New ‘Hey Gemini’ Hotword And ‘Hey Google’ Might Coexist Together On Android

Google might have the existing “Hey Google” hotword co-exist with a new “Hey Gemini” hotword that launches Gemini Live. 

About APK Insight: In this “APK Insight” post, we’ve decompiled the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we’re able to see various lines of code within that hint at possible future features. Keep in mind that Google may or may not ever ship these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect. We’ll try to enable those that are closer to being finished, however, to show you how they’ll look in case that they do ship. With that in mind, read on.

Google app beta version 16.7.21 contains strings that suggest the two might exist independent of one another instead of as a replacement: 

Turn on u201cHey %1$su201d to talk things out with Gemini Live and u201cHey Googleu201d for quick actions and info by voice

That set-up/settings screen suggests that “Hey Google” will remain in use for “quick actions and info by voice.” At the moment, it launches the Gemini overlay and it’s unclear if this string suggests that will change (to something like Google Search, which is due to get an AI Mode).

Meanwhile, there’s a clear second hotword that exists side-by-side to the existing one, with several other strings supporting that coexistence (emphasis ours):”

• u201cHey Googleu201d and u201cHey %1$su201d require Voice Match to recognize you
• Learn more about the differences between u201cHey %2$su201d and u201cHey Googleu201d
• Gemini may activate accidentally in different ways, like if thereu2019s a noise that sounds like u201cHey Googleu201d or u201cHey %1$su201d
• Without u201cHey Googleu201d and u201cHey %1$s,u201d you can still get help from Gemini

The “%1$s” that appears after “Hey” is a placeholder that gets replaced at runtime. We assume that it will be “Gemini.”

All together, that presumed “Hey Gemini” hotword will let you “talk things out with Gemini Live.” 

Meanwhile, the new hotword “is only available on some mobile devices.” That presumably means newer devices, with this possibly a reference to Gemini Live with Astra.  

Gemini will stand by to hear u201cHey Google,u201d u201cHey %1$s,u201d and quick phrases like u201cstopu201d or u201csnooze.u201d For now, u201cHey %1$su201d is only available on some mobile devices.

Google having two hotwords is very interesting. A second one would give users a faster way to launch Gemini Live, which today exists as a button next to the main Gemini experience. Hopefully, the ability to launch the more general Gemini overlay with “Hey Google” remains.

Thanks to JEB Decompiler, from which some APK Insight teardowns benefit.

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