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Google · Tool guide · Reviewed 17 October 2026

Gemini

Gemini works with text, images, audio and video, and fits neatly with Gmail, Drive and Calendar.

A good choice when your work already lives in Google services, or talking about what your camera or screen sees would be easier than typing it.

Strong at
Finding material across Google apps, talking about what your camera sees, research, learning and creative media
Takes getting used to
It has several separately named tools and model settings; start with plain chat and add one when a task needs it
You still own
Which messages or files it can use, checking important facts and approving changes to your account

Tap the job in front of you

What do you need to do?

  • Use Chat

    Use it for everyday writing, planning, explanations and questions about images or files.

    Real example
    Turn a voice note and photo of a whiteboard into an organised project outline.
    Try this
    Organise this material, but first tell me what is unclear or missing.
    You still do
    Correct anything it misread and choose the final priorities.
    Ask Bit to do it with me

Use Chat

Use it for everyday writing, planning, explanations and questions about images or files.

Real example
Turn a voice note and photo of a whiteboard into an organised project outline.
Try this
Organise this material, but first tell me what is unclear or missing.
You still do
Correct anything it misread and choose the final priorities.
Ask Bit to do it with me

Try it on real work

Useful ways to start with Gemini.

01

Research a topic with reliable sources

You need more than a quick answer, and you want to see which claim came from which source rather than take a tidy summary on trust.

Finished looks likeA focused briefing that keeps its links, its disagreements, its gaps and your next questions all in view.

Open the complete task workflow
02

Understand a file or spreadsheet

You have a report, PDF, CSV or spreadsheet and need to know what is actually in it before you draw any conclusion.

Finished looks likeA checked summary, calculation or chart that stays anchored to the material you gave it.

Open the complete task workflow
03

Organise recurring work

You come back to the same report, project, client or review and set the whole thing up again from scratch every time.

Finished looks likeA reusable brief, a source set that stays current, and a clear human checkpoint on every cycle.

Open the complete task workflow

Features in this guide

10 Gemini features explained.

ChatUse it for everyday writing, planning, explanations and questions about images or files.
Best for
A normal task that does not need Research, Live or another named feature.
Real example
Turn a voice note and photo of a whiteboard into an organised project outline.
Start with
Organise this material, but first tell me what is unclear or missing.
Where you make it better
Correct anything it misread and choose the final priorities.
Gemini LiveA spoken, real-time conversation that can include your camera or screen.
Best for
Brainstorming, practising, troubleshooting and discussing what you see.
Real example
Rehearse an interview while Gemini asks follow-ups and observes your presentation.
Start with
Run a ten-minute practice interview for [role]. Ask one question at a time and give feedback only after I answer.
Where you make it better
Do not rely on camera guidance for hazardous or professional tasks.
Deep ResearchTakes longer to investigate a question and returns a report with sources.
Best for
A broad question that affects a real decision.
Real example
Compare a market using public sources and selected internal Drive files.
Start with
Show me the questions you will investigate and the sources you plan to use before running it.
Where you make it better
Keep online information separate from your private files and open the important links.

All signed-in adults can use it with limits; paid plans receive higher limits and model options.

CanvasA separate space for building and editing documents, code, quizzes and small apps.
Best for
Something you want to shape visually instead of receiving as a long chat reply.
Real example
Build an interactive onboarding quiz from an employee handbook.
Start with
Show the information the tool needs and the steps a person will take before writing code.
Where you make it better
Test the facts, accessibility and whether the design suits the people using it.
Audio OverviewTurns source material into a podcast-style spoken discussion.
Best for
Reviewing material while walking, commuting or changing learning mode.
Real example
Create an audio overview of three uploaded industry reports and their disagreements.
Start with
Focus the discussion on [questions]. Clearly label where the sources disagree.
Where you make it better
Use it to reinforce learning, not as a substitute for checking the source.
Connected AppsLets Gemini find information in services such as Gmail, Drive and Calendar when you allow it.
Best for
A task whose useful information is already inside your Google account.
Real example
Find the itinerary in Gmail, check Calendar and produce a travel checklist.
Start with
Use only [named services]. Do not send, delete, book or change anything.
Where you make it better
Choose which apps it may read and approve anything that changes an email, event or file.
GemsReusable customised helpers for repeated tasks. Google says personal-account Gems will begin automatically moving to skills in November 2026.
Best for
A repeated task with stable instructions and reference material.
Real example
Create a Gem that coaches managers through writing useful one-to-one agendas.
Start with
Ask the user for context, then guide them through the process. Never invent employee facts.
Where you make it better
Maintain the instructions and test that the Gem does not overstep its role.
SchedulesEligible accounts can schedule recurring work in Task mode. Chat schedules are a separate feature.
Best for
A routine check or preparation task that should happen on a timetable.
Real example
Prepare a Monday morning industry briefing from selected topics.
Start with
Every Monday at 7am, brief me on [topics] in [region]. Use five bullets and include source links.
Where you make it better
Review whether the schedule remains useful and whether sources are current.
Task (formerly Spark)Can keep a longer job moving, run scheduled tasks and reuse instructions in supported accounts.
Best for
Work that continues across several steps or happens repeatedly.
Real example
Maintain a recurring travel-preparation routine using connected apps.
Start with
Show me the steps, app permissions and places you will stop for approval before starting.
Where you make it better
Require approval before it sends, books, buys, deletes or changes another service.

Task mode requires a personal account, age 18+, Google AI Pro or Ultra, Keep Activity and Personal Intelligence. It excludes the EEA, Nigeria, Switzerland and the UK; work and school accounts are not supported.

Images, video & musicCreates and edits images and videos, and generates music. Video requires a paid Google AI plan or qualifying Workspace licence and age 18+; music requires age 18+ and Keep Activity on.
Best for
Concepts, storyboards, mockups and media exploration.
Real example
Turn a product idea into a poster mockup, short concept clip and soundtrack direction.
Start with
Create three distinct visual directions for [purpose]. Keep all text editable and avoid logos or identifiable people.
Where you make it better
Own the concept, check rights and verify that generated details are not misleading.

When you need the detail

Models, plans and sources.

Models and modes: start with the default
ChooseWhat it isUse it forRole
Auto / Flash-LiteStandard personal-account chats

Everyday chat without a paid Google AI plan. Auto may route harder requests to other models.

Start here
Flash / ProGoogle AI Plus and above

Choose from the models available in your personal account; Workspace licences differ.

Paid choices
ArgonGoogle AI Pro and Ultra

Available for chats; supported Tasks use Flash or Argon. The DeepMind catalog names Gemini 4 Argon.

Longer work
Thinking levelLow, Medium or High

Controls how much thought a supported model spends on a response; check the current menu.

More thought
Deep ThinkExperimental advanced reasoning

Requires Google AI Ultra or qualifying Ultra for Business access and age 18+.

Eligible Ultra

Start with: Chat for an everyday task; Live when showing is easier; Research when you need a report with sources.

Model names and the access notes in this table were rechecked 17 October 2026. Examples are suggestions to try, not measured performance claims.

See the official sources for the separate 17 October 2026 check. Prices, account access and older advice still need the review dates shown on this page.

Official sources (15), checked 17 October 2026

Last checked against official Gemini material on 17 October 2026. Plan access and limits change; confirm the plan page before you pay.

Your first try

Use one real task, not ten demo prompts.

Start with the workflow, then use the quieter links only if you need a comparison or a narrower Bit handoff.

Open the first task
Compare it with another assistant Ask Bit which jobs suit Gemini