4 on a regular basis causes I would like Google Gemini in my automobile (and why you may, too)

I take advantage of an iPhone 16 Pro as my every day driver, so to talk, however I am not an Apple diehard. I’ve owned a number of Android telephones prior to now, and my work machine is a Home windows PC. I am truly just a little jealous of Android customers sometimes — one of the best Android telephones are inclined to have superior digicam and charging specs, and Google’s Pixel units are graced with AI options that iPhones are struggling to meet up with. It took till this fall’s iOS 26 for Apple so as to add call screening and hold assist choices which have been on Pixel telephones for years. In case you’re within the US, anyway.

Maybe the factor I am most jealous of is Gemini integration. I do not put generative AI on a pedestal — it is too unreliable for that — however when it really works, it pulls off issues that us iPhone house owners can solely fantasize about. I am truly most interested by seeing Gemini break the confines of Android Auto and are available to CarPlay, which is not out of the realm of risk if some rumors about Apple Intelligence and Siri come to fruition. For now, it is principally an fascinating thought train. Hopefully you agree with me.

Re-routing to keep away from particular roads

Avoiding visitors needs to be straightforward

My weightlifting classes have been problematic these days, however not due to something occurring on the fitness center. Reasonably, it is the commute again house — freeway restore work has meant delays of 10, 20, and even half-hour on a visit that ought to take 20 at most. This would not be so dangerous besides that I have not been in a position to depend on Apple Maps or Google Maps to robotically re-route me primarily based on visitors knowledge. I used to be actually excited the primary time Google Maps provided an alternative choice to a gradual crawl.

Gemini would not help this but, however it appears inevitable that in some unspecified time in the future, it ought to enable customers to ask for instructions that keep away from named roads. I used to stay in Austin, the place any sane driver tries to keep away from MoPac or I35 in the event that they can assist it. A command like “navigate to Alamo Drafthouse Mueller, however keep away from I35,” makes good sense. I may additionally see many drivers eager to dodge gravel roads, or ones with steep inclines. Right here in Edmonton, among the backroads are in such tough form that they are genuinely hazardous for something that is not a farm automobile.

That form of knowledge would not present up in cell apps fairly often — but when we may inform an AI assistant ourselves, it would not matter a lot.

Simpler pitstops (and different imprecise requests)

Good context, smarter driving

One thing that’s in Gemini already is the power so as to add a pitstop throughout a visit with out digging by way of touchscreen choices — which is okay whenever you’re parked, however harmful whenever you’re transferring at freeway speeds. Extra importantly, you possibly can add pitstops utilizing imprecise statements, reminiscent of “discover some good taco locations alongside the best way.” Due to the info gathered in Google Maps, Gemini ought to be capable of pull up outcomes even when eating places do not have the phrase “taco” of their title.

The AI also can faucet into apps like Gmail and Google Calendar for those who’re struggling to recollect an deal with. I am normally good about figuring out the place I am headed, however I would be mendacity if I mentioned I’ve by no means needed to observe down the placement of a health care provider’s workplace, and even the place my greatest good friend lives. There’s an excessive amount of else I’ve to memorize every day.

One thing I have not seen talked about is whether or not you possibly can ask Gemini to discover a place primarily based on particulars {that a} human may perceive, however not essentially a voice assistant — like “that Outdated Navy close to the Pink Lobster,” or “that park with the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue.” It is one thing that needs to be a characteristic, at the least.

As a result of music is life

A lot to the consternation of my spouse, I am positive, I insist on placing on music or podcasts earlier than I drive wherever. Siri does appear to be competent at recognizing what I wish to play, whether or not it is on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — however it could possibly make errors, so I usually skip the intermediary and use contact controls. That results in me listening to a handful of playlists, because it’s so much simpler to trace down one thing I just lately performed than go attempting to find what most closely fits my temper, or experiment with new artists. I will go away that for my workday listening.

Gemini would not radically improve my audio expertise, however it may open up some horizons — say by asking for “ambient music for a quiet evening drive,” or “music that can preserve me awake on the best way to San Antonio.” It may additionally do higher at dealing with overseas artist and tune names than Siri. I am skeptical on that entrance, but it is about time I had an assistant that understood what I imply once I ask for German-language artists like Nachtmahr. It isn’t straightforward being a rivethead, generally.

Extra advanced messaging

Saving time, staying centered

Talking of the fitness center, I all the time let my spouse know once I’m headed house and share my real-time location, since I practice at evening. As a substitute of Apple Messages, nevertheless, I take advantage of Fb Messenger whereas I am nonetheless within the locker room. It makes the method just a little easier — particularly since there is no straightforward approach to do these items once I’m already on the highway. Siri is just a little medical about sending messages anyway. It’s important to use very particular command phrases, and it would not robotically insert punctuation, both. If I neglect to deliberately add commas or exclamation marks, I sound like an unfeeling robotic.

Gemini may, in concept, repair all of those points concurrently with out my having to construct a customized shortcut. “Inform [name] ‘I am coming house!’, then share my location along with her.” Growth, achieved. I may even share extra elaborate ideas with out worrying about how they’ll be butchered.

Apple is little doubt going to implement all of this in Siri in some unspecified time in the future, no matter whether or not it integrates Gemini. However I am impatient. If it takes one other partnership with Google to make my life simpler and distance myself from Meta, I am onboard.