Gemini will soon call and text for you, without you needing to unlock your phone

AI is the only key you need

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Googleis continuing to infuse theGemini LiveAI assistant across Android phones with the ability to make calls and send messages, even when your phone is locked, on its way. Asdiscoveredin a piece of as-yet unreleased code by Android Authority, the update would further cement Gemini asthe replacementforGoogleAssistant.

Controlling the phone while it is locked is asignature featureof Gemini Live. You could already talk to the AI and ask it questions when your phone is locked, but currently, only Google Assistant can send messages or make calls without unlocking the device. The unreleased code points to Gemini getting that option, too.

According to the images in the code, Gemini’s settings will have a switch permitting Gemini to send messages or make calls from locked devices. When activated, you could ask the AI to text or call people before unlocking the phone, though if you want to see a response with personal information, you’ll have to unlock the phone as a security measure. The appeal for users to have Gemini able to communicate from locked devices is that it makes hands-free operation possible, which is ideal when you’re driving or busy in some other way.

New look, more Gemini

The code in development also heralds changes in the look of Gemini, simplifying the interface in some ways. For instance, the floating text box will expand vertically so you can see all the text, and Gemini Extensions will be grouped by category to make them easier to find. There are also fewer example commands for the categories, only one instead of three.

The upgrades found in the upcoming code aren’t earthshaking, but they point to how Google is forging ahead with its AI strategy, especially when it comes to makingAndroidthe hub for Gemini’s features. As competition mounts withAppleand itsApple Intelligencerollout, Google will at least experiment with anything thatraises Gemini’sstanding onmobile devices, large or small.

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Eric Hal Schwartz is a freelance writer for TechRadar with more than 15 years of experience covering the intersection of the world and technology. For the last five years, he served as head writer for Voicebot.ai and was on the leading edge of reporting on generative AI and large language models. He’s since become an expert on the products of generative AI models, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude, Google Gemini, and every other synthetic media tool. His experience runs the gamut of media, including print, digital, broadcast, and live events. Now, he’s continuing to tell the stories people want and need to hear about the rapidly evolving AI space and its impact on their lives. Eric is based in New York City.

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