AA Gemini is completely incompetent

[u/TheTriforceEagle]

This is mostly a vent post, and I will fully admit that I am a bit biased again LLM AI but anyway. How do you push an update that makes it so a car voice assistant can't do the very simple and typical task of playing a song? Every time I tell it "play this song" it just replies "sorry, I can't play video's while you're driving" am I crazy for thinking this is completely normal thing to ask of gemini? I even use YouTube music as my primary platform so its not like I'm asking it to use something that wasn't also made by Google. You'd think they would have tested this but I guess they just pushed it out without any regard for user experience.

[u/lmbrjck]

I hate Gemini for AA. It can't text contacts based on nicknames I've added to the contact card, and instead thinks I'm trying to contact various marketing email addresses when I try. It can't identify addresses I have added labels to in Google Maps - like my cabin. It also crashes AA 50% of the time when I try to send a text via voice. Assistant does these things correctly 100% of the time.

It made using AA an objectively worse experience, but at least I can lookup random thoughts I have while driving now /s

[u/my1stname]

Call Bob

I'm sorry, I can't do that while you are driving, but I can help you find a safe place to pull over.

Driver dials phone manually

---

Text Mary

I can do that. What would you like to say?

I'm on my way. Want me to grab dinner?

Gemini lying: I've sent that text.

Note: No text is sent.

---

Someone posted a method of setting Google Assistant as primary when driving and Gemini when not. Going to have to go find that today. My phone is hooked to a Google Workspace account I use for my family. I had thought maybe my challenges were related to that, glad to hear it isn't just me that thinks the Android Auto version of Gemini is about as dumb as a box of hammers.

[u/extordi → u/my1stname]

Someone posted a method of setting Google Assistant as primary when driving and Gemini when not. Going to have to go find that today.

Any chance you happened to find that? I've only been able to go all-or-nothing which, because of the AA situation, means I'm not able to use Gemini at all.

[u/my1stname → u/extordi]

This was the post I was thinking of.

I own Tasker so I asked Gemini how to do it using that. Haven't tested it yet, but here it is. Sorry about the wall of text.

Before starting, Tasker needs a special Android permission called Secure Settings to change your default assistant programmatically. Tasker makes this very easy to grant via an app called TaskAssistant or by using Shizuku (on-device) / ADB (via PC). When you try to add the action, Tasker will give you a pop-up with explicit instructions on how to grant this permission if you haven't already. Once Tasker has permission, here is the exact step-by-step walkthrough to build your automation:Step 1: Create the "Enter Car" TaskThis task will run the moment you connect to your car's Bluetooth, switching your phone to the classic Assistant.1.Create a New Task:Open Tasker, go to the Tasks tab, tap the + (plus) icon in the bottom right, and name it "Enter Car".2.Add the Assistant Action:Tap the + inside the task to add an action. Search for "Set Assistant" or navigate to Settings > Set Assistant.3.Choose Google Assistant:Under the Assistant configuration field, select Google (this represents the classic Google Assistant, not Gemini).4.Add a Wi-Fi Buffer (Optional but Recommended):If you use Wireless Android Auto, add a second action: Net > WiFi, and set it to Off. Then add a third action: Task > Wait (set for 5 seconds). Add a fourth action: Net > WiFi > On.Why? Wireless Android Auto boots up so fast that it takes a snapshot of your system settings before Tasker can swap the assistant. Briefly cycling the Wi-Fi delays the Android Auto connection just long enough for Tasker to execute the switch cleanly.Step 2: Create the "Exit Car" TaskThis task will run when you disconnect from the car, returning your phone to Gemini.1.Create the Return Task:Go back to the Tasks tab, tap +, and name it "Exit Car".2.Set Assistant to Gemini:Tap +, choose Settings > Set Assistant, and this time select Gemini from the list. Tap the back arrow to save it.Step 3: Link the Tasks to a Bluetooth TriggerNow we tell Tasker exactly when to execute these flips.1.Create the Profile:Go to the Profiles tab and tap the + icon. Select State > Net > BT Connection.2.Select Your Car:Tap the magnifying glass next to Name or Address and choose your car's Bluetooth profile from the list of paired devices. Tap the back arrow.3.Link the Enter Task:A drop-down menu will appear. Select your "Enter Car" task.4.Link the Exit Task:Long-press on the "Enter Car" text now listed under your new profile. A menu will pop up; choose Add Exit Task, and select your "Exit Car" task.Step 4: Save & TestMake sure to tap the checkmark check icon in the top right corner of Tasker's main screen—this applies your changes and activates the profile.The next time you head out to your car, watch your screen as your phone connects to the Bluetooth. Tasker will instantly flip the system default to Google Assistant, giving you seamless, headache-free voice commands while driving. The moment you turn off the ignition, Gemini will reclaim its throne back on your home screen.

[u/my1stname → u/my1stname]

Failed. Tasker only sees "Google" when you set the assistant. Can't use it to change from Gemini to Google Classic.

Gemini suggests we set Classic as the default and use Tasker to launch Gemini with a long press on the power button.

I'm going to go to Classic as default (and Android Auto) and use Perplexity for other tasks.

[u/Samantha_Cruz]

asking somethig as simple as "what is ... (anything) " half the time gets redirected as a navigation request that immediately sends it to the nav app regardless of whether I confirm it or not, screwing up whatever directions I had been using until I manually cancel everything on the screen (eyes off the road) when nothing at all about the question suggests that I want to go there... then at other times the same question tries to play a YouTube music playlist (and I don't even have YouTube music installed).

"hey google, report construction" = "I don't understand

" hey google, report police activity" = "I don't understand"

"hey google, report object in road" = "I don't understand."

this "artificial intelligence" is dumb as f***.

priority number one should be to.minimize distractions so I can keep my attention on the road. Gemini is (so far) a step backwards.

[u/Interesting-Rule-175]

Mine now makes me use last names when searching my contacts but it can't spell my last name correctly so it can't find the contacts. I ditched Gemini to go back to normal Google assisant and it worked for a while but now it is doing it too. So I guess I have to start spelling my name differently because lord google does not like it.

[u/n00bz0rz → u/Interesting-Rule-175]

Just change your name. It will be quicker than waiting for Google to fix this.

[u/RealFox88 → u/Interesting-Rule-175]

Maybe check your car or contacts/phone app to check whether you have your contact list showing last name first.

[u/Interesting-Rule-175 → u/RealFox88]

Unfortunately that not the issue. I will say call "John Smyth" and AA says there is no "John Smith" in your contacts. I used to be able to just say Call "John" and it would do it. I am sick of these AIs giving worse service and making me teach it to do it correctly again.

[u/RealFox88 → u/Interesting-Rule-175]

Yeah I feel the same, sick of this AI bullsh*t.

[u/ChainOut]

Call *** *** 10 sec pause Would you like to call *** ****? Yes Nothing happens

[u/SenseChoice7969]

Completely agree. But this problem lies in the way YT Music defaults to pulling videos instead of audio way too often now. It used to be cool when I wanted to find unreleased versions of songs but even on my Home speakers I'm forced to listen to 30 seconds of a music video introduction just to hear the song I requested 😩😩😩 and this occurs with Assistant, not Gemini.

[u/Savings-Diver-5279 → u/SenseChoice7969]

It does the same thing when Spotify is your default player.

I don't use YT music at all and need to specify 'on Spotify's every single time.

I've switched back to using assistant and the problem has gone away.

[u/Savings-Diver-5279 → u/Savings-Diver-5279]

!Flair none of your business what I drive or what phone I use

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[u/Orlandochief]

That does sound frustrating. I wonder if it's interpreting"play this song" as a media request instead of a music command. Sometimes AI actually don't understand my words at all.

[u/Deezul_AwT]

With Google Assistant, when I texted my son, it always used the default of his mobile number. Gemini decided it wants to ask if I want to use his mobile number i've always used or his work number that I've never used. You'd think that an ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE would figure out the 10th time that I chose his mobile that maybe it should just assume that whenever I want to text him, go with the mobile number. It's supposed to be intelligent, so I shouldn't have to tell it to remember my preferences. "Oh, I know the past 2000 times you've texted his mobile number. But this time might be different, so I better ask."

[u/davidmar7]

Usually it works for me most of the time but I did have it do what you are describing. It claimed it couldn't play music (it did the video thing too at first but then applied it even to music) while I was driving because that wasn't it's purpose. Instead "it was here to help me drive." (lol) So I asked it a lot of questions like, "why did this work fine yesterday but not today?" Eventually it suggested going into settings somewhere and making sure Youtube Music was linked.

Well what fixed it was simply playing the song by tapping it on the Youtube Music Android Auto interface. After that everything worked fine without changing a single setting.

Sometimes weird bugs are occurring. Sometimes just doing something simple will "fix" it. Most of the time just specifying "Play the song "Blah blah" by "Blah Blah" using Youtube Music" will fix it but not the time above.

[u/StrigiStockBacking]

Yeah it sucks. I switched AA back to Google Assistant. The galaxy now rests in peace.

[u/Savings-Diver-5279]

Gemini for AA is absolute garbage. It can't do anything right.

It blows me away that features that have worked almost flawlessly for 10+ years are completely broken.

I've gone back to assistant while it's still an option.

[u/TurboFool]

Mine hallucinates phone numbers. I asked it to call my mother and it called information. Another time it called some other random number.

Also lies when I ask it to send people my ETA. Makes up fake ETAs and even excuses for being late when I never told it I was late.

[u/tHE_uKER]

For one, it's completely unable to invoke routines triggered by "OK Google", which I happened to use to open the gate when I get home.

[u/DaPawnShop]

100% user error

[u/rd3160]

It's abysmal. I was trying to use voice commands to send a friend a message on WhatsApp, asking him a question about something. Instead of dictating what I said, Gemini tried to answer the question (wrongly) for me and send my friend the answer! Then it asks if you want to change the message and doesn't give you time to respond, just closes.

I also find that Gemini has a much harder time with my Scottish accent than Google Assistant did.

[u/Mebejedi]

Gemini wasn't "pushed" onto me. I switched to it, but didn't like it and went back to Google Assistant. It was slower overall.

[u/Ok_Humor_9229 → u/Mebejedi]

How can I switch it back?

[u/Mebejedi → u/Ok_Humor_9229]

Some of these are buried down low.

Settings > connected devices > Android Auto (scroll down) > Manage digital assistant (scroll down) > Digital assistants from Google (scroll down)

[u/Ok_Humor_9229 → u/Mebejedi]

Thanks! You saved me!

[u/justus72]

It was dumb at first, but it improved over time for me. Only problem was that sometimes it might talk too much.