Google quietly paywalls a key Assistant characteristic on Gemini for Dwelling

Google’s shift from Assistant to Gemini for Dwelling is a step ahead in some ways, but it surely hasn’t actually been a clean transition. Google Dwelling customers are nonetheless working into lacking Assistant options, and it now seems that one generally used functionality many individuals took without any consideration is gone in Gemini for Dwelling, until you’re prepared to pay up.

As highlighted by PC World and Google Dwelling customers on Reddit, Google Dwelling and Nest audio system and shows not help Google Assistant’s Continued Dialog characteristic without cost after upgrading to Gemini for Dwelling. The characteristic permits customers to ask follow-up questions with out repeatedly saying the “Hey Google” wake phrase for each question, however that comfort quietly disappears as soon as you turn to Gemini.

With the brand new expertise, Continued Dialog has successfully changed into Gemini Reside, and entry is now locked behind the $10 per 30 days Google Dwelling Premium subscription. Gemini Reside is clearly a extra superior method of getting an ongoing dialog with Google’s AI, however on condition that Continued Dialog was a free characteristic and made chatting with Assistant extra tolerable, customers aren’t thrilled with the change.

To make issues worse, there’s no solution to roll again to Google Assistant as soon as you turn to Gemini for Dwelling. Continued Dialog nonetheless works on Assistant-powered sensible audio system and shows, however when you make the leap to Gemini, you’re locked into the brand new expertise and behind the paywall.

Person frustration is mounting on Reddit, the place a number of threads verify that Continued Dialog is damaged underneath Gemini with no paid plan. The discussions have additionally snowballed into broader discussions in regards to the lack of Assistant options in Gemini for Dwelling.

In accordance with customers, Gemini struggles with a number of duties that Google Assistant dealt with effortlessly. These embody easy issues like calling contacts, setting timers and alarms, dealing with follow-up requests, and performing fundamental voice assistant features.

All of this comes at a time when Google is aggressively rolling out Gemini for Dwelling updates to everybody who needs it. Nevertheless, it could be some time earlier than the brand new expertise is absolutely baked and features as easily as Assistant did at one time.