Source (Bluesky)
Transcript
Here’s an example that Google’s Josh Woodward, VP of the Gemini app, Google Labs, and AI Studio, shared in a blog post about how Personal Intelligence can work. Google also put together a similar example in a video that I’ve embedded below:
For example, we needed new tires for our 2019 Honda minivan two weeks ago. Standing in line at the shop, I realized I didn’t know the tire size. I asked Gemini. These days any chatbot can find these tire specs, but Gemini went further. It suggested different options: one for daily driving and another for all-weather conditions, referencing our family road trips to Oklahoma found in Google Photos. It then neatly pulled ratings and prices for each. As I got to the counter, I needed our license plate. Instead of searching for it or losing my spot in line to walk back to the parking lot, I asked Gemini. It pulled the seven-digit number from a picture in Photos and also helped me identify the van’s specific trim by searching Gmail. Just like that, we were set.
That's... Not how getting tires works? You pull up to whatever garage you go to, ask to get your tires replaced, and it's done in a few minutes with literally no other input needed (if it goes smoothly anyway). Even if you're going to a weird corporate place they're going to check over your car instead of asking you anything.
I mean there are multiple different ways tires get replaced. My process involves taking the bad wheel off of my car and having a friend drive me to the shop. The tire guy looks up the specs on my tire and I tell him to put the cheapest possible replacement on it. He takes the wheel in the shop, performs his profane black magic ritual (I have no idea how tires go on wheels), and comes out with a shiny new tire attached to the dusty old wheel, that I then take home and slap on my car.
That said, there is no situation where you'd lose your place in line. Worst case scenario, the tire guy is going to walk out to your car with you to check what tires it needs
Wait, you just let them put on whatever they can get the highest margin on?!
There's a vast difference between different tire types in terms of stopping distance, wet handling, wear, road noise, comfort, ... When I walk into a tire place, you can bet I come prepared with a short list of tires that I'm willing to consider, and a pre-estimation of the price of those tires in my tire size.
Also, the tire size is literally just 3 numbers, and it's literally there on the tire. Why wouldn't you know that about your car?
The expectation is they will put on the exact same brand and model of tires if they have it, and the closest equivalent of they don't.
There's definitely middle ground there, if you rock up to a tyre place near me they'll generally ask if you want a cheapo, mid range or premium tyre, you're welcome to preorder off the website or they'll get something for you if you have something in mind. Mom pootling around town in her 3 door euro hatch doesn't need a set of Toyos.
I will say, it never ceases to amaze me the sheer number of no-name Chinese tyre brands that exist. I must've put 30 different brands of cheap tyres on cars over the years.