Gemini’s New Feature: Detecting PDFs on Your Phone Screen

Google’s Files app with Gemini can now recognize when a PDF is on your screen, allowing you to ask questions about it.

Google’s Files app just got a whole lot smarter, thanks to its latest update. Now, Gemini can actually tell when you’re staring at a PDF on your phone—pretty neat, huh? And it doesn’t stop there. If you’re curious about what’s inside that document, you can just ask. Yep, Gemini will pop up with an ‘Ask about this PDF’ button, ready to spill the beans on whatever’s in there. It’s like having a chat with ChatGPT, but right there in your Files app. But heads up: this slick feature is only for Gemini Advanced subscribers, as Mishaal Rahman pointed out when he broke the news on Friday. Google first teased this screen-savvy trick back at their I/O shindig in May, and now it’s finally here. Rahman even shared a sneak peek with a screenshot, showing it off in action. And it’s not just PDFs—Gemini’s got your back with web pages and YouTube videos too. Stumble upon something it can’t handle directly? No sweat. Just tap ‘Ask about this screen’, and Gemini will snap a screenshot to figure things out. Talk about handy!