Google Assistant drops 7 more tools on Android and smart devices

Last Friday, we found out that Gemini is taking over from Google Assistant on Android phones. Alongside this, Google quietly shared that Assistant is losing seven more tools. Earlier this year, in 2024, Google already cut 18 features from Android, smart screens, and speakers. Now, they’ve added seven more to the list:

• You can no longer use your voice to like, share, or ask about the time and place of your photos. (You can still do this in the Google Photos app or check details on your smart screen or tablet.)
• Voice commands won’t adjust photo frame or background screen settings anymore. (You can tweak these in your smart display’s settings instead.)
• The interpreter mode, which helped translate live chats with someone speaking a different language, is gone. (Single words or short phrases can still be translated. Check out interpreter mode details.)
• Birthday alerts won’t pop up in Routines anymore. (You can still ask Assistant to remind you about birthdays.)
• You can’t schedule or hear Family Bell announcements with your voice. (Learn how to set up a Routine instead.)
• Daily updates, like getting the weather every day, won’t come automatically. (Set them up yourself with a custom Routine.)
• Assistant won’t work with car gadgets using Bluetooth or AUX connections.

The photo slideshow changes aren’t a big deal, but they take away some ease. Family Bell was loved by many, and now Routines is the go-to option.
Back in 2019, Google launched Assistant’s Interpreter Mode, turning smart screens and speakers into handy translation tools. It worked on Android too. Now, the Google Translate app on your phone is the better, more advanced choice to replace it.