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These 3 Gemini upgrades will help you get more out of the AI assistant

Some of the best Gemini features are now available to more users.
Written by Sabrina Ortiz, Editor
Gemini chatbot
Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET

Since Google rebranded its Bard AI chatbot to Gemini earlier this year, it has positioned the technology as an AI assistant capable of doing more than what an ordinary chatbot can. Now Gemini's latest updates make it easier for more people to experience the benefits of the AI assistant. 

Also: ChatGPT vs. Microsoft Copilot vs. Gemini: Which is the best AI chatbot?

On Tuesday, Google unveiled Gemini updates that make many of its most popular features, including its mobile app and Extensions, available to more countries and languages. 

1. Gemini app is rolling out more broadly 

The Gemini app now supports more languages for both iOS and Android users. The list includes over 100 territories and countries, as well as nine languages, and you can see the complete list here. With the Gemini App, Android users can activate Gemini wherever they typically activate the Google Assistant, including saying, "Hey Google," and even activating an overlay experience that gives Gemini context of what is on the users' screens. 

Even though the integrations in iOS will not be as expansive as the ones available via the Android app, users will be able to toggle on Gemini from the Google app to start chatting, as seen in the photo below. 

Gemini on iOS
Google

Once users toggle over to Gemini, they can input prompts like they regularly would, asking for help composing text, brainstorming ideas, and more via text, photos, or voice prompts. Both thr Gemini app for Android and the Google app on iOS are free to download. 

2. New way to access Gemini in Chrome 

To make using Gemini even easier in Chrome, Google introduced a new way to access it. Now all users need to do is type '@gemini' in the Chrome address bar, followed by the prompt they want Gemini to assist with. Then Chrome will launch Gemini with the prompt already inputted and an answer available. 

3. Extensions in more languages and countries 

The Extensions feature, which allows Gemini to use relevant information from Google apps and services to compile its answer, is available in all languages and countries currently supported by Gemini. Extensions can be used to connect Gemini to some of Google's most popular apps, including Gmail, Docs, and Drive, saving users the time of having to source the information themselves. 

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