Gemini voice calling on Android Auto keeps failing me - and Google has until September to fix it

Google is officially shutting down Assistant in September, leaving only Gemini as the digital assistant on Android. The author experienced frequent failures with Gemini's hands-free calling, especially when connected to Android Auto, with errors like 'Something went wrong. Please try again.' Users have also reported issues with Gemini not playing songs. Assistant was reliable for calls and messages, but Gemini often fails, prompting the author to avoid using the feature. This unreliability forces drivers to look at their phones, increasing distracted driving risks; in 2024, 3,208 lives were lost in the US due to distracted driving. The author also found that third-party launchers don't work with Gemini's voice activation. Google must either allow Assistant or fix Gemini's hands-free calling on Android Auto, as it's a safety issue.