# Google Assistant Losing Features: Unfortunate News for Smart Home Devices
## The Downfall of Google Assistant
For a considerable time, Google Assistant has been a significant figure in the smart home arena, enabling devices such as Nest speakers and displays. However, recent changes indicate that Google is redirecting its attention from Assistant to its AI-driven chatbot, Gemini. This shift has resulted in the elimination of numerous Google Assistant features, raising alarms about the prospects for smart home devices dependent on it.
In early 2024, Google discontinued 18 features from Assistant, and now the company has revealed intentions to remove seven additional ones. This pattern implies that Google Assistant is becoming increasingly less functional, which could result in serious repercussions for users who rely on it for home automation, voice commands, and everyday tasks.
## The Effect on Google Nest Devices
Google’s Nest collection, which encompasses smart speakers and displays, is especially susceptible to these modifications. Unlike smartphones and tablets, which can receive Gemini through software upgrades, Nest devices are aging and might not be compatible with the new AI assistant.
For example, the second-generation Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max have not undergone hardware updates since 2021, while the Nest Mini smart speaker has not changed since 2019. Without the comprehensive functionality of Google Assistant, these devices risk becoming outdated.
### A Concerning Trend
Google’s recent move to phase out its cost-effective Chromecast series in favor of the pricier Google TV Streamer indicates that the company might adopt a similar strategy concerning Nest devices. If Google transitions away from Assistant towards Gemini, it could signal the end of budget-friendly smart home options, compelling users to purchase more expensive products like the Pixel Tablet.
## Google Nest Devices Are Becoming Less Effective
As Google Assistant sheds features, Nest devices are diminishing in reliability. Users have already reported problems such as sluggish performance and unresponsive commands. Earlier this year, a glitch hindered Nest speakers and displays from responding to basic requests, and it took Google weeks to rectify the issue.
Moreover, Google has removed several vital Assistant features, including:
– The ability to adjust photo frame and ambient screen settings using voice commands.
– Daily updates from Google Assistant, such as scheduled weather forecasts.
– The option to favorite, share, or inquire about photos via voice commands.
These alterations compromise the fundamental functionality of Nest devices, making them less user-friendly for those who depend on voice control.
## Will Gemini Address the Issue?
While Google is positioning Gemini as the next frontier in AI-driven assistance, it remains uncertain whether it can effectively take the place of Google Assistant on smart home devices. Most Nest products do not possess the processing capabilities needed to operate advanced AI models like Gemini, potentially leaving them with a limited version of Assistant or devoid of an assistant altogether.
Should Google fully transition to Gemini, it might signal the demise of affordable smart home options. New AI-enabled products may come with inflated price points, increasing the costs for users looking to establish a connected home.
## What Google Must Do
To secure its standing in the smart home sector, Google should:
1. **Revamp Nest Hardware** – A number of Nest devices are outdated and require hardware upgrades to support contemporary AI features.
2. **Sustain Google Assistant Support** – Even if Gemini becomes the main AI assistant, Google ought to continue providing support for Assistant on older devices.
3. **Keep Smart Home Products Budget-Friendly** – Google should steer clear of pricing out consumers by making smart home devices prohibitively expensive.
## Conclusion
Google’s choice to reduce Assistant in favor of Gemini could lead to significant issues for smart home users. If Nest devices persist in losing functionality without a suitable replacement, they may become irrelevant. Google must carefully navigate its AI ambitions while addressing the needs of its smart home clientele to avoid alienating its user base.
