Google's Gemini which was previously known as Bard, has been making waves lately in the industry as well as among users. Initially, the AI-powered chatbot was limited to devices that were running on Android 12 or newer versions, this left out a significant chunk of Android users. However, according to a recent report from Android Police, older devices running Android 10 and Android 11 will also now be able to access the latest Google Gemini APK (v1.0.626720042). Notably, this update comes despite the fact that Google's official support page for Gemini still states that the minimum requirement to operate it will be Android 12.
This development opens up Gemini to millions of users who are still on older Android versions. Previously, those on Android 10 and Android 11 had to resort to using the AI chatbot through a web interface. While Gemini takes over many functions from Google Assistant once installed, it still relies on the previous digital assistant for certain tasks.
In February, Google introduced Gemini as a standalone AI app for Android devices, replacing the traditional Google Assistant. However, the initial release was limited to Android 12 and above. The recent update to the Play Store listing now clarifies that Gemini is compatible with Android 10 and Android 11, expanding its reach to a wider audience.
Over the past few months, Google has been diligently enhancing Gemini with new features.
Google Gemini Advancements
Rather than requiring users to completely rephrase their queries, Google introduced a new tool last month that allows users to modify specific parts of the AI-generated responses to better match their preferences. Additionally, recent findings suggest that Gemini for Android might soon offer real-time responses similar to ChatGPT.
Apple seems keen on integrating Google's AI chatbot into iPhones, joining Samsung in this endeavour, which could significantly bolster its position in the fiercely competitive AI market.