On Friday, we learned that Gemini is replacing Google Assistant on Android phones. At the same time, Google quietly announced that Assistant is losing 7 more features.
This follows Google at the start of 2024 announcing 18 feature removals across Android, smart displays, and speakers. Google on Friday updated that list with 7 more capabilities:
- Favorite, share, and ask where and when your photos were taken with your voice.
- You can still favorite and share your photos in the Google Photos app and see where and when your photos were taken on your Smart Display and tablet.
- Change photo frame settings or ambient screen settings with your voice.
- You can still change your photo frame settings in your Smart Display settings.
- Translate your live conversation with someone who doesn’t speak your language with interpreter mode.
- Translating a single word or phrase from one language to another will still work. Learn about interpreter mode.
- Get birthday reminder notifications as part of Routines.
- You can still ask your Assistant to set a reminder about birthdays you care about.
- Ask to schedule or hear previously scheduled Family Bell announcements.
- Learn how to create a Routine.
- Get daily updates from your Assistant, like “send me the weather everyday.”
- You can schedule updates when you create a custom Routine. Learn how to create a Routine.
- Use Google Assistant on car accessories that have a Bluetooth connection or AUX plug.
The changes to photo frame slideshows aren’t major losses, but remove some convenience. Family Bell is a customer favorite, with Routines offered as the alternative today.
Google Assistant Interpreter Mode was announced in 2019 and turned smart displays and speakers into dedicated translation devices. It was also available on Android. The obvious (and more advanced) replacement is the dedicated Google Translate app on mobile.
Google also confirmed that Assistant car mics are shutting down as we previously reported.
