Whereas we’re ready for Apple to smarten up Siri in iOS 19, Google has unveiled some highly effective enhancements to its Gemini iPhone app, which permits its highly effective chatbot to do much more for iPhone customers.
Final yr, Google launched “the Gemini period” when it added a conversational Gemini Reside chatbot to its Pixel 9 lineup, later rolling it out as a core a part of Android to be adopted by Samsung and different iPhone rivals. Apple has its work reduce out for it in catching up, with the primary Siri enhancements already working not on time, and now Google is pulling even additional forward with the most recent spherical of updates to Gemini.
Throughout its I/O 2025 convention this week, Google introduced a number of new options that may assist its AI assistant begin to “perceive your world and anticipate your wants,” and it’s bringing these enhancements to all of the platforms the place Gemini is out there, together with the iPhone.
This consists of digicam and display sharing within the iOS app, which can will let you get real-time visible help with something you’re taking a look at, whether or not that’s one thing in the actual world or a process in your iPhone’s display.
Whereas that’s not in contrast to Apple’s Visible Intelligence, Gemini Reside takes it a step additional due to its extra refined AI fashions. For instance, it may possibly analyze a stay video stream in real-time slightly than simply figuring out static objects and do this whilst you’re actively conversing with it.
For instance, Gemini Reside can establish what the person is taking a look at and even right fallacious assumptions. In additional sensible functions, you could possibly use it to assist arrange an area, brainstorm inventive initiatives, and troubleshoot issues with furnishings and home equipment.
Google additionally demonstrated one other situation in a part of its broader Challenge Astra the place a scholar may level their iPhone digicam at a web page in a textbook and interact in a real-time dialogue because the AI tutor guides them by way of their homework, answering questions and offering additional clarification.
Gemini can even present a stay vocal feed of an individual’s environment, making it a helpful accessibility instrument for these with low imaginative and prescient.
Gemini Reside is a totally conversational chatbot that’s already leaps and bounds forward of Siri, though it additionally began from a special angle. Whereas Apple has but to ship on its promised Siri enhancements, it deliberate to start with private context and deal with making its voice assistant extra conversational in a later, second part of enhancements. Private context was anticipated to reach this yr in iOS 18.4, with a extra free-flowing conversational mode slated for iOS 19.4 in early 2026. Nevertheless, it now appears unlikely that we’ll see this second stage earlier than early 2027.
In the meantime, Google has nailed the conversational aspect, but it surely’s solely starting so as to add true private context, so it wouldn’t essentially be that far forward if Apple had been in a position to stick with its authentic schedule. Within the coming weeks, the corporate says Gemini will start integrating extra deeply into Google’s app ecosystem to allow it to ship options just like these showcased by Apple for Siri ultimately yr’s Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC).
Within the coming weeks, Gemini Reside will combine extra deeply into your day by day life. Planning an evening out with associates? Focus on the main points in Gemini Reside, and it immediately creates an occasion in your Google Calendar. Craving deep-dish pizza? Ask, and get the most recent particulars from Google Maps. We’re beginning to combine Google Maps, Calendar, Duties and Preserve, with extra Google ecosystem connections deliberate.
Google has already begun rolling out digicam and display sharing to all Gemini for iOS customers without cost. Final week, Google Workspace customers additionally gained entry to Gemini Reside, which has been accessible to private Google customers for just a few months.
Google additionally introduced Imagen 4 and Veo 3, new picture and video era fashions that enhance high quality, textual content rendering, and efficiency, together with native help for sound results, background noises, and dialog between characters in generated movies.