- Google is replacing Assistant with Gemini on most Android phones this year.
- Gemini offers AI-powered features but lacks some Assistant functions.
- ChatGPT can now be set as the default assistant on Android.
Google Assistant, once a key part of Android’s smart ecosystem, is being phased out in favor of Gemini. This AI-driven upgrade introduces enhanced text processing, image generation, and voice interactions.
Beyond smartphones, Google is integrating Gemini across its devices, from smartwatches to home speakers. Meanwhile, OpenAI has entered the space by allowing ChatGPT to replace Gemini as the default digital assistant, giving users more choice in their AI-powered interactions.
Google’s AI Shift: The Rise of Gemini and ChatGPT on Android
Google’s move to replace Assistant with Gemini marks a strategic shift toward AI-first experiences. While Gemini boasts improved natural language understanding and cross-platform integration, it lacks certain Assistant features, such as Routines, which remain crucial for many users.
The transition also extends beyond phones, with Gemini set to power Google’s broader ecosystem, including smart displays, TVs, and in-car assistants. Despite its capabilities, some users may find it frustrating that Assistant’s well-established reliability is being sacrificed for an evolving AI model.
Meanwhile, OpenAI has capitalized on this change by enabling ChatGPT as a system-wide digital assistant on Android. This update allows users to trigger ChatGPT with native shortcuts, potentially offering a more responsive and personalized AI experience.
With the future of voice assistants shifting toward AI-driven models, competition between Gemini and ChatGPT will define how users interact with their devices. While Gemini evolves, many users might opt for ChatGPT’s more adaptable conversational abilities.
Google’s decision to retire Assistant and replace it with Gemini signals a major evolution in AI-driven interactions. While Gemini brings advanced capabilities, its missing features might leave some users disappointed. Whether ChatGPT can fill this gap remains to be seen.
“Technology is best when it brings people together.” — Matt Mullenweg
