A few months after Apple opened its CarPlay platform to third-party conversational apps, Google’s Gemini Live AI voice chatbot is ready to make its debut. The app joins several others including ChatGPT, Perplexity, Meta AI, Claude, and Grok. While CarPlay compatibility might be convenient for those who already use these specific tools, all of them are limited in scope and functionality and do not replace Siri as the default voice assistant for CarPlay.
Google also recently introduced Gemini AI for Android Auto and cars with Google Built-In. Google Maps has its own Gemini integration for contextual searching and hands-free directions.
With the latest update to the Gemini app on iOS, users will be able to access Google’s AI tool via the CarPlay UI on their car’s infotainment screen. Users will need to have microphone permission enabled and must have used Gemini Live at least once on the phone itself to see the option. A Gemini app icon will appear on the CarPlay homescreen.
Those who use Gemini already with their Google products and services will be able to pick up conversations where they left off or start a new conversation. Like most current-day chatbots, Gemini can build on the context of previous messages and can base answers on a user’s personal context, based on what they allow it to access. For example, information in emails, notes, calendar entries and search history can be used to answer questions about shopping reminders, driving directions, and travel advice.
Users in supported countries can get a daily brief each morning, which can prepare them for upcoming appointments and deadlines. Gemini can also provide summaries of long email threads and highlight unread messages. Users can reply using natural-language dictation. Google also says Gemini can be used as a live sounding board for brainstorming and developing ideas.
Chat history will be preserved in the Gemini app and will sync across all devices signed in to the same account. A mute button on screen will allow users to make sure they are not being recorded.
However, it cannot be used to control car features. For safety, all interactions are voice-based and text is not displayed on the car’s screen where it might be a visual distraction. CarPlay apps also don’t have access to the car’s live location or native map information, and it cannot be used to perform actions across other apps. This means Gemini and other AI apps function only like chatbots, not AI assistants for the car itself.
