While AI-fueled virtual assistants like Siri and Google Assistant have been supporting us for some time now, the next generation is coming in hot. As Google entrusts its AI-powered Gemini Apps with more and more power, we’re getting new integrations like the recently launched extension for Spotify.
The Spotify Gemini Extension is Now Offering Music Control on Android
Thanks to a new extension roll-out, the Gemini mobile app will now play nice with your Spotify music. In other words, you’ll be able to play, search, or browse your Spotify music via Gemini commands.
All you have to do is link your Spotify account to Google. If you’re not sure whether you’ve done this already, test it out by asking Gemini to play something on Spotify. If the music streaming app is connected, the song will play. If it isn’t, you’ll be guided through the connection process.
How to Summon Music With the Spotify Gemini Extension
Once connected, you’ll be able to request specific songs, albums, or playlists from Spotify. For example, you might ask Gemini to “play [song name] by [artist] on Spotify.”
If you’re at the gym, you could also ask Gemini to “play music for running.” Or, perhaps like me, you’re trying to complete a writing assignment, in which case you could request for Gemini to “play music for focus.”
If you don’t specify “Spotify” in your request, and there are multiple music streaming apps connected with Gemini, the AI-powered assistant will default to the latest service you’ve used.
According to Google Support, you cannot (yet) ask Gemini to build playlists for you. Other parameters for extensions include that Gemini’s language has to be set to English, and Gemini Apps Activity has to be turned on.
Wait, Couldn’t Google Assistant Already Do This?
If this extension sounds suspiciously similar to functionality that already exists with Google Assistant on Android, you’re not crazy. Both virtual assistants use AI, and Google Assistant can execute Spotify actions on Android devices, such as streaming music while navigating on Google Maps. Hence, the latest Spotify extension for Gemini isn’t all that groundbreaking, to put it bluntly.
That said, as a large language model (LLM), Gemini has greater potential when compared to existing assistants like Google Assistant and Siri that leverage AI. Unlike Google Assistant, Gemini can continue to learn and improve over time—uniquely to you. It will also support more casual language and will better understand context relative to Google Assistant.
By itself, the extension might not do much to improve the user experience. Google Assistant can just as speedily accomplish simple tasks like playing music. However, the update is a sign that Google is continuing to integrate Gemini with the Android OS.
We all know how this works. When it comes to a mobile assistant, Google’s eggs lie in Gemini’s proverbial basket. Probably, Gemini will keep getting better with upgrades, and Google Assistant will fall by the wayside. So, it may be worth adopting the latest extension to get used to Gemini’s functionality.
