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Gemini now automatically starts Google Maps navigation when asking for directions
This is what we're looking for with hands-free experiences
Gemini has been a revelation of minute proportions in the AI landscape. On one hand, it shows that Google is going all-in on artificial intelligence, with the next-gen multimodal AI becoming a major part of Google’s identity. On the other hand, it’s just a rebranding of Google Bard, and it still has many, many kinks that we’re still working through. Gemini will almost certainly replace the tried and true Google Assistant one day, but it’s not necessarily ready to completely replace it and take that next step yet. However, Google’s made micro strides to get there and has updated the way Maps navigation starts when asking Gemini for directions.
Be careful about what you say to Google Assistant when your alarm is going off
Certain commands are causing Assistant to delete alarms instead of dismissing them
Google Assistant feels like a superpower on Android, giving you effortless voice control for connected smart devices, music playback, calling, messaging, and several other device functions, including alarms. Unfortunately, a recent discovery reveals several people using Pixel phones should avoid controlling alarms with their voice assistant, or risk losing them all.
Samsung Bixby: What it is and how to use it
Samsung's digital voice assistant is impressive, with deep system settings and third-party app integration
Bixby is Samsung's version of Google Assistant and Apple Siri voice assistants. It's available on most Samsung devices, including TVs, refrigerators, phones, and tablets. Don't confuse it with Galaxy AI, Samsung's generative AI technology found in the latest Samsung devices, such as the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
The past few weeks have been filled with headlines about Google's rebranding of Bard to Gemini and the release of its Gemini AI app. The Gemini app gives you quick and easy access to Gemini on your phone. In fact, if you install the Gemini app, it will automatically replace Google Assistant with Google Gemini as your phone's default smart assistant. The question is, even though you can replace Google Assistant with Google Gemini, should you actually do it?
Google still hasn't given us a good in-car interface on Android phones
It's been a long and bumpy road
Google has tried to create a functional car interface for smartphones several times already, but it seems to have fallen short every time. Attempts include both features in existing products and discrete apps like Android Auto for Phone Screens. These mixed fortunes haven’t stopped the folks at the Googleplex from trying, though — Google still offers a car-centric mobile UI in Google Maps Driving Mode.
Best Google Assistant smart speakers in 2024
If Google Assistant is your smart assistant of choice, these speakers are your best bet
Smart speakers are a quick and easy fix for great home audio. But if you're looking to integrate your speaker with a smart home hub or virtual assistant, choosing the best speaker may require a little more thought.
Google Gemini's delayed support for setting reminders is finally here
Android's newest assistant is slowly working out the kinks
For Android users, there's a new digital assistant in town, and like most things introduced by Google in the last few months, it's got the Gemini branding to let you know it runs on the powerful multimodal AI of the same name. The only problem is, when you change your default assistant to Gemini, you lose some key functionality from the old Google Assistant, even though the former is still included as an extension. Now, at least one of these pain points is being resolved.
Duet AI rolls out to more Google accounts as the Gemini rebrand is imminent
Premium Google Workspace users will see it rebranded as Gemini for Workspace
Google has gone all in on artificial intelligence (AI) over the past few years as the technology continues to evolve. To keep up with the competition, Google has started to roll out AI features, chatbots, and other services to enhance its existing products. In some instances, it has started rebranding apps to align with this new AI initiative. One such example is Google Gemini, a recent rebrand of the Bard AI bot. Now, it seems that Google’s so-called AI collaborator is debuting for Workspace Labs program members — but under a different name.
Google Assistant is a mess, but is Gemini really the answer?
Google Assistant is a shell of its former self, and Gemini doesn't fix that
I'm old enough to remember when Apple first unleashed Siri into the world. I was jealous of the idea of having a "personal assistant" to help me with basic tasks like reminders, alarms, quick questions, and more. However, as a non-Apple user, I really just wanted a Google version. Amazon's Alexa nearly filled that gap for me, but it was Google Assistant that I was truly waiting for.
Google Assistant is a popular virtual assistant on many Android smartphones and smart speakers. It lets you use your voice to automate tasks such as setting a timer, playing music, or calling someone. Using Google Assistant-powered smart home gadgets, you can change the temperature of your AC, turn on the lights in any room, open the garage door, and more. While using Google Assistant, you will notice that the Assistant's default voice is female, which can get monotonous the longer you use the Assistant.
How to disable Google Assistant
Complete steps to disable Google Assistant on your phone, Chromebook, or smart speaker
Google Assistant lets you use voice commands to answer questions or perform tasks. It allows you to send messages, launch apps, set reminders, and control your smart home using your voice. It's built-in on many devices, including the most affordable Android tablets. iPhone and iPad users can get it from the App Store.
Sure, you can use a smartphone to take control of your smart home, but a smart speaker is a much easier way to go about things. Not to mention, they often function as a smart home hub, especially if there are multiple people in your household. Adjusting the lights, locking the door, and setting the thermostat is much easier when you don't have to reach for your phone to talk to Alexa or Google Assistant. All you need to do is use your voice.
Using the Gemini app automatically disables Google Assistant on Android
Google Assistant is on the ‘falling action’ part of the plot
Are you ready to completely replace Google Assistant with Google Gemini? That’s the question many Android users are now pondering. Google made the semi-surprising announcement yesterday that Bard AI has been rebranded and, frankly, revamped into Gemini, and a host of changes have come as a result. One of the bigger shockwaves surrounds the new Gemini app for Android, which is a big step up from having to go into your smartphone’s browser to access the AI. However, using this app comes at a cost: Google Assistant.
Google Gemini is expanding to more regions next week
Bard product lead confirms expanded availability for Assistant starts on Monday
Google’s Bard rebrand was in the pipeline for a while, and today, the company finally renamed its AI chatbot to Gemini, even giving it the ability to replace Google Assistant. However, you need to install the Gemini app for that to work, and that’s geo-limited for now. Google won’t keep people waiting for long, and we have confirmation that the Gemini app will soon be available broadly, but there are caveats.
Google Gemini doesn't have these Assistant features yet
Google isn't kidding when it calls Gemini an 'experimental AI assistant'
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We had seen plenty of evidence that Google was working to integrate its Bard AI chatbot into Google Assistant over the past several months, but now, that day has come — except the name isn't Assistant with Bard as originally thought, it's simply Gemini. Starting today, many users can install the Gemini app for Android, and the next time the Google Assistant shortcut is triggered, Gemini will pop up and ask if it should replace the old virtual assistant. But as Google warns when you first launch Gemini, it is clearly an "experimental AI assistant on your phone," emphasis on experimental.
Google Assistant needs personality, and 'Gemini' is the solution
Renaming Assistant to Gemini can prove to be a momentous change for Google’s voice bot
Google is laser-focused on its AI efforts right now. It already has a large language model (LLM) called Gemini with multimodal capabilities and a user-facing chatbot in the form of Bard to compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. And Bard is consistently getting better by the day, as it recently got support for image generation as well. With Google's changing priorities, Assistant took a back seat, leading to a fantastic voice bot, unfortunately, slowly losing both its features and reliability.
Google Assistant is shutting down on Samsung TVs
The latest victim of Assistant’s feature drain is Samsung
Google Assistant lost more than a dozen features in January, and it doesn’t look like things are getting any better. Samsung shared that it’s winding down Google Assistant support on its smart TVs, where it was a prominent voice control option on many recent models from 2022 to 2020.
Google says Assistant Driving Mode isn't dying, but it sure seems dead to us
Don't worry, Driving Mode's app launcher is just being sent to a nice farm upstate
In a classic case of "Google kills a thing you might be relying on daily," the company recently included Assistant Driving Mode — the one-time replacement for Android Auto on phone screens that lost some serious functionality back in 2022 — on a list of soon-to-be depreciated features. A new banner confirmed as much, warning drivers that "view" would be disappearing in February. A new explanation from Google explains the specific language used for Assistant Driving Mode, but the company's backtrack doesn't exactly spare its car-friendly UI from death.
It's official: Google Assistant Driving Mode is shutting down
Strings within the Google app already pointed to the now-official February shutdown
Google Assistant lost more than a dozen features this January, but Google isn’t done picking its former flagship product apart. As previously revealed in strings hidden within the Google app, Google Assistant Driving Mode is shutting down in February this year. The company is rolling out a banner to the Driving Mode home screen that states as much.
Google Home: Everything you need to know about the smart home platform
Google Home is essential for your smart home setup and makes your day a little simpler
You may have previously associated Google Home with speakers, but that's no longer the case. Google discontinued them in 2019. Home is now a smart management platform. The app can control all your smart home products, such as smart lights, which you can turn off if you forget to do so before a trip, using your voice or the app, among other features. You can connect speakers, Chromecasts, and cameras in different areas of your house and control them from your Android phones and tablets.