I take advantage of an iPhone 16 Pro as my each day driver, so to talk, however I am not an Apple diehard. I’ve owned a number of Android telephones prior to now, and my work machine is a Home windows PC. I am truly a bit of jealous of Android customers often — one of the best Android telephones are inclined to have superior digicam and charging specs, and Google’s Pixel units are graced with AI options that iPhones are struggling to meet up with. It took till this fall’s iOS 26 for Apple so as to add call screening and hold assist choices which have been on Pixel telephones for years. In case you’re within the US, anyway.
Maybe the factor I am most jealous of is Gemini integration. I do not put generative AI on a pedestal — it is too unreliable for that — however when it really works, it pulls off issues that us iPhone homeowners can solely fantasize about. I am truly most occupied with seeing Gemini break the confines of Android Auto and are available to CarPlay, which is not out of the realm of chance if some rumors about Apple Intelligence and Siri come to fruition. For now, it is principally an fascinating thought train. Hopefully you agree with me.
Re-routing to keep away from particular roads
Avoiding visitors must be simple
My weightlifting periods have been problematic these days, however not due to something occurring on the fitness center. Quite, it is the commute again residence — freeway restore work has meant delays of 10, 20, and even half-hour on a visit that ought to take 20 at most. This would not be so unhealthy besides that I have never been capable of depend on Apple Maps or Google Maps to robotically re-route me primarily based on visitors knowledge. I used to be truthfully excited the primary time Google Maps supplied a substitute for a sluggish crawl.
It appears inevitable that in some unspecified time in the future, Gemini ought to permit customers to ask for instructions that keep away from named roads.
Gemini would not help this but, but it surely appears inevitable that in some unspecified time in the future, it ought to permit customers to ask for instructions that keep away from named roads. I used to dwell in Austin, the place any sane driver tries to keep away from MoPac or I35 in the event that they may help it. A command like “navigate to Alamo Drafthouse Mueller, however keep away from I35,” makes good sense. I might additionally see many drivers eager to dodge gravel roads, or ones with steep inclines. Right here in Edmonton, among the backroads are in such tough form that they are genuinely hazardous for something that is not a farm car.
That kind of knowledge would not present up in cellular apps fairly often — but when we might inform an AI assistant ourselves, it would not matter a lot.
Simpler pitstops (and different imprecise requests)
Good context, smarter driving
One thing that’s in Gemini already is the flexibility so as to add a pitstop throughout a visit with out digging by way of touchscreen choices — which is okay if you’re parked, however harmful if you’re transferring at freeway speeds. Extra importantly, you may add pitstops utilizing imprecise statements, reminiscent of “discover some good taco locations alongside the best way.” Due to the info gathered in Google Maps, Gemini ought to be capable of pull up outcomes even when eating places haven’t got the phrase “taco” of their title.
One thing I have never seen talked about is whether or not you may ask Gemini to discover a place primarily based on particulars {that a} human would possibly perceive, however not essentially a voice assistant.
The AI can even faucet into apps like Gmail and Google Calendar for those who’re struggling to recollect an deal with. I am normally good about figuring out the place I am headed, however I might be mendacity if I stated I’ve by no means needed to monitor down the placement of a physician’s workplace, and even the place my greatest buddy lives. There’s an excessive amount of else I’ve to memorize every day.
One thing I have never seen talked about is whether or not you may ask Gemini to discover a place primarily based on particulars {that a} human would possibly perceive, however not essentially a voice assistant — like “that Previous Navy close to the Purple Lobster,” or “that park with the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue.” It is one thing that must be a characteristic, at the least.
As a result of music is life
A lot to the consternation of my spouse, I am positive, I insist on placing on music or podcasts earlier than I drive anyplace. Siri does appear to be competent at recognizing what I need to play, whether or not it is on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — however it might make errors, so I typically skip the intermediary and use contact controls. That results in me listening to a handful of playlists, because it’s lots simpler to trace down one thing I just lately performed than go looking for what most closely fits my temper, or experiment with new artists. I am going to go away that for my workday listening.
Gemini would not radically improve my audio expertise, but it surely would possibly open up some horizons.
Gemini would not radically improve my audio expertise, but it surely would possibly open up some horizons — say by asking for “ambient music for a quiet evening drive,” or “music that may preserve me awake on the best way to San Antonio.” It may also do higher at dealing with overseas artist and track names than Siri. I am skeptical on that entrance, but it is about time I had an assistant that understood what I imply once I ask for German-language artists like Nachtmahr. It isn’t simple being a rivethead, generally.
Extra complicated messaging
Saving time, staying targeted
Talking of the fitness center, I all the time let my spouse know once I’m headed residence and share my real-time location, since I prepare at evening. As an alternative of Apple Messages, nevertheless, I take advantage of Fb Messenger whereas I am nonetheless within the locker room. It makes the method a bit of less complicated — particularly since there isn’t any simple technique to do these items once I’m already on the highway. Siri is a bit of medical about sending messages anyway. It’s a must to use very particular command phrases, and it would not robotically insert punctuation, both. If I neglect to deliberately add commas or exclamation marks, I sound like an unfeeling robotic.
I might even share extra elaborate ideas with out worrying about how they will be butchered.
Gemini might, in principle, repair all of those points concurrently with out my having to construct a customized shortcut. “Inform [name] ‘I am coming residence!’, then share my location together with her.” Growth, achieved. I might even share extra elaborate ideas with out worrying about how they will be butchered.
Apple is little doubt going to implement all of this in Siri in some unspecified time in the future, no matter whether or not it integrates Gemini. However I am impatient. If it takes one other partnership with Google to make my life simpler and distance myself from Meta, I am onboard.
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