I ditched ChatGPT for Gemini and have mixed feelings

When ChatGPT was launched, I jumped on the bandwagon instantly. I’ve been utilizing it ever since however have lately determined to change to Gemini for a couple of causes. First, I take pleasure in making an attempt out new issues, simply to see what the competitors gives. However extra importantly, Gemini’s extensions promised seamless integration with Google’s ecosystem, which confirmed hopes of simplifying my workflow and saving me time. Or so I assumed.

Gemini extensions: A sport changer?

For these of you unaware, Gemini extensions work with Google companies like Gmail, Maps, Duties, and lots of others. Their power lies within the means to save lots of time by permitting me to shortly retrieve particular information from Gmail with out a guide search, ask how lengthy the drive is from level A to level B with out opening Google Maps, and even pull up music to assist me focus with out leaving the chatbot’s interface.

Sounds nice, proper? It’s — no less than when it really works. Granted, it does work more often than not. However the issue is that I’ve run into points typically sufficient to ask myself if it’s even price it. Prompting Gemini to drag up a particular file actually is a time saver, but when it doesn’t do the job accurately and I’ve to immediate it three extra instances to get the job finished, it’s simpler and fewer annoying to seek for it manually.

Let’s undergo a couple of points I encountered so that you get a greater really feel for what I’m speaking about. Gemini was not in a position to pull up the final e mail I acquired in Gmail for the lifetime of me. Even once I instructed it that it was mistaken and to look once more, it nonetheless couldn’t do it. I went additional and even instructed it the day and time I acquired the e-mail, and Gemini nonetheless failed and fetched me a distinct, older e mail.

I additionally had points when asking Gemini to drag up the final e mail I acquired from a particular sender and inform me what it was about. Whereas it pulled up the sender, the date and time had been incorrect, and so was the content material of the e-mail. It stated the e-mail was a affirmation of a purchase order though it was nothing of the kind. It’s price noting once more that this doesn’t all the time occur, however it occurs ceaselessly sufficient to be a problem.

I get that Gemini — in addition to different AI chatbots — makes errors. Google additionally clearly states that Gemini could get issues mistaken. Nonetheless, I simply discover it odd that Google’s chatbot can’t carry out easy duties like these however has no points with extra advanced assignments, like telling me how a lot I paid for a lodge in Spain 10 years in the past. It discovered the right e mail among the many hundreds I’ve in Gmail and fetched all the information with out a mistake in a couple of seconds.

However the Gmail integration isn’t the one situation right here, as I additionally had issues with Google Maps. When requested how lengthy it takes to drive from level A to level B in a particular metropolis, it received the information proper and confirmed me the instructions on a map. Fantastic. However once I then requested how lengthy it could take to stroll that very same route, it modified level A to my house handle for causes unknown to me, which is round 35 miles away. So the strolling length, which must be lower than half-hour, ended up being over 10 hours. Even with a number of extra prompts, I couldn’t get Gemini to repair this error.

There are different issues Gemini can’t do, a few of which Google clearly states on its web site. Regardless, they only look like easy duties that the chatbot ought to be capable to carry out at this stage contemplating all the pieces else it may do.

For instance, I can’t appear to seek out the renewal date for my Gemini Superior subscription (Google One AI Premium plan) inside my Google account, so I requested Gemini about it. It appeared like a fairly easy process, however apparently, it may’t be finished. It can also’t inform me how a lot Drive storage I’ve left or pull up my final Google Pictures image.

It will probably, nevertheless, plan a seven-day journey to London, present me the perfect accessible flights, and assist me discover motels in my desired value vary. So it may deal with very advanced duties however generally fails with easy ones.

For now, no. With regards to normal use, ChatGPT and Gemini are on par, no less than for my use case. There are issues that ChatGPT Plus does higher than Gemini Superior, although. For instance, it may summarize the inventory marketplace for the day before today, together with features/losses in % for not solely an organization of selection however even for the ten largest firms within the S&P 500 if I ask it too. Gemini can’t try this. Nonetheless, I discover extra use within the extensions provided by Google for now, that are nice so long as they work.

So, a phrase of warning: If extensions are the rationale you’re contemplating making the change or giving the free model of Gemini a attempt, put together for a couple of points. As already talked about, they do a superb job more often than not, however they’re removed from good.

Whereas I’ve run into a couple of points, I’m not giving up on Gemini simply but. AI is continually evolving, and I’ve religion that these issues shall be solved and new options shall be added quickly. I’m excited to see what the longer term holds.