The Galaxy S26 Ultra is among the first devices to offer this feature. Both Google and Samsung recently announced a major development in their devices: task automation. Gemini, starting with food delivery and rideshare apps, can use certain apps on your behalf to handle tasks such as ordering dinner or getting a car to the airport, based on simple prompts. This feature, long promised by AI assistants, wasn’t available during initial S26 Ultra testing but has now launched in beta with an update. Watching your phone operate itself is quite unusual!
I tested it by asking for an Uber to the airport. Gemini sought clarification on the airport, then proceeded by setting the destination while skipping the step to specify the airline, which is unnecessary at my local airport as it’s a single terminal. The final step paused, prompting me to verify the details before requesting the car.
A more complex request for a coffee and a croissant needed additional input from me and considerable time from Gemini to navigate Starbucks’ menu. It successfully found the flat white and faced a decision on whether to warm the croissant, opting correctly to heat it. This is impressive functionality for an assistant that previously struggled with flight details in my calendar.
Further testing of this automation feature is planned. It’s exciting to see the feature functioning as intended. Photography by Allison Johnson / The Verge.