Google rolls out ‘Ask about this PDF’ feature to Files app

'Ask about this PDF' feature allows users to quickly summarise lengthy PDF files
An undated image of Google Files. — Depositphotos
An undated image of Google Files. — Depositphotos

The latest update of the Files by Google app has introduced an " Ask about this PDF" feature allowing users to quickly summarise lengthy PDF files. 

This feature is part of Google’s expansion of its Gemini AI capabilities to more apps to improve overall user experience. 

“Ask about this PDF" feature on Google Files  

Initially showcased at the Google I/O 2024 developer conference in May, the “Ask about this PDF” has been rolling out to Android users for the past week. 

This feature enables users to ask specific questions about the PDF content, making it easier to navigate and understand complex documents, similar to interacting with ChatGPT. 

However, users must have a Gemini Advanced subscription to access this feature, with Gemini set as their default assistant, and their device running on Android 15. 

When available, users can trigger the Gemini overlay while viewing a PDF file in the Files app, and an "Ask about this PDF" chip will appear.  

The rollout of this feature is gradual, and not all users have access to it for the time being. However, this feature is expected to be a valuable addition to the Files by Google app.