News Google brings Gemini widgets to iPhone as it looks to seize on Siri’s weaknesses

[News]

Google’s Gemini app for iOS and iPadOS now includes a handful of lockscreen widgets that make it easier (and faster) to access the AI assistant’s various features. As noted by 9to5Google, the app’s latest update adds six widgets in total, with each of them letting you hop right into a particular Gemini function.

The company seems to be making a very intentional effort to lure iPhone and iPad users away from Siri — or at least get people using Gemini instead of OpenAI’s ChatGPT whenever they want to interact with a large language model. Google has also recently been advertising Gemini on Apple-centric tech podcasts.

This all comes as Apple reportedly finds itself making slow progress at developing a smarter, more capable Siri that can compete with today’s leading AI platforms. Over the weekend, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that a truly overhauled Siri is likely still several years away. So if you’re Google, this full-court press to establish familiarity with Gemini in the meantime makes a lot of sense. Apple itself may offer Gemini as yet another resource for Apple Intelligence in the coming months.

As for the widgets, here’s what Google says each one does:

• Type prompt: Stuck on a question? Type anything right away.
• Talk Live: Talk things through, or brainstorm aloud with Gemini.
• Open mic: Quickly open your mic to set reminders, create calendar events, and more.
• Use camera: Take a photo of what’s in front of you, and ask Gemini questions all about it.
• Share image: Choose an image to get more info, create new art, or start a chat.
• Share file: Use a file to share the information or inspiration behind your question.

Google released a standalone Gemini app for iOS back in November, splitting it off from the main Google search app.