Google puts Gemini on Samsung's newest foldables, watches and smart glasses

Key points

• Google and Samsung used Galaxy Unpacked in London to launch the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 and Flip8 with new Gemini features built in.
• Gemini's task automation now works with more than 40 popular apps, up from a handful when the beta launched in February.
• Gemini Notebook, formerly NotebookLM, comes preinstalled on the new foldables and turns documents, photos and voice notes into study material.
• Every Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 and Flip8 ships with a six-month trial of Google AI Pro.
• Gemini now runs on the Galaxy Watch 9 without a wake word, and is coming to smart glasses this fall through Gentle Monster and Warby Parker.

Google used Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event in London to show how its Gemini assistant, the AI system that powers Google's chatbot and productivity tools, will run across Samsung's newest phones, watches and glasses. The headline devices are three folding phones: the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, the Fold8 and the smaller Flip8. Google is calling this rollout the first wave of "Gemini Intelligence", its pitch for AI that acts on your behalf rather than waiting to be asked.

What does Gemini's task automation actually do now?

Back in February, Google introduced a beta for task automation, an AI agent that carries out multi-step jobs on its own, for a small list of apps covering rideshare and food delivery. That list has grown to more than 40 apps, adding shopping, restaurant bookings, travel experiences and event tickets.

On the Galaxy Z Flip8, you can trigger it from the small outer screen by long-pressing the power button. You can also point Gemini at a photo or a shopping list on your screen and ask it to work from that image instead of typing everything out.

While Gemini runs the task, you can watch each step, switch to another app, or close the phone and let it finish in the background. It pings you before it commits to anything final, like placing an order.

That human check-in matters. Anyone letting an AI buy things on their behalf should confirm the price and the destination address every single time, because agent mistakes aren't always cheap to undo.

What is Gemini Notebook and why is it preinstalled?

Gemini Notebook, which we covered on 16 July when Google renamed it from NotebookLM and gave it new powers, now comes preinstalled on the new foldables. You feed it your own material: PDFs, whiteboard photos, voice memos, web pages. Then you ask it questions, or ask it to produce slides, flashcards, a quiz, an audio summary, or a short video.

On the Fold8 series' larger inner screen, you can drag files into a split workspace and work on both sides at once. Every Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 and Flip8 buyer gets a six-month trial of Google AI Pro, which unlocks heavier features like Audio Overviews and Video Overviews.

Should you worry about Gemini on your wrist and glasses?

On the Galaxy Watch 9, you raise your wrist and Gemini wakes. No "Hey Google" needed. That's convenient, and it's also a surface that didn't used to have a persistent AI listener on it.

Google also confirmed more details on the smart glasses it announced with Samsung at I/O 2026. Two new frame designs join earlier reveals from Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, with the glasses launching this fall. A compatible Wear OS watch lets you control them with a hand gesture. AI2Day has been watching this space closely: our 17 July piece on how AI smart glasses can record strangers without any warning remains relevant reading before you order a pair.

What does this mean for everyday users?

More of your phone is about to act on its own, and that changes the security picture.

An AI that can book flights and buy tickets is also one that can be tricked into booking the wrong flight or buying from the wrong seller. Scammers have already started designing fake websites and prompts aimed at AI agents, not humans.

Watch for two things. Always read Gemini's final confirmation screen before approving, especially the total price and recipient. Be suspicious of any message or webpage that seems to be giving instructions to your assistant rather than to you. That's the new shape of phishing, and it's worth taking seriously.