I remember asking my phone to navigate for me as I often do. Far easier than opening up a map, looking for locations, etc. Just what Google Assistant was always supposed to be for. It was cold and I was wearing gloves also. But this time, it was Gemini on my phone. Instead of passing the query into Google maps, she just starts reciting directions to me using outdated bus timetables instead of using Google maps with the live times and delays plugged into it. Or when I asked it to set a timer and it started giving me instructions on how to set a timer on both Android and iOS. Thankfully I figured out how to set it back to assistant. Sure, an LLM is great when you’re having a debate in the car and need to ask it for info, but not for everything. It’s like the whole “chatgpt vs stockfish chess match”
Google is replacing Google Assistant with Gemini | TechCrunch
Submitted 4 weeks ago by mint@beehaw.org to technology@beehaw.org
https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/14/google-is-replacing-google-assistant-with-gemini/
Comments
Flax_vert@feddit.uk 4 weeks ago
Akasazh@feddit.nl 4 weeks ago
It’s not that great for info either
Flax_vert@feddit.uk 4 weeks ago
I think it’ll be cool if it knew all of the safe commands on your phone and had a prompt to “return a list of commands in order from the user’s prompt”. So like, if you want to play a playlist, set it to shuffle but queue five songs, it should be able to do that. I feel like the people who make this stuff don’t actually use it. Like on Google Maps on Android Auto, some buttons like the direction mute button is so tiny and could easily be enlarged, even if it’s less aesthetically pleasing
Gethund@lemm.ee 4 weeks ago
I’m replacing my arse with Sagittarius.
henfredemars@infosec.pub 4 weeks ago
Far more impressive and interesting news.
Butterbee@beehaw.org 4 weeks ago
Uranus is rising
knighthawk0811@lemmy.ml 4 weeks ago
hmm, this might actually be good
a1studmuffin@aussie.zone 4 weeks ago
If it is, get ready for the subscription plan.
knighthawk0811@lemmy.ml 4 weeks ago
nevermind, it’s going to eat up my phone’s resources
cy_narrator@discuss.tchncs.de 4 weeks ago
Which only makes sense
cronenthal@discuss.tchncs.de 4 weeks ago
Every couple of years I try out the latest “assistant”. I ask very simple queries, stzff that you might expect it to be able to handle. It always disappoints hilariously.
Questions where previous assistants consistently and utterly failed: “What’s the weather going to be like today?” “I want to go to [address], using public transport, can you tell me which routes I have to take?” “What are my appointments today?”
You’d think these are pretty obvious use-cases, but every iteration of assistants was completely incapable of getting even closer to a satisfying answer. I don’t expect LLMs to fare better this time around.
user224@lemmy.sdf.org 4 weeks ago
My every usage of assistant boiled down to just “What’s this song?”, so I just replaced it with Shazam.
Gemini… having tried it, you will surely get an answer, perhaps based on random magic.
entropicdrift@lemmy.sdf.org 4 weeks ago
I just tried those questions with Gemini on my phone. It got them all right. For the directions one it gave me a Google Maps link with the route dialed in in public transit mode
pezhore@infosec.pub 4 weeks ago
I only use voice to interact with my phone when I’m driving and want to set a destination, or if I’m at home and can’t find my phone.
Somehow I doubt that AI will help tell me my phone fell off the nightstand and is half way under the bed.