Google has officially announced that it will phase out Google Assistant in favour of its more advanced AI system, Gemini, later this year. The transition will affect most mobile devices and extend to other platforms such as tablets, cars, and wearable devices.
In a blog post, it was revealed that the upgrade from Assistant to Gemini will occur gradually over the coming months. Users still relying on Assistant will receive upgrade prompts before the full transition, with the exception of those still using Android 9 or earlier as well as owning devices with less than 2GB of RAM.
Google has been enhancing Gemini’s functionality to ensure a seamless shift. Key features like music playback, timer support, and the ability to take actions directly from the lock screen have been integrated to cater to users who heavily depend on Assistant’s capabilities. This move aligns with the recent Pixel 9 smartphone launch, which already features Gemini as the default on-device assistant.
The shift to the newer AI-powered assistant will not be limited to mobile devices, the company added. It was confirmed that Gemini will eventually see integration into watches, cars, tablets, and headphones. Additionally, a new experience powered by the new assistant will be introduced to home devices, including speakers, displays, and TVs.
Google assures users that further details will be shared in the coming months, and Assistant will remain functional on affected devices until the full transition is complete. It added that millions of users have already migrated to Gemini, and the focus remains on enhancing its quality and performance for everyday use.
(Source: Google [official blog])
