Megan Ellis, a user of the Gemini app, has discovered the transformative power of scheduled actions, a feature that has significantly streamlined her daily tasks. Initially skeptical about its utility, she has found that automating routine actions has not only saved her time but also enhanced her productivity. As someone who often forgets tasks, the ability to set reminders and automate responses has proven invaluable.
What are scheduled actions in Gemini?
Scheduled actions in Gemini are automated prompts that enable the chatbot to generate responses at designated intervals. Users can configure the app to produce weekly or monthly reports, summarize daily news, or provide updates on personal schedules. However, access to this feature varies depending on the type of account. For personal accounts, scheduled actions are available only on the Google AI Pro or Ultra plans, while work and school accounts have access limited to specific Google Workspace editions. Users must also be signed into Gemini Apps to utilize this feature.
To set up a scheduled action, users can initiate a chat with the AI, inputting the desired prompt to gauge the response. Once satisfied, they can instruct Gemini to repeat the action at specified times, such as “repeat this every Tuesday at 10 am.” For those using the mobile app, push notifications will alert them when their scheduled action is ready, while desktop users will see the new content highlighted at the top of their chats.
I didn’t think scheduled actions would work for me, but now I’m hooked
Initially, Megan approached the scheduled actions feature out of mere curiosity. However, after several weeks of implementation, she has come to rely on it for automating tasks that would otherwise slip her mind. One of her first scheduled actions involved generating a weekly report summarizing consumer tech news, complete with cited sources. This has been particularly beneficial, as it allows her to stay informed about developments outside her immediate work focus, which often involves Android technology.
One way I use Gemini’s scheduled actions is to keep up with technology news that I may have missed outside of work.
By receiving a summary of the week’s announcements, Megan has effectively addressed potential blind spots in her knowledge, ensuring she remains updated on significant changes across various platforms, including those related to Apple products.
Another routine she has embraced is the weekly series recommendations. Due to recent health challenges, Megan has shifted her evenings from gaming to binge-watching series. To avoid the overwhelming task of sifting through countless articles for streaming suggestions, she set up a scheduled action that curates recommendations based on her preferred genres and previously enjoyed shows. This streamlined process allows her to easily add new shows to a watchlist saved in Google Keep, which automatically updates with each new entry.
While Megan appreciates the convenience of scheduled actions, she expresses a desire for this feature to be accessible to free users, albeit with limitations on frequency. The convenience it offers is particularly beneficial for those who may struggle with forgetfulness. Although alternatives like Zapier exist for automation, they often come with restrictions that can affect output quality. For users looking to explore automation without committing to a Google AI Pro plan, these options remain viable, albeit less seamless.
