Google is pushing Gemini to another app on your Android phone (updated) –

Updated: April 8, 2024 (3:20 a.m. ET): In our original article below, we assumed that Gemini would serve as an experience within the Google app without replacing Assistant as a whole on your Android phone. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The tipster has now explained to Android Authority that even when using the upcoming Gemini toggle in the Google app, you'll be greeted with a page asking for your permission to switch from Assistant to Gemini. If you have already signed up to use Gemini before, you will not see this permission. The crux of the matter is that no matter how you use Gemini on your Android device, it will replace the Assistant.

Original article: April 8, 2024 (1:20 a.m. ET): Google launched Gemini, a dedicated Assistant replacement app on Android, in February. However, it looks like the search giant isn't done “Gemini-fying” your Android phone just yet. If you haven't downloaded the Gemini app before, Google plans to give the AI ​​chatbot a prominent place within the Google app.

According to the guide Patch assemblyResults (via bionicweb), Android users will soon see the Gemini Key inside the Google app on their devices. This is similar to how Google introduces Gemini on its iOS app. Switching to Gemini within the Google app allows you to start interacting with the AI ​​by typing, speaking to it, or sharing a photo. So, you're basically moving away from the traditional Google Search and Discover interface to the Gemini interface.

The new option in the Google app for Android actually makes sense for users who want to try Gemini but don't want to lose Google Assistant functionality. Currently, if you download the Gemini app on your Android device, you must opt ​​in to remove Google Assistant and only use Gemini as the primary AI guide on your phone. Switching to use Gemini within the Google app will get around this limitation.

There's no information on when the feature will be rolled out to the Google app for Android, but thanks to the above video shared by the tipster, you can see how it works.