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Google is expanding new AI features on Android to stay ahead in the competition. Gamers on these devices can now seek tips and receive real-time conversational help, all within the app. Following the integration of advanced AI tools in the Pixel 10 series, Google is extending Gemini support through the ‘Sidekick’ tool.
“We're introducing the Play Games Sidekick, a helpful in-game overlay available while playing games downloaded from Play,” Google announced in a blog post.
Google, while describing the feature, revealed “Sidekick curates and organizes relevant gaming info, and provides direct access to Gemini Live for real-time guidance, so you can stay in the game.”
“With Sidekick, you’ll be able to ask for real-time conversational help from Gemini AI, instead of leaving the game to seek out tutorials or walkthroughs. Sidekick uses Gemini Live's screen-sharing capabilities to understand your game context and deliver AI-powered, in-game guidance with verbal tips, tricks, and support during gameplay,” the post added.
Google further mentioned, “We’ve been having a lot of fun testing out Gemini AI as a helpful coach, as we continue to improve response quality in an array of games. We will start letting users try out this Sidekick experience in select games over the coming months.”
The new in-game overlay, Sidekick, allows users to take a screenshot, record their screen, and stream their match on YouTube while playing their game. The most important feature in this menu is the option for Google Gemini Live, which allows users to activate the AI assistant to seek support during gameplay.
Experts believe that the integration of Sidekick may pose some potential challenges, as most OEMs, such as Vivo, Oppo, or OnePlus, already provide their devices with a dedicated gaming mode that appears during gameplay.
Gamers using these devices would have to disable either the Sidekick or the OEM's gaming mode, as two similar pop-ups would occupy space and complicate gameplay.
Google Play is also launching a new ‘You’ tab on the Play Store, which will feature data such as rewards, subscriptions, recommendations, statistics, and updates. This display would make it easier for users to discover and manage content across their Android devices. The "You" tab will also allow users to discover tailored audiobook or podcast recommendations.
The You tab and integrated gaming platform will begin rolling out this week to select Play Points markets, and additional countries will be added from October 1st.
Google will soon introduce a gamer profile tab, allowing users to easily track important stats and achievements across games and devices. Users will be able to create Gen AI-based avatars based on their personality.
After being in beta for over three years, Google Play Games will now be available and function across mobile and PC games, supporting over 200,000 titles.
