3 Fresh Tips to Explore with Google Gemini Following Its Recent Major Update

Gemini Live is a more conversational, natural language approach to engaging with the Google Gemini AI bot using your voice. The concept is to interact as you would with a friend, complete with interruptions, even though the responses may match those you’d receive from typing your questions into Gemini as usual.

Now, about a year and a half after its initial launch, Gemini Live has undergone what Google calls its “most significant update to date.” This enhancement makes the Gemini Live mode even more intuitive and conversational, improving its grasp of tone, nuance, pronunciation, and rhythm.

While there may not be any obvious visual changes, many responses will still feel familiar. However, there are specific areas where the upgrades are noticeable—so here’s how to take advantage of the newly refined Gemini Live.

The update is currently being rolled out for Gemini on both Android and iOS. To use Gemini Live, open the Gemini app, tap the Live button located in the lower right corner (it resembles a sound wave), and begin speaking.

The Gemini Live interface.David Nield

Hear Some Stories

Gemini Live is now equipped to infuse more emotion and variation into its storytelling, which is great for history lessons, bedtime stories, and creative brainstorming. The AI can even incorporate different accents and tones when appropriate, helping to differentiate characters and scenes.

One of the scenarios Google suggests to illustrate this feature is having Gemini Live narrate the story of the Roman Empire from Julius Caesar’s viewpoint. This presents a challenge that requires imaginative perspective shifts and appropriate use of tone and style, which Gemini Live is now better equipped to handle.

You’re not limited to Julius Caesar or the Roman Empire, either. You might ask Gemini Live to retell Pride and Prejudice from the viewpoint of each of the Bennett sisters or create a narrative imagining life in your region 100, 200, or 300 years ago.

Learn Some Skills

Another aspect where Gemini Live’s new features shine is in education and explanation. You can request a crash course (or a longer tutorial) on any topic of your choice—from the complexities of human genetics to effective carpet-cleaning techniques. Gemini Live can even help you learn a new language.

The AI can adapt its pacing to your needs, making it especially useful when you’re learning something new. If you need Gemini Live to slow down, speed up, or repeat information, just let it know. If you’re short on time, simply inform Gemini of your available duration while chatting.