This free Android assistant fixes my biggest Gemini frustration – and keeps my data private

Observe ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Dicio is a strong substitute for Google Assistant.
• Dicio handles primary duties very nicely (together with hands-free calling).
• The free app’s most important downside is that it doesn’t work with Android Auto.

I lately wrote concerning the problems Gemini has with reliably making hands-free calls. On condition that Assistant dealt with this activity with ease and predictability, it is worrisome that Google is about on completely tossing Assistant apart, with out having solved this hands-free concern.  

After I discovered that Google Assistant can be discontinued subsequent month, I made a decision to search for an alternate. That search led me to a free and open-source app referred to as Dicio.

In accordance with the Dicio GitHub web page, “Dicio is a free and open-source voice assistant working on Android. It helps many various expertise and enter/output strategies, and it gives each speech and graphical suggestions to a query. It interprets person enter and (when attainable) generates person output totally on-device, offering privateness by design.”

Additionally: The one Android settings shortcut I can’t live without – and how to customize it

Dicio can do issues like let you know the climate, search the web, discover tune lyrics, open apps, carry out calculations, navigate, name contacts, set timers, management media, let you know a joke, management wake-word listening, translate, learn notifications, and switch in your flashlight.

There are two issues I’ve discovered that Dicio cannot do: ship messages or compose emails through voice, and join with Android Auto.

These caveats apart, this useful voice assistant is a viable various to Google Assistant or Gemini, a lot in order that I’ve began utilizing it as my default. Even higher, every little thing is dealt with on-device, so you do not have to fret a few third-party listening in on what you are doing. 

How does Dicio stack as much as Google Assistant? Let’s discover out.

Putting in Dicio

Dicio is on the market within the Google Play Retailer, so all you need to do is seek for it, faucet the entry, then faucet Set up. As soon as put in, open the app and stroll by way of the setup wizard.

The very first thing you have to do is grant Dicio microphone permission. Faucet “Grant microphone permission” on the backside of the window, after which faucet “Whereas utilizing this app” when prompted.

Subsequent, you will have to obtain the mandatory speech-to-text file, so faucet “Obtain speech to textual content” on the backside of the display.

Additionally: 6 hidden Android features every user should know – and how they make life easier

After that, faucet “Grant permission” within the “Arrange wake phrase” card on the high. When prompted, faucet Enable, after which faucet Obtain to tug the AI mannequin.

That is it. Dicio is put in, arrange, and able to go.

Utilizing Dicio

Dicio is as straightforward to make use of as Assistant. You merely say, “Hey, Dicio…” adopted by what you need it to do.

Be aware: The proper pronunciation of the app (for the wake phrase) is “diss-eee-oh.” I’ve examined Dicio with the standard duties that Assistant would have dealt with for me, and listed here are my outcomes:

• Setting timers: Works as anticipated.
• Opening apps: All of the default Android apps work; another apps don’t. Dicio says it is opening the app (comparable to Spotify), however the app does not open.
• Controlling media: Controlling Spotify works flawlessly.
• Fingers-free telephone calls: Works as anticipated.
• Be aware-taking: Doesn’t work.
• Fingers-free navigation: Works nicely (utilizing Google Maps).
• Compose or ship emails and messages: Neither works.
• Climate: Works nicely.
• Calculations:  Doesn’t work (bug reported).
• Learn notifications: Works as anticipated. 
• Integration with Android Auto: Doesn’t work.

Additionally: I’ve used Android Auto for years, and these 5 changes solved my biggest issues

Clearly, there are options I might like to see added to Dicio, particularly the power to take notes, document audio notes, and ship emails/messages. Growth of Dicio is lively, so hopefully the builders are contemplating together with these options.

Even with out the power to ship emails/messages, take notes, and document audio, and even with the hit-or-miss opening of apps, I’ve discovered Dicio to be an essential substitute for when Google kicks Assistant to the curb. I would like so as to add Dicio to the Android Auto launcher, however in the intervening time, that is not attainable.

Accessible choices

In the event you click on the three horizontal line menu button close to the highest left of the Dicio window, and faucet Settings, you will see a number of choices you may modify, together with: language, theme, expertise, enter methodology, wake phrase recognition methodology, import customized wake phrase, search output methodology, play sound when beginning to hear, most silence earlier than begin of speech, and instantly ship results of speech to textual content pop-up.

So far as the import customized wake phrase choice is worried, I do not imagine that characteristic is meant for Android, because it requires Python Pip for set up through the command line.

Caveats

Dicio’s largest downside is that it at the moment doesn’t work with Android Auto. It’s because Google doesn’t acknowledge Dicio as a legitimate voice assistant for Android Auto. For Dicio to work with Android Auto, Google must change its stance. I am going to hold my fingers crossed.

Additionally: I started avoiding these 5 Android Auto mistakes, and it’s drastically improved my drives

Till then, I am going to hold utilizing Dicio as my default Assistant, and if I’ve to position hands-free calling when driving, I am going to make sure that it isn’t related to Android Auto. Sadly, this type of defeats the aim, however I would nonetheless somewhat know that every little thing is dealt with regionally than use cloud compute for sure actions, which may ship delicate information to Google’s servers.

One other concern for me is whether or not Gemini’s paid plans will finally trickle right down to the purpose the place the free service on Android can be severely restricted. I am not saying that is going to occur, however given Google’s current pricing options, I would not say that it is inconceivable both. The most cost effective plan (in the intervening time) is Gemini AI Plus, at $7.99/month , which will get you entry to Gemini Flash 3.5, the Gemini app with Omni, Google Movement with Gemini Omni, Every day Transient within the Gemini app, and AI Inbox in Gmail.

Though some primary Gemini options are nonetheless free, it is clear that Google’s future hinges on AI, so I would not be shocked if yet one more (cheaper) subscription tier arises. When that occurs, you may wager extra folks will flock to the likes of Dicio. I hope that when that point comes, Dicio is acknowledged as a legitimate voice assistant.