Google announced important changes for your virtual assistant, Google Assistant. With a view to improving quality and reliability, some less used features will no longer be supported. This decision will affect several aspects of the daily use of Google Assistant, from audio books to managing calendar events. Here are all the changes in detail and what they mean for users.
What's new and changed in Google Assistant
Google has announced a series of updates regarding Google Assistant, aimed at optimizing the user experience by focusing efforts on the most popular features. It may be a coincidence that these news arrive just when the company announced it the assistant based on Google Bard? This implies the retirement of some less used features but also some that are used on a larger scale. Here they are in detail:
- Audiobooks on Google Play Books: it will no longer be possible to control them with your voice, but you can still transmit them from your mobile device.
- Multimedia alarms: You will no longer be able to set or use multimedia, music or radio alarms. It will be possible to create a customized Routine or use a standard alarm.
- Recipe management: You will no longer be able to access or manage your recipe book, transfer recipes from one device to another, play recipe videos, or view step-by-step recipes. You can search for recipes on the internet and YouTube.
- Stopwatch on Smart Displays and Speakers: it will no longer be manageable by voice, but you can still set timers and alarms.
- Calls and messages to the Google Family Group: you will no longer be able to send them by voice, but it will still be possible to transmit messages to devices in your home.
- I send emails and audio/video messages: It will no longer be possible to do this with your voice, but you will still be able to make calls and send text messages.
- Rescheduling events on Google Calendar: it will no longer be possible to do it by voice, but you will still be able to plan new events.
- App Launcher in driving mode: You will no longer be able to read and send messages, make calls and control media. Voice control on Google Maps will remain unchanged.
- Family Bell Ads: it will no longer be possible to program them or listen to them with your voice, but you will be able to create a personalized Routine.
- Meditation with Calm: You will no longer be able to request it by voice, but you will still be able to request meditation options from other content providers such as YouTube.
- Voice control on Fitbit Sense and Versa 3: will no longer be available. You will have to use the buttons on your device for tasks such as start, stop, pause, and resume. Voice control will remain on Pixel Watches.
- Sleep summaries: They will only be available on Google Smart Displays. You will still be able to request sleep details by voice on third-party smart watches.
- Calls from speakers and Smart Displays: They won't show your caller ID unless you use Duo.
- Estimated travel time to work: it will no longer be viewable on Smart Displays. You will still be able to ask for travel times and obtain directions by voice.
- Personal travel itineraries: you will no longer be able to control them with your voice, but you will be able to ask for the flight status.
- Contact information: you will no longer be able to request by voice, but you will still be able to make calls to contacts.
- Specific actions: You will no longer be able to request them by voice, such as sending a payment, making a reservation or posting on social media. You can still ask Assistant to open installed apps.
These updates reflect Google's intent to optimize and simplify Google Assistant, highlighting the importance of focusing on the features most appreciated by users. Removing some options could push users to look for alternative solutions or further personalize their interactions with the assistant.
Have you already noticed the cancellation of these features?
