The End of an Era: Google Assistant Says Goodbye

In a move that’s been a long time coming, Google has announced that it’s finally retiring its classic Google Assistant. The news comes as no surprise, given the company’s increasing focus on its Gemini AI and assistant-like efforts. But what does this mean for users, and what’s next for Google’s AI ambitions?

The Shift to Gemini

According to Google’s blog post, the company will be upgrading “more” users from Google Assistant to Gemini “over the coming months.” This means that the classic Google Assistant will no longer be accessible on most mobile devices or available for new downloads on mobile app stores at some point later this year. But don’t worry, phones running Android 9 or earlier and without at least 2GB of RAM will still be able to use the classic Assistant, thanks to a report from 9to5Google.

The upgrade to Gemini will also extend to tablets, cars, and devices that connect to your phone, such as headphones and watches. And, as an added bonus, Google is bringing a new experience powered by Gemini to home devices like speakers, displays, and TVs. While we don’t know much about this new experience just yet, it’s likely that we’ll learn more at Google I/O in May.

What’s Next for Google Assistant?

So, what happens to Google Assistant now that it’s being retired? The good news is that it will continue to operate on devices until the upgrade to Gemini is complete. This means that users will still be able to access their favorite features and functionality until the transition is complete.

But what about the future of Google Assistant? Given the company’s increasing focus on Gemini, it’s likely that we’ll see more emphasis on this AI platform in the coming months and years. Gemini has already been integrated into a range of devices, from smart speakers to smart displays, and it’s likely that we’ll see even more devices and services powered by Gemini in the future.

Actionable Insights

So, what can you do to prepare for the transition to Gemini? Here are a few actionable insights to keep in mind:

• Make sure your devices are compatible with Gemini. If you’re using an older device, you may need to upgrade to a newer model to take advantage of the new experience.
• Get familiar with Gemini’s features and functionality. While we don’t know much about the new experience just yet, it’s likely that it will offer a range of new features and capabilities.
• Keep an eye out for updates from Google. The company will likely share more information about the transition to Gemini in the coming months, so be sure to stay tuned for updates.

Conclusion

The retirement of Google Assistant marks the end of an era, but it’s also an exciting time for Google’s AI ambitions. With Gemini, the company is poised to take its AI capabilities to the next level, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store. Whether you’re a longtime Google Assistant user or just getting started with AI, there’s never been a better time to explore the possibilities of Gemini.