As of Thursday afternoon (PT), an increasing number of Gemini app users on Android are now able to access the exciting new capabilities of Astra’s Live camera and screen sharing. Google initially announced this rollout in March, and the first reports of these features going live began to surface approximately two weeks ago. On Saturday, Google confirmed that it is “working hard to make it available to more people,” indicating a proactive approach to expand accessibility.
Earlier this week, a support article provided further insights into how Astra's Live features will function. Notably, any Android device that is subscribed to Gemini Advanced is eligible to utilize these capabilities. Today, we are witnessing Astra going live on two separate Pixel phones, each linked to different Google Accounts in the US and Europe. However, it’s important to note that these features are not appearing on other devices signed into the same Google Accounts, highlighting the gradual nature of this rollout.
Once Astra's features are rolled out to your device, you may notice a prompt that reads “Share your camera or screen with Gemini Live” within the Gemini app. Google describes this functionality as a way to “Talk through ideas, learn about your environment, or get help with what’s on your screen,” making it a valuable tool for both personal and professional use.
To launch Gemini Live, simply open the camera using the new button located in the compact bottom row of the app. You can easily switch to the front-facing camera by tapping the newly added corner button. A helpful prompt will remind you to “capture objects with steady movements” for optimal results. It is essential to keep this viewfinder active for the Gemini Live feature to function properly.
In addition to camera functionality, users can also initiate screen sharing through a fullscreen interface. Alternatively, you can access the Gemini overlay from any screen on your phone and select “Share screen with Live.” A privacy prompt will appear, asking for your confirmation to “Share your screen with Google.” After confirming, you will see a system pill with a live count displayed in the status bar next to the time, indicating that your screen is being shared.
If you're eager to check whether Astra is available on your device, a quick method is to force stop the Gemini (Google) app before attempting to launch the Live feature. This simple step may help refresh the app and reveal the newly available functionalities.
As the rollout of Astra's Live features continues, users are encouraged to stay tuned for further updates and enhancements from Google, which aims to enhance user experience and interactivity within the Gemini app.
