By Vicky Sidler | Published 2 October 2025 at 12:00 GMT+2

If you’ve ever daydreamed about outsourcing your brain to AI, a guy named Jared just gave it a go for you—so you don’t have to.

Armed with Google’s budget-friendly Pixel 9a and a determined spirit, tech journalist Jared Newman tried to become “AI Man” for a week. His goal? Use Google’s Gemini AI for everything. Appointments. Travel plans. Work. Life.

Spoiler: Gemini got confused, made up a flight, mismanaged his calendar, and gave plant advice that sounded like it was phoning it in from 2014.

According to Newman’s hands-on report for Fast Company, Google’s vision of an “AI-first Android experience” is more marketing than actual magic. And while small business owners may not rely on their phones to the same obsessive level as a tech reviewer, the takeaways are worth paying attention to.

TL;DR:

• Google’s Gemini AI is better than it was—but still unreliable

• Even basic tasks like calendar syncing and travel planning can go sideways

• Most of the useful features are reserved for higher-end phones

• If your business runs on trust and clarity, AI tools like this need guardrails

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Table of Contents:

Gemini Still Feels Like Beta Software:

On paper, Gemini sounds impressive. You can talk to it. Ask questions. Get directions. Even point your phone camera at something and let it explain what you're looking at.

But in practice, Newman found the assistant still acts like it’s guessing its way through life.

For example, Gemini told him he had two flights home. He only had one. Then it helpfully added a new flight to his calendar—to New York. He lives in Cincinnati.

That’s not just clunky. That’s “you missed your actual flight” clunky.

For small business owners who manage their lives through synced calendars, shared apps, and voice-to-text tasks, those kinds of errors aren’t quirky. They’re costly.

The Budget Phone Doesn’t Get the Good Stuff:

The Pixel 9a is Google’s cheapest entry into the Gemini ecosystem. It’s solid as a phone—fast, functional, nothing major to complain about. But the best AI features? Those are locked behind the premium paywall.

You don’t get transcript summaries. You don’t get phone call recaps. You don’t get app support that would actually make Gemini useful for day-to-day work.

Instead, you get a voice assistant that sort of listens, kind of understands, and sometimes invents travel plans that don’t exist.

Most Used Feature? Spam Filter.

Ironically, the only AI feature Newman actually used consistently was “Call Screen,” which has existed long before the Gemini rebrand. It screens unknown callers and gives you a transcript of what they say.

It’s great for dodging telemarketers. But that’s not a reason to rebuild Android from the ground up. That’s just a good filter.

So, Should Small Business Owners Care?

Yes—but not because Gemini is ready for prime time.

This experiment shows where AI is still falling short: reliability, context, and real-world usefulness. It’s a warning to anyone thinking of handing over client communication, calendar planning, or research to an AI system that still invents facts on command.

As a Duct Tape Marketing Strategist, I’d never suggest ignoring AI tools. They can save time. They can help you show up more consistently. But if the tool breaks the trust you’ve built with clients—it's not helping.

That’s why every AI tool should support your message, not confuse it.

A Message That Makes Sense (Even If the AI Doesn’t):

Your brand doesn’t need perfect tech. It needs clear communication. If you’re testing AI tools in your business, start with a message so solid that even a distracted voice assistant can’t mess it up.

That’s where my 5-Minute Marketing Fix comes in. It helps you write one clear sentence that connects with your audience—whether you’re using Gemini or just your own voice.

👉 Download it free here.

Related Article:

1. AI Search Distrust Grows—What Small Brands Should Do

If Gemini’s fuzzy answers made you raise an eyebrow, you’re not alone. This piece shows why 61% of consumers want AI search turned off—and what small businesses should do instead.

2. AI Customer Service Is Broken. Here's What to Fix

Tired of bots that can’t understand basic instructions? This article unpacks how companies are wrecking customer support with AI—and how to avoid doing the same in your own business.

3. Almost 99% of People Can't Identify AI Ads

Gemini may sound robotic, but most AI content doesn’t. This article explores the trust issues at play when your audience can’t tell what’s real—and why that matters for your brand voice.

4. AI Business Advice: Why It Helps Some Owners but Hurts Others

Just like Jared’s phone fumbled the basics, AI advice can go sideways fast. This Harvard-backed post explains when to trust the bots—and when to trust your gut.

5. Why 95% of AI Pilots Fail and What to Do Instead

The Pixel 9a experiment is a textbook AI pilot gone wrong. This article walks you through why most fail—and how to test smarter before you commit.

FAQs on Google Gemini, Pixel 9a, and Small Business Use:

1. Can small business owners rely on Google Gemini for daily tasks?

Not yet. While Gemini can handle basic questions and some assistant features, it still makes mistakes with calendars, directions, and task accuracy—especially on the budget Pixel 9a.

2. What features does the Pixel 9a support compared to higher-end phones?

The Pixel 9a misses out on key AI perks like call summaries, Recorder app transcripts, and screenshot organisation. Most of Gemini’s advanced features are only available on flagship models.

3. Is Gemini better than the old Google Assistant?

It depends. Gemini has improved since launch and now supports some back-and-forth chat and task management. But it’s still inconsistent and sometimes makes things up, which limits its usefulness.

4. Should I use AI tools like Gemini in my business?

Yes, but with a clear purpose. Use AI to support your work—not replace your judgment. Always test before you trust, especially with customer-facing or time-sensitive tasks.

5. What’s the safest way to start using AI in my marketing?

Start with a strong message. If your core brand message is clear and trustworthy, AI tools can help you scale it. Need help with that? 👉Download the 5-Minute Marketing Fix