Google rolled out 9 new options for Android units, together with a number of generative synthetic intelligence (AI)-based options, on Monday, February 26. The announcement of the options has coincided with the primary day of the Cellular World Congress (MWC) 2024. The spotlight among the many options is the mixing of Gemini, the corporate’s newest AI-powered chatbot, into the Messages app. Whereas it’s at the moment in beta testing, the tech large has begun rolling out different options for smartphones, Android Auto, and Put on OS.
The announcement was made through a put up on Google’s Newsroom, which highlighted that these new options are geared toward enhancing productiveness of customers. Gemini’s integration with Google Messages is an attention-grabbing growth by the corporate. Customers who’ve enrolled in Google’s beta testing programme ought to quickly see it. The function provides a separate chat field for Gemini the place they will have a dialog, ask queries, get it to write down or rewrite messages and far more. With this replace, Gemini is accessible as a standalone app, as digital assistant, and inside the Messages app. It’s not sure whether or not the function can be included within the Gemini Superior plan as soon as it’s out of testing.
Messages app isn’t the one place the place AI is being added, nonetheless. Android Auto can also be getting an analogous function the place generative AI can summarize lengthy texts or group chats and browse it out whereas the consumer drives. It would additionally counsel related replies and actions that may be chosen through only a single faucet.
One accessibility function can also be being added to the Lookout app. The app is designed for visually impaired customers and may establish objects, learn texts, and extra by way of the smartphone’s digital camera. It would now mechanically create AI-generate captions for pictures seen on-line or acquired by way of messages and browse it out to customers. It’s rolling out globally in English. In the identical vein, Google Maps can also be getting an replace to Lens in Maps, which was first added in October 2023. Customers can now level the telephone’s digital camera at environment and the TalkBack function will learn the place’s data out loud, together with its enterprise hours, ranking or instructions on the best way to get there.
A couple of non-AI options are additionally making their debut. Essentially the most notable is the handwritten annotation function for Google Docs on Android. It will enable customers to write down and draw with both fingers or stylus on paperwork to create notes for themselves. The second is a tweak to the output switcher for Spotify, which permits customers to choose the gadget the place the output of the sound will come from. This could now be executed instantly from the house display.
Lastly, transferring to the Put on OS-based options. Google is now rolling out an replace to its Well being Join app that may enable customers with wearables corresponding to Fitbit, Oura Ring, and apps corresponding to AllTrails and MyFitnessPal to combine their information. The app will present detailed view of well being and health trackers and can present actionable insights on them.
Final two Put on OS options are smaller however may be helpful for some customers. Google Pockets passes at the moment are obtainable on Put on OS smartwatches and can enable customers to entry them instantly. Google Maps for Put on OS will now present public transit instructions to assist customers catch a bus or a practice. The app will present particulars corresponding to departure instances, compass-guided navigation, and choice to mirror instructions from telephone to the smartwatch.
For particulars of the newest launches and information from Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, Oppo and different corporations on the Cellular World Congress in Barcelona, go to our MWC 2024 hub.