Google just announced its new Gemini Live feature today, but before the launch, I had a chance to briefly get my hands on Google’s new ChatGPT voice chat competitor, which is perhaps the biggest threat to OpenAI’s popular AI tool.
Gemini Live beat ChatGPT isn’t there yet — after all, I didn’t spend enough time at Gemini Live to say for sure — but based on what we saw at the recent press conference with Google, OpenAI should be trembling with fear.
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Gemini Live enables ongoing conversations
As a subscriber to Gemini Advanced, the premium version of Google’s AI chatbot, I wasn’t able to have an ongoing voice conversation like ChatGPT, but then came Gemini Live.
You can access Gemini Live through the Gemini app (if you have the Advanced level).
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
For example, ChatGPT allows me to leave listening mode on for as long as I like, allowing ChatGPT to talk to me without requiring my constant input, seamlessly responding to ongoing voice interactions.
Before Gemini Live, Gemini Advanced didn’t offer the same functionality. I had to tap the microphone button to “listen.” When I said something, it took just a few seconds for Gemini to go out of listening mode and respond. This interaction is similar to what you experience with Siri or Google Assistant: you call, Gemini listens, you talk, it responds, and the conversation stops. And that’s it. There was no uninterrupted conversation capability.
Gemini Live has a shiny new UI
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
But Gemini Live let me experience the new and improved Google AI chatbot. Like ChatGPT, I was able to choose my preferred voice from 10 different options. I rejected voices like “Lyra”, “Ursa” and “Capella” as they were too hilarious for my taste. In the end, I chose “Orbit”. Why? I simply found his voice appealing. (What? I want my AI chatbot to have a sexy voice.)
After selecting Orbit as my official Gemini Live voice, a Google representative pressed the waveform icon in the bottom right of the Gemini app (one of the Pixel 9 phones that launched today). A glowing UI then appeared, indicating Gemini was listening and ready to talk. Here’s what was said to kick off the interaction: “I’d like to become more of a morning person. Is there any way I can start?”
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“That’s a great question!” said Gemini. “Firstly, try to get a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This will help regulate your body clock. Also, make sure you expose yourself to bright light as soon as you wake up. This will help your body know it’s time to be awake.”
Gemini Live has a continuity of context
Gemini Live also seemed to have good context retention. In other words, the chatbot was able to build the context of the conversation based on previous interactions.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
For example, “What about caffeine?” was the next question posed to the Google chatbot. Gemini continued the dialogue in a consistent manner, adding: “While caffeine can certainly give you a morning boost, if you’re sensitive to caffeine try limiting the amount you consume early in the day. Also remember that caffeine has a long half-life, so having a cup of coffee in the late afternoon may not keep you up at night.”
When asked, “What about exercise?” Gemini replied, “If I exercise in the morning, I feel more alert.”
Gemini Live may be interrupted
In the current publicly available version of ChatGPT, can You have to tap a button to interrupt ChatGPT. On Gemini Live, we interrupted the Google AI chatbot with a question about sleep. Sands With just the tap of a button, you can discover more about how exercise can help you reach your “morning person” goals.
You can pause Gemini Live and start a conversation.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
She continued on for a while, then suddenly stopped and added: “To improve the quality of your sleep, try to keep your pre-bedtime routine consistent. That could be reading a book, taking a warm bath, or doing some gentle stretching.”
Again, I didn’t have to press anything to pause it.
Below is the Gemini Live transcript that was shown after our conversation with Gemini.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Like ChatGPT, once your Gemini Live conversation is over, you can find a transcript of your chat.
How to get Gemini Live
Gemini Live has caught up with ChatGPT in a big way. Gemini was lagging behind when it came to voice capabilities, but Gemini Live has changed this and is a real threat to OpenAI’s chatbot tool.
Wondering how to get Gemini Live? To get it, you need to be a Gemini Advanced subscriber. The official release is on Tuesday, August 13th.
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artificial intelligence