Android 16 can perform actions in apps for you, thanks to Gemini AI
Three days ago, Google released the first developer-only preview of Android 16, an operating system for our mobile phones that could have certain AI-related features.
Early developers have already discovered certain features within the code of this first version of Android 16 and where Gemini AI will be given a lot of importance.
According to Android Authority , they've discovered a new API in Android 16 called "App Functions" that gives Gemini's AI the ability to perform various actions in apps, without having to open them.
This means that Gemini AI could, for example, place an order for us on our favorite food app without us having to open it.
It's very similar to what Apple wants to do with iOS 18, where one of the new features for Siri is that it can perform these actions in apps.
In this way, virtual assistants reach their peak, where they become able to actually do what they originally promised, which is to help users directly, without the user having to practically intervene.
The fact that Gemini could end up accessing part of our apps without having to open them also opens up a whole host of possibilities that go beyond searching for things in Gmail or Google Maps as we've seen so far.