Expanding AI Capabilities to Older Android Devices
In a move that broadens the horizon for artificial intelligence on mobile devices, Google’s Gemini AI, previously known as Bard, has made a significant leap. Initially available only on Android 12 and newer versions, Gemini is now reaching back in time to embrace older technology. Android Police reports that smartphones powered by Android 10 and Android 11 can now harness the latest Google Gemini APK (v1.0.626720042).
While Google’s official support page for the Gemini app still indicates Android 12 as a requirement, the Play Store listing has been quietly updated to include compatibility with the older operating systems. This change opens up a world of possibilities for millions of users with older phones, who previously could only interact with the AI chatbot through a web interface.
Google Gemini is poised to replace the feature-rich Google Assistant on these devices, although it still relies on the legacy digital assistant for processing certain types of queries. The update comes after Google’s February announcement that it was replacing the existing Google Assistant software with the specialized Gemini AI app for Android handsets. However, at the time, only those with Android 12 and later could use the software.
For context, Android 11 made its debut a few months after the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, while Android 10 dates back to 2019. Over the past few months, Google has diligently worked on enhancing Gemini with new features. One such addition is a tool that allows users to tweak certain parts of the AI-generated responses to better fit their needs. Moreover, there’s buzz about Gemini for Android potentially receiving real-time response capabilities similar to those of ChatGPT.
The AI landscape is fiercely competitive, and Google’s move to expand Gemini’s reach could be a game-changer. Notably, Apple has shown interest in incorporating Google’s AI chatbot into iPhones, and Samsung may also adopt the technology, providing a significant boost to Google’s position in the market.
