Gemini AI could work with phone, WhatsApp and other Android apps: Report: What it means for users
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Gemini AI could work with phone, WhatsApp and other Android apps: Report: What it means for users
Google’s Gemini AI assistant will soon begin interacting with various on-device apps by default, regardless of whether the feature has been enabled or not. The change is expected to roll out automatically from 7 July, sparking widespread confusion and privacy concerns among users. According to screenshots shared on social media, the email is titled,“We’ve made it easier for Gemini to interact with your device.”
According to screenshots shared on social media, including by well-known tipster CID on X, the email is titled,“We’ve made it easier for Gemini to interact with your device.” In it, Google allegedly outlines its plans to enhance the capabilities of Gemini by allowing it to connect with apps such as Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities.
The noteworthy element lies in the wording, which, as per the screenshots, note that Gemini will be able to access and interact with these apps“whether your Gemini Apps Activity is on or off.” This phrasing has raised red flags among users and privacy advocates alike, as it appears to suggest that the assistant could bypass user preferences related to app access.
Notably, the term “Gemini Apps” refers to what was previously known as Gemini Extensions, tools that allow Google’s AI to perform tasks across various apps. Until now, users could manually choose which apps Gemini could interact with through the app’s settings menu.
However, the new alleged update implies that this control might no longer be absolute. While the email screenshots later state that users can disable the features in the Apps settings page, Google does not provide specific instructions on how to do so. This contradiction has further fuelled confusion, as it seems to directly conflict with the earlier statement regarding unavoidable integration.
Google is giving Gemini AI more control over your favourite Android apps, big changes expected from July 7
Google is preparing to roll out a major change to how its Gemini AI assistant works with Android smartphones. Starting July 7, Gemini will be able to interact more directly with core apps like Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and other utility apps, regardless of whether a setting called “Gemini Apps Activity” is turned on or off. This update has raised questions among users, especially around privacy and data control. The news surfaced after some users received an email from Google’s Gemini team. The message mentioned that Gemini will “help you use” certain apps from July 7 onwards. However, the email didn’t clearly explain what ‘help you Use’ means. Many are wondering if this means Gemini will now be can manage conversations in WhatsApp or control calls and messages even without full user permission.
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The news surfaced after some users received an email from Google’s Gemini team. The message mentioned that Gemini will “help you use” certain apps from July 7 onwards. However, the email didn’t clearly explain what “help you use” means. For instance, users are unsure whether this means Gemini will be able to read or send messages, access contacts, check call logs, or control other personal features on the phone.
Another point of confusion is how to turn this off. While the email says users can disable these features from the “Apps settings page,” it does not explain exactly where this page is located or what specific option needs to be turned off. This lack of clarity has left users puzzled, especially since the changes will reportedly be applied even if someone has already disabled Gemini Apps Activity.
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The email also included a link to Google’s Gemini Apps Privacy Hub. But users who visited the page say it doesn’t offer much clarity on what’s actually changing or what level of access Gemini will get. Many are wondering if this means Gemini will now be able to manage conversations in WhatsApp or control calls and messages even without full user permission.
With the update just around the corner, many users are asking Google to be more transparent and provide a detailed explanation. Tech tipsters like CID on X (formerly Twitter) have flagged the issue, adding to the growing concern among Android users who use Gemini regularly. Some say they haven’t received the email at all, which adds more confusion about who this change applies to and how widespread the update will be.
With July 7 just days away, Android users are advised to check their device settings and stay alert for new updates, especially those concerned about privacy and app permissions. Whether Gemini’s new features turn out to be helpful or intrusive will likely depend on how transparent and user-friendly Google makes the rollout.
Besides, Google recently made a major announcement in the robotics space. Its research arm, DeepMind, introduced a new version of Gemini called Gemini Robotics On-Device. Unlike previous AI models that needed internet access, this version can run directly on robots without needing to be connected online.
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This local version builds on the earlier Gemini Robotics model launched in March and is designed to handle tasks through natural voice commands. Developers can train the model to carry out actions like folding clothes or unzipping bags using only spoken instructions. Google even demonstrated the AI being used on different kinds of robots — from the ALOHA robot to the bi-arm Franka FR3 and Apptronik’s Apollo humanoid robot.
The company claims the on-device model works almost as well as its cloud-based version, and in some cases, even better than other local AI models. Though Google hasn’t named which other models it compared it with, it did highlight that their model can adapt to new tasks, even those it hasn’t encountered before.
In one case, the bi-arm robot was able to complete assembly-line tasks it had not specifically been trained for. This suggests that Google is focusing not only on AI that can assist smartphone users, but also robots that can adapt to real-world tasks on the fly.
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