Google has been betting big with AI and Gemini in recent months. Soon after launching the Gemini app, the company regularly improves the experience with new features and enhancements.
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In an effort to make the AI model a better phone companion, the company is now bringing support to let users start automatic navigation on Google Maps once a user asks for help with route navigation.
The option stirs into action when users “ask for directions” from Gemini. According to 9To5Google, the feature can be used with prompts such as “Navigate to [place name]” or “take me to [place name]” prompts. It displays a summary of the route, including the expected time to reach the destination and the distance. The text “See the directions here” is available in the screengrab shared in the report to check for detailed navigation.
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The new feature brings another native addition to Gemini and curbs the need to move to the legacy Assistant. As per the report, Gemini opens Google Maps (after a few seconds) with the configured route navigation. Meanwhile, Play Store also noted users can use their voice to “set reminders and calendar entries” with the app if the “Workspace extension is turned on” in the settings of Gemini.
Google also “updated voice commands to include auto submit” without hitting the “send” button. For context, the experimental AI assistant app is only available in the US for Android users in English. Some features, such as controlling media and routines are not supported on the app yet. Users must have a minimum of 4GB RAM and Android 12 (or later) version to use the app.
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The free version allows users to write texts, summarise information, generate images, and more with the signature ‘Hey Google’ wake word. Meanwhile, Gemini is Google’s answer to the viral popularity of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Similarly, Microsoft offers its AI chat model, Copilot, across its products in the AI era.
