Google to replace Google Assistant with Gemini

Google will be replacing Google Assistant with Gemini later this year, this is across mobile phones, tablets, cars and devices that connect to your phone, such as headphones and watches and even some TV-connected devices.

This comes as no surprise to most, because when Google launched Bard (the name Google used for Gemini early on), Google said it would bring Bard features to the Google Assistant. Then in early 2024, Google removed a ton of features on the Google Assistant.

Impacted devices. Google wrote, “Over the coming months, we’re upgrading more users on mobile devices from Google Assistant to Gemini; and later this year, the classic Google Assistant will no longer be accessible on most mobile devices or available for new downloads on mobile app stores.”

Google also said they will be upgrading tablets, cars and devices that connect to your phone, such as headphones and watches, to Gemini. While also bringing a new Gemini-powered “experience” to home devices like speakers, displays and TVs.

Google posted, this will exclude phones with Android 9 or earlier and devices that do not have 2GB of RAM. Google specifically wrote, “the device requirements on Android include, the Gemini mobile app is available on:”

• Android phones, including many foldables with 2 GB of RAM or more, running Android 10 and up.
• Android tablets, including Pixel Tablet with 2 GB of RAM or more, running Android 10 and up.

Why we care. Again this comes as no surprise that the Google Assistant will be going away. I do think it is a surprise to many that it took this long.

That being said, it seems Gemini is the future of Google, Android and probably much of Google Search.