Google Expands Gemini Task Automation to 40+ Apps, Debuts Screen Reasoning at Galaxy Unpacked

Google's Gemini task automation feature now supports more than 40 apps, up from the six rideshare and delivery apps available at its beta launch earlier in 2026. The expansion, announced at Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip 8, extends coverage into shopping, restaurant reservations, travel booking, and event tickets — including Etsy and Expedia.

Task automation is part of what Google calls Gemini Intelligence. On the new Galaxy Z Flip 8, users can access this daily-life assistance directly from the Flex Window by long-pressing the power button, without opening the phone.

Gemini Gains Screen Reasoning

Google also announced that the Gemini app can now apply "advanced reasoning" to parse what's on a user's screen, including complex images used as prompts. According to Google, this lets users show Gemini a shopping list or an inspiration photo instead of typing out a detailed request. No benchmark data or technical specifications on this reasoning capability were disclosed.

The recently renamed Gemini Notebook now comes pre-installed on the new Samsung foldables. Google is promoting a side-by-side workspace on the Fold 8's larger display where users can drag and drop photos, documents, whiteboard images, and voice recordings directly into a notebook session.

All three new devices — the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Fold 8, and Flip 8 — ship with six months of Google AI Pro included.

Android 17 Migration and Wearables

On the Android side, the new Galaxy foldables include an upgraded "native migration experience" as part of Android 17. This adds the ability to transfer Google Account credentials, passwords, Wi-Fi credentials, and eSIM data wirelessly from an iPhone, supplementing existing support for photos, videos, contacts, messages, and calendar data. Google says this migration experience is rolling out to Pixel devices next, followed by broader Android device support.

On wearables, Gemini on the Galaxy Watch 9 can now be triggered by simply raising the wrist, without a spoken hotword. This matches hotword-less activation already available on the Pixel Watch 4.

Android XR Glasses Update

Ahead of a planned fall launch, Samsung and Google shared additional details on their upcoming Android XR glasses. Eyewear partners Gentle Monster and Warby Parker each revealed a second pair of frame designs for the glasses, though pricing, specifications, and exact launch timing were not disclosed at the event.

What This Means

The jump from 6 to 40+ supported apps signals Google is moving Gemini task automation out of narrow beta testing and toward a general-purpose assistant model — the kind of agentic behavior competitors like Apple and Amazon have promised but struggled to ship broadly. Tying these features exclusively to new Samsung hardware, at least initially, reinforces Google's strategy of using flagship device launches to showcase AI capabilities before wider Pixel and Android rollout. The screen-reasoning capability is notable but underspecified: without benchmark data, it's unclear how this differs technically from Gemini's existing multimodal image understanding, or whether it's simply a rebranded feature. The Android XR glasses updates remain preview-stage, with no pricing or firm launch date — real competitive assessment against Meta's Ray-Ban lineup will wait until fall specifics arrive.