You can’t even set a timer with Gemini without enabling Gemini app activity (you used to be able to before, but that changed many months ago). This means it can’t even replicate the basic functionality of assistant out of the box, without agreeing to give Google even more rights to your data, in no way would I consider it a replacement unless it’s able to fulfil the basic functionality of assistant with the same permissions.
You can’t even set a timer with Gemini without enabling Gemini app activity (you used to be able to before, but that changed many months ago). This means it can’t even replicate the basic functionality of assistant out of the box, without agreeing to give Google even more rights to your data, in no way would I consider it a replacement unless it’s able to fulfil the basic functionality of assistant with the same permissions.