
Google Pulls Gemini From Main Search App On iOS
Google has announced that it will be pulling its AI assistant, Gemini, from the main Google app for iOS devices. The tech giant aims to encourage users to download the standalone Gemini app instead, which would allow them to more directly compete with other consumer-facing AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, or Perplexity.
The move may seem risky, as it might lead to a reduction in usage of Gemini due to some users not making the switch. Nevertheless, Google has decided to proceed with this change, likely hoping that the benefits of having a dedicated app for its AI assistant will outweigh any potential losses.
Gemini will no longer be accessible within the main Google app on iOS devices. Instead, an email alerting customers to the change suggests that they should download the Gemini app from the App Store in order to continue using the feature.
The standalone Gemini app allows users to engage in voice conversations with the AI assistant through Gemini Live; connect their Google apps like Search, YouTube, Maps, and Gmail to Gemini; ask questions and explore topics; plan trips; get AI summaries and deep dives; create images; and more.
Source: techcrunch.com