This is Hamamoto from TIMEWELL.
In 2026, Google Gemini has entered a new phase. Gemini 3 Flash and Gemini 3 Pro are the new default models, Google Assistant shut down in March 2026, a partnership to supply Gemini technology to Apple's Siri was announced, and agentic AI features are actively being developed. This article covers the full scope of these changes and what they mean for enterprise use.
Google Gemini 2026: Key Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Current models | Gemini 3 Flash (default), Gemini 3 Pro |
| Assistant shutdown | March 2026 |
| Apple partnership | Gemini technology licensed for Siri |
| Android Auto | Gemini integrated |
| Google TV | Gemini features announced at CES 2026 |
| Agent features | Testing in Gemini Labs |
Gemini 3: Flash and Pro
Gemini 3 Flash
Gemini 3 Flash is the new default model in the Gemini app.
Characteristics:
- Substantial capability improvement over Gemini 2.5 Flash
- Fast, efficient processing
- Cross-modal reasoning across text, images, audio, and video
- Described by Google as "the best vibe coding model"
Gemini 3 Pro
Gemini 3 Pro provides frontier reasoning capability for complex problems.
Characteristics:
- Advanced reasoning on complex problems
- Optimized for mathematics, coding, and scientific analysis
- Available to all users
When to Use Each
| Model | Best for |
|---|---|
| Gemini 3 Flash | Everyday tasks, speed-sensitive work |
| Gemini 3 Pro | Complex analysis, deep reasoning requirements |
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Google Assistant's End — Complete Transition in March 2026
Timeline
Google Assistant completed its shutdown for mobile devices in March 2026.
Transition schedule:
- Late 2025: Migration to Gemini begins
- March 2026: Final Assistant shutdown
- Coverage: Android 10 or later, 2GB+ RAM devices
Devices Not Covered
Devices running Android 9 or earlier, or with under 2GB of RAM, continue using Assistant. These older hardware configurations can't deliver an adequate Gemini experience.
Android Auto Integration
Gemini has also replaced Assistant in Android Auto.
New capabilities:
- Continued hands-free operation
- Conversational AI assistant with context retention
- More natural multi-turn dialogue
- More complex task handling
Apple Siri Partnership — A Strategic Signal
What Was Announced
In January 2026, Apple reported plans to use Google Gemini to power a revamped Siri.
Details:
- Google's Gemini and cloud infrastructure support Apple's foundation models
- Privacy maintained through Apple Private Cloud Compute
- Multi-year partnership
Strategic Implications
For Google:
- Gemini deployed beyond first-party devices
- Positions Google as an AI infrastructure provider
- Revenue diversification beyond search and advertising
For Apple:
- Addresses AI capability gap without waiting for internal development to catch up
- Acknowledges competitive reality
- Privacy framework preserved while gaining capability
The deal reframes how to think about Gemini: not only as a product competing with Siri, but as infrastructure that can run inside Siri. Google is building toward a position analogous to how cloud providers supply infrastructure to competitors.
Agentic AI — From Answering to Acting
Gemini Labs
Code from the Google app revealed a section called Gemini Labs — analogous to Google Labs, a space for testing experimental features before broader release.
Features currently in testing:
- New Gemini Live capabilities
- Live Thinking mode
- Deep Research tools
- Agentic AI features
Autonomous Task Execution
Code signals indicate an "agent" mode in development that would allow Gemini to execute tasks on the user's behalf.
Capabilities under development:
- Changing device settings
- Launching applications
- Handling routine tasks autonomously
- Operating the smartphone on behalf of the user
This represents the shift from AI that answers questions to AI that takes actions — a fundamental change in how the assistant integrates with daily work.
Google TV Integration — CES 2026
New Gemini Features
At CES 2026, Google previewed Gemini features for Google TV.
New capabilities:
- Visually rich response framework
- Responses incorporating images, video, and real-time sports updates
- Information presentation adapted to query type
Requirements
Google TV devices need Android 14 or later — which means most existing devices will require a firmware update.
Supporting Infrastructure: TPU Ironwood, Google Beam, Project Mariner
7th-Generation TPU "Ironwood"
Google's latest TPU achieves 10x performance improvement over the previous generation.
Characteristics:
- Dramatically increased compute capacity
- Large-scale data processing
- Accelerated AI model training
- High-complexity real-time calculation
Google Beam
Google Beam enables AI-first video communication.
Characteristics:
- Multi-angle capture via 6 cameras
- AI-integrated processing of video streams
- Real-time 3D light field display
- 60fps, millimeter-precision head tracking
Project Mariner
Project Mariner powers the agentic features with multi-task capability and "teach and repeat" functionality.
Characteristics:
- Learning similar tasks from a single instruction
- Web-based information retrieval
- Integration with other services via MCP (Model Context Protocol)
Then vs. Now: Gemini's Evolution
| Item | Early 2025 | January 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Models | Gemini 2.5 Flash/Pro | Gemini 3 Flash/Pro |
| Assistant | Transition beginning | Shut down March 2026 |
| Apple partnership | None | Siri technology supply |
| Agent features | Limited | Testing in Gemini Labs |
| Android Auto | Separate system | Gemini integrated |
| Google TV | Basic features | Gemini-enabled (CES announcement) |
Enterprise Applications
Business Use Scenarios
1. Video communication
- Immersive meetings via Google Beam
- Real-time translation for global communication
2. Workflow automation
- Task automation via Project Mariner
- Routine business processing through agentic features
3. Development efficiency
- Coding assistance via Gemini Code Assist
- Large-scale code updates via Jules (asynchronous code agent)
4. Creative production
- Image generation via Imagen 4
- Voice generation via VO3
- Video editing via Flow
Summary
In 2026, Google Gemini is evolving from "AI assistant" to "AI platform."
Key points:
- Gemini 3 Flash/Pro are the new default models
- Google Assistant shut down in March 2026
- Gemini technology licensed to Apple Siri
- Agentic AI features in active testing via Gemini Labs
- Google TV integration announced at CES 2026
- Infrastructure reinforced through TPU Ironwood, Google Beam, and Project Mariner
The combination of Google Assistant's end and the Apple partnership signals Google's shift from "our services" to "AI infrastructure." Gemini 3 isn't just a version upgrade — it represents a potential redefinition of what an AI assistant is and does.
For enterprises, Gemini's evolution opens new possibilities across workflow automation, communication, and creative production. The arrival of the agentic AI era makes now the time to assess how Gemini fits into your organization's workflow.
