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Google’s New Direction: Gemini Replaces the Classic Assistant with Enhanced Privacy and App Integration

Google is officially transitioning from its long-standing Google Assistant to Gemini, a new AI-powered personal assistant designed to reshape how Android users interact with their devices. This evolution not only signals a change in branding but also introduces enhanced capabilities, improved privacy controls, and deeper app integration.

Gemini Becomes Android’s New Core Assistant

In Google’s latest move, Gemini takes center stage as the personal assistant of choice for Android users, replacing the traditional Google Assistant. The aim is clear: to leverage Gemini’s AI capabilities to offer smarter, more intuitive help while maintaining user privacy.

Gemini is now equipped to interact with popular apps like Google Phone, Messages, and even WhatsApp, offering users the ability to send texts, place calls, and perform app-specific actions with voice or text prompts. Previously, these interactions required users to enable “App Activity”, a feature that logged user interactions with the assistant.

Enhanced Privacy: No More Mandatory App Activity Logging

One of the most significant updates is that Gemini can now function without “App Activity” being enabled. This change marks a major shift in Google’s approach to data handling. Previously, to utilize Gemini for managing apps like Messages or WhatsApp, users had to allow Google to log their activity—raising concerns about privacy.

Now, users can send messages or make phone calls through Gemini without extensive data logging, which brings the experience closer to that of the legacy Google Assistant while adding an extra layer of privacy protection. According to TechRadar, while some data is still stored for security reasons, it is retained for a maximum of 72 hours and not used for personalized ad targeting or long-term analytics.

RCS Support May Be on the Horizon

Another exciting development is the potential integration of RCS (Rich Communication Services) into Gemini. As reported by Android Authority, evidence within recent versions of the Google Messages app suggests that Gemini could soon support RCS-based interactions.

RCS is a next-generation messaging protocol that supports high-quality images, voice notes, videos, and read receipts, much like iMessage or WhatsApp. Unlike traditional SMS, RCS provides a more modern, feature-rich communication experience. If integrated, Gemini would be able to send and receive RCS messages, expanding its capabilities beyond basic SMS tasks.

What This Means for Users

  • More Private Assistance: Users no longer need to sacrifice privacy to enjoy smart assistant features.
  • Expanded Functionality: Gemini now bridges communication apps, enabling tasks across different services from one central assistant.
  • Future-Ready Messaging: With RCS integration, Gemini could become the default way to interact with messages in a smarter, richer format.

The introduction of Gemini marks a strategic shift in Google’s assistant ecosystem, with a strong emphasis on privacy, utility, and AI-driven innovation. With upcoming features like RCS support and a less invasive approach to data, Gemini is poised to redefine how users interact with Android devices—setting a new standard for digital assistants in the AI era.

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