All articles tagged with #google assistant
Google has permanently removed the option to switch back to Google Assistant on Android smartphones and tablets. The change, triggered by a recent update to the Google app, forces users to rely exclusively on Gemini for voice interactions. While the transition was announced months ago, the final removal of the toggle in settings confirms the end of the legacy assistant for mobile devices.
Lifehacker suggests five practical tweaks to make Gemini behave more like the old Google Assistant: set Gemini as the default across your Google Home/Nest devices, minimize personalization by turning off nonessential connected apps, use Instructions for Gemini to create custom shorthand commands, leverage Scheduled Actions to replace routines, and pick the fastest model (disable Extended thinking) where available for faster responses.
Google will retire Google Assistant on Android starting Sept. 4 and replace it with Gemini on most devices, with some exemptions for unsupported devices or countries; separately, Mastercard and Visa announce Apple Pay expansion in the Philippines for iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac, emphasizing secure, private payments.
Google will remove Assistant from Android phones, tablets, WearOS watches, and related devices starting September 4, 2026 as it shifts to Gemini; legacy Assistant remains on older Android versions with limited RAM, and cars with Google built-ins stay supported, with Gemini available via the Play Store to switch over.
Google will remove access to Google Assistant on Android phones and tablets, along with paired devices like Wear OS watches, headphones, and cars running Android Auto, starting September 4, 2026, with the rollout expected to take a few weeks. In regions where Gemini is available, users will have only the AI-enabled assistant. Google Home and Google TV are unaffected for now. The Verge is seeking official confirmation as the change moves Android’s voice assistant into the “Gemini or nothing” era.
Google has begun informing Android users that Google Assistant will be removed from devices starting September 4, with the change rolling out over several weeks and Gemini becoming the default assistant on supported Android devices, Wear OS watches, and compatible headphones; once the switch is applied, users won’t be able to revert to Google Assistant.
Google is replacing the in-car Assistant in Google-built cars with Gemini through an over-the-air update, enabling natural voice conversations, contextual navigation via Maps, and the ability to access Gmail, Calendar, and Google Home data from the driver’s seat; the upgrade starts in English for the US market and rolls out to current vehicles once you’re signed into your Google account, with Gemini Live offering more fluid on-the-go dialogue and EV battery status integration depending on the car.
Google is edging toward a $68 million class-action settlement over inadvertent recordings captured by Google Assistant devices (the so-called False Accepts). The payout would go to users with accounts linked to affected devices dating back to 2016, while Google denies wrongdoing; the suit stems from a 2019 VRT NWS report and parallels settlements with other tech giants.
Google has agreed to pay $68 million to settle a California class-action accusing Google Assistant of secretly recording private conversations on Android devices and sharing the audio with advertisers; the proposed payout requires court approval and would be distributed to eligible device owners dating back to May 2016, with lawyers potentially taking up to about $22 million in fees; Google denies wrongdoing.
In 2025, several notable tech products and services were discontinued, including TiVo DVRs, Skype, Humane AI Pin, Pocket, Zelle's standalone app, Meta's fact-checking program, Mr. Deepfakes, Google Assistant, and Twitter's domain, reflecting the fast-paced and ever-evolving nature of the tech industry.
The Gemini update for Android Auto introduces more detailed responses and interactions, which some drivers find helpful and others find verbose or problematic, leading to mixed reactions and calls for fixes from Google.
Google is extending the timeline for replacing Assistant with its new AI, Gemini, on Android devices to ensure a smooth transition, with updates continuing into 2025 or possibly beyond, as the company integrates Gemini across its products and devices.
Google has delayed the full replacement of Google Assistant with Gemini on Android devices until 2026, with the transition now planned to be completed by that year, including the discontinuation of the Assistant app on Android and iOS.
Google has begun rolling out Gemini, a new voice assistant that replaces Google Assistant on Android Auto, offering improved natural language understanding and integration with connected apps, initially for beta users, with features like live responses and message translation.
Google is rolling out its new Gemini for Home assistant in the US, which will replace Google Assistant on Nest devices, offering more complex task handling and a conversational tone. Users can request early access via the Google Home app, but once upgraded, they cannot revert to the old Assistant. Some features require a paid Google Home Premium subscription.