Google has obtained a spherical of Android and app updates in time for MWC, beginning with a brand new option to chat with its personal Gemini chatbot: proper inside Google Messages. There are additionally a handful of different small updates that contact Android Auto, Google Docs, and a few new sensible accessibility options for the visually impaired.
In case you've been dying to DM your new Gemini buddy, you gained't have to attend lengthy — it's arriving as an replace to the Messages app this week, although you'll should be enrolled in Google's beta testing program to entry it. for now. The identical entry guidelines apply, so a Google One subscription shouldn’t be required, a minimum of for this model. After I examined Gemini alongside ChatGPT just a few weeks in the past, Gemini left loads to be desired as a dialog associate. Including a chatbot to your messaging app is one option to make it really feel extra such as you're speaking to a buddy. Gemini in Messages is presently solely out there in English and solely in “choose markets”.
Android Auto additionally will get an AI replace, enabling summaries of lengthy texts or chat threads so you may maintain your eyes on the street whereas catching up. It’s going to additionally counsel solutions and actions based mostly on context, reminiscent of exhibiting the choice to share your ETA if a buddy asks while you'll arrive.
Generative AI can be on the coronary heart of accessibility function updates for Lookout and Maps. Lens within the Google Maps app is getting display reader enhancements to assist determine locations of enterprise and supply related details about them, reminiscent of hours of operation. Lookout, which identifies objects and indicators for the visually impaired, will now robotically generate descriptions for pictures utilizing AI, together with pictures on-line and people shared in messages. Google says that is rolling out globally now in English.
The final two updates within the bunch don’t have anything to do with AI — they're simply helpful. Google is making a small tweak to Android that makes it simpler to change output units when utilizing Spotify – that's good! However definitely, my favourite new function of the bunch is assist for handwritten annotations in Google Docs. It's an replace for Android telephones and tablets that permits you to select from quite a lot of pencil and highlighter colours so you may annotate a doc along with your finger or stylus.
As somebody who buys too many journals and likes to take notes with a stylus, this brings me nice pleasure. It'll little question be extra helpful on a bigger canvas like a Pixel pill — bear in mind, Google continues to be making an attempt to construct Android tablets — or on the within display of a foldable so you may scribble to your coronary heart's content material. No AI required.