Gemini’s First Agentic Capabilities Arrive
▼ Summary
– Google’s Gemini AI is introducing task automation, allowing it to independently perform actions like hailing an Uber or placing a DoorDash order on select upcoming phones.
– The automation works by Gemini launching an app in a virtual window and completing the steps, with the user able to watch, intervene, or let it run, and being notified for decisions or issues.
– This feature represents a shift in Google’s vision for Android, moving from an operating system to an “intelligence system,” and will be part of the platform’s next major release.
– Gemini automates tasks either by reasoning through app interfaces itself or by using frameworks where developers expose specific actions, with the goal of handling all task types for the user.
– The rollout is an early preview limited to apps like Uber and Grubhub, and will be available only in the US and Korea on the Samsung Galaxy S26 series and Pixel 10 models.
Google’s Gemini AI is taking a significant leap forward, evolving from a conversational chatbot into a proactive digital helper capable of handling real-world tasks. This new functionality, known as task automation, will debut on select devices like the Pixel 10 series and Samsung Galaxy S26, allowing Gemini to independently perform actions such as booking a ride or ordering food. Users simply provide a prompt, and the AI will open the relevant app in a virtual window and navigate the process step-by-step, all while keeping the user informed and in control.
Imagine telling Gemini, “Get me an Uber to the airport.” The assistant springs into action, launching the Uber app and proceeding through the booking steps. You can watch the process unfold on your screen, with the option to pause, intervene, or let it continue in the background. Gemini will notify you if it needs a decision, like choosing between two car options, or if an item you requested is unavailable. Once the task is complete, your ride is booked or your cart is full, Gemini alerts you to review and confirm the final details yourself.
This development represents a strategic shift in how Google views its platform. According to Sameer Samat, President of the Android Ecosystem, the goal is to transition from thinking of Android as merely an operating system to an “intelligence system.” This automation capability is not exclusive to Gemini; it is slated to be a core feature of Android’s next major release, indicating a broader integration of AI-assisted task management across the ecosystem.
The mechanics behind this automation are multifaceted. In demonstrations, Gemini 3.0 uses its reasoning abilities to open an app and intelligently click through interfaces, locating correct options and considering alternatives. For more seamless integration, developers can expose specific app functions using protocols like MCP or Android’s own app functions framework, which Google has been developing. In cases where no special integration exists, Gemini is designed to attempt to figure out the process autonomously. Samat describes it as a layered technological approach, noting that users ultimately don’t care about the underlying stack, they just want the task completed reliably.
A natural question arises: how will app developers react to an AI that essentially bypasses their carefully designed user interfaces and potential upselling opportunities? Samat acknowledges this dynamic, stating that “this technology is happening,” and the challenge for the developer community is to collaboratively determine the best ways to integrate and benefit from it.
For now, this future is beginning on a limited scale. The early preview of task automation, available initially in the US and Korea, supports only a handful of apps including Uber and Grubhub. It will be accessible on the aforementioned Samsung Galaxy S26 series and Google’s Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL models, marking the first steps toward a more hands-off, intelligent mobile experience.
(Source: The Verge)
