Google Assistant set to remove these 17 features in the coming weeks

If you’re someone who relies on Google Assistant to type your emails or text messages, chances are you might soon get a notification telling you how this feature is slated to be removed. Google, in a recent statement, went on to mention how it will be relieving Google Assistant of 17 less-popular features in a few weeks. The idea behind this move was to improve the overall Google Assistant experience and let go of features that see little to no interaction. Wondering if this will impact you? Read on to find out more: 

Google Assistant features: Which ones are set to be removed?

While some features might get an equivalent workaround, there are several others that Google plans to wipe out completely. Some of the notable changes include not being able to use voice commands to send email or text messages or send a payment to one of your contacts.

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Apart from this, users will also not be able to make reservations or set music alarms via Google Assistant. Google has, in fact, also removed integration with the popular meditation app Calm. Users could earlier ask to meditate with Calm; however, now, they will be redirected to a YouTube meditation video instead. Here is an entire list of features that will be removed from Google Assistant:

1. Playing and controlling audiobooks using Google Play Books
2. Setting or using media alarms, music alarms, or radio alarms on Google Assistant-enabled devices
3. Accessing or managing your cookbook, transferring recipes from device to device, playing an instructional recipe video, or showing step-by-step recipes.
4. Managing a stopwatch on Smart Speakers or Displays
5. Using your voice to call a device or broadcast a message to your Google Family Group
6. Using your voice to send an email, video or audio message
7. Rescheduling an event on your Google Calendar
8, Using App Launcher in Google Assistant driving mode on Google Maps to read and send messages, make calls, and control media
9. Asking to schedule or hear previously scheduled Family Bell announcements
10. Asking to meditate with Calm
11. Voice control for activities on Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 devices
12. Viewing your sleep summaries will now only be restricted to Google Smart Displays
13. Calls made from speakers and Smart Displays will not show up with a caller ID unless you’re using Duo
14. Viewing the ambient “Commute to Work” time estimates on Smart Displays.
15. Checking personal travel itineraries by voice
16. Asking for information about your contacts
17. Certain other voice commands, including making a payment, reservation, or posting to social media apps.

When will these features be leaving Google Assistant?

While there is no official last date set for the removal of these features, Google, in the announcement, mentions how it will notify users about doing away with them at a ‘certain date’. However, in addition to this, the company also plans to make a few more tweaks to the app interface. These include using the microphone to activate ‘search results in response to your queries’.

That said, you won’t be able to use the microphone icon for several other actions, such as turning on the lights. This change will extend to Pixel users as well, where the microphone icon will activate the voice search feature instead of the voice assistant. Google also adds that if the changes seem disruptive, users can say, “Hey Google, send feedback” to express their thoughts regarding this decision.