Summary

Google Assistant is removing 17 features that are rarely used, as the tech giant shifts its strategy toward generative AI and the Bard assistant. The removed features include voice commands for social media posting, email and message sending, contact lookup, payments, reservations, and more. Google is positioning this change as a way to make the voice assistant more reliable and efficient. However, it comes as Google eliminates hundreds of Google Assistant positions.

Introduction

Google Assistant is undergoing changes as the company focuses on generative AI and the Bard assistant. The decision to remove 17 underutilized features is aimed at improving the reliability and overall performance of Google Assistant. This move aligns with Google’s strategy of investing in advanced AI technology.

Main Points

Google Assistant is eliminating voice controls for various tasks, including social media posting, email and messaging, contact lookup, payments, reservations, and more. Additionally, voice controls for audiobooks on Google Play Books, custom media for alarms, caller ID on smart displays, and the “Commute to Work” time feature will also be removed. The microphone icon in the Google app and the Pixel Search bar will no longer redirect to Google Assistant.

Google has provided alternative options for some of these features. Users can still cast audiobooks from mobile devices, create custom Routines, use standard alarms, and search for recipes across the web and YouTube. The shift towards generative AI, particularly the Bard assistant, is evident in Google’s strategy. Bard has already been integrated with Google Assistant, enhancing its reasoning and communication abilities. Bard can also access information from Gmail, Docs, and other Google productivity apps through Bard Extensions.

Conclusion

Google is streamlining Google Assistant by removing 17 features that are rarely used. This change is part of the company’s broader strategy to focus on generative AI and the Bard assistant. While alternative options are provided for some of the removed features, the future of Google Assistant will heavily rely on generative AI projects. This shift has resulted in the elimination of hundreds of Google Assistant positions. As Google continues to evolve its voice assistant, feedback from users will play a crucial role in shaping its future development.