Google's new AI feature makes it easier to summarise PDF files, here's how

PDF document

Google has rolled out a new Gemini AI feature for its Files app, which makes handling PDFs more efficient. According to a report by Android Police, the Gemini screen awareness feature offers users the ability to ask questions about open PDFs directly within the Files app. This makes fishing out important or relevant information from the large PDF documents that users may have. Google had demoed this feature at its annual developer conference in May.

How does the feature work?

When users open a PDF document in the Files app, they can activate the Gemini overlay by saying "Hey Google" or pressing and holding the power button. A prompt will appear, asking if they want to "Ask about this PDF." Users can then type their questions, and Gemini will provide answers based on the content of the PDF.

The Gemini screen awareness feature is particularly useful for professionals and students who frequently work with PDF documents. It allows for quick summarisation of lengthy documents and makes it easier to review multiple documents efficiently. For example, a user can ask Gemini to summarise a research paper or highlight key points, making it easier to grasp the main ideas without reading the entire text.

Who can use the feature?

This feature is rolling out to devices running Android 15 and above. Users with a Gemini Advanced subscription will have access to this functionality, which leverages a 1 million token context window to provide comprehensive answers. So, it is not available for free users as of now. Google has not said anything about making the screen awareness feature available to all users.