Android phone owners can now ask Google’s Gemini AI assistant “general questions” even when the device is locked. As part of the Gemini Live feature previewed at Google I/O 2024, the new option extends the capabilities of the generative AI from the lock screen, expanding the range of hands-free experiences before the device is even touched. Android owners can set up the Gemini feature for the lock screen via the ‘Gemini on Lock Screen’ page in their preferences.
Gemini’s lock screen capabilities have long been limited to those accessible through Google Assistant. You could set an alarm, adjust the volume and content of media, or fiddle with the phone’s settings. Everything else required the user to unlock the phone. With the new update, users can now ask general questions directly from the lock screen and the AI will answer them instantly. By general questions, Google means anything without any personal data. So you can ask for the answer to a math question, find out the local weather, or just some random trivia.
Unlock extensions
Previous posts about the lock screen controls have delved into what appears to be future additions to Gemini’s lock screen controls. It appears that four of Google’s services will become Gemini extensions on lock screens: Google Maps, Google Flights, Google Hotels, and YouTube. The exact form those upgrades will take isn’t clear, but presumably you’ll at least be able to track flights, get directions, watch videos, and search for hotel options. Anything that doesn’t require a login or personal information would be feasible based on the current design.
The expanded Gemini access on Android is part of Google’s efforts to embed its AI assistant into its services and into the lives of its users. By enabling basic question-answering from the lock screen, Google is alleviating what is likely a common complaint about the device and encouraging Android users to rely on Gemini over other options. Making Gemini more competitive in the digital assistant market of the future could help it thrive, while Google Assistant faces stiffer competition from voice assistants like Alexa and Siri.