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Google is discontinuing its voice assistant on Android and Wear OS devices, marking the end of an era for the technology giant’s long-standing AI tool. The company sent notifications to users confirming that support will cease beginning September 4, with the rollout potentially extending over several weeks to reach all users.
Once the shutdown takes effect, users will lose the ability to access Google Assistant on their phones, tablets, and connected devices, with no option to revert to the service. This decision represents Google’s strategic pivot toward its newer AI chatbot, Gemini, which the company has positioned as its primary conversational AI offering moving forward.
The discontinuation comes as competitors have taken different approaches to their voice assistants. Amazon has integrated artificial intelligence capabilities into Alexa, while Apple plans similar enhancements for Siri. Google’s choice to abandon Assistant in favor of Gemini signals a clear departure from its original voice-activated platform, which debuted in 2016 as a competitor to both Siri and Alexa.
The shutdown adds Google Assistant to a growing list of retired technologies, joining services like Skype and AOL dial-up in the digital graveyard. While the company had previously indicated its commitment to phasing out Assistant, the specific September timeline provides users with their first concrete deadline for the transition.
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Originally reported by Mashable →
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