The Transition from Google Assistant to Gemini
The retirement of the much-loved Google Assistant for Android phone users is set to expand its reach to iPhone owners. Earlier this month, Google announced its plan to phase out Google Assistant by the end of the year. Users will soon be able to engage with Gemini, Google’s advanced AI-powered voice assistant, using natural language in ways that were previously unattainable with its predecessor.
Initially launched in 2016, Google Assistant is being replaced by Gemini, which promises a smarter and more intuitive interaction experience. This transition will occur across Android devices, paralleling how iPhone users interact with Apple’s Siri. Additionally, numerous Google applications that depend on the voice assistant may also see changes, impacting iOS users as well. One such app is Waze, the popular navigation tool owned by Google. iPhone users of Waze will soon experience the switch from Google Assistant to Gemini.
Currently, Google Assistant remains active within Waze for Android users. However, issues with the older voice assistant have been reported on the iOS platform, prompting the switch to the more sophisticated Gemini. Waze shared in a recent community forum, “Instead of merely patching a feature that has consistently faced difficulties, we’ve opted to retire Google Assistant on iOS starting tomorrow and replace it with an upgraded voice interaction solution in the near future.”
While the gradual phasing out of Google Assistant has caused frustration among some Android users, the transition is expected to bring notable improvements. With Gemini, users will be able to communicate in a natural and conversational manner, eliminating the need for specific commands or phrasing. This means that users can interact with the voice assistant as if they were talking to a person. For example, if a user mentions, “there’s a bin in the road,” Gemini will comprehend the context and ensure the correct report is logged for the benefit of other users.
Many users have embraced this transition, but skepticism remains among certain individuals. One user expressed their concerns on Reddit, stating, “One thing I hate about Google is they kill perfectly good things and call it innovation.” Another user commented, “The last time I tried Gemini Assistant or whatever it’s called, it couldn’t even set a timer.”
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