Google is reportedly rolling out Google Messages integration with Gemini, its internal artificial intelligence (AI) model. The company first introduced this feature as a beta update in March 2024, but it's now starting to roll out to users in most regions. In particular, India, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and the European Economic Area (EEA) have been excluded from this update. The Gemini integration allows users to leverage the conversational and generative capabilities of the AI model in the Messages app.
Gemini in Google Messages
The Mountain View-based tech giant briefly showed off this new feature at the Google I/O 2024 event. Basically, the feature creates a separate location to access the AI model. Users can find it as their first contact on the New Conversations screen (accessed by tapping the floating action button in the bottom right).
Gemini in Google Messages can compose messages and emails, hold a conversation or find information from the Internet for users. You can also reword or rewrite messages to improve them. However, users cannot access Gemini in groups or in a conversation with another user. Can only be accessed separately in a chat. In particular, Meta allows users to access Meta AI in WhatsApp group chats.
Users can also use emojis in conversations and upload an image as a prompt. However, the AI is said to be unable to process voice messages.
Gemini on Google Messages is reportedly on the way
According to a report by 9to5Google, the AI feature is generally available in most regions. Once available, users will be able to connect AI using Google App Extensions. All extensions for the Gemini web client are also available for Gemini in Google Messages, except for the recently introduced YouTube Music extension, according to the report.
The report also highlighted that while the feature will be available in the rest of the world, it is not being rolled out in India, the UK, Switzerland and the EEA region made up of the 27 countries of the EU , as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Google has not shared the reason for its decision.
Users will need to enable Rich Communication Services (RCS) before they can use Gemini. Also, these messages are not end-to-end encrypted. If users come across an inaccurate or inappropriate message, they can long press to leave feedback. This feature is currently only available on your smartphone and is not supported by the Wear OS web client or app.
