Using Gemini to pick what to watch beats scrolling Netflix for 30 minutes

A writer at Android Police says asking Google's Gemini chatbot what to watch worked better than scrolling Netflix. Akshay Bhalla used to spend 20 to 30 minutes browsing and often gave up. Now he tells the chatbot how much time he has and what mood he is in, and it suggests shows to try.

The problem

Bhalla says he often quits Netflix and watches YouTube, or rewatches safe picks like F.R.I.E.N.D.S. He says Netflix's suggestions once led him to shows like Mindhunter and Dark. Now he feels it favors what is trending and what keeps people watching. It also does not know he has only 45 minutes before bed, or that he may want something light after a heavy show.

How he uses Gemini

He gives Gemini his real limits in a short prompt. One example: he has 60 minutes before bed, wants something funny and light, such as an adult cartoon or a sitcom, and has already seen Rick and Morty, Friends and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Gemini replies with more than titles.

• The vibe of each show
• The length of each episode
• A short reason it might suit him

He also turned on Gemini's memory feature. If he says he liked a show's first season but dropped it in the second, Gemini adjusts later picks instead of repeating itself. To switch it on, open the Gemini app, tap the three-line menu, go to your profile, choose Personal Intelligence, and turn on Memory.

For hands-free use, he talks to Gemini Live, the voice mode. For a different mood, such as true crime or drama, he changes the prompt or sets a scheduled task that sends a new pick every Sunday.

What to watch out for

Bhalla is clear that the method is not perfect. Gemini is not connected to Netflix, so you have to search for each title yourself.

• Gemini can confuse similar titles, so check what it names.
• It needs steady feedback to learn what you like and dislike.

What to do

If you scroll more than you watch, try giving an AI chat app your time limit, your mood and a few shows you already know. Then double-check each suggestion before you search for it. Bhalla's results are one person's experience, not a test of how well this works for everyone.