Gemini is about to enter your DM

Google received a spherical of Android and app updates in time for MWC, beginning with a brand new strategy to chat with its personal chatbot, Gemini: instantly inside Google Messages. There are additionally a number of different minor updates touching Android Auto, Google Docs, and a few new clever accessibility options for the visually impaired.

In case you're desperate to DM your new bestie Gemini, you received't have to attend lengthy — it's arriving as an replace to the Messages app this week, although you'll have to be in Google's beta testing program to entry it. Should be enrolled in. for now. The identical entry guidelines apply so at the least this model doesn't require a Google One subscription. Once I examined Gemini with ChatGPT a number of weeks in the past, Gemini left rather a lot to be desired as a dialog companion. Including a chatbot to your messaging app is one strategy to make it really feel like speaking to a pal. Gemini in Messages is presently solely out there in English and in “some markets.”

Android Auto can also be getting an AI replace, enabling summarization of lengthy texts or chat threads so you possibly can maintain your eyes on the street. It’ll additionally counsel solutions and actions based mostly on context, like providing the choice to share your ETA if a pal asks if you'll arrive.

Generative AI can also be on the heart of some accessibility function updates to Lookout and Maps. Lens within the Google Maps app is getting display screen reader enhancements to assist determine enterprise places and supply related details about them, comparable to hours of operation. Lookout, which identifies objects and alerts for the visually impaired, will now mechanically generate descriptions for photos utilizing AI, together with images taken on-line and images shared in messages. Google says it’s now turning into out there in English globally.

The previous few updates to the group don’t have anything to do with AI – they're simply helpful. Google is making a small change to Android that makes it simpler to change output units when utilizing Spotify – it's cool! However my favourite new function of the group is assist for handwritten annotations in Google Docs. That is an replace for Android telephones and tablets that permits you to select from a wide range of pen and highlighter colours so you possibly can mark notes on a doc along with your finger or stylus.

As somebody who buys quite a lot of magazines and likes to take notes with a stylus, this brings me nice pleasure. Little doubt it might be extra helpful on a bigger canvas like a Pixel pill — bear in mind, Google continues to be making an attempt to make an Android pill — or the interior display screen of a foldable so you possibly can write to your coronary heart's content material. No want for AI.