With the push Google is giving to generative artificial intelligence, the company is putting everything on one card: Gemini. And this letter will be present across the entire portfolio of products intended for individuals, including Android: Gemini replaces Google Assistant. We have already tested it, it installs in just a few steps.
Since the release of the Gemini application, as well as the launch of the Gemini Advanced subscription, I tried to start the assistant on my Google Pixel without success: the application was not compatible with the devices. That changed last Saturday, as the Pixel 8 Pro let me choose Gemini as my default assistant. First in English, but now it is available in Spanish. And that’s a good step forward; although Google Assistant knew how to do more tasks than Gemini currently does.
Chat with AI simply by invoking the assistant
Select Gemini as your default personal assistant
With the transition from Google Bard to Gemini, and the death of the first, the same thing will happen to Google Assistant: The default Android Assistant will be the aforementioned Gemini, a process that will be completed over the months. This implies that Google’s AI not only provides conversations and answers questions, but it can also interact with our mobile phone and installed applications.
Once Gemini is selected as the default assistant on the mobile, Google Assistant disappears from the phone, except for settings. For the rest, it’s Gemini who appears when you hold down the power button (if this gesture has been chosen) or the one who jumps when you say “Hey, Google”: the transmutation is complete. Or almost, because the new AI has not yet learned all the tricks of Google Assistant.
My first feeling when starting Gemini was very positive: the fact that Google integrates the assistant, the chatbot, the search engine, the content generator and the telephone interaction tool in the same interface. avoid the usual multiplicity of applications and tools, so typical of Google. Gemini’s appearance is clean, polished, responses are comprehensive, and it supports both voice interaction and typing; in addition to offering the possibility of downloading images for analysis.
Gemini appears in a small floating window below, Google Assistant style. Like this, the new AI can be asked to turn on the flashlight, activate WiFi or interact with connected home automation devices: the operation is similar. It also activates airplane mode, but does not deactivate it: Gemini needs the Internet at all times. Even on the Pixel 8 Pro, a mobile that runs Gemini nano locally.
Gemini needs Internet to work: if there is no connection on the phone, it does not answer questions or turn mobile functions on or off
Generally speaking, with Gemini installed on Android, you can do the following:
- Google anything and get a specific, detailed answer.
- Generate text content based on a request.
- Generate computer code with a command.
- In case the mobile phone has a VPN from the USA and the command is given in English, Gemini can generate images.
- The AI can activate and deactivate options such as WiFi, Bluetooth or airplane mode.
- Interacting with home automation devices synced with Google Assistant is also possible in Gemini.
- Allows you to schedule alerts, timers, reminders and alarms.
- It is possible to open applications by simply telling Gemini the name.
Although queries are directed to Gemini, the engine for interacting with the phone continues to be Google Assistant
Opening an app just saying that’s not something that’s changed from Assistant, but Gemini is not able to provide directions via Google Maps if requested directly by voice.. For me, this is a big step back from Gemini, as it was very convenient to ask Assistant for directions and start the route directly from the suggestion. Hopefully Google will add it to Gemini in the future.
What I also miss in Gemini is the ability to speak directly to the AI, a voice conversational mode offered by Google Assistant (in English, we have never seen it in Spanish). And I think that’s a huge miss compared to the competition, ChatGPT: Open AI’s conversational mode is wonderful. This is one of my main requests to Google, at least since Gemini now runs on Android. Because through the text the conversation is very fluid and natural.
A small big change that opens up a huge future
From my tests with Gemini, the truth is that it represents a big step forward compared to Google Assistant. And without said Assistant having completely disappeared, which all Gemini settings are based on those of its sibling. I assume Google will migrate the systems, this will also improve phone interaction and chatting. For the moment, the operation seems sufficient to me.
Assistant had stagnated in terms of features and performance, Gemini adds greater potential to personal assistance with the ability to answer questions in a very specific way (and without just offering a web search). AND be able to generate any type of content in text and code (images soon also in Spanish) is a welcome extra.
Currently you can try Gemini in Spanish on a good number of Android phones: just install the APK, open it and follow the setup. Based on my experience with the new assistant, it’s definitely worth it. Even if it’s still a little green.
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