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Gemini’s task automation is here and it’s wild

The Verge / 3/13/2026

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Key Points

  • Google and Samsung announced Gemini task automation for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, enabling the phone to operate certain apps on the user's behalf via prompts for tasks like ordering dinner or booking a ride in a virtual window.
  • The feature has entered beta via a software update, and a tester described the experience as strange to watch the phone use itself, signaling early UX quirks.
  • This represents a concrete step in turning long-promised AI assistants into practical task automation on consumer devices.
  • The Verge notes this development as part of Google's and Samsung's ongoing Gemini push after their earlier announcement.
Galaxy S26 Ultra phone showing Gemini task automation interface
Computers ordering cappuccinos.

A couple of weeks ago, Google and Samsung announced a big Gemini development coming to their newest devices: task automation. Starting with food delivery and rideshare apps, Gemini would be able to use certain apps on your behalf in a virtual window to take care of things like ordering dinner or getting a car to the airport - all based on simple prompts. You know, all the stuff that we've been promised for years AI assistants will be able to do. That feature wasn't live when I first started testing the S26 Ultra, but it just arrived in beta as part of an update. And boy is it weird watching your phone use itself!

The first prompt I gave it …

Read the full story at The Verge.