Google’s Gemini Expands with Daily Brief Feature

Google is on a mission to make its Gemini AI widely used. From integrating AI in Search to offering Gemini Intelligence on Android and an app for iPhone, the goal is for users to frequently interact with these AI tools. One notable feature is called Daily Brief, which acts like a digital corkboard that compiles data from all Google services to create a personalized daily agenda. It’s intriguing, perhaps even a bit unsettling. But is it genuinely useful? Let’s dig in.

Understanding the Daily Brief

Each morning, users with a Pixel phone wake up to a new notification from Gemini. The Daily Brief provides an automatically generated schedule for the day. This could include reminders about upcoming events, prompts to follow up on previous emails, or even nudges regarding queries you searched for earlier in the week.

Gemini, having permission to access your Google Account, can gather a lot of information. Google describes it as a “personalized overview of today’s priorities.” However, that’s not quite accurate, and I’ll explain why a bit later. Essentially, the Daily Brief is a dynamic to-do list that adapts based on your activity within Google’s ecosystem.

Why Some May Find the Daily Brief Unsettling

For Daily Brief to function effectively, full access to your Google Account through Gemini is required. Once enabled, Gemini can delve into the wealth of information stored across Google’s apps and services to provide responses to your queries.

Before raising privacy concerns, Google asserts that it has “built personal intelligence around privacy.” Approach that statement with caution, though. Personally, I feel that Google already knows far too much about me since I rely heavily on its services, and it seems they can gather quite a bit as well.

The first time the Daily Brief popped up on my phone, I was a bit taken aback. At that moment, I was collaborating with a colleague on an article about prediction markets. The Daily Brief was aware of this because it detected my drafts in Google Docs and found an ongoing email thread. I realized I had to collect his input before sending the article off to my editor.

Pretty cool, huh? Initially, I thought it was quite thoughtful. However, it soon hit me that Gemini was reading my workflow closely. They seemed to know how tightly I was intertwined with their services, and, surprisingly, they delivered relevant results when I least expected it.

This pattern continued for several days. The Daily Brief helped me remember an email response I needed to send and prompted me to revisit stories I was working on. It even suggested pieces to include in my writing portfolio stored in Google Drive.

Thanks to Daily Brief, I felt more organized and focused. Or at least that’s how it appeared when it prompted me about tasks that I had neglected or completely forgotten.

It was a little too much insight, honestly. While perhaps beneficial, I also found it disconcerting. That level of awareness comes at a price for inviting Google to observe your digital interactions up close.

Is the Daily Brief Actually Helpful?

In the beginning, the Daily Brief was indeed handy. I wouldn’t say it’s an absolute necessity, but I was curious each morning to see what it flagged for me. Many reminders were spot on, like following up on emails. Yet, after a while, I found myself growing frustrated. Especially for tasks that required Daily Brief’s input.

For instance, I write stories in Google Docs, but send them to editors via a different messaging platform. So, my Google Docs often listed outdated information, and the Daily Brief didn’t recognize the articles I was currently handling or those awaiting approval. It didn’t prompt me to update my work. I mean, if I had known more about the status of my drafts sent for editing, maybe I would have structured things differently.

Just like that, the Daily Brief shifted from being eerily helpful to oddly empty. All that remained was a suggestion to research a topic that was no longer relevant since the article had already been submitted.

Ironically, the next week, it reminded me about a paint recycling event I had completely forgotten. I definitely needed to clear out those old paint cans!

In short, the usefulness of the Daily Brief can only be described as “sometimes.” By actively engaging with Google’s services, it can be quite beneficial. However, if you’re not often using Google’s ecosystem, you’re likely to find Daily Brief less helpful. It really depends on how much you rely on Google.

Consider Trying the Daily Brief

If you’re interested in what Daily Brief can do for you, why not give it a shot? It’s publicly accessible now through the Gemini app and website, so you can check it out from your Android device, iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC.

However, to make it work effectively, you’ll need to enable it within the app or webpage. Just click on the personal intelligence settings and toggle the Daily Brief feature on. Keep in mind, by doing this, you’ll allow Gemini to sift through your Google account for any potentially useful information, and trust me, it will find a lot.