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Google Assistant will understand even more about your life
Google Assistant will be able to use information you share with it about the people, places and events in your life so it has a stronger understanding of queries related to them. Google Assistant VP of engineering Scott Huffman said, with the Personal References feature, it'll have better context for queries such as "weather at Mom's house" or asking it to remind you to buy a gift before someone's birthday. With an eye on privacy, Huffman said you'll be able to add, edit or delete those details at any time from the You tab in the Assistant app settings.
Google Assistant's bedtime stories come to iOS and Android
Once upon a time (well, in 2017), Google Assistant learned a new trick on Google Home devices: how to tell stories to kids. Ahead of National Tell a Story Day taking place on Saturday, youngsters now have more ways to hear a bedtime tale. As of today, the feature will be available on iOS and Android phones in English in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and India.
Google's first auto accessory is like a Home Mini for the car
One way to get Google Assistant into your car is to simply buy a car with Android Auto. Of course, that's not exactly practical, and it doesn't help if you're looking for something a little older. You can also install the Android Auto app on your phone, which works well if you have a car mount. A few months ago, however, Google announced another possible solution: a line of aftermarket auto accessories that will offer yet another way to bring Assistant into the car. It's partnering with third-party manufacturers to do so, and the first is Anker's $50 Roav Bolt. We gave it a brief spin recently, and though it has a few issues, it does appear to be an easy and affordable way to get Google Assistant in your ride.
Google brings dedicated Assistant buttons to more phones
Google Assistant buttons won't just be limited to a handful of LG phones this year. The internet giant has widened its partnerships to add dedicated buttons to a whole range of handsets in 2019, including returning partner LG (on phones like the G8 ThinQ, V50 ThinQ and K40) and Nokia (3.2 and 4.2). Phones from Xiaomi (Mi Mix 3 5G and Mi 9), Vivo (V15 Pro) and TCL are also in line for Assistant buttons later on. Google expects over 100 million phones to ship with a hardware shortcut to its AI helper, and that's not including Samsung phone owners who remap their Bixby buttons.
Amazon and Google ask for non-stop data from smart home devices
You'd expect voice assistants to collect data whenever you control a smart home device -- that's how they work. Amazon and Google have lately been asking for a continuous flow of data in the name of convenience, however, and those device makers aren't always happy. Bloomberg has learned that Logitech and other hardware makers (some speaking anonymously) have objected to these requests for a steady stream of information over concerns they could violate privacy. Logitech has purposefully provided generic information rather than talking about individual devices, while others have reportedly asked for privacy "concessions" and have been rejected.
Chrome OS update expands Google Assistant and Android Pie support
Google has moved the latest version of its Chrome OS from beta to release status, and with the arrival of version 72 there are changes you'll notice -- if you're using the right kind of device. One of the biggest adjustments is its native integration of Google Assistant (and Android 9 Pie) that brings it to more Chromebooks. Similar to Android, there's a pill-shaped bar at the center of the screen that can expand for users to type into, or access via voice controls. If you're using Chrome OS on some convertible tablet-style hardware like the Pixel Slate, you'll probably appreciate updates to the Chrome browser that make it easier to control with the touchscreen while in tablet mode. 9to5Google notes there's also a now on-by-default picture-in-picture mode for videos playing in the browser, as well as tweaks to menus for its Cast feature and Settings. On the security front, Chrome OS 72 sandboxes its "Shill" network manager to prevent exploits like this one uncovered in 2016, and it delivers the USBGuard feature that secures down access to its ports when the device is locked. That helps prevent attacks using "Rubber Ducky" USB devices that plug in and pretend to be a keyboard to execute commands when your computer should be safely asleep. As usual, Chrome OS hardware should grab the update automatically over the next few days.
Google Assistant’s interpreter mode is ready to translate
Last month, we had our first glimpse of Google Assistant's interpreter mode for smart displays and speakers. Now, everyone with Google Home devices or smart displays (as well as some smart speakers) can try out the mode after Google started rolling it out to those devices, as noted by Android Police.
Nest's security hub doubles as a Google Assistant device
You can already use Google Assistant to control a Nest Secure system, but the company is taking things one step further. From now on, the Guard hub at the heart of Secure can serve as a Google Assistant device. You can ask about the weather before you set the alarm without having to be in shouting distance of a dedicated smart speaker, for instance. Common features like Routines, reminders and smart home control will work as well.
Google Assistant notifications were broken on Android
Google Assistant hasn't been quite so... assistive lately. Numerous users reported that Google Assistant notifications have been broken on Android, preventing reminders and other important alerts from getting through. The problem appears to have started with updates to the Google app over the past several days, particularly the most recent (9.0.6). Some had success by uninstalling updates or clearing their app cache, but it didn't appear to have been truly fixed until a server-side update arrived on January 28th.
Google Assistant may scan your face to personalize commands
Google might soon have an alternative to voice matching when you want to use Assistant to get personalized results. The latest beta for Android's Google app includes code references to a previously hinted-at Face Match feature that, as the name implies, would scan your visage to provide tailored commands on camera-equipped devices. While there isn't a detailed description, you'd have to both train the system and could add multiple devices. Your face profile wouldn't be limited to one gadget, which some companies do in the name of security.
Google kills its Chromecast Audio dongle
If you've been thinking about whether to pick up a Chromecast Audio to make your audio setup a little smarter, you should probably make your mind up quickly. Google has confirmed it's discontinuing the device.
Google used CES 2019 to show off just how big its Assistant is
Google made a huge splash at CES 2018, taking over the parking lot with a giant interactive booth. This year, the company was back, and everything was bigger. I mean, the entire second floor of the booth was a Google Assistant Ride, basically the company's version of Disney's iconic "It's a Small World" ride. But, you know, as a marketing stunt rather than inspirational experience. The literally massive Google Playground dovetailed nicely with Google's news here at CES 2019. The company will hit 1 billion active Assistant devices by the end of the month, up from 400 million the year before. There's no doubt Google has incredible momentum behind it, but as for this year's news? Well, it was a little more modest. Google rolled out a nice new Interpreter tool, added the Assistant into Google Maps navigation, revealed a slew of new hardware partners, and showed off some clever new third-party Assistant hardware. But what's perhaps most important is that even without a huge new feature or hardware device to show off, Google is broadcasting to everyone that it'll be at CES for years to come, getting the Assistant on as many devices as possible and slugging it out with Amazon for voice-activated dominance.
Breaking down the Google Assistant news and strategy for 2019
You can't escape the Google Assistant at CES 2019. Not only did the company set up a massive booth, complete with a mini roller coaster-like train ride, but it also has a giant gumball machine parked in front of the entrance to the convention center's Central Hall. Google also announced a torrent of new Assistant features and devices, including the Lenovo Smart Clock, the Assistant Connect platform, Interpreter Mode on smart displays, flight check-in capability, punctuations in dictated replies and more. It's clear that Assistant is not just getting more useful, but it's also going to permeate even more of our lives. Director of product management for the Google Assistant Chris Turkstra joined us on stage at CES to go over the news and give us a hint of what's coming this year.
Sonos finally showed Google Assistant working on its speakers
Yesterday, Google mentioned speaker-maker Sonos as one of many home device brands whose products would work with Google Assistant. Google's press release wasn't the clearest, and the wording implied that we could see the feature very soon on Sonos' two voice-enabled speakers, the One and the Beam. But Sonos fans who've been waiting for this feature know that the company hasn't said anything publicly since November, when it announced it wouldn't meet its 2018 timeframe for Google Assistant support.
Google stuffed Assistant in a smart button and e-ink screen
It's hard to imagine but Assistant is just two and a half years old (officially anyway), and it's finding its own identity. Assistant is on track to be on a billion devices by the end of January, and is in 80 countries and almost 30 languages. But Google isn't done trying to squeeze Assistant into everything imaginable, and is launching a new program to make it cheaper and easier for companies to integrate the digital helper. It's introducing a preview of the Google Assistant Connect platform today at CES 2019, which uses existing smart home platforms to expand to new device types.
Some 'earlier' Sonos speakers will work with Google Assistant this year
Sonos has been talking about its plans to bring Google Assistant support to its speakers for a long time now. Unfortunately, we don't have much of an update on exactly when that'll happen, but Google did have a little new info for us on what speakers will be supported. As we already know, the Sonos One and Sonos Beam (both of have mics that work with Amazon's Alexa) will be able to use the Google Assistant at some point in 2019 -- but some unspecified "earlier" speakers will also receive Google Assistant upgrades too.
Google Assistant will finally field requests in Maps
If you're a heavy commuter you might have noticed that Google Assistant has carved out a home for itself in the Android and iOS Google Maps apps. Turns out, Google was quietly testing it this whole time and some users got early access to the feature a little early. Now, thankfully, it's live and ready for just about everyone.
Google Assistant in a smart display offers helpful live interpretation
Google is taking its translation prowess a step further with a new Interpreter Mode for the Assistant in smart displays. Instead of having to whip out your phone, installing an app or opening a browser, using Interpreter Mode on Google Smart Displays is easier since you start it with a simple "Hey Google, German interpreter" command. Anyone with a Home Hub or Lenovo Smart Display can ask Assistant to be an interpreter in one of 27 supported languages (more will be added over time) in the next few weeks. But Google sees this as a bigger play in hotels. It's launching a pilot test this week at the concierge in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, the Hyatt in San Francisco and the Dream Downtown hotels in New York City.
Google Assistant will soon check into your flight for you
Frequent travelers will soon receive a godsend courtesy of Google. The company is rolling out a new feature to the Google Assistant that will let you check in to your flights just by saying "Hey Google, check in to my flight." You won't have to dig through emails or screenshots to find your confirmation number while standing in front of a kiosk. Assistant is already clever enough to know what it is, and will work with airlines to seamlessly complete your check in.
Google Assistant is coming to Dish's Hopper receivers
The first few days of CES have shown that the big TV makers are all about bringing voice assistants to their sets. Dish seems to think that's a good idea too, so today it's announcing that it is bringing the Google Assistant to its Hopper family of set-top boxes. It'll be available in "the coming months" via a software update for owners of the Hopper, Joey and Wally receivers who also have voice remotes. If you don't have a voice remote, Dish says you can pick one up for $20.
