Google Unveils Enhanced Gemini AI Features for Android Devices

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Google announced new features for its Gemini AI assistant on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, making it more personalized and accessible for Android users. The updates include Gemini Live, which allows natural conversations with the AI, and expanded capabilities for integrating images, files, and YouTube videos into interactions.

Gemini Live, now available on Samsung Galaxy S24 and S25 series and Pixel 9 devices, enables users to brainstorm ideas, organize thoughts, and simplify complex topics. The feature will roll out to more Android devices in the coming weeks. Additionally, screen sharing and live video streaming will debut on the Gemini mobile app for Android and the Samsung Galaxy S25 in the coming months.

Google also introduced multi-extension prompts, allowing users to combine multiple tasks in a single request. For example, users can ask Gemini for high-protein lunch recipes and save them directly to Samsung Notes or Google Keep. This feature is now available to all Gemini users on the web, Android, and iOS.

On Galaxy S25 devices, Gemini becomes more accessible with a long-press side button activation. Deep Research, a feature for Gemini Advanced users, will also roll out later this week, enabling users to conduct in-depth research on the go.

At Samsung’s Unpacked event, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis announced the integration of Project Astra into the Galaxy S25 series. Project Astra uses the phone’s camera to analyze the environment and provide personalized responses. Hassabis described it as a “research prototype exploring the future capabilities of a universal AI assistant.”

Hassabis demonstrated Project Astra’s capabilities, such as analyzing clothing sizes and guiding users through cooking tasks. However, the feature raises privacy concerns due to its reliance on the phone’s camera. Google has implemented tools to prevent accidental sharing of personal data.

The Galaxy S25 series, available for preorder, will ship on Feb. 7. It builds on last year’s Galaxy AI tools, including AI Select for on-screen suggestions and conversational photo searches.