What you need to know

• Gemini Spark works like a proactive AI agent that can manage tasks and workflows in the background.
• Spark integrates deeply with Gmail, Docs, Slides, and other Google Workspace apps.
• Google says Spark can summarize meetings, scan emails, and automate recurring tasks.
• Gemini Spark starts rolling out to trusted testers first, with Google AI Ultra users in the U.S. getting beta access next week.

Google just unveiled Gemini Spark, and it might be the company's clearest vision yet for what an AI assistant is supposed to become. Instead of simply acting like a chatbot that answers questions, Spark is designed to proactively manage tasks and workflows for users in the background throughout the day.

Google is calling Spark a "24/7 personal AI agent," and it's powered by the company's latest Gemini 3.5 Flash model. It uses the Antigravity harness and is deeply integrated with the Workspace tools like Gmail, Docs, Slides, and more. Unlike traditional assistants, Spark isn't tied to your device. It runs in the cloud, and it can continue working even after you close your laptop or lock your phone.

Google shared several examples of what Spark can do. Users can create recurring workflows that automatically scan credit card statements for hidden subscriptions, monitor school-related emails and flag important messages, summarize meetings, generate Google Docs, and even draft follow-up emails tied to ongoing projects.

The company is also expanding Spark through MCP integrations with services like Canva, OpenTable, and Instacart. Google says more integrations are on the way, alongside future features like custom sub-agents that can work directly in your browser, as well as the ability to interact with Spark through email or text messages.

Google says Spark remains user-controlled. The company says users decide when Spark is enabled, what apps it can connect to, and that the AI will ask for approval before performing high-stakes actions like spending money or sending emails.

Gemini Spark starts rolling out to "trusted testers" this week, while Google AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. are expected to get beta access starting next week.

Android Central's Take

This is probably the first time Google's AI ambitions actually feel useful to me. Gemini Spark feels less like another chatbot gimmick and more like something that could genuinely save time in day-to-day life.

That said, the idea of Google constantly sitting in the background reading emails, tracking tasks, and managing workflows still feels a little too invasive. I still don't fully know if I can trust it yet

Android Auto has been around for more than a decade, and it’s an amazing solution for staying connected with your phone safely while driving. Most cars support a wired Android Auto connection, so make sure you have the best cables for the job. Wireless Android Auto is increasingly common in many new car models, not just premium ones. Plus, Google keeps updating Auto with new features like support for Google Meet in Android Auto.

While it works great out of the box, there are a few settings I always tweak every time I use a new phone with my car. These are simple toggle switches that can make a world of difference when using Android Auto daily, and all of them can be done via your phone itself. Here are my top five settings and tweaks that I recommend making if you’ve just set it up.

Stop music from auto-playing when connected

One of the most annoying default settings of Android Auto is that your music will start playing automatically as soon as your phone connects to your car. It can be very jarring at night if you had the volume turned all the way up the last time you used the car. It can also be downright embarrassing, depending on who’s in the car with you, and your secret guilty pleasure music starts blaring. Keep your dignity by simply disabling this toggle switch.

On your phone, head to Settings, and search for Android Auto. In the settings menu, scroll down to the Start-up sub-menu and disable Start music automatically. That’s it. Now the next time you connect your phone, your music will be in the paused state.

Minimize notification distractions from apps

By default, most messaging apps and some media apps (YouTube Music, Spotify) installed on your phone will appear in the Android Auto app drawer. Any notifications from these apps will also pop up on your screen as alerts. When driving, the last thing you want is spam alerts from insurance companies distracting you from the road. There are two ways to disable notifications.

To minimize the audible pings, head to the settings menu of Android Auto, scroll down to the Messaging sub-menu, and simply disable Play message chime. This will at least stop the audible alerts, but will still show you incoming messages. If you wish to stop this as well, you can simply disable the first sub-menu item called Show message notifications.

Another way to do this is to disable any unwanted apps from the app drawer so those notifications are automatically eliminated. From the same settings menu on your phone, scroll up to Customize Launcher, and simply uncheck the apps you don’t wish to use with Android Auto.

Prevent Android Auto from automatically starting up

One of the great things about Android Auto is that it seamlessly starts up when you start your car, but not everyone might want it set up this way. Android Auto does drain your battery quicker when connected wirelessly to your car's head unit, and you might not always need it if you prefer tuning in to the radio or don't need maps for shorter trips.

Unfortunately, there's no dedicated setting for this in Android Auto itself at the moment. None of the selectable options in the Start Android Auto automatically menu allows you to do this. One workaround that has proven to work for me is to disable the toggle Start Android Auto while locked.

In doing so, your phone will still connect to your car via Bluetooth (for calls), but Android Auto won't start, provided your phone is locked. If you do need to enable Android Auto in the middle of your drive, you should see a notification on your phone that says "Android Auto is available," and tapping it should launch it. You could also manually enable it via your car's dashboard.

Create Shortcuts for frequent tasks

You can give voice commands to Google Assistant to call a contact or find places along your route. If you’re one of the lucky ones, chances are that you already have Gemini in Android Auto, which is far superior in terms of understanding instructions. However, there will be times when Assistant is simply unable to understand what you’re asking it to do due to wind noise if you’re driving with the window down or noisy kids in the back seat. In times like these, it’s good to have shortcuts for frequently used actions already set up.

In Android Auto settings on your phone, tap Customize Launcher, then tap Add a shortcut to the Launcher. You can set shortcuts for "Call a contact" or "An Assistant action." The former is self-explanatory as it basically lets you create a one-tap call shortcut for a contact. The latter is where it gets interesting, as it lets you create any command that you’d typically give Assistant, such as “find all gas stations near me.” You can then label it and even test it out (Android Auto needs to be active for this) before saving it.

Once you create these shortcuts, you can then go back and reorder them to the top of the list so that they are the first icons you see when you open the app drawer in Android Auto. Now, your favorite contacts and most used actions are just a tap away.

Enable quick controls

Under the same Android Auto settings menu, enable the toggle called Taskbar widgets. What this does is let you control music playback from the taskbar, even if you have another app like Maps open in full screen. By default, the taskbar will show you other apps, but doing so means your passenger can’t pause or skip a track if you have another app in full-screen mode.

These are some very simple yet important tweaks you can do to Android Auto for a safer and more enjoyable drive. Have an essential tip that’s missing here? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

What you need to know

• Gemini for Home is expanding beyond North America with support for 16 new countries and more languages.
• Google has improved performance with up to 40% faster smart home response times for common commands.
• The assistant is now more context-aware with better device understanding and more precise control.

Gemini for Home has been exclusive to North America for some time, but that is now starting to change as Google has started the expansion of the feature to more regions and languages.

Google announced in a community blog post that the Gemini for Home voice assistant is rolling out to seven new languages and 16 new countries beyond the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

In Europe, it will be available in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. In the Asia-Pacific region, it is coming to Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.

In terms of languages, Gemini for Home will now support Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Spanish, and Swedish. It's a significant expansion from Google, although some key markets, including India, are still missing for now.

It's worth noting that the feature will remain opt-in. Google says users will start seeing invitations to join the early access program in the Google Home app. Google says the rollout has already begun, and most eligible users should be able to opt in within the next week.

Alongside the expansion, Google also says it has improved performance. The company claims it has reduced smart home latency by up to 40% for common commands like turning on lights.

Google also says Gemini is now more context-aware. It can better distinguish between devices like lights and lamps and use your home address to deliver more relevant local news and weather updates. There is also more precise control for smart home devices, such as setting specific humidity levels or preheating ovens.

The company is also introducing more advanced features like world-aware alarms, where you can set reminders for events like your favorite team's match. Additionally, there are improvements to live camera search for users on Google Home Premium.

What you need to know

• Google states in an update that it's delaying its original plans to sunset the Assistant across devices by the end of this year.
• The post states that it will "adjust" its timeline to provide a "seamless transition" from the Assistant to Gemini on mobile devices.
• Google says this new transition will take place in 2026, which marks ten years since the Assistant first arrived.
• In March, Google announced its original end of 2025 goal for the Assistant's conclusion, stating it will vanish from devices and the Play Store.

Believe it or not, Google still has two AI helpers rolling around, but the company's not quite ready to let go of the old Assistant.

In a Gemini community post, Google shared an update regarding its previously set timeline regarding the conclusion of the old Assistant (via Android Authority). The company states that the Assistant will live for a little while longer on mobile devices. The post reads, "We’re adjusting our previously announced timeline to make sure we deliver a seamless transition."

What Google is referencing here is its original intent to sunset the Assistant on Android devices by the end of 2025. We're a couple of weeks off that, and it's forcing Google to take another look.

The company reiterated its original plans to "upgrade the Assistant experience to Gemini on most mobile devices" in its update today (Dec 19). Google didn't state the cause behind why it wants to delay this transition. What we're certain of is that Google still plans to push the Assistant out for good in favor of Gemini. It says "will continue our work" to phase out the older digital assistant for the new age Gemini in 2026.

Google hasn't given a concrete timeframe just yet; however, it adds that it will provide more information "in the coming months."

Here for a while longer

We were preparing to say goodbye to the Assistant officially since Google broke the news earlier this year. It was starting to look like the beginning of "Hey Gemini" (all the time), as Google said the old Assistant was going to disappear from mobile devices and the Play Store. Wrapped in this update, Google said that moving users from the Assistant to Gemini would begin "offering a new kind of help only possible with the power of AI."

Personalization was another major aspect for Gemini in this move. It's not like we haven't had an influx of Gemini updates in 2025, but this change would cement its position across Android.

There will no longer be a choice of deciding between the two digital assistants in this change. Google said that, by the end of 2025, users will be left with Gemini only. However, as we've seen today, that's getting pushed into 2026. A year that marks a decade since the Assistant has been in our digital lives.

Google teased that it was preparing a major upgrade from the Assistant to Gemini in more places than just phones, like home devices, watches, and more. Funnily enough, we've seen this with Gemini for Home and Gemini's Pixel Watch update.

What you need to know

• Google Assistant will remain available on Android Auto "until March 2026," according to a support document.
• It's unclear whether Assistant's time will come to an end on other platforms around the same time.
• Google just started the Gemini rollout on Android Auto, and it'll continue over the coming months.

Following a preview ahead of Google I/O 2025 in May, Gemini is finally starting to replace Google Assistant on Android Auto. The transition started to take effect for some Android Auto users earlier this month, and the rollout officially began Nov. 20. Not long after, there are signs that Google is preparing to deprecate Google Assistant from Android Auto completely after the new year. A support document quietly states that Assistant won't be available for much longer.

The document, spotted by 9to5Google, states that "Google Assistant is still available for use until March 2026." The message specifically refers to the Android Auto platform, not the entire Google ecosystem. Some platforms, like Android and Wear OS, are further along in the Gemini transition than others, including Google Home and Google TV. Here's the full disclaimer:

While the full banner message calls out the transition as being for "most mobile devices," this message only appears with the March 2026 cutoff date on the Android Auto Help page. Still, considering Google says the Gemini for Android Auto rollout will continue over the coming months, it may prove to be a quick cutoff date.

It is possible Google makes Google Assistant available on Android Auto beyond March 2026, and is simply priming users for the change ahead of time. It's not uncommon for Google to extend these software deprecation timelines. For example, the company just extended the Google Duo shutdown by a few months, after the original September 2025 target came and went.

Google may not be holding itself to its initial Assistant shutdown timeframes for other platforms, either. The company originally said in March 2025 that "later this year, the classic Google Assistant will no longer be accessible on most mobile devices, or available for new downloads on mobile app stores." While there's still time for Google to meet this target, 2025 is coming to a close fast.

Google's latest support document previews Assistant's run on Android Auto coming to an end on Android Auto in March 2026, but it's unclear how or if this affects the Assistant experience on other platforms.

What you need to know

• Google's song search revamped with a modernized Gemini-like redesign for enhanced user experience.
• New centered 'G' logo and improved sound enhance the intuitive search feature for Android users.
• Gradual rollout of redesigned interface links with recent Material 3 updates for consistent Google visuals.

Google is unveiling a sleek redesign of its song search feature for Android, integrating a Gemini-like UI that enhances user interaction. This update, gradually rolling out across devices, promises a more intuitive and cohesive search experience for music enthusiasts everywhere.

What was once four multicolored dots is now going to look a lot like its Live Search UI, but with some changes to animation and the overall response from the Search bot (as reported by 9to5 Google).

As you can see in the GIF below, the ‘G’ logo is a lot more centered now, and the “What’s on your mind?” prompt transitions into the transcript. The earlier compact waveform has been replaced by an arc that vibrates with speech. The "search a song" prompt remains at the bottom of the screen, and once users click on it, the words "Play, Sing, Hum" take over the center part of the screen as opposed to the circular orb that would move based on your voice.

Additionally, Google has also changed the sound associated with the search feature. The sound for an active microphone, which used to be a "ping," has been changed to match the sound used for voice search on AI Mode.

The tech giant seems to be aiming at keeping the UI more consistent and easier to understand. This update shows a focus on refining the user interface, making even small details contribute to a more unified Google experience.

The newly redesigned interface for the Google app is being rolled out gradually to Android and iOS users alike. According to Web Pro News, posts from social media confirm sightings of the new UI. This phased rollout could mean Google is watching closely for potential bugs or issues within the app.

That said, Google has been tweaking the overall UI, making it more intuitive and user-friendly, including the recent Material 3 Expressive redesign that landed on Chrome for Android, bringing it in line with Google’s newer app visuals.

What you need to know

• Google is reimagining song search for Android users with a modernized Gemini-like redesign.
• The updated UI features a centered 'G' logo and improved sound for voice requests.
• Gradual rollout aims for a more intuitive and user-friendly experience across Android and iOS.

Google is finally reimagining the way Android users can ask a query and look for a song that is stuck in their head. The tech giant is bringing its Gemini-like modern redesign to this feature after what seems like forever.

What was once four multicolored dots is now going to look a lot like its Live Search UI, but with some changes to animation and the overall response from the Search bot (as reported by 9to5 Google).

As you can see in the GIF below, the ‘G’ logo is a lot more centered now, and the “What’s on your mind?” prompt transitions into the transcript. The earlier compact waveform has been replaced by an arc that vibrates with speech. The "search a song" prompt remains at the bottom of the screen, and once users click on it, the words "Play, Sing, Hum" take over the center part of the screen as opposed to the circular orb that would move based on your voice.

Additionally, Google has also changed the sound associated with the search feature. The sound for an active microphone, which used to be a "ping," has been changed to match the sound used for voice search on AI Mode.

The tech giant seems to be aiming at keeping the UI more consistent and easier to understand. This update shows a focus on refining the user interface, making even small details contribute to a more unified Google experience.

The newly redesigned interface for the Google app is being rolled out gradually to Android and iOS users alike. According to Web Pro News, posts from social media confirm sightings of the new UI. This phased rollout could mean Google is watching closely for potential bugs or issues within the app.

That said, Google has been tweaking the overall UI, making it more intuitive and user-friendly, including the recent Material 3 Expressive redesign that landed on Chrome for Android, bringing it in line with Google’s newer app visuals.

What you need to know

• Gemini is rolling out as a replacement for Google Assistant now for some Android Auto.
• Android Auto is one of the last Google platforms to get the Gemini boost, following Android, Wear OS, and Google Home.
• Android Auto users are spotting Gemini on multiple beta builds, but the addition is the result of a server-side change.

Google is steadily moving away from Google Assistant to Gemini, and Android Auto is one of the last platforms due to make the transition. The company first previewed the switch around the time of Google I/O, saying that Gemini would arrive on Android Auto "in the coming months" and "this fall." Now, there are signs that Gemini is finally arriving for your car, and it's rolling out for some Android Auto users as of this week.

Multiple Android Auto users are seeing Gemini replace Google Assistant in their cars starting late Wednesday, Nov. 5, according to a Reddit post (via 9to5Google). It's a server-side update that was spotted on Android Auto versions 15.6 and 15.7, per users in the Reddit thread. Those two Android Auto builds are currently in beta, and it isn't apparent yet whether the server-side rollout is only for beta testers, or if it'll soon expand to public builds.

Got Gemini tonight from r/AndroidAuto

Gemini on Android Auto completely replaces Google Assistant, but it keeps support for the "Hey Google" wake word. Key upgrades that come with Gemini for Android Auto include better natural-language understanding and Gemini Live support. With the latter, users can have a fluid conversation in real-time with Gemini Live while driving. The Gemini interface lives either at the bottom or side of the Android Auto view, depending on the car's screen size and aspect ratio.

Android Auto users also get Gemini's expanded integration with Google apps and services, like Home for smart home management, Keep for quick notes, Maps for directions, and more. Just this week, Google brought Gemini to Google Maps to give smarter directions based on AI and Google Lens analysis.

Gemini will be able to translate text messages in Android Auto in over 40 languages, and you can edit a translated message's content without having to completely start the command over.

What it's like to use Android Auto and Gemini together

Android Central tested Gemini in Android Auto at Google I/O 2025 earlier this year. Compared to Google Assistant, Gemini handles complicated requests better and is great at deciphering multiple follow-ups. For example, Gemini users can start a navigation session with Android Auto while also asking what time a restaurant closes and how far it is from the nearest gas station — all with their voice.

Like other Gemini versions, Gemini for Android Auto understands and remembers things with personal context, like knowing to always text a particular context in Spanish.

Android Auto is supported by 250 million cars, and they'll soon get an AI boost with Gemini. The AI-powered digital assistant is already rolling out now for some Android Auto users, with wider availability expected to follow.

What you need to know

• Google unveils new tools to combat evolving phishing scams and protect user privacy.
• Android's Key Verifier enhances security by confirming trusted contacts with QR code scanning.
• Engaging Scam Ready Game educates users on spotting and handling real-life phishing attempts.

Phishing and scam attempts have been evolving, thanks to new techniques like voice cloning, deepfakes, and indistinguishable impersonations. But Google says it's got you covered.

The tech giant announced today (Oct. 15) that it is rolling out another chunk of tools to help users keep up with these phishing schemes. In a press release, the company details that these tools are designed to help users not only avoid scams but also spot them before it's too late.

Scam detection on Google Messages

You might've definitely got one of those text messages that asks you to click on a certain link for an offer, or a compelling link that says your package was stuck at a certain location, and you'd need to click on this link to get it back. Google is addressing such malicious links that are solely designed to steal private information.

Moving forward, Google Messages will "warn you when you click on any links within it and stop you from visiting the potentially harmful website, unless you explicitly mark the message as not spam."

Additionally, it is also bringing Android's new "Key Verifier" tool that is said to keep you safe from fraudsters. It works by allowing you to scan a QR code for your trusted contacts and helps ensure your messages are private.

Recovery tools that have your back

Not all of us are lucky enough to spot a scam on first go; this may be true even if you're extremely tech savvy. With "Recovery Contacts," found in Settings, users will be able to designate friends or family members they trust as recovery contacts. If you're locked out of your account, "these contacts can help verify your identity, providing a simple and secure way to regain access when standard recovery methods fail."

Additionally, the "sign in with mobile number" feature will identify your account via your phone number, requiring only your previous device's lock-screen passcode for verification, not your Google password, which is a much easier and quicker way to regain access to lost information

While these tools are in place for when the need arises, Google is taking it a step further to educate users on how to tackle real-life phishing situations. Think of it like a simulator, the "Scam Ready Game" uses interactive scenarios to expose users to common scam tactics, building awareness and critical thinking skills.

Google says it has also partnered with the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) to distribute cyber hygiene resources and Google's safety products, especially among the youth and elderly.

What you need to know

• Google services experienced login issues affecting Meet, Gmail, and Drive, with over 6,000 user reports on DownDetector.
• Users encountered '502' error messages as the outage impacted multiple platforms, requiring Google credentials.
• Google confirmed the outage, and services are gradually being restored after engineering interventions.

Google and some of its apps are off to a rough start this morning as several users reported issues with Google Meet, Gmail, Workspace, Drive, and more, which began at around 11 am ET.

DownDetector showed a major spike in user disruptions for Google, Gmail, and other Workspace apps around the same time, with over 6,000 people reporting issues with logging in to Google's app.

According to 9to5Google, a majority of users saw failed login pages on the platform with a “502” error. And this issue was impacting other websites that required users to log in using their Google credentials.

Google has confirmed an outage affecting some of its services on the Workspaces Dashboard and apologizes for the inconvenience. "Between 07:22 and 08:30 PDT, customers experienced login issues to Google services. Our engineering team identified the cause and applied appropriate mitigations by 08:30 PDT (11:30 am ET), and customers should now be able to log in to Google services."

Outage reports on DownDetector also seem to be dwindling, as services are slowly being restored for users. That said, Google says it is closely monitoring the situation. As of now, there is no workaround for the outage; however, things seem to be slowly getting back to normal.

Last week, a similar outage hit Google Maps, causing the platform to load improperly, with only outlines of the local areas showing up without names, impacting its navigation and directions. However, Google was quick to resolve the issue and told Android Central in an email that "Google Maps is back up for those who experienced issues earlier today."

What you need to know

• Google is aware of customer complaints regarding smart home devices and is promising a fix.
• The company's head of Home and Nest took to social media this week to speak to frustrated users directly.
• Unfortunately, it looks like smart home issues won't get a proper fix until this fall.

People deep in Google's smart home ecosystem, using both Google Nest hardware and Google Assistant software, have noticed a sharp deterioration in reliability and utility for months. For instance, in January 2025, an issue caused Home and Nest speakers to fail answering basic requests. That's just one of the many problems that have plagued Nest user amid the Assistant to Gemini transition, but there may finally be a light at the end of this tunnel.

Google's Chief Product Officer for Home and Nest, Anish Kattukaran took to X (formerly Twitter) this week to acknowledge user frustrations and promise a fix. "I want to acknowledge the recent feedback about Google Assistant reliability on our home devices," Kattukaran wrote. "I sincerely apologize for what you're experiencing and feeling!"

"We hear you loud and clear and are committed to getting this right — and making sure we have a long term solution that provides better reliability and capability," Kattukaran explained. "We have been actively working on major improvements for sometime and will have more to share in the fall."

The acknowledgement comes as Google Nest hardware is starting to show its age. The Nest Hub was last updated in 2021, and the Nest Hub Max hasn't seen a refresh since its launch in 2019. Some Google Home and Nest speakers have gone even longer without any hardware changes, or have been discontinued.

Google launched the Pixel Tablet in 2023 as a hybrid between a smart home manager and a casual Android tablet, but it hasn't been a replacement for the Nest Hub line. It did release a new fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat last year, and conversely dropped support for the first two Nest Learning Thermostat models entirely this year.

On top of that, Google is currently undergoing a major transition from classic Assistant to Gemini — an AI-powered voice assistant. Google Assistant has already lost more than 20 features since 2024 as part of the move. No product category is hurt more by these deprecations than Home and Nest, which can't leverage Gemini yet. Meanwhile, Android phones and tablets, Wear OS watches, and ChromeOS devices can all use Gemini over Assistant.

A new post complaining about Home and Nest troubles seemingly pops up on social media every few days, with this one on Reddit garnering nearly 300 comments in three days. Another on Threads from two days ago gained traction as well, and that's just the start.

This is presumably why Google's head of Home and Nest is publicly addressing the customer concerns now. Unfortunately, they'll have to wait until Fall 2025 to get a proper fix — which may include Gemini support for smart speakers and displays, according to rumors.

Welcome to Ask Jerry, where we talk about any and all the questions you might have about the smart things in your life. I'm Jerry, and I have spent the better part of my life working with tech. I have a background in engineering and R&D and have been covering Android and Google for the past 15 years.

I'm also really good at researching data about everything — that's a big part of our job here at Android Central — and I love to help people (another big part of our job!). If you have questions about your tech, I'd love to talk about them.

Email me at askjerryac@gmail.com, and I'll try to get things sorted out. You can remain anonymous if you like, and we promise we're not sharing anything we don't cover here.

I look forward to hearing from you!

What does always listening really mean?

Rob asks:

I know smartphones and assistants listen for their wake word. Does that mean they hear everything around them all of the time?

Thanks

Hi Rob. That's a great question that I think a lot of people wonder about: how much does their smartphone or "smart" device actually hear?

The easy answer is everything. Yes, Always Listening means just that — it is always listening. It has to so it can recognize when its trigger word or phrase was spoken, then it can try to do something useful. This means that all smart home and assistant-powered devices from every company, including Amazon, Google, and Apple, must work this way.

The better answer is to explain how it's supposed to work, according to the people who make the products and those who have tested them. Always listening doesn't mean always recognizing or always doing something. I'll use a simple Nest Mini as an example, but as mentioned, this is pretty much the same across all ecosystems and platforms. Any sort of AI or assistant on your phone has to work this way.

As soon as you plug in and set up a Nest Mini, its microphone goes to work. Every sound that it picks up is analyzed using some low-power software and hardware, and unless you've said "Hey Google", that's the end of it.

If it does think it's picked up its command phrase, other processing starts to happen. The software tries to interpret the words it has heard into commands the device can recognize, and then tries to act on those commands.

An example is if I say, "Hey Google, turn off the porch light," My Nest Mini catches the phrase Hey Google so it knows it needs to process what comes next. In this case, it uses speech recognition to determine my request, ensures it recognizes a device named "porch light," and then sends a signal to shut it off.

If it didn't recognize the key phrase of "Hey Google," it would just keep listening for it.

If it recognized its key phrase but was unable to figure out what was being asked, or if it were asked to do something it couldn't, it would respond with a generic error like "I'm sorry I don't recognize porch light" or "I'm sorry I can't do that".

If it "thought" it recognized the key phrase, it would try to figure out what to do next as described above. Usually, it can't do anything because we never really asked it to do anything. In that case, it just goes back to listening. But sometimes, it can be goofy and think it found a command and do something you never asked it to do.

I have a first-generation Google Home here that will start playing YouTube videos out of the blue at least three times a week because it thinks I asked it to do it. Goofy little gadget.

What about privacy?

Tech companies are very specific about what their voice-activated devices will do and how they do it. That's good because having something that hears everything could be a little problematic if not kept on a short leash.

For example, some of the commands it "hears" are recorded and sent back for someone to check. If it was told to turn off the porch light, someone wants to make sure it did turn off the porch light. It does keep track of everything it hears that it thinks is a valid request for a certain amount of time. Some think that this information is sold to advertisers, though the companies making the smart devices say otherwise.

If it heard something that wasn't a valid request, it won't keep track of it, according to the companies who make them.

Yes, this is a very valid privacy concern. Most people don't want Google to spy on everything they say. I know I don't. Not that I'm saying or doing something I shouldn't be (you never know) but it's the fact that it's none of Google's damn business.

You really only have two choices: trust that it's doing exactly what it is supposed to be doing by only processing and acting on things it thinks are valid requests, or don't. I can't tell you what to choose here, but if you don't trust it, you should totally not use it.

Myself? I only ever fully trust something I built with my own two hands while I'm using it myself. I do use Google Assistant, Gemini, and Google Home products, but I'm mindful of where, when, and how. I'd never have one in my bedroom, for example. Especially one with a camera. I do not use any voice-activated smart "stuff" through Apple, Microsoft, or Amazon because I only want to worry about one platform getting more than I want to share.

You probably shouldn't follow my example and decide if you trust it or not, then go from there. Giant tech companies don't care about you as a person, but are almost assuredly doing exactly what they describe with voice-controlled services and products. Not to be kind, but because it's not worth the problems that would arise if they got caught doing something differently.

What you need to know

• Google could be introducing four new voices to its Search app, as spotted in the Beta version of its app.
• These new voices are allegedly similar to the ones on Google's new AI Mode.
• Looks like the company is extending the voice selection feature to other products, rather than limiting it to Gemini Live.

Google seems to be ramping up its efforts in bringing more features to its existing products — it is adding customized voice options to Gemini Live or AI Mode. A new APK teardown has revealed that users will be able to pick from a variety of voice options even on Google Search (as first spotted by Android Authority).

According to the publication, they noticed that while voice searching on AI Mode within the Search beta app, it offered users four different voices to choose from. Google seems to have given them "space-theme" names, Cosmo, Neso, Terra, and Cassini — each of these voices adds personality and distinction for the user.

While these voices were initially restricted to AI Mode on Search, it seems like the tech giant plans on expanding them to the generic voice search option on the Google app as well.

"In our latest APK teardown of the Google app (version 16.20.48.sa.arm64 beta), we have learned that you’ll also hear these same four voices when you perform a voice search through the mic icon," the website explained.

This can be spotted when using the quick access search features directly from the phone's home screen (if it's a Pixel or using the Google app's widget) or within the Google app itself.

Users could have a new range of voices for spoken search results, rather than just the single female voice that the app featured for several years. When this feature becomes available, users will be able to personalize their voice search by choosing from the four voice options.

This selection will be made in the Google app's settings, within the "Voice" section, where a "Choose Voice" list will appear. While there are only four options for voice in search, it seems like Google is saving a good chunk of these distinct voices for Gemini Live, as you get a list of 10 voices to choose from (Vega, Ursa, Pegasus, Nova, Eclipse, Lyra, Orbit, Dipper, Capella, and Orion).

During Google I/O, the tech giant discussed a ton of AI features, including opening up AI Mode to everyone in the U.S. It also made Gemini Live with camera and screen sharing free and available to everyone on Android and iOS.

What you need to know

• Google launched AI Pro and AI Ultra subscriptions on May 20, with the latter initially exclusive to the U.S.
• AI Pro builds upon the Gemini Advanced plan, integrating AI across Google apps and offering tools like Flow and Notebook LM.
• AI Ultra comes as a premium tier, comprising advanced AI models like Veo 3 and 2.5 Pro Deep Think.
• It further has early access to experimental features, and notably increased storage, along with YouTube Premium.

Google has announced two new subscription plans at its annual developer conference dubbed Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra.

These new plans are rolling out today (May 20), wherein the AI Ultra plan is only available for the U.S. with a promise of expansion to more countries soon.

The new Google AI Pro subscription appears to be an advanced version of the popular Gemini Advanced plan as it also includes a full suite of AI products with higher rate limits, the Gemini app, and the inclusion of Flow (new AI filmmaking tool), Notebook LM, and more.

The newly announced Gemini integration across Gmail, Docs, and Vids is also part of the new Google AI Pro plan. Other perks include the Whisk tool — a Veo 2-powered image-to-video creation tool, up to 2 TB of storage for Google Photos, Drive, and Gmail.

The Google AI Ultra plan, on the other hand, which the company calls a VIP pass to Google AI, is priced at $249.99 per month; however, first-time users will get 50 percent off for the first three months, making it handy at $129.99 per month.

The Gemini app as part of the AI Ultra plan includes exclusive features like Veo 3 (Google’s latest video generation model), wherein the Pro plan comprises Veo 2. Similarly, it includes the 2.5 Pro Deep Think model, whereas the Pro plan comprises the 2.5 Pro deep research model. The NotebookLM also integrates the highest limits, and the AI plan includes the best model capabilities that are said to be getting added later this year.

Other experimental features like Project Mariner (early access) — that allows for the streamlined tasks with an agentic research prototype — are included in the AI Ultra plan. Besides, with Gemini in the Ultra plan, users will get early access to an Agent Mode — an upcoming experimental capability arriving on desktop.

In a shared press release, Google further explains that by simply putting out an objective, Gemini intelligently orchestrates the steps to achieve it. These can include a combination of advanced features like live web browsing, in-depth research, and smart integrations with Google apps, and to further manage complex, multi-step tasks.

Lastly, this Ultra plan also gives users a YouTube Premium individual plan alongside getting a whopping 30TB of total storage for Photos, Drive, and Gmail.

• Phone deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Verizon | AT&T

What you need to know

• Google rolls out a new feature exclusively for iOS users that will help break down complex texts.
• This feature, dubbed "Simplify," will use AI to spot jargon or technical text, making it easier for the user to understand.
• All users need to do is tap the "Simplify" icon when it appears within the Google app, and users will see a simpler version of the highlighted text pop up on their screens

Google is rolling out an exclusive Gemini-backed feature for iOS users on its Google App. The tech giant announced this feature, dubbed "Simplify", in the Keyword earlier today (May 6).

As the name suggests, this feature breaks down complex concepts into easily understandable text. This is particularly useful when users are trying to learn about something new on the web; they might come across content that uses jargon or technical concepts they're not familiar with.

Google added that Simplify "uses AI to make dense text on the web easier to understand — without leaving a web page." Thus, people can understand long, winding words seamlessly without losing their research/reading flow.

According to the tech giant, the goal here is to simplify text while making sure that the meaning of the original text isn't lost along the way. Google refers to this as "minimally lossy" simplification.

Before rolling out this feature on a large scale, Google Research tested this on a large cohort of nearly 4.500 participants, who were handpicked for topic expertise.

"We used 31 diverse, real-world text excerpts across domains known for complexity: medical research, biology, law, finance, literature, philosophy, aerospace, and computer science," Google stated.

These participants were given either the original text, the simplified version, or both. Following this, these users were tested on their ability to retain the text. And were judged based on two conditions: one where they could refer back to the text while answering questions, and one where they could not.

This resulted in people who read the simplified text understanding the information significantly better and retaining it more compared to reading the original complex text.

To use Simplify, select any complex text on a web page you’re visiting in the Google app. Tap the “Simplify” icon that appears, and a new window with a simpler version of the text will pop up.

iOS users with the latest version of the Google App might spot this new feature in action starting today. While it remains unclear when this could roll out to Android users, Android Central has reached out to the tech giant and will update this article when we have more information.

What you need to know

• Assistant Driving Mode in Google Maps is officially gone for good, the company has confirmed.
• Assistant Driving Mode is another feature casualty of the Gemini transition, which is currently underway.
• The feature lost most of its functionality in February 2024, and only a media control bar and voice assistant button remained up until recently.

Google is officially removing Assistant Driving Mode from Android as part of the Gemini transition. The feature has undergone numerous changes since its introduction in 2019, most recently losing the app dashboard that was a crucial part of the Driving Mode experience. Now, it's no longer available as part of the Google Maps app for Android, the company told 9to5Google.

As of February 2024, the app launcher that featured large, easy-to-touch icons while driving was removed. The most recent version of Assistant Driving Mode only offered a media playback bar and the a control button. It was mostly used by Android users that didn't have a car with Android Auto functionality, since Driving Mode offered similar utility at one point.

In fact, Assistant Driving Mode was initially seen as a replacement and alternative to Android Auto for Phone Screens, was killed in 2021.

The Assistant Driving Mode app launcher was one of many Google Assistant feature removals announced in January 2024. "Using app launcher in Google Assistant driving mode on Google Maps to read and send messages, make calls, and control media," the company explained in a support document at the time. "You can still use voice control on Google Maps the same way."

Over a year later, not even the Assistant Driving Mode's playback controls or voice control button are available as part of Google Maps. This is an intentional removal that is part of the Gemini transition, per the company. At this point, it means Assistant Driving Mode in Maps is gone for good.

The move is part of a larger transition from Google Assistant to Gemini that was announced officially in March 2025. It's currently underway, and will see most mobile devices ditch Assistant in favor of Gemini in the near future.

What you need to know

• Google responded to its antitrust lawsuit ruling, stating that it will negatively impact the way in which users interact with its products.
• Google argues that if other search engines like Bing, Yahoo!, etc, are forced onto users, it will make it harder for them to access Google Search, despite it being their first option.
• This ruling could also put users' privacy and security at risk, as their data could be shared with other unknown companies that may misuse this information.
• A new trial begins today (April 21) to determine the way forward for Google.

Google is responding to the U.S. federal court's ruling from last week (April 17), which stated that Alphabet, Google's parent company, violates antitrust laws in the ad-tech space. It states that this ruling will not only affect Google as a company, but would "hurt America’s consumers, economy, and technological leadership."

Leonie Brinkema, a U.S. district judge, issued a ruling stating that Google's parent company had illegally monopolized the online advertising space. Bloomberg brought the ruling to light, noting that this violation pertains to "advertising exchanges and tools used by websites to sell ad space." The judge also states that Google isn't allowing other companies to enter the ad space, let alone compete with them.

By stating that, the company "willfully engaged in a series of anticompetitive acts to acquire and maintain monopoly power in the publisher ad server and ad exchange markets."

Google outlines several points in its Keyword blog regarding how this judgment would negatively impact the company as it competes with AI technologies like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and others.

To start, Google states that this judgment would force phones and browsers to use alternative search engines, such as Bing and Yahoo!, making it more difficult for users to access Google Search, despite it being their primary option.

Secondly, the government aims to prevent Google from paying phones or browsers, such as Mozilla, to maintain Search as the default search engine. Google claims that this move will exacerbate the situation for users, as companies may start charging customers to compensate for the revenue loss resulting from Google's actions.

Additionally, Google states that the Department of Justice (DOJ)'s proposal will also require them to share user information with unknown companies, which could, in turn, jeopardize users' privacy and safety. The DOJ has also asked Google to separate Chrome from Android and wants the company to sell Chrome. It also suggested splitting Android from Google Search and Play without forcing a sell-off.

Furthermore, Google states that this move could disrupt the platforms they've built over the years and offered to users for free, harm businesses built on them, and compromise security. For instance, splitting it off would disrupt its integration with other Google services within Chrome.

Lastly, the company says it would also "hamstring how we develop AI, and have a government-appointed committee regulate the design and development of our products.

The Justice Department and a group of states sued Google in 2023, arguing the company monopolized three display advertising markets online: ad servers, exchanges, and networks. As of now, Google says it disagrees with the decision and will appeal to the court to look for ways to mitigate this judgment.

The new trial for Google to prove that it isn't in violation of these antitrust laws begins today (Apr. 21). And if Google ends up losing its plea, it could drastically change the way users interact with Google and its products in the future.

What you need to know

• Fitbit watches are soon losing support for Google Assistant.
• Google announced that Assistant would be phased out on Fitbit watches in the coming weeks in a community post last month.
• Fitbit owners can still use Amazon Alexa as a voice assistant in supported regions.

Some Fitbit smartwatches support using a voice assistant like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, but Google is currently phasing out Assistant support. Owners of the Fitbit Sense, Fitbit Sense 2, Fitbit Versa 2, Fitbit Versa 3, and Fitbit Versa 4 will soon discover that Google Assistant is no longer available, if it hasn't disappeared already.

The phaseout was officially announced last month, and email notices are being sent out to affected Fitbit users.

"Over the next few weeks we will be progressively phasing out Google Assistant on your Fitbit device," a community post explains. "This change means that Google Assistant voice control for activities will soon no longer be available on your Fitbit device."

Fitbit users of these devices can still use Amazon Alexa as their voice assistant in these supported regions, including the U.S.

Google is following up its earlier community post and email notices with a notification sent to Fitbit watches (via Android Authority). "Google Assistant on Fitbit watches is being turned down, this feature will stop working in the coming weeks," the notification reads.

Google assistant going away from r/fitbit

It might seem odd that Google, which owns Fitbit, is pushing users away from Google Assistant and toward Amazon Alexa. However, the move appears to be part of larger changes to Google Assistant. The voice assistant has seen numerous feature deprecations since the start of 2024, and will soon be replaced on mobile with Gemini.

Eventually, Gemini will replace Google Assistant on Wear OS, at least in name. But since Fitbit smartwatches run Fitbit OS — not Wear OS — it's far from guaranteed that Gemini will arrive on older Fitbit watches.

Amidst the announcement of the discontinuation of Assistant on Fitbit watches, there has been no official mention of a voice assistant replacement, aside from the aforementioned Alexa support.

What you need to know

• Google announced today that it will be integrating Gemini's multimodal capabilities into AI Mode on Google Search.
• This will help expand Search's capabilities by answering comprehensive questions in one go.
• Google Search's AI Mode becomes available to more "Labs" users in the U.S.

Google announced today that it will give AI Mode on Google Search more powers to perform its tasks. In a press release the company said that it is expanding its Gemini Capabilities to AI Mode on Google search, with the help of Google Lens.

"This experience brings together powerful visual search capabilities in Google Lens with a custom version of Gemini, so you can easily ask complex questions about what you see," Google stated.

It allows users who have access to AI Mode to be able to snap a photo or record a video and ask the chatbot a comprehensive question about what they see. For instance, users can ask exploratory and open-ended questions in AI mode, along with more complicated tasks — "like comparing two products, exploring how-tos or planning a trip," the Keyword added.

AI Mode gets this ability from Gemini’s multimodal capabilities. The tech giant added that once this mode is enabled, it can understand every scene in an image, including the different materials, colors or shapes, and arrangements of multiple objects, as seen in the gif above. For example, AI mode is able to read the titles of the books, capture the theme and commonalities of these books, and suggest similar high-rated books to the user.

It uses a “query fan-out” technique, just like the text-based search option and AI Mode, then issues multiple queries about the image as a whole and the objects within the image. It is important to note that AI Mode will be made available on both mobile and desktop search versions. However, it remains unclear if it's the same for the Lens feature, as the gif shows only a phone using this new capability.

That said, Google started testing the AI Mode only last month and has since received positive feedback from Google One AI Premium subscribers who were able to try it out. Users felt that AI Mode was able to quickly answer their complex and nuanced questions and also gave them a lot more information about a certain topic than a general Google Search.

Lastly, Google added that it's constantly testing to improve AI Mode based on feedback that comes from users in "Labs." AI Mode is now available on both Android and iOS via the Google app for those with a Google One AI Premium subscription.

What you need to know

• Google has launched a fun interface for all those Pokémon fanatics out there, to relive their childhood.
• The fun animation pops up when users search for a Pokémon, and they're prompted by a Pokéball to catch it.
• Google even provides hints for this Pokémon hunt, so the user can catch 151 first generation Pokémon.

Google comes up with fun ways to interact with its users. Be it through Google Doodles or fun puzzles to make Google Search less redundant. This time, the tech giant is taking the Easter egg hunt to another level.

It looks like a collaboration between Google and the Pokémon Company that allows users to "catch" 151 first generation Pokémon and then add it to their Pokédex within their Google search profile.

To participate in this hunt, users must sign in to their Google account and look for the first Pokémon that pops into their heads. Then, a Pokéball appears at the bottom right corner of their screens. When tapped, it will attempt to catch the Pokémon in question.

Once the Pokémon is caught, the user will be prompted to continue searching for the rest of them with a hint to each Pokémon in the list.

According to Polygon, Google sent them a news release stating that a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon will require Master Balls to catch, which can be earned by catching regular Pokémon. For instance, once you catch the first 20 Pokémon, you'll be given a Master Ball with a hint for the legendary Pokémon.

At each checkpoint, you can only capture the specific legendary Pokémon that corresponds to the silhouette that Google shows you. Any attempt to catch a different legendary Pokémon will cause the Poké ball to open, and users will lose the Pokémon.

The publication further adds that Google didn't cite any reward for the person who catches em' all. However, it did note that “searches for ‘Pokemon card’ reached an all-time high in the US” this February.

Still, it's probably just a fun interface to bring back nostalgic memories for some, while the satisfaction of catching all the Pokémon without running around the city for them.

It is important to note that Google's new Pokédex widget is only available on mobile and requires logging into a Google account to save your progress.

This isn't the first time that Google has tapped into nostalgia. Last year, for Easter, Search was turned into the retro "Block Breaker" game. Like the original game, Breakout, users had a single paddle, one ball, and four rows of Google-colored bricks to break into.

Google Home and Nest speakers and displays as we know them may be doomed if the company's recent Google Assistant deprecations are any indication. Google Assistant is rapidly losing features as Google puts more time and effort into Gemini, its AI-based chatbot and assistant. Just this week, Google announced plans to remove seven more features from Google Assistant in the future, following up the 18 features that were lost in early 2024.

As such, it's not an understatement to call the Google Assistant a shell of its former self. That isn't as much of an issue on smartphones and tablets, as Gemini serves as a better virtual assistant in many cases. When Gemini falls short, Android phones and tablets can take advantage of Assistant extensions to fill the gap. In fact, rumors point to Gemini replacing the Google Assistant on smartwatches via a future Wear OS update, too.

There's just one problem — Gemini can't replace the Google Assistant on the smart home devices that need it most. Google hasn't refreshed its smart displays, including the second-generation Nest Hub and the Nest Hub Max, since 2021. It hasn't updated the Google Nest Mini smart speaker since 2019. That reality means that the affordable and aging Nest smart speakers and displays could be left without critical Assistant features and unable to run Gemini effectively.

Google quietly set a precedent for how it plans to get Gemini on smart home products last year, and it's bad news for fans of Nest hardware. The company completely killed the affordable Chromecast lineup in favor of the $100 Google TV Streamer, which will soon get Gemini Live and other AI features.

With Google seemingly winding down Assistant and putting a greater focus on Gemini, I'm worried that the Nest lineup could share a similar fate. The company could shift toward more expensive (and powerful) smart home controllers, like the Pixel Tablet, which can better handle Gemini. That would be a mistake because Google Assistant is the perfect piece of software to run on affordable and lightweight smart home products.

Google Nest speakers and displays are borderline useless without Assistant features

Due to the age of Google Nest speakers and displays, they're starting to slow down, and features are beginning not to work as expected. In some instances, the platform has felt like an afterthought. Earlier this year, a bug caused Nest devices to fail to answer basic requests, and it took weeks for users to get a fix.

On top of that, Google is actively killing key Google Assistant features. Aside from the 18 features axed last year, the company recently updated its support document with seven new deprecations. For instance, you won't be able to change photo frame settings or ambient screen settings with your voice anymore. While you can still do this manually on your Nest display, that kind of defeats the point of having a voice-equipped smart screen.

Some of the more egregious removals include the ability to get daily updates from your Google Assistant, such as requests like "Send me the weather every day." You also won't be able to favorite, share, or use your voice to ask about photos that were taken. Put simply, Nest hardware doesn't just lack new features — it's also consistently losing basic functionality and features.

It's understandable that Google doesn't want to spread itself too thin by working on Assistant and Gemini simultaneously, but it should consider all of the products in its portfolio. While Pixel phones and tablets are getting better by the day with new Gemini features, Nest speakers and displays are seemingly getting worse by the day.

Android Central reached out to Google regarding its plans for current and future Nest devices, as well as the state of Google Assistant, but the company did not get back to us in time for publication.

Gemini won't solve the problem, it'll make it worse

If the option to switch to Gemini was available today for Nest hardware, Google's recent Assistant feature removals would be defensible. However, it isn't, and I'm skeptical that Gemini is the solution to this problem. It's unlikely that a Gemini-based assistant could run on older Nest speakers and displays, leaving them stuck with a Google Assistant bleeding basic features.

The transition to Gemini might kill Nest smart home products as we know them. Existing hardware would almost certainly become less useful, as the Google Assistant has lost 25 features since the start of 2024. New hardware, if released, would probably be priced higher than current Nest speakers and displays to accommodate AI processing demands.

Historically, the great thing about the Google Nest family of products was that you could outfit your entire home with speakers, cameras, and displays without breaking the bank. A Nest Mini speaker costs $50 at retail, and a Nest Hub display costs $100 at retail.

Google needs to upgrade Nest smart speakers and displays, like it upgraded the Nest Learning Thermostat and created the Google TV Streamer. Many of the devices in the Nest lineup are half a decade old, or older.

With that being said, it should be careful about creating new Nest speakers and displays that are more premium, more powerful, and more pricey. If the future of Nest hardware is Gemini-powered products sold at a premium price, the brand's identity would be drastically changed.

What you need to know

• Seven more Google Assistant features are getting axed, continuing the trend that started in late 2024.
• Google is not giving a heads-up on when these features will vanish. Instead, you’ll get a notification while using them, letting you know they’re about to disappear.
• To soften the blow, Google suggests setting up custom Routines to replicate some of the lost features.

Google Assistant’s time is ticking as Gemini takes over mobile and eventually smart devices, so the tech giant announced the new batch of features on the chopping block.

With Gemini set to fully take over by the end of 2025, Google is now axing seven more Assistant features, as spotted by 9to5Google. This move isn’t exactly surprising, though. Google has been slowly chipping away at Assistant’s capabilities since late 2024, making it clear that the transition is well underway.

Turns out, the Gemini transition isn’t just happening to Android phones. Google’s smart home lineup, including premium smart speakers and smart displays, is also in for some changes.

After phasing out several Assistant features, Google has now confirmed that more "underutilized features" are getting the axe as part of this transition.

What’s getting cut?

First off, Google is pulling the plug on the ability to manage photo metadata by voice. That means you won’t be able to favorite, share, or ask about the time and location of photos using voice commands anymore. However, you can still do all of this manually in the Google Photos app, and photo metadata will still be viewable on Smart Displays and tablets.

Similarly, voice commands for tweaking photo frame and ambient display settings are going away, but you can still adjust them directly through the Smart Display settings.

Interpreter mode, which provides real-time multilingual translation during conversations, is also getting cut. You’ll still be able to translate single words and phrases, but the live conversation feature is disappearing.

Google is also removing automatic birthday reminders in Routines, though you can still set them up manually with Assistant commands. Family Bell announcements—scheduled or requested reminders for family broadcasts—are also on the chopping block.

Additionally, Google is shutting down automatic daily updates like weather reports, but you can still set up custom Routines to get scheduled updates. Lastly, Google Assistant will no longer work with car accessories connected via Bluetooth or an aux cable.

No clear timeline, just warnings

To make things even more frustrating, Google hasn’t laid out a clear timeline for when these features will disappear. Instead, users will get notifications while using affected features, giving them a heads-up before they’re shut down.

To make up for the loss of features you've come to love, Google suggests setting up custom Routines as a workaround.

What you need to know

• ChatGPT can now be set as a default assistant on Android phones.
• A beta version of the app revealed that it shows up in one of the options for the device's digital assistant.
• You can wake ChatGPT by long pressing the home button or any other gesture that you'd use for Google.
• However, the downside is that you cannot invoke it with a voice command or a hot word.

While Google is trying to replace Assistant with Gemini, ChatGPT seems to be on the same mission. The newest Beta version of the app reveals that you can do more with ChatGPT on Android Phones.

Spotted on the v1.2025.070 beta of the app on Android(via Android Authority), users can now set ChatGPT as the device’s default assistant app. Not only that, but it will also let them trigger ChatGPT using all the same way you would for Google Assistant or Gemini.

To set ChatGPT as your default assistant, you'd have to head into the device's settings and manually pick ChatGPT as the option under the "Default Digital Assistant App" option.

Once users have done the above, it will enable them to launch the assistant by either long pressing the home button or swiping from the bottom corner of the screen, while using gesture navigation, the publication added.

However, having ChatGPT be your default assistant does have its drawbacks. Users cannot wake it with a voice command like you would say "Hey Google." "As that functionality requires access to privileged APIs only available to trusted, preinstalled apps," Android Authority added.

However, once triggered with a long press of the home button, you see a circular globe-like animation at the center of the screen, after that users can interact with it as you normally would use ChatGPT.

Furthermore, ChatGPT introduced new AI tools last month, that could help users cut their research time in half. It could mimic the process of a human analyst, scouring through online sources to give users an in-depth report based on their prompt. However, this feature is only available to Pro users, unlike Gemini's Deep Research feature which is free for a couple of prompts after the recent app update.

What you need to know

• Google announced that it will be upgrading Google Assistant with Gemini "in the coming months."
• By the end of this year, people will not be able to download Google Assistant from app stores as it will be discontinued.
• Google has not mentioned any details as to when this upgrade will begin and which devices will start seeing the change first.

Google Assistant is running on borrowed time as the tech giant announced today (Mar. 14) that it will slowly start replacing Google Assistant with Gemini. Google Assistant has been around since 2016, and we've all gotten used to saying "Hey Google" for a better part of a decade now. However, this switch is something that has been on the cards for several months now. Recent rumors even indicated a new wake word in the works, so it feels like we did see this coming.

In a Keyword post, the company stated that they will be upgrading Google Assistant with Gemini, "offering a new kind of help only possible with the power of AI." The upgrade is said to take personalization to a whole new level since Gemini will be able to interact with other apps on the phone to understand the user's choices better.

Google says that millions of users have switched from using Google Assistant to Gemini. That said, no longer having to choose between Gemini and Assistant could be a step in the right direction, especially as Google has been working to improve Gemini's capabilities and bring over Assistant features.

While we don't know when this will be put into motion for users at large, the company hinted at the fact that most devices will end up having Gemini instead of Google Assistant by the end of 2025.

"Over the coming months, we’re upgrading more users on mobile devices from Google Assistant to Gemini," the company stated in the Keyword. With that, later this year, users will no longer be able to download Google Assistant from their mobile app stores since it will no longer be accessible.

Not just phones but all the other devices that use Assistant will also be upgraded to AI-powered Gemini. The company will be bringing this shift to its line of wearables and home devices like headphones, watches, speakers, and TVs. We assume that this will be rolled out in phases over the next few months, until then Google Assistant will continue to live on devices and run as usual.

Lastly, Google says that "it is just getting started" with this Gemini integration. Once Gemini replaces Assistant, the company will bring features like Gemini Live and Deep Research, which will help transform Gemini into "a personal research assistant."

However, it is important to note that Google Assistant will continue to work as usual for phones that can't run Gemini.

What you need to know

• Google Pixel's exclusive AI assistant is said to make its way to the upcoming Google Pixel 10 this fall.
• Dubbed 'Pixel Sense,' the assistant will be showcased as an app that will be a 'smart and context-aware' assistant.
• It is said to cross-communicate between apps, processing user's metadata to predict actions for them.

Talk of Google Pixel's exclusive AI-powered Assistant has been doing the rounds since 2023. The assistant was then internally called "Pixie," and was expected to show up on Google's Pixel 9 series — which didn't end up happening.

But looks like the company hasn't given up on the "Pixie" dream as yet, since it seems like it had bigger plans for the AI assistant. According to internal sources, Google is working on bringing "Pixie" to the next Pixel 10, under a new name dubbed Pixel Sense (first reported by Android Authority).

The publication states that Pixel Sense will show up as an app for new-gen phones, which the tech giant said will give users the "most personalized experience based on the things you do on your Pixel.” We knew early on that this Pixel-exclusive assistant is said to utilize user data collected by various Google apps like Calendar, and Gmail. However, Android Authority adds that the Assistant will also be able to process "media files, including text, images, AI-generated content, and associated metadata."

Google explains that when a user takes screenshots, Pixel Sense will process them to understand metadata and learn from it. This will help when the user searches for specific screenshots on the app.

Additionally, Google states that this Assistant will have the ability to provide predictive suggestions, based on the usage patterns of the device. "It will also be able to suggest places, products, and names, right when you need them,” Google told Android Authority.

We asked Gemini about what Pixie could do and it stated that the core focus of Pixel Sense is to 'create a smart and context-aware assistant' that basically knows what you're going to do next. From the looks of it, Pixel Sense will operate primarily on a Google Pixel phone, minimizing the device's need to reach out to Google's servers. "Your data stays private, visible only to you, not even Google can see it,” the publication added.

It remains unclear how different Pixel Sense will be from Gemini. But we think it will highly rely on Gemini's capabilities and Gemini Nano for its on-device actions. The key difference however is the way data is showcased. Gemini is an Open Language Learning Model that gets its knowledge from Google's servers, whereas Pixel Sense will keep things limited to the user's device. It will be cool to watch this in action on the Pixel 10 that is rumored to arrive later this fall.

What you need to know

• Google is informing headphone users with Assistant support that the AI helper will lose its "touch-and-hold" function for notifications and the ability to reply.
• A post states users will soon have to say "Hey Google" aloud in order for the AI to read your notifications.
• Google made a similar move for earbuds in September, which prompted users on Reddit to voice their displeasure.

Google is continuing to alter the Assistant within its ever-changing ecosystem, and this latest move impacts audio devices.

In a community post, the company drew attention to an upcoming change that will affect how users interact with the Google Assistant on headphones (via Android Police). Google states the Assistant will soon lose the ability to read your notifications aloud when "pressed to activate."

In addition to this, the post states users will no longer be able to leverage the Assistant to reply to notifications, either.

A follow-up support document expands on this, stating users will now have to manage the Assistant vocally. Instead of pressing a button, the Assistant will only respond to "Hey Google, read my notifications" moving forward.

Curiously, Google states it "will be" making this change to all headphones with Assistant as its virtual helper. However, the post fails to explicitly state when users can see this change go into effect. It'll be worth keeping an eye on things as we enter the final week of February.

It seems like we should brace for a future where we lose this ability on two of the best headphones with the Assistant: the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sony's WH-1000XM5. We could say we're surprised by this development, but we saw the same thing happen to earbuds with Google Assistant support in September. Things happened in reverse order as users took to Reddit to report the sudden jarring change to the Pixel Buds Pro.

Users were hit with a message stating, "touch and hold won't read notifications anymore." Similarly, they were told to say "Hey Google" aloud for those functions. It didn't sit well with users as they stated the touch-and-hold method was more private and convenient — but most of all silent.

Android Central reached out to Google at the time and the company stated it made the change "based on user feedback." It also confirmed that the change would stick, forcing users to have to speak aloud to the AI. The company reiterated a similar tune with its headphone announcement, meaning those users will lose out on the private touch-and-hold method.

It's also worth mentioning that the Pixel Buds Pro 2 debuted in August with deep integration with Gemini, instead of the Assistant.

What you need to know

• Google Home and Nest products experienced an issue that led speakers and displays to become unresponsive this week.
• The problem specifically affected verbal commands, even those as simple as "What's the weather?".
• Google says the issue should be resolved for most users now, and is investigating what caused the problem.

Google said today it resolved widespread issues with Google Home and Nest products not responding to commands that plagued users for nearly a week. First reported by Android Authority, the problems left Home and Nest speakers and displays incapable of answering even the most basic questions, like the time or the weather. The company is still investigating what caused the problems, but confirmed most users shouldn't experience the unresponsiveness now.

"The team is still investigating the root cause but have resolved the issue, so all users should be up and running now," a Google spokesperson explained.

The problems, which specifically affected voice commands, can be traced back to at least Dec. 30 as evidenced by posts on Google's support forum (via 9to5Google). Although the Nest Hub displays in particular showed the correct weather and time, the voice assistant requests would hang up when asking for the same information. The displays showed a perpetual loading screen and couldn't respond to basic requests.

Google Home Mini (1st Gen) Suddenly just keeps "thinking" and doesn't do anything? from r/googlehome

Certain requests, like smart home or media control, were still functional. However, anything that required a Home or Nest speaker or display to fetch a response would fail. Luckily, it appears that the issues are resolved. Android Authority reported that its issues were no longer affecting its units, and Android Central tested that its Google Home Hub and Nest Hub Max were both able to respond to requests.

It's unclear what caused the speakers and displays to become unable to respond to requests over the last week or so. The bug could be related to how Google Home and Nest products decide which one will respond to requests, as support posts indicate people with multiple speakers or displays were adversely affected.

Google support and Reddit posts chronicled the understandable frustration of users, but at least the issues appear to be resolved for now.

What you need to know

• Pixel users are dealing with a bug in Google Assistant’s Quick Phrases, causing annoying toast notifications to stay on screen.
• The issue involves the 'Say Stop' prompt not disappearing after alarms or timers are turned off, with reports on both stable and beta Android 15 versions.
• The bug seems to be tied to the Google app, which powers both Gemini and Assistant, and there’s no fix yet.

Pixel owners are facing a persistent Google Assistant Quick Phrases bug, leaving annoying toast notifications on their screens.

Quick Phrases are meant to simplify voice commands like stopping alarms or handling calls. However, multiple Reddit users are reporting about a lingering issue with Google Assistant’s 'Say Stop' prompt. Apparently, the notification refuses to disappear even after alarms or timers are turned off (via 9to5Google).

In one instance, the bug has been spotted on a Pixel 8 running Android 15. One user reported the 'Say Stop' prompt sticking around, even on the lock screen.

The issue isn’t tied to a specific device or software version, with users on both stable and beta Android 15 reporting the problem.

Android Authority has spotted a similar glitch on a Pixel 9 Pro XL with the latest Android 15 update. When receiving a call, a toast notification popped up, asking users to "Say ‘Answer’".

While this notification was supposed to disappear once the call ends, it stuck around and locked up that area of the screen. Even worse, it covered the caller ID, making it hard to see who’s calling before you answer.

As 9to5Google pointed out, this ongoing issue seems to stem from the Google app, which powers both Gemini and Assistant. Until Google rolls out a fix, users might have to rely on temporary workarounds to deal with the annoying toast notification glitch.

Some users have found that restarting their device clears up the persistent bubble issue, while others have had luck disabling certain toggles in the Quick Phrases menu.

As a quick fix, Android Authority suggests force-closing and reopening the Google app (found in Settings > Apps > Google) to get rid of the persistent notification.

Alternatively, turning off the Quick Phrases feature can offer a more lasting solution, since force-stopping the Google app is just a temporary fix that might pop up again with future calls.

What you need to know

• New Google app beta findings reveal Google Assistant actions run by Gemini itself.
• Once the roll out begins, users would be able to send texts on WhatsApp, Google Messages using Gemini instead of Google Assistant.
• Similarly, there is also Spotify Extensions that works similar to YouTube Music.

Over the past couple of years, it has become evident that Google's Gemini will soon fully replace the good old digital assistant on Android devices. New findings indicate the start of it as the latest Google app beta version contains evidence that some of the existing actions, which rely on Google Assistant, are now being run by Gemini.

According to Assemble Debug, in collaboration with Android Authority, Google Assistant has been able to perform actions such as sending messages on WhatsApp or Google Messages. But with the potential shift to Extensions, Gemini may be taking over these actions, as shown in the beta version of the Google app (15.40.31.29). A screenshot even confirms it, with a pop-up stating that "Google Assistant actions are becoming Extensions."

Similarly, Gemini will probably learn which extensions users prefer for tasks like calling or messaging. These can be managed individually, and users can request other extensions or disable any they don’t want. Android Authority also mentions that to use Extensions, users need to make sure the Gemini Apps Activity setting is enabled.

The publication shared demo videos showing Extensions in action, including ones for WhatsApp, Google Messages, and Spotify. The videos suggest that with Gemini, making calls and sending texts on WhatsApp is totally doable.

Also, the Google Messages Extension offers similar features, like sending and reading messages. In the demo, though, they could only send messages with Gemini and weren’t able to read any recently received ones.

Spotify is the latest extension that has been added to Gemini. It works similarly to what we have seen with the early integration of YouTube Music. The publication points out that the extension seemed to be working both for free and premium accounts on Spotify.

Enabling the Spotify Extension is simple, and users can directly ask Gemini to play a song or an album, which then throws in a thumbnail of the song that is being played. Tapping it will take users directly into the Spotify app.

It is encouraging to see Google bringing on these nifty new capabilities to Gemini alongside the major Gemini Live roll out, which happened very recently. It was also made free for Android phones including the addition of new languages. The Extensions as mentioned are currently seen in the Google beta app, it could likely mean the official roll out is not too far.

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Once you have some Google Assistant-compatible devices in the home, you’ll want to set them up in Google Home. This is a simple, single app on your phone you can use as a hub to control all Google-compatible devices, from your smart lights to your security camera, smart speaker, and even robot vacuums.

Once you have the Google Home app set up on your mobile device and have logged in via your account and added your home’s devices, you might want to add new members so they can access everything, too. It could be other members of the family, the grandparents, babysitter or dogsitter, or even a neighbor who pops in to check on your cats while you’re away. You can add up to six members to a Google Home.

How to add voice profiles with Voice Match

If you add voice profiles for each person, everyone can call up their settings with simple voice commands. Each person, once added, can personalize the settings to their liking and with Voice Match. Then, they can use audible commands and Google will recognize it’s them. They might have their own scenes, like “game night” for dad that turns on the TV and switches the smart lights to a favorite team’s colors or “meditation evening” for grandma with classical music playing and a fireplace video on the smart display. It’s simple to add others in Google Home.

How to add a new member in the Google Home app

First, you’ll want to teach Google Assistant your own voice through Voice Match. This is essential to Google being able to recognize the multiple users once you add them.

1. Open the Google Home app on your mobile device.

2. Tap Settings in the bottom menu.

3. Scroll down to Google Assistant and select.

4. Select Voice Match.

5. Select the device you want to set up Voice Match for or tap Add a Device to add a new one.

6. Tap Continue and follow the process, which requires reciting phrases like “Hey Google” and “OK, Google” so Google can learn how your voice sounds.

7. Go back to the Google Home screen and tap the “+” sign beside your image under Home. (Alternatively, select “+Add” from the bottom, right, Home Member, and continue).

8. Enter the name or e-mail address of the person you want to invite and select next.

9. Confirm that you want to give them full control of devices and services and hit Next.

10. Confirm shared home activity through the next three screens by tapping Next three times after reading over the details.

11. Tap Send. You can also first select Devices and choose which specific Devices you want to grant them access to if not all. From here, this person will receive a message that they have been invited and can accept. They can also set up Voice Match so the devices can distinguish their commands from yours.

How to link your account to someone else’s Google Home

You might want to link your account to someone else’s home, like your parents or grandparents who may need your assistance in controlling smart home gear. Or it might be to stream tunes to a smart speaker at a friend’s house during a get-together. It’s easy to request access.

1. Open the Google Home app on your mobile device.

2. Select Devices from the bottom menu.

3. Choose the local device you want to connect to (you would need to be in its vicinity).

4. Select Request invite to manage.

5. Join this home will pop up. Select Send request.

6. The homeowner will receive an e-mail that you have requested access and can authorize it from there.

How to remove a member

There are reasons you might want to remove a member you previously added or approved for access. It could be a roommate who has moved out or a babysitter that is no longer employed with you. It might be a friend who only needed temporary access, or a lost or misplaced device that could be in the hands of someone else. It’s simple to do this, too.

1. Open the Google Home app on your mobile device.

2. Tap Settings on the bottom, right.

3. Select the person’s icon under Home.

4. Select their name.

5. Select the trash can icon on the top, right. A pop up will ask if you want to Remove from Home? Select Remove. The person has now been removed.

Your one-stop for home control

Google Home is your one-stop shop for controlling compatible Google Assistant devices, from smart speakers to thermostats, smart lights, security cameras, and more. Now, that also includes Matter-enabled devices. As you add new devices to your smart home from among the best Google Home compatible devices, add them to Google Home and control them all in one place. You can even automate everything with a new Vacation mode. With the ability to set up multiple users, everyone in the home, and even others you invite, can have their own personalized experience.

(Update: 9/17 3:30 PM ET): Updated the article with Google's statement about the Assistant changes for the Pixel Buds Pro.

What you need to know

• Reports have cropped up on Reddit from Pixel Buds Pro owners stating the Assistant will no longer read their notifications using the "touch-and-hold" control.
• Instead, the assistant is reportedly informing users that the control will "no longer work" and that they must say "read notifications" aloud.
• It's unclear if this is a server-side update making its rounds or an odd bug.
• The Pixel Buds Pro 2 was announced in August and it offers a deep integration with Google's Gemini.

The convenience of hearing your notifications read out to you has disappeared for some, creating quite a stir.

Previously, users could press and hold the colored part of their Pixel Buds Pro to have the assistant read their notifications. However, according to a report on Reddit, the earbuds now deliver a new warning (via 9to5Google) instead of the expected behavior. After pressing and holding an earbud, the user claims the assistant says "touch and hold won't read notifications anymore."

Google's assistant then stated the user would need to say "read notifications" aloud after calling it forward with "Hey Google."

The issues don't end there as others reported that their Pixel Buds Pro have stopped informing them of new messages/notifications.

The (odd) change seems to have happened recently with users reporting issues over the past two days, and another thread from almost 24 hours ago. One of the problems users have continuously voiced is the "touch & hold" option was convenient and, most of all, silent. Many comments involve users stating the private and non-verbal way of listening to their notifications made the Pixel Buds Pro appealing.

Touch and hold wont read notifications anymore. from r/pixelbuds

The folks at 9to5 suggest this could deal with Google's recent enabling of the "Hey Google" command from phone to buds. However, others aren't so sure as they're aware of Pixel Buds Pro 2, which should start arriving at doorsteps later in September. Additionally, the publication hasn't noticed the change appear on its Pixel Buds Pro.

There's speculation that the change to the assistant's touch-and-hold behavior is a server-side update that is still making its rounds.

Android Central has reached out to Google about these issues with the Pixel Buds Pro and the Assistant. We will update this article when we hear back.

Google launched the Pixel Buds Pro 2 during its event in August. The buds arrived at $229, packing a new Tensor A1 chip and some beefed-up audio over its predecessor. The chip aids the Pro 2's drivers in delivering clear, powerful audio, improving call clarity, and reducing background noise. Moreover, the Buds Pro 2 offers a deep integration with Google's Gemini.

The company states users can lean on its AI smarts for assistance without reaching for their phones. There have been several signs that Google is moving to phase out the Assistant in favor of Gemini in several areas. Perhaps this change to the touch-and-hold control is one of those instances — but it's still a bummer.

Update

Google responded to Android Central about the recent Assistant changes, stating "based on user feedback, we made several changes to Google Assistant notifications on Pixel Buds while we evaluate further changes to notifications."

The company provided a follow-up post about it through a community post. Google has confirmed that the Assistant will no longer work when using the press & hold method for unread notifications. Additionally, the Assistant will no longer let users reply using the press/hold function.

Google reiterates that users must now say "Hey Google, read my notifications" aloud for it to work.

What you need to know

• Google Home will take advantage of Gemini multimodal with its Nest cameras.
• It includes new AI descriptions, and camera activity searches to find something hassle-free.
• Google Assistant will further utilize Gemini's generative capabilities.

Google has announced two new products to make your smart home experience even smarter: a Nest Learning Thermostat and a new Google TV Streamer. As part of the announcement, Google further shared how its Gemini models will make its devices smarter and simpler than ever—alongside improvements to Google Assistant.

Security cameras have been getting major upgrades with AI. Nest cams now have face detection, which is a big leap from just spotting motion or packages. With Gemini multimodal models, cameras will soon do more than just show a feed—they’ll process video, images, and text to give users even deeper insights.

Google is making Nest cameras smarter by adding Gemini. Instead of just saying "animal detected," your camera will recognize that your dog is digging in the garden and show that specific detail in the Google Home app, making it way more useful.

Further, the Home app now offers a new camera activity search to help you find precisely what you are looking for in your home.

Some examples include, “Did the kids leave their bikes in the driveway?” 

Google Home will then sift through your camera history and give you a list of the key events with helpful summaries, according to a Google press release.

Other queries can include “Did the FedEx truck drive by today?” or “Did my dog go near the cookies?” Google also ensures such data will be "safe and private."

The search giant is also enhancing its script editor and Google Home app with over 100 different ways to stay connected with your smart home. Gemini also plays its part in creating automation, which lets users ask what they want in plain language with the new "Help me create" feature.

The AI will understand the information and set up home automations through the Home app. So, you can just type or ask, "Lock the doors and turn off all the lights at bedtime," and it’ll handle it for you.

Google Assistant to gain a cool voice

As part of the quality improvement update, Google notes that it will apply large language models (LLMs) to improve the core services of Google Assistant on devices and introduce new voices, which promise to make interaction "feel more conversational."

Google says a new and improved Assistant is coming soon, making it easier to chat naturally and handle follow-up questions.

Instead of asking Assistant generic questions, users can simply ask, "Is Pluto a planet?" or “Play that song Beyonce performed with the Chicks at the CMAs.”

Assistant will also include Gemini's generative capabilities for enhanced responses.

These features will first be available to a limited number of Nest Aware subscribers who are enrolled in Public Preview later this year, and Google is promising further expansion over time.

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Smart displays expand on the functionality of smart speakers by allowing you get what you want with touch controls, rather than asking it to do something. This can be highly useful at times with one partner is fast asleep and you don't want to disturb them.

Apart from convenience, a smart display's touchscreen can stream YouTube videos, double up as a photo frame, and act as a clock. It's a handy device to also have in the kitchen while you cook as you can activate your Alexa devices and routines, and effortlessly manage timers and alarms.

The Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) is still one of the best smart devices around, and it's currently our best overall pick. Despite it not having a camera, you can use gestures to quickly control many of the features thanks to the Soli sensor. But if that doesn't catch your fancy or if this smart display is not available in your region, we have five other great options that are also worth a look.

At a glance

Best overall

The second generation of Google's Nest Hub might already be years old, but it's still the best smart display you can buy today. Its 7-inch touchscreen is amply bright for sunlit kitchens, and the 1024x600 pixel resolution may seem lackluster, but it's surprisingly crisp when watching YouTube or other videos.

The Ambient EQ light sensor allows the display's color temperature to automatically adjust based on the room's lighting, making it look almost like a picture frame at times. The Nest Hub sounds impressive, too, thanks to its full-range speaker that's great for both music playback and Google Assistant management.

Unlike most smart displays, which feature a camera for video calling, Google swapped that out for a Soli sensor, which you might not recognize unless you were a Pixel 4 fan. Soli sensors can recognize proximity without needing visual input, allowing them to track your sleep quality without pointing a camera at your bed.

If you do want a camera on a Nest Hub and a larger display, the Nest Hub Max is still available, though it's a bit long in the tooth. When considering the entire package with the Nest Hub, it not only qualifies as an excellent smart display, it's also one of the best Google Assistant speakers — period.

Best budget

As the Goldilocks of Amazon's Echo Show lineup, the new Echo Show 8 (2025) should perfectly fit almost any buyer who isn't steeped in the Google ecosystem. It sits right in the middle between the Echo Show 11 and Show 5, giving you a near-perfect balance of features and form while also saving you some money. The redesigned Echo Show 8 (2025) is already discounted even though it launched not long ago.

The larger 8.7-inch screen allows you to easily view content while remaining small enough to fit nicely in just about any room. The resolution is also excellent for the size, making everything nice and crisp without driving up the price too much.

The speakers are just as impressive, with the Show 8 (2025) touting a pair of full-range driver and a dedicated woofer that kick out impressive bass and detail. Rounding out the whole experience are all your usual Alexa voice commands, and a 13MP camera with auto-framing for video chats.

Best large display

There's no denying how great the Nest Hub is, but if you prefer Alexa over Google Assistant, the new Echo Show 11 is the one to get. This replaces the Echo Show 10, but in doing so we also lose the swivel function which made the previous model so unique.

As its name implies, the Echo Show 11 has an excellent 11-inch Full-HD display that makes everything from movies to YouTube videos look phenomenal. The Echo Show's speakers are loud, clear, and kick out an insane amount of bass. So whether you're listening to a podcast or the latest album from your favorite band, these speakers will do your content justice every single time.

Elsewhere, the Echo Show 11 benefits from exquisite build quality, an easy set-up process, and a camera for video calls. Amazon's touchscreen interface for its smart displays doesn't feel as elegant or well-integrated as Google's does, but for anyone in Camp Alexa, this is the smart display to get.

Best small display

If you're not 100% sold on the usefulness or style of a smart speaker, dip your toes in the proverbial pool with a pint-sized package that can either blend in or stand out in the best way. From answering your Ring doorbell to acting as a security camera itself, from queuing up all the lights to setting off a full-on dance party, the Echo Show 5 is like Ginger Rogers. It does everything the Echo Show 8 or 10 can backward and in (tiny) high heels.

Amid a sea of boring black or white smart speakers and displays, the Echo Show 5 actually has a cool Cloud Blue color option this generation — two, if you count the nebula-patterned Show 5 Kids. Its 5.5-inch screen will seem small to many, but this rotund and rounded little smart display displays timers, relay the news, and play both movies and music when your niece demands to hear Moana sing How Far I'll Go for the 1,945th time.

And that soundtrack will sound surprisingly bold, too, as the Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) not only swapped in a speaker with beefier bass and voluptuous volume, it flipped it upside down. Now, your music will blast upwards rather than being broadcast face down into your mahogany nightstand. (What a concept!)

You might be wondering why you'd want the Show 5 for $90 when the Echo Show 8 drops to that price every other week, but it just fits into your home and your life in ways that the largest displays just can't. Be it filling the gap between your desktop monitor and the keyboard, perching on an hallway shelf, or sitting front and center on your kitchen counter, the Show 5 checks all the smart display boxes without disrupting your natural flow.

Best detachable

The Google Pixel Tablet is not just a smart display — it's a standalone Android tablet that doubles as one — but that’s primarily how Google designed and marketed it. You can pick it up, use all your favorite apps and games, and then set it back on its magnetic speaker dock to charge and crank up your music.

The magnetism on the dock can take a bit of time to find the right amount of force needed to break the magnetic grip without jerking the base around. Once you do, though, the convenience of just tossing it back on the dock once you're done doomscrolling or YouTube bingeing sparks such joy.

Smart displays have long touted their video calling features, but being stuck in one location while you do it can be a drag. The Pixel Tablet not only allows you to move around the house while you talk to the grandkids over Google Meet, but it also sports much better cameras on both its front and back.

The Tensor G2 powering this array is fine for casual gaming and browsing, but it's by no means made for power users or hardcore gamers. Given that it's a Pixel, you'll get the monthly updates and quarterly feature drops for new features until at least Android 16 and patched security bugs for a few more years after that.

If the tablet/dock scenario is just too clunky for you, there is a 10-inch Nest Hub Max out there. However, I’m loathe to recommend a years-old smart display unless you’re after sound quality. The Nest Hub Max’s audio quality is miles ahead of the Pixel Tablet’s speaker dock.

Best mounted

While smart displays can stream your favorite TV shows or play your music, you probably already have a big screen TV and sound bar for all your audio needs. If you're strictly interested in the Alexa smart home aspect of a smart display or want to save counter space, Amazon's Echo Hub is here for your no-nonsense needs.

Like the Pixel Tablet, this is technically not a smart display — it's a smart home control panel — but the Echo Hub can take your smart home from "neat but annoying" to "this actually feels like the future" with its drop-dead easy interface. The home screen is extra-customizable with its widgets, favorite device groups, and shortcuts to your routines.

With support for Zigbee, Matter, and Thread, the Echo Hub is the only smart hub you should need for all of your favorite smart devices. While it can't preview third-party cameras, you can use it to peek in on your Ring doorbells and cameras. It can still summon your music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more through Alexa, but the speakers here are smaller than the Echo Show 8 to make it sleeker when mounted.

For the privacy-minded folks, there's no camera on this smart display, and it is the only smart display that you could reasonably use with the mics muted all the time. Since you can set it up with access to all your smart devices, you can turn it into essentially an easy-to-read, wall-mounted remote. Speaking of, you don't have to mount the Echo Hub, but its $30 table stand is sold separately.

• Back to the top ^

How to choose

For most device types, you have many factors to consider, from usage to location to specialized specifications. Blessedly, things are much simpler for smart displays: you pick an ecosystem and then a size. You technically can use both Alexa and Assistant in the same home, but you must suffer the agony of setting up every single device, routine, and room twice.

While you might decide to switch platforms for a better variety or upgrade frequency — or maybe you’re just fed up with the issues on one platform or the other — most of us will elect to remain in our chosen ponds. For Google Assistant/Home users, that leaves you with three choices; Alexa users get five (technically six).

Size will mostly be dictated by the intended landing pad for your display, but please take two factors into consideration regarding the screen size you decide on. Don’t underestimate how readable a smart display can be across a room for glanceable info like a timer’s duration, the temperature outside, or someone at your swanky smart doorbell.

While you certainly won’t be making out the blades of grass on a soccer pitch, an Echo Show 5/8 and the 7-inch Nest Hub will hold up perfectly fine in the vast majority of rooms. There’s no need to move up to the Echo Show 11 unless you’re obsessed with audio quality or you absolutely need the larger display.

If you’re after a smart display specifically for smart home control, I’d recommend the Echo Hub only if you’re intending to mount it somewhere. The Echo Show 8 (2025) offers much better audio otherwise. Similarly, the Google Pixel Tablet is a tablet that doubles as a smart display, so the experience there can be a bit clunkier than desired, but for your dad's smart lights and mom's match-three games, it could fit perfectly.

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What you need to know

• A new Microsoft Copilot beta update on Android lets users set the AI as their new default assistant instead of Google's.
• Users can activate Copilot by "swiping diagonally" from the corner of their display or by long-pressing the power button.
• Testing Copilot showed users are still tossed into its main view instead of interacting with a seamless pop-up view like Google's Assistant.

Microsoft is pushing a new update today for its AI assistant, Copilot, that enables the program to become your new default helper.

As spotted by Mishaal Rahman on X, the latest Copilot beta version, 27.9.420225014, brings the AI to the "default digital assistant" list on Android (via Android Police). Through this, users can say "goodbye" to Google's Assistant if they favor Microsoft's digital helper more.

With Copilot selected, Android gives users a quick security pop-up, highlighting its ability to "read information about apps in use on your system."

If accepted, users can initiate Copilot anywhere on their device by "swiping diagonally" from the corner of their device or by long-pressing the power button. Unfortunately, Rahman adds that Microsoft didn't implement Copilot into Android in a way that would help unleash its full potential.

It was discovered that calling Copilot forward doesn't bring up a simple floating UI. Instead, users are thrown into the main Copilot app. Moreover, the AI reportedly doesn't "automatically listen" to your input, nor does it use an API that would enable it to capture screenshots of your device.

It's worth remembering that Copilot's "default" appearance is wrapped in its beta. As Rahman states, this could be indicative that Microsoft is still working on ways to make the AI a little more seamless when activated.

Microsoft's Copilot launched on Android early in January and was stated to piggyback off OpenAI's GPT-4 language model. ChatGPT has also been rumored to be arriving as a new default assistant to replace Google's AI. The latest version of the app back in January contained code that teased the ability for users to use their voice or "other ways" to trigger it.

Those using the stable version of Copilot on Android were treated to a few updates earlier in February. Microsoft pushed a cleaner, sleek design for those on mobile and the web, which cleaned up its UI for a more engaging experience. Copilot also gained a new AI feature dubbed "Designer," which lets users "create and edit" photos through OpenAI's DALL-E model.

What you need to know

• Google released Gemini as an alternative to Google Assistant, but the AI-based helper lacks some crucial voice assistant features.
• Now, you can set reminders through Gemini using the Assistant extension. 
• Gemini still cannot set reminders natively, and lacks some key voice assistant features altogether. 

Google is going all-in on Gemini, and there are plenty of signs that indicate the company sees Gemini as an eventual replacement for Google Assistant. The only problem is that the current Gemini app is without critical voice assistant features, and users have to choose between Gemini or Assistant.

However, Google is steadily improving Gemini, and it just added a useful Assistant feature to the app. Gemini can now set reminders on Android, as spotted by a Redditor in the Google Pixel subreddit (via Android Police). At least, it sort of can.

If you ask the Gemini app to set a reminder on Android, it will automatically load a Google Assistant extension within the Gemini window. Then, the given reminder will be created in Google Tasks. The user will finally have the option to open the Google Tasks app to make more changes.

While it's hard to call this implementation of reminders in Gemini native, it does work. Google could follow a similar method for adding other Assistant-based tasks to Gemini, using the Assistant extension. Currently, some of the biggest missing features in Gemini are media playback queries and support for Google Assistant routines. 

It's likely only a matter of time before Gemini gains more voice assistant functionality, but that means Gemini and Assistant are in a complicated place right now. It's even more complicated because Google is testing out numerous features in varying regions. The experience of using Gemini on one device in one region could be vastly different than others. 

In fact, not all Android users seem to be able to set reminders with Gemini as of now. It could be part of a server-side rollout, so users might have to wait before making use of the added functionality. There are also reports that Gemini is replacing the Assistant app entirely for some users in some regions — either after fresh installs or app updates. 

These changes come after Google pledged to improve Gemini swiftly and respond directly to user feedback. In the time since the company made that promise, it has already shipped a slew of updates and feature additions. 

What you need to know

• Google revealed a few new features, notably Circle to Search, around the Samsung Galaxy S24 launch — but an under-the-radar drop was Android Auto message summaries. 
• Android Auto can use artificial intelligence to create brief summaries from longer messages.
• In a new support document, Google explains how the feature works to make messaging safer and easier in Android Auto. 

Although Galaxy AI rightfully stole the show when Samsung's Galaxy S24 series was unveiled, Google joined in with a few new artificial intelligence features as well. The highest-profile addition was Circle to Search, but another key offering was AI message summaries in Android Auto. Now, Google is explaining how the Android Auto feature works in a new support document (via 9to5Google). 

AI message summaries in Android Auto have been positioned as a way to stay safer while driving. They are generated with the help of AI and Google Assistant, so an Assistant-enabled Android device is necessary to get the summaries in Android Auto.

"Using the power of AI, you will be able to set Android Auto to automatically summarize long texts or busy group chats while you’re driving, so you can keep in touch while staying focused on the road," Google said last month. "Android Auto will also suggest relevant replies and actions that you can take without touching your phone."

Google refers to the feature as Message Summary, and it is only used when certain conditions are met. When a message longer than 40 words is received while using Android Auto, the Google Assistant can generate a Message Summary. The feature can handle long messages from one sender, or multiple short messages from the same sender. However, if there are multiple messages coming in from different senders, Assistant will read them one at a time. 

The first time an Android Auto user receives a message eligible for Message Summary, they'll get the option to opt-in. After an opt-in message is read, users can reply with a yes to hear the summary and enable the feature going forward. However, if a user replies no — or cancels in the middle of a message — the feature will be disabled.

Users can manage the Message Summary feature in the Settings app in either Android Auto or an Android smartphone. You can find it by going to Settings > Notifications > Message Summary.

Google also reminds users that AI can make mistakes, so the summaries won't be accurate every time. It also says that messages summarized with AI are not used to train Google's AI models.

Since all the work is being done by Google Assistant on an Android smartphone, Message Summary could come to more devices in the future. For now, users can access it in Android Auto. 

What you need to know

• Users have flocked to Google's community forums to report problems with the Assistant on Android Auto.
• The AI helper is reportedly not working, producing a "Oops, something went wrong" error for many users.
• The issue doesn't appear to be widespread, however, attempts at self-rectifying the problem have not worked.

Problems have started to appear for Android Auto's AI Assistant as users report a similar error across multiple versions.

Reports flooding Google's community forums involve the Assistant continuously responding with "Oops, something went wrong" when told to do something (via 9to5Google). The problem has been reported since late January, with users scrambling to find a cure. One user said they've enabled all permissions and even checked the voice assistant to see if it worked — and it did.

Others stated this problem appeared after updating to version 11.1.6, with another reportedly running version 11.2. Another report states that pressing the Assistant's button causes the error to appear. Curiously, the user said they were able to hear text messages, but Google Maps no longer audible directed them while driving. Hands-free calling seems to be inoperable, as well.

Very little appears to be working, as one user went through various tricks. Restarting their car's display system and phone didn't offer much relief, nor did deleting their cache. The user installed Android Auto's 11.3 beta, but the error still occurred.

Google seems to be aware of the problem as a member of its Android Auto team has started asking users for specifics about their systems.

What's more, reports of Google's Assistant's problems in Android Auto followed closely behind the AI's UI redesign on the platform. The digital helper had its elements shifted to the bottom of your car's display, covering its row of widgets as it waits to transcribe your words for text messages and more. It's unlikely the redesign is the culprit, especially considering how it's not affecting every Android Auto user.

Google Assistant had similar problems with Android Auto following its Android 13 update, which broke its "Hey Google" wake-up command. One trick to solve the problem was to long-press the Assistant's button, but interacting with that doesn't seem to be working this time around.

Elsewhere, Samsung's Galaxy S24 series is already having problems with Android Auto. Users with any of the latest devices are unable to connect to their car's automotive systems. However, car brand manufacturers are working on a fix.

What you need to know

• After releasing the Gemini app for Android, users can replace the classic Google Assistant with Gemini. 
• However, it turns out that users can't run Google Assistant and Gemini at the same time.
• If you choose to use classic Google Assistant, the Gemini app will no longer function. In order to set it up again, you'll have to ditch Assistant.

Google finally brought a Gemini mobile app to Android on Thursday, and users can choose to replace the Google Assistant with Gemini if they prefer. This means that actions like holding the power button or saying "Hey Google" will invoke Gemini, not Assistant. Gemini isn't as good at voice assistant-related functions, but it's better at tasks that benefit from artificial intelligence.

However, it looks like Android users can't have the best of both worlds, as Android Authority pointed out. Many originally thought that Android users would have the option of using Assistant as their voice assistant and Gemini as an AI chatbot app. But if you want to use the Gemini app, the setup process requires you to replace Assistant with Gemini. The Assistant app icon will also change to Gemini, making it appear as if you have the same app twice.

Users do have the option of reverting their assistant preference from Gemini to Assistant after the fact. This still isn't a solution though, because reverting Gemini to Assistant will cause the Gemini app to completely reset. In order to use it, a user needs to setup the Gemini app again — and thus replace Assistant with Gemini. 

At least for now, this means it is effectively impossible to use the Gemini app and the Google Assistant simultaneously. It seems like there is no logical reason for this besides the fact that Google likely wants to push users from Assistant to Gemini. Users with Google Assistant can still use Gemini on the web, so they are simply losing the convenience factor of having Gemini in an app. 

For what it's worth, Google recently announced that it was removing 17 features from Google Assistant. Separately, the company reportedly laid off hundreds of employees working on Assistant. These two factors, plus the inability to use Gemini and Assistant together, could indicate that Assistant might be on the way out.

This limitation might force some users to stick with Assistant over the Gemini mobile app. At launch, Gemini is limited in what assistant features it can handle. For example, Gemini can start timers or make calls, but it cannot set Reminders or create Google Calendar events.

It's possible that this is unintended behavior for the Gemini app and could be changed in an update. Google has said that Assistant isn't going anywhere, at least for now. However, if this behavior is intentional, it would definitely push some users away from Assistant and toward Gemini.

Google Bard is now Google Gemini. It's a major rebrand that follows all the testing and finalization of Google's latest AI tech, and it's finally reached the point where the company is ready to make it more widely available.

It's not the first smart service from Google, though. It's not even the first smart service we directly interact with, either. That would be Google Assistant, software that people love to hate and hate to love.

So what does Google Gemini mean for Google Assistant, and will you need to relearn how to tell your phone to turn on the kitchen light?

Nothing changes right now

If you choose to install the Gemini app for your phone, you're told it can replace Assistant if you want to opt-in. It doesn't say you have to do this and to be honest, I haven't seen much difference with my very limited testing after doing it.

Since I have two phones and two Google accounts, I have old Google Assistant running on one and new Google Gemini running on the other. Both can do the same thing equally well, and equally poorly. A new codebase doesn't fix all of the issues. 

What's interesting is that I can still use Assistant, and nothing has changed. As of today, Assistant is still there the same as it ever was, and probably still using the last generation of AI processing to figure out what it's hearing and what it needs to do in response.

Bard is now Gemini, and Duet AI — the software that powers AI tools in the cloud and for Google Workspace — will soon become "Gemini for Google Workspace and Google Cloud" because all the good names have been taken, apparently.

Assistant is still Assistant, though. But probably not for long.

Change is inevitable

Gemini runs on a different software platform than older Google products that leverage AI, but that doesn't mean anything was abandoned. Work to improve features and speed never stops, and eventually, you reach a point where you have to stop adding to the old and move forward. Almost all software works this way, and Windows 11 is 20 years worth of work on top of Windows 98.

Like Windows 98 (or MacOS X if you prefer), there came a time when the old product was cut off in favor of something newer and, hopefully, better. Google Assistant, along with AI features in search and Gmail, are at that point today. I do not expect Google to spend any more time or money to continue improving and working on one of its dead products when something better is available.

The inclusion of a dedicated Gemini app for Android and iOS drives this point home. The app is no better than the responsive and super mobile-friendly web page in any way. If Google didn't have plans to bundle this software into its mobile apps package and supplant Assistant with it eventually, it would be 100% unnecessary.

Since it's on-device in app form though, it can leverage on-device processing to do things without a mobile connection. Things like helping you write a business letter or turning your kitchen lights on. Without running local code, it just can't replace Assistant, so it's there to run local code on devices with capable processors.

Another reason to expect it to replace Assistant is how natural it seems to monetize everything. Since Open AI and Microsoft got us used to the subscription model where we pay for the privilege of giving our data away, it was natural for Google to follow suit and try to make even more money through what it calls Gemini Advanced.

Gemini Advanced features are locked behind a paywall through Google One. Spend another $10 per month, and you can do more today. As new features become available, we should expect most of them to be part of the Premium Plan. 

You could monetize the new platform while still keeping the old, but it would take more time and effort to do it. Since time and effort are directly linked to profit, I've little doubt Assistant's days are numbered.

The tl;dr of it all is that Assistant hasn't gone anywhere, and Google hasn't said anything about it going away. If you install the Gemini app, you can use it as a replacement, but you don't have to do so.

In a product briefing, Google noted that Gemini can already do much of what Assistant does on your phone. Beyond the basics, they say Gemini will eventually become a complete replacement that handles all of the tasks in a way that's familiar to users, and because it's more powerful, new features could come, too. 

When it comes to other devices, like smart displays or televisions, Google plans to "continue to improve Assisstant features" but isn't using the word Gemini here. This news seems to be centered around the smartphone.

Don't count on things staying this way forever, though. Once Google is satisfied that Gemini can effectively replace Assistant, the company will surely do just that. The good news is that you'll probably not notice any difference and you shouldn't have to do a thing to prepare.

What you need to know

• Samsung's updated support page states Google Assistant will disappear from its smart TVs on March 1, 2024.
• Many of Samsung's 8K and 4K QLED models and others from 2020 to 2022 will no longer have the Assistant.
• Google recently announced seventeen features its removing from Assistant as it prepares to integrate it with Bard.

Several of Samsung's smart TVs are preparing to go on without Google Assistant, according to an updated support page (via SamMobile). Per Samsung, "due to a change in Google policy," its AI Assistant will no longer be available on any of its smart TVs beginning March 1, 2024. The full details of this policy change weren't explicitly detailed.

However, Samsung smart TV owners will have to part ways with Google Assistant on the following sets:

• All 2022 Smart TV models
• All 2021 Smart TV models
• 2020 8K and 4K QLED TVs
• 2020 Crystal UHD TVs
• 2020 Lifestyle TVs (Frame, Serif, Terrace, and Sero)

Samsung shifted to offering alternative AI assistant options that consumers can use. The first is the SmartThings app, which allows users to control what's going on with their TV through their Android phone. Samsung also brought Matter support to SmartThings, preparing it for a wider array of devices users can control on a whim.

Similarly, Samsung's AI assistant, Bixby, is still alive and well on its smart TVs — and Galaxy phones. The company states users can speak to the AI when using their television instead of fumbling for a physical remote to do their bidding. Lastly, Amazon's AI Alexa is stated to be available on Samsung's TVs, ranging from 2020 models to 2023, but you'll have to set it up.

Google removing its Assistant from Samsung's smart TVs seems like it fits with the company's recently announced wave of removed features. In January, the company stated seventeen Assistant features would go away ahead of its integration with Bard. Google stated the features were "under-utilized," though their disappearance will likely strike a blow to those who did use them.

One such feature to leave is the ability to set or use media alarms, music alarms, or radio alarms on Google Assistant-enabled devices. Using your voice to send an email, video, or audio message will also disappear. Moreover, Google Assistant will part ways from the Google search bar widget as a result of these changes.

With Galaxy AI taking over the world now that the Galaxy S24 is out, my focus has switched back to what Google is planning with Bard. The company just introduced Imagen 2 image generation to Bard while expanding the reach of Gemini Pro to more countries and in more languages.

This is all great news, but it's not exactly the news that I was hoping for. No, I'm not talking about Gemini Ultra, which is still slated to arrive sometime this year. Instead, I'm still wondering where in the world Assistant with Bard is. Over the past few weeks, we've been seeing more leaks about what the interface will look like, and that Google might even be rebranding it to just "Gemini."

Along with one of the more recent leaks, Mishaal Rahman shared that Assistant with Bard could land as soon as March. But, he goes on to reveal the thing I've been fearing the most — the new Assistant may not be available on every device. In his tweet, Rahman says that the "Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, and rumored Pixel Fold 2 appear on the deny list."

So basically, if you're using any of the best Android phones that aren't a Pixel, you won't be able to use it. Adding insult to injury, if you're like me and spent $1,800 on the Pixel Fold, we might be **** outta luck.

For a while now, I've been feeling like Google and other Android phone makers have been barreling towards an Apple-like walled garden experience. Instead of being the "open platform for all," Android is just getting worse. Features are locked to certain devices, such as ECG and Blood Pressure Monitoring, which don't work with the Galaxy Watch on a non-Samsung device.

Samsung getting "first dibs" on Wear OS, which essentially left Fossil with no choice but to bow out of the smartwatch segment altogether. There are more examples, but they are mostly how Samsung throws money at different companies to have "exclusive functionality." I'm looking at you, Microsoft.

Now, it seems like Google has learned the wrong things after working side-by-side with Samsung for so long. What makes this whole situation worse is that Google is fragmenting ITS OWN DEVICES. We've finally reached the point where fragmentation isn't a dirty word, for the most part, and Google decides to just throw it all away.

The Pixel 8 Pro getting features that the Pixel 8 doesn't have makes a tiny bit more sense, but not much. The same goes for the differences between the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Ultra, which mostly comes down to specs. That's to be expected, considering this is how phone makers have offered different phones in the same lineup for years.

However, in the case of the Pixel Fold, for $1,800, not only can I not enjoy or take advantage of some of the new AI-powered features announced with the Pixel 8 series, but I won't even be able to use the new version of Assistant. Frankly, just the thought of that makes my blood boil. I expect it from Samsung. I expect it from Apple (in a different manner.) I don't expect it from Google.

I'm also aware that it's just speculation at this point, and Google could change its mind. Especially considering that the rumored Pixel Fold 2 should be powered by at LEAST the Tensor G3, if not the Tensor G4. So it would make literally zero sense for Google Assistant with Gemini Bard to not be available on the company's next foldable.

If anything, it's just another example of why Google doesn't really care about the hardware and doesn't care about its users. Instead, anyone who buys a Pixel phone should only do so with the understanding that you're a beta user and Google is treating you as such.

But, if Google's "grand plan" is to release an overhauled and rebranded version of Assistant, what is holding back the Pixel Fold from being included? Hell, if Mishaal is right, the Tensor G1-powered Pixel 6 will get Google Assistant Gemini with Bard, which you can still buy new from Amazon for under $350.

All of these just lead further credence to the idea that Google has no idea what it's doing with Bard or Gemini. After it was announced, I wrote that I was "all aboard the Assistant with Bard hype train." Considering that Assistant with Bard hasn't even pulled up to the train station yet, I'm really leaning toward leaving the station.

Bard is cool, but so are ChatGPT, Perplexity, and hell, even Microsoft Copilot shows a lot of promise. Google used to lead the way, at least in the way of Assistant, and now, it's just wandering around aimlessly. Maybe that will change, and I hope that I have to eat my words, but, I really don't think that'll be happening. At least not this time.

What you need to know

• Tipsters have found a page in the Pixel Tips app that previews Google Assistant with Bard.
• The demo video shows how Google Assistant with Bard will work on Android. 
• Based on the leak, Assistant with Bard could debut as part of the March 2024 Pixel Feature Drop. 

Google seems to be shifting its focus to Assistant with Bard, the new version of its voice assistant that includes artificial intelligence. However, despite being announced months ago, we're still waiting for a confirmation on when Google Assistant with Bard will be released. 

While we haven't gotten official word yet, tipsters on the Google News Telegram have perhaps found the strongest evidence to date that Assistant with Bard is coming soon. The group shared a demo video of Google Assistant with Bard from the Pixel Tips app, which is used to show off new features to users. Though it isn't publicly available yet, the demo video signals that a release is on the horizon. 

The video shows that activating Google Assistant with Bard will work similarly to triggering Google Assistant today. Clicking the Bard app, saying "Hey Google," and pressing and holding the power button can all launch Assistant with Bard. Then, users can ask Assistant with Bard a question with their voice, through the on-screen keyboard, or attach a screenshot.

By attaching a screenshot, users will be able to ask Assistant with Bard questions related to what's on their screen. For example, the demo shows Bard looking at a picture of a user's plant and giving them advice on how to take care of it.

However, the leak includes more than just the demo video. Android expert Mishaal Rahman shared the Assistant with Bard release date and its supported devices in a post on X. While Rahman cautions that these could change, it seems to line up with previous reports.

Rahman spotted 202403 as the feature's "publication date," which is further evidence that Assistant with Bard could debut as part of the March 2024 Pixel Feature Drop. The fact that a demo video is even in Pixel Tips also serves as an indicator that Assistant with Bard is coming to Pixel devices soon. 

There are a few limits to which Pixel devices can use Assistant with Bard, though. Rahman notes that the Pixel Tip is blocked from showing up on all Pixel devices, save for Pixel phones with Tensor processors. That means the Pixel Tablet won't show the tip, but apparently, neither will Google's current or upcoming foldables, although it's not clear why. The devices that can see the tip are likely to get Assistant with Bard, and the ones that can't might be left without the feature.

Rahman notes that it's still somewhat early, so the information may be incorrect or change, but it does leave us curious.

Right now, the new Pixel Tip can only be viewed while running the Android 14 QPR2 beta on a Tensor-powered Pixel phone that isn't a foldable. It's fairly confusing, but by the looks of it, the Pixel 6 through Pixel 8 series will be the only devices to get Assistant with Bard. 

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What you need to know

• The microphone icon, which is found in the search bar on the Pixel Launcher home screen, has now been re-mapped.
• The change was announced earlier this month alongside the removal of 17 features in Google Assistant.
• The microphone button was previously a Google Assistant shortcut. Now, it will respond to questions with Google Search results.

It's never exciting to see a product or app lose functionality rather than gain it, but that's what is happening with Google Assistant. Earlier this month, Google announced that it would be removing 17 "underutilized" features from Assistant. The move came amidst a flurry of layoffs, which have since been confirmed to continue. 

The purge of features is now beginning, and Pixel Launcher users will notice that the microphone icon in the search bar no longer triggers Assistant (via 9to5Google). The conversion of this icon's purpose from serving as a Google Assistant shortcut to a Google Search tool is now "rolling out," for lack of a better phrase. 

For what it's worth, Google does not see this change as the removal of a feature. Instead, the company said in a blog post that the shift was intended to create "a more consistent experience. Google also said that the most popular use case for the microphone icon is to get Google Search results, so perhaps the removal of the Assistant shortcut will benefit some users.

Officially, the microphone icon in the search bar in the Pixel Launcher will now activate Voice Search. You can ask Google a question, and it will respond with results from Search. 

However, activating the Google Assistant may be slower in some cases following the shortcut's removal. You can still trigger Assistant by saying "Hey Google" or by long-pressing the home or power buttons. Completing certain actions that require a voice assistant might be more difficult, though, especially if you aren't in the position to say, "Hey, Google."

The good thing is that Google is actively communicating the change to users. After a user has received the update to re-map the microphone icon, they will be greeted with a pop-up that explains what's new. "Access to Google Assistant has moved," the message reads. "The microphone button on the search bar now opens Google Voice Search instead of Assistant."

A potential concern is that many users have muscle memory from using Assistant through Pixel Launcher for years, which may cause some frustration as they adjust. This is the first major change, likely of many, that comes in advance of Google's overhaul of Assistant as it integrates Bard and AI. 

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What you need to know

• Android Auto's latest 11.12 beta version redesigns voice replies and Assistant in its UI.
• Drivers using the voice reply feature will find a new UI at the bottom (or side) of their display, showing the person they're messaging, app, and transcription.
• The Assistant will now cover the bottom row of app icons when activated instead of popping out over a driver's display.

Android Auto is receiving yet another redesign, but this time, it involves its AI Assistant and tools for messaging while driving.

As detailed by 9to5Google, the changes were spotted in Android Auto's latest beta: version 11.2. The update reworks voice replies by showing them horizontally in the bottom row of your car's display, covering your widgets. Google Assistant previously handled all of this, but the redesigned UI shows the person you're messaging and the app you're communicating with.

Users can speak during the "Speak Now" prompt as the AI transcribes their words. Google seemingly gives users the option to "Cancel" if the AI heard them wrong alongside a "Send" option if everything's okay.

9to5 states that users with larger displays should see the UI horizontally while those with smaller ones will be forced into vertical mode. The reworked UI is also said to be completely present in this reconfigured vertical mode, as well.

The other side of this redesign involves Google Assistant on Android Auto, which echoes its appearance on Android phones. Replacing your app icons at the bottom, the Assistant's new UI shows a "Listening" banner when activated or a "Hi, how can I help you?" line if you don't speak right away. Much like with voice replies, the Assistant will transcribe what you've said and display it promptly at the bottom of your display for review.

The publication adds the Assistant will say its reply aloud, forgoing any written replies in its new UI. Moreover, similar to voice replies, Google Assistant may appear vertically along the side of your screen if your car's display prefers.

Despite these changes appearing in Android Auto's 11.12 beta update, 9to5 speculates they're not tied to a "specific app version." If it is true, users may begin noticing the update on their devices weeks ahead.

Google has been busy refining Android Auto as a discovery earlier in January showed signs of text message summaries. The AI Assistant would do the heavy lifting, reading aloud a summary of a driver's busy group chat or a lengthy message someone sent. Additionally, the bot's summary would be displayed on your car's display and it could utilize the revamped UI update we're seeing now.

Soon after, Google was at CES 2024 to debut better EV integration and Chrome for Android Automotive, which had already started rolling out for select vehicles.

What you need to know

• Google is making some changes to its Assistant on Android devices.
• Prominent voice-based actions are getting axed, including 17 new changes.
• The changes are extended to the Google Search app as well.
• Users can no longer trigger Assistant from the search bar in the Google app.

Since its inception, Google Assistant has probably been one of the most utilized features on Android devices. However, while it is still being utilized on plenty of devices, it is not being used as effectively as the search giant anticipated it to be. As such, Google has decided to axe some of the "under-utilized" features through its Assistant app across the board.

Most of these features appear to be voice-based, that is, the ability to use your voice to instruct the Assistant to perform tasks, notes Google in the accompanying blog post. The company says these changes are imposed to make Google Assistant more helpful than before.

At least seventeen features will be removed and/or changed soon; however, starting January 26, utilizing these features will give users a notification indicating that the feature may soon no longer be available to them. The full list of changes can be viewed on the accompanying support page, out of which a few of the affected features per the list include:

• Setting or using media alarms, music alarms, or radio alarms on Google Assistant-enabled devices. You can create a custom Routine that has similar behavior or use a standard alarm.
• Using your voice to call a device or broadcast a message to your Google Family Group. You can still broadcast to devices in your home.
• Using your voice to send an email, video or audio message. You can still make calls and send text messages.
• Asking to meditate with Calm. You can still ask for meditation options with media providers such as YouTube.

Some changes will also be seen on the Google app. In the search bar, hitting the microphone icon will no longer trigger the Assistant; instead, search results will pop up per your query. This means that users won't be able to do notable actions like "send a message" by hitting the microphone icon in the search bar.

Users can still activate Assistant by using the "Hey Google" command on their Android devices or by pressing the home/power button or through the Google Assistant app for iOS handsets.

Google ditching these features for Assistant is likely in favor of the upcoming Assistant with Bard, which was announced last October. We recently saw the early version of Assistant with Bard, where Bard was learning assistant-related tasks. These new changes in Google Assistant appear to make the shift to Assistant with Bard easier, especially if the users are left with two assistants to choose from.

These changes also come as Google lays off hundreds of employees from various teams, including the Google Assistant team.

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What you need to know

• Android developer Dylan Roussel managed to enable Google Assistant with Bard, revealing the UI and settings menu.
• The early version of Assistant with Bard warned that Bard is still learning some assistant-related tasks. 
• You can choose whether to use "classic" Assistant, or Google Assistant with Bard, in settings.

Google is working on integrating its artificial intelligence-based chatbot, Bard, with its Google Assistant. The feature was announced last October, and there have been few updates since about the launch date. But in the meantime, Android developer Dylan Roussel managed to enable Google Assistant with Bard, revealing the user interface and settings menu.

Roussel shared screenshots of Google Assistant with Bard in a thread on X (formerly Twitter), as reported by 9to5Google. After activating Google Assistant with Bard, users will be greeted with a pill-shaped menu that offers them the chance to "type, talk, or share a photo."

When Google Assistant with Bard first launches on your phone, the company details the AI assistant's limitations. "You can still say ‘Hey Google’ to get hands-free help. I’m learning some classic Assistant features, but l know lots already,” the message reads. 

Google also references Bard's potential to hallucinate in its explainer for Google Assistant with Bard. "I may make things up, including about people, so double check my responses, use them responsibly, and give me feedback," it says.

Assistant with Bard will first launch as a small window over your OS at the bottom of your screen, much like today's Google Assistant. However, tapping on the expand button in the top right corner of that window will bring up a full-screen version of Assistant with Bard. This will likely be preferred for longer conversations. 

Opening up the full version of Assistant with Bard will let you go back and see your past conversations under a Chats tab. There are also suggestions that give examples of how to use Assistant with Bard, much like the ones we've seen on the web version of Bard. 

One of Bard's best features lets you import photos to be used in a conversation, and this will also come to Assistant with Bard. However, due to the latter's integration with Android, the process is even easier. Opening Assistant with Bard will automatically prompt the user to add this screen to the conversation, which takes a screenshot and shares it with Bard. 

Users will also have control over how (and if) they use Google Assistant with Bard. The current Google Assistant becomes the "classic" Assistant, which users can choose over Assistant with Bard.

Multiple prompts also remind users they can still say Hey Google for help with assistant-based tasks that Bard isn't ready for. 

Based on the way Assistant with Bard works, it seems this project is as much about creating an Android "app" for Bard as it is about integration with Google Assistant. It will be possible to create a Home Screen shortcut for Assistant with Bard, essentially becoming a "Bard app."

We still don't know when Google will officially release Assistant with Bard, but we'd imagine it's coming soon based on the uptick in leaks lately. 

What you need to know

• An APK dive shows Google's "Assistant with Bard" UI changes, such as the addition of a slider in the main Google app.
• This will likely let users quickly swap between your typical Search experience and one powered by Bard.
• Assistant with Bard's pop-up shows three buttons, giving users the option to talk, type, or upload a photo for AI help.

Another deep dive has revealed an "Assistant with Bard" experience that's a little more fleshed out, and perhaps closer to launch.

Brought up during an APK dive by 9to5Google, it appears that the company is preparing some new UI elements when it merges Assistant with Bard. Users can expect to see a new UI option available in the main Google app, in between the profile icon and the Search Labs beaker. The physical slider-reminiscent toggle seemingly lets users swap between Search and Bard.

Presumably, this will switch the function of the pill-shaped bar beneath the Google logo to accommodate whichever option users decide. For now, it's unclear if this slider will remain permanently in the Google app or intermittently during its rollout to encourage interaction.

Google has also reimagined its pop-up message that will encourage users to try "Assistant with Bard" when this rolls out. Featuring the AI's typical two-star logo, the box will put out a prompt for users to, "talk, text, or share a photo to get started."

The research adds that users will be able to access Assistant with Bard by long-pressing their device's power button or by simply saying, "Hey Google." As a result, the pop-up will let users type their queries into a text box if they choose. 

Presumably, the "talk" option will likely function like the voice queries with the Assistant. Meanwhile, sharing a photo with the Bard-powered Assistant will open the camera app.

This could allow users to add an image to their prompt to receive AI assistance based on visuals.

The publication also talks about a visual update for the Finance widget app that is in the works. Google is shifting the widget's refresh button from the bottom, back to the top, which makes things a bit more user friendly.

An Assistant with Bard leak from October hinted that most of its features mirror  those on the desktop version of Bard. The leak spoke about how AI extensions, help with drafting emails, and more day to day activities.

Alternatively, it seems that users may find an option to return to "Classic Assistant" when the AI-powered variant rolls in. Potentially accessible in the Google app's settings, users can quickly choose to disable or enable Bard's capabilities in Assistant. It's also worth noting that users will not likely be able to use any classic features when using Assistant with Bard.

With the UI for the new integration seemingly well-polished, it makes one wonder if we're approaching an official launch.

What you need to know

• An APK deep dive showcases a new AI summary feature for Android Auto backed by Google Assistant.
• When the AI deems a conversation "busy," such as a group chat, it will summarize the multitude of texts instead of spamming drivers with its reading.
• Google has consistently brought AI-backed summaries to its app ecosystem, beginning with generative AI features in Gmail and more in the Recorder app.

Google is seemingly working on a new AI-Assistant feature for drivers to help them stay in the loop safely.

In a 9to5Google APK deep dive, Android Auto seems primed to gain an "Assistant summarize your busy conversations" feature. The code shows this feature will potentially involve  SMS and RCS text messages from Google Messages.

Essentially, when receiving multiple messages through an area the AI deems "busy," like a group chat, it will attempt to briefly summarize what everyone said. It's likely Android Auto will still read aloud two messages back-to-back, but anything more than this would be met with a summary — if enabled.

The company's description of the feature in the app states, "these summaries will be generated by artificial intelligence, so it’s possible there could be mistakes."

More importantly, it remains unclear if the AI Assistant will read out your summary  while displaying it. Leveraging some developer options unearths what users may find, such as "show message summary" as a toggle alongside other messaging options. This can be easily disabled if the user doesn't need it.

The publication added that the sightings of this feature were spotted during v14.5.2 of the main Google app. The version is still in beta and it's not entirely clear when users will see this AI-backed summary feature arrive for Android Auto, either.

It's not surprising Google is shifting to this alternate method for drivers as AI-based summaries have cropped up consistently. During the Pixel's December feature drop, the phones gained "Summarize in Recorder," giving users an easier way to catch up on lengthy transcriptions.

Meanwhile, when Google brought generative AI features to its slew of Workspace apps, Gmail gained a summarizing function. The app could quickly give a rundown of what transpired in an email while also offering other methods of help for drafting, replying, and more.

A wonderful feature of the Google Pixel Buds Pro true wireless earbuds is real-time translation. Ideal if you’re traveling to a foreign country or conversing with clients, colleagues, or friends who speak a different language, real-time translation can be dictated right in your ears. All you need to use real-time translation on the Pixel Buds Pro is a pair of the buds and a Google Pixel phone or an Android phone running OS 6.0 or higher. You’ll both hear the audible translation as well as see a transcript of the conversation on your phone.

First steps before getting started

First, make sure that you have the latest version of the Google app and the latest version of the Google Translate app. You should also update the apps in the Google Play Store if necessary. You need Google Assistant set up on the device if you want to use the method that involves this voice assistant. Of course, you also need a Google account and an active Internet connection.

How to use real-time translation on the Pixel Buds Pro with Google Assistant

1. Place the Google Pixel Buds Pro in your ears and make sure they are connected to your phone.

2. Touch and hold either earbud and say “Hey Google” to call up Google Assistant, then say “Help me speak French” or whatever desired language you want to translate to and from.

3. Google Translate will launch in conversation mode with your default language followed by the language you just requested. You may first be asked to allow Translate to record audio. Select your preference.

4. Press and hold the button on the left earbud (or whichever earbud you have set up for Google Assistant) and start talking.

5. The translation will appear once you let go of the button.

How to use real-time translation on the Pixel Buds Pro without Google Assistant

1. Place the Google Pixel Buds Pro in your ears and make sure they are connected to your phone.

2. Open the Translate app on your Android phone.

3. In the bottom, left corner, select your primary language.

4. In the bottom, right corner, select the language the other person will be speaking and that you want to translate to and from.

5. Tap Conversation on the bottom left.

6. Touch and hold the earbud and start speaking. Release your finger from the earbud once you’re done talking.

7. You’ll hear the audible translation in your ear and it will appear as text on the phone as well.

8. Press the microphone button on the right under the name of the language when the other person is speaking. Their words will translate for you, both in your ears and via text on the screen.

Ways to use real-time translation with Pixel Buds Pro

Wearing the Google Pixel Buds Pro and using real-time translation is a great way to be able to carry out a seamless conversation, no matter the language barrier. The other person doesn’t have to hear the repetition of what they have said (or what you have said) since it’s only in your ears. 

Because the earbuds automatically flip to conversation mode as soon as you begin speaking or the other person does, you don’t need to remove the buds to be able to hear them clearly, either. Along with hearing the translation, you can also leverage the app for written text, which is helpful if you’re dealing with longer conversations where you can’t keep up or more complex vocabulary that you need to verify. 

As some of the best wireless earbuds for Android, real-time translation on the Pixel Buds Pro is tremendously useful while traveling, in business meetings, or when conversing with family or friends who might be visiting from another country and don’t speak your native language well. It’s a great educational tool for kids, too, helping them understand how to say different words in different languages.

Smartphones are laden with smarter features every year, and one of the constants is Google Assistant, which you can find on several different devices. Some of those include headphones, where the trusty Assistant can pipe in on-demand, either by voice or a simple button press.

Google's own Pixel Buds Pro earbuds are the leading example for making that access easy, functional, and consistent. But there are plenty of other options to choose from, so we gathered the best Google Assistant headphones and earbuds for you to consider.

At a glance

Best overall

By going "Pro," Google took its earbuds further, expanding on what it had already experimented with before. It also added new features that helped a great deal, even if it was late to the party in bringing them in. Our review found the combination worked well to make them worth considering. Reliable touch controls always help when talking out loud isn't an option.

Wearing these is a gateway to Google Assistant in ways other earbuds don't usually offer. Hands-free access by simply saying "Hey Google" or "OK Google" is all you need to wake it up and do what you need to do. Reliable touch controls always help when talking out loud isn't an option. Plus, translating languages is pretty cool via Google Translate when you need to do it. No different from other Pixel Buds, mind you, though you get overall better performance here.

Google gave these buds a clearer sound by tuning them in a way that gives real life to the mids and highs. You will hear bass, but if you're looking for a serious rumble in your ears, this probably isn't it. The good news is you get very good active noise cancelation (ANC) that blocks out a good amount of background noise.

As comfortable as they are to wear, you should try the sound test in the Pixel Buds settings on Android (separate app on non-Pixel devices) to see which ear tips are the best for you. You may find that the three included pairs aren't enough, but you can always try an extra-large or extra-small size from another brand. Worked for us.

Best runner up

On the heels of Google's reimagined Pixel Buds in 2020 came the Pixel Buds A-Series, a more compelling alternative that didn't cost as much to put in your ears. You lose out on the the swipe gestures to control volume but that's not a huge loss. Tight integration with Google Assistant is easily one of the biggest reasons to want these earbuds above all others, especially when all it takes is a touch gesture or just saying "Hey, Google" to activate it hands-free. Google even added the ability to turn off touch controls entirely by voice.

The translation features alone are pretty good, going the extra mile through the Transcribe mode in helping Spanish, French, Italian, and German speakers translate into English. It also works the other way, letting English speakers get translations from those languages, too.

It's super easy to pair them with any Android phone right out of the box. Sharing Detection lets you share one of your earbuds with someone, with individual volume control for each one. Sound quality is solid, but getting the right fit is crucial. Unfortunately, unlike the Pixel Buds Pro, you still don't get an EQ to customize the sound further, but the default sound, especially with Bass Boost, is pretty solid.

Battery life isn't spectacular at up to five hours per charge, with an additional 19 hours of battery life coming from the case. It supports wireless charging, or you could charge faster when plugging in via USB-C.

Best upgrade

In our review, we felt the Sony WF-1000XM5 were the company's premier true wireless earbuds, maintaining the company's penchant for amazing sound and ANC, along with pretty seamless access to Google Assistant. While you won't be able to wake it purely by saying "OK, Google," you will be able to get to it by way of the controls on the earbuds themselves, which are now more reliable than before.

Sony didn't change how it works with these earbuds. By default, the right earbud is designated for media controls, with the left controlling ambient sound mode. You can reverse it, but not in such a way as to map all the features onto one earbud. Either way, Google Assistant works regardless of which earbud you've assigned to it. Just tap and hold and the familiar chime should sound off. The relatively larger surfaces on each of the earbuds should make touch controls easier to manage.

Being that it works so well when you use the Assistant, it also helps that the WF-1000XM5 are such good audio performers. You can expect a balanced sound that you can only make better through the EQ in Sony's Headphones Connect companion app (though it could use a visual overhaul). ANC is among the best you'll find on any pair of true wireless earbuds, so that's a bonus.

Battery life is solid at up to eight hours per charge, plus an extra three charges from the case. With fast charging via USB-C, a quick 10-minute charge is enough to get 90 minutes of listening time.

Best USB-C

Where the Pixel Buds remove all wires, the Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds retain them, though do it with a USB-C port rather than the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. If you want something wired to not worry about battery life — and want quick access to Google Assistant — you will find some convenience with these earbuds. It also doesn't hurt that they're so affordable.

The earbuds themselves were designed to look more like the original Pixel Buds, not the latest pair, but that doesn't mean you won't be comfortable. They should feel pretty stable, and the cable itself isn't all that weighted. As Google no longer offers these in the box with its Pixel phones, you can still get them separately.

Don't expect outstanding sound quality because these headphones don't have that. The bass is subdued in favor of more mids and highs unless you're able to get a tight enough seal to bring out more of the low end. Unless you use a third-party equalizer to playback audio files, you won't get as far with streaming services.

When it comes to invoking Google Assistant, you can't do it the same way as you would with the Pixel Buds, where just talking is enough. Here, you'll have to press the button on the inline remote to bring it up. But once you do, all the same features apply, including translation.

Best on-ear

You won't notice Google Assistant by default on the JBL Tune 670NC but you can easily change that by setting everything up in the JBL app first. The reason is because spoken notifications need to be on for Google's voice assistant to work as seamlessly as it can.

Once you do, it's easy enough to get the assistant talking by just holding down the multifunction button on the right ear cup for two seconds. All onboard controls, like Adaptive Noise Canceling, Ambient Aware, and TalkThru, the latter two of which are JBL's terminology for an ambient sound mode, so you can hear your surroundings without having to remove your headphones. ANC will be decent for on-ear headphones, whereas ambient mode benefits from the passive leakage that can happen when wearing these.

JBL continues to make its on-ear headphones sound better with a balanced sound, though the Tune 670NC could use a bass boost. Battery life holds up well at up to 70 hours per charge (up to 44 hours with ANC on). Charge them up via USB-C, or get a fast charge plugging in for five minutes to get up to three hours of playback.

Best over-ear

Bose earns its established reputation for making good headphones with the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, boosting the outstanding ANC performance and delivering quality sound you can trust. The "Ultra" moniker applies here because the noise cancelation and sound quality stand out from the company's other comparable over-ears.

Bose no longer uses a dedicated voice assistant button, but you can set a shortcut on the QuietComfort Ultra through the volume keys to wake Google Assistant at a moment's notice. From there, it's easy to make your request or command. It's always nice that these are comfortable to wear over long periods, and fold in and flat for much easier transport.

Battery life isn't amazing compared to similar pairs but is above-average at up to 24 hours per charge. Plug them in for a quick 15-minute spurt through USB-C and you can play audio for up to 24 hours. Sadly, you won't be able to charge and listen at the same time.

Best noise-canceling

Sony took what worked so fabulously well with the WH-1000XM4 and made a number of tweaks to maintain its pole position with the WH-1000XM5. Sony's QN1 processor and dual noise sensor do a better job of blocking ambient sound to deliver outstanding ANC performance.

You won't hear any dramatic change in the audio quality, though some improved tuning does help with clarity. You can customize how you want them to sound using the equalizer in the Sony Connect app. Sony's Precise Voice Pickup and Speak to Chat features also play a leading role in improving call quality. This way, you can ask Google Assistant to call someone and not worry about clarity during the call.

Doesn't hurt that the microphones continue to get better. Phone calls are clearer, and with the excellent ANC and ambient modes at work, you can block out or hear your surroundings how you want. Pair with two devices simultaneously to listen to music on one device and take calls on another.

These are comfortable headphones to wear, which is great since they can play for up to 30 hours per charge, give or take a little depending on volume and ANC. With fast charging, just a 10-minute charge can get up to five hours of playback. The only problem is you can't charge and listen at the same time.

Best in-ear

Jabra knows how to make good earbuds, and we certainly felt that way (yet again) when reviewing the Elite 10. Comfortable to wear, with a fit that truly benefits the overall sound, solid ANC adds to the list of superb features. It's adaptive, so it can adjust on its own, and while it won't match what Sony and Bose can do, it will do the job. The Sound+ app adds a lot of customization to personalize a variety of features.

One of those is the sound, courtesy of the in-app EQ, which is excellent. The app is where you also set up Google Assistant for easy access through a dedicated control scheme in the earbuds themselves. Doesn't hurt that they are physical buttons rather than touch-sensitive ones, so you shouldn't get any false positives.

That's great when you want to issue commands or make calls, including support to use a single earbud in mono mode, or multipoint when connected to two devices at once. This way, you can easily tell Google to make a call while listening to music from your computer, for instance.

The IP57 rating is very respectable as far as durability goes, and you can count on reliable battery life, where you can expect up to six hours per charge with ANC on — maybe even eight if you always leave it off. Spatial audio and head tracking will tax the battery as well. The case gives you three additional charges. and in a pinch, a quick five-minute charge can get you up to 60 minutes of playback.

Best neckbuds

Neckband earbuds aren't for everyone, but when they're done right, it's easier to appreciate them. LG has been making them for years, and the Tone Flex XL7 have a few things going for them. Starting with the dedicated Google Assistant button on the neckband itself, you have quick access to the voice assistant with a simple press and hold.

Sound quality is solid, thanks in part to the AAC codec support LG ensured. At this price, you should get higher fidelity anyway, but nice to see that it's there. The only thing is they're not made for the bass-loving crowd, as the sound profile is skewed a little more toward the mids and highs. For certain genres, that works, but you won't get the thump you want for hip-hop and EDM. It's a shame because the built-in DAC actually helps music sound better.

Battery life is reasonably good at about eight hours — maybe more — of playback per charge. There is a fast charging option, where plugging in for just 10 minutes can get you about three hours. They're also pretty loud by default, so you won't have to raise the volume as much, which ultimately conserves some of the battery.

• Back to the top ^

These headphones will get Google talking

It may not matter how you want your Assistant to chime in, whether it's wearing wireless earbuds, wired earbuds, or noise-canceling headphones. Not all of them, even some on this list, necessarily support hands-free Assistant, where you don't have to press a button because just saying "Hey Google," isn't enough.

Those supporting Google Assistant via a button or gesture are usually using the universal "activate my digital assistant" standard. It makes more sense in most scenarios, particularly out in public, where speaking out loud may not be appropriate or comfortable.

But if you like the idea of having both, then the Google Pixel Buds Pro will fit the bill just fine. They're a versatile set of earbuds that cover many of the right bases, starting with comfort, access, and usability. They also sound good and continue to get better through future firmware updates.