Gemini rolls out new 'Extended' Thinking level to some users

Google’s Gemini app has started showing some users a new “Extended” option under a “Thinking level” menu, according to a 9to5Google report published on May 17. The report said the feature appears in the app’s model picker and is part of a limited rollout ahead of Google I/O 2026. Google has not yet published a formal announcement for the feature on its Gemini news pages. The same report said the mobile app is also preparing broader third-party integrations. Google’s public help documentation already says Gemini Apps can connect to outside services to complete requests, and it gives GitHub, Spotify and WhatsApp as current examples. ### Where is the new “Extended” setting showing up? (9to5google.com) 9to5Google said the new menu appears at the bottom of the model-picker sheet for some users. The report said it only shows up when a user selects Fast, which it identified as Gemini 3 Flash, or Gemini 3.1 Pro, and not when selecting Thinking. The two visible choices in that menu are “Standard” and “Extended,” according to the report. 9to5Google described the rollout as limited, which suggests availability is not yet broad across Gemini users. (9to5google.com) ### How does this fit with Google’s existing Gemini setup? Google said in a November 2025 blog post that Gemini 3 Pro was rolling out globally in the Gemini app and that users could access it by selecting “Thinking” from the model selector. (9to5google.com) That post did not mention an “Extended” thinking level, which indicates the new option is either newer or not yet formally documented by Google in the same way. 9to5Google said the new menu resembles controls already available in Google AI Studio, where users can choose among different thinking levels. The publication did not cite Google describing the Gemini app version in detail, and Google’s currently visible support pages do not appear to spell out “Extended” for the consumer app. (blog.google) ### Which outside apps are already connected, and which ones appear to be next? Google’s Gemini help page says connected apps can be invoked with an “@” prompt and can pull in services for coding, media, messaging and other tasks. The page names GitHub, Spotify and WhatsApp among examples, and says users can manage those app connections in settings. (9to5google.com) 9to5Google reported that the Gemini app currently includes third-party apps such as GitHub, OpenStax, Spotify and WhatsApp. The report also said support documents show Canva, Instacart and OpenTable are coming, though it added that those additions had not yet rolled out. ### What would Canva, Instacart and OpenTable let Gemini do? (support.google.com) 9to5Google said Canva support would let users create designs, move assets, manage folders and reply to comments from within Gemini. The same report said Instacart support would let users check nearby product availability and add items to a shopping cart tied to a saved address. (9to5google.com) OpenTable support would let Gemini help find, book and manage restaurant reservations, according to the report. 9to5Google said those bookings would use Reserve with Google to check availability and complete reservations with OpenTable. ### When is Google expected to say more? Google said its annual I/O developer conference will run May 19-20 at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, and online. (9to5google.com) The company’s event schedule lists the Google keynote for May 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. PT. Google has said I/O will include updates across products “from Gemini to Android and more.” That makes the May 19 keynote the next scheduled venue for any formal details on Gemini’s new thinking controls or expanded app integrations. (9to5google.com) (blog.google)