Google is slowly going to mothball its mobile phone assistant as it pushes uptake of its AI chatbot, Gemini.
In a move that will surprise no one, Google is going to phase out Assistant stating that it won’t be accessible “on most mobile devices” or for new download “later this year.”
Google has been pushing Gemini hard in the past few year, adding new AI functionality to Sheets and plying developers with Google Gemini Code Assist. This latest news will see Gemini as the assistant on all Google phones as AI becomes central to the company’s offerings.
What Will Happen for Google Phone Users?
Brian Marquardt, the senior director of product management for the Gemini app, gave details of the fate of Google Assistant, which was launched in 2016. He says that it was designed to “unlock a more natural way to get help from Google” but now AI will “reimagine” the experience.
He explained in a blog post: “Over the coming months, we’re upgrading more users on mobile devices from Google Assistant to Gemini; and later this year, the classic Google Assistant will no longer be accessible on most mobile devices or available for new downloads on mobile app stores.”
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He does add that for phone owners whose device doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements to run Gemini, “Google Assistant functionality will not change at this time.”
More Than Mobiles
But the move will not just impact phone owners, with Marquardt stating that an AI glow-up is also coming for the “tablets, cars and devices that connect to your phone, such as headphones and watches.”
There aren’t details as yet but Gemini will also be integrated into home devices like speakers, displays, and TVs. Marquardt promised information on what this will look like “in the next few months.” He added that Google Assistant will continue to be available on these devices for the foreseeable future.
What’s Next From Gemini?
In a post comparing Assistant to Gemini, Google says that interactions will change for users as “Gemini can understand natural language.” It also says that, while “Gemini might not always get it right,” it will improve and “get faster.”
In February, Google detailed all six of the AI improvements it had made for Pixel phones. These included an extension to let Gemini control smart devices in users’ homes, and a redesigned interface.
But it’s not just Google phones, which have integrated Gemini capabilities. At the beginning of the month, iPhone users got new Gemini lock screen widgets with the latest version of the app for iPhones. The updated app also allows users to share text, images, and links directly to Gemini from any app on their iPhone.
Google is obviously hoping that Gemini will become so integrated into phone users’ experiences that it becomes a go-to, especially as AI Siri is still not where Apple wants it to be.
