Title: Gemini Live’s New Video Capabilities Are Expanding to More Android Devices — But There’s a Twist
Google’s most recent AI-driven advancement, Gemini Live, is widening its availability beyond just the latest flagship smartphones. First introduced as part of Project Astra during Google I/O 2024, Gemini Live brings live video streaming and screen sharing features to the Gemini app. Although these functionalities were originally promoted as being exclusive to the latest Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy devices, Google has now announced that a much larger selection of Android devices will be supported — as long as users satisfy one critical condition.
Let’s delve into what this signifies for Android users and what you must have to access Gemini Live’s new functionalities.
What Is Gemini Live?
Gemini Live is a feature integrated into Google’s Gemini AI ecosystem that enables users to share their camera feed or device screen instantly with the AI assistant. This allows for more dynamic and context-sensitive engagement, such as showing the AI a physical object for recognition or guiding it through a process on-screen for assistance.
These capabilities originate from Google’s Project Astra — a research initiative aimed at developing AI agents that understand and respond to real-world contexts using multimodal inputs such as video, audio, and text.
Device Compatibility: More Than Just Flagships
Despite initial marketing indicating exclusivity to the latest Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25 series, Google has now made it clear that Gemini Live’s video functionalities are compatible with any Android device operating on Android 10 or later. This encompasses smartphones, tablets, and foldable devices, significantly enhancing the potential user base.
Based on Google’s revised support documentation, the sole strict requirement is that the device must be capable of running the Gemini app — which itself necessitates Android 10 or newer.
The Twist: Gemini Advanced Subscription Necessary
While the hardware prerequisites are relatively modest, there is a significant stipulation: access to Gemini Live’s video and screen sharing features requires a Gemini Advanced subscription. This premium tier is part of the Google One AI Premium package, which is priced at $20 per month.
Gemini Advanced provides upgraded AI functionalities, including access to Google’s most advanced Gemini models and features like extended context windows and enhanced reasoning. The new video functionalities are exclusively offered with this subscription, meaning casual users of the complimentary Gemini version won’t have access.
Key Features of Gemini Live (with Gemini Advanced):
– Live camera sharing: Showcase your environment to Gemini for immediate analysis and feedback.
– Screen sharing: Allow Gemini to view your device screen to assist with tasks such as troubleshooting or navigating apps.
– Multimodal comprehension: Merge visual, textual, and auditory inputs for more fluid interactions.
– Contextual support: Gemini can respond based on its observations and audio cues, delivering smarter, more pertinent assistance.
Rollout Status and Availability
Currently, Gemini Live’s video features are gradually being rolled out to Gemini Advanced subscribers. If you meet the criteria but don’t see the features immediately, it may be a simple matter of waiting for the update to reach your device.
Google has mentioned: “These features are being released gradually, so they might not be available to you just yet.” This implies a phased rollout, potentially to evaluate performance and collect user feedback before a broader release.
Future Outlook
Though current compatibility is extensive, Google’s choice of words — “for now” — leaves room for potential future adjustments. It’s conceivable that subsequent updates may introduce new hardware prerequisites or exclusive features for newer devices.
Nonetheless, for the time being, the choice to make Gemini Live accessible on any Android 10+ device is a commendable step that democratizes access to cutting-edge AI tools — albeit behind a subscription paywall.
How to Get Started
If you’re eager to explore Gemini Live’s video features, here are the steps you need to follow:
1. Confirm your Android device is running Android 10 or a later version.
2. Download or update the Gemini app from the Google Play Store.
3. Subscribe to the Google One AI Premium plan ($20/month) to gain access to Gemini Advanced.
4. Open the Gemini app and watch for the new “Live” features as they become available.
Conclusion
Gemini Live marks a significant advancement in how users can engage with AI on mobile devices. By utilizing real-time video and screen sharing, Gemini becomes a more intuitive and supportive assistant. While the $20/month subscription might pose a barrier for some, the broadened device compatibility ensures that numerous Android users can benefit from these features — not just those equipped with the latest flagship smartphones.
As Google continues to enhance and develop the Gemini platform, we can anticipate even more powerful and interactive AI experiences on the horizon.
