https://pepelac.news/en/posts/id5036-why-pixel-phones-still-say-hey-google-with-gemini-ai
Why Pixel phones still say 'Hey Google' with Gemini AI
Pixel owners ask for a 'Hey Gemini' wake word
Why Pixel phones still say 'Hey Google' with Gemini AI
Google replaced Assistant with Gemini AI, yet Pixel phones still require 'Hey Google.' Users want a 'Hey Gemini' wake word; try Quick Tap or long-press.
2025-10-13T13:54:02+03:00
2025-10-13T13:54:02+03:00
2025-10-13T13:54:02+03:00
After Google Assistant was replaced by the Gemini AI, Pixel owners raised a fair question: why do they still have to say “Hey Google” to bring Gemini to life? Even though Gemini now handles voice-assistant duties, Google has yet to let users change the wake phrase.Pixel users note that sticking with the old hotword creates confusion. It feels odd to address Gemini while calling it by another assistant’s name. The obvious proposal is on the table — add a “Hey Gemini” trigger — but so far Google has kept quiet.For now, Gemini can be activated by voice or via Quick Tap — a double tap on the back of the phone. There’s also the option to summon the assistant by long-pressing the power button, though many consider that clunky.Google seems tangled in its own ecosystem here: the company is pushing Gemini as a next-generation AI helper, yet it left it with the “name” of its predecessor. Pixel owners have effectively become beta testers of Google’s new era, and how quickly the company adds a simple but necessary tweak — the ability to say “Hey Gemini” — may well depend on them.
Pixel, Pixel phones, Gemini AI, Google Assistant, wake word, hotword, Hey Google, Hey Gemini, voice assistant, trigger phrase, Quick Tap, power button, long-press, Android
2025
news
Pixel owners ask for a 'Hey Gemini' wake word
Google replaced Assistant with Gemini AI, yet Pixel phones still require 'Hey Google.' Users want a 'Hey Gemini' wake word; try Quick Tap or long-press.
After Google Assistant was replaced by the Gemini AI, Pixel owners raised a fair question: why do they still have to say “Hey Google” to bring Gemini to life? Even though Gemini now handles voice-assistant duties, Google has yet to let users change the wake phrase.
Pixel users note that sticking with the old hotword creates confusion. It feels odd to address Gemini while calling it by another assistant’s name. The obvious proposal is on the table — add a “Hey Gemini” trigger — but so far Google has kept quiet.
For now, Gemini can be activated by voice or via Quick Tap — a double tap on the back of the phone. There’s also the option to summon the assistant by long-pressing the power button, though many consider that clunky.
Google seems tangled in its own ecosystem here: the company is pushing Gemini as a next-generation AI helper, yet it left it with the “name” of its predecessor. Pixel owners have effectively become beta testers of Google’s new era, and how quickly the company adds a simple but necessary tweak — the ability to say “Hey Gemini” — may well depend on them.
