Google brings Gemini task automation and Notebook tools to Samsung's new foldables

Google used Samsung's July Galaxy Unpacked event to make its mobile AI push more concrete, tying Gemini features to the newly announced Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8. The update is less about a single chatbot shortcut and more about putting Google's agent-style work across foldable phones, watches and upcoming eyewear.

The headline feature is an expansion of Gemini task automation. Google says support is moving from a small beta set to more than 40 popular apps in the United States and Korea, covering jobs such as shopping, dinner reservations, travel experiences and event tickets. On the Galaxy Z Flip8, users can call up that assistance from the Flex Window by long-pressing the power button, letting the outer screen act as more than a notification panel.

Why it matters

Foldables have often been sold on screen size and multitasking, but Google is framing the new Galaxy launch around delegation. Gemini can interpret information on screen, reason over images used as prompts and keep working while the user switches apps or closes the phone. Google says users remain in the loop for review and final confirmation, an important detail for automations that can touch purchases, bookings or personal accounts.

Google is also rebranding NotebookLM on these devices as Gemini Notebook. The app comes preinstalled on Samsung's new foldables and is designed for the larger internal displays: users can drag photos, documents, whiteboard images and voice recordings into a side-by-side workspace, then ask questions or generate study and presentation materials such as slides, videos, flash cards, quizzes and audio-style summaries.

• Samsung's own product page lists the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 and Flip8 as the latest Z Series foldable smartphones.
• Samsung says the Fold8 measures 4.5 mm unfolded and 9.7 mm folded, while the Fold8 Ultra measures 4.1 mm unfolded and 8.9 mm folded.
• Google says each new Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 and Flip8 includes a six-month Google AI Pro trial.

The partnership extends beyond phones. Google says Gemini will be easier to access from Galaxy Watch 9 by raising the wrist, and that intelligent eyewear created with Samsung is still planned for a fall launch with frames from Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. That gives the Unpacked news a broader platform story: Google and Samsung are positioning Gemini as a cross-device assistant that follows the user from pocket screen to wrist and, eventually, glasses.

Sources

• blog.google
• www.samsung.com

Cover photo by Imad Clicks on Pexels, used under the Pexels License.