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

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. Dicio is a solid replacement for Google Assistant. Dicio handles basic tasks very well (including hands-free calling). The free app's main drawback is that it does not work with Android Auto. I recently wrote about the problems Gemini has with reliably making hands-free calls. Given that Assistant handled this task with ease and predictability, it's worrisome that Google is set on permanently tossing Assistant aside, without having solved this hands-free issue. When I learned that Google Assistant would be discontinued next month, I decided to look for an alternative. That search led me to a free and open-source app…