iPhone users curious about what Apple Intelligence might evolve into don’t have to wait or own the latest devices to get a glimpse. Google recently brought its Gemini app to iOS, introducing its conversational AI and Gemini Live to Apple phones. If you’re not impressed with Google’s offering, it might temper your expectations for Apple’s enhanced Siri slated for next year.
The Google app on iOS has already included Gemini, allowing access to its chatbot and Imagen AI image generator via a home screen widget or the website. The real win for iPhone users, however, is Gemini Live, Google’s much-anticipated “live speech” AI. It’s currently free, without requiring a subscription to Gemini Advanced. To use it, tap the three-bar sparkle icon at the bottom of the app.
Gemini Live features 10 voice options (many gravitate toward the British-accented one) and lets you interact naturally with your phone. You can interrupt it mid-sentence, redirect the conversation, and the AI will keep up.
Still, Gemini Live has its limitations. Unlike the main Gemini app, it doesn’t yet connect to Google Workspace apps like Drive or Gmail. While speaking, you can’t read the conversation until the session ends. The AI is fairly responsive but can stumble over certain phrases or pause unexpectedly, needing a nudge to continue. It’s useful for basic guides, such as recipes or drafting simple templates, but lacks depth.
The natural-sounding voice may impress you, but the AI’s content can be underwhelming. For example, when asked about panels at the upcoming Pax Unplugged convention, it offered little detail, instead suggesting visiting the website. Like any AI, its answers should be taken with caution. Recently, a Facebook chatbot provided a recipe involving a deadly mushroom. When posed a similar query, Gemini Live advised consulting an expert but still outlined a basic mushroom stroganoff recipe featuring the toxic “blushing earthstar” mushroom—clearly unsafe.
In essence, Gemini excels at practical tasks like searching emails or locating documents in Google Workspace, rather than as a general knowledge tool. For those relying on Docs, Drive, or Sheets, it can streamline workflow by finding files or populating spreadsheets.
Gemini’s functionality may hint at Apple’s ambitions for Siri. Apple Intelligence aims to integrate across apps, allowing seamless transitions like converting email content into calendar events using text or voice commands. However, current features in iOS 18.1, such as notification and email summaries, are still basic and sometimes unintentionally amusing. Meanwhile, tools like Image Playground and ChatGPT integration are in beta with iOS 18.2.
Based on my experience with Apple Intelligence, the latest MacBook Pros with M4, and the iPhone 16, Apple’s AI offerings remain underwhelming. ChatGPT within macOS or iOS provides minimal information, making traditional Google searches more effective. A robust AI-powered Siri isn’t expected to debut until early 2025.