Google has replaced Google Assistant with Gemini on most new Android phones. When Gemini was new, it had much better language interpretation than Google Assistant, but the latter had more features and integration with more services. Now, Gemini is getting those features and integrations.
Gemini is getting Utilities extension for more on-device actions
Google has started rolling out the Utilities extension for Gemini more widely for compatible Android devices. It brings several on-device actions, including the following:
- Alarms: Set and silence alarms.
- Battery Saver: Turn off or on the Battery Saver mode.
- Bluetooth: Turn off or on Bluetooth.
- Capture image: Capture an image using the phone's camera.
- Check phone status: Check your device's battery life and volume level.
- Do Not Disturb: Turn off or on Do Not Disturb mode.
- Media Control: Pause or play music or video that is already active.
- Screenshot: Capture a screenshot.
- Timer: Start and stop timers.
- Wi-Fi: Turn off or on Wi-Fi.
To check if the Utilities extension is available on your Galaxy phone or tablet, launch the Gemini app, tap on your profile picture in the top right corner of the app, and click on Extensions. There, you can see the Utilities extension along with other extensions.
What's great is that you can give multiple commands in a single sentence, such as “Turn off Wi-Fi and turn on the flashlight” or “Turn on Do Not Disturb, play the music, and increase the volume to 80%.” Since Gemini is powered by Google's large language model (LLM), it will understand such complex commands and act accordingly.
This extension was leaked a few weeks ago, and it is currently rolling out widely to several recent devices.
