Google, the American tech giant, is broadening the reach of its Gemini Live feature, upgrading its AI chatbot with two-way voice interaction capabilities. This enhancement allows users to have natural, seamless conversations with the AI, removing the need for typed input or on-screen replies. However, this advanced functionality is only available to subscribers of Gemini Advanced.
As of September 4, Google has begun expanding the rollout of Gemini Live to a larger audience, according to the release notes. Initially available in English, this feature represents a major advancement in creating smoother and more intuitive AI interactions. Previously, it was tested with a select group of Gemini Advanced subscribers, but it is now being made accessible to a broader user base.
The release notes, however, did not specify whether the feature is available to all eligible users or if regional restrictions still apply. At present, Gemini Live is only accessible on Android smartphones and tablets.
At its launch, Google emphasized that Gemini Live supports ten distinct voices, each offering different energy levels, pitches, and tonal qualities. The feature can function even when the Gemini app is running in the background or the device is locked, making the experience feel like a standard phone call.
To activate Gemini Live, subscribers must open the Gemini app on their Android device and tap the Live icon, represented by a waveform. First-time users will need to follow on-screen prompts to set up the feature for hands-free use.
It’s important to note that Gemini Live is not available on the Gemini web app, Gemini in Google Messages, or the Gemini tab in the Google app for iPhone. The feature requires users to set their device’s primary language to English (United States) and is limited to users aged 18 and older.