Gemini starts rolling out to Android Auto globally

Gemini will replace Google Assistant in Android Auto, the smartphone projection technology integrated into millions of cars, trucks and SUVs. Google announced the move on Thursday, noting that Gemini will be rolled out to Android Auto users who have upgraded their phones from Google Assistant to Gemini.

By bringing Gemini to Android Auto, Google is making it possible for users to speak naturally and converse back and forth to perform more complex tasks on the go, the company said. Android Auto is an app that runs on a user’s phone and communicates wirelessly, projecting functions such as navigation, music and messaging from an Android smartphone to the car’s display.

The rollout comes as no surprise as the change is part of Google’s plans to replace Google Assistant with Gemini across all its devices and platforms. The company announced in May that Gemini would be coming to Android Auto this year.

Gemini allows users to ask questions about businesses along their route to find something specific. For example, users can ask something like, “Hey, Google, I need your help. I suddenly feel like having a barbecue. Are there any good places along my route that are open right now, near my destination?” If a place looks interesting, Gemini can offer more information about the place, such as details about the restaurant’s most popular dish or whether the establishment is dog-friendly.

Users can also respond to messages and get summaries of texts with Gemini. For example, you can ask Gemini to let your friend know that you are stuck in traffic and add your estimated time of arrival to the message. Or you can ask Gemini to translate a message into another language before sending it.

Gemini also gives users access to their emails in Gmail while they drive. For example, a user might ask something like, “I’ve booked a hotel for tonight. I think the address is in my email. Can you check this and navigate to it?” Gemini can also give you an overview of your unread emails.

Google notes that Gemini can help people find the right soundtrack for a drive by asking it to create a playlist with specific instructions, such as: “Can you give me a playlist for a road trip? Ideally something upbeat, about three hours long, that’s good for both me and the kids.” This works with streaming services like YouTube Music, Spotify and more.

Additionally, Google says users can go live with Gemini to talk about anything by saying, “Hey Google, let’s chat.” From there you can brainstorm ideas or learn something new.

For example, you could say, “Okay, I’m driving to St. Louis for a wedding. Can you be my guide and share some fun facts about it?” And then follow up with further instructions: “Thanks for teaching me all about St. Louis. Changing topics, the rehearsal dinner is at his parents’ house, and I would like to give them a little something. What are some good ideas?”

Gemini will start the global rollout of Android Auto in 45 languages ​​from Thursday.

To access it, make sure you’re using the Gemini app on your phone. Once it is available to you, you will see a tooltip on your car’s display. To use it, you have to say “Hey, Google” and then press the microphone button on the car screen, or long press the voice control button on your steering wheel.