Google Gemini vs Google Assistant - Which One Is Better? (Tested On The Pixel 8 Pro)

In Depth Tech Reviews

16 Feb 202414:37

Summary

TLDRThis video presents a comprehensive comparison between Google Assistant and Gemini on the Pixel 8 Pro. The test covers a range of commands from basic to complex, evaluating performance in tasks like setting timers, converting currency, and navigating. Google Assistant excels in everyday tasks with its speed and offline capabilities, while Gemini shines in niche areas like email drafting and image generation. Despite some inconsistencies and errors, Google Assistant emerges as the more versatile choice for routine use, with Gemini serving as a supplementary tool for specific needs.

Takeaways

🔍 The video compares Google Assistant and Gemini on a Pixel 8 Pro for consistency.
🕒 A point system was used to evaluate the assistants on basic, moderate, and complicated commands.
📱 Both assistants were tested on a variety of tasks including setting timers, alarms, and handling calculations.
📸 Gemini failed to control apps like the stopwatch, while Google Assistant had issues starting the stopwatch.
📡 Google Assistant had a hiccup with Bluetooth and auto-brightness commands, while Gemini couldn't control the stopwatch app.
💬 Both assistants provided incorrect responses to sending a message for Valentine's Day.
🗣️ Gemini was slower, requiring screen interaction for each command, unlike Google Assistant's continuous conversation feature.
📊 Google Assistant made a calculation error by not accounting for a subtraction before division.
🚗 For navigation, Google Assistant initiated navigation automatically, while Gemini required manual screen interaction.
📋 Gemini was less effective with reminders and couldn't process some commands, unlike Google Assistant.
📆 Google Assistant was inconsistent with providing the correct time to leave for a destination.
📧 Gemini provided a summary of emails, but the count was incorrect, while Google Assistant failed to show any results due to a search query issue.
🏞️ Gemini offered a better experience for creating templates and generating images, while Google Assistant provided web results.
🏔️ Google Assistant has offline support, which is a significant advantage over Gemini, which requires an internet connection.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?
-The main focus of the video is a side-by-side comparison between Google Assistant and Gemini to determine which one performs better in handling basic, moderate, and complicated commands.
How are the assistants tested in the video?
-The assistants are tested by executing a series of commands on a Pixel 8 Pro to ensure consistency, and points are awarded based on their ability to provide correct answers and outcomes.
What was the outcome of the 'set a timer for 5 minutes' command?
-Both assistants failed to correctly execute the 'set a timer for 5 minutes' command, with Google Assistant opening the app but not starting the stopwatch, and Gemini stating it cannot control apps like stopwatch.
How did Google Assistant and Gemini perform with the 'convert $200 to AED' command?
-Google Assistant provided the correct conversion of $200 to AED, while Gemini gave an incorrect conversion.
What was the issue with the 'multiply 5 by 6, subtract 5, divide by 2' command?
-Google Assistant incorrectly calculated the result by giving 15 instead of 12.5, as it did not account for the subtraction before division.
How did the assistants handle the 'navigate to the nearest gas station' command?
-Both assistants provided correct directions, but Google Assistant navigated to the gas station immediately, while Gemini required the user to tap the screen to start navigation.
What was the problem with the 'send a voice message to Imad UAE on WhatsApp' command?
-Both assistants attempted to send a voice message but encountered issues, with Google Assistant reminding of the discontinuation of the feature and Gemini failing to send the message correctly.
How did Gemini perform in comparison to Google Assistant for less frequent tasks?
-Gemini performed better for less frequent tasks such as writing emails, creating templates, and generating images, while Google Assistant was more suited for day-to-day usage.
What is the main advantage of Google Assistant mentioned in the video?
-The main advantage of Google Assistant is its offline support and faster performance for day-to-day tasks.
What was the conclusion of the comparison between Google Assistant and Gemini?
-The conclusion was that Google Assistant is better for everyday use due to its speed and offline capabilities, while Gemini is more useful for specific tasks like email writing and image generation.

Outlines

00:00

📱 Side-by-Side Comparison of Google Assistant and Gemini

The video presents a detailed comparison between Google Assistant and Gemini on a Pixel 8 Pro, focusing on their performance with basic, moderate, and complicated commands. The evaluation criteria include correctness of the answer and the user experience, with extra points awarded for better outcomes. The video tests various commands such as setting timers, alarms, taking selfies, and performing conversions and calculations. Both assistants have strengths and weaknesses; Google Assistant struggles with certain commands while Gemini has limitations with app control and reminders. The video highlights the need for touch interaction with Gemini versus the hands-free experience with Google Assistant.

05:02

🚗 Navigation and Advanced Features Test

This section of the video delves into more complex commands, such as navigation to a gas station, setting reminders, and controlling smart home devices. It also explores the assistants' capabilities in handling reminders, reading notifications, and providing information on movies, restaurants, and personal finance. Gemini shows promise in handling less common tasks but falls short in reminders and app integration. Google Assistant excels in everyday tasks and has offline capabilities, offering a more seamless experience. The video also touches on the user interface and the speed of response, with Google Assistant often providing quicker and more direct actions.

10:04

🏞️ Travel Planning and Specialized Assistance

The final part of the video compares the assistants' performance in planning a trip to Spain, creating documents, and identifying objects. Gemini provides a more detailed and visually appealing experience for specialized tasks like travel planning and document creation, while Google Assistant offers a more straightforward approach. However, Google Assistant's integration with Google Lens for object identification is more accurate. The video concludes with a summary of the overall performance, suggesting that Google Assistant is more suitable for everyday use due to its speed, accuracy, and offline support, whereas Gemini is better for specific, less frequent tasks.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Google Assistant

Google Assistant is a virtual assistant developed by Google that is designed to help users perform tasks, provide information, and interact with their devices using voice commands. In the video's context, it is compared against Gemini to determine which assistant performs better across various commands. The script mentions Google Assistant's ability to set timers, alarms, and perform calculations, highlighting its utility in daily tasks.

💡Gemini

Gemini is a virtual assistant that is compared alongside Google Assistant in the video. It is noted for its capability to handle certain tasks that Google Assistant might struggle with, such as generating images from text or creating templates. The video aims to evaluate its performance against Google Assistant to see which is superior for different types of commands.

💡Pixel 8 Pro

The Pixel 8 Pro is a smartphone model from Google, mentioned in the script as the device on which both Google Assistant and Gemini are tested. This ensures a consistent platform for the side-by-side comparison, allowing for a fair assessment of the virtual assistants' capabilities without device-specific variations affecting the results.

💡Commands

Commands in this context refer to the voice instructions given to the virtual assistants to perform specific tasks. The video evaluates how well Google Assistant and Gemini execute basic, moderate, and complicated commands, such as setting timers, taking selfies, and converting currency. The effectiveness of each assistant in understanding and executing these commands is a key focus of the comparison.

💡Timer

A timer is a tool used to measure a specific time interval. In the video, setting a timer is one of the basic commands tested to see if the assistants can correctly initiate a countdown, which is a common function in time management and cooking, among other activities. The script highlights a failure in this task for both assistants, indicating a room for improvement.

💡Alarm

An alarm is a notification feature that alerts users at a specified time. The video script mentions setting an alarm at 7 a.m. as a test of the assistants' ability to handle time-related tasks. This is a fundamental function that users expect virtual assistants to perform accurately, as it can impact daily routines.

💡Currency Conversion

Currency conversion is the process of exchanging one currency for another. In the script, the task of converting $200 to AED (United Arab Emirates Dirham) is used to test the assistants' ability to perform financial calculations and provide real-time data. This feature is particularly useful for travelers and those involved in international transactions.

💡Offline Support

Offline support refers to the ability of an application or service to function without an internet connection. The video notes that Google Assistant has offline capabilities, which is a significant advantage as it allows the assistant to perform tasks even when connectivity is not available. This is contrasted with Gemini, which requires an internet connection for all commands.

💡Navigation

Navigation in the context of the video refers to the process of providing directions or routes to a destination. The script mentions that Google Assistant navigates to a gas station without requiring additional user input, while Gemini requires the user to tap the screen to start navigation. This highlights the difference in user interaction and convenience between the two assistants.

💡Reminders

Reminders are alerts or notifications set to prompt users about upcoming events or tasks. The video discusses the assistants' ability to set reminders, such as calling a friend or remembering a debt, which is an essential feature for personal organization and ensuring that important tasks are not forgotten.

💡Shopping List

A shopping list is a collection of items that one needs to purchase. In the script, adding items like bread, milk, and cheese to a shopping list is used as a test for the assistants' ability to manage and update lists. This functionality is practical for users who want to keep track of their grocery needs or other shopping requirements.

Highlights

Side-by-side comparison between Google Assistant and Gemini on Pixel 8 Pro for consistency.

Scoring system: points for correct answers, extra half point for better outcome.

Both assistants failed to start a stopwatch, a simple task.

Gemini unable to control apps like stopwatch, unlike Google Assistant.

Both assistants successfully set an alarm at 7 a.m.

Google Assistant incorrectly calculated a math problem, ignoring subtraction before division.

Gemini provided correct answers but required manual interaction for each command.

Google Assistant's continued conversation feature allowed for faster responses without screen touch.

Both assistants failed to send a voice message due to an upcoming feature discontinuation.

Google Assistant navigated to a gas station more efficiently than Gemini.

Gemini struggled with reminders and did not trigger Google Assistant as expected.

Google Assistant provided a more streamlined user experience for navigation.

Gemini was unable to process reminders effectively.

Google Assistant remembered user inputs like parking location and financial debts.

Both assistants read new messages but ignored other apps' notifications.

Gemini provided a better experience for complex tasks like planning a trip to Spain.

Google Assistant was more consistent in identifying products with Google Lens.

Google Assistant has offline support, a significant advantage over Gemini.

Final verdict: Google Assistant is better for day-to-day usage, while Gemini is useful for specific tasks.