Google’s AI-powered assistant, Gemini, can understand and respond to natural language. The company is slowly getting rid of its aged Google Assistant app in favor of Gemini. Samsung has already integrated the new platform into Galaxy smartphones and tablets with One UI 7. Now, Gemin might be coming to your Galaxy Watch. It will arrive on Wear OS devices as a straightforward app update.
APK teardown reveals a few details about Gemini on Wear OS-powered Galaxy Watches
Last month, Google said that over the coming months, the Google Assistant will no longer be accessible on most mobile devices. Users will not be able to download it from mobile app stores. The company also promised to bring Gemini to more devices, including smartwatches. Folks over at 9to5Google recently decompiled the latest Assistant app’s APK file (version 1.18.x) to discover glimpses of how Gemini will work on a smartwatch.
The APK teardown of the Assistant app revealed the following strings:
- <string name=”switch_to_jmode_notification_title”>Gemini is now on your watch</string>
- Get started with Gemini: Speak naturally and get more done with a personal AI assistant on your watch
- “You’re using Gemini on your phone and now it’s the assistant on your watch. To talk to Gemini, hold down the side button, or just say “Hey Google,” if you’ve turned on that setting.”
The publication says that Gemini will come to Wear OS as an app update, which is not surprising, but hints that the rollout of the latest version is imminent. Speaking of capabilities, the second string suggests that Gemini can do things like set alarms and timers, message your contacts, etc, which is similar functionality to Google Assistant.
The third string clearly reveals that users will be able to trigger the Gemini on smartwatches by holding down the side button or saying “Hey Google” wake word when the screen is on. Currently, there is no evidence on whether Gemini on a smartwatch boasts advanced capabilities like Gmail, Google Maps, etc.
Gemini on Wear OS will show the user a warning message
On top of that, the publication says it will display a warning message to the user: “Gemini can make mistakes, including about people, so double-check it.” Features like Location, Voice Match settings, At a Glance, and pinned commands in the Wear OS tile will remain the same with Gemini on Wear OS.
As of now, we do not have information on when Google will push Gemini on Wear OS devices, including eligible Galaxy Watch models. Maybe the company will wait until the next Pixel Watch launch, but only time will tell.
