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On Tue, 8 Oct, 4:05 PM UTC
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Gemini may soon land on your Android phone's lock screen
If Google wants to fill our phones with AI, it needs to give Pixels more storage Key Takeaways A hidden flag in Android 15 QPR1 beta 2 hints at a Gemini button coming to the lock screen. It may provide faster access to Google's AI chatbot in the future. Google's focus on integrating Gemini into its apps and services suggests the button will likely be functional soon. There are plenty of ways to access Gemini on your Android phone. After replacing Google Assistant with Google's new AI-powered chatbot, you can trigger Gemini by long-pressing the power key, saying "Hey Google," or swiping up from the bottom left or right corner of the display. As if that's not enough, Google has also added a dedicated Gemini button inside Google Messages, Gmail, and its other apps. Now, the company is seemingly working on another way to provide you with quick access to Gemini -- this time from your phone's lock screen. Related Google Gemini's AI video summary implies YouTube doesn't care about content creators How much more proof do we need? 9 Android guru Mishaal Rahman spotted a hidden flag in the latest Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, presumably providing a way to access Gemini from the lock screen. The Android Authority report details that enabling the flag leads to a pill-shaped button with a Gemini icon showing up on the lock screen. It sits right below the fingerprint icon on Pixel phones. Source: Android Authority Right now, tapping the button does not do anything. But in a future release of the OS, tapping the button might bring up Gemini. This is speculation, though, and Google eventually might decide against adding a Gemini button to Android's lock screen. This seems unlikely, given the company's push towards integrating Gemini into all its apps and services. Recently, Google even tried a questionable new tactic to promote Gemini in Google Messages. A Gemini button on the lock screen will be handy Close Currently, the only way to access Gemini through the lock screen is by saying the "Hey Google" hotword. Admittedly, this is not always a great option, especially when out and about. A dedicated Gemini button will provide faster access to the AI chatbot, which is what Google purportedly wants. The company might make the Gemini button functional with the next Android 15 QPR1 beta release or wait until next year's Android 16, which could focus on additional AI features. Even if Google adds a Gemini button to Android's lock screen, here's hoping it also provides an option to turn it off. Google has tested several lock screen-related changes in Android 15, with the QPR1 beta 2 introducing lock screen widgets on the Pixel Tablet. It was also spotted testing iPhone-like Live Activities for the lock screen through the At a Glance widget.
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Future Android build could include a Gemini shortcut on the lock screen - Phandroid
Google has made several steps to make sure its Gemini AI is integrated into Android. We've seen how the company is introducing it to various services, but Google could be hoping to make it more obvious. According to a recent Android Authority report, it seems that Google is testing putting a Gemini button on the lock screen. This change was spotted in the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, but when activated, the button doesn't seem to do anything. This suggests that it could be an early experiment that isn't live yet. It is unclear what it does at this point in time, but it's safe to assume that if you press it, it could launch Gemini. At the moment, there are several ways that users can launch Gemini on their Android phones. For example, users can long press the power button to launch their phone's digital assistant, which in some cases would be Gemini. Users can also launch Gemini using gesture navigation, or launch it by saying "Hey Google". Based on this discovery, it seems that Google is trying to make Gemini more obvious by placing it on the lock screen of phones. By making it more prominent, it could encourage users to use it more. It benefits both Google and users in this case. Since AI needs more user data to improve itself, encouraging more people to use it will definitely help. It will also expose more users to Google's AI efforts, which some might not know about.
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Your Android Phone Might Soon Get a Gemini Button on the Lock Screen
The feature was spotted in the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 update The use case of the button is currently not known The feature is said to be part of the Android 16 update Google is reportedly working on a new button on Android lock screen which might trigger a Gemini function. As per a report, the button appears to be similar to the Gemini icon, but could also relate to artificial intelligence (AI) in general. The new feature was spotted in the latest beta version of Android 15, however, it is not currently accessible to testers. The button could reportedly trigger the Gemini virtual assistant and offer a newer way to activate the AI-powered chatbot. According to an Android Authority report, the button was spotted in the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 update. It was found as a flag and is not an implemented feature that beta testers will be able to see. However, triggering the flag enables a lock screen button with a single sparkle icon, which the Mountain View-based company exclusively uses with Gemini. Gemini button on Android lock screen Photo Credit: Mishaal Rahman/Android Authority Based on the screenshot shared by the publication, the button is placed towards the bottom of the lock screen, just underneath the fingerprint sensor. It is a pill-shaped button and is larger than the fingerprint scanning area as well as the quick action buttons placed on the two bottom corners. The button reportedly did not do anything when tested by the publication, but it is expected to be activated with future updates. As per the report, the button might trigger the Gemini virtual assistant. While that is a possibility, currently users can already invoke the assistant in three different ways including the power button, long pressing the home button or swiping up from the corner, as well as the verbal "OK Google" or "Hey Google" command. Adding another way to open up the same functionality might be unnecessary. Instead, it could be that the button triggers a new AI feature which is powered by Gemini. The timing of the feature highlights that it is unlikely to be part of the Android 15 update. Meanwhile, Android 16 is not expected to be unveiled till the middle of 2025, which is when this button's use case could be unveiled. As such, it could activate an altogether new functionality, similar to the iPhone 16 series' Camera Control button. It should be noted that the feature could not be verified by Gadgets 360 staff members and it was not confirmed by Google in any capacity. As such, the information regarding the Gemini AI button should be taken with a pinch of salt. If the company is indeed planning such a feature, it should be revealed in next year's I/O event.
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Google is experimenting with a dedicated Gemini AI button on Android lock screens, potentially offering users quicker access to AI features and showcasing the company's commitment to AI integration in mobile devices.
In a move that signals Google's growing emphasis on AI integration in mobile devices, the tech giant is reportedly testing a dedicated Gemini AI button for Android lock screens. This development was uncovered in the latest Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 update, hinting at a future where AI assistance is just a tap away for Android users 1.
Android expert Mishaal Rahman first spotted a hidden flag in the beta update that, when enabled, reveals a pill-shaped button with a Gemini icon on the lock screen. The button appears below the fingerprint icon on Pixel phones, suggesting a prominent placement for easy access 1.
While the button is currently non-functional, its presence indicates Google's intention to provide users with faster access to its AI chatbot. This aligns with the company's recent efforts to integrate Gemini across its apps and services, including replacing Google Assistant with the AI-powered chatbot in various contexts 2.
The exact functionality of the Gemini button remains speculative. However, it's anticipated that tapping the button could launch the Gemini AI assistant or trigger new AI-powered features. This addition could complement existing methods of accessing Gemini, such as long-pressing the power button, using voice commands, or gesture navigation 2.
By making Gemini more prominent on the lock screen, Google aims to encourage wider adoption of its AI technology. This strategy could benefit both users and Google, as increased usage would provide more data to improve AI capabilities while exposing more users to Google's advanced AI offerings 2.
The Gemini button feature is unlikely to be part of the Android 15 update. Experts speculate that it might be unveiled with Android 16, expected to be announced in mid-2025. This timeline suggests that Google is planning for significant AI-focused enhancements in future Android versions 3.
This development is part of Google's broader strategy to integrate AI more deeply into its ecosystem. The company has already added Gemini buttons to apps like Google Messages and Gmail, demonstrating its commitment to making AI accessible across various user touchpoints 1.
As Google continues to push the boundaries of AI integration in mobile devices, the potential Gemini button on the lock screen represents another step towards a more AI-centric user experience. However, it remains to be seen how users will respond to this increased AI presence and whether Google will provide options to customize or disable such features for those who prefer a more traditional interface 1.
Reference
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Phandroid - Android News and Reviews
|Future Android build could include a Gemini shortcut on the lock screen - Phandroid[3]
Google has introduced a new feature allowing Gemini AI to operate on locked Android devices, enhancing user accessibility and convenience while maintaining privacy and security measures.
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2 Sources
Google is developing a feature for Gemini AI assistant that will allow users to make calls and send texts without unlocking their Android devices, enhancing hands-free functionality and potentially replacing Google Assistant.
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5 Sources
Google has introduced a significant update to its Gemini AI on Android devices, allowing users to interact with the AI assistant without unlocking their phones. This new feature enhances accessibility and convenience for Android users.
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4 Sources
Google has enhanced its Gemini AI assistant to perform more tasks directly from Android device lock screens, improving user accessibility and functionality without compromising security.
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2 Sources
Google's AI assistant, Gemini, now allows users to control smart home devices and send messages without unlocking their phones, marking a significant step in its evolution as a Google Assistant alternative.
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