What you should know
- Voice assistants, such as Google Assistant, are widely used with about 146 million users in the US alone. Google is planning to streamline its Assistant by removing almost 20 features.
- Some of the features that will be removed include controlling audiobooks on Google Play Books by voice, cookbook management on Google Assistant, setting media, music, or radio alarms on Google Assistant devices, and voice calling a device or broadcasting to your Google Family Group.
- Google is not only removing features but also enhancing the user experience in the Google app. The microphone icon now triggers Search results in response to queries, streamlining its most popular use. However, the microphone icon in the Search bar won’t support actions like “turn on the lights” or “send a message” anymore.
- To ensure users have the latest version of Google Assistant, they will be prompted to upgrade the Google app if they’re using an older version (v12 and older).
Full Story
Voice assistants are a big deal these days. They’re super useful for looking up stuff or getting tasks done. In the US alone, about 146 million folks are using them.
One of the most popular ones, Google Assistant, is about to get a makeover. Google recently let the cat out of the bag in a blog post. They’re trimming down the Assistant by saying adios to nearly 20 features.
What’s the aim? They’re looking to sharpen up quality and reliability. They want a smoother Assistant experience across all devices. From January 26, if you try to use one of these features, you might get a heads-up that it’s retiring after a certain date.
Here’s a quick rundown of some features that are getting the axe. Controlling audiobooks on Google Play Books by voice? That’s out. You can still cast them from your mobile though.
Cookbook management on Google Assistant is also out. No more transferring recipes, instructional videos, and step-by-step guides. But don’t sweat it, you can still use Google Assistant to search for recipes online and on YouTube.
Setting media, music, or radio alarms on Google Assistant devices is a no-go. Instead, you can create a custom Routine or use a standard alarm. Stopwatch management on Smart Displays and Speakers will also be a thing of the past. But hey, setting timers and alarms is still a go.
Voice calling a device or broadcasting to your Google Family Group? That’s a no-go. But you can still broadcast to devices within your home. Sending emails, video, or audio messages with your voice will no longer be an option. But you can still make calls and send text messages.
No more asking for contact information. But you can still make calls to them. No more App Launcher in Google Assistant driving mode on Google Maps for messages and calls. But you can still use voice control on Google Maps.
Voice control for activities will be off the table for Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 devices. You’ll have to use the buttons on your device for activity control. Pixel Watches still support voice control for activities.
Calls from speakers and Smart Displays won’t display a caller ID unless you’re using Duo. Voice-checking personal travel itineraries is out. But you can still ask about flight status.
Voice actions like sending payments, making reservations, or posting on social media will no longer be supported. But you can still ask the Assistant to open your installed apps.
Google isn’t just about removing features. They’re also enhancing your experience in the Google app. Now, the microphone icon triggers Search results in response to your queries. This streamlines its most popular use.
Activating Assistant remains the same – just say “Hey Google,” long-press on the home or power button (on select Android phones), or open the Google Assistant app on iOS. But the microphone icon in the Search bar won’t support actions like “turn on the lights” or “send a message” anymore.
This applies to the Pixel Search bar, too. It will activate Voice Search instead of Assistant. To make sure you have the latest version of Google Assistant, you’ll be asked to upgrade the Google app if you’re using an older version (v12 and older).
