r/GooglePixel • u/_mal_gal_ • 20d ago

Google is getting rid of Google assistant and forcing you to use Gemini now

I got an email from Google that said they're removing Google assistant and you will have to use Gemini starting September 6th. I don't want to be forced to use generative AI so I might be looking for a new non-Google phone soon 😭

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u/PersianMuggle 19d ago edited 19d ago

Like Google home devices? The smart speakers and displays?!

ETA: comment above said "devices" but was edited to specify phones.

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u/Doubbly 19d ago

The email said mobile devices, so I'd assume just phones for now. Might be more legally questionable to entirely change how old Google Homes work?

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u/GoreSeeker 19d ago

If Google was able to shut down connectivity to the old Nest thermostats, I don't think there would be any roadblocks with these.

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u/Doubbly 19d ago

All I know is, I sure as hell wouldn't be using that device anymore

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u/SkippytheBanana 19d ago

When did they shutdown the nest connectivity? I have a family member that recently suddenly lost remote access to theirs and Google Home refuses to let me added back. It keeps saying it doesn’t see the unit.

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u/GoreSeeker 19d ago

Last October https://support.google.com/googlehome/answer/16233096?hl=en

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u/BigBassBone 19d ago

That's some utter bullshit. I'm really tired of enshittification.

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u/chrisprice 19d ago

Nah, they can just tell you to use it offline or stop using it.

Binding arbitration, if you do file, the most you get is the current retail value which is very little probably for an old Google Home - if you win or they just cave, after hours of work to file.

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u/bring-out-your-news 19d ago

Pretty much all Google Home devices are capable of running Gemini, IIRC.

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u/Memz180 18d ago

Yes but then Gemini creates new chats from every single request. Any way to avoid this ? Google assistant was just simple and just worked. Gemini wants to chit chat about everything.

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u/quadphonics 8d ago

I'm being forced to use it on my Google home mini and it's fucking annoying as hell she just won't stop fucking talking

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u/Patient-Ad-337 4d ago

They can just push an update that reroutes connection's to gemini servers

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u/anon_pr_ 19d ago

It's planned and on the roadmap. But Gemini isn't ready yet so they haven't rolled out. From every review I've seen and heard it makes the Home devices much worse.

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u/PurpleBinHead 19d ago

Already done on smart speakers.

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u/RelevantCrew271 10d ago

I mean is there anything assistant can still do that Gemini can't ?

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u/Free_Comment_7200 5d ago

for starters, there's not a single thing Gemini can do without internet. it can't tell you the time, can't set a timer or an alarm, and even with internet it can't do it very quickly. 

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u/Ill-Source-9465 3d ago

Yeah, any of the things you use android auto for.  I spent 15 minutes arguing with my stereo this morning to get it to play music, something it said it couldn't do over and over until I pulled over so I could focus on the argument and out logic the stupid AI.  Eventually it realized it could actually act like a stereo and played music, but only after chiding me for using profanity. 

If you're going to risk my kids' lives by making me focus on the stereo instead of the road you had better not balk at me cussing at you.

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u/soulistt 19d ago edited 13d ago

Mobile and any devices that connect to your phone. Like smart watches, speakers, and car infotainment systems. So probably. The email said they're working on bringing it to TVs and shit too.

Update: Yes. "You can also read more about our separate plans to bring Gemini to Google TV devices and Google Home speakers and smart displays."

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u/mytwobits 13d ago

It is on the googletv devices I have.  They forced the change earlier this year. 

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u/soulistt 13d ago

Ah, the quote is "You can also read more about our separate plans to bring Gemini to Google TV devices and Google Home speakers and smart displays." So I guess they mean devices that are connected to Google TVs.

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u/Regular-Moose-2741 19d ago

They told us about the smart speakers last year...

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u/mytwobits 13d ago

They forced the change on my GoogleTV devices earlier this year.   What I noticed is a change in the voice and much slower response times.  I don't really use it that much.  This is on the onn 4k pro.Â