Google has begun replacing its Assistant with the Gemini AI assistant across various apps and services.
A report by Android Authority shows this change in the new beta version of the Google Maps app, where the Gemini assistant has been added. When enabled, Gemini responds instead of Google Assistant when the user clicks the microphone icon in the upper-right corner of the navigation interface.
Initially, the microphone icon remains in Google Assistant's colour, but once clicked, Gemini’s spark icon appears. Gemini performs certain navigation tasks previously not possible with Google Assistant.
According to the report, users can now instruct Gemini to avoid toll routes, which it then does automatically. It also responds to questions beyond navigation, such as weather updates.
This feature is not yet available to all users, but may be introduced in the near future.
