Google is making strides with its AI and productivity tools. The latest updates to its Gemini assistant and Google Calendar are noteworthy, improving user experiences across music control and task management.

Gemini’s Spotify Extension: Control Music with Your Voice

Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, continues evolving as it replaces the former Google Assistant. New features, called “extensions,” enhance Gemini’s capabilities, and the Spotify extension is now rolling out globally. This extension allows you to use Gemini to control Spotify with voice commands or text inputs. Here’s what you can do with it:

• Play Specific Tracks: Request a particular song, album, or podcast.
• Search for Playlists: Discover curated playlists or stations.
• Find Songs by Lyrics: If you can recall a line from a song, Gemini can help locate it.

To get started, you must connect your Spotify account to Gemini. This feature is initially limited to the English language and requires a Spotify Premium subscription for playing specific tracks. However, note that the Spotify extension works only in the primary Gemini app and not in other integrations, like Messages or the web.

If you have multiple music apps connected to Gemini, make sure to specify Spotify as your default to avoid conflicts.

Limitations and Availability

While the Spotify extension adds significant functionality, it has some limitations:

• Language Support: Currently, it works only with English.
• Premium-Only Features: Free Spotify accounts are restricted in functionality.
• Platform Restrictions: The extension is exclusive to Android users and is unavailable for Gemini on iPhone or web versions.

Google Calendar Introduces Full Tasks Integration on Android

In another significant update, Google Calendar for Android now integrates Google Tasks directly into the app. This feature is rolling out as a server-side update, but you’ll need version 2024.46.1 of the app from the Play Store for the best experience.

Here’s what’s new with this integration:

• Unified Interface: A Google Tasks icon now appears in the top bar of Calendar, allowing you to access your tasks with a single tap.
• Consistent Design: Tasks retain a Dynamic Color background and share the floating action button (FAB) design with Calendar for a cohesive look.
• Seamless Synchronization: Tasks created or updated in Calendar reflect immediately in the standalone Tasks app, and vice versa.

Improved Functionality

When using Google Calendar’s Tasks view:

• Create Dated Tasks: Use the Calendar FAB to add tasks tied to specific dates.
• Stand-Alone Tasks: To create undated tasks, switch to the dedicated Tasks view.
• Persistent View: If you leave the app while in Tasks, the view remains open upon return.
• Cross-Account Sync: Switching Google Accounts in Tasks instantly reflects in Calendar.

Why Keep the Google Tasks App?

Despite this integration, the standalone Google Tasks app still offers unique features, such as:

• List Widget: A dedicated widget for task lists, which Calendar lacks.
• Material You Redesign: A possible future update could make the standalone app even more appealing.

There’s no indication yet that Google plans to discontinue the standalone app. Moreover, while this update benefits Android users, Google has not confirmed if the integration will come to iOS.

Enhanced Notifications

If both Google Tasks and Calendar apps are installed, notifications will now include a “Reschedule” button, making task management more flexible.

Conclusion

Google’s updates to Gemini and Calendar showcase its focus on enhancing AI tools and productivity apps. With Spotify integration, Gemini users gain hands-free control over music, while Calendar’s deep Tasks integration simplifies task management for Android users. These features, though currently limited in scope, point to a future where Google’s ecosystem becomes even more cohesive and user-friendly.