assistant
Latest
Amazon's Echo Auto comes to the UK, Canada and parts of Europe
Amazon's Echo Auto is now available outside of the US, Australia and India.
Google is working on voice confirmation for purchases with Assistant
Voice-based shopping is coming to Google Assistant.
Google Assistant's redesigned feed is rolling out on iOS
Over the last few weeks, Google has been slowly rolling out a redesigned "Snapshot" feed to Assistant on Android devices that makes the updates portion of the app more visual. As of today, it's also available on iOS.
Microsoft will remove Cortana from its Android launcher in April
Some significant changes are coming to Cortana. Starting this spring, Microsoft said it plans to make productivity the focus of the digital assistant. As part of the shift, Cortana will lose some of its more consumer-facing features, such as the ability to play music and control smart home devices. More significantly, the company plans to remove the digital assistant from its Launcher app on Android.
Google dresses up search for the Oscars with a dedicated hub
This year's Academy Awards ceremony is only a few days away and Google's getting ready for the big night with Oscar-focused updates to Search and Assistant. Search for "Oscars 2020" on your phone starting today and you'll see a dedicated hub for the awards with this year's nominees and past winners in each category. You can also get some insight into what it's like to receive an Academy Award nod from nominees through some short Cameos videos.
Facebook is working on its own operating system
In an attempt to free itself from other tech giants like Google, Facebook is developing its own operating system (OS), The Information reports. In the future, Facebook's hardware products, like Oculus and Portal devices, could run on the OS, Facebook exec Ficus Kirkpatrick said.
Google Assistant's interpreter mode is coming to iOS and Android
Early this year, Google brought its real-time translation feature, interpreter mode, to Assistant-enabled smart displays and speakers. Now, the feature is rolling out to Assistant-enabled Android and iOS phones worldwide.
Google Assistant can create alarms based on weather and time of day
An update on its way to Lenovo Smart Clock will add a Google Assistant option that can switch up the alarm ringtone based on factors such as the time of day and the weather. In fact, Google's AI can create and curate the piano ringtones for you.
Google Nest lets you read to your kids even when you're apart
The bedtime story is a cherished ritual between parents and their children, and one that hurts the most to miss when mom or dad are away. But now, Google Nest is launching a new Assistant action that will help keep story time on the agenda, no matter how far away you are from your kids.
Google Assistant uses ‘Duplex on the Web’ to buy your movie tickets
Since last year, you've been able to purchase movie tickets using your voice with Google Assistant and Fandango. Today, Google is enhancing that capability to make it more versatile.
Pandora now works in Spanish on Alexa and Google Assistant
Pandora can now respond to requests en español in the US via Alexa and Google Assistant. You can activate Spanish voice controls by adding the language through the Alexa or Assistant settings.
Google Voice users can start calls and send messages with Siri
Following its latest iOS update, Google Voice now works with Siri. You can use Apple's assistant to start calls or send messages through the service. You can enable Siri control by going to the Google Voice options and marking a default account for calls outside the app. Then, you'll have to activate the Use with Siri option for the app in the iOS device settings.
Here's everything Google announced at the Pixel 4 event
Despite all of the leaks ahead of Google's Pixel 4 hardware event today, the company still had plenty to share. Of course, we got our first official look at the Pixelbook Go and Pixel 4/4XL, but we also got to see the new Nest Mini, Nest WiFi and Pixel Buds. And Google had plenty of new features -- like ultrasound sensing and an improved Recorder app -- to wow the crowd.
Nest WiFi's range extenders double as smart speakers
The Pixel 4 wasn't the only secret Google couldn't keep from spilling all over the internet. Another device, the Nest WiFi, has been leaked a couple of times before the company's Made by Google event in New York City today. But now it's official. As rumored, Google's new Nest WiFi can be paired to "points," aka beacons, that will help extend the range of your wireless network at home. Not only that, but these Nest WiFi points can double as smart speakers, making them compatible with Google Assistant. This means you'll be able to use your voice to control your WiFi setup, like if you ever want to say "Hey Google, pause WiFi for kids devices."
McDonald's is using Alexa and Google Assistant to hire new workers
McDonald's has launched a new voice experience for both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, but it's not for hungry customers looking to order a couple of burgers. It's called Apply Thru, and the company says it's the world's first voice-initiated application process. To summon it, job seekers simply need to say "Alexa/OK Google, help me get a job at McDonald's" or "Talk to McDonald's Apply Thru."
Google Assistant gets new voice options in nine more languages
Google Assistant users outside the US haven't had much choice when it comes to voice options -- until now, as Google launches a second voice for Assistant in French, German, Dutch, Japanese, Norwegian, Korean, Italian and English for India and the UK.
Google WiFi successor could include Assistant-enabled beacons
When it hosts its Pixel 4 launch event on October 15th, Google could announce an interesting new update to its WiFi mesh router. According to 9 to 5 Google's Stephan Hall, the company plans to update the device by adding a newly designed Assistant-enabled beacon to the mix. Building on what companies like Eero offer, Google's new beacons will not only extend the range of a WiFi network, they'll double as voice-activated smart speakers like the Home Mini. This is a new approach for Google. With the company's current setup, you add multiple Google WiFis, all of which are full-fledged router units, to create a WiFi network that covers your entire home.
Apple Music for Android works with Chromecast devices in the latest beta
Good news for Apple Music users on Android: the music streaming service now works with Chromecast displays and speakers. The feature is available through the latest beta of the app.
Microsoft contractors listened to what people told their Xbox consoles
Microsoft contractors reportedly listened to Xbox owners too. Earlier this month, we learned that contractors heard audio snippets from Skype calls and Cortana interactions. Now, Vice reports that Microsoft contractors also listened to audio picked up by Xbox consoles. The device was only supposed to capture audio after voice commands, like "Xbox" or "Hey Cortana," but contractors claim recordings were sometimes triggered accidentally.
Samsung's Galaxy Note 10 doesn't have a headphone jack or Bixby button
Remember those Samsung ads mocking Apple's latest iPhones for not having a headphone jack? Well, it looks like the company is going to have to make some about itself. That's because, as leaks suggested, Samsung's new Galaxy Note 10 won't have one. Instead of a 3.5mm port, the smartphone will use USB-C for audio and basically anything else that requires physical connectivity. While the Note 10 comes with a pair of USB-C earbuds, the lack of a traditional 3.5mm jack means you'll need a dongle if you want to use your own, non-wireless headphones.
