Google appears to be about to unveil a headset version of Gemini, its generative AI. It could replace Google Assistant.
Last week, Google announced with great fanfare the arrival of its generative text AI, Gemini, on smartphones, with a dedicated application. However, it seems that the Mountain View firm does not wish to be satisfied with telephones or computers to deploy Gemini, but would also prepare its deployment on wireless headsets and earphones.
In an article published this week, the site 9to5Google indicates having discovered several clues in the Google application in beta version 15.6. Within the application code, 9to5Google thus discovered a line of code suggesting the imminent arrival of a display to announce this deployment. It can be read that “the Gemini mobile app is working towards expanded availability to make it accessible on your headset“.
Gemini could act as a voice assistant on your headset or earbuds
It is still unknown how Gemini can be launched from headphones or earphones. The most likely solution is in fact that generative AI will replace the current voice assistant installed on your smartphone and used by the wireless headset or earphones. For example, many current headphones already offer dedicated controls (touch or with a specific button) to launch Google Assistant, Siri or Amazon Alexa. Ultimately, we imagine that Gemini will be able to replace Google Assistant to interact with it directly by voice.
Another, more advanced solution consists of directly integrating Gemini or forms of generative AI, directly on headsets and earphones, in particular those from Google, the Pixel Buds, Pixel Buds Pro and Pixel Buds A. As a reminder, the integration of Google Assistant is more advanced on these headphones, since they are able to detect when you call on the assistant simply by voice, without requiring touch controls.
For the moment, Google has not officially announced the arrival of Gemini on headsets and earphones. We could know more by the Google I/O conference in the spring. It is traditionally during this period that the firm presents its main new software products.