Google recently announced it will gradually discontinue its classic Google Assistant, migrating users to its newly launched AI assistant, Gemini. This decision marks a significant step in Google's voice assistant strategy, with the migration expected to be completed within the next few months and the classic version fully discontinued on mainstream mobile devices by the end of 2025.
Since its launch in 2016 alongside the first-generation Pixel phone, Google Assistant has aimed to help users control smart homes, play media, and use third-party apps through natural language processing and speech recognition. Its initial goal was to be the "world's most helpful digital assistant," capable of handling even complex tasks. While early features saw some success, Google realized the need to deeply integrate its voice assistant capabilities with more advanced AI technology.
Image Source Note: Image generated by AI, image licensing provided by Midjourney
To achieve this, Google launched Bard in March 2023 and announced its merger with Google Assistant in October of the same year, creating "Assistant with Bard." However, this name caused confusion among users, leading Google to quickly rename it Gemini. The new assistant inherits core Assistant features and has undergone continuous upgrades, gradually replacing its predecessor.
Google's plan prioritizes migrating phone users first, followed by expansion to tablets, in-car systems, and smart wearables. While the classic Google Assistant will be discontinued, older devices will continue to function normally with existing features; users need not worry. By the end of 2024, Gemini will become the default assistant on Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S25 series phones, offering users a more natural conversational experience and enhanced multitasking capabilities.
This move is not only a significant step in Google's AI advancement but also provides users with a more powerful assistant experience. With Gemini, Google aims to further improve user interaction with smart devices, making their lives more convenient.
