Google’s Gemini assistant, which has thus far been exclusive to Android devices, could soon make its way to iPhones. Currently, iPhone users can access Gemini only through the Google app, a process that involves multiple steps to activate it as a home screen assistant. Unlike Android devices, especially Google’s Pixel phones, iPhones do not yet offer the same level of seamless integration with Gemini. However, a recent report suggests that this may soon change, with Gemini potentially launching as a standalone app on iOS.
According to 9to5Google, a user from the Philippines recently saw the software on the Apple software Store. If released, the standalone Gemini app would allow iPhone users to directly access Google’s AI assistant without needing to navigate through multiple steps. This could also lead to a more refined “Gemini Live” experience, where the assistant could remain active in the background while users multitask, thanks to the iPhone’s Live Activities feature.
Despite this, Google has not yet officially confirmed the app’s availability, and the listing may be an accidental early appearance or part of a limited test. Attempts to access the app from regions like the United States and India were unsuccessful, with only one user reporting visibility of the app.
At present, Android phones, particularly premium devices like the Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, offer the most advanced Gemini experience. If Google does release Gemini on iOS, it could give iPhone users access to some of the cutting-edge AI tools that have already been integrated into Android devices.
Additionally, Apple may be planning to integrate AI services like Gemini into iOS. A recent Bloomberg report indicated that Apple could incorporate Gemini, which is comparable to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, into its ecosystem in the near future. At Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2024, Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi, hinted at broadening the scope of AI tools beyond OpenAI’s offerings, potentially putting even more pressure on Siri’s relevance in the competitive virtual assistant landscape.
