I exploit an iPhone 16 Professional as my each day driver, so to talk, however I am not an Apple diehard. I’ve owned a number of Android telephones previously, and my work machine is a Home windows PC. I am truly just a little jealous of Android customers often — the perfect Android telephones are inclined to have superior digicam and charging specs, and Google’s Pixel gadgets are graced with AI options that iPhones are struggling to meet up with. It took till this fall’s iOS 26 for Apple so as to add name screening and maintain help choices which have been on Pixel telephones for years. In the event you’re within the US, anyway.
Maybe the factor I am most jealous of is Gemini integration. I do not put generative AI on a pedestal — it is too unreliable for that — however when it really works, it pulls off issues that us iPhone house owners can solely fantasize about. I am truly most curious about seeing Gemini break the confines of Android Auto and are available to CarPlay, which is not out of the realm of chance if some rumors about Apple Intelligence and Siri come to fruition. For now, it is principally an attention-grabbing thought train. Hopefully you agree with me.
Re-routing to keep away from particular roads
Avoiding site visitors needs to be simple
My weightlifting periods have been problematic currently, however not due to something occurring on the fitness center. Reasonably, it is the commute again residence — freeway restore work has meant delays of 10, 20, and even half-hour on a visit that ought to take 20 at most. This would not be so unhealthy besides that I have not been in a position to depend on Apple Maps or Google Maps to routinely re-route me based mostly on site visitors knowledge. I used to be actually excited the primary time Google Maps provided a substitute for a sluggish crawl.
It appears inevitable that sooner or later, Gemini ought to permit customers to ask for instructions that keep away from named roads.
Gemini would not help this but, nevertheless it appears inevitable that sooner or later, it ought to permit customers to ask for instructions that keep away from named roads. I used to dwell in Austin, the place any sane driver tries to keep away from MoPac or I35 in the event that they can assist it. A command like “navigate to Alamo Drafthouse Mueller, however keep away from I35,” makes excellent sense. I might additionally see many drivers desirous to dodge gravel roads, or ones with steep inclines. Right here in Edmonton, a number of the backroads are in such tough form that they are genuinely hazardous for something that is not a farm car.
That kind of knowledge would not present up in cellular apps fairly often — but when we might inform an AI assistant ourselves, it would not matter a lot.
Simpler pitstops (and different imprecise requests)
Good context, smarter driving
One thing that’s in Gemini already is the flexibility so as to add a pitstop throughout a visit with out digging by means of touchscreen choices — which is ok whenever you’re parked, however harmful whenever you’re shifting at freeway speeds. Extra importantly, you may add pitstops utilizing imprecise statements, comparable to “discover some good taco locations alongside the best way.” Due to the info gathered in Google Maps, Gemini ought to be capable to pull up outcomes even when eating places haven’t got the phrase “taco” of their identify.
One thing I have not seen talked about is whether or not you may ask Gemini to discover a place based mostly on particulars {that a} human may perceive, however not essentially a voice assistant.
The AI also can faucet into apps like Gmail and Google Calendar should you’re struggling to recollect an tackle. I am normally good about figuring out the place I am headed, however I would be mendacity if I stated I’ve by no means needed to monitor down the situation of a physician’s workplace, and even the place my finest buddy lives. There’s an excessive amount of else I’ve to memorize every day.
One thing I have not seen talked about is whether or not you may ask Gemini to discover a place based mostly on particulars {that a} human may perceive, however not essentially a voice assistant — like “that Previous Navy close to the Crimson Lobster,” or “that park with the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue.” It is one thing that needs to be a function, a minimum of.
As a result of music is life
A lot to the consternation of my spouse, I am positive, I insist on placing on music or podcasts earlier than I drive wherever. Siri does appear to be competent at recognizing what I wish to play, whether or not it is on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — however it could possibly make errors, so I typically skip the intermediary and use contact controls. That results in me listening to a handful of playlists, because it’s so much simpler to trace down one thing I not too long ago performed than go trying to find what most closely fits my temper, or experiment with new artists. I am going to go away that for my workday listening.
Gemini would not radically improve my audio expertise, nevertheless it may open up some horizons.
Gemini would not radically improve my audio expertise, nevertheless it may open up some horizons — say by asking for “ambient music for a quiet night time drive,” or “music that may preserve me awake on the best way to San Antonio.” It may also do higher at dealing with overseas artist and music names than Siri. I am skeptical on that entrance, but it is about time I had an assistant that understood what I imply once I ask for German-language artists like Nachtmahr. It isn’t simple being a rivethead, generally.
Extra advanced messaging
Saving time, staying targeted
Talking of the fitness center, I at all times let my spouse know once I’m headed residence and share my real-time location, since I prepare at night time. As an alternative of Apple Messages, nevertheless, I exploit Fb Messenger whereas I am nonetheless within the locker room. It makes the method just a little easier — particularly since there is not any simple solution to do this stuff once I’m already on the highway. Siri is just a little medical about sending messages anyway. You need to use very particular command phrases, and it would not routinely insert punctuation, both. If I neglect to deliberately add commas or exclamation marks, I sound like an unfeeling robotic.
I might even share extra elaborate ideas with out worrying about how they are going to be butchered.
Gemini might, in idea, repair all of those points concurrently with out my having to construct a customized shortcut. “Inform [name] ‘I am coming residence!’, then share my location together with her.” Increase, achieved. I might even share extra elaborate ideas with out worrying about how they are going to be butchered.
Apple is little doubt going to implement all of this in Siri sooner or later, no matter whether or not it integrates Gemini. However I am impatient. If it takes one other partnership with Google to make my life simpler and distance myself from Meta, I am onboard.
