Apple CarPlay finally gets Gemini in a long-awaited update – here's what your car can now do

Gemini on Apple CarPlay — (Image credit: Google)

Google has confirmed that Gemini is now rolling out globally on Apple CarPlay, meaning that iPhone users can benefit from Google's conversational AI while on the road.

Powered by the Gemini app on iOS, integration into CarPlay means you'll be able to access features like Gemini Live, to brainstorm, quiz yourself, or just have a chat with the AI on the move.

While Siri AI will offer many of the information-finding features that Gemini does, for those hooked into a Google Workspace, Gemini will provide access to all that information, so you can ask what's in your calendar, get summaries of emails and a whole lot more.

Already on Android Auto

The launch of Gemini on CarPlay follows its arrival on Android Auto and cars with Google built-in, and it's encouraging that Google says this is a global rollout rather than it being limited to one region.

Because Gemini interactions are synced with your Google account, any plans you make, or conversations that you start, can be picked up again in the Gemini app or through Gemini in browser, which is great for ongoing discussions.

Siri doesn't have a direct equivalent to Gemini Live, which might be the attraction of this addition for Apple users. Google suggests that Gemini Live can be used for rehearsing presentations, or asking questions that are more interactive.

Naturally, one of Gemini Live's best features – the multimodal support so you can bring in sounds, images and so on – isn't going to be something you can do in a car, but having used Gemini on Android Auto, I've found it to be a really useful service.

The news will be welcomed by those Gemini users on iPhone or those who want better access to their Google Workspace, especially if they want to pick up those interactions in a work place.

As per the standard Gemini terms and conditions, some features aren't available in every region because of privacy regulations.

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Chris has been writing about consumer tech for over 15 years. Formerly the Editor-in-Chief of Pocket-lint, he's covered just about every product launched, witnessed the birth of Android, the evolution of 5G, and the drive towards electric cars. You name it and Chris has written about it, driven it or reviewed it. Now working as a freelance technology expert, Chris' experience sees him covering all aspects of smartphones, smart homes and anything else connected. Chris has been published in titles as diverse as Computer Active and Autocar, and regularly appears on BBC News, BBC Radio, Sky, Monocle and Times Radio. He was once even on The Apprentice... but we don't talk about that.