasets, it identifies patterns that help it mimic a human response. As it is continuously learning, Gemini also learns from your prompts, responses, and feedback.
Google has admitted that “Gemini will make mistakes and might even say something offensive”.
The program occasionally cites its sources. If it quotes at length from a webpage, for instance, it makes reference to that page. Sometimes, it generates a URL that users can click.
Gemini has usage limits to reduce traffic, meaning it may cap the number of prompts and conversations a user can have within a specific timeframe.
This number depends on factors like how long and complex a user’s prompts are and the length of the conversation with Gemini. Google will alert you when you are close to hitting the limit for a given period.
Ultimate travel guide
Experts at Android Authority, who stuck their heads under the hood of the latest beta app, have revealed features that make Gemini the ultimate travel guide.
Gemini can connect to Google Flights, Google Hotels, Maps, Workspace, and YouTube.
This allows Android owners to ask Gemini travel-related questions, like how to get to your hotel, the prettiest streets in Tokyo to visit on YouTube or what airport gate you’re flying from.
Three other extensions headed to the Gemini-powered Google app include Calendar, Keep, and Tasks.
Home appliances
There is reportedly also a Google Home extension coming to Gemini – meaning consumers will be able to better control their smart home appliances from their phone.
This could finally relieve Google Assistant from being the ‘middle man’ for these duties.
Automation
It doesn’t stop there.
Automation is at the heart of the upcoming Gemini AI upgrade.
Another extension Gemini will be tied to is Utilities, and according to a screenshot from Android Authority, this will allow Gemini to “take photos, open apps, and adjust the volume without searching menus or opening settings.”
Google Gemini vs Apple Intelligence
Android and Apple fans are going head to head with which pocketable AI is best between Google Gemini, Apple Intelligence and Samsung’s Galaxy AI.
“Galaxy AI and Apple AI… literally have nothing… Gemini is more trained to do stuff,” one onlooker wrote on X.
Another added: “When I look at Apple’s [AI] I have no idea what it is or does.
“When I look at Gemini and Galaxy AI, I know that it’s to do with AI.”
It was reported earlier this week that beta testers finally had access to Apple Intelligence.
However, the official roll out isn’t expected until 2025 – much to the dismay of iPhone owners.
But it’s apparently music to the ears of Android fans who already have access to some Google Gemini features.
They don’t have to wait for much longer for new ones either.
These new features are expected to roll out alongside the Pixel 9 series, which is set to launch in India on 19 August.
Google may even announce more features – or just explain the rumoured tools in greater detail – at its upcoming Made by Google event on 13 August.
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