Google opens the floodgates for more connected apps in Gemini and Search

Giving AI access to our favorite apps opens up all sorts of possibilities. Already, connected apps in Gemini and Search make it easier to access information without switching apps, like finding something from your emails via Gmail, or booking a table using OpenTable. While several apps are currently compatible with connected apps in Gemini (but not so many in Search), Google is taking early steps to let more developers into the ecosystem.

In a blog post published today, Google announced the Connected Apps Platform, which will let businesses and developers bring their own apps to the already growing list of connected apps in Gemini and Search. This will be part of a limited developer preview, available only to US-based developers.

Interested developers can sign up for the public beta waitlist, with Google saying it will open access in phases and eventually expand the preview to more developers and regions.

Developers can choose to incorporate their apps into either the Gemini or Search connected apps experiences, or both. Although its scope is relatively small right now, it could open the floodgates for more third-party apps to tap into Gemini or Search to pull up relevant information or carry out tasks without switching apps.

Apart from this dev-focused announcement, Google says more apps are joining the connected apps experience in Gemini and Search. Services like Adobe, Experian, Localiza, and Peloton are already available in Gemini, and they’ll soon be available in Search as well.

Unlike Gemini, connected app options in Search have previously been limited to Instacart, Canva, YouTube Music, Yahoo Fantasy Football, and Sleeper Fantasy Football. That list will grow larger in the coming weeks and months as more apps join the ecosystem. Google has dedicated pages that list all connected apps supported in Gemini and Search.

Lastly, Google says it will launch Calm as a connected app across both Gemini and Search, though it didn’t provide a specific rollout timeline. As of today, there are more than 50 connected apps across Gemini and Search in the health, productivity, commerce, and event ticketing categories, according to Google.

The goal is to let more app developers bring their experiences to Gemini and Search through connected apps. This should make it easier for users to interact with their favorite services without leaving Gemini or Search.