With the Pixel 10 series last year, Google introduced Magic Cue to “proactively display relevant information and suggest useful actions when you need them.” Now it seems that Google is planning to rebrand Magic Cue and put the functionality under the Gemini umbrella.
About APK Insight: In this “APK Insight” post, we decompile the latest version of an app that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we can see several lines of code within that hint at possible future features. Please note that Google may or may not offer these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect. However, we will try to enable those that are closer to being finished to show you what they will look like if they are shipped. With that in mind, read on.
Today’s Phone by Google beta 229 contains strings that point to this. Magic Cue in the Phone app is codenamed “beacon.” That functionality is now called “Proactive Assistance.”
Get useful information for this call With Proactive Assistance, Gemini can show you useful information from your emails and messages for this call. Receive suggestions from Gemini at the right time
Gemini is explicitly referenced, and Magic Cue does not do so today even though it works with Gemini Nano. Magic Cue has even maintained its own icon since its release.
Zooming out, this isn’t the first time we’ve heard about “Proactive Assistance.” There was a reference in the Gemini app. in Apriland this week’s Google app beta has updated strings:
- Choose apps, like Gmail and Calendar, that Proactive Assistance can use for suggestions
- Proactive Assistance uses what’s on your screen, your notifications, and information from the apps you choose so you can get suggestions at the right time.
The April reference specifically said that “the data you allow for Proactive Assistance is processed entirely in a private, encrypted space on your device,” which today sounds like Magic Cue and Gemini Nano.
The launch of Pixel 11 It would be time for a rebrand for the year-old Magic Cue. It’s not a big change in the grand scheme, especially since the functionality remains the same, but it points to Google merging its assistive features into the Gemini brand rather than the Pixel going its own way.
More generally, this makes sense with the Gemini Intelligence initiative.
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