Google Assistant drops 7 more tools on Android and smart devices

Last Friday, we found out that Gemini is taking over from Google Assistant on Android phones. Alongside this, Google quietly shared that Assistant is losing seven more tools. Earlier this year, in 2024, Google already cut 18 features from Android, smart screens, and speakers. Now, they’ve added seven more to the list:
- You can no longer use your voice to like, share, or ask about the time and place of your photos. (You can still do this in the Google Photos app or check details on your smart screen or tablet.)
- Voice commands won’t adjust photo frame or background screen settings anymore. (You can tweak these in your smart display’s settings instead.)
- The interpreter mode, which helped translate live chats with someone speaking a different language, is gone. (Single words or short phrases can still be translated. Check out interpreter mode details.)
- Birthday alerts won’t pop up in Routines anymore. (You can still ask Assistant to remind you about birthdays.)
- You can’t schedule or hear Family Bell announcements with your voice. (Learn how to set up a Routine instead.)
- Daily updates, like getting the weather every day, won’t come automatically. (Set them up yourself with a custom Routine.)
- Assistant won’t work with car gadgets using Bluetooth or AUX connections.
The photo slideshow changes aren’t a big deal, but they take away some ease. Family Bell was loved by many, and now Routines is the go-to option.
Back in 2019, Google launched Assistant’s Interpreter Mode, turning smart screens and speakers into handy translation tools. It worked on Android too. Now, the Google Translate app on your phone is the better, more advanced choice to replace it.
New features for Google Keep and Gemini Live in Workspace

Google recently updated Google Keep and Gemini Live for Workspace, making both tools more useful for everyday tasks. These changes help users stay organized and work smarter.
For Google Keep, the web version now supports text formatting.
You can add bold, italic, or underlined text to your notes, making them easier to read and organize. This feature, already available on mobile apps, lets you highlight important details or structure your thoughts clearly. Whether you’re jotting down ideas or creating lists, these formatting options make notes more professional and visually appealing.
The update is rolling out to all Google Workspace users and personal Google account holders, so everyone can enjoy a better note-taking experience. Meanwhile, Gemini Live is now available for Google Workspace customers. This voice-based AI feature allows users to have natural, back-and-forth conversations.
You can brainstorm ideas, like planning a marketing campaign or preparing for a sales meeting. Gemini Live also supports camera and screen sharing, so you can show visuals and discuss them in real time. It’s designed for users over 18 and is starting to roll out across Workspace accounts, with full access expected soon.
These updates show Google’s focus on improving productivity tools. Google Keep’s new formatting makes note-taking more flexible, while Gemini Live brings powerful AI conversations to Workspace, helping teams collaborate and innovate. Both features are simple to use and fit seamlessly into your workflow, making work and organization easier.
New Pixel Watch feature simplifies phone swaps

Google has introduced a smart new tool for Pixel Watch owners to ease the transition when upgrading to a new phone. The latest Pixel Watch app update (version 2.2) now includes a “Switch phone” prompt that pops up when the app notices your watch is linked to a different device. This alert, visible on the app’s home screen, guides you to connect your watch to the new phone effortlessly.
The feature walks users through the steps to transfer their Pixel Watch, ensuring a smooth setup. Once completed, the prompt vanishes, and the app updates to show the new connection. It supports all models—Pixel Watch, Pixel Watch 2, and Pixel Watch 3—but requires the newest app version, so you may need to update.
This addition addresses a common hassle where users forget to re-pair their watch after switching phones, which can lead to syncing issues. However, the reminder might feel a bit insistent for those not ready to make the switch immediately. It’s unclear if you can turn off the prompt for good.
Google’s attention to practical tweaks like this highlights their commitment to improving user experience. The phone switch feature saves time and reduces frustration, especially for frequent phone upgraders. If you’ve recently changed phones, open the Pixel Watch app to check out this helpful tool.
Android
Google’s May 2025 Android updates: better performance and messaging

Google’s May 2025 Android updates bring exciting changes to improve how your phone works and how you message. These updates focus on making devices faster, safer, and more user-friendly.
One big change is to Android’s memory system. By increasing the memory page size from 4KB to 16KB on newer devices, apps can load quicker and use less power. This helps phones, especially those with modern chips, run smoothly and save battery life. Older devices will stick with the smaller page size to avoid issues.
The Google System Updates for May also add new features. Google Wallet now supports more card types and makes transit passes easier to use in apps like Google Maps. The Play Store now shows video previews of apps, helping you decide what to download. There are also fixes to improve battery life, storage, and network performance, making your phone more reliable.
For Google Messages, a new “delete for everyone” feature lets you remove sent messages from group chats within 15 minutes. This works for both RCS and SMS, so you can fix mistakes easily. Other messaging upgrades include better scam detection and the ability to send high-quality photos and videos. These updates show Google’s effort to make Android devices faster, more secure, and better for communication. Keep your phone updated to enjoy these improvements!
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