Google significantly expanded the capabilities of its Gemini artificial intelligence model on Wednesday, enabling it to automate complex, multi-step tasks on Android devices. The rollout marks a substantial upgrade from Gemini’s initial launch and positions it as a direct competitor to AI features recently introduced by Samsung, and notably, those Apple’s Siri currently lacks, according to reports.
The enhanced Gemini now allows users to initiate a series of actions with a single prompt. TechCrunch reported that this functionality extends beyond simple commands, allowing the AI to navigate apps and complete tasks that previously required multiple individual steps. The company demonstrated the feature’s ability to handle intricate requests, such as planning a trip by searching for flights and hotels, then summarizing the options.
Alongside the expanded task automation, Google also launched “Circle to Search,” a recent visual search tool. This feature, detailed on the Google blog, allows users to circle any element on their Android screen to initiate a Google Search directly related to that item. The tool is designed to provide contextual information about objects or scenes within images, offering a more intuitive way to find information.
The updates arrive as Google continues to refine and integrate Gemini across its product ecosystem. The company also recently unveiled Nano Banana 2, a new model focused on speed and efficiency, combining professional-grade capabilities with faster processing times. These developments underscore Google’s commitment to advancing its AI offerings and challenging competitors in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Google has not yet commented on plans to bring the expanded Gemini capabilities to iOS devices, leaving a notable gap in feature parity between Android and Apple platforms. The company has scheduled further updates to Gemini’s functionality in the coming weeks, but specific details remain undisclosed.
