In an exciting development for fans of digital assistants, Google is reportedly working on a new feature called Scheduled actions for its AI assistant, Gemini. This feature aims to enhance user experience by enabling individuals to pause and resume scheduled tasks, paralleling the capabilities found in OpenAIs ChatGPT.

While there are currently no detailed clues available within the Google app itself, it seems that the Scheduled actions feature will allow users to set up tasks that the Gemini assistant can perform automatically at designated times. This could significantly streamline daily activities for users who rely on digital assistants to manage their schedules.

The context for this feature can be traced back to a common use case for digital assistants: running reminders and managing scheduled tasks. The convenience of delegating these responsibilities to an AI assistant is appealing to many, and Google appears to be taking steps to capitalize on this trend with Gemini.

According to an APK teardown of the Google app version 16.14.39, several pieces of code suggest that the Scheduled actions feature is in the pipeline. The strings observed include indications for the completion and paused status of tasks, as well as the ability for users to manage these scheduled actions with pause and resume buttons. Heres a glimpse of what was found in the code:

  • assistant_robin_async_scheduled_actions_card_completed_subtitle: Completed
  • assistant_robin_async_scheduled_actions_card_paused_subtitle: Paused
  • assistant_robin_async_scheduled_actions_content_description: List of scheduled actions
  • assistant_robin_async_scheduled_actions_pause_button: Pause
  • assistant_robin_async_scheduled_actions_resume_button: Resume

Despite being able to access the interface where these scheduled actions are expected to appear, the feature itself has not yet been activated for use. This leaves us with many questions about its full functionality and overall effectiveness.

To better understand what Scheduled actions might entail, we can draw parallels with ChatGPT, which features a similar capability known as Scheduled tasks. Currently in beta for select paid users, ChatGPTs Scheduled tasks allow the AI to execute predefined commands on a set schedule, providing a level of automation that can greatly enhance productivity. For instance, a user could set up tasks such as receiving daily updates on AI news or reminders for personal events like birthdays.

OpenAI illustrates this feature with examples like, Can you give me a briefing on AI news each afternoon? or Practice French with me daily. The AIs ability to manage these tasks is particularly advantageous, as some actions require nuanced understanding, such as the language practice scenario mentioned.

Returning to Google's Gemini, the concept of Scheduled actions seems to echo the functionality present in ChatGPT, even though concrete details are still sparse. The integration of this feature has the potential to significantly enhance user interactions on Android devices, particularly if it works seamlessly with other Gemini applications. We will continue to monitor this development and provide updates as more information becomes available.

For those looking to share insights or tips regarding this feature, Google encourages users to reach out via email. Whether you wish to remain anonymous or receive credit for your information, the choice is entirely yours.