Google Gemini users can now interact with the AI chatbot directly from their iPhone’s lock screen, following a recent update that was first reported by 9to5Google. This new feature allows users to access Gemini Live, Google’s voice interaction tool for its AI chatbot, without needing to unlock their phones. By adding a Gemini widget to the lock screen, users can quickly engage with the AI.
This update comes as Apple’s own AI-enhanced Siri faces delays, with its expected release pushed back to 2027. In the meantime, other companies are stepping up to provide iPhone users with alternative AI assistants. While Apple’s future version of Siri may offer a more integrated experience with the iPhone’s features, Google’s Gemini provides users a glimpse into the capabilities of large language models and voice assistants.
Additionally, the updated Gemini app introduces several other lock screen widgets. These include options for taking photos with the iPhone camera and uploading them to Gemini, setting reminders, creating calendar events, and jumping directly into a text chat with the AI.
This makes it easier for users to interact with the app and utilize its features seamlessly. Google also announced that later in March, Gemini users on Android will be able to ask the AI chatbot questions about video and on-screen content, receiving answers in real-time.
These advancements were initially revealed as part of Project Astra, a multimodal AI initiative from Google DeepMind that is gradually being integrated into the Gemini app. For now, these features will be available exclusively to subscribers of Google’s $20-a-month Gemini Advanced plan, enhancing the value of their subscription with new capabilities.
