Google Unveils New Features for Phones, Cars, and Wearables Using Gemini AI
Google, the search and mobile giant, is making waves in the world of artificial intelligence (AI) with its Gemini implementation for AI image generation. Despite facing criticism, Google is pushing forward and expanding its use of Gemini across its services. At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Google announced a range of new features for phones, cars, and wearables that utilize Gemini technology. Let’s take a closer look at what Google has in store.
Google Messages Gets Gemini Integration
Starting this week, Google Messages will introduce a new feature that allows users to access Gemini within the app. While the feature is currently in beta and only supports English, it opens up exciting possibilities for users to enhance their messaging experience. With Gemini’s AI capabilities, users can expect more personalized and engaging conversations.
Android Auto Enhancements
In addition to Google Messages, Android Auto is also receiving some exciting updates. Last month, Google announced a feature that reads out summaries of long text messages and provides context for group chats. This feature is now being rolled out, offering users quick suggestions for replies. With this AI-powered enhancement, Android Auto becomes even more intuitive and user-friendly.
Accessibility Improvements
Google is committed to making its technology accessible to all users. At MWC, the company unveiled several accessibility-related features. The Lookout app, designed to assist visually impaired individuals with tasks like reading food labels and documents, now generates AI-powered captions for images that lack accurate or missing captions or alt text. This update is available to users worldwide and supports English. Furthermore, Google has improved screen reader support for Lens in Maps, allowing users to receive audio information about places and signs by pointing their phone’s camera.
Productivity Boosts
Google understands the importance of productivity in our daily lives. To cater to this need, the company is extending support for handwritten notes in docs on Android phones or tablets. Users can now use their finger or a stylus to jot down notes, choose from various pen styles and colors, and highlight important points in documents. This feature provides a more intuitive and flexible way to work on the go.
Enhanced Music Experience
For music enthusiasts, Google is introducing support for Spotify through an output switcher on the Android home screen. This means users can seamlessly switch between different sources and resume listening to their favorite songs or podcasts with Spotify. Previously, this feature only supported YouTube Music, but now users have even more options to enjoy their favorite tunes.
Fitbit App Integration
Google is also updating the Fitbit app to enhance the user experience. The app now supports data integration from various sources like AllTrails, Oura Ring, and MyFitnessPal. With a redesigned three-tabbed layout, the Fitbit app provides users with comprehensive data on exercise, steps, calories burned, and floors climbed. The integration of data from different apps alongside Fitbit’s own data offers a holistic view of users’ health and fitness progress.
Wear OS Improvements
Lastly, Google is introducing several updates for Wear OS. Users can now access Google Wallet passes directly from their watches, including boarding passes, event tickets, gym memberships, and loyalty cards. Additionally, voice-guided directions for transit are now available on Wear OS, allowing users to navigate with ease. Users also have the option to mirror directions from their phone or receive compass-guided navigation directions, making it even more convenient to get around.
In conclusion, Google’s announcement at MWC showcases the company’s commitment to leveraging AI technology to enhance various aspects of our lives. From messaging to accessibility, productivity, music, fitness, and wearables, Google is continuously pushing boundaries and providing innovative solutions. With Gemini AI at the forefront, Google is shaping the future of technology and revolutionizing the way we interact with our devices.
