Google Assistant Streamlines Features to Boost Performance
Google Assistant is gearing up for a significant overhaul as the tech behemoth unveils plans to streamline its widely-used voice-activated service. In a recent blog post, Google disclosed its decision to eliminate 17 features from Google Assistant, with the changes slated to kick in on January 26. The company underscored its commitment to elevating the "quality and reliability" of the service, with the overarching goal of simplifying the user experience across various devices.
Come January 26th, users attempting to access any of the 17 affected features will receive notifications indicating their unavailability. The majority of these features will be entirely phased out by February 26th, according to reports from 9to5Google.
Google features to be streamlined:
Here's a breakdown of the features facing the axe:
- Controlling audiobooks on Google Play Books by voice: Users can still cast them from their mobile devices.
- Cookbook management on Google Assistant: Transferring recipes, instructional videos, and step-by-step guides will be discontinued. However, users can still utilize Google Assistant to search for recipes online and on YouTube.
- Setting media, music, or radio alarms on Google Assistant devices: Custom Routines or standard alarms are suggested as alternatives.
- Stopwatch management on Smart Displays and Speakers: Setting timers and alarms remains unaffected.
- Voice calling a device or broadcasting to your Google Family Group: Broadcasting to devices within your home remains intact.
- Sending emails, video, or audio messages with your voice: This feature will no longer be available, but users can still make calls and send text messages.
- Asking for contact information: Users can still make calls to contacts without requesting their information.
- App Launcher removal in Google Assistant driving mode on Google Maps: Voice control on Google Maps can still be utilized similarly.
- Voice control for activities on Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 devices: Users will need to use device buttons for activity control. Pixel Watches continue to support voice control for activities.
- Caller ID display for calls from speakers and Smart Displays: Caller ID will only display when using Duo for calls.
- Voice-checking personal travel itineraries: Users can still inquire about flight status.
- Voice actions like sending payments, making reservations, or posting on social media: These features will no longer be supported, but users can still ask the Assistant to open installed apps.
On a positive note, Google is refining the Google app, triggering search responses when users tap the microphone icon. However, the microphone icon will no longer control smart home devices or send messages, including the Pixel Search bar, which now triggers Voice Search instead of Assistant.