If you travel often for business, you know the routine—new cities, new languages, last-minute meetings, and piles of receipts. It can be exhausting and isn’t always the fun others think it is. Fortunately, Google’s newly announced Gemini AI, paired with your phone’s camera, called Gemini Live, brings some cool new technology to many of the tasks we do. Gemini now applies context to what you see in real time to help do things a lot quicker.

To use, first download from your App and open the Gemini app. Tap the Camera icon in the bottom toolbar (next to the microphone and keyboard icons). This launches Gemini Live, where the AI sees through your camera. Grant Camera Access (first time only). Tap Allow when prompted for camera permissions.

Here are a few ways Gemini can make our travel smoother, smarter, and more fun.

Instantly Translate Signs, Menus, and More

Step into a sushi shop in Tokyo or a bistro in Paris and aim your camera at the menu. Gemini translates everything in real time—complete with dish descriptions and recommendations. This is similar to what Google Translate has been doing for several years, but Gemini does more. It understands context. If you point it to a street sign in Rome, it won’t just translate—it will explain whether it’s a bus lane or a restricted area based on time and day. As to the menu? It can help you select an item based on asking what’s healthiest or another criteria of your choice. I want to try it next time I’m confronting ahuge wine list and see if it can pick out the best value wine.

Scan Business Cards, Whiteboards, and Documents

After a business conference, you can use Gemini to scan a stack of business cards. It auto-fills contact info into your phone and even links to LinkedIn if available. You can capture a whiteboard or meeting notes by snapping a photo and let Gemini summarize the contents, highlight action items, and even draft a follow-up email. You can take a picture of a contract and use Gemini to summarize it.

Identify Products, Tools, or Local Services

Imagine your computer charger fails to work in your hotel room. Just point your phone at the broken charger and ask: “Where can I buy this nearby?” Gemini identifies the model, finds local retailers, and provides walking directions.

Navigate New Cities with Visual Cues

Walking maps in cities are great—as long as you know which direction you are facing. With Gemini’s Live View AR, raise your phone and get real-time arrows showing exactly where to walk, with local landmarks labeled on screen.

Shopping Abroad

Imagine standing in a pharmacy trying to decipher a foreign cold medicine you’re handed by the pharmacist? Gemini can translate the label, explain the ingredients, and even recommend alternatives based on your needs.

Or see a restaurant you’d like to try while walking past? Use Gemini to show you the ratings and its’

When shopping at a local market, scan a product and get reviews, price comparisons, and sourcing info before you buy.

Manage Receipts and Expenses

Travel for business means receipts—flights, hotels, meals. Instead of stuffing your wallet, with receipts, just scan them with Gemini. It can itemize each line, upload it to your expense platform, and keep everything organized. Need to invoice a client? Snap a time log or shipping slip, and Gemini can generate a draft invoice for you.

Learn On the Go

Let’s say you’re on a factory tour in Shenzhen. Point your camera at a machine and Gemini explains what it is, how it works, and links it to datasheets.

Want to know about an historic site in Rome? Point your camera to the site and Gemini will tell you through audio about the backstory, cultural tips, or restaurant recommendations nearby. It’s like having a local guide and research team on call 24/7.

Touring a museum? Hold the camera up and facing a painting and ask Gemini to provide some information about the art and artist.

The Power of Gemini

The power of Gemini used with your camera can replace the translation app, a scanner, GPS, the tour guide, and even an admin assistant. It’s a new kind of travel toolkit that lives in your phone and learns with you.

I’ve just touched the surface of what it can do, but like other AI apps, it can make some mistakes. I pointed it to my Hoka shoes and it said it was a pair of Nike’s. You can even select the kind of voice you want for Gemini.

Note I’ve not tried all of the items above, but learned about them from watching Google’s developer conference this week. That usually means the app will still have some glitches. But the potential is quite remarkeable when it works. It’s like having a brilliant sidekick always available to answer your questions.

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