Google Unveils Major AI Upgrades for Android Devices, Starting with Samsung's Latest Foldables

Your Android device is getting a big AI upgrade for free - here's what's new

Samsung Unpacked is here, and in addition to new device announcements and other updates, Google is rolling out some serious AI upgrades across the whole Android ecosystem, and Samsung devices will be the first to see them. Wearables are seeing the biggest upgrade, but almost all devices are getting something new. Also: Gemini can access your Android phone's other apps, unless you stop it - here's how Here's a look at several new AI integrations coming to Android. Starting today, supported Wear OS watches, including those from Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, Oppo, and Xiaomi, are getting the same Gemini integration that's on your phone. This means you'll have a more natural, hands-free way to get the information you need. All you have to do is say, "Hey Google" to activate it, press and hold the side button on your watch, or tap the Gemini icon on your screen. For example, Google says you might ask for recipe help while you're busy cooking, for a quick weather check as you head out the door, or for an update on your schedule in between meetings. Also: 8 ways Google's Gemini AI assistant is getting more powerful and helpful You can also chain complex tasks like "Send a message to Nadja apologizing for running late," while you're working out, or "What is the address for my dentist appointment today? Navigate there." Gemini on your watch can remember the little details, too, like "Remember I'm using locker 43 today," or "Remember I parked on level 4, spot 27." Circle to Search for Android is getting two new capabilities. The first is the addition of AI Mode's advanced reasoning and multimodal capabilities, meaning you can explore complex topics or dive deep into a follow-up search without leaving the app you're in. The second is the addition of gaming help. Also: Your Android phone just got a major Gemini upgrade for music fans - and it's free If you're stuck on a level in your mobile game, want to identify a character, or just need some guidance on how to play, tap the "Get Game Help" chip that appears when you open Circle to Search, and the feature will attach a screenshot timed to your specific point in the game. Starting with the Galaxy Z Flip 7, Google says Gemini Live on foldable phones is getting a big improvement. It starts with simple things like letting you access Gemini Live from the external-screen, but expands to the ability to use Gemini Live to learn more about the world around you. Also: Gemini's command line tool is a hidden productivity game changer - and it's free For example, Google explains that you can tap the camera button and flip your Galaxy X Flip 7 to Flex Mode to get things like hands-free pointers on DIY projects or advice on your yoga form. With the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FlexWindow, you can even get things like last-minute outfit advice or help styling a new pair of glasses without opening your phone. Google says that Gemini Live now supports more apps, starting with Samsung apps like Samsung Calendar, Notes, and Reminders, and eventually adding more for other device makers. Also: Gemini in Google Sheets now lets you type a prompt to tell it exactly what to do The Gemini rollout on wearables is for any Android device running Wear OS 4+ (Galaxy Watch8 will be the first to launch with Wear OS 6 out of the box). The Circle to Search updates are coming to the wider Android ecosystem on compatible devices. Gemini Live's expansion to foldables is also coming to the wider Android ecosystem on compatible devices. Get the morning's top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter.

Google Unpacks Another Round of AI Features, Starting With Gemini On Wear OS

You'll be able to interact with the chatbot via voice by saying "Hey Google," pressing and holding the watch's side button, or tapping the Gemini icon on the watch's screen. Google's post suggests such applications for this hands-free interaction as getting advice on a recipe, sending a quick email, adding an item to your calendar, or setting reminders for your near-future self. Another Google post brings further updates on the company's ongoing collaboration with Samsung. On that electronics conglomerate's new Watch 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 folding phones, Google's Circle to Search AI feature will include Google's AI Mode (which is also coming to Google's recent Pixel phones). Yet another Google post published Wednesday suggests a novel use case for AI-ified Circle to Search: asking for help with Android games. You'll also be able to invoke Gemini Live in the Z Flip 7's outward-facing FlexWindow to get the counsel of the interactive AI service Google introduced last August on whatever it sees via the camera next to the screen, such as you trying on different pairs of glasses. In addition, Google is extending Gemini Live's in-app support to Samsung's Calendar, Reminder and Notes apps, allowing its AI to do things like add a concert to your calendar after you point the phone's camera at a poster showing that performance's date, time and location. (In a story on Monday, Ars Technica security reporter Dan Goodin warned that Gemini Live's default app integration includes WhatsApp and Messages, which he suggested could lead to human reviewers seeing snippets of your messages as part of Google's software quality-control efforts. A Google support note states that this review is subject to such privacy measures as automatically "disconnecting your conversations with Gemini Apps from your Google Account," while a separate note explains how to disconnect particular apps from Gemini Live.)

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 are the first phones to launch with Android 16

The Watch 8 Series will also be the first wearable to come with Wear OS 6 and Gemini. Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 are the first phones to ship out of the box loaded with Android 16. Similarly, the company's new Watch 8 Series will be the first to launch already running Google's Wear OS 6. That means Watch 8 is the first wearable to have Google's Gemini LLM ready to go the moment you switch it on, allowing you to ask the AI questions straight from your wrist. Google and Samsung are also upgrading Gemini Live so that it can be accessed on the external screen of the Z Flip 7. And thanks to updates rolling out to Gemini in general, you'll be able to use your camera and ask it about what you're seeing in real time while your Flip 7 is in Flex Mode. Gemini Live's new camera sharing feature will also be accessible from the Flip 7's external screen, so you can point the phone's camera at something and get answers from the AI without having to open your phone. Take note that Gemini Live now supports more Samsung apps, including Samsung Calendar, Notes and Reminders. The new foldables are getting Google's new Circle to Search updates, as well, including AI Mode. When you long press the home screen or the navigation bar on Samsung's new phones and circle something on screen, you'll get AI responses and will be able to ask follow-up questions. Circle to Search is also getting a feature called gaming help, which can help you with gaming questions while playing on mobile. You can encircle a character in the game to identify it, for instance, or get tips and strategies when you're stuck. Of course, Google's Gemini upgrades are coming to other devices, as well. Google has announced that Gemini on Wear OS is rolling out to all Pixel Watch users, and if you have a Pixel phone, you're getting access to Google's Veo 3 video generator. You'll even get a full year of the company's AI Pro subscription at no cost, as long as you have a Pixel 9 Pro. Finally, the new Circle to Search capabilities are also coming to Pixel phones.

Samsung’s New Foldables Give the Keys to Google AI and Say, 'Here, You Drive.'

Google's Gemini AI chatbot is literally all over the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7. Samsung's newest generation of Fold and Flip folding phones is here, and this year, it has quite a bit to parade around. The Galaxy Fold 7, for example, is hella thin and almost as slim as a Galaxy S25 Ultra when it's folded up, while the Galaxy Z Flip 7 has a bigger front-facing screen that spans 4.1 inches. However much the foldables have going on in the hardware department, there's even more going on inside with AI. The only difference is that Samsung has almost nothing to do with those AI developments. This year, the inside partâ€"in particular AIâ€"is all about Google and its many, many, Gemini features. In fact, during Samsung's keynote for the foldables, Senior Vice President of Devices and Services at Google, Rick Osterloh, even took the stage to announce just how deep its Gemini integration is. First, everyone's favorite AI feature (or at least the most useful), Circle to Search, is getting a dose of Google's AI Mode. This will help Circle to Search's multimodal capabilities, paving the way for more nuanced answers to questions about images and products. I've had a little time with Google's AI Mode, and I think that whether it's actually better at searching is up for debate, but more nuance is certainly what Google is aiming at here, and it's definitely moving the amount of AI in the Z Fold 7 forward. Google also announced that, starting with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7, you'll be able to long-press the power button and have Gemini take a gander at your screen while you're scrolling. With live access to what you're looking at, you can ask Gemini for help on stuff like product comparisons. Per Google: "Say you’re deciding which suitcase to buy for your upcoming trip: Open Gemini Live, share your screen, scroll through the different products you’re considering, and ask, 'which one should I choose based on material quality?'" And the applications don't stop there. Google says you can also wield Gemini Live on your camera to do stuff like coach you through cutting your bangs or styling a pair of glasses. Whether you want AI to do that type of thing for you is entirely up to you, but again, it's certainly a much deeper integration of Gemini into Samsung's foldable experienceâ€"one that's extending to native Samsung apps. Gemini Live is also being unleashed on Calendar, Reminder, and Notes, according to Google, which feels like a very deep partnership. In fact, partnership may not even be the word, actually. At this point Samsung's foldables feel like they're just as much Google phones as they are Samsung ones. I'm less sure about what that means for Samsung, but for Google, the prospect of being able to put Gemini features in front of that many eyeballs must be very enticing. Google, as you may have noticed this past I/O has been pouring resources into expanding Gemini with several new models and even AI subscriptions that group Google's latest AI tools into one monthly fee. Google is offering Galaxy Z Fold 7 users that subscription for free, by the wayâ€"at least for the first six months. After that it'll cost $20 per month, unfortunately. But even if Google's AI features are more advanced than the competition, and even if they are actually useful, Google still needs to find an audience, and that's exactly what Samsung can offer it. The biggest hurdle for AI features in phones is still getting people to actually adopt them, and to do that, you need to get them in front of people, which Pixel phones aren't really doing. To actually take off, those features also have to be useful, and that remains to be seen. We have our Galaxy Fold 7 in hand, so we'll have more to say on that soon, but until then, Samsung's newest foldables feel like a big win for Google.

Google Gemini gets smarter with Samsung's latest foldables

Samsung and Google might directly compete with each other in the premium smartphone space. But the two companies share close ties, with Google often using Samsung's flagship devices to announce new Android and Gemini features. With the launch of the Galaxy S25 series earlier this year, Google introduced a slew of new Gemini features that were briefly exclusive to Samsung's latest flagships. It is now doing the same with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7, announcing several upgrades to Gemini AI. Related Google Gemini can now see, hear, and understand your video clips Video uploads come to Gemini Posts On the Galaxy Z Fold 7, you can use Gemini Live's screen sharing functionality with the outer or inner screen and ask the AI chatbot relevant contextual questions. In its announcement, Google explains that you can use Gemini Live's screen sharing and contextual abilities to get a second opinion on the items you are shopping online and find out more about them. Similarly, on the Z Flip 7, Gemini Live with camera sharing can be triggered and used directly on the cover display. This way, you can quickly get relevant answers from Gemini without having to flip open the phone. Neither Google nor Samsung has confirmed if or when this feature will make its way to the Z Flip 6 and previous Z Flip models. Gemini Live now works with Samsung apps With the Galaxy S25 series launch in January 2025, Google introduced Gemini integration for Samsung apps. Building on that, the company is now bringing this integration to Gemini Live. With a simple voice command, Gemini Live can create new calendar events or reminders in Samsung Calendar and Samsung Reminder. For example, you can point Gemini Live at an event poster and ask it to directly create a calendar entry in Samsung Calendar. You can even ask Gemini if you are free on that specific day. The same Gemini Live integration is already available for Google apps like Calendar, Tasks, and Maps. But if you prefer using Samsung's apps instead, you can now use Gemini with them as well. This Gemini Live integration will be available on all compatible Samsung devices in the coming weeks.

Gemini Live will natively support the Galaxy Z Flip 7's cover screen

Google is announcing some big changes to how Gemini works on flip phones today, starting with Samsung's all-new Galaxy Z Flip 7. It's no secret Google's all in on Gemini these days, and Gemini Live -- very much the company's idea of an Assistant replacement -- plays a big role in this initiative. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the first flip phone that allows for easy access to Gemini Live from its external screen, complete with support for the multimodal elements of Google's voice assistant. In addition to basic conversations, Gemini Live on Flip 7 supports camera mode, which, when paired with the phone's form factor, allows for easy answers without having to flip it open or hold the device in one hand. It's not a wholly unique idea; this year's Moto Razr lineup was also big on utilizing a clamshell in tabletop mode for hands-free AI commands, though I'd hazard a guess that Gemini Live integration will outperform Motorola's in-house AI toolset. But again, this partnership with Samsung's latest hardware sounds like the launching point for Gemini Live on cover screens -- I wouldn't be surprised to see this feature expand to the Razr in the coming weeks and months. Google is also adding support for additional "device apps," starting with pre-installed Samsung services like Calendar, Notes, and Reminders, before eventually rolling out to other OEMs. While various tech brands -- OpenAI included -- continue to chase the dream of an AI-exclusive, non-smartphone device, unsurprisingly, gadgets like the Galaxy Z Flip 7 remain the best iteration of this sort of concept available on the market right now. Desktop mode should make Google's vision of Gemini Live, seen in action at this year's I/O, feel a little more realistic. And hey, if you're not interested in chatting with the company's latest virtual assistant, you can always ignore these tools altogether.

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked unveils Android 16's big changes for Google Gemini -- here's what's coming for the Z Flip 7, Z Fold 7, Samsung Watch 8 and more

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked has provided our first glimpse into the future of Samsung foldables. However, Google has used the event to unveil some of the new Gemini AI capabilities coming to the Android ecosystem as part of Android 16. It has been confirmed that the Galaxy Z Flip 7, Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy Watch 8 series will be the first devices to launch with Android 16 and Wear OS 6 out of the box. That means that you'll have access to all the changes as soon as you get the devices, which is great news. So, with that in mind, the big question is what new features are coming for Samsung, and eventually other Android devices? When it comes to the next generation of Samsung foldables, the first big change is that users will be able to access Google Gemini from the external displays. This means that users will no longer have to open their phones to solve any queries they have. However, this isn't the only change, as Android has announced that Gemini Live will be able to work in conjunction with the Galaxy Z Flip 7's Flex Screen feature and camera sharing. Users will be able to half-unfold their phone to stand the device up, then use the Z Flip 7's 50MP main camera in conjunction with the external display and Gemini Live. With this combination, you can quickly get advice on your outfit, travel tips based on your location and more. Circle to Search is one of the best features recently introduced to Android phones. Android 16 will massively improve the feature with a few new upgrades. One of these upgrades is the integration of AI Mode right into Circle to Search, which should help with exploring complex search topics, while also offering follow-up questions with a "dive deeper" button. On top of that, Google is also making it possible to access AI Mode through Google Lens via the Google app on both Android and iOS. Users in the US and India can both try this new feature from today. Another addition is that users will now be able to access Circle to Search when playing games on their foldable phones. If you find yourself stuck on a certain boss or want more information on a character, then you can activate Circle to Search, trace around the object you want to know more about and then receive tips and information without ever having to leave your game. Speaking of AI overviews, Google has announced that, thanks to advancements in the latest Gemini models, it has been able to upgrade its overviews to be easier to read. This will include being able to better break down information while incorporating more visuals directly into the responses, allowing it to offer more context when you need it. Finally, Google has announced that, from today, Google Gemini will start to roll out to Wear OS watches, including those from Samsung, Pixel, One Plus, Oppo and Xiaomi. This will be the same model that is available on Android phones, and can be accessed either by saying "Hey Google" or by pressing and holding the side button. According to a recent blog post, this addition will allow users to speak naturally to their smartwatches, which will then deliver fast and concise responses. The AI will also be able to work across apps, meaning you can ask it to summarize emails for you, add items to your calendar and more. There's a lot more that the AI can do, and you can test it out soon as Gemini will be rolling out to devices running Wear OS 4 and later in the coming weeks. If you upgrade your watch to Wear OS 6, then you'll also get support for your watch brand's own apps, making it even easier to use them on the fly. For an insight into how well all these new features work, check our hands-on reviews for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7. For more information about all the new announcements then please check out our live blog of Galaxy Unpacked, which we will keep updated with all the announcements as we hear them.

Samsung brings Google Gemini AI features to its foldables lineup

AI is coming to Samsung's foldables. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / Samsung Samsung and Google's partnership is still going strong, bringing Gemini AI features to Samsung's foldables lineup. At Samsung Unpacked, Google's senior VP of devices and services Rick Osterloh came onstage to announce Gemini-powered AI features for the new Samsung Z Fold 7. Google's existing Circle to Search feature on Samsung devices now includes AI Mode, which is a chatbot-style interface for searching based on images. Alongside this, Gemini Live is also coming to the Z Fold 7, which enables screen and camera sharing for live search. Osterloh also announced a six-month free trial of Google AI Pro for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, which gets Samsung users access to Veo 3 and Gemini 2.5 Pro. The Google announcement was part of Samsung's broader initiative bringing its suite of AI features, Galaxy AI to its foldable devices. In January, Samsung introduced new Galaxy AI features for its S25 series, including personalized daily briefs and agentic capabilities like scheduling events and sending messages on your behalf. These capabilities are now included in the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 as part Samsung's Android One UI 8 operating system (based on Google's Android 16 system).

Google just announced 5 new Gemini features coming to Android, and it's good news for fans of foldable smartphones

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked's many new products and features have not left out AI examples. Plenty involved Google and its Gemini family of AI models, with a host of new features coming to Android devices with the new Android 16 and Wear OS 6 systems. Here are some of the ones to be the most excited for. Gemini Live is a way for Google's AI companion to be present on a continuous basis. Rather than just asking a question and moving on, you can have it on hand to help as you follow a cooking tutorial, fix your bike, or do yoga. Starting with the Galaxy Z Flip7, Gemini Live will now be accessible right from the external screen, meaning you won't have to even unfold the device to interact with the AI. You'll also be able to link Gemini Live via Flex Mode with full camera integration. So, you might flip your phone halfway open, tap the camera button, and have Gemini be a hands-free AI assistant that can actually see what you're doing or what's happening around you and offer advice on your half-completed DIY project or your latest outfit. You can show Gemini what you're looking at and get on-the-spot feedback without fully unfolding your phone. Circle to Search is Google Gemini's party trick of looking up things you draw a circle around on your screen, like a photo or a phrase written in a text you're looking at. It's a way to get Google Search results without switching apps. The trick is becoming a lot more impressive with an AI Mode upgrade. Now, when you circle a word, image, or phrase, Gemini doesn't just look it up on Search; it starts up the AI Mode version of online search with a conversation that allows you to ask follow-up questions and look into related ideas within the same setup. You can discuss complex topics right from your screen with Gemini without switching among multiple tabs and apps. That's not the only major upgrade to Circle to Search. The feature will now try to entice people playing video games to look things up just like someone circling an unfamiliar plant. The new Gemini-powered feature offers mobile gamers help in the context of the game. You can just circle something on the screen as you're playing, like an item, enemy, or puzzle, and Gemini will identify it and offer timestamped advice based on your progress about what to do next if you're stumped. It's sort of an interactive walkthrough and strategy guide that you don't need to stop playing to look through. Until now, Gemini has mostly been incorporated into Google apps and services. But, Gemini Live will now start integrating with native device apps, starting with Samsung's Calendar, Notes, and Reminders apps. So, you could ask Gemini to summarize your day, add reminders about your next meeting, and organize your notes about what to buy for a vacation you took last week without opening those apps. Other apps will start offering their information to you through Gemini Live soon, with the end goal apparently a more proactive AI manager of your life. Google Assistant has often seemed to struggle on smartwatches, but Gemini will apparently feel right at home on your wrist, starting with the Galaxy Watch8 series and Wear OS 6, with other smartwatches to follow. Gemini will provide better notifications, real-time voice support, and contextual responses to what you ask the smartwatch. The interface is supposed to be more natural as well, with the AI not feeling like an afterthought.

Google expands Gemini AI across Galaxy foldables, Watch8, and Wear OS smartwatches

At Galaxy Unpacked 2025, Google introduced new Android AI experiences for the Galaxy Z Fold7, Z Flip7, and Galaxy Watch8. These are the first devices to launch with Android 16 and Wear OS 6, offering deeper AI integration across mobile and wearable platforms. Google's Circle to Search, now available on over 300 million Android devices, is expanding with AI Mode -- a new experience for tackling complex queries without switching apps. You can access AI Mode via Google Lens in the Google app on Android and iOS, now available in India and the U.S. Users can long press the home button or navigation bar, then circle, tap, or gesture over anything on screen to get an AI Overview, followed by an option to "dive deeper with AI Mode" for follow-up questions and deeper search insights. Gaming help has also been added. Players can circle characters, items, or challenges to get in-game tips, videos timestamped to gameplay, and relevant guides -- without pausing or closing the game. On the Galaxy Z Fold7, users can long-press the power button to share their screen with Gemini Live, making it easier to get help while multitasking or browsing items. The Galaxy Z Flip7 supports hands-free camera sharing in Flex Mode, turning the phone into a tripod for tasks like styling or DIY. It also enables camera sharing through the FlexWindow, offering quick AI assistance without opening the device. Users can now use Gemini with Samsung Calendar, Reminder, and Notes to scan posters and manage events without switching apps. The Galaxy Watch8 is the first device to ship with Wear OS 6, delivering improved speed, smoother scrolling, and more responsive transitions. It is also the first smartwatch to feature Gemini pre-installed. With voice commands, users can manage tasks, access information, and interact with apps like Samsung Health, Calendar, Reminder, and Clock, even when their phone is not nearby. Starting July 9, Google is rolling out Gemini for Wear OS to smartwatches from Samsung, Pixel, OPPO, OnePlus, and Xiaomi. Supported devices must run Wear OS 4 or newer. Users can activate Gemini on their watch by saying "Hey Google," pressing and holding the side button, or tapping the Gemini app icon. Gemini integrates with services like Gmail and Google Calendar -- accessible after enabling permissions in the Gemini app settings on the paired phone.