Google Expands Gemini Live’s Project Astra to All Android Users

• Google is bringing its advanced Project Astra features, including real-time camera and screen-sharing capabilities, to all Android users via Gemini Live, marking a significant step in making its AI assistant more accessible. The rollout, initially limited to select devices, now extends to any Android device running the Gemini app, following positive feedback from early adopters.

• Any Android device with the Gemini app and Android 10 or higher can now access Project Astra’s features, which let Gemini Live analyze live video or shared screens for contextual responses. Users need a Gemini Advanced subscription, part of the $19.99/month Google One AI Premium plan, to unlock these capabilities.

• Project Astra, first showcased at Google I/O 2024, aims to build a universal AI agent through Google DeepMind’s research. By embedding its capabilities in Gemini Live, Google enables Android users to engage with their environment in new ways, like getting real-time advice on tasks or objects.

• To use Project Astra, users open Gemini Live and tap buttons for live video or screen sharing, accessible via the app or Gemini overlay. Practical uses include asking Gemini to explain on-screen data, like a Wikipedia page, or identify objects in the environment, such as plants.

• The gradual rollout means Project Astra isn’t yet universal across Android devices, and its tie to a $19.99/month subscription excludes non-subscribers. Uncertainty around iOS support or free access could limit the feature’s broader impact.

• Expanding Project Astra underscores Google’s ambition to dominate AI assistants with Gemini Live, capitalizing on Android’s reach. Yet, the subscription barrier and lack of iOS support could hinder its ability to outpace competitors like ChatGPT in the broader market.

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