Google’s Gemini AI assistant is reportedly launching as a standalone app for iPhones, according to a recent report from 9to5Google. Several users in the Philippines have already spotted the Gemini app listed in the Apple App Store, marking the first time Google’s Gemini is available on iOS independently from the main Google app. While Gemini has been accessible on iOS, this standalone app suggests that Google is ramping up its AI capabilities for iPhone users, potentially to offer a more robust, user-centered experience similar to its Android app. Sources indicate that this launch could be part of a regional testing phase before a wider release.
The standalone app for Gemini is expected to introduce a refreshed user interface and a few key features that iOS users have not yet had access to. Among these additions is a customizable home screen shortcut, allowing users to access Gemini with a single tap. Another anticipated feature is the “Gemini Live” function, which reportedly enables users to engage in continuous, free-flowing conversations with the AI assistant, even as they multitask on their iPhone. The app’s integration with iOS’s Live Activity feature is significant, as it allows Gemini to stay active in the background, so users can access responses and assistance without switching apps—a feature many Apple users are likely to appreciate.
Gemini Live and Live Activity Integration
The introduction of Gemini Live is one of the most notable aspects of this new app. Live Activity, a feature available in recent iOS versions, enables apps to maintain real-time interactions with users while remaining in the background. By leveraging this functionality, Gemini Live can offer continuous support for ongoing conversations, meaning users can receive real-time responses and guidance from Gemini even while performing other tasks on their iPhone. This capability enhances the assistant’s utility, making it more adaptive to everyday usage patterns and providing a more seamless multitasking experience.
The Live Activity integration hints at a broader shift in how AI tools operate on mobile devices, especially on iOS, where Apple has traditionally limited background functions to maintain performance and battery life. With this update, Google appears to be positioning Gemini to compete more directly with AI-driven features from OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which recently launched an iOS app, and Apple’s own Siri, which is being increasingly updated with AI-driven enhancements.
Potential for Broader AI Integration with Apple Ecosystem
Interestingly, this development aligns with recent speculation about Apple’s interest in integrating third-party AI assistants more deeply into its ecosystem. Last week, Bloomberg reported that Apple is considering allowing greater flexibility in AI model selection for iPhone users, potentially giving them the option to choose their preferred assistant for specific tasks. At the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi, hinted at this possibility, suggesting that Apple aims to enable iPhone users to pick AI models tailored to their preferences. “We think ultimately people are going to have a preference perhaps for certain models that they want to use, maybe one that’s great for creative writing or one that they prefer for coding,” Federighi said in an interview with Fast Company.
This move could signal a major shift in Apple’s approach to AI, as it would allow users to integrate assistants like Google’s Gemini into their workflow alongside or even in place of Siri, enhancing the level of customization available on iOS.
What to Expect from the Standalone Gemini App on iOS
In addition to the Gemini Live feature, the standalone Gemini app is expected to offer a redesigned interface that departs from the simpler Gemini integration currently available through the Google app. This updated UI is anticipated to provide a more user-friendly experience, emphasizing accessibility and speed. The app’s home screen icon and customizable shortcut will allow users to reach Gemini in fewer steps, which could make it an attractive choice for those who use digital assistants frequently.
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Moreover, by offering a standalone app, Google is likely aiming to replicate the success of its Gemini AI on Android, where it is integrated as a central AI solution for many on-device and third-party functions. This move could strengthen Google’s foothold on iOS by appealing to users who prefer the Gemini experience over Siri or other AI alternatives.
Availability and Next Steps
Google has yet to confirm an official launch date or broader release for the standalone Gemini app on iOS, but the early sightings in the Philippines suggest that a wider rollout could be imminent. If successful, the app could become a key part of Google’s strategy to expand its AI services across platforms, competing with other major AI apps in the iOS ecosystem. For now, iPhone users interested in Google’s AI assistant can look forward to a more personalized and versatile experience with Gemini’s new standalone app, and potentially further integration into Apple’s system in the future.
With Apple’s increasing openness to AI models beyond its own, iPhone users may soon have a more diverse range of choices when it comes to selecting an AI assistant, with options tailored for specific needs like creative writing or productivity. Whether or not Apple will formally support these choices remains to be seen, but Google’s latest Gemini developments represent a step toward a more flexible, AI-enhanced experience on iOS.
