Google hints at Google Assistant shutdown date for Android Auto – here's what that means for you

• Google support page suggests Google Assistant will be replaced by Gemini
• The changeover could happen as early as March next year
• More natural interaction is promised

The end of Google Assistant is rapidly approaching, according to a support page on Google’s website (first spotted by 9to5Google) – with the company’s AI-powered Gemini set to take over on a number of devices.

That particular support page is linked to Android Auto, the screen-mirroring service for those wanting to beam Android smartphone content to a compatible head unit or infotainment system housed within a vehicle.

Google’s blurb states that the current version of Google Assistant won’t be available as of March 2026, where it will be replaced by Gemini.

The move has been made by the tech giant to introduce more natural speech interaction between the driver and the vehicle’s infotainment system, reducing the need to physically use a smartphone in order to keep motorists safe and on the right side of the law.

It's a boon for drivers wanting to do more on the go, but could also prove an issue for those running older devices that won't support Gemini.

But for those with the latest smartphones and Android Auto head units, Google says its Maps software will receive a ‘powerful boost’ thanks to the inclusion of Gemini, with the ability to quickly and easily add stops along the route using natural language, meaning driver’s can simply say “navigate me to the best burger joint in the area” and Gemini will take care of the rest.

With more conversational awareness, Gemini will also allow the chat to continue, so you can ask it about the most popular dishes at said burger joint, or whether there’s free parking nearby.

In addition to more context-aware navigation, Google Gemini also promises simpler messaging and communication when on the move.

Where Google’s current Assistant can easily get confused and often makes a hash of message dictation, Gemini can easily be manipulated with prompts.

Google gives the example of sending a message to a friend when stuck in traffic by simply saying “Oops, I'm stuck in traffic. Can you let Leo know and add my ETA and a sorry emoji?”

Translation to over 40 different languages and the ability to adjust messages without having to start afresh will also reduce the amount of frustration drivers face when attempting to message hands-free.

Gemini can also provide concise summaries of messages that are coming through when driving, including emails. It will also find crucial information that could be buried in emails, such as the location of a work event or the time of an upcoming flight.

Google goes big on support for drivers

The tech giant believes that time spent driving can also be more productive, providing tools that allow motorists to catch on an overflowing inbox or brainstorm ideas for a family trip away.

It is also continuing to support Waze, the popular mapping app that Google purchased back in 2013, adding new features and updates to improve the offering, rather than channelling all of the innovations over to its own mapping software.

This week, Waze announced that it would receive a popular Google Maps feature that makes it much easier to navigate when an Android smartphone is plugged into an Android Auto device, according to Android Police.

Essentially, the update sees Waze remain active on the smartphone when connected to an Android Auto head unit. It sounds simple, but searching for locations or scrolling around a map are often much easier on the smartphone, rather than the head unit or display.

This is particularly pertinent for those displays that lack a touchscreen, or are simply cheaper aftermarket products that have patchy touchscreen capabilities.

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