Try out Google’s new Gemini app

Google’s AI chatbot, formerly known as Google Bard, boasts a new name and a host of new features. More importantly, the new Gemini app now replaces his Google Assistant on his Android phone when the phone is set to US English. I’m not going to spend too much time delving into the confusing nuances of Google’s AI strategy (or lack thereof). Instead, I decided to leave the jumble to a more eloquent voice and simply try out the Gemini app.

When dealing with touchy topics, my instinct is always to gather as much basic information as possible before testing the functionality myself. In this case, I wanted to determine what benefits Google intends to bring by replacing Google Assistant with his Gemini app for Android. In the face of ChatGPT and generative AI, Google is clearly burning rubber by trying to launch its own AI product.

But what is the difference between Google Assistant and the Gemini app? I went straight to the source and asked the Gemini app to tell me. You can see the apps’ full responses above, but in short, they’re both AI-powered tools with unique purposes. The Google Assistant that we are familiar with manages basic tasks, controls smartly her devices, and performs as expected. Gemini is a large language model with a wide range of features including creative endeavors. And since it’s still in its early stages, you can always switch to Google Assistant if you want.

What started as voice assistants and online chatbots has officially merged into one powerful tool: AI-powered chatbots and assistants. Although this app has some issues to solve, it is a tool with immense potential. Currently, the Gemini app is only available on phones running Android 12 and above and in some regions, but the tool will also be available on iOS smartphones.

In practice, the Gemini app is a lot of fun. To start a prompt, type, speak, or grab a photo to post your query. Anyone who has played with ChatGPT will notice many of the same features and strong Google integration.

You can have Gemini answer basic questions, compose difficult messages, or generate adorable images of unlikely animal interactions. I tested all of these (the last one being quite excessive) and the app handled the prompts seamlessly. For the record, I did not forget my mother’s birthday. I’m not a monster.

The app also helps you interact with your immediate environment and provides insight into what’s around you. Point your phone’s camera at a variety of items, from toys to buildings, and ask Gemini to identify the subject or provide guidance such as “How can I use this?” or “Who designed this?” You can adjust your search as needed to provide more detailed information and fine-tune your response. Above, you can see how the app tried to identify my desktop toy and refined the response as I provided insight.

I also took a photo of a mysterious jar of pickles that came out of the fridge. This jar is a mystery because I can’t remember when or where I bought it, but I love pickles and I was rationing them like toilet paper during the pandemic. I asked my Gemini where I could buy more and found out it’s readily available in many places, including a grocery store within 3 miles of my home. Of course, he could have searched for it on Google a few weeks ago, but why put in the effort when an AI assistant can do it for you?

Fortunately, the Gemini app also provides more important help. You can ask the app to synthesize information for you, and it will do this effectively. When I sent a link to a detailed article about the benefits of morning sunlight, Gemini spit out a concise sentence summarizing the important points. She tried the same approach with her 23-minute YouTube video, and the app kicked back another solid synopsis.

You can also ask your Gemini to evaluate Taylor Swift’s entire discography and decide the saddest song she’s written (just in case you have a bottle of wine). Strangely, this query produced a response partially written in a different language. When I asked Gemini why, she apologized and said the app was still under development.

You can also ask Gemini to translate foreign text if you receive a response in another language. I’ve been grieving lately, Android permissionsHer own Rita El Khoury talks about her regret that she feels she only knows 1.5 languages ​​considering her multilingual abilities. She would appreciate some assistance in her pocket.

In my experience, Gemini’s AI capabilities are on par with ChatGPT 4’s AI capabilities. It’s comprehensive, responsive, and friendly (almost to the point of unnerving). It’s very easy to imagine how this app will be used on a daily basis.

But what if Google Assistant is dethroned? When you install Gemini, the app replaces Google Assistant with a new interface. Although this opens up powerful new possibilities, there are also some drawbacks.

Cutting to the chase, the Gemini app is not yet a viable replacement for Google Assistant, at least for those who are avid Google Assistant users. If your hectic schedule regularly chimes in with “Hey Google, add x events to your calendar,” Gemini isn’t for you. The company says Google will continue to add support.

What Google Assistant can do that Gemini can’t:

• Add a calendar event
• play music
• Help with reminders
• Accurately report live sports scores

Like ChatGPT, Gemini can sometimes return incorrect responses. I asked the Gemini app for the current leader of a live golf tournament and received a response that included the actual players and potential scores. However, the actual score was wrong.

The app provides an option to tap on the colorful Google G to see the response to your query. Gemini then highlights the text to identify whether a Google search produces the same content.

• set timer
• provide weather
• Integration with smart home devices (lighting, TV)
• Provide sports schedule
• answer basic questions
• to call

Notably, the Gemini app does not provide instant results. This is likely because it sifts through more information to provide a broader range of results. For some requests, such as “Create a story about Notre Dame and his football team that has the same morals as the Three Little Pigs,” you can expect to have to twiddle your thumbs. But if you just want to ask for the current time in New York City, you’ll appreciate the assistant’s quick response. It’s understandable to complain, but this is a difference worth noting when comparing Google Assistant and the Gemini app.

Gemini also degrades the hands-free experience with Google Assistant. After the initial prompt, you’ll need to repeat “OK Google” or physically press send for any follow-up questions or requests. Google Assistant lets you enable continuous conversations, but that feature isn’t yet available on Gemini.

As mentioned earlier, installing the Gemini app will replace Google Assistant on your Android smartphone. That means a long press on the power button or a swipe from the corner of the screen will launch “Ok Google” and a new app. Before you reach your climax, you consciously disconnect from your former assistant. If you try Gemini and miss your old pals, you can roll back your changes effortlessly. However, you cannot use both at the same time. The Gemini app does not work as a standalone tool and will reset when you switch back to Google Assistant.

This is simply unpleasant. It’s clear that Google intends to put the old Assistant out to pasture, but it doesn’t make sense for users to not have access to both tools until that day comes. Having access to both options is extremely beneficial considering Gemini is still unable to complete some of her Google Assistant’s most commonly used tasks.

I don’t mean to get too outraged, but this oversight is more than just stupid. It’s classic Google. The Gemini app is a powerful tool with exciting potential, but its current deployment is nonsense.