Google today announced the launch of a new "Gemini Spark" feature for its macOS desktop Gemini app, allowing this AI assistant to not only answer questions in the chat window, but also directly automate users' local files and desktop workflows. After the update is released, a separate Spark tab is added to the sidebar of the Gemini Mac app, where users can authorize Spark to access specific folders and revoke permissions at any time if needed.
With Spark, users can have AI agents automate tasks such as organizing PDFs in download folders and categorizing them into labeled subfolders according to rules, or regularly extracting data from locally saved invoices to automatically generate and update Google Workspace budget sheets. Google said that subsequent updates will also allow users to remotely start automated tasks on Mac through their mobile phones, making cross-device collaboration closer.
In addition to desktop enhancements, Google also simultaneously announced a number of third-party integration features for web and mobile. Newly connected applications include Google Tasks, Google Keep, Canva, Dropbox, Instacart, OpenTable, and Zillow Rentals. Users can use Spark to convert Keep notes into task lists, make online restaurant reservations, place grocery shopping orders, and even book house tours. These integrations will be rolling out to web and mobile over the next week, with macOS support scheduled to roll out in the following weeks.
Google also introduced support for custom Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers for Spark. Users can use this mechanism to connect more external services to the Spark environment in a unified manner and expand automation capabilities. The new version also adds a real-time topic tracking function. Spark can continuously monitor content sources such as blogs, news websites, social media, finance, sports, shopping, weather, and emails, and proactively send out reminders once the user's preset conditions are met.
Currently, Gemini Spark for macOS is available as a beta version to Google AI Ultra subscribers in the United States who are 18 years or older and need to be used with Gemini desktop application version 1.80.15.516 and above. Google AI Ultra subscriptions start at $99 per month and provide users with access to more advanced Gemini models and enhanced features.