Google's Gemini Spark AI assistant tested for practical tasks

Google's new 24/7 agentic assistant Gemini Spark, introduced at Google's annual developer conference in May by CEO Sundar Pichai, runs on virtual machines in the cloud and is designed to automate online tasks. In hands-on testing, Spark performed well for shopping research, suggesting Walgreens coupons and deals, though one promo code was invalid. It created accurate packing lists for a day trip but could not export to Google Keep, instead offering Docs or email. For summer activity suggestions, Spark generated a list of teen activities within a 30-minute drive but omitted costs and dates. It summarized email newsletters weekly, returning four articles instead of the requested five, with a broken Google.com redirect link. Spark compiled weekend events from web searches and Gmail, including an Annual Beaver Queen Pageant for wetland conservation. It tracked price drops for an eye cream but only rechecked every two weeks. Criticisms include lack of Keep integration, no direct iPhone hardware button access, and confusion over Spark being a separate product from Gemini. Future capabilities include MCP integrations for tasks like restaurant bookings via Resy or flight deals.