Google Gemini can now perform your smart home routines
Google has been actively promoting its new AI chatbot, Gemini, across various platforms and services. Despite initially lacking several features of its predecessor, the Google Assistant, Gemini has now been updated with the ability to trigger Google Assistant Routines. Google Assistant Routines are a series of actions you can program your devices to perform automatically when prompted by a voice command or through the Google Home app.
Gemini's limitations in triggering routines
Gemini, when set as the default assistant on a phone, can initiate an automated task or routine using voice commands. However, it doesn't support all actions as of now. For instance, triggers set to start at specific times or actions like playing music, radio, or podcasts are not supported by Gemini. It also doesn't support actions like sleep statistics, and sharing poems or quotes. Additionally, users cannot trigger a routine by typing a command into Gemini.
Unsupported actions are handed over to Assistant
If an action is unsupported, Gemini will hand it over to Google Assistant. Users can modify or build new routines by navigating through Gemini Settings > Google Assistant Features in Gemini > Routines.
Future improvements and third-party integrations
Despite its current limitations, the Gemini update simplifies the process of running Google Assistant Routines on phones. This change comes just before the retail release of the Pixel 9 series, which will feature Gemini as the default assistant. The only significant feature which is still missing from Google's chatbot is integration with third-party music streaming services. However, Google is reportedly developing a Spotify extension for Gemini, indicating potential future improvements in this area.
