Google launched 9 new options for Android units, together with a number of options based mostly on generative synthetic intelligence (AI), on Monday, February 26. The announcement of the options coincided with the primary day of the Cellular World Congress (MWC) 2024. The spotlight among the many options is the combination of Gemini, the corporate's newest AI-powered chatbot, into the app Messages. Whereas it’s at present in beta testing, the tech big has began rolling out different options for smartphones, Android Auto and Put on OS.
The announcement was made through a submit within the Google Newsroom, which highlighted that these new options are geared toward enhancing person productiveness. The combination of Gemini with Google Messages is an attention-grabbing growth by the corporate. Customers enrolled in Google's beta testing program ought to see it quickly. The function provides a separate chat field for Gemini the place they’ll have a dialog, ask questions, get to jot down or rewrite messages and far more. With this replace, Gemini is out there as a standalone app, as a digital assistant, and within the Messages app. It's unsure if the function might be included within the Gemini Superior plan as soon as it's out of testing.
The Messages app isn't the one place the place AI is being added, although. Android Auto can be getting the same function the place generative AI can summarize lengthy texts or group chats and skim them whereas the person is driving. It can additionally counsel related solutions and actions that may be chosen with a single faucet.
An accessibility function has additionally been added to the Lookout app. The app is designed for visually impaired customers and so they can determine objects, learn texts, and extra by means of the smartphone digicam. It can now routinely create AI-generated captions for photographs seen on-line or acquired by means of messages and skim to customers. It’s unfold all over the world in English. In the identical line, Google Maps can be getting an replace to Lens in Maps, which was added for the primary time in October 2023. Customers can now level the telephone's digicam round and the TalkBack perform reads l location info out loud, together with its enterprise hours. , evaluation or instructions on the right way to get there.
A number of non-AI options additionally make their debut. Essentially the most notable is the handwritten annotation function for Google Docs on Android. This can enable customers to jot down and draw with their 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 decide on the gadget the place the sound output will come from. This could now be executed immediately from the house display screen.
Lastly, they transfer on to Put on OS-based options. Google is now launching an replace to its Well being Join app that may enable customers with wearables like Fitbit, Oura Ring, and apps like AllTrails and MyFitnessPal to combine their information. The app will present an in depth view of well being and health trackers and supply actionable perception on them.
The final two options of Put on OS are smaller, however they are often helpful for some customers. Google Pockets passes at the moment are accessible on Put on OS smartwatches and permit customers to sign up immediately. Google Maps for Put on OS will now present public transport instructions to assist customers catch a bus or prepare. The app will present particulars like departure time, compass-guided navigation, and the choice to reflect instructions from the telephone to the smartwatch.
For particulars on 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.
