Google Officially Replaces Assistant with Gemini - Only One Way to Retain It

After just nine years, Google has decided to retire its Assistant, signaling a significant shift in its AI strategy. Last fall, Google announced that it would replace the default Android assistant, Assistant, with Gemini. Although users could still opt to use Assistant, that choice is now disappearing, and everyone will need to transition to Gemini.

Google made this clear in a recent blog post, stating, "Later this year, the classic Google Assistant will no longer be accessible on most mobile devices or available for new downloads on mobile app stores." This means that if you've set up routines or reminders using Assistant, you'll have to recreate them with Gemini.

It's not just phones that are making the switch. Google has plans to bring Gemini to a range of devices, including tablets, cars, connected devices like watches and headphones, home devices such as speakers and displays, and even TVs in the coming months.

The only way to continue using Assistant is if your device falls below the new minimum requirements, which include at least 2GB of RAM and running Android 10 or later.

Google reports that millions have already transitioned to Gemini, which is now available in over 40 languages and more than 200 countries. So, why the change? Google aims for Gemini to surpass Assistant's capabilities.

They've been gradually enabling Gemini to handle basic tasks like setting timers, playing media, setting reminders, and controlling smart home devices, all of which Assistant could do. But Google's vision for Gemini goes beyond these functionalities. They want an assistant that can seamlessly interact with other apps and services, understand your environment, boost your productivity and creativity, and, importantly, offer a more personalized experience. At the heart of this vision is artificial intelligence.