Gemini Task Automation: Slow, Clunky but Still Impressive

Introduction\n\nWhat if a smartphone could book a taxi, order dinner and manage your calendar without you lifting a finger? That’s the promise of Gemini’s new task‑automation feature, unveiled on the Pixel 10 Pro and Galaxy S26 Ultra. In this post we unpack the real‑world performance, the limited app set, and what it hints about the future of mobile AI. By the end, you’ll know whether this clunky first step can be the springboard for everyday automation.\n\n### The Breaking Point\n\nGemini’s task‑automation lets the model trigger apps on your device, rather than just suggesting commands. On the Pixel 10 Pro I asked it to order a pizza from DoorDash; it opened the app, filled in my address and confirmed the order. On the Galaxy S26 Ultra the same prompt booked a ride with Uber. The feature works only with a handful of services – food delivery, rideshare and a few banking tasks – and it still requires a tap to finish the last step.\n\n### The Stakes\n\nFor everyday users, the ability to delegate routine tasks could save minutes every day. A study by the Mobile Marketing Association showed that 67 % of users spend more than an hour a week on simple app navigation. If task‑automation scales, those minutes add up to productivity gains and a smoother user experience. However, the current clunkiness raises security concerns: Gemini can read your app data and write to it, so any bug could expose sensitive information.\n\n### The Divide\n\nGoogle’s Gemini competes with Siri, Alexa and the emerging OpenAI‑powered assistants. While Siri relies on predefined shortcuts, Gemini’s approach uses a conversational model to discover which app to open and what parameters to pass. This gives it a richer, context‑aware feel, but at the cost of a heavier runtime that can slow the device.\n\n### What It Means\n\nIf the limited app set expands, you could hand Gemini your grocery list and let it place an order on Instacart, or let it pay a bill through a banking app. Developers will need to expose simpler APIs for the model to interact with, which could standardise how apps talk to AI. In the near term, users should test the feature on supported services and provide feedback through Google’s beta channel.\n\n### The Bigger Picture\n\nTask automation is a microcosm of the wider AI trend of turning devices into proactive assistants. Similar to the way voice assistants evolved from “search the web” to “schedule a meeting”, Gemini’s feature marks a shift toward seamless app integration. If other OEMs follow suit, we may see a new era where AI controls most of the repetitive touch‑screen work we currently do.\n\n### Conclusion\n\nGemini’s task‑automation is a slow, clunky first step that already proves the concept works. It will need more polish and a wider range of supported apps before it can replace manual touch‑screen interactions. As AI moves deeper into our mobile lives, early adopters should test and share their experiences.\n\nWhat’s your take? Share your perspective at https://dakik.co.uk/survey