TL;DR
Google announced three Gemini updates for Samsung devices at Galaxy Unpacked in London on July 22, 2026. The changes cover wider task automation, a preinstalled Gemini Notebook app, and hands-free access through watches and forthcoming smart glasses.
Google announced three Gemini updates for Samsung hardware at Galaxy Unpacked in London on July 22, expanding task automation to more than 40 apps, placing Gemini Notebook on new foldable phones and extending AI controls to the Galaxy Watch 9 and forthcoming smart glasses. The changes show how Google and Samsung plan to make Gemini available across several personal devices, although key availability details remain unconfirmed.
The first update expands the beta version of Gemini Intelligence task automation from a small group of apps to more than 40 popular apps, according to Google. The company said Gemini can assist with shopping, restaurant reservations, travel activities and event tickets. On the Galaxy Z Flip8, users will be able to start the assistant from the Flex Window by holding the power button.
Google said the system can interpret on-screen content and complex images, letting a user submit material such as a shopping list or reference photo as part of a request. A progress display shows the actions Gemini is taking, while the task may continue when the user opens another app or closes the phone. Google said users can intervene to change a detail before returning control to Gemini, with review and final confirmation required before completion.
The second update brings Gemini Notebook, the product previously known as NotebookLM, to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 and Flip8 as a preinstalled app. On the larger Fold8 display, users can place photos, documents, whiteboard images and voice recordings into a side-by-side workspace. Google said the app can answer questions based on those materials and generate resources including presentations, videos, flash cards, quizzes and audio programs. Each new foldable also includes a six-month Google AI Pro trial.
3 Google updates from Galaxy Unpacked 2026
Google is moving Gemini beyond phone-based questions and into multi-step automation, source-grounded creation and hands-free access across Samsung’s newest personal devices.
Expanded from the limited group supported when the beta began.
Google AI Pro trial included with each newly announced foldable.
Planned launch window for Samsung-linked intelligent eyewear.
Gemini moves across Samsung hardware
The three updates connect apps, foldable workspaces and wearable devices—but several launch, market and privacy details remain open.
More than 40 apps
Gemini Intelligence expands its beta support for shopping, restaurant reservations, travel activities and event tickets.
- Accepts on-screen content and complex images
- Shows progress while actions are performed
- Can continue when another app opens
- Requires review and final confirmation
Preinstalled on foldables
The product previously known as NotebookLM arrives on the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 and Flip8.
- Works with photos, documents and whiteboards
- Accepts voice recordings as sources
- Creates presentations, quizzes and flash cards
- Includes a six-month AI Pro trial
Watches and smart glasses
Gemini access extends beyond the phone through the Galaxy Watch 9 and forthcoming intelligent eyewear.
- Raise a wrist without saying a wake phrase
- Wear OS watches may control glasses
- Hand gestures connect the device experience
- Smart-glasses launch planned for fall 2026
From request to confirmed action
Google’s model keeps the user inside the loop while Gemini interprets material and coordinates actions across supported services.
Use the assistant or hold the Flip8 power button from Flex Window.
Submit a request, on-screen material, shopping list or reference image.
A progress display reveals the actions Gemini is taking.
Change a detail and then return control to the assistant.
The user checks the result before the task is completed.
“Task automation is expanding support from a handful of apps to more than 40 popular apps.”
— GoogleWhat changes—and where
The launch spreads different Gemini capabilities across phones, a watch and planned eyewear.
| Device | Gemini update | Primary interaction | Availability signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Flip8 | Automation + Gemini Notebook | Launch from Flex Window; interpret on-screen content | Announced |
| Galaxy Z Fold8 | Gemini Notebook preinstalled | Side-by-side source workspace on the larger display | Announced |
| Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra | Gemini Notebook preinstalled | Source-based questions and generated learning resources | Announced |
| Galaxy Watch 9 | Hands-free Gemini access | Raise wrist without speaking a wake phrase | Announced |
| Samsung-linked glasses | Wearable visual assistant | Watch control and hand-gesture interactions | Fall 2026 plan |
Access, privacy and rollout gaps
The announcements outline the direction of travel, but not every condition users need to evaluate availability or risk.
Announced does not mean universally available.
Practical value will depend on supported apps, countries, languages, account types and the permissions required by third-party services.
Launch support for individual services is still unconfirmed.
Country and language availability were not detailed.
Trial limits and market variations were not specified.
Data retention and third-party interaction rules need clarification.
Specifications and supported markets remain open.
Google did not state when the feature will graduate.
Task automation launches with a limited group of supported apps.
Automation, Notebook and wearable access move across Samsung hardware.
Samsung-linked intelligent eyewear is planned to reach the market.
The answers at a glance
The essential facts—and the limits of what Google confirmed at Galaxy Unpacked.
What were the three Google updates?
Expanded Gemini task automation, a preinstalled Gemini Notebook app on new foldables, and hands-free Gemini access through the Galaxy Watch 9 and planned smart glasses.
Which phones receive Gemini Notebook?
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8. Each includes a six-month Google AI Pro trial.
Can Gemini complete purchases alone?
Google said review and final confirmation are required. It did not detail whether approval rules vary among purchases, reservations and bookings.
When will the smart glasses arrive?
The stated window is fall 2026. A precise date, price, country list and complete hardware specifications have not been announced.
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Gemini Moves Across Samsung Hardware
The announcements extend Google’s assistant beyond isolated questions and text generation toward multi-step actions performed across third-party apps. Support for more than 40 services could make the automation beta useful for a wider range of routine tasks, but its practical value will depend on which apps, markets and account types are supported.
Preinstalling Gemini Notebook on Samsung foldables also gives Google a direct route to users who may not have tried NotebookLM separately. The Fold8’s larger screen is suited to its source-based workspace, while the AI Pro trial may encourage use of higher-access features. On watches and glasses, Google is positioning Gemini as an assistant that can be reached without first opening a phone.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 accessories
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From Phone Beta to Wearables
Google introduced its task-automation beta in February 2026 with support for a limited number of apps. The Galaxy Unpacked announcement broadens that test while retaining user review before a task is finalized. Google describes Gemini Intelligence as its plan for technology that acts proactively for users, but the features remain part of an evolving product rollout.
The partnership also reaches Samsung wearables. Google said Galaxy Watch 9 owners can raise their wrist to activate Gemini without saying a wake phrase. For smart glasses, Google previously announced a Samsung partnership at Google I/O 2026 and named Gentle Monster and Warby Parker as eyewear partners. At Unpacked, the companies showed two more frames and said compatible Wear OS watches could control the glasses through hand gestures.
“Task automation is expanding support from a handful of apps to more than 40 popular apps.”
Google Gemini Notebook app for Samsung
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App Access and Privacy Details
Google did not provide a complete list of the 40-plus supported apps, a country-by-country release schedule or details about language support. It is also unclear whether every automated action will work on all three new foldables at launch, or when the task-automation beta will become a general release.
The announcement did not specify pricing after the AI Pro trial, the limits placed on trial accounts or how availability may vary by market. Google also did not give a precise release date, price or full hardware specifications for the Samsung-linked smart glasses. Detailed information about permissions, data retention and how automated tasks interact with third-party services was not included in the announcement.
Galaxy Watch 9 compatible smart glasses
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Rollouts Lead Toward Glasses Launch
Attention will now turn to the release of the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 and Flip8, along with confirmation of which task-automation apps work at launch. Users will also need regional availability and subscription information before the value of the six-month AI Pro offer can be compared across markets.
The next stated milestone is the smart-glasses launch planned for fall 2026. Google and Samsung are expected to provide product specifications, prices, supported markets and a firmer date closer to release. Google said additional intelligent features will be released when ready, leaving the wider Gemini Intelligence schedule open.
Samsung foldable phone screen protectors
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Key Questions
What were Google’s three Galaxy Unpacked updates?
Google announced expanded Gemini task automation, a preinstalled Gemini Notebook app for Samsung’s new foldables, and new Gemini access through the Galaxy Watch 9 and planned smart glasses.
Which Samsung phones receive Gemini Notebook?
Google said Gemini Notebook comes preinstalled on the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8. Each device includes a six-month trial of Google AI Pro.
Can Gemini complete purchases without approval?
Google said Gemini is designed to request review and final confirmation when a task is ready. The announcement did not explain whether approval requirements differ among purchases, reservations and bookings.
When will the Gemini smart glasses arrive?
Google said intelligent eyewear developed with Samsung is planned for fall 2026. A precise date, pricing, supported countries and complete specifications have not been announced.
Source: Google AI
Source: Google AI