Google Gemini will finally reach its full potential – and take over from Google Assistant – thanks to a major upgrade
- Google’s Gemini Utilities Extension upgrade is rolling out
- It gives Gemini more powers from Google Assistant
- Gemini Live is still waiting for a similar upgrade
Google Gemini takes another step closer to becoming the full-fledged virtual assistant we all want, thanks to a new update now rolling out called “Gemini Utilities Extension” that can control your Android mobile device and apps. While the update is underway, it may take a few days to reach everyone with an Android device.
The new update means that Gemini can take over tasks such as opening websites, apps and settings that it currently has to outsource to Google Assistant. The Gemini Utilities extension only works with apps on Android devices,
The full list of upgrades which includes the Gemini Utilities Extension, includes setting timers and alarms, taking a photo or screenshot (even from the lock screen), and controlling media playback.
Gemini vs. Gemini Live
While the Google Gemini app is a hugely powerful upgrade from the original Google Assistant, letting you search your inbox, create summaries and provide helpful advice, Android devices are currently in a strange situation where the Gemini AI still needs to return to the Google Assistant for some tasks, especially those that require interaction with an app or Settings. Now, with Gemini Utilities Extension, you no longer have to rely on Google Assistant to perform these tasks.
It’s also important not to confuse Gemini with Gemini Live, the voice-activated version of Google’s AI, which allows you to have much more free-flowing conversations than the standard Gemini voice feature in the Gemini app allows. The improvements ushered in by the new Gemini Utilities extension won’t give the same powers to Gemini Live, which still can’t interact with apps and settings on your device.
There’s still no news from Google on when we can expect upgrades to Gemini Live that will give it these capabilities. A note about the Help website for Gemini Apps simply says, “We are gradually releasing updates to Gemini Live, so the latest changes may not be available to you yet.”