Google Assistant Is Losing Some Features
Google’s graveyard is notorious and constantly expanding. The company is known for introducing exciting new products quickly, but abandoning most of them within months or years (RIP to Google Reader , Google Podcasts , and Google Hangouts) . Less discussed are the features removed from surviving Google products, including 17 features that will soon be removed from Google Assistant .
Google’s announcement appeared on a support page innocuously titled “Changes we’re making to Google Assistant.” The company says it’s removing “underused features” to make the Google Assistant experience better. FINE. Because when a service is potentially used by billions of people, even an underutilized feature could be used regularly by hundreds of thousands of people. Perhaps you’re the one who uses Assistant to manage your cookbook and transfer recipes from one device to another, or to query information about your contacts, or to listen to audiobooks with a voice command.
The announcement also comes on the heels of news that hundreds of people are losing their jobs at the company , some of whom work on Assistant—Google also recently announced plans to lay off employees who work on its Assistant, hardware, and engineering teams. .
What features does Google Assistant lose?
If you use any of these features, you will likely receive a warning when it will be discontinued. Here’s the full list of Google Assistant features that will be removed soon:
-
Play and control audiobooks in Google Play Books using your voice. You can still stream audiobooks from your mobile device.
-
Install or use media, music or radio signals on Google Assistant-enabled devices. You can create your own procedure with similar behavior or use a standard alarm.
-
Access or manage your cookbook, transfer recipes from device to device, play recipe tutorial videos, or show step-by-step recipes. You can use Google Assistant to search for recipes online and on YouTube.
-
Stopwatch control on smart displays and speakers. You can still set timers and alarms.
-
Use your voice to call your device or send a message to a Google Family group. You can still stream to devices in your home.
-
Use your voice to send an email, video, or audio message. You can still make calls and send text messages.
-
Reschedule an event in Google Calendar using your voice. You can still schedule a new event.
-
Use the Google Assistant driving mode app launcher on Google Maps to read and send messages, make calls, and control media. You can still use voice control on Google Maps in the same way.
-
Please schedule or listen to previously scheduled Family Bell announcements. You can create your own procedure with similar behavior.
-
Please meditate using Calm. You can still request meditation options from media providers such as YouTube.
-
Voice control for activities will no longer be available on Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 devices. You will need to use the buttons on your device to start, stop, pause, and resume activities. You can still control actions using your voice on your Pixel Watches.
-
Viewing sleep summary data will only be available on Google smart displays. You can still request detailed sleep information by voice on third-party smartwatches.
-
Calls made through speakers and smart displays won’t show up with Caller ID unless you’re using Duo.
-
View estimates of your commute time on smart displays. You can still check travel times and get directions by voice.
-
Checking personal travel routes by voice. You can still request your flight status.
-
Request information about your contacts. You can still call your contacts.
-
Voice requests to perform certain actions, such as sending a payment, making a reservation, or posting on social media. You can still ask Assistant to open installed apps.
But look on the bright side: At least Google hasn’t disabled Assistant completely. (Some of us will never get over the death of Google Reader.)