Google Gemini Full Review - Your New Google Assistant

In Depth Tech Reviews
13 Feb 202414:15

TLDRIn this video, the host introduces Gemini, an AI assistant originally by Google, and demonstrates its capabilities on a Pixel 8 Pro. The video guides viewers on how to install Gemini outside the US and showcases its features, such as travel information, photo generation, email management, and web queries. Despite some limitations, like lack of continued conversations and slower processing times, Gemini proves to be a versatile tool for various tasks, including basic Google Assistant functions.

Takeaways

  • 🌐 Gemini is an AI assistant originally developed by Google, offering advanced features beyond the standard Google Assistant.
  • 📱 It can be installed on devices outside the US by downloading the APK from a mirror site, as it's currently only officially supported in the US.
  • 🔍 Gemini can perform various tasks such as providing travel information, generating photos, managing emails, and more.
  • 🚀 For Pixel phones, Gemini replaces the Google Assistant and can be triggered using the power button, while on other Android devices, it can be accessed through the Google app.
  • 🛫 Travel-related commands are particularly effective in Gemini, providing detailed information about flights, best times to visit, and hotel prices.
  • 📸 The AI can generate photos based on user commands, such as creating images for presentations or wallpapers.
  • ✉️ Gemini aids in email management by quickly searching and summarizing emails, and even creating cover letter templates.
  • 🖥️ It can also assist with screen-related queries by taking screenshots and providing information or summarizing content.
  • 📝 Coding-related tasks are within Gemini's capabilities, including generating HTML code snippets and explaining complex concepts like operating system kernels.
  • 🔧 There are some limitations to Gemini, such as lack of support for continued conversations, difficulty identifying people in photos, and slower processing times compared to Google Lens.
  • ⚙️ Users can customize their Gemini experience by adjusting settings, choosing which assistant to use, and managing extensions and public links.

Q & A

  • What is Gemini and how does it relate to Google Assistant?

    -Gemini is an AI chatbot developed by Google, which serves as an enhanced version of the Google Assistant. It offers additional features and capabilities beyond the standard Google Assistant, such as the ability to attach photos to commands and generate drafts for information organization.

  • How can one install Gemini outside of the US?

    -To install Gemini outside of the US, users need to download the APK file from an APK mirror website. The link to the APK will be provided in the video description. The installation process is straightforward and does not require third-party apps.

  • What are the system requirements for using Gemini on Android devices?

    -Gemini can be installed on Android devices running Android 12 or later with at least 4 GB of RAM. For iOS devices, the Gemini tab is available within the Google app itself.

  • How does Gemini handle travel-related queries?

    -Gemini provides comprehensive information for travel-related queries, such as showing available flights, recommended activities, and average hotel prices for a destination. It can also offer detailed information like flight prices, airline names, and the ability to book directly from the app.

  • What are the limitations of Gemini's photo generation feature?

    -While Gemini can generate photos based on user commands, it may not always match the user's needs perfectly. Users have the option to generate more photos or request a new set of results if the initial options are not satisfactory.

  • How can Gemini assist with email management?

    -Gemini allows users to search for specific types of emails quickly and provides a summary of the emails based on their subject. It can also help create email templates and draft emails from scratch.

  • What are some of the exclusive features of Gemini for Pixel 8 models?

    -Pixel 8 models have access to exclusive features like summarizing articles on the web using the 'summarize' command. This feature condenses the most important information from an article into a brief summary.

  • What are some general commands that can be used with Gemini?

    -Gemini can be used for a variety of tasks, such as generating HTML code snippets, explaining complex concepts in simple terms, and creating drafts for organizing information. It can also be used for basic Google Assistant tasks like setting timers and managing smart home devices.

  • What issues were encountered while using Gemini?

    -Some issues include the lack of support for continued conversations, difficulty in identifying images of people and products, the need to attach screenshots before querying information on the screen, and longer processing times compared to Google Lens.

  • How can users switch between the normal Google Assistant and Gemini?

    -Users can switch between the normal Google Assistant and Gemini by going to the Gemini settings, then selecting 'Digital assistants from Google,' and choosing their preferred assistant.

  • What options are available under Gemini's settings?

    -Gemini's settings include options to manage public links, modify Google Assistant settings, choose languages, toggle on or off Google Assistant features within Gemini, manage extensions, and view updates for new features.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Introducing Gemini and Initial Setup

This paragraph introduces Gemini, an AI assistant originally Google Assistant, and its capabilities. The speaker explains how to download and install Gemini outside the US, where it's officially supported. It highlights the simplicity of the installation process via APK download from a mirror site. The speaker also mentions the limitations of the video's quality due to not being filmed in the main studio and apologizes for it. The paragraph further delves into the functionality of Gemini, especially on Pixel phones, and how it can be triggered similar to Google Assistant. It also covers the app's compatibility with other Android devices running Android 12 or later with at least 4 GB of RAM, and its presence within the Google app on iOS devices.

05:02

🛫 Travel and Navigation Commands

This section focuses on the use of Gemini for travel-related queries. The speaker demonstrates how Gemini can provide detailed information about traveling to Spain, including the best time to visit, flight options, hotel prices, and recommended activities. Despite a slower response time initially, Gemini delivers comprehensive travel information, including flight prices, airline details, and hotel bookings. The paragraph also touches on the app's ability to take screenshots and attach images to commands, offering a unique feature for specific inquiries. However, it also notes that some export functions are currently non-operational, resulting in blank documents or emails when attempted.

10:04

📸 Photo Generation and Email Management

In this part, the speaker explores Gemini's photo generation capabilities, showcasing how it can create images related to specific themes or concepts, like leadership or a castle made of cardboard. The user can save or share these images directly from the app. The paragraph also discusses Gemini's utility in managing emails, from searching and summarizing emails to creating cover letter templates. It provides an example of generating a cover letter for a customer service manager position and emphasizes the app's efficiency in drafting professional emails. Additionally, Gemini's potential in writing emails from scratch and its integration with the user's screen for information queries is highlighted, although it mentions the current limitations in processing speed and the need for screen attachment before queries can be made.

💻 General Commands and App Settings

The final paragraph covers a range of general commands that Gemini can execute, such as coding snippets, explaining complex concepts like operating system kernels, and summarizing web articles. It also touches on the app's ability to function as a regular Google Assistant for tasks like setting timers, managing smart home devices, navigation, and messaging. The speaker shares some issues encountered, including lack of support for continued conversations, difficulties with image recognition, and slower processing times. The paragraph concludes with an overview of the app settings, where users can switch between Google Assistant and Gemini, manage public links, choose languages, modify Google Assistant features within Gemini, and review recent updates and extensions available for the app.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Gemini

Gemini is an AI assistant developed by Google, which is the main focus of the video. It is designed to provide users with information and perform tasks through voice commands and interactions. In the context of the video, Gemini is showcased as an innovative tool that can assist with various tasks such as travel planning, photo generation, email management, and more. The video demonstrates how Gemini can be used to search for flights to Spain, generate photos, and manage emails, among other functionalities.

💡APK mirror

APK mirror refers to a third-party website that hosts the APK (Android Package) files of applications, allowing users to download and install them outside of the official Google Play Store. In the video, the presenter instructs viewers to download the Gemini APK from an APK mirror site to install it on their devices, highlighting the ease of access and installation of the assistant.

💡Pixel phone

A Pixel phone is a smartphone manufactured by Google, known for its high-quality hardware and software integration. In the context of the video, the presenter mentions having Gemini on a Pixel phone, which indicates that the device is compatible with the AI assistant. The video also explains that once Gemini is installed on a Pixel phone, it replaces the Google Assistant, allowing users to interact with it in the same way.

💡Traveling

Traveling is a key use case for AI chatbots like Gemini, as demonstrated in the video. The assistant can provide information on flights, best times to visit, and hotel prices for travel destinations. The presenter tests Gemini's capabilities by asking for travel-related information, such as flights to Spain and the best things to do there, showcasing how Gemini can assist with planning and organizing travel itineraries.

💡Photo generation

Photo generation is a feature of Gemini that allows users to create or obtain images related to specific concepts or themes. In the video, the presenter uses this feature to generate a photo representing leadership for a presentation and a photo of a castle made of cardboard. This showcases the versatility of Gemini in assisting with creative tasks and providing visual content.

💡Email management

Email management refers to the ability of Gemini to help users find, organize, and interact with their emails efficiently. In the video, the presenter demonstrates how Gemini can search for specific emails, such as those from Fitbit, and provide a summary of the contents. Additionally, Gemini can assist in creating email templates, such as a cover letter for a customer service manager job, streamlining the email composition process.

💡Screen summary

Screen summary is a feature exclusive to certain Pixel 8 models in specific regions that allows users to take a screenshot and request a summary of the content displayed on the screen. In the video, the presenter uses this feature to obtain a summary of an article, highlighting Gemini's capability to condense and present key information from visual content.

💡Code snippets

Code snippets are small pieces of code that can be used or shared among developers for various purposes, such as creating lists in HTML. In the video, the presenter asks Gemini to provide the code for creating a list in HTML, demonstrating the assistant's ability to generate and provide code snippets that can be copied to the clipboard for immediate use.

💡Google Assistant

Google Assistant is an AI developed by Google that is integrated into many of its products and services. In the video, Gemini is presented as an evolution of Google Assistant, offering additional features and capabilities. The presenter also compares Gemini's functionality to that of the standard Google Assistant, noting differences in their operation and the types of tasks they can perform.

💡Settings

Settings refer to the configuration options available within an application or system that allow users to customize its behavior and appearance. In the video, the presenter discusses Gemini's settings, including the ability to switch between the standard Google Assistant and Gemini, manage public links, and modify language preferences. This highlights the level of personalization and control that users have over their experience with Gemini.

💡Extensions

Extensions in the context of Gemini refer to additional features or functionalities that can be added to enhance the core capabilities of the AI assistant. The video mentions the ability to include or exclude various extensions such as Google Flights, Google Hotels, Google Maps, Google Workspace, and YouTube. This showcases the modular nature of Gemini, allowing users to tailor its features to their specific needs and preferences.

Highlights

Gemini, originally a Google Assistant, is demonstrated in the video with its capabilities and limitations.

The process to get Gemini up and running outside the US involves downloading an APK from a mirror site, as it's only officially supported in the US.

On Pixel phones, Gemini replaces Google Assistant and can be triggered using the power button, while on other Android 12 or later devices, it's accessible within the Google app.

Gemini offers a variety of features such as voice commands, keyboard input, and photo attachments for commands.

For traveling-related queries, Gemini provides comprehensive information including flight details, best times to visit, and hotel prices.

Gemini includes action buttons for quick feedback, validating information through Google search, and sharing responses.

The export and sharing options in Gemini's menu are currently non-functional, resulting in blank documents or emails.

Gemini can generate photos based on user commands, such as creating images representing leadership or a castle made of cardboard.

The tool can assist in email management, allowing users to search for specific emails and providing summaries of the contents.

Gemini can create cover letter templates and draft emails, with the ability to refine and customize the content.

The app can identify information on the screen and provide summaries or additional details when prompted with a screenshot.

Gemini supports a wide range of general commands, from creating HTML code snippets to explaining complex concepts like operating system kernels.

Despite its advanced features, Gemini has limitations such as lack of support for continued conversations and less accuracy in identifying products compared to Google Lens.

The delay between command input and processing in Gemini is noted as a significant drawback.

Gemini's settings allow users to switch between the standard Google Assistant and Gemini, manage public links, and modify language preferences.

The app's settings also include options to toggle on or off Google Assistant features within Gemini and manage extensions.

Users can view and update the latest features of Gemini through the 'updates' section in the settings menu.