Guide to Using Google Gemini on Smartphones

Google Gemini represents the futuristic phase of digital assistance by Google, available on Google Pixel 9 and other Android devices, as well as iPhones. Whether contemplating the switch from Google Assistant or exploring its features, this article provides insights on utilizing Gemini effectively.

Google Gemini, touted as the future of digital assistants, accompanies the Google Pixel 9 devices but is also downloadable on previous Pixels, other Android phones, and iPhones. Accessible for free, this app requires a Google account login and offers two models: the complimentary Gemini 1.5 Flash and the enhanced Gemini 1.5 Pro, available through a Google One AI Premium subscription ($20 monthly).

The user-friendly interface allows interactions via text, voice input, image query, or Gemini Live. While Gemini Live boasts a conversational style, the standard voice input remains available. Both options have similar AI models, so user preference will dictate which to choose.

Past dialogues can be reviewed through the speech bubble icon, assuming it’s active. Interactions include standard AI bot commands—like Copilot or ChatGPT. Use thumbs-up/down for feedback, share responses, or transfer answers to Google Docs or Gmail.

Gemini generates images with Google’s Imagen 3, albeit with restrictions on people images for non-subscribers. Image prompts can be augmented with gallery uploads. Subscribers benefit from additional file types, like PDFs, for summarization or text editing.

As Google gradually releases Gemini’s features via extensions, comparing these new capabilities with Google Assistant shows remaining gaps. For now, Assistant still supports more services, devices, and advanced routines, essential for those deeply integrated into its ecosystem.

From Google’s settings, switching back to Google Assistant is possible. Meanwhile, Gemini remains a focus, poised for future feature expansions, potentially inheriting complete Google Assistant functionalities.