Google’s New Updates: Gemini in your car and simple file sharing with iPhones

Google is currently releasing two major updates that will change how people use Android phones and connected devices. One of the biggest changes is the official arrival of Gemini, the advanced smart helper, on Android Auto.

This new system takes the place of the old Google Assistant and is starting to reach users today, though it will take a few months for everyone to get it. This feature will first be available for users who have already chosen to use Gemini instead of Assistant on their mobile phones.

Gemini brings useful new capabilities to your car’s screen. For example, drivers can now quickly add stops to their journey on Google Maps and get recommendations for those places right away. It also lets you naturally ask follow-up questions.

Sending text messages with your voice has improved as well. You can now ask Gemini to change the message using simple language, and it can even translate what you are sending on the spot. For instance, you could say something like, “Can you also ask him if he wants coffee after the game? And please translate the entire message into Spanish.”

The AI will also instantly create music playlists on demand using apps like Spotify and YouTube Music. The new system benefits from extensions, meaning it can do things like find an address from a hotel reservation confirmation that is stored in your Gmail.

A special feature, called Gemini Live, allows you to have a continuous, natural conversation while driving, which is perfect for learning about your destination or preparing a talk. The update is being sent out worldwide and supports 45 different languages. You will see a small message pop up when your car successfully switches over to Gemini.

In addition to the car upgrade, Google is also making it much easier to share files between different phone makers. The file-sharing feature for Android called Quick Share can now work directly with Apple’s AirDrop system on the iPhone. This means people can finally send photos, videos, and other files easily in both directions between an Android phone and an iPhone.

When you decide to share something on your Android phone, nearby iPhones will now show up as a choice in your Quick Share list. After the iPhone owner accepts the file transfer, the file will successfully move over, and the process works the same way when sharing from an iPhone to an Android device.

This feature comes from Google’s continued effort to make talking and sharing between different phone brands straightforward. This ability to share files so easily is starting to show up first on the newest Pixel 10 series phones.