Summary
- The code discovery hints at a future integration of Google Photos with Gemini.
- Only the latest Google Pixel users can use Gemini’s AI LLM features on the go without the need for an internet connection.
- Google Photos stores your memories securely in the cloud for easy access.
Google Photos is one of the best apps for keeping your photos safe and backed up to the metaphorical cloud for quick and easy access from all your devices. Google Photos is available as an app for Android devices and iPhones, as well as its own website, and virtually anyone with a smartphone can use Google Photos. However, not everyone can use Google Gemini, the company’s AI LLM, as only people with the latest and greatest Google Pixel devices can access all of Gemini’s features on the go without having access to the internet. It seems Google is gearing up to connect Gemini to Photos after code was discovered that suggests it.
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The flood of updates continues
Android Authority and AssembleDebug, one of the most prominent code-hunters in the Android Twitter-sphere (or X-sphere), have jointly discovered four lines of code in the latest beta version of the Google app that strongly hint at an extension for Gemini that incorporates Google Photos in some way. The latest beta (version 15.33.36.29.arm64 to be precise) contains text that refers to “Robin,” Gemini’s internal codename. Each of those four lines of code also directly names Google Photos. As fresh and exciting as an extension for Gemini that works with Google Photos is, it’s not necessarily a new idea.
Ask Photos for anything you want
In May, Google I/O 2024 took place. While the annual developer conference isn’t aimed at the general consumer, there are plenty of interesting software developments and ideas being discussed there, and just like the Made by Google event just over a week ago, Gemini was front and center. In May, Google announced that Photos would be getting an “Ask Photos” extension powered by Gemini, but didn’t give a release date. Google said that users would be able to ask Photos for specific information, such as their license plate number, and Gemini would be able to respond. This could be a game-changing development for both Gemini and Photos, but we’re probably a long way from being able to test the search tool ourselves.
The code discovered by AssembleDebug likely has a lot to do with what Google announced in May. This is the first time we’ve seen any hints of the Ask Photos feature, so development is likely still in its infancy. With Gemini officially sending Google Assistant to an early grave with the Pixel 9 series, it reinforces the belief that Gemini will be here for a long time, and that means Photos integration is on the horizon. For now, here are some tips for finding hard-to-find images in Photos.
