Google is in the process of phasing out Google Assistant as it prepares to launch its new AI platform, Gemini. This transition is part of a broader shift in the tech industry, where companies like Google and Apple are making artificial intelligence the central component of their digital assistants.
While Apple has faced delays in enhancing Siri’s capabilities, aiming to make it more chatbot-like and improve its responsiveness to personal inquiries, Google is steadily removing features from Assistant in anticipation of Gemini’s debut. Recently, Google took away the Assistant Driving Mode, a feature that debuted in 2019 and was designed to facilitate safer driving.
Driving Mode provided a user-friendly interface with large buttons, allowing drivers to access essential apps related to communication, navigation, and music without distraction. The removal of the Driving Mode bar from Google Maps means users will no longer have access to this streamlined interface while on the road.
Prior to the latest update, Google had already stripped away various media apps from the Driving Mode experience, limiting user interaction with only basic media playback controls and Google Assistant itself. Originally, Driving Mode aimed to help drivers receive quick answers to their queries, focusing on actionable information to minimize distractions.
Looking ahead, Google has stated that Gemini will lead the way in reimagining Driving Mode. In the interim, users seeking assistance while navigating can still access Google Assistant by using the Assistant button in the top right corner of Google Maps.
Meanwhile, a Floating Action Button will facilitate media controls, provided these settings are enabled in Google Maps. As these changes unfold, the tech community will be watching closely to see how Gemini evolves and what it means for users.