(Google launched the AI voice assistant ‘Gemini Live’ on the 14th. (Provided by Google)
Google has officially launched a mobile-based artificial intelligence (AI) voice assistant that allows natural conversation.
Google announced that it would provide this function to paid subscription service subscribers, and it is expected to have an impact on the strategies of Samsung Electronics (005930) and Apple, which are considering charging AI services in the future.
Google announced that it would hold ‘Made by Google 2024’ at its headquarters in Mountain View, California, USA on the 14th of this month (Korean time) and launch its smartphone ‘Pixel 9 series’ and its AI voice assistant ‘Gemini Live’.
Gemini Live, which was first introduced at the annual developer conference last May, adds a voice chat function to the existing Gemini. Google explained, “By applying an improved voice engine, it is possible to have consistent, expressive, and realistic conversations with users.”
The industry believes that Google has pursued a strategy to dominate the market by launching an AI voice assistant ahead of the launch of the ‘iPhone 16 series’, which includes Apple’s AI functions. CNBC in the U.S. explained, “Google’s introduction of the Gemini AI assistant shows Google’s will to install AI before Apple.”
Google announced that Gemini Live can use some functions on Apple’s operating system iOS along with Android-based smartphones such as Pixel phones. In addition, they said they would first provide this function in English to subscribers of the paid subscription service ‘Gemini Advanced’. The subscription fee for Gemini Advanced is $19.99 (about 27,000 won) per month.
Google’s bold decision is interpreted to be possible because the paid model of ‘ChatGPT’, created by OpenAI, a pioneer in generative AI, has successfully settled into the market. It is known that most of OpenAI’s revenue comes from subscriptions to the ChatGPT paid model.
Google’s move to announce its plan to charge a mobile-based AI voice assistant could serve as a standard for the paid strategies of Samsung Electronics and Apple. Samsung Electronics plans to make a final decision to charge for some of the ‘Galaxy AI functions in 2026, and News 1 reported that Apple is also considering charging for ‘Apple Intelligence’ to increase profits.
An industry official said, “As Google took out the paid card first, Samsung and Apple, which are considering paying, will also be closely watching Google’s moves.” He added, “Samsung and Apple’s strategies are likely to change depending on the success or failure of Google’s paid strategy.” “There is,” he predicted.
