Imagine: Gemini streamlines image sharing to AI assistant
Google has streamlined a key feature of its Gemini AI assistant on Android devices, speeding up image sharing and editing spotted Through Android Authority. The latest Gemini update lets you send images directly to Gemini from other apps instead of the more cumbersome setup that existed before.
Now if you have a photo in, say, Google Photos and you want Gemini to view it in conjunction with a text prompt, you can submit it directly through Android’s built-in share sheet, just like you would send a text message with the image attached. That’s much easier than starting in the Gemini app, tapping the Upload Image button, finding the image you want and attaching it. And if your image is in the cloud, you’ll need to download it to your device as well. It might not take more than a minute or even less, but if you want Gemini to explain a photo or use one to inform a new AI-generated image, that extra time and friction might put you off the idea.
However, it’s not a total revolution for Gemini. Submitting images to the AI is faster, but only images. You cannot use the share button to send text or a link to Gemini. It also doesn’t include the Gemini overlay, which lets you use Gemini without leaving the app you’re currently using. While the image is sent to the AI app, you still need to switch to the app to use Gemini’s features.
Twin Speed
Although subtle, the update is part of Google’s efforts to pave the way for intuitive interaction with Gemini. If you often use Gemini for multimedia content, the update could save you time in the long run. Gemini will be able to analyze the image faster than before and provide insights, descriptions or even text content based on what it “sees”. This makes the app more useful for users who need to switch between different types of media in their daily workflows.
Even if Gemini is only an occasional part of your mobile usage, a minute or less can affect whether you decide to skip using Gemini. That’s anathema to Google’s plans to integrate Gemini into your mobile device experience and your life in general. It’s also another way for users who already rely on Google’s ecosystem, like Photos or Drive, to let Gemini see how they use those other services. Making Gemini more convenient is clearly an important goal for Google. As ChatGPT and other AI assistants continue to improve their multi-modal features, Gemini will need this kind of edge to stay ahead, or at least level with its rivals.