Google brings new Gemini features and Wear OS 5 to Samsung devices

Along with Samsung’s launch of new devices such as the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 at Unpacked 2024, and the new Galaxy Watches, Google said on Wednesday that it is bringing its own new features across multiple apps to these devices.

The search giant is updating its Gemini for Android app to be more suitable for foldables with the ability to use Gemini with overlay and split-screen interfaces. You can swipe the corner of the screen or say “Hey Google” to bring up Gemini (farewell, Google Assistant?).

The new version of the app for Samsung devices will allow you to ask questions about a video that you might be watching on YouTube. These features will be available on the new Galaxy foldable devices in the coming months.

Google announced its “Circle to Search” feature alongside Samsung’s Galaxy S24 event earlier this year. On Wednesday, the company said it is extending the functionality of this feature by supporting solutions for symbolic math equations and scanning of barcodes and QR codes. Google also said that this new version of “Circle to Search” will be available on more devices later this year.

YouTube brought its multiview feature to Android phones and tablets in May. It lets you watch up to four streams of YouTube TV simultaneously. This feature will be supported on the Galaxy Z Fold 6, with subscribers being able to select a combination of football, news, weather and simultaneous sporting events.

Google introduced Wear OS 5 during the Google I/O developer conference earlier this year with performance and battery life enhancements. Samsung said Wednesday that its Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra will ship with Wear OS 5.