Meta continues to intensify its presence in the artificial intelligence sector, challenging other giants such as Google, Openai and Xai. After bringing a destination to Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, the company launched a dedicated app for Android.

With the latest update, this app can even replace Google Gemini as a default digital assistant on the smartphone. But there is a problem: The most basic functionality that is expected from an assistant is missingthe vocal chat.

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Destination for as a default digital assistant: a still very limited choice

With the version 230.0.0.36.164 of the app Meta Ai for Android, users can now Set it as a default digital assistant. To do this you need to follow the path: Settings> App> Default App> Digital Assistant and select Meta Ai.

From that moment, the meta assistant can be recalled with the same gestures normally used for Assistant or Gemini:

  • prolonged pressure of the power button, if this option is active;
  • Home button pressure, for those who use three buttons navigation;
  • Or swipe from the lower corner of the screen, for those who use navigation through gestures.

The behavior, however, is very different from that of other digital assistants: the action in fact does not open an interactive interface to ask questions or impart voice commands (as happens with Gemini), but Simply launches the Meta AI AIwhich therefore in the end is equivalent to picking up on the app icon, eliminating the advantage of the swipe.

Here emerges the critical point: Meta Ai does not support native vocal input. It is not possible to speak to the assistant to start a conversation or ask for information, as is the case with Assistant, Alexa or Gemini.

The only way to “speak” with a destination is to use the vocal detouring of the keyboard: which however is a little practical trick and that does not offer an experience comparable to that of a real vocal assistant.

In other words, to use euphemism There are not many reasons to set destination to as a default digital assistant as it does not become a real voice on the phone, but only a quick connection to the relative app. But for that, at this point, it is better to have the icon.

Despite the aforementioned, big, limits the goal app offers good possibilities.

In fact, through the app users can:

  • Create texts and writings,
  • generate images and videos with text prompt,
  • apply Special effects and template To make Reel ready for Instagram or Facebook,
  • consult a public feed of creations as a source of inspiration.

Interesting functions, but all already available directly within Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, without having to install a separate app or replace Gemini.

The truth is that, at present, The choice has few concrete advantages. The app does not react to voice commands, does not manage the system search, does not start calls or reminder with the voice.

In practice, it is only a faster way to open the Meta Ai app, but without the immediate interactivity functions typical of digital assistants.

It is not difficult to imagine that, in the coming months, Meta can introduce support to the voice and other key functions of the assistants. At that point, the app could become a real alternative to Gemini or Alexa.

For now, however, one remains one very lacking solution: useful only if you want to have the whole world of a destination in a separate and organized app, but still very far from being complete substitute for existing vowels.