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What you need to know
In a continuing shift that began in late 2024, Google has announced the removal of seven additional features from Google Assistant. Users will not receive prior warnings regarding the removal; instead, they will be notified while utilizing the features that they are about to be discontinued. In an effort to ease the transition, Google recommends configuring custom Routines to replicate some functionalities that will no longer be available.
As Google’s advanced AI system, Gemini, begins to take precedence over mobile and smart devices, the technology company has confirmed the elimination of these features. With plans for Gemini to fully implement by the end of 2025, the company is strategically moving away from its existing Assistant capabilities. A recent report by 9to5Google has detailed these changes, reflecting the ongoing transition that Google has been progressing steadily since late 2024.
The transition to Gemini is not isolated to Android phones; Google’s smart home ecosystem, including premium smart speakers and displays, is also undergoing significant modifications. As the company continues to phase out various Assistant functionalities, it is evident that several “underutilized features” will be retired during this transition.
What’s getting cut?
Among the notable removals, Google will discontinue voice management of photo metadata. This means users will no longer be able to use voice commands to favorite, share, or inquire about the date and location of their photos. Nevertheless, these actions can still be performed manually through the Google Photos application, and photo details will remain visible on Smart Displays and tablets.
Voice control over settings for photo frames and ambient displays is also being eliminated, although adjustments can still be made directly within the Smart Display settings. The Interpreter mode, which enabled real-time multilingual dialogue translation, will face the same fate; users will still be able to translate individual words and phrases, but the live conversation functionality will cease to exist.
Other features slated for removal include automatic birthday reminders within Routines, though users will still have the option to set them up manually via Assistant commands. Family Bell announcements, which allow scheduled or requested family reminders, are also set to be eliminated. Furthermore, daily automatic updates such as weather reports will no longer be provided, but users can create custom Routines for scheduled updates. Lastly, connectivity for car accessories via Bluetooth or auxiliary cable will also be discontinued.
No clear timeline, just warnings
Adding to user frustration, Google has not provided a definitive timeline for when these features will be decommissioned. Instead, users will receive notifications while using the impacted features, alerting them to their impending removal.
As a response to the loss of familiar functionalities, Google encourages users to set up custom Routines as a potential workaround to maintain some level of convenience within the Assistant environment.
Source
www.androidcentral.com