Google Delays Assistant to Gemini Shift to 2026

Google has delayed its planned transition from the longstanding Google Assistant to its advanced AI successor, Gemini, on mobile devices, pushing the full rollout into 2026 instead of completing it by the end of this year.

The company announced the change in a recent update to its support resources, stating that the process of upgrading users on Android phones, tablets, Wear OS watches and compatible earbuds will continue through next year. This adjustment follows an initial timeline outlined in March, when Google revealed intentions to phase out Assistant as the default voice interface on newer Android devices and make Gemini the central hub for voice interactions. At that time, officials projected a swift migration, with Assistant expected to vanish from app stores and newer hardware by late 2025.

The delay stems from Google's commitment to a smooth handover, allowing additional time to refine Gemini's capabilities and ensure it matches or exceeds Assistant's functionality across billions of devices. Assistant, which debuted in 2016, has served as the core voice assistant on Android for nearly a decade, handling tasks like setting reminders, controlling smart home devices and...