7 tricks to get more out of Gemini on Android

Gemini on Android is a Swiss Army Knife

Google Gemini can now become the default assistant on your Android phone. Thanks to the use of large language models, the chatbot is able to better understand the intention of your requests, as well as supporting natural language. Gone are the days of strict commands that had to be used in Google AssistantIf you think it’s time to make the jump to Gemini, in this guide I explain how to do it and what are the tricks that will help you get more out of this tool based on generative AI. Don’t miss it!

Replace Google Assistant with Gemini

I’ve already shown you the steps to use Gemini on iOS. However, Google’s integration of its chatbot on Android is superior to the experience available to iPhone users. Gemini can replace the Google Assistant and can be invoked using traditional methods, such as saying the phrase “Ok Google” or long-pressing the power button.

This replacement is, without a doubt, the first trick that will allow you to get more out of Gemini on Android. These are the steps you must follow to complete the transition between both tools:

1. Update all apps.
2. Open the application Google and click on your account avatar.

3. Press on Settings.

   

4. Then tap on Gemini.

   

5. On the explanatory screen, press on Continue.

   

6. Finally, tap on Using Gemini.

   

By doing this, Gemini will become the default assistant on your device. To revert this setting, go back to the app settings Google and select the option Google Digital Assistants. Then, check the option Gemini.

Use the screen content as context

Once you’ve set Gemini as your default virtual assistant, you’ll find it easier to take advantage of its capabilities. One of them is that it lets you scan your screen to provide context to the conversation.

For example, imagine you are visiting an article that interests you, but you cannot read it right now. In that case, just click on Ask questions about this screen. The website will be attached to the conversation and used to respond to your request. In a situation, the prompts that work best are these:

• Summarize this article in a list of main points
• Tell me what you see here
• Explain to me briefly what is being discussed on this website

This is a feature that reminded me a lot of Google Lens in Chrome for desktop.

Use your mobile camera to recognize objects

Another feature of Google Gemini on Android is the ability to recognise objects and read texts. This is obviously possible thanks to your mobile phone’s camera. Once you have invoked the assistant, you just have to press the camera icon. It is located next to the microphone.

The image above shows a simple example of how it works. I photographed the mouse I usually use, the Logitech MX Master 3S, and asked the AI ​​what model it was. It answered correctly. However, Gemini’s camera access can be used in other ways, such as translating text or searching for similar images on the Internet.

Request a summary of YouTube videos

Another interesting feature of Gemini is that it is able to summarize YouTube videos. It is indeed One of the functions that caught my attention the most the attention of the presentation of the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. However, it is curious that it has not remained exclusive to Google phones, but is even available on older devices.

When you open a YouTube video and invoke Gemini at the same time, the button appears Ask a question about this video. So the content is used as context in the responses. This allows you to, for example, ask the assistant to summarize the content.

In the image above you can see that, in a video about the history of Tuenti, Gemini is able to explain what the author says in the content. Although it is very useful, the truth is that the summaries are very brief and ignore many of the details of the video. However, if you want to Avoid watching a long videogetting the main ideas or finding out beforehand what the subject is talking about, this is a great way to do it.

Search for music naturally

“Play some study music. I want to concentrate as much as possible with some lo-fi beats. If possible, have the music play without interruptions.” Do you think this is a natural enough way to ask a virtual assistant for music? I think so.

Well this one This type of phrase is the one you can use without fear with Gemini. The assistant, which uses language models, will understand them perfectly. On Android, it will also automatically open YouTube Music.

Organize your route with Google Maps

You can ask Gemini to create a route for you using simple, uncomplicated language. For example, look at the result this gave me. prompt:

• Create a walking route from Plaça Catalunya in Barcelona to the Columbus statue

Well, maybe this is a trick that was already present in the Google Assistant. The beauty of it is that, from here, you can ask Gemini to make changes to the proposed route and add some other stops. For example, in the same conversation and after getting the corresponding response, I asked this:

• I want to go shopping for sportswear before arriving in Colón

Gemini provided me with a list of all the stores that matched my request. I then used this request to add it to the route:

• Add Decathlon to your route

The result is the original route modified to include a small detour to the aforementioned establishment.

Take your texts to other apps with Google Gemini

The last trick I propose is really useful, especially if you tend to generate texts with AI. By invoking Gemini, you can ask something like this:

• I want to say goodbye to my colleagues before I go on vacation. Can you write an emotional text thanking them for everything they have done for me this year?

In this case, Google’s AI offered me several proposals. Actually, that’s the least of it. The interesting thing is that by pressing the three-dot button, two options appear. One allows you to get text to gmailwhich is ideal for sending it directly to the person concerned. The other option is to send it to Google Docswhich is perfect for applying more elaborate editing. In case you want to copy a specific fragment of the text, press the corresponding option in the menu.

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