Latest news with #MagicActions
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Indian Express
Android 16 may get smart notification actions powered by Gemini
Notifications on Android give users a quick way to check messages and get information without having to open the app. Depending on the type of notification, you can quickly reply to a message or perform certain actions. Like, if someone sends you a location, Android will automatically recognise it and show a button in the notification that lets you open it directly in the navigation app of your choice. To give you a quick recap, Google introduced two new features with Android 9 and Android 10 called Smart Reply and Smart Actions, which are what powers these auto generated replies and actions. As it turns out, these notification actions may be getting the Gemini treatment with Android 16. According to a new report by Android Authority, Google was recently spotted working on a similar Gemini powered functionality called Magic Actions. While the publication wasn't able to determine the exact improvement the new feature will bring to the table, the code hints that it will replace Smart Action and Smart Reply. When enabled, the new Magic Action feature shows a new button which may have a custom animation when it appears or is clicked. Similar to Smart Actions, it looks like the new feature will use the built-in Notification Assistant Service, which is part of the Android System Intelligence app. The report also states that Magic Actions will most likely use Gemini AI models to generate these actions. For example, if you get a message saying that your flight has been delayed or cancelled, Magic Action may give you a quick way to call the airline's customer service despite the notification not having such information. Apart from the much rumoured functionality, Google is also reportedly working on bringing AI powered notification summaries like iOS along with Gmail like bundled notifications that helps users better manage their alerts.
Android Authority
16-05-2025
- Android Authority
Android 16 could introduce notification 'Magic Actions' powered by Gemini
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR Google may be developing 'Magic Actions' for Android, an AI-powered enhancement to notification actions that could leverage the Gemini AI model. This new feature, which we spotted in Android 16 code, aims to replace the current Smart Actions, and could offer more personalized and powerful contextual shortcuts within notifications. Magic Actions will receive some sort of special visual treatment and will be generated by the Android System Intelligence app. Notifications offer a quick way to get key information and messages without opening another app or unlocking your device. Depending on the notification's content, Android shows suggested replies or shortcuts, making it easier to take action. For example, if a friend texts you a restaurant's location, Android recognizes the shared address and provides a button to open it directly in Maps. Google may soon enhance Android's notification system further by leveraging its Gemini AI model. You're reading an Authority Insights story. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. This evolution will build on existing features. The 2018 Android 9 release introduced Smart Reply, which provides suggested replies as tappable chips beneath a notification for quick responses. Android 10 expanded this with Smart Actions, offering contextual actions based on notification content. This Smart Actions feature is what powers the 'Open Maps' chip when a notification includes an address. An example of a Smart Action in Android 10. Source: Google. While both Smart Replies and Smart Actions are generated by the system's Notification Assistant Service using on-device machine learning models, their current implementation has limitations. Smart Replies often provide short, canned responses that might not always be appropriate in context. Similarly, while Smart Actions offer useful shortcuts, they can lack nuanced understanding and only support simple actions. Android Authority has spotted evidence within Android 16 suggesting Google is developing a more advanced version of Smart Actions, dubbed 'Magic Actions.' While the exact improvements 'Magic Actions' will offer over current Smart Actions remain unclear, the code indicates it's a direct replacement. When the Magic Action feature is enabled, Android will hide Smart Actions and instead prominently display a new Magic Action button. This button is slated to receive 'special visual treatment,' possibly indicating a custom animation when it appears or is tapped. Like Smart Actions, Magic Actions will be generated by the system's Notification Assistant Service, part of the Android System Intelligence app on most devices. We speculate that Android System Intelligence will tap into Google's Gemini model to generate more personalized and powerful actions. For instance, if you receive a notification from an airline about a flight cancellation due to bad weather, a Magic Action could appear, offering to call the airline's customer service, even if the notification itself doesn't include a phone number. With deeper integration, it's even conceivable that the feature could offer to draft an email to your booked hotel, informing them of your need to adjust the booking due to the flight change. Google could leverage Gemini in numerous ways to offer more intelligent, personalized notification actions, though specific rollout plans remain unknown. If our predictions about its capabilities are accurate, Magic Actions would represent a major upgrade over the existing Smart Actions. Such an advancement would make the 'Magic' moniker quite fitting, aligning with Google's suite of AI-powered features like Magic Eraser and Magic Editor. The Magic Action feature isn't the only AI-driven notification upgrade anticipated for Android. Google also appears to be working on AI-powered notification summaries and Gmail-style bundled notifications to help users more easily manage their alerts. While Google didn't unveil these at The Android Show: I/O Edition earlier this week, it wouldn't be surprising to see them showcased next week at the main Google I/O event. After all, Google has already teased more Android news for next week and will undoubtedly have a wealth of Gemini updates to share. These three features perfectly illustrate how Gemini can enhance Android's intelligence, making them prime candidates for an I/O reveal. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
