Google Expands Gemini's Capabilities with New Extensions, Challenging Google Assistant's Dominance

Hands-on: I tested Gemini's new extension and I'm not impressed

On paper, the Utilities extension is a good reason to ditch the old Google Assistant altogether. Before the extension's release, you still had to rely on Assistant if you wanted to turn on Bluetooth, set an alarm, and basically control the general settings of your device with voice commands -- or via text prompt. These are the features Gemini was missing but has now received, thanks to the Utilities extension. As a Gemini Advanced user, I'm excited about the new capabilities my favorite AI chatbot now has. It's strange that it took Google so long to release this, though. It didn't make much sense to me that the app could plan a seven-day trip to London based on my hobbies and interests, show me available flights, and suggest hotels in my budget within a few seconds, but it couldn't do a simple task like turning on the flashlight on my phone. Well, those days are now thankfully gone -- to a point.

Still using Google Assistant? Gemini's new Utilities extension might convince you to switch

Utilities also plugs into the Pixel Screenshots app for Pixel users. Gemini has evolved well as an AI digital assistant, but there are still some situations in which users miss Google Assistant on their phones. You'd particularly miss Google Assistant if you relied on it a lot for various phone tasks, like managing alarms and times, opening apps, controlling media playback, etc. Google began rolling out a Utilities Gemini extension last month that would help Gemini do such tasks without relying on Google Assistant, and now the extension is rolling out widely to many users. Artem Russakovskii on X (previously known as Twitter) spotted that the Utilities extension is now live in Gemini. You can spot the new extension in the Gemini app for Android by clicking on the profile picture in the top right corner and tapping Extensions. If you don't see the extension here, you can try force-closing and restarting the Gemini app, which worked for me. Once installed and activated, the Utilities extension adds a ton of functionality to Gemini. Not only can it manage several tasks on your phone, but you can now also issue multiple commands to Gemini. I also noticed that issuing corrections to Gemini is easier than it was with Google Assistant in the past. For Pixel users, the Utilities extension can also plug into the Pixel Screenshots app. If your Gemini on lock screen setting is on, the Utilities extension can also do several tasks like set and silence alarms and timers, toggle device features, check for volume and battery levels, power off or restart your device, take a photo or screenshot, and control media. The rollout for the Utilities extension earlier last month was quite limited, so users, especially those who miss Google Assistant, would greatly appreciate a wider rollout. Have you tried out the new Utilities extension in Gemini? How was your experience? Let us know in the comments below!

This handy Gemini extension for Android is finally rolling out to all

Google Gemini's AI summaries will finally be up front about sources Key Takeaways Gemini's Utilities extension allows handling tasks like alarms and media playback. Initially limited to some users, Google is now widely pushing the extension to all Android users. The extension enhances Gemini's functionality by allowing multiple commands, but it only works with English prompts. ✕ Remove Ads Google unveiled a handy Utilities extension for Gemini in November of this year. The extension enables Gemini to handle basic tasks like managing alarms, controlling media playback, and more. Before the extension, Gemini had to rely on Google Assistant to process such commands. In typical Google fashion, the Utilities extension was initially only rolled out to a limited number of users. Almost a month later, Google is widely pushing the extension to all Android users. Related Google Nest smart speakers are starting to get this Gemini-powered upgrade A more conversational voice Posts1 A tipster informed us about the broader public rollout of Gemini's Utilities extension. Several of my AP team members also got access to the extension on their phones. The extension did not initially appear on my Xiaomi 14 Ultra, but it popped up after a restart. It is enabled by default, so if rolled out to your account, you can start using it right away. ✕ Remove Ads Close Besides asking Gemini to open apps, manage your alarms, etc., the Utilities extension enables the AI-powered assistant to handle multiple commands simultaneously. As Google notes on the Utilities extension support page, it currently only works with English prompts. You must also have Gemini Apps Activity enabled for the extension to work. On the Pixel 9 series, the Utilities extension enables Gemini to search for screenshots in the Pixel Screenshots app. The support page also highlights that Gemini will prefer Google's Clock app over any similar apps installed on your device. While Gemini can set alarms and timers in third-party apps, other advanced functionality is not available. ✕ Remove Ads Close On the lock screen, the Utilities extension enables Gemini to seamlessly manage tasks like setting or silencing alarms and timers, toggling the flashlight, Bluetooth, and Do Not Disturb mode, capturing photos, and more. The AI assistant can execute these actions even when your device is locked. The additional functionality enabled by the Utilities extension should make Gemini a true Google Assistant replacement for most users. The Utilities extension's wider availability comes a few weeks after Google rolled out the Google Home Gemini extension to more people. Unlike the former, though, the Google Home extension is only available to users enrolled in its public preview program. ✕ Remove Ads Thanks: Moshe

The latest Gemini Extensions are ready to search Spotify lyrics, make calls for you, and much more

Google teases that the Home Gemini Extension may be leaving preview soon. Google is making a tremendous investment in AI systems right now, and Android users have been getting to enjoy the fruits of those efforts by way of the company's Gemini AI assistant. Beyond just getting better at communicating with us thanks to new modes like Gemini Live, Google's been working to build out Gemini's capabilities with the introduction of new Extensions -- tools that let Gemini interact with existing apps and services, both Google and non-Google alike. In addition to the new Pixel Drop arriving today, Google's also sharing news about its latest Gemini-powered features for Android, including some new Extensions.

Android 15's first major update has arrived

On the AI front, Google is adding more extensions to Gemini Assistant. The Spotify extension allows you to play music from Spotify through Gemini. When Gemini Assistant debuted, it was missing basic features like this one -- capabilities that the non-AI Assistant has been offering for the better part of a decade. This is one more step toward feature parity between Gemini and the standard Google Assistant. Gemini will also get access to the Utilities extension that's been rolling out, allowing it to take more actions on your behalf, like making phone calls, sending emails, and changing phone settings.