A different kind of start to 2024 was seen over at Google, and this centered on the massive workforce layoffs in its various departments, resulting in Assistant having several features removed. Because of Google's cost-cutting measures with Assistant, some functionalities that people are familiar with and use are no longer accessible, and the others will soon be unavailable.
Warnings will soon pop up for users, and it will confirm the features that will bid its farewell, with a massive list of the affected features detailed.
Google Removes These Assistant Features Amid Layoffs
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As detailed in Google's blog post, these cuts are necessary to help the struggles of the company, especially as the features it removed are "underutilized."
The removal and notice of these features will start by January 26.
Google said that these features will see changes or a removal come the said dates:
Voice prompts in playing and controlling Google Play Books
Setting or using media alarms, music alarms, or radio alarms on Google Assistant
No more access to the cookbook, transferring recipes from device to device, playing recipe videos, showing step-by-step process
Managing a stopwatch on Smart Display and Speakers with Assistant
Using your voice to call a device or broadcast a message to your Google Family Group
Using your voice to send an email, video, or audio message
Rescheduling an event in Google Calendar using voice prompts
Using App Launcher in Google Assistant driving mode on Google Maps to read and send messages, make calls, and control media.
Family Bell announcements will no longer schedule or hear previously scheduled requests
Asking to meditate with Calm
Voice control for activities on Fitbit Sense and Versa 3
Viewing sleep summaries to only be available on Google Smart Displays
Calls made from speakers and smart displays will not show a caller ID unless using Duo
'Commute to Work' time estimates on smart displays will no longer be available
Personal travel itineraries via voice
Asking about contact information
Commanding certain actions by voice like sending a payment, making a reservation, or posting to social media
The start of this year immediately saw layoffs within Google, affecting not only the Assistant department but also those in hardware, particularly for its AR division. Hundreds of workers were affected by this removal, including Google's core engineering division.
More layoffs are coming soon, according to reports.
Google Layoffs
Last year, Google laid off as many as 12,000 employees from its different divisions, but despite the large number, this only accounted for 6 percent of its total workforce.
This became a massive controversy where workers have petitioned its CEO, Sundar Pichai, to treat these axed employees better. Some went as far as to share their stories on TikTok, showing what they experienced amidst it.
2024 is just beginning, and so is Google in their layoffs within the company, with the ad sales division said to be the next on its list.
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