17 functions are removed by Google


Google announces the end of 17 functions for Google Assistant. The first step towards replacing the application with Google Bard, its new tool dedicated to AI.

Source: Rubaitul Azad via Unsplash

Google has two passions: launching a new service and closing a service. In times of crisis, such as those experienced by tech and video games, the tech giant will undoubtedly focus more on this second passion in the times to come.

While Google has just announced the layoff of several hundred workers in several branches. Almost immediate consequence, some 17 Google Assistant functions will disappear from February 26, 2024.

Functions removed

According to Google, these are functions that were very unpopular. Affected users will be notified from January 26. Here is the list.

  • Read or control audiobook playback with Google Play Books.
  • Set up an alarm clock based on music or radio.
  • Access or manage your cookbook.
  • Manage a timer on Smart Display devices.
  • Use your voice to send a message to Google Family Group devices.
  • Use your voice to send an email, audio or video message.
  • Shift a Google Calendar event by voice.
  • Use the App Launcher in driving mode in Google Maps to listen to and send messages, make calls, or control multimedia.
  • Ask to schedule a family announcement.
  • Connection with the Calm service.
  • Voice control of activities with Fitbit Sense and Versa 3.
  • View your sleep data.
  • Calls made from Smart Displays will no longer display the caller ID.
  • Request certain actions by voice such as sending a payment or making a reservation.
  • Request information about your contacts.
  • Check information about a trip’s itinerary.
  • See on Smart Displays the time it takes to get to work.

This sudden announcement is all the more surprising as Google Assistant is, in the broad sense, part of the solution package.AI» to simplify the lives of its users. We rather expected to see Google work harder to improve its service.

Other changes are also announced by Google regarding Pixel device users. For example, the microphone button in the search bar on Google Pixel devices will now trigger voice search and not Google Assistant.

The end of Google Assistant

This is undoubtedly the sign of the beginning of the end for Google Assistant. The giant now wants to turn to Google Bard, its new tool powered by its LLM Gemini.

We might have expected a merger of tools or an improvement of Assistant, but it now seems clear that one must disappear in favor of the other.



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