Google is set to transition away from its long-standing virtual assistant, Google Assistant, in favor of its new AI initiative, Gemini. This significant shift was announced in a blog post released by the company on Friday, indicating that a broader rollout of Gemini will begin for “more” users over the upcoming months.
As part of this transition, Google Assistant will eventually become unavailable on most mobile devices. The classic version of the assistant will no longer be accessible and will also be removed from mobile app stores for new downloads at some point later this year. However, it is worth noting that devices running Android 9 or earlier, which are equipped with at least 2GB of RAM, will still retain access to the classic Google Assistant, as reported by 9to5Google.
In addition to mobile devices, Google plans to upgrade a variety of other platforms to Gemini. This includes tablets, vehicles, and various devices that connect to smartphones, such as headphones and smartwatches. Furthermore, Google is set to enhance home devices, including speakers, displays, and televisions, with a new experience powered by Gemini.
The company has promised to provide more detailed information about these upgrades in the coming months, with speculation that further announcements may be made during the Google I/O event scheduled for May. Despite the impending changes, Google has assured users that Google Assistant will continue to function on supported devices until the transition to Gemini is fully implemented.
Google Assistant was first introduced in 2016, and over the years, it has become a staple in the realm of virtual assistants. However, with the emergence of Gemini as a comprehensive branding for various AI and assistant-like technologies within Google, the decision to officially retire Google Assistant is not entirely unexpected. This move reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation and the evolution of its AI capabilities.
