Underutilized tools on Google Assistant will be deprecated; here's the complete list

It’s been 10 days into 2024, and Google is already taking care of its business. Besides the major layoffs happening in the company these days, the tech giant is also getting rid of the underutilized tools on Google Assistant, and it’s planning to effectively deprecate them by January 26.

Users who enjoy using Google Assistant should be aware of the changes, as many tools from it won’t be available anymore. So, if you’ve got a tool inside Google Assistant that you use often, chances are it will be gone by the end of the month. Here’s what Google has to say about the decision:

First, as we continue to make Google Assistant more helpful, we’re prioritizing the experiences you love and investing in the underlying technology to make them even better — which means that some underutilized features will no longer be supported. You can find a list of these features, including suggestions of what you can use in place of them (where alternatives are available). Beginning on January 26, when you ask for one of these features, you may get a notification that it won’t be available after a certain date.

Google

This is not all, though. According to the tech giant, the Microphone icon will now look up results based on the user’s search queries. This means opening up Google Assistant is becoming a bit harder: you’ll have to explicitly say Hey Google, for it to open.

The microphone icon will now trigger Search results in response to your queries, which is its most popular use case. You can continue to activate Assistant as you always have: Just say “Hey Google” or long press on the home or power button (on select phones) on Android, or open the Google Assistant app on iOS.

Google

So, say goodbye to using the microphone icon for tasks such as turning off the lights, or sending a text. Either way, below you’ll find the list of the soon-to-be deprecated tools on Google Assistant.

Here is the list of Google Assistant’s deprecated tools

• Playing and controlling audiobooks on Google Play Books with your voice. You can still cast audiobooks from your mobile device.
• 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.
• Accessing or managing your cookbook, transfering recipes from device to device, playing an instructional recipe video, or showing step-by-step recipes. You can use Google Assistant to search for recipes across the web and YouTube.
• Managing a stopwatch on Smart Displays and Speakers. You can still set timers and alarms.
• 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.
• Rescheduling an event in Google Calendar with your voice. You can still schedule a new event.
• Using App Launcher in Google Assistant driving mode on Google Maps to read and send messages, make calls, and control media. You can still use voice control on Google Maps the same way.
• Asking to schedule or hear previously scheduled Family Bell announcements. You can create a custom Routine that has similar behavior.
• Asking to meditate with Calm. You can still ask for meditation options with media providers such as YouTube.
• Voice control for activities will no longer be available on Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 devices. You’ll need to use the buttons on your device to start, stop, pause, and resume activities. You can still voice control activities on Pixel Watches.
• Viewing your sleep summaries will only be available on Google Smart Displays. You can still ask for sleep details by voice on third-party smart clocks.
• Calls made from speakers and Smart Displays will not show up with a caller ID unless you’re using Duo.
• Viewing the ambient “Commute to Work” time estimates on Smart Displays. You can still ask for commute times and get directions by voice.
• Checking personal travel itineraries by voice. You can still ask for flight status.
• Asking for information about your contacts. You can still make calls to your contacts.
• Asking to take certain actions by voice, such as send a payment, make a reservation, or post to social media. You can still ask Assistant to open your installed apps.