Gmail Live is arriving for some Android and iOS users

Announced in May, Gmail Live is now reaching a selection of Android and iOS users. The new feature uses a conversational assistant to retrieve information directly from Gmail, rather than relying on a conventional search.

Since starting work, my morning routine has been to make a coffee and check my inbox for important messages. That habit may soon become unnecessary. Once AI can access an inbox, it can read messages on my behalf, sort them or locate a specific detail. Google intends to take this further by bringing Gmail Live to Gmail. Put simply, it is a voice-based conversational interface that lets you speak to manage your emails.

Gmail Live arrives in testing on Android and iOS

Gmail Live was among the features Google unveiled in May. According to our colleagues at 9to5Google, it is now being tested with certain users of the Gmail app on Android and iOS. Where it is available, Gmail shows a new Gmail Live icon in the app's search bar. Tapping it opens a conversational screen resembling the Gemini Live voice assistant interface.

Like Gemini Live, Gmail Live supports highly fluid conversations with AI. Its distinguishing feature is its focus on email management. It can pull information from emails without requiring users to scroll through messages or run a standard search. For instance, a user could ask the AI whether their parcel has arrived, remind them of an important detail about a flight, or summarise information sent by their children's school during the week. “Gmail Live will search your inbox to find the answer instantly,” Google explains.

Gmail Live will require a paid subscription

Gmail Live could save users a considerable amount of time. Unfortunately, however, it will not be free. Google has already said that, when it officially launches this summer, the new interface will be limited to Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscribers. Alongside Gmail Live, those subscribers will also receive similar new features in Google Docs and Google Keep.

Docs Live and Keep Live offer similar AI assistance

In Google Docs, the “Docs Live” feature will operate as a conversational assistant or virtual colleague while a document is being written. “All you have to do is speak: Docs Live handles the heavy lifting - organising your ideas, structuring your document and, with your permission, pulling relevant information from your Gmail, Drive, Chat and Web accounts. Whether you are letting your stream of consciousness flow or thinking through an idea, Docs Live helps you sketch out the big picture, refine your tone and create seamlessly,” Google explained in May.

Keep Live works in a similar way to make note-taking easier. In practical terms, instead of using conventional dictation or typing on a keyboard, users will be able to speak naturally with the AI to create or edit a note.