On March 14, 2025, Google made headlines when it announced the phasing out of several key features from Google Assistant as it transitions to its new AI model, Gemini. This marks another significant step as Google aims to streamline its technology offerings and integrate advanced capabilities within Gemini.
The latest decision follows Google’s prior announcement at the start of 2024 when it revealed eighteen feature removals from its digital assistant across various platforms, including Android and smart displays. The specific functionalities being removed this time around include the ability to favorite and share photos, voice commands to change photo frame settings, live translation capabilities through Interpreter Mode, birthday reminders through Routines, Family Bell announcements, daily weather updates, and the use of Assistant with car accessories.
For many users, these changes bring about both conveniences and challenges. The loss of features such as the Interpreter Mode, which effectively turned smart displays and speakers—introduced back in 2019—into translation aids, poses the question: How will users adapt? Although users can still translate single words or phrases, the rich interaction offered by full conversation translations will disappear.
Adding to the functionality concerns, Google confirmed the shutdown of Assistant car microphones, making it more difficult for drivers to access hands-free operations—a hallmark feature of the original Assistant.
While the deletions raise eyebrows, Google appears undeterred. At the same time, it is gearing up for the next iteration with Gemini, which could revolutionize how users interact with AI technology. One notable feature currently under development is called Canvas, which promises to allow users to create documents or files through coding—a functionality reminiscent of ChatGPT. This adaptation signals Google’s intent to merge its offerings with popular AI capabilities, making them more collaborative and interactive.
Alongside Canvas, Gemini is poised to introduce video generation capabilities, leveraging Veo2—a top-tier video generation model already utilized through Google’s VideoFX via API. This shift not only puts Gemini on par with competitors but also offers unique services directly available within conversation interfaces, which few others provide. Speculation suggests this would be among the first chats capable of generating video content seamlessly.
Though specifics around Canvas availability remain tentative, Google plans to launch it first only on the Gemini 2.0 Flash model, ensuring the newest technology receives prioritized attention. Where timelines are concerned, March 18, 2025, has surfaced as a preliminary launch date for some upcoming features, though users should approach this with caution, as historical patterns indicate variability based on development speed and scale.
The continuous evolution of Google’s product line reflects broader changes within the tech industry, particularly the drive toward more advanced, integrated AI solutions. Although the removal of long-standing features may frustrate legacy users, Google is making significant strides toward innovation—keeping it competitive amid growing expectations for AI capabilities.
Google's vision for the future hinges on user responses to these transitions, balancing the nostalgia for familiar tools with the burgeoning demand for cutting-edge services. The question looms: Will users embrace Gemini’s new features, or will the loss of previous functionalities deter their engagement?