Gemini app introduces file uploads on mobile and Google Messages climbs Play Store rankings with Samsung support
Key Points:
- The Gemini app now supports file uploads directly on Android and iOS devices.
- Google Messages rises in Play Store rankings due to Samsung’s promotion on older Galaxy devices.
- Samsung’s push to Google Messages leads to mixed user experiences.
Gemini, the popular mobile app, is expanding its capabilities by adding a file upload feature for users on Android and iOS. Previously, users had to visit gemini.google.com to upload files, but now this can be done directly from the app. This update, however, is available only for Gemini Advanced users.
When you open the fullscreen Gemini app, you’ll notice a new plus icon in the bottom-left corner, located next to the microphone and camera icons. On Android, tapping this icon reveals three options: Upload a file, Upload from the gallery (which lets you pick a photo from your system), and Upload from Drive. However, iOS users won’t see the Drive option, aligning the app’s functionality with the website version.
The Gemini app supports a variety of file types, including:
- Text Files: TXT
- Document Files: DOC, DOCX, PDF, RTF, DOT, DOTX, HWP, HWPX
- Google Docs: Documents created in Google Docs
- Data Files: CSV, TSV
- Spreadsheet Files: XLS, XLSX, Google Sheets
Users can upload up to 10 files at a time, with each file being as large as 100 MB.
This feature comes after the release of Gemini 1.5 Pro in May, which introduced document upload and data analysis capabilities for web users. Now, mobile users can also benefit from these advanced features.
In other news, Google Messages has seen a significant rise in the Google Play Store rankings, largely due to Samsung encouraging users of older Galaxy phones to switch to the app. As of three days ago, Google Messages climbed to the number two spot in the “Top Free” chart, surpassing popular apps like TikTok and Instagram, as well as messaging competitors like WhatsApp. Although it has since dropped slightly, it remains in the top five.
The surge is linked to the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip/Fold 6 series, where Samsung Messages is no longer pre-installed in the US. As Samsung prompts users of older models, like the Galaxy S21, to migrate to Google Messages, some users have experienced issues, including lost conversations and missing starred messages.
Despite these hiccups, Google Messages continues to grow, with over 5 billion downloads to date.