Google just dropped a new ‘experimental AI assistant’ app exclusively for Android

Source: Android Authority

TL;DR

• Google just published a mysterious new COSMO app to the Play Store.
• COSMO is equipped with a Gemini Nano model in addition to server‑side AI, and feels designed for developmental purposes.
• The app listing is quite rough and may suggest this was published prematurely.

Introduction

Google isn’t shy about giving us access to its latest AI experiments. When it’s not deploying updated Gemini models for us to try out, it’s testing new AI‑powered features in apps like YouTube. This week, however, we’re seeing something a little different: a new Android app on the Play Store called COSMO.

The app’s package name is com.google.research.air.cosmo. Google describes it (via 9to5Google) as “an experimental AI assistant application for Android devices.” The description reads:

COSMO brings the power of artificial intelligence directly onto your device. From organizing your day to answering complex questions, COSMO works behind the scenes to simplify your life.

That description doesn’t differentiate it much from Google’s main Gemini app, so what’s the point of COSMO? For now, it appears to be a testbed, though the exact target audience and purpose remain unclear.

How COSMO Works

Looking through the app’s settings, COSMO can operate in three modes:

1. Local – runs on‑device using a Gemini Nano model.
2. Remote – connects to a server‑side “PI” model.
3. Hybrid – switches between local and remote as needed.

The app leverages Android’s AccessibilityService API to access the screen, but in our testing this functionality isn’t fully operational yet.

AI Skills

COSMO ships with a variety of AI “skills,” though many are disabled by default. Interaction feels functional but noticeably rougher around the edges compared to the full Gemini experience.

First Impressions

• User Interface – The Play Store listing is poorly executed; screenshots are squished into incorrect aspect ratios.
• Availability – Access is limited; even on Pixel devices the app isn’t installable in all regions.

• Performance – The assistant responds as expected, but the overall experience feels unfinished, suggesting the app isn’t ready for prime time.

Conclusion

The COSMO app raises more questions than answers. It appears to be an early‑stage experiment for testing on‑device AI capabilities with Gemini Nano, but the rough UI, limited availability, and incomplete accessibility integration indicate it’s still a work in progress. We’ll continue monitoring the app for any updates or official announcements from Google.