Gemini Removes Direct App Integrations, Shifts to Natural Language Prompts
Google’s Gemini is streamlining its functionality by removing direct integrations with apps like YouTube and Google Maps, opting instead for a more conversational, natural language approach to user requests.
Users visiting the “Connected Apps” section of Gemini – previously known as “Apps” – will find several tools are no longer listed, and the prompt box no longer recognizes commands using the @ symbol to invoke specific services like @YouTube or @Google Flights. Despite this change, the underlying functionality remains fully operational; Gemini can still locate videos, provide directions, and search for travel options when asked in a standard conversational manner. This move signals Google’s intention to make the AI assistant more intuitive and accessible, removing the need for users to remember specific app commands.
For example, instead of typing “@YouTube find videos of…”, users can simply ask, “Find videos of how to quickly get grape juice out of a wool rug.” Similarly, requests for directions or flight information can be phrased naturally, such as “Where’s the closest coffee shop and what time does it open?” or “Find nonstop flights from San Francisco to anywhere.” Google’s support pages have also been updated to reflect these changes, categorizing connected apps into groups like Communication, Device Control, Media, and Productivity. You can find a comprehensive list of supported integrations on Google’s Help Center.
The update also includes a renaming of the “Saved info” page to “Instructions for Gemini” for users not subscribed to Google AI Pro or Ultra, clarifying the purpose of this section. This shift towards natural language processing is a key trend in AI development, aiming to create more seamless and user-friendly experiences. For more information on the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, consider exploring resources from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Google officials stated that they will continue to monitor user feedback and refine Gemini’s capabilities in the coming weeks.
Gemini is cleaning up its apps, previously known as extensions, for more direct integrations that don’t require invoking @YouTube or @Google Maps.
Going to the Apps page, which is now referred to as “Connected Apps” in the gemini.google.com menu, reveals how several of these tools are no longer listed. Additionally, the prompt box no longer lets you @YouTube, @Google Maps, @Google Flights, or @Google Hotels.
However, the functionality fully remains available if you mention what you want. Google presumably wants people to prompt in a natural manner without having to be aware of apps/extensions.
Ask Gemini to find a video and then ask about it:
- Find videos of how to quickly get grape juice out of a wool rug.
Ask Gemini to give you directions or find info about a place:
- Where’s the closest coffee shop and what time does it open?
- How long does it take to walk from Buckingham Palace to Big Ben in London? What about from Big Ben to Trafalgar Square?
Ask Gemini to find info on flights and hotels for your next trip:
- Find nonstop flights from San Francisco to anywhere
- Show me flights to Tokyo and give me ideas of things to do. How about Seoul too?
- Find hotels for a 4-day trip to San Francisco for New Years Eve.
This change is also reflected on the Google Support page listing available “connected apps.”
- Communication: Phone, Messages, WhatsApp
- Device Control: Google Home, Utilities
- Media: Google Photos, Spotify, YouTube Music
- Learning: OpenStax
- Productivity: GitHub, Google Workspace (Calendar, Docs, Drive, Gmail, Keep, Tasks), OEM Android apps (e.g., Samsung Calendar, OnePlus Notes, etc.)
In other changes, those not on Google AI Pro or Ultra with “Personal context” see the Saved info page renamed to a more explicit “Instructions for Gemini.”
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