Google Assistant is officially gone, and people aren't happy about it

Google Assistant is now gone for a lot of people, as the final phase of Google's shutdown takes effect.

This marks the very final end for the Assistant, which was once the jewel in Google's technical crown. But now, having been replaced by Gemini, Google Assistant is no longer available for use on Android smartphones (via Android Authority).

Related

Why I abandoned Gemini and returned to Google Assistant for my daily routines

Would you prefer a jack of all trades, or a master of one?

Posts 5
By  Mark Jansen

The end of Google Assistant

You can no longer swap to Google Assistant

We knew this day would come. Google announced it would be shutting Google Assistant down in August of this year, with the kill-off officially starting on September 4.

Well, it seems that dark day has arrived for many, as many people are reporting being unable to switch from Gemini to Google Assistant. Numerous Reddit users has noticed Google Assistant is now completely gone, and those reports have been confirmed by the teams at 9to5 Google and Android Authority as well.

For my own part, I've checked, and the option to swap from Gemini to Google Assistant no longer exists on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 or the Pixel 10 Pro. You can still download the Google Assistant app on an iPhone, and it functions exactly the same as it once did on there, so it's clear the servers haven't been switched off just yet. However, I imagine it's just a matter of time until that no longer works.

Such is life, progress cannot be stopped. However, there are plenty who wish it would in this specific.

Tech lovers are often happy when a new product replaces the old, but in this case, there are too many questions about Gemini's effectiveness. We've seen plenty of complaints about Gemini's effectiveness in the past, and this change has lead to more surfacing. Simply put, most people are not happy with how well Gemini works and don't think Google Assistant should be retired.

While Gemini tends to excel at conversations and answering trickier questions, it lacks some of Assistant's skills and ability to speak to other devices. So while I don't have a problem with Gemini, I also don't use it to control other smart home devices — which is where Assistant beats Gemini. So it's easy to see why some are seriously bothered by this change.

But, like it or loathe the decision, Google Assistant has gone. Pour one out tonight for a real one.