Google Assistant has countless features and integrates with several Google and third-party services. However, it is also a bit confusing, and Google says that it is making things simpler by removing features that are rarely used. The company says that it will keep adding more useful features to Google Assistant, but it looks like more focus will now be on Google Assistant with Bard, which was unveiled last year.
Let us have a look at all the features that are going away from Google Assistant.
Google removing 18 features from Google Assistant
- The microphone icon on the home screen of Pixel smartphones and tablets will no longer open Google Assistant. Instead, it will initiate a web search.
- Google says that it is removing the ability to play or control audiobooks from Google Play Books using voice commands. You can still cast audio from audiobooks via your phone or tablet.
- Setting media/music/radio as your alarm audio is being removed on Google Assistant-enabled devices. To recreate a similar behavior, you need to use a custom Routine.
- You can no longer use Google Assistant to access or manage your cookbook. It won't support transferring recipes from one device to another or playing instructional recipe videos. It won't be able to help you with recipes by playing step-by-step recipe instructions.
- Google Assistant won't be able to manage a stopwatch on smart displays and smart speakers.
- You can't use your voice to call a device or broadcast your message to your Google Family Group. You can only broadcast to compatible devices in your home.
- You can't use your voice to send an audio message, email, or video message. You can continue to make calls or send text messages using your voice.
- You can't reschedule an event in Google Calendar using a voice command.
- You can't use the app launcher in Google Assistant Driving Mode on Google Maps to control media, make calls, or read and send messages.
- Google Assistant can't tell you your schedule or hear previously scheduled Family Bell announcements.
- You can't ask Google Assistant to start a meditation session on Calm. You can use an alternative like YouTube to show meditation options.
- The Voice control option for activities won't be available for Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa 3. You need to use the buttons on those devices to start/stop and pause/resume activities.
- You can't know about sleep summaries on a smartphone or a smart speaker. You can view it only on Google Smart Displays. You can view sleep details through voice commands on third-party smart clocks.
- Unless you are on Google Duo, calls made from smart displays and smart speakers won't show up with a Caller ID.
- Google Assistant won't be able to show ‘Commute to Work' time estimates on Smart Displays.
- Google Assistant won't be able to show you your personal travel itineraries. Only flight status can be known through voice commands.
- Google Assistant won't give you information about your contacts, but you can still make calls.
- Google Assistant can't perform certain actions by voice commands. Those include sending a payment, making a reservation, and posting on social media. You need to do those things manually through apps installed on your phone.
Google Assistant with Bard is coming first to Pixel smartphones. The Galaxy S23 and the upcoming Galaxy S24 series will be among the first phones to get Google Assistant with Bard. While Google is busy removing features, Samsung has added dozens of new features to its smartphones and tablets with the Android 14-based One UI 6.0 update.
You can watch all those features and design improvements in our One UI 6.0 videos below.
