On the 13th (local time), Google unveiled an AI voice assistant feature that allows for natural conversation. It is described as different from Apple’s Siri and Samsung’s Bixby, which only provide predetermined responses. This feature is expected to be available not only on Android phones but also on Apple’s iPhones.
On the 13th (local time), Google held the ‘Made by Google 2024’ event at its headquarters in Mountain View, California, where they introduced the first AI smartphone Pixel 9 series and new technologies specific to their AI model, Gemini, for smartphones.
Included in this was the conversational AI voice assistant Gemini Live. Gemini Live was first introduced by Google at their annual developer conference in May.
By utilizing Gemini Live, users can request to create a workout plan based on emails sent by personal trainers, ask questions related to YouTube content as if conversing with someone nearby, and inquire about concert performances tonight based on Google’s personal schedule and search results, all in a conversational manner. Additionally, Gemini Live offers 10 voice options.
According to the US tech publication TechCrunch, Gemini Live provides responses within 2 seconds and offers a more natural conversation experience compared to Siri or Alexa, making it the best way to use a phone hands-free. Although not perfect yet, it is considered the best method for hands-free phone use seen so far.
In particular, Gemini Live can be subscribed to and used on Android smartphones, even if they are not Google Pixel phones. It can also be used on Samsung Galaxy series devices. By subscribing to the ‘Gemini Advanced’ service for a monthly fee of $19.99, users can start using it immediately, but currently, only the English language service is supported. Google plans to support Gemini Live on iPhones within the next few weeks.
Google usually unveils new products in October, but it is reported that they moved up the schedule by two months to efficiently respond to Apple’s upcoming AI phone, the ‘iPhone 16’ series, scheduled for September. Apple is expected to equip the iPhone 16 series with the AI voice assistant Siri powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o, and Google’s decision to advance their schedule is seen as a strategy to maintain their market share in the Android market.
CNBC, the US economic media outlet, evaluated it as “Google’s determination to equip smartphones with AI ahead of Apple.”