The JBL Link Drive and Anker Roav Bolt, popular accessories for bringing Google Assistant into older cars, may soon lose their functionality. Code discovered within the Google app beta suggests an impending shutdown of these car-based microphones. This discovery, uncovered by 9to5Google, points towards a significant change for users who rely on these devices for in-car voice assistance.
The code string, labelled “assistant_car_accessory_deprecation”, states: “By the way, Google Assistant on your car accessory will be discontinued in coming weeks. To keep using Assistant, invoke queries either on your Mobile or via Android Auto.” Introduced in 2019, these accessories offered a convenient way to integrate Google Assistant into vehicles lacking built-in support. Even the earliest adopters would have only utilized these devices for approximately six years.
While Google’s history of discontinuing projects isn’t surprising, the rise of Android Auto provides a more concrete explanation. Android Auto’s increasing popularity, positioning it as a direct competitor to Apple CarPlay, combined with the shift towards Gemini replacing core Google Assistant functionalities, paints a clearer picture of the rationale behind this potential change.
A render of Android Auto running in a car.
Image: Android Auto Interface displayed in a car (Google/Google)
It’s important to remember that code discovered in APK teardowns doesn’t guarantee future releases. This unearthed code represents work in progress, and the final product may differ or never see the light of day. While the eventual incompatibility of these devices seems probable, the precise timeline remains unknown. Currently, Google’s support documentation offers no indication of impending changes for the Link Drive or Roav Bolt.
Google does, however, recommend transitioning to Android Auto. While Assistant Driving Mode persists, its current functionality is significantly more basic than its original iteration. For a more comprehensive and feature-rich experience, Android Auto emerges as the preferred solution. Some users have proposed repurposing the devices to activate Gemini instead of Assistant, but the future of these accessories remains uncertain.
In conclusion, while the code suggests a likely discontinuation, Google hasn’t officially confirmed the sunsetting of these accessories. Users should anticipate potential changes and consider exploring alternatives like Android Auto for continued in-car voice assistance.
