Gemini Live on Android: Real-Time Updates or Real-Time Letdowns?

When Google launched the Gemini app with its Gemini Live feature for all users, I couldn’t help but get excited about the promise of real-time, web-enabled assistance. Unlike ChatGPT’s Advanced Conversation mode (which is limited to providing answers based on training data or plugins), Gemini Live also boasts the ability to pull fresh, real-time information from the web. Naturally, I was eager to put it to the test on my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

A Promising Start: Soccer Updates, Live and Fresh

On Saturday, as I settled in to follow the much-anticipated Bundesliga clash between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, I decided to enlist Gemini Live to keep me updated. I opened the app and asked about the score. Within moments, it reported:

“The game is currently 0–0, and 15 minutes have been played so far.”

So far, so good! Gemini Live was delivering as promised. Then, it upped the ante with a delightful suggestion:

“Would you like me to keep you updated every 5 minutes or notify you in case of a major event like a goal, red card, or penalty kick?”

Naturally, I was intrigued. Who wouldn’t want real-time updates delivered automatically? Better yet, I decided to test the waters with audio updates—because what’s better than hearing the updates without having to check your phone constantly? Gemini Live enthusiastically agreed and promised to deliver.

The Letdown: Updates Promised, None Delivered

With Gemini Live’s assurances in mind, I relaxed and waited for my phone to chime in with updates. But as the game unfolded—with both teams scoring and the match turning into a thrilling spectacle—there was radio silence from Gemini Live. Not a single text update, let alone an audio notification, came through.

Thinking I might have missed something, I reopened Gemini Live and asked it what happened. It apologized profusely (as AI tends to do) and promised to send updates moving forward. Yet, despite the app’s repeated assurances, the updates never arrived.

Déjà Vu: City’s Woes and Gemini’s Silence

The following day, Sunday, brought another thrilling soccer showdown—Manchester City vs. Liverpool, a rivalry that rarely disappoints. Spoiler alert: Liverpool triumphed with a resounding 2–0 victory, leaving City to ponder their woes (though that discussion deserves an article of its own).

Excited to test Gemini Live once again, I asked it for updates. The app cheerily obliged, offering to keep me updated and even deliver audio updates. But once again, I was left in the dark. No updates, no notifications, not even a sheepish emoji to acknowledge the silence. Gemini Live remained as unresponsive as City’s defense that day.

The Reality: Promises vs. Performance

Here’s what my experience with Gemini Live revealed:

1. Web Access Works—When You Ask for It: Gemini Live’s ability to fetch real-time information from the web is genuinely impressive. It works well when you actively query it for updates. However, the feature is passive; it won’t take the initiative to keep you updated unless you continually engage with it.
2. Audio Updates Are Pure Fiction (For Now): While the idea of audio updates sounds futuristic and convenient, don’t expect to hear anything from Gemini Live anytime soon. As of now, it’s little more than a hallucination from the AI’s overactive imagination.
3. Misleading Suggestions: Why does Gemini Live offer features it can’t deliver on? Is it an oversight on Google’s part, or is the AI simply hallucinating capabilities it doesn’t possess? Whatever the reason, it’s misleading for users who expect the app to follow through on its promises.
4. A Step Forward—or a Step Back? Interestingly, Google Assistant—a feature from the same company—has already been capable of providing text-based updates for events like soccer matches. While it doesn’t send updates every five minutes, it does notify you after major events like goals or at half-time. In contrast, Gemini Live’s inability to deliver any updates, despite its promises, feels like a step backward. Shouldn’t a newer, more advanced tool outperform its predecessor?

The Takeaway: Potential, but Needs Polish

Gemini Live shows promise with its real-time web access capabilities, but it’s clear that some features are more aspirational than functional at this stage. While I appreciate the ability to fetch live updates on demand, the suggestion of proactive notifications—whether text or audio—feels like a feature that’s not ready for prime time.

Google, if you’re listening: Gemini Live could be a game-changer with just a little more polish. In the meantime, users like me will enjoy its current functionality while keeping expectations in check (and chuckling at its enthusiastic yet unfulfilled promises).

It’s also worth mentioning that if Gemini Live’s audio update feature ever materializes, it could be a huge step forward for accessibility. Audio notifications would make real-time updates far more inclusive and user-friendly, particularly for individuals with visual impairments or those who prefer hands-free interactions. It’s an accessibility-oriented enhancement that deserves serious consideration as Google refines the app.

For now, if you want reliable updates during a soccer game, you might be better off sticking to traditional live score apps—like the brilliant and accessible FotMob – Soccer Live Scores app—or simply watching the game yourself. As for Gemini Live, let’s hope it lives up to its aspirations in the near future. Until then, I’ll be wondering: does Gemini hallucinate updates like City hallucinates defenders?