Google Kills 17 Assistant Features Ahead of ‘Assistant with Bard’ Launch

In the upcoming wave of changes, Google is set to retire 17 features of Google Assistant, marking them as the latest additions to the Google Graveyard in 2024. According to reports from 9to5Google, Google asserts that these features were largely “underutilized,” prompting the company to streamline its focus on prioritizing user experiences. The discontinuation of these Google Assistant features is scheduled to take effect by February 26.

17 Discontinued Google Assistant Features by Google

• Audiobook playback and voice control on Google Play Books.
  (Casting audiobooks from your mobile device is still available.)

• Setting or using music alarms, media alarms, or radio alarms on devices.
  (Create custom Routines or use standard alarms for similar functionality.)

• Accessing or managing your cookbook, transferring recipes, playing instructional recipe videos, or showing step-by-step recipes.
  (Use Google Assistant to search for recipes on the web and YouTube.)

• Using and Controlling a stopwatch on Smart Displays and Speakers.
  (Timers and alarms functionality remains unchanged.)

• Using voice commands to call a device or broadcast messages to your Google Family Group.
  (Broadcasting to devices within your home is still supported.)

• Using your voice to send emails, videos, or audio messages.
  (Calls and text messages can still be made.)

• Changing event schedules in Google Calendar through voice commands.
  (Scheduling new events is still possible.)

• Using App Launcher in Google Assistant driving mode on Google Maps for reading and sending messages, making calls, and controlling media.
  (Using Voice control on Google Maps remains available.)

• Requesting or accessing previously scheduled Family Bell announcements.
  (Create a custom Routine for similar behavior.)

• Asking to meditate with Calm.
  (You can still Request meditation options from media providers just like YouTube.)

• Voice control for Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 activities will be discontinued. (Use device buttons for activity control; voice control remains available on Pixel Watches.)

• Sleep summaries will only be viewable on Google Smart Displays.
  (Inquire about sleep details by voice on third-party smart clocks.)

• Calls made from speakers and Smart Displays won’t show up with a caller ID unless using Duo.

• Viewing time estimates for the ambient “Commute to Work” on Smart Displays.
  (Ask for commute times and directions by voice.)

• Checking personal travel itineraries by voice.
  (Ask for flight status instead.)

• Asking for information about your contacts.
  (Make calls to your contacts as an alternative.)

• Voice-initiated actions for tasks like sending payments, making reservations, or posting on social media will be discontinued.
  (Instead, use the Assistant to open your installed apps.)

The decision to discontinue these features comes on the heels of Google’s announcement that Assistant with Bard is nearing its full official release on Android. The majority of the affected features are tied to voice commands on smart speakers and smartphones, suggesting that the overall functionality of Assistant may not be significantly impacted unless one heavily relies on the aforementioned features.

For users uncertain about their reliance on these features, starting January 26, Google Assistant will display a “This feature is being deprecated” message when attempting to use any of the affected functionalities.

What are your opinions on Google’s move to phase out these 17 features? Do these changes hold significant importance in your use of Google Assistant? Share your thoughts about Google’s approach in the comments section below.