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Google Tests Gemini Voice Customization with Speed, Energy, and More

Google is working on a new way to make its Gemini AI assistant sound more like you want it to. According to a recent discovery in the beta version of the Google app, the company is testing a voice customization feature that gives users four adjustable sliders: speed, energy, formality, and friendliness.

The feature was spotted by the team at 9to5Google in version 17.41.12 of the Google app test APK. Instead of just picking from a handful of preset voices, users will soon be able to fine-tune how Gemini speaks. The customization is expected to work both in Gemini Live, the real-time conversation mode, and in regular chat scenarios.

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So what do these sliders actually do? The "speed" option offers three levels: slow, normal, and fast, letting you control how quickly the AI responds. The other three—energy, formality, and friendliness—affect the tone and style of the voice. For example, if you're planning a casual trip, you might dial down formality and crank up friendliness to make Gemini feel more like a chatty travel buddy. On the other hand, for a research discussion, you could increase formality to keep things professional.

This move shows Google's focus on making AI interactions feel more natural. The company has also been working on voice support for regional dialects, aiming to make voice assistants more localized and relatable.

As competition heats up among mobile AI assistants, Apple has also added customization options for Siri in iOS 27, letting users adjust speaking speed and expression. But Google's approach here is more about personality and emotional nuance—tweaking things like energy and friendliness to create a more engaging conversation.

Industry watchers say the future of voice assistants depends not just on how well they understand us, but on how well they connect with us emotionally. By giving users more control over the voice, AI assistants can feel less robotic and more like a natural part of the conversation.

Key Points

  • Google is testing a voice customization feature for Gemini with four sliders: speed, energy, formality, and friendliness.
  • The feature was discovered in the Google app beta version 17.41.12.
  • Users can adjust the AI's voice for both real-time and regular chat modes.
  • This aims to make AI interactions more natural and personalized.
  • Competitors like Apple are also adding voice customization, but Google focuses on emotional expression.