As all attention moves over to Gemini, the experience of Google Assistant just continues to crumble, and that’s getting especially bad for Android Auto users as of late.
In a somewhat unexpected turn of events, Google’s big Gemini for Home voice assistant update doesn’t just work on Nest devices, but several third-party Google Assistant speakers too!
On a support page, Google is hinting that the end of Google Assistant is nearing, with the Gemini takeover apparently completing in March 2026 when Assistant will no longer be accessible… at least on Android Auto.
Back in June, Google introduced three new voices for the upcoming Gemini-Assistant revamp for the Nest Mini and Audio. Ahead of launch, Google has renamed most of them, but they otherwise appear to be the same.
If you’re having trouble controlling lights via Google Home and voice commands, you’re not alone, as Google has acknowledged some issues regarding this functionality and is working to roll out a fix.
Google Assistant has, especially in the context of the smart home, been crumbling over the past couple of years. In a post this evening, Google’s lead for Home and Nest has acknowledged Assistant issues while also teasing “major improvements” coming later this year.
As part of bringing Gemini (models) to Assistant on the Nest Mini and Audio, Google is adding more natural voices. Following the initial seven options added in December, Google recently introduced three more voices.
We didn’t get a real update about Gemini on smart speakers and display at I/O 2025 last week, but Google Home recently added a new “Voice assistant experiments” setting for it.
Since December, Google has been testing a Gemini-powered upgrade for Assistant on some Nest speakers. The Nest Audio is now using the Gemini colors, which raises some interesting branding questions.
Google has officially confirmed that the Assistant “Driving Mode” bar that appears at the bottom of Google Maps navigation on Android is no longer available.
In February of 2024, Google Assistant Driving Mode was pared back to basically be a voice bar, but in recent days it has disappeared entirely from Google Maps on Android.
The “Assistant” app on your Wear OS watch is getting updated today via the Google Play Store to version 1.18.x. There are no changes to Google Assistant, but the groundwork for Gemini is being laid out.
Some months after confirming that upcoming LG smart TVs will get access to Copilot in the coming months, it appears that the Google Assistant is being removed from existing screens.
It’s no secret that Gemini is coming to Android Auto soon, but it’s not here just yet. Ahead of the rollout, though, Google is removing the Assistant-colored microphone from Android Auto, seemingly as it prepares for the switch.
It’s no secret that Google is planning to bring Gemini to Android Auto and, while that’s still not live, Android Auto 14.0 is now rolling out to all users and brings more hints that Gemini is just around the corner.
On Friday, we learned that Gemini is replacing Google Assistant on Android phones. At the same time, Google quietly announced that Assistant is losing 7 more features.
Just over a year after its launch and various feature parity updates, Gemini is set to replace Google Assistant on Android phones later in 2025. This follows yesterday’s model updates and bringing Deep Research to all users.
Google Assistant
Assistant is Google’s personal assistant that is capable of answering questions, performing automated tasks, and more.
Devices powered by the Google Assistant |
Android Auto users are frustrated by a crumbling Google Assistant as Gemini rollout drags on
As all attention moves over to Gemini, the experience of Google Assistant just continues to crumble, and that’s getting especially bad for Android Auto users as of late.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini will replace Google Assistant on Android in 2026
Back in March, Google said Gemini would replace Assistant on Android phones this year. That “upgrade” is now set for 2026.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini for Home update already working on some third-party Google Assistant speakers
In a somewhat unexpected turn of events, Google’s big Gemini for Home voice assistant update doesn’t just work on Nest devices, but several third-party Google Assistant speakers too!
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle hints at Assistant shutdown in ‘March 2026,’ but seemingly only on Android Auto
On a support page, Google is hinting that the end of Google Assistant is nearing, with the Gemini takeover apparently completing in March 2026 when Assistant will no longer be accessible… at least on Android Auto.
Expand Expanding CloseVerizon is shutting down its car accessory that doubled as a Google Assistant speaker and hotspot
Verizon has announced that Hum, a cellular-connected car accessory that included Google Assistant support, is shutting down later this year.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle renames most of its new Gemini-Assistant voices for Nest [Video]
Back in June, Google introduced three new voices for the upcoming Gemini-Assistant revamp for the Nest Mini and Audio. Ahead of launch, Google has renamed most of them, but they otherwise appear to be the same.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home rolling out fix for issues with light controls via voice commands
If you’re having trouble controlling lights via Google Home and voice commands, you’re not alone, as Google has acknowledged some issues regarding this functionality and is working to roll out a fix.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle acknowledges Assistant issues with Home, teases ‘major improvements’ coming
Google Assistant has, especially in the context of the smart home, been crumbling over the past couple of years. In a post this evening, Google’s lead for Home and Nest has acknowledged Assistant issues while also teasing “major improvements” coming later this year.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle releases three new Gemini-Assistant voices for Nest Mini, Audio [Video]
As part of bringing Gemini (models) to Assistant on the Nest Mini and Audio, Google is adding more natural voices. Following the initial seven options added in December, Google recently introduced three more voices.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home app adds ‘Voice assistant experiments’ setting for Gemini
We didn’t get a real update about Gemini on smart speakers and display at I/O 2025 last week, but Google Home recently added a new “Voice assistant experiments” setting for it.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini colors come to Nest Audio testing ‘Google Assistant’ upgrade
Since December, Google has been testing a Gemini-powered upgrade for Assistant on some Nest speakers. The Nest Audio is now using the Gemini colors, which raises some interesting branding questions.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle confirms removal of Assistant ‘Driving Mode’
Google has officially confirmed that the Assistant “Driving Mode” bar that appears at the bottom of Google Maps navigation on Android is no longer available.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Assistant ‘Driving Mode’ in Maps for Android has disappeared
In February of 2024, Google Assistant Driving Mode was pared back to basically be a voice bar, but in recent days it has disappeared entirely from Google Maps on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Assistant branding is being phased out on Wear OS
The “Assistant” app on your Wear OS watch is getting updated today via the Google Play Store to version 1.18.x. There are no changes to Google Assistant, but the groundwork for Gemini is being laid out.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle is shutting down Assistant on Fitbit smartwatches
Google Assistant launched on the Sense and Versa smartwatches in 2020. Now, it’s shutting down.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini will come to Wear OS as an app update [APK Insight]
Google confirmed that Gemini was replacing Assistant on watches last month. Gemini should arrive on Wear OS as a straightforward app update.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle app removing Assistant settings on Android
Ahead of this year’s mobile deprecation, the Google app is no longer providing a link to Assistant settings.
Expand Expanding CloseGboard’s Assistant voice typing on Pixel becomes ‘Advanced features’
The Google Assistant wind down on mobile continues with Gboard rebranding “Assistant voice typing” on the Pixel to just “Advanced features.”
Expand Expanding CloseLG TVs will lose the Google Assistant on May 1
Some months after confirming that upcoming LG smart TVs will get access to Copilot in the coming months, it appears that the Google Assistant is being removed from existing screens.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Auto ditches Assistant mic icon for some with Gemini around the corner
It’s no secret that Gemini is coming to Android Auto soon, but it’s not here just yet. Ahead of the rollout, though, Google is removing the Assistant-colored microphone from Android Auto, seemingly as it prepares for the switch.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Auto 14.0 starts rolling out, prepares to replace Assistant with Gemini
It’s no secret that Google is planning to bring Gemini to Android Auto and, while that’s still not live, Android Auto 14.0 is now rolling out to all users and brings more hints that Gemini is just around the corner.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini replacing Google Assistant on Chromebooks
Following the Android announcement last week, Gemini is set to replace Google Assistant on Chromebooks.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Assistant losing 7 more features across Android, Nest Hub/speakers
On Friday, we learned that Gemini is replacing Google Assistant on Android phones. At the same time, Google quietly announced that Assistant is losing 7 more features.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini replacing Google Assistant on Android phones later in 2025
Just over a year after its launch and various feature parity updates, Gemini is set to replace Google Assistant on Android phones later in 2025. This follows yesterday’s model updates and bringing Deep Research to all users.
Expand Expanding Close