Gemini's eagerly awaited Android feature has finally arrived: you can now ask it about a PDF
Google's AI Gemini has taken a step forward in its integration with Android, allowing users to interact directly with PDF documents.
Announced at Google I/O 2024, the feature is now available in the beta version of the Google Files app (16.0.5). It allows users to access relevant information in long documents without having to search for them manually.
This is especially useful for students, professionals, and anyone working with technical or academic documents.
How to use the new Gemini feature
The new feature makes it easier to interact with PDFs seamlessly. Now, when you open a document in Google Fises Viewer, you’ll find something called “Ask about this PDF” in the Gemini overlay, according to 9to5Google. This button lets you upload the PDF to ask questions about its content.
For example, if you have a contract, you can ask the AI specific points, such as “What is the stated deadline?” Once the file is uploaded, Gemini provides clear and accurate responses while keeping the PDF visible in the background for added convenience.
To use this feature, access the document from the Google Files app. When AI is activated, you’ll see “Ask about this PDF.” Click on it. Then, upload the file, type your query in the text field, and send it.
Gemini will respond by displaying your answers in a window covered by the document. You can continue to ask more questions related to the content.
This feature is similar to uploading a file directly to the AI app, but now the process is seamlessly integrated within the Google Files app, eliminating the need to switch apps.
While the feature is promising, it does have some limitations. It is currently only available in the Google Files app and not in Google Drive. Additionally, this tool is intended for Gemini Advanced users, who have access to more advanced model features, such as a larger context window for analyzing long documents.
Currently, PDF support is limited to Android and requires Google Files 16.0.5 beta. However, the company plans to expand its availability in future updates.