Google launched the primary Android 16 developer preview earlier this week and keen-eyed observers are already uncovering attention-grabbing tidbits, together with one which hints about a way more helpful future for Google’s AI assistant. In Android Authority, Mishaal Rahman writes about a mysterious new API in Android 16 referred to as “app capabilities,” which seems to present Gemini Assistant agentic-like skills to take motion in apps. It sounds awfully just like the upgraded “app intents” Apple helps in iOS 18, and it’s precisely the sort of factor that would make AI assistants far more helpful than they’re of their present state.
A web page on Google’s developer website describes an app operate as “a selected piece of performance that an app affords to the system. These functionalities could be built-in into numerous system options.” Actually clears issues up. However Rahman factors to a selected instance buried within the documentation that sheds some extra gentle. It particulars how an app developer might use app capabilities to reveal sure actions to the system — on this case, ordering meals. With this operate obtainable to Gemini, you may be capable of place an order together with your neighborhood Thai restaurant with out having to open the DoorDash app. Kinda neat.
Apple’s engaged on an analogous strategy to a better assistant. One in all its guarantees for the smarter Siri we’ll supposedly get in iOS 18 is that will probably be capable of take motion in apps for you. By updating its app intents framework, Apple has created a manner for builders to reveal “order meals”-type capabilities to Siri. Based on rumors, we in all probability received’t see that replace till spring of 2025, although.
“Doing issues for you” was sort of the entire promise of sensible assistants from the start, however that hasn’t began materializing till very lately. Gemini can entry data in sure apps together with your permission, however at present it’s principally restricted to looking issues like Gmail and Google Maps. And Siri’s greatest replace in iOS 18 up to now added a ChatGPT extension so you’ll be able to ask extra sophisticated questions, but it surely nonetheless falls quick on “taking motion.” Now, each platforms seem like laying the groundwork for higher assistants — and 2025 may very well be a really attention-grabbing yr for AI on smartphones.
