I found a Gemini feature so good, I deleted a bunch of apps

By Ben Khalesi and Steven Winkelman

Published April 18, 2026, 9:30 AM EDT

Introduction

Initially, I viewed AI chatbots as mere novelties. I would ask them to tell dad jokes, share random facts, or assist in writing emails. They were entertaining and occasionally useful, but I never considered them a solution to my app overload problem. In fact, they seemed to contribute to it. However, my perspective changed dramatically while planning a trip, leading me to discover a feature in Gemini that transformed my phone usage and prompted me to delete several apps I once thought essential.

Understanding Gemini Apps and Their Power

Gemini Apps connect Gemini to various services like Google Flights, Hotels, Maps, and Google Workspace (Gmail, Drive, and Calendar). Upon activating Gemini Apps, I realized that the AI was no longer just a trivia machine; it had evolved into a comprehensive assistant. Instead of opening multiple apps for flights, hotels, and maps, I could simply state my goal in one sentence and let the AI handle everything.

This revelation led to a digital purge. I began testing a hypothesis: could I achieve the same or better results by asking Gemini instead of using dedicated apps? To my surprise, the answer was often a resounding yes. Below is a breakdown of how I organized four key areas of my life and the apps I happily deleted.

The AI That Replaced My Travel Apps

Planning a trip traditionally involved juggling multiple apps. I would open a flight aggregator like Kayak, a hotel app like Booking.com, and Google Maps to ensure the hotel was conveniently located. This fragmented process often left me overwhelmed with a dozen open apps and a headache.

By utilizing Gemini, I replaced this cumbersome workflow. For instance, I asked:

@Google Flights @Google Hotels @Google Maps Plan a four-day weekend trip to Austin, Texas, for me and my partner for the first weekend of October. Find round-trip flights from JFK, non-stop if possible, for under $400 per person. Find a hotel with a pool, rated 4 stars or higher, and priced under $300 per night, preferably located in the South Congress area. Then, create a day-by-day itinerary that includes live music, great BBQ spots, and outdoor activities like hiking or kayaking. Put it all in a table I can easily read.

Gemini handled the entire multi-step request seamlessly, pulling real-time flight options that matched my criteria, recommending suitable hotels, and even exporting the finalized plan to Google Docs with one click. The usual headaches of coordination and manual updates were eliminated.

Discovering Places with Gemini as My Local Guide

Previously, I relied on three separate apps to find dining options. I would browse Yelp and The MICHELIN Guide while cross-referencing with Google Maps for recent reviews, trying to determine what was open and nearby. This often led to decision fatigue due to the overload of choices and information.

Now, finding a place to eat is a simple conversation. While exploring an unfamiliar neighborhood, I asked:

@Google Maps Find a top-rated Japanese restaurant within a 15-minute walk of my current location that is open now. Show me its reviews and directions.

Gemini used my live location and cross-referenced it with data from Google Maps, providing me with a concise list of three restaurants that met all my criteria. There was no need for any other apps.

From Scattered Writing Apps to a Single Writing Workflow with Gemini

The traditional writing process often forced me to jump between multiple specialized tools. My notes were scattered in Notion, where I would draft, then copy the text into Grammarly for proofreading. If I needed a better word, I would consult a Thesaurus app.

With Gemini Apps, this fragmented system collapsed into a single inquiry. I could simply request:

@Workspace, find the note ‘Theme Party.’ Draft a brief, casual email to the guest list explaining the new date (October 23rd). For each person, include their assigned costume. Keep the tone positive and fun.

Gemini found the relevant documents, checked the grammar, and suggested alternative words and phrases all within the same chat window. As a result, I deleted Grammarly and the Thesaurus app, moving my note-taking from Notion to Google Keep for easier access.

Additionally, Gemini Gems can further enhance this process. They are specialized modes for niche tasks, such as a Creative Gem for brainstorming, a Formal Tone Gem for work communications, or a Summarizer Gem to condense long documents into my desired format.

When Dedicated Apps Are Still Necessary

While I advocate for this new approach, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Gemini is a jack-of-all-trades, excelling in many common tasks but not mastering any specific one. For tasks requiring professional-grade tools or high security, dedicated apps remain the best choice. For instance, while Gemini can create a basic hiking plan, an app like AllTrails offers detailed topographical maps and offline trail conditions.

Moreover, I would not discuss financial or sensitive data with a chatbot. Practical limitations also exist; while Gemini 3 can handle many tasks offline, full real-time integration for things like flight updates still requires a stable internet connection. Nevertheless, the trade-off for having a unified assistant is one I find worthwhile.

Moving from Taps to Conversations

Before downloading another app, consider asking Gemini first. My phone is now simpler, and Gemini Apps have shown me a new way to interact with the digital world. For decades, we relied on the Graphical User Interface (GUI) with its icons, windows, and menus. This was a revolutionary leap from old text-based command lines, making technology accessible to everyone. We are now transitioning into the era of the Conversational User Interface (CUI), where our interactions are more natural and intuitive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the discovery of the Gemini Apps feature has significantly streamlined my digital life, allowing me to eliminate numerous apps that once cluttered my phone. The ability to consolidate tasks into a single conversational interface has transformed how I manage my daily activities, making it more efficient