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Google Assistant is omnipresent across all Android devices, providing abundant features, both actively utilized and overlooked. Google has announced its decision to phase out certain underutilized features as part of an ongoing effort to enhance the overall user experience.
Google stated in a blog that, “As we strive to enhance the utility of Google Assistant, we are focusing on optimizing the experiences that users appreciate most and investing in refining the underlying technology to elevate their performance. Consequently, some less-utilized features will be discontinued.” The removal process includes a total of 17 features from the Assistant platform.
Here is a complete list of features being removed from Google Assistant-
1. Managing and navigating audiobooks on Google Play Books using voice commands. You can still cast audiobooks from your mobile device.
2. Configuring and employing media alarms, music alarms, or radio alarms on devices equipped with Google Assistant. You can design a custom Routine with comparable functionalities or opt for a standard alarm.
3. Accessing or overseeing your recipe collection, transferring recipes between devices, streaming instructional recipe videos, or displaying step-by-step cooking instructions, all achievable through Google Assistant. You can use Google Assistant to search for recipes across the web and YouTube.
4. Controlling a stopwatch on Smart Displays and Speakers is now streamlined. You can still set times and alarms for your convenience.
5. Employing your voice to initiate a call to a device or broadcast a message to your Google Family Group. You can still broadcast your devices within your home.
6. Using voice commands to send emails, video messages, or audio messages has been simplified. However, the option to make calls and send text messages is still available.
7. Rescheduling the timing of an event in Google Calendar through voice commands. You retain the ability to schedule new events.
8. Utilizing the App Launcher in Google Assistant driving mode on Google Maps for tasks such as reading and sending messages, making calls, and managing media. The option to control these features through voice commands on Google Maps remains unchanged.
9. Requesting to schedule or listen to previously arranged Family Bell announcements is now more streamlined. However, you can design a custom Routine with comparable functionalities.
10. Requesting a meditation session with Calm. you still have the option to inquire about meditation choices with media providers like YouTube.
11. On Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 devices, voice control for activities will no longer be supported. You’ll need to utilize the buttons on your device to initiate, stop, pause, or resume activities. However, the functionality of voice-controlling activities remains available on Pixel Watches.
12. The ability to view your sleep summaries is exclusive to Google Smart Displays. However, you can still inquire about sleep details through voice commands on third-party smart clocks.
13. Caller ID information will not be displayed for calls made from speakers and Smart Displays, except when using Duo.
14. The feature to view ambient time estimates for the “Commute to Work” is exclusive to Smart Displays. However, you can still inquire about commute times and receive directions through voice commands.
15. The capability to check personal travel itineraries through voice commands. However, you can still inquire about the flight status.
16. Requesting information about your contacts through voice commands. However, you can still make calls to your contacts.
17. The ability to perform specific actions by voice, such as sending a payment, making a reservation, or posting to social media. However, you can still instruct the Assistant to open your installed apps.