Google’s latest move in the world of AI assistants has caused quite a stir among Android users. The tech giant has introduced a new app called Gemini, which automatically replaces Google Assistant on Android devices. This change has left many users confused and concerned about the future of Assistant and what this means for their user experience.
When downloading the Assistant Android app from the Play Store, users are now getting Gemini AI by default. This includes a different app icon and the app being labeled as Gemini instead of Google Assistant. Even more puzzling is the fact that if a user also downloads the standalone Gemini Android app, they will see two instances of Gemini on their apps list. This unexpected change has sparked speculation about Google’s plan to phase out Assistant completely in favor of Gemini.
The Gemini app offers users the option to switch from Google Assistant to Gemini and make it the default AI helper on their phones. However, the sudden switch to Gemini has raised concerns about the future of Google Assistant. Users have reported that opening the Gemini app and going into settings allows them to switch back to Assistant, changing the app icon and reflecting the app as Assistant instead of Gemini.
A Reddit user brought attention to this abrupt change when they noticed that Google Assistant on their new Galaxy S24 Plus had automatically changed to Gemini after a regular app update. The user never opted in to use Gemini on their phone and did not have the standalone Gemini app installed, raising questions about Google’s intentions with this transition.
This new development has left many wondering if Google is planning to phase out Assistant and replace it entirely with Gemini. As Gemini continues to adopt more Assistant features and become more widely available, it seems likely that this change is an indication of what’s to come. Users may soon have to bid farewell to the familiar Google Assistant and embrace the new AI assistant, Gemini, as Google’s primary offering in this space.