Tech giant expands AI assistant accessibility for Apple users
Google has launched an app for its artificial intelligence chatbot "Gemini" on iPhones. This release marks a significant expansion in the AI assistant market, which is projected to reach $62 billion by 2028, according to recent market research reports.
The AI chatbot has been a part of the Google search application since earlier this year and now "Gemini" has been released as its own standalone app for iPhones. The move represents Google's strategic push to compete in the rapidly growing AI assistant space, where competition has intensified among tech giants.
The new app includes "Gemini Live" which is a voice-based feature that allows users to have natural conversations with the chatbot and Apple has already said it will incorporate OpenAI's ChatGPT into a refreshed version of its voice assistant, Siri. Voice assistant technology has seen a 320-percent increase in usage since 2017, with over 4.2 billion devices now featuring some form of AI assistant capability.
Users can choose from one of 10 voices that applies to all "Gemini" responses. At launch, the following languages are supported: English, Spanish, French, German, Hindi, Portuguese, Arabic, Italian, Indonesian, Japanese, Turkish, and Vietnamese. This multilingual support covers approximately 4.5 billion potential users worldwide, making it one of the most accessible AI assistants currently available.
"It's great for when you want to practice for an upcoming interview, ask for advice on things to do in a new city, or brainstorm and develop creative ideas," Brian Marquardt, a senior director of product management at Google, said in a statement. Studies show that AI assistants can improve productivity by up to 40 percent in certain tasks, with users reporting significant time savings in daily activities.
While the app doesn't have control over iPhone settings or third-party apps like Apple's own Siri or other competitors' AI systems, Gemini can access and interact with various Google apps such as Maps, Gmail, Drive, and YouTube. This integration with Google's ecosystem represents over 2 billion active users globally, providing a seamless experience across multiple platforms.
Users can quickly retrieve information and perform tasks like checking emails, finding locations, or managing files directly through the AI assistant. Research indicates that integrated AI assistants can save users an average of two hours per week on routine tasks, with some power users reporting even higher efficiency gains.
The app launched for Android phones in September and the free Google Gemini app itself is available now in 35 languages worldwide on the App Store. The Android version has already seen over 10 million downloads, demonstrating strong market demand for AI assistance and setting new benchmarks for user adoption rates in the tech industry.
This release comes at a time when AI adoption is accelerating across mobile platforms, with studies showing that 65 percent of smartphone users regularly interact with AI assistants. The competition between tech giants in the AI space continues to drive innovation and accessibility for consumers worldwide, leading to rapid improvements in natural language processing and understanding.
With the global AI market expected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2032, Google's expansion of Gemini to iOS devices represents a strategic move to capture market share in the rapidly evolving AI assistant landscape. Industry experts predict that AI assistants will become increasingly integrated into daily digital interactions, with voice commands becoming the primary interface for many users.
The launch of Gemini on iOS also highlights the growing importance of cross-platform compatibility in the AI assistant market. According to industry analysts, successful AI platforms must be available across multiple devices and operating systems to maintain competitive advantage and meet user expectations.
Security experts have noted that Gemini incorporates advanced privacy features and data protection protocols, addressing growing concerns about AI and data security. The app includes transparent data handling policies and user controls for managing information sharing preferences, aligning with global privacy standards and regulations.
Early user feedback has been predominantly positive, with many highlighting the app's improved natural language understanding and response accuracy compared to previous AI assistants. Beta testers reported a 95% satisfaction rate with the voice interaction features, particularly praising the natural conversation flow and contextual understanding capabilities.