Gemini in Your Car: Ready for the Ride?
Google's Gemini is making its way into every corner of our digital lives, and that includes our cars! While the idea of an AI assistant in the driver's seat sounds futuristic, I'm not entirely convinced it's ready for the road just yet.
Android Authority recently uncovered and activated a dormant Gemini feature within Android Auto. Their demo, available on YouTube, showed Gemini attempting to plan a trip on a budget. The results? Pretty generic and not exactly helpful for someone trying to navigate while driving.
Restaurant recommendations were also a bit lackluster. Gemini could suggest places to eat, but failed to seamlessly integrate with Maps to provide directions.
The demo did give us a glimpse of the future Android Auto interface. A small indicator signals Gemini's availability, likely accessible through the steering wheel button, similar to Google Assistant.
It's important to note that Android Authority's test was conducted on a simulated smartphone setup, not a car's actual infotainment system. This means the software isn't final, and Google hasn't officially confirmed Gemini's integration. But, honestly, the initial impression has me a little worried.
Let's face it, in-car tech can be frustrating. My own experiences with Android Auto in my Subaru have been a mixed bag. It's great for dictating messages and getting basic directions, but asking for something specific, like gas stations *along* my route, often leads to confusion. More often than not, I find myself pulling over to manually input what I need.
What I really want from Gemini is a truly conversational experience. I envision being able to say, "Find me a gas station on my route that doesn't require a huge detour," and having it *understand* my request. That level of specificity is key.
I've been experimenting with Gemini in my browser, and I've noticed that being precise with my prompts yields better results. Perhaps Android Authority's demo didn't ask the right questions. Instead of a general trip plan, a more specific request like, "Find the closest McDonald's near a gas station along my route," would be more practical for in-car use.
That's the kind of location-based assistance that would make me embrace the increasingly button-less car interiors of today. Fingers crossed that Google has something similar in mind for the official Gemini launch in our vehicles. Only time will tell if Gemini will be a helpful co-pilot or just another distraction on the road.
Source: Gizmodo