I take advantage of 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 prior to now, and my work machine is a Home windows PC. I am truly a little bit jealous of Android customers often — the most effective Android telephones are likely 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 were on Pixel telephones for years. In case 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 homeowners can solely fantasize about. I am truly most eager 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 largely an fascinating thought train. Hopefully you agree with me.
Re-routing to keep away from particular roads
Avoiding visitors ought to be straightforward
My weightlifting periods have been problematic these days, however not due to something taking place on the health club. Somewhat, it is the commute again dwelling — 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 never been capable of depend on Apple Maps or Google Maps to routinely re-route me primarily based on visitors knowledge. I used to be truthfully excited the primary time Google Maps supplied an alternative choice to a gradual 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, however 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 reside in Austin, the place any sane driver tries to keep away from MoPac or I35 in the event that they may help it. A command like “navigate to Alamo Drafthouse Mueller, however keep away from I35,” makes good sense. I may 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 automobile.
That kind of knowledge would not present up in cell apps fairly often — but when we may inform an AI assistant ourselves, it would not matter a lot.
Simpler pitstops (and different obscure requests)
Sensible 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 via touchscreen choices — which is okay once you’re parked, however harmful once you’re transferring at freeway speeds. Extra importantly, you’ll be able to add pitstops utilizing obscure 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 of pull up outcomes even when eating places haven’t got the phrase “taco” of their identify.
One thing I have never seen talked about is whether or not you’ll be able to ask Gemini to discover a place primarily based on particulars {that a} human would possibly perceive, however not essentially a voice assistant.
The AI can even faucet into apps like Gmail and Google Calendar in the event you’re struggling to recollect an handle. I am often good about figuring out the place I am headed, however I might be mendacity if I stated I’ve by no means needed to monitor down the situation of a health care provider’s workplace, and even the place my greatest good friend lives. There’s an excessive amount of else I’ve to memorize each day.
One thing I have never seen talked about is whether or not you’ll be able to ask Gemini to discover a place primarily based on particulars {that a} human would possibly perceive, however not essentially a voice assistant — like “that Outdated Navy close to the Crimson Lobster,” or “that park with the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue.” It is one thing that ought to be a characteristic, no less than.
As a result of music is life
A lot to the consternation of my spouse, I am certain, I insist on placing on music or podcasts earlier than I drive wherever. Siri does appear to be competent at recognizing what I need to play, whether or not it is on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — however it may possibly make errors, so I usually skip the intermediary and use contact controls. That results in me listening to a handful of playlists, because it’s lots simpler to trace down one thing I just lately performed than go attempting to find what most closely fits my temper, or experiment with new artists. I will depart that for my workday listening.
Gemini would not radically improve my audio expertise, however it would possibly open up some horizons.
Gemini would not radically improve my audio expertise, however it would possibly open up some horizons — say by asking for “ambient music for a quiet evening drive,” or “music that can preserve me awake on the best way to San Antonio.” It may also do higher at dealing with overseas artist and track names than Siri. I am skeptical on that entrance, but it is about time I had an assistant that understood what I imply after I ask for German-language artists like Nachtmahr. It is not straightforward being a rivethead, typically.
Extra advanced messaging
Saving time, staying centered
Talking of the health club, I at all times let my spouse know after I’m headed dwelling and share my real-time location, since I practice at evening. As a substitute of Apple Messages, nevertheless, I take advantage of Fb Messenger whereas I am nonetheless within the locker room. It makes the method a little bit less complicated — particularly since there isn’t any straightforward option to do this stuff after I’m already on the highway. Siri is a little bit medical about sending messages anyway. It’s a must 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 may even share extra elaborate ideas with out worrying about how they’ll be butchered.
Gemini may, in concept, repair all of those points concurrently with out my having to construct a customized shortcut. “Inform [name] ‘I am coming dwelling!’, then share my location together with her.” Growth, finished. I may even share extra elaborate ideas with out worrying about how they’ll 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.
