Yadullah Abidi compares Claude and Gemini on Android apps

Anthropic’s Claude AI assistant can now access multiple features and applications on Android devices, prompting a hands-on comparison with Google Gemini by reviewer Yadullah Abidi in a published column on MakeUseOf. Anthropic released support documentation on August 25 detailing how the chatbot handles tasks like drafting messages, setting alarms, and managing device calendars.

Claude Android Features Tested Against Gemini

Abidi tested the updated Claude app against Gemini on an Android smartphone to evaluate which advertised features actually function. According to Anthropic’s documentation, Claude is designed to draft and send messages through default apps as well as WhatsApp and Slack, compose emails with prefilled content, set alarms and timers, display locations on maps, and provide contextual suggestions using the device’s current location. Anthropic notes several limitations for the tool, including an inability to access contacts, reminders, or calendar events owned by other users, alongside regional and subscription restrictions.

Basic Time and Calendar Commands Work During Testing

During testing, basic time-management commands worked without relying on Gemini. Abidi reported that setting a timer for two minutes immediately launched the countdown in the default Android Clock app. Alarm requests also succeeded, with Claude asking for clarification when a spoken time was ambiguous, such as distinguishing between morning and evening hours. Calendar management proved effective for handling multiple device accounts. Users can turn off the Google Calendar connector to let Claude access the local device calendar directly, selecting specific accounts during initial setup to review upcoming weekly schedules or add new entries.

Claude Fails to Send Direct Messages

Features involving direct messaging and location-based suggestions fell short of Anthropic’s claims during the evaluation. Abidi found that Claude could not send direct text messages or WhatsApp messages when instructed, instead opening a link that loaded WhatsApp or defaulting to a web-based Slack connector.