Google's Gemini is emerging as a leader in the next-generation assistant landscape.
The resurgence of AI has reignited interest in virtual assistants, with ChatGPT, Siri, Alexa, and others now vying for attention alongside Gemini. A significant update in Samsung's latest smartphones is the change in the default assistant. When users long-press the side button, they will now activate Google Gemini instead of Samsung's Bixby.This shift is likely beneficial, as Bixby has historically struggled as a virtual assistant. Initially designed to simplify device settings navigation rather than provide internet information, Bixby has improved over time, now offering features like visual searches and timer settings. However, it has never quite matched the capabilities of Alexa, Google Assistant, or even Siri.
For Samsung users, this transition means a more effective assistant experience. (And for those who prefer Bixby, rest assured it remains available as an app.)
The adoption of Gemini is particularly significant for Google. After being taken by surprise by the launch of ChatGPT a couple of years ago, Google has made substantial progress. Recent reports from The Wall Street Journal indicate that CEO Sundar Pichai believes Gemini has outpaced ChatGPT, with a goal of reaching 500 million users by year-end. This could be achieved incrementally through Samsung devices.
Gemini is now prominently featured on the most widely used Android smartphones, likely leading to increased usage among millions of users who may not have engaged with it before. For Google, which sees Gemini as integral to the future of its entire product ecosystem, this influx of users and interactions is crucial. The accumulation of data will enhance Gemini's capabilities, making it more effective and popular, creating a positive feedback loop of improvement. Currently, Google is significantly ahead of its rivals in a crucial aspect: Gemini stands out as the most advanced virtual assistant available today, and the gap is substantial.
It's not that Gemini is inherently superior; rather, it benefits from broader access to information and a larger user base than its competitors. This competition is still in its infancy, and no AI solution has reached a high level of proficiency yet. However, Google understands that widespread presence can lead to rapid improvement. This strategy proved effective in search, leading to antitrust challenges for the company. So far, it appears that Google may find it even easier to dominate the market this time around.
For years, the virtual assistant landscape was primarily defined by three key players: Amazon's Alexa, Google's Assistant, and Apple's Siri, all of which provided comparable features and were easily accessible via various devices. However, the situation has changed. The anticipated AI-driven "Remarkable Alexa" has faced significant delays and lacks power. Meanwhile, the latest Siri updates introduced quirky animations but failed to deliver any substantial enhancements or new functionalities. Other emerging AI assistants, such as ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, and Copilot, boast robust underlying models and some share multimodal capabilities with Gemini.
There are valid reasons to choose these alternatives or even options like Perplexity over Gemini. However, they lack a critical advantage: distribution. These alternatives require users to download, log in, and launch the applications each time. In contrast, Gemini is readily accessible with a simple button press, which is a significant distinction. This is why OpenAI is reportedly exploring various projects, including a web browser and a Jony Ive-designed ChatGPT device: built-in solutions often prevail.
Moreover, built-in options typically offer superior integration across platforms, which could be the key to success in this competitive landscape. Gemini is already capable of modifying settings on your phone and, with recent updates, can perform tasks across different applications—such as extracting information from your email and inserting it into a text message draft, for instance.
Due to the structural design of iOS and Android, no other assistant possesses this level of access, and there is little evidence to suggest that Siri will reach the necessary capabilities. If the future of virtual assistants leans towards this type of proactive, app-utilizing functionality, Google’s competitive edge may be unassailable.
Google has numerous opportunities to implement Gemini across its platforms. The company has recently revealed that all paying Workspace customers will have access to Gemini. Users can easily access Gemini with a single click from their Gmail inbox or activate it with a keystroke in Docs. The technology is also widely integrated; Gemini can assist in searching for content on YouTube and Drive, and a Gemini-powered AI Overview frequently appears at the top of search results. “Currently, all seven of our products and platforms with over two billion monthly users utilize Gemini models,” Pichai stated during Google’s earnings call last fall. Notably, the term “gemini” was mentioned 29 times in that earnings call transcript, just three times less than “search.”
However, when it comes to how users actually engage with these models, smartphones remain the preferred AI devices. This is where Google holds perhaps its greatest advantage. “Gemini’s deep integration is enhancing Android,” Pichai noted during the earnings call. “For instance, Gemini Live allows for seamless conversations with Gemini; users appreciate it.” At present, smartphones are the most effective AI devices, and Google’s ability to integrate its systems is unmatched. In contrast, Apple, in its efforts to catch up with the iPhone, had to implement a clumsy integration with ChatGPT just to enable Siri to respond to more inquiries.
All of these assistants, including Gemini, still face numerous limitations. They can provide inaccurate information, misinterpret queries, and lack the essential integrations that have allowed Alexa and Assistant to perform basic tasks for years. The Gemini models still occasionally produce absurd and unacceptable responses, such as suggesting people eat rocks or generating nonsensical versions of historical figures. However, if you believe that the AI era is either approaching or already upon us, it is crucial to prioritize getting your AI platform in front of users.
Individuals are forming new habits, adapting to new systems, and building new relationships with their virtual assistants. The deeper the integration, the less likely users will be to switch to a different AI. ChatGPT initially gained a significant advantage by captivating global interest with its impressive capabilities as an AI chatbot. In contrast, Google possesses the distribution power to place its appealing icon in front of nearly the entire online population daily, across a wide array of products, allowing it to gather the necessary data and feedback to improve its offerings.
Slovak members of parliament have reported that Poland refused them passage while en route to Moscow.
While it navigates legal challenges regarding its dominant position in search, Google is applying the same strategy to AI, and it is proving effective once more.
