If you’re an Android user, chances are you’ve either used or heard about Google Assistant, the virtual assistant owned by Google. Similar to Apple’s Siri, Google Assistant can answer questions, perform tasks, and control smart home devices. However, it works best within the Google ecosystem, while Siri is designed for Apple devices.
Google Assistant has been around since May 2016 and has undergone years of updates, making it highly proficient in various tasks. It can provide weather information, give directions, set alarms and routines, control devices, play music, browse the internet, and more.
According to Yaguara, around 500 million people worldwide use Google Assistant every month, with 85 million of them coming from the United States. With such widespread use, it’s safe to say that Google Assistant is an essential daily app and a true virtual “assistant.”
However, Google is gradually introducing a new virtual assistant called Gemini, which primarily functions through AI technology. Previously known as Bard, Gemini was initially developed as a competitor to ChatGPT. In February, Google launched the Gemini app as an “experimental AI assistant” that utilizes Google’s AI models on your phone.
The Gemini app is currently available for select Android phones and users in specific countries. Once you opt to use Gemini, it replaces Google Assistant as the primary assistant on your phone. You can still access it by saying “Hey Google.” Powered by AI, Gemini can now assist with tasks like writing, summarizing texts, generating images, and other basic actions that Google Assistant cannot perform.
However, it’s important to note that Gemini currently has limited capabilities compared to Google Assistant. It can set alarms, make calls, control lights, and perform a few other tasks. Some users, however, have expressed disappointment with the Gemini assistant. One user on Reddit complained about long and unhelpful responses, particularly when it came to navigation. Others mentioned that Gemini became their default assistant, causing certain functions on their phones to stop working.
It’s too early to say whether Gemini will replace Google Assistant entirely. At this stage, Gemini is not yet fully functional as it cannot perform all the tasks that Google Assistant can. However, Google has acknowledged that Gemini is still evolving and learning, suggesting that improved versions may be on the horizon. Only time will tell if Google intends to phase out Google Assistant in favor of Gemini.
For now, both Gemini and Google Assistant are designed to work together within the Gemini mobile app, according to Google Support. While Gemini is still learning, Google Assistant will continue to power some familiar quick voice action features. As Gemini evolves and gains independence, it remains to be seen how it will perform these features on its own.
