Since October 1, Google has made its Gemini Live voice assistant free for use on Android phones. This system helps users control their devices, navigate what’s on the screen, and generate texts or images in various applications. Previously, some of these functions were available only through the Gemini Advanced subscription, which offered a free trial for one month and charged $20 monthly afterward.
Key Features of Gemini Live
Gemini Live is easily activated by long-pressing the power button. Instead of the traditional Google Assistant icon, users will now see a blue Gemini star. The assistant is context-aware, meaning it understands what’s happening on the screen. For instance, if you’re watching a video on YouTube, you can ask it questions related to the content you’re viewing. In any application, Gemini Live can help generate images or text.
The pop-up interface includes a service icon in the lower-right corner when the power button is pressed. After activating it, users will be guided through a simple one-page manual. From there, they can select either a male or female voice, with options for different English dialects.
User-Friendly Interaction
One of the standout features of Gemini Live is how naturally users can interact with the AI. The system is designed to handle speech errors, stutters, or accents without issue, providing a smoother experience compared to previous versions of Google Assistant. When the application is active, the microphone is automatically turned on. Users can disable it by pressing the appropriate buttons in the interface.
NIXSolutions adds that transcripts of conversations are stored in the Gemini Apps user log for up to 72 hours, allowing users to review their interactions. This is a notable difference from Microsoft’s Copilot Vision, which does not store data either locally or in the cloud. According to the developer, all data is deleted immediately after the session ends.
We’ll keep you updated as Gemini Live continues to evolve and improve.