As A Result Of Employee Layoffs, Google Removes 17 Features From Google Assistant

Google provides a choice of data access restrictions (doc. Google).

JAKARTA - After terminating employee employment (PHK), Google has also removed several features in Google Assistant.

Launching The Verge, Sunday, January 14, several features that use voice to send emails, videos, and audio messages were also removed.

As of January 26, 2024, these features will begin to be removed. Users who already use 17 features will get a notification that the feature will be removed.

It is known that the permanent removal of the 17 features will be carried out on January 27, 2024.

News of the removal of this feature came after Google announced to lay off thousands of its employees including the Google Asistant unit.

Of course, removing this feature will have an impact on mobile devices, smartwatches, and smart speakers/services.

However, for some of the missing features, Google offers an alternative to replace it. However, there are also some features that are completely lost.

Google is also known to change the microphone function in the Google app and Search bar. Now users who tap the icon will only get a response in the form of search results in Search.

Here are 17 Google Assistant features that were deleted:

1. Controlling audiobooks on the Google Play Book with voice will not be available. However, you can still transmit audiobooks from your mobile device.

2. Set or use media alarms, music alarms, or radio alarms on devices that support Google Assistants. However, you can still create custom routines that have similar behavior or use standard alarms.

3. Access or manage cooking books, transfer recipes from device to device, play recipe instruction videos, or display step-by-step recipes. However, you can use Google Assistant to browse recipes on the web and YouTube.

4. Manage stopwatches on smart display and speakers. However, you can still set a timer and alarm.

5. Use the voice to call the device or broadcast the message to the family group. However, you can still broadcast to the device in your home.

6. Use voice to send email, video message or audio. However, you can still make calls and send text messages.

7. Rescheduling the event on Google Calendar with your voice. However, you can still schedule a new event.

8. Using Application Launchers in Google Assistant driving mode on Google Maps to read and send messages, make calls, and control the media. You can still use voice control on Google Maps in the same way.

9. Ask to schedule or listen to family bell announcements scheduled previously. You can create a special routine that has similar behavior.

10. Ask to meditate quietly. However, you can still ask media providers for meditation options such as YouTube. NEWS of removing this feature came after Google announced to lay off thousands of its employees including in the Google Asistant unit.

11. Sound control for activity is no longer available on Fitbit Sense and Versa 3. You should use the buttons on your device to start, stop, pause, and resume activity. You can still control the activity with the sound on Pixel Watches.

12. Looking at your sleeping summary, you will only be available on Google Smart Display. You can still ask for sleeping details via sound on third-party smartwatches.

13. Calls made from speakers and smart screens will not appear with the caller ID unless you use the duo.

14. See the estimated travel time to the office on the smart screen. But you can still ask for travel times and get directions through the sound.

15. Check the private travel plan in voice. However, you can still ask for flight status.

16. Request information about your contacts. You can still make calls to your contacts.

17. Request to take certain actions in voice, such as sending payments, making reservations, or posting on social media. You can still ask Google Assistant to open the app you installed.