Samsung's summer Unpacked event once again demonstrated the company's commitment to artificial intelligence, this time with far deeper hardware integration than previous generations. While the spotlight naturally fell on new foldables like the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8, as well as the Galaxy Watch 9 and the teased smart glasses, the underlying theme was software — specifically, how Samsung is leaning heavily on Google's Gemini AI to power expansive automation, research, and cross-device capabilities.
Gemini appears natively across the new lineup, marking a shift from standalone AI features to an embedded assistant that can orchestrate tasks across multiple apps and devices. Google's blog post following the event outlined several key capabilities, though many details remain shrouded in ambiguity. Below we break down the three primary ways Samsung is weaving Gemini into its new Galaxy ecosystem, along with context about what this means for users and the broader AI landscape.
1. Task automation across apps
Perhaps the most significant Gemini integration is its ability to automate multi-step digital tasks. According to Google, Gemini Intelligence can help users purchase concert tickets, order dinner, book travel experiences, and more — all by understanding natural language requests and executing actions across compatible apps. During Samsung's presentation, a demo showed Gemini Intelligence finding a product, presenting options, and even placing an order, though human confirmation was still required at the final step.
This feature is accessible on the Galaxy Z Flip 8 via its Flex Window: users can hard-press the power button to summon Gemini instantly. Google has stated that the system will be compatible with over 40 apps at launch, though the exact list and timeline remain unannounced. Samsung is positioning this as a time-saver for power users who juggle multiple services daily.
The move parallels Apple's recent announcement at WWDC, where Siri will soon gain similar cross-app task automation capabilities. However, there is a critical difference: Apple's closed ecosystem allows Siri to access sensitive user data — such as Messages, Photos, and Calendar — across all devices connected to the same iCloud account. Samsung and Google have not clarified whether Gemini will request the same level of access on Galaxy devices, raising questions about privacy and data security. Users may need to consent to deeper integration, but the extent of that data sharing remains unknown.
Industry analysts note that task automation is a natural next step for voice assistants. With Gemini's advanced language understanding, Samsung is betting that users will trust the AI to handle routine errands. Yet the success of this feature depends heavily on app developer adoption and seamless integration. If only a handful of apps are compatible from the start, the utility will be limited. Samsung has not revealed which apps will be supported for the initial release, but speculation includes major food delivery, ride-hailing, and ticket purchasing services.
2. Gemini Notebook integration for research and productivity
Shortly after Google rebranded its research assistant NotebookLM as Gemini Notebook, Samsung announced that the app would come preinstalled on the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. This move positions the foldable devices as productivity powerhouses, especially the Z Fold series with its wide, book-like display that allows side-by-side multitasking.
Gemini Notebook functions as an AI-powered research aide: users can drag and drop links, photos, documents, and notes into the interface, and the AI can summarize, analyze, and generate insights. With the larger screens of Samsung's foldables, the process becomes more intuitive. For example, a student researching a topic could have a PDF open on one side of the screen while interacting with Gemini Notebook on the other, extracting key points without switching apps.
Samsung and Google highlighted how this integration streamlines workflows for professionals who need to synthesize information quickly. The pre-installed nature of the app means no setup is required — users can start using it immediately out of the box. However, the app's capabilities are not limited to text: it can also process images and audio files, making it versatile for content creators, journalists, and researchers.
This integration is part of a broader trend where smartphones become AI-first productivity tools. Apple has similarly emphasized on-device AI for tasks like rewriting, summarizing, and composing text. By bundling Gemini Notebook with its premium foldables, Samsung is directly competing with the iPhone's upcoming intelligent features. The key advantage for Samsung is the larger canvas of its foldable devices, which lends itself to more comfortable document editing and research.
Nevertheless, users may wonder about data privacy when uploading sensitive documents to a cloud-based AI service. Google has stated that Gemini Notebook processes data securely, but specific details about local versus cloud processing for Galaxy devices have not been disclosed. Samsung's Knox security platform may play a role in isolating sensitive information, but the company has not yet confirmed how Gemini request permissions will work.
3. Smart glasses and Galaxy Watch synergy
The third major Gemini integration involves Samsung's upcoming smart glasses, developed in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm. First teased at Google I/O in May under the Android XR platform, the glasses are display-free and instead rely on a camera, speakers, and microphones. Google's blog post confirmed that they will support Gemini AI and will natively integrate with compatible smartwatches, such as the new Galaxy Watch 9.
This convergence points to a future where a user's wearable ecosystem works as a cohesive unit. For instance, the glasses could pick up on a conversation and surface relevant information via the watch's screen or audio output, while the watch's sensors provide context like heart rate or location. During Samsung's Unpacked event, the company showcased a scenario where the glasses and watch worked together to navigate a city, with directions appearing as audio cues and haptic feedback on the wrist, eliminating the need to look at a phone.
The Galaxy Watch 9 itself also benefits from Gemini integration. The watch now supports voice-activated tasks that leverage the same automation capabilities as the phones, such as setting reminders, checking calendar events, and controlling smart home devices. With Gemini, the watch can understand more complex commands, such as "Remind me to buy groceries when I leave the office next Tuesday."
Smart glasses have historically struggled to gain mainstream traction. Google's own Glass project faced privacy controversies and limited use cases. However, by abandoning a display and instead relying on voice and haptic feedback through a watch, Samsung and Google may have found a more socially acceptable form factor. The glasses act as a hands-free sensor and communicator, while the watch provides the interface.
Analysts believe that this pairing could be particularly useful for fitness, navigation, and quick information retrieval without the distraction of a screen. However, questions remain about battery life, camera usage, and how bystanders will perceive being recorded. Samsung has promised more details closer to the glasses' launch, expected later this year or early next.
Privacy and permission concerns linger
Across all three integrations, a common thread is the lack of clarity around hardware permissions. Gemini Intelligence will need access to notifications, location, contacts, and potentially even messages and photos to execute automated tasks effectively. While Samsung has historically emphasized its Knox security platform, the company has not yet detailed how Gemini's permissions will be managed on Galaxy devices. Google has stated that users will have control over Gemini's process, allowing them to view its progress, pause tasks, and verify actions. But the underlying data access required is substantial.
Apple's approach with Siri and on-device intelligence sets a high bar for privacy. Samsung will need to reassure users that their data is not being used for training or shared beyond what is necessary. The company's silence on this issue may become a vulnerability as users evaluate whether to embrace the new AI features.
Moreover, the competitive landscape is heating up. Apple's upcoming Siri improvements, Google's own Pixel devices with Gemini, and even other Android manufacturers are all vying for user trust. Samsung's deep integration of Gemini gives it a head start in the ecosystem play, but it must balance convenience with privacy.
In summary, Samsung's 2026 Unpacked event showcased a bold vision for AI that goes beyond simple voice commands. By embedding Gemini into task automation, research notebooks, and cross-device interactions, Samsung is aiming to make its Galaxy devices indispensable digital companions. Whether users will embrace this level of AI integration — and whether Samsung can address privacy concerns — will determine the success of these features in the coming months.
Source: ZDNET News