Google anticipates Apple and integrates the Gemini Live assistant into its smartphones

Google anticipates Apple Intelligence and integrates the new Gemini-enhanced Ai assistant into its smartphones starting with the new Pixel smartphones. Gemini Live was created to enable smartphone conversations even when using other apps and when the device's screen is locked. During the Made by Google conference to present the new Pixel 9, it was announced that Gemini Live will be available from today (for now only in English) for subscribers to the Advanced plan, both on Android and iOS. Those who buy Pixel 9 Pro will be able to try Gemini Live right away because they will have for one year free the Google One AI Premium plan, which gives you access to Gemini Advanced.

While waiting to see what Apple Intelligence will look like in October, Google is speeding up, enhancing its voice assistant with Gemini with the stated aim of bringing its generative artificial intelligence to all Android phones. Starting with its own Pixel phones. The basic idea is clear: to strengthen the mobile operating system that today governs eight out of ten smartphones and exploit the entire public that accesses its applications from mobile. With this move, it is thus bidding to become the real Ai smartphone for the entire Android world.

From what emerges Gemini Live will be accessible from both iOs and Android but will require the purchase of the Google One AI Premium plan that costs 21.99 euros per month. So next to the free Gemini, available to everyone, the idea is to offer the most powerful AI services in the form of a monthly subscription. In addition to Gemini Advanced, the Google One plan also offers two TB of storage space, the possibility to try Gemini directly in one's favourite Google products, such as Gmail and Documents, and access to Google's best Ai models, e.g. Gemini 1.5 Pro, which offers a context window of 1 million tokens and thus allows for incoming prompts with long texts or hundreds of mails. Let's bear in mind that for those who use Google tools even just for a question of space on Gmail, for instance, it is complicated not to have a Google One subscription. So the subscription may tend to be a compulsory way to access the Ai phone.

It will be activated like the previous assistant with a simple long tap on the power button or by saying 'Hey Google'. Here are the examples given during the presentation: while watching a travel vlog, one can ask Gemini to list the restaurants mentioned and add them directly to Google Maps. You will be able to ask Gemini to retrieve a recipe from your Gmail and add it to your shopping list in Keep, or to create a themed music playlist for a party. Soon, says a note, it will be possible to take a picture of a flyer and ask Gemini to check your availability in the calendar and even set a reminder to buy tickets. 'In the coming months,' the same note adds, 'we will continue to focus on speed and quality and launch deeper integrations with Google Home, Phone and Messages.