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Google has stealth-launched a standalone Gemini app for the iPhone, letting people use the generative AI tech separately from Google Search.
The main attraction of the app is likely to be Gemini Live, which isn’t available via Search, and lets users get conversational assistance with questions and tasks. Since Gemini isn’t integrated system-wide on iPhones — as on some Android devices, like Google Pixel phones — the most it can do is interact with other Google apps and services, such as Gmail, Google Maps, and YouTube. It can’t do things like set an alarm or send a text message, so you’ll still need to turn to Siri in many situations.
Gemini’s framework does make it possible to plan trips, however, as well as create AI-generated images. When asking knowledge questions, the app can provide things like summaries, source links, and interactive visual elements.
Gemini for iPhone can also be used for things like brainstorming, rehearsing talks, or improving writing. Of special interest may be the option to snap a real-world photo and ask for details about it, such as the architect of a famous building. That goes beyond Apple’s plans (so far) for Visual Intelligence, a feature coming to Apple Intelligence-equipped iPhones with iOS 18.2. That tech will provide contextual info, but you’ll need to use Siri’s ChatGPT integration to ask further questions.
In the future, there’s a strong chance that iPhone owners will be able to choose between Gemini or ChatGPT for advanced Siri requests. Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, Craig Federighi, said as much shortly after Apple Intelligence was revealed in June 2024. It’s not clear though when that integration might happen, or if people will get additional options, such as Anthropic’s Claude or Microsoft’s Copilot.
