Google’s AI chatbot Gemini debuted on Android earlier this year. Now Google has started testing a standalone Gemini app for iPhone. The software is expected to add additional features not available in Google’s integrated AI assistant.
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Gemini is Google’s AI chatbot running on the language model of the same name, introduced in late 2023 after combining the Bard and Duet AI models to compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The Gemini app launched on Android earlier this year, allowing users to process documents, summarize emails and get other help from AI features.
A Reddit user from the Philippines claims to have uploaded the Gemini app to the App Store. Judging by the screenshots, it has been available in the country’s Apple app store for about a week. Once installed, a shortcut appears on the home screen allowing users to summon the AI assistant with a single tap. The App Store description touts the app as a way to “unlock the power of Google AI on your iPhone.”
The Gemini iOS app is currently not available in most regions, including the US. Users in Canada, Australia and India are also unable to access the app. It looks like Google is testing it in certain regions before rolling out on a large scale.
The new app introduces a feature called Gemini Live, which is not available in Gemini for Android. According to the installed AI user assistant, Gemini Live “runs in the background with iOS Live Activity while users multitask, providing a smoother, more convenient experience.”
Currently, iOS users can only access Gemini by switching to the Gemini tab at the top of the Google search app, which is similar to using Gemini through the web interface. This method is less smooth and convenient compared to the Gemini AI assistant on Google Pixel devices.
Google has not yet officially confirmed the development of a separate Gemini app for iOS, so a global release date is unknown. However, with testing apparently already underway, the AI assistant could become widely available to iPhone owners in the next few months.