GRAVEYARD: Google Assistant is going away on mobile devices

Monday, August 10, 2026

*** begin quote ***

We’re writing to let you know that the Google Assistant on your mobile device is being discontinued, and Gemini—our next-generation AI-powered assistant—is now the assistant experience on Android.1
What This Means for Your Mobile Device
As we transition our mobile experience to Gemini, Google Assistant will no longer be available on your mobile device. We will begin removing access to Google Assistant starting on September 4, and expect that this process may take a few weeks to reach everyone. Once availability is removed, you will no longer be able to use or switch back
to Google Assistant on your phone, tablet, or paired devices.
If your Android device meets the minimum system requirements2 and you are in a region where Gemini is available,3 Gemini will be the Google-provided assistant on your mobile device. When you invoke your assistant, for example, by saying “Hey Google” or long-pressing your power button, Gemini will appear instead of the previous Google Assistant.
Changes to Accessories and Paired Devices
When you set Gemini as your mobile device assistant, it also becomes the assistant on devices that are paired with your mobile phone. This includes:
• Watches running Wear OS
• Headphones or earbuds compatible with Gemini
• Vehicles running Android Auto projected from a user’s mobile device. For cars with Google built-in, Google Assistant will continue to function beyond September 4, 2026.
Like your mobile device, starting September 4, users will lose the ability to use Google Assistant on these paired devices.
Google Assistant on Other Devices
These changes are only for the assistant experience on your mobile device and accessories that pair to your phone, like watches, headphones, and car infotainment systems.
You can also read more about our separate plans to bring Gemini to Google TV devices
and Google Home speakers and smart displays.
Next Steps & More Information
We are committed to providing a smooth transition and are confident that Gemini will
offer you an even more capable and helpful assistant experience.
Thank you for being a valued Google user,
The Google Team

*** end quote ***

I find Gemini is a PIA on my mac, Rose, and haven’t figured out how to get it to just go away.

It’s preempted the 🌐 key that I need to use with delete.

Argh!

And, of course, no thought of the User Interface implications.

— 30 —

Leave a Comment » | GRAVEYARD | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

GRAVEYARD: Microsoft sends PUBLISHER to the mortuary; no reduction in price or refund

Sunday, August 9, 2026

https://m2.infomails.microsoft.com/rest/head/mirrorPage/@x6-bK_5WcZF67WfMcc3Am7IYxtg4JLXZIy3tL3eMfEqtFW8xCwNbS-gqrgkP1cchUb7nyMaehIX6xTPutjxSaguIVKoOAO-8eL5mimKdgHl9q1uM.html?ocid=

*** begin quote ***

Beginning 10/1/2026, Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported as part of Microsoft 365. Many common Publisher scenarios are available in other Microsoft 365 apps, including Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.

*** end quote ***

As always, we get less as they make more!

Something not fair in all this.

What if someone really uses this?  

We all paid for it.

Sigh!

Motto for the Inet: 3 is 2! 2 is 1! 1 is none! Look for redundant capability; not redundant gear!

That goes for software as well.  Watch out for depending upon a “product” that is an “island”.  Make sure it’s as easy to get off as it is to get on.

Argh!

And, of course, no thought of the User Interface implications.

— 30 —

Leave a Comment » | GRAVEYARD | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

Amazon sued for allegedly sabotaging Fire TV Sticks to force users to upgrade

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Amazon is facing a bombshell class action lawsuit accusing the tech giant of purposely letting the software in Fire TV Stick devices peter out so customers would feel compelled to buy newer versions. 
— Read on nypost.com/2026/04/15/business/amazon-sued-for-allegedly-sabotaging-fire-tv-sticks-to-force-users-to-upgrade/

Leave a Comment » | GRAVEYARD | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

GRAVEYARD: Samsung Messages goes to the Samsung version of the graveyard

Friday, April 10, 2026

https://www.androidauthority.com/death-samsung-messages-good-why-3655062/

The death of Samsung Messages is good for everyone
So long and farewell, Samsung Messages.
By Joe Maring
2026-04Apr-07

*** begin quote ***

Samsung fans, it’s almost time to pour one out for one of the company’s oldest Android apps. On April 4, Samsung announced that its longstanding Samsung Messages texting app will finally shut down for good this July. As has been the case with more recent Samsung phones, remaining Samsung Messages users will be migrated over to Google Messages for their new default texting app.

*** end quote ***

I’m not sure what hardware makers are thinking by trying to SHERLOCK an existing Google product.  But it can’t be needed or good for the bottom line. 

— 30 —

Leave a Comment » | GRAVEYARD | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

GRAVEYARD: Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported — off to the Microsoft Mothball Vault

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

FROM AN EMAIL BY MSFT

*** begin quote ***

Beginning 10/1/2026, Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported as part of Microsoft 365. Many common Publisher scenarios are available in other Microsoft 365 apps, including Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.

*** end quote ***

Microsoft is killing Microsoft Publisher just like it did with its ChromeOS competitor.  Off to the “Microsoft Mothball Vault”.

Of course there’s no reduction in price. Argh! Call it what it is “shrinkflation”. They give it the FU treatment and  “deprecate” it. Or whatever you want to call it — “sunsetting”!

Unlike when Google  SHERLOCKED (i.e., copy a successful product and give it away for free) like BITLY, they “deprecated” it like so many other GOOGLE “products and services”.

So to recap, we have seen: the #Google Graveyard, #AT&T_ashcan;  IoT products to their own graveyard; #DROPBOX  dustbin; Amazon has “sunset”; and … … … …

 … … … … the worst of all Google introduced “End of Life” to Chromebooks when I thought that Google had created the computer that was closest to an appliance like a toaster. But they threw in the EOL as planned obsolesce!

At least a toaster just sits there are works, unlike all this other <synonym for excrement>!

— 30 —

Leave a Comment » | GRAVEYARD | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

GRAVEYARD: Typepad, a wordpress competitor back in the day, is going down

Friday, September 5, 2025

https://everything.typepad.com/blog/2025/08/typepad-is-shutting-down.html

Typepad is shutting down

August 27, 2025

*** begin quote ***

We have made the difficult decision to discontinue Typepad, effective September 30, 2025. 

What Does This Mean for You? 

After September 30, 2025, access to Typepad – including account management, blogs, and all associated content – will no longer be available. Your account and all related services will be permanently deactivated.   

*** end quote ***

Luckily I chose WordPress and dabbled in Google’s Blogger.

Sad to see these “old” favorites going down.  Hope someone saves their content.

:-(

— 30 —

Leave a Comment » | GRAVEYARD | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj