Google has announced a significant update to its Gemini AI features on the Android operating system, introducing the ability for the AI to handle complex, multi-step tasks such as ordering food delivery or booking a rideshare service. This move signals a major step towards creating a more proactive and automated mobile experience for users.
The updates, which also include enhanced scam detection and more powerful search capabilities, are set to redefine how users interact with their devices and the apps within them.
Gemini as Your Personal Assistant
The standout feature is Gemini’s new automation capability, which allows users to offload their to-do lists directly to the AI. In its initial beta phase, the feature will support select applications in the food, grocery, and rideshare categories.
This automation is designed with user control in mind. Tasks can only be initiated with an explicit command, and users can monitor the progress in real-time through a secure, virtual window on their device. This ensures the AI only accesses limited, necessary app data and can be stopped at any point if an error occurs.
However, the rollout is currently limited. The feature will initially be available only in the U.S. and Korea and will require specific devices like the Pixel 10 series and the Samsung Galaxy S26 series.
Enhanced On-Device Security and Intelligence
Alongside automation, Google is leveraging its on-device Gemini models to bolster security. An advanced Scam Detection feature for phone calls, already available on Pixel phones in several countries, is now expanding to the Samsung Galaxy S26 series in the U.S.
The AI will also power scam detection for text messages on Pixel 10 and forthcoming Galaxy S26 devices, providing an added layer of protection against fraudulent activity.
Furthermore, the “Circle to Search” feature has been upgraded. Instead of identifying a single object, users can now use gestures to search for every item visible on the screen, from a complete outfit to multiple elements in a complex image, making visual search more comprehensive and context-aware.
Implications for the MENA Tech Ecosystem
While the initial rollout of Gemini’s automation features is outside the MENA region, its eventual arrival holds significant implications for local founders and developers. The move towards AI-driven task completion will fundamentally shift user expectations, favoring apps that can seamlessly integrate with these new conversational interfaces.
For leading MENA startups in the rideshare and delivery sectors, such as Careem, Talabat, and Jahez, this presents a future opportunity for deep integration. Being among the first to be compatible with Gemini’s automation could become a key competitive advantage, offering users a frictionless way to access services.
This trend also challenges regional developers to think beyond traditional app interfaces and consider how their services can be broken down into automated tasks powered by large language models. The startups that begin building for this AI-first future will be best positioned to capture market share as these technologies become globally available.
About Google
Google is a global technology company specializing in Internet-related services and products, which include online advertising technologies, a search engine, cloud computing, software, and hardware. It is considered one of the Big Five American information technology companies, alongside Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft.
Source: TechCrunch
