Gemini on Wear OS Should Primarily Maintain the Current Assistant Standards
Key Details About Gemini on Wear OS
- 9to5Google has found code that indicates how Gemini will function on Wear OS.
- You can activate Gemini by using the side button or the “Hey Google” voice command, similar to how you would with the current Assistant.
- Gemini will feature a similar Wear OS Tile and settings interface as Assistant.
- Last month, Google announced the upcoming integration of Gemini across smartwatches and other devices.
Gemini Replacing Assistant on Wear OS
Google is preparing to replace the existing Google Assistant with Gemini on Wear OS smartwatches. While this update will likely enhance the user experience, it remains unclear whether Gemini will introduce significantly new features or simply refresh the existing capabilities of Assistant.
In March, Google confirmed its commitment to transitioning fully to Gemini. The rollout will first replace Assistant on Android phones, followed by updates to tablets, Android Auto, headphones, Nest speakers, Google TV, and smartwatches. Further details about this transition are expected in the coming months.
Recent investigations by 9to5Google into version 1.18.x of the Assistant app have exposed code elements that highlight how Gemini will compare to Assistant. Current indications suggest that this update may be more of a straightforward upgrade rather than a major transformation.
Discovering Gemini Features
The decompiled code reveals phrases such as “Gemini is now on your watch” and “Get started with Gemini: Speak naturally and get more done with a personal AI assistant on your watch.”
To access Gemini, users will engage it as they do Assistant by either using the voice command “Hey Google” or by pressing the side button. The response capabilities rely on a Wi-Fi connection to process user queries with Google’s infrastructure.
According to reports, existing features such as “At a Glance,” Location, Match Voice settings, and pinned Wear OS Tile actions will remain intact with the introduction of Gemini. Users can still set alarms, timers, and send messages in the same way as they currently do with Assistant.
Understanding Gemini Responses
A notable addition is the disclaimer that “Gemini can make mistakes,” a message commonly shown when using Gemini on Android devices. Unlike Assistant’s traditional responses—which often cite sources or pull snippets from Google Search—Gemini will provide answers generated through its language model.
This raises questions about how the responses will be tailored for the smaller smartwatch displays: will they condense lengthy explanations for brevity, or will they maintain comprehensive details for accuracy? Additionally, there’s curiosity about whether using Gemini will affect response time compared to Assistant, particularly in terms of cloud processing and battery life.
Status Quo of Gemini on Wear OS
For the time being, Gemini’s functionality on Wear OS is expected to align closely with existing capabilities rather than introducing groundbreaking new commands typically associated with Gemini Nano on smartphones.
The Pixel 9a, which boasts the advanced Tensor G4 chip, exhibits superior on-device AI performance. However, its RAM of 8GB is significantly higher compared to the Pixel Watch’s 2GB and aging components. This limitation suggests that Gemini won’t radically outperform Assistant on current smartwatch hardware just because of a name change.
There is potential for improved collaboration between the Pixel Watch and other applications through Gemini extensions, but true conversational capabilities of Gemini Live on a smartwatch may not be realized until future devices are able to handle such demands without draining battery life.
Looking into the future, enthusiasts are hopeful that advancements in Gemini on upcoming Pixel Watch models could lead to enhanced performance. Qualcomm is anticipated to release a new Wear OS chipset this year, equipped with more sophisticated on-device AI functionalities. For now, Google’s immediate focus remains on effectively integrating Gemini into existing Android smartwatches with constrained hardware capabilities, rather than pushing for high-end AI features on future models.
