Revitalizing Legacy Android Devices with AI
In a move that breathes new life into older smartphones, Google has extended the reach of its innovative Gemini application to encompass devices operating on Android 10 and 11. This expansion introduces cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) features to a broader spectrum of mobile devices, previously the exclusive domain of their more recent counterparts.
Initially, when Gemini graced the Android platform, it was tailored for the freshest iteration, Android 12, setting it as the baseline for compatibility. This stance has evolved, much to the delight of users clinging to their trusty gadgets from yesteryears.
The whispers of this development first surfaced through the keen observations of a Twitter connoisseur, Sumanta Das, who noted the app’s newfound compatibility with his device, a sentinel of the Android 10 or 11 era. Google, in its characteristic silent efficiency, updated the Play Store listing to reflect this inclusive change, now welcoming devices harboring “Android 10 and up” into the Gemini fold.
Enthusiasts can now procure the latest Gemini iteration (v1.0.626720042) directly from the Google Play Store, infusing their venerable devices with a splash of AI sophistication. The tech community, including the vigilant eyes at 9to5Google, corroborated this update, confirming that even the venerable Google Pixel models running Android 10 can now partake in the AI revolution.
It’s worth noting that to ensure a seamless Gemini experience, users may need to update their Play Services and the Google app. The experience remains consistent across the board, whether on the latest Android 12 or the now-supported older versions.
With this strategic update, Google not only extends the lifespan of older devices like the Pixel 2 XL, which misses the official cut for Android 12, but also enriches the user experience by reducing the dependency on Google Assistant. Moreover, the tech behemoth is not resting on its laurels, as it plans to integrate additional functionalities into Gemini, such as the eagerly anticipated feature to read PDF documents.
