Pixel users say Google made a huge blunder with this decision
In September, Google made Gemini the new AI assistant on compatible Pixel phones.
Many Pixel users prefer Google Assistant over Gemini. | Image by Google
An iPhone user, after many years of using an iOS handset, decided this year to leave his iPhone 16 to his wife and switch to the Pixel 11. On Reddit, u/Bananajoemillemila cited the latest Pixel model's "perfect blend of hardware/software features," pointing out that for the most part, he had a great experience using the Pixel. However, he ended up returning to the iPhone because of some limitations involving the Gemini AI assistant.
In September, Google started phasing out its old Google Assistant virtual assistant. The Gemini AI assistant is a huge improvement in my opinion as it is much more knowledgeable than Google Assistant and has a much wider breadth of knowledge. But the aforementioned Redditor was upset because Gemini wouldn't perform "basic commands" in his car like Siri did when he owned an iPhone.
Gemini cannot do these basic voice commands
The voice commands that Gemini couldn't do on a Pixel that Siri could on an iPhone include asking Apple Music to play a song, navigating to a particular destination with Waze, and dictating a message via Telegram. The Reddit subscriber said, "I really liked it [Pixel and Gemini] but to use it in the car I need it to be able to perform basic commands."
Gemini is not integrated with Apple Music. | Image by PhoneArena
Other posts mostly attacked Google for phasing out Google Assistant in favor of Gemini. One pointed out that before it was pulled for Gemini, Google Assistant could handle all of the basic voice commands that Gemini can't. Another response gave Gemini the nod over Siri, while the response with the most common sense suggested that u/Bananajoemillemila needs to switch to an agnostic streaming music platform that Gemini might work with.
Yep. Gemini is the worst pile of slop Google has forced down our throats. The Google Assistant used to be the gold standard of "virtual assistants" and towards the end of its life was really well polished.
Now it's all Gemini hallucinations and failure to just do the thing that you ask for, like why tf do we need an LLM to process a request to turn off a light or navigate to X address?
I've had 4 Pixels since the Pixel 2 (currently on P10Pro) and I reckon when this one comes to the end of its life I'll seriously consider jumping ship to iPhone.
Now it's all Gemini hallucinations and failure to just do the thing that you ask for, like why tf do we need an LLM to process a request to turn off a light or navigate to X address?
I've had 4 Pixels since the Pixel 2 (currently on P10Pro) and I reckon when this one comes to the end of its life I'll seriously consider jumping ship to iPhone.
nibsy422
Interestingly, by far the majority of the responses came from Pixel users who would have preferred that Google kept Google Assistant over Gemini. For me, that is shocking since I really do love Gemini as my AI assistant. I think it all depends on the reason you use an assistant in the first place. I use it to answer queries, set alarms and timers, and to connect with some personal apps like Google Calendar and Google Photos.
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It seems to me that Gemini's lack of integration with Apple Music could very well be an Apple thing. On the other hand, perhaps Google prefers that Gemini users subscribe to YouTube Music rather than Apple Music for obvious reasons.
I'm a unicorn: I prefer having Gemini as the assistant on my Pixel
Being a Gemini supporter, I prefer having a feature on the phone in my pocket that has the capability to correctly answer even the most obscure question I can throw at it. I did find a few Redditors who prefer Gemini, and as time goes on and the AI assistant answers more and more questions that would have stumped Google Assistant, I think we will see the tide turn and more Pixel users will agree with me.
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