Google is gradually phasing out its familiar Google Assistant from Wear OS. Recently, the app was updated on the Google Play Store to version 1.18.x. While there aren’t significant changes to its functionalities, a rebranding is underway, as reported by 9to5Google. One of the noticeable changes involves the renaming of two complications in the app.
The shortcut that enables users to launch voice input directly from the watch face has been renamed to “Google” and is now operated by “Digital Assistant,” instead of the previous “Google Assistant.” Additionally, the logo has been updated to feature new sparkles that differ from the original Gemini logo, which consisted of three blue sparkles. These sparkles also appear in the Wear OS Tile feature, allowing users to save and tap commands quickly. Another adjustment is related to the “At a Glance” feature, which was formerly identified as a Google Assistant function.
It has now been rebranded as “by At a Glance,” with the logo replaced by Google’s recognizable large “G.”
While Google Assistant will still appear in the app, it is evident that the company is quietly removing it and laying the groundwork for the anticipated Gemini transition. The timeline for this change has not yet been provided, but eventually, all traces of Google Assistant are expected to be eliminated. Importantly, Google will retain functionalities such as “At a Glance” and “Tiles” following the Gemini integration. Although the effectiveness of Gemini on Wear OS remains uncertain, many users found Google Assistant to be less helpful and underutilized.
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