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​​At this year’s Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event in San Jose, California, and live streamed worldwide, Google showcased a series of advancements aimed at transforming the Android smartphone experience through AI integration. The event, held on January 22, highlighted “Gemini,” Google’s AI assistant, with new features designed to enhance user interaction and accessibility.

Google announced that Gemini users can now execute multiple tasks across different applications simultaneously. For instance, one could ask Gemini to locate nearby restaurants with outdoor seating and immediately share the suggestions via text. This functionality, already available on web, Android, and iOS platforms, underscores Google’s commitment to making AI interactions more intuitive and helpful.

Gemini Live, which allows for natural, conversational AI interactions, has been updated to include support for images, files, and YouTube videos. This makes the assistant more versatile, providing users with contextually relevant information based on visual inputs. These enhancements are rolling out starting January 23, 2025 on Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S25 devices.

“In addition to Google Maps, YouTube, Google Messages, Spotify and more, we’re introducing new Gemini Extensions for Samsung Reminder, Samsung Calendar, Samsung Notes and Samsung Clock,” Google said. “You can now add images, files, and YouTube videos to your conversations, making Gemini Live more multimodal, personal and contextual to you.”

Google said it’s allowing users of Samsung devices to perform offline search, particularly through its “Gemini Nano” feature which enables access to AI features even when there is no internet connection, making it useful for situations with limited connectivity.

Project Astra

Google also previewed Project Astra, introducing screen sharing and live video streaming capabilities to the Gemini app. These features will first appear on Pixel and Samsung S25 devices in the coming months, offering users a preview of how AI can dynamically interact with their environment.

The Circle to Search feature, introduced last year, received significant updates. Users can now get AI Overviews for circled items on their screen, providing quick insights into objects, places, or trends. “AI Overviews will give you helpful information and links to explore further about places, trending images, unique objects, and more, just by circling them on your screen,” Google said.  “Inspired by a piece of art? Circle it and see a gen AI snapshot of helpful information with links to dig deeper and learn more from the web.”

Additionally, Circle to Search now supports one-tap actions for phone numbers, emails, and URLs, making it easier to perform actions like calling or emailing directly from what’s displayed.

Google and Samsung have collaborated to improve accessibility on the Galaxy S25 series. The introduction of LE Audio features enhances the experience for those with hearing impairments by offering hands-free calling and personalized audio adjustments.

Moreover, TalkBack 15 now supports braille displays using HID for a more seamless integration with assistive technologies. Gemini Nano, an AI model for on-device tasks, will also enrich image descriptions for visually impaired users, making the smartphone experience more inclusive.

“And for people who are blind or have low vision, TalkBack 15 on Galaxy S25 devices will  now be compatible with braille displays that use HID, a popular way to connect to Bluetooth devices. Following feedback from the community, this compatibility will ensure people can use their braille displays without additional steps, making Galaxy S25 devices even more accessible. In the coming weeks, TalkBack on Galaxy S25 devices will also provide more detailed image descriptions, powered by Gemini models.”

In partnership with Google Family Link, Samsung introduced a new Galaxy Watch experience tailored for children. This allows parents to manage their child’s smartwatch, including approving contacts, tracking location, and setting school-time restrictions, starting with support from major U.S. carriers.

The Galaxy Unpacked event not only showcased Samsung’s new hardware but also emphasized Google’s ongoing efforts to integrate AI deeply into the Android ecosystem, aiming to make technology more accessible and user-centric. As these features roll out, they promise to redefine how users interact with their smartphones, making everyday tasks more intuitive and efficient.