Gemini AI Comes to Google Workspace Mobile Apps

Gemini: AI Support in Google Workspace Now Available on Mobile

Google has made its AI assistant, Gemini, available for Google Workspace users on mobile devices. The Gemini app for Android and iOS provides access to AI features directly from a smartphone or tablet. A central feature is the integration of the device's camera. Users can digitize handwritten notes and insert them directly into Google Docs or Gmail. Capturing whiteboard content and converting it into digital graphics for presentations is also supported. Google emphasizes compliance with Workspace data protection guidelines within the app.

The app is available to users of all Workspace editions, as well as customers with Gemini add-ons. The prerequisite for use on Android is app version 15.42 or higher. On iOS, login with a Workspace account is only possible in the separate Gemini app, not through the Google app. Currently, not all features of the web version are implemented in the mobile app. These include uploading files, using Workspace extensions, and accessing the so-called "Gems," topic-based chatbots within Gemini. Support for Android work profiles is also not yet available.

Administrators can disable access to the Gemini app through device management; more granular control of the app's features is not currently planned. The app is released for all users for whom Gemini is generally enabled. The rollout of the app has begun in both Rapid and Scheduled Release.

Enhanced Communication Options in Google Chat

Google Chat now offers users the ability to start phone calls directly from within the chat. This feature, called "Huddles," is available in both individual and group chats and rooms. It is initiated via the video icon, but by default, only an audio connection is established. Video and screen sharing can be enabled at any time. Huddles are designed to facilitate spontaneous collaborations, bypassing the need for a scheduled video conference in Google Meet.

Technically, Huddles are still based on Google Meet. If Meet is disabled within a domain, users cannot start Huddles, but can still join ongoing conversations. The new feature is available for all Workspace editions except the Education version. The rollout has already begun in Rapid Release, and will start in Scheduled Release on January 6th.

Gemini in Google Workspace: Future Perspectives

The integration of Gemini into Google Workspace and its mobile availability open up a variety of application scenarios. AI support can increase efficiency in creating documents, analyzing data, and communicating. Further development of the app and the integration of additional features, such as file uploads and the use of "Gems," will further expand the possibilities in the future. At the same time, there are challenges regarding data protection and the control of AI functions by administrators, which Google will have to address in the future.