Gemini is getting ready to replace Google Assistant on Android
Android users will soon be able to let Gemini control device features and apps with fewer privacy concerns. In an email seen by Android Police, Google recently notified Gemini users that it will start rolling out an update on July 7th that allows the AI bot to 'use Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities on your phone, whether your Gemini Apps Activity is on or off.'
Disabling the Gemini Apps Activity setting stops conversations with the chatbot from being used to 'provide, improve, develop, and personalize' Google products and AI models. It also currently prevents users from asking Gemini to perform tasks in connected apps, such as setting alarms, calling contacts, sending WhatsApp messages, and controlling media playback settings.
The vague wording of Google's message initially raised some confusion around whether the change would give Gemini unrestricted access to private data or system functions. Google later clarified that Gemini's app connections can still be disabled at any time, and that the update 'is good for users.'
'They can now use Gemini to complete daily tasks on their mobile devices like send messages, initiate phone calls, and set timers while Gemini Apps Activity is turned off,' Google said in a statement to Android Authority. 'With Gemini Apps Activity turned off, their Gemini chats are not being reviewed or used to improve our AI models.'
The incoming change means that people can use Gemini like a personal assistant for their device without contributing to Google's AI training datasets, just in time for Gemini to actually replace Google Assistant on Android devices later this year. Turning Apps Activity off will also stop Gemini interactions from appearing in the activity log, though Google notes it will still save conversations for up to 72 hours for security purposes, regardless of whether the setting is disabled or not.
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