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Google is testing a way to activate Assistant without wake words
A leaker triggered the voice assistant just by getting close to a Nest Hub Max.
Google has added more natural-sounding voices to Assistant
A credit card CVC verification option is also on the way to smart displays.
Google's Nest Hub could be your next hotel concierge
'Hey Google, when is the pool open?'
Google promises better search results for recipes, jobs and shopping
It also rolled out Assistant-powered audio messages on Android.
Upcoming Google Nest smart speaker emerges in regulatory filing
Google looks to be doubling down on its fabric aesthetic.
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.
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.
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.
Google Assistant has a new look on the Pixel 4
Google has given Assistant an overhaul, giving it a fresh look for Pixel 4 and making the voice assistant more useful, with a better understanding of context for the information or actions you ask it about. At the Made by Google event, the company showcased some of what the new Assistant has in store, including a zippy flow from Maggie Rogers' Twitter account to her upcoming shows, sharing that info with a friend and looking for tickets using the Continued Conversation feature.
Google vows to never store Assistant recordings without permission
Google has announced that it will do more to protect user privacy for its Google Assistant and confirmed that it doesn't save voice recordings by default. The news comes after revelations that a Google contractor was leaking private user audio recordings meant to improve its translation service. "It's clear that we fell short of our high standards in making it easy for you to understand how your data is used, and we apologize," wrote the company wrote in a blog post.
Google may soon let you search with a screenshot
Google might be about to do pair up two mobile screen-related features, "Edit & Share screenshots" and the AI-powered "What's on my Screen," according to some APK digging by 9 to 5 Google. A new feature called "Smart Screenshots," tucked into the latest version of the Google 10.61 app, brings up an updated toolbar when you take a screenshot. As before, you get edit, share and the option to use your favorite app to send the shot, but there's a new option with the latest version: Lens.
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.
Google Assistant takes on the sticky note with assignable reminders
Setting reminders for yourself is easy, but not so much when you want to remind someone else of their responsibilities. You often have to resort to old-fashioned techniques like text messages and Post-it notes, which are easily lost and forgotten. Google, however, has come up with an alternative solution. Now, you can ask Google Assistant to assign reminders to other people, specifically family and household members.
Google is phasing out the old Voice Search in favor of Assistant
The familiar microphone icon in Google's search bar might soon be a thing of the past, according to some recent changes spotted by 9 to 5 Google. On some phones, Google's old-school "Voice Search," with the prompt "Say 'Hey Google,'" has been replaced by the four-dot Assistant logo and the term "Ask your Assistant." As a reminder, that's just like the one at the bottom of Google's Pixel launcher. It still opens the same interface as before, but the search is now performed by Assistant and displays the results in a slide-up card.
JBL's long-delayed Android TV soundbar is finally here
JBL made a big splash last year at Google I/O 2108 with its $400 Link Bar that works as an Android TV Box, Google Assistant speaker and Chromecast device all in one. It turned out to be harder to stuff all that in than expected, however, as the device was significantly delayed following pre-orders that started nearly a year ago. Now, the wait is over, as JBL has announced that the Link Bar is finally available.
Sonos brings Google Assistant to its speakers in the UK
Sonos users in the UK will soon have another option to control their speakers, as Google Assistant support is arriving with a software update that's rolling out as of today. You can use the voice assistant to control your setup directly through Sonos One and Beam, or use a connected Google Home device or the Assistant app.
Alphabet's cybersecurity company Chronicle will join Google Cloud
Alphabet's cybersecurity company Chronicle announced today that it's joining Google and will become part of Google Cloud. The cybersecurity company launched in January 2018, and it released its first commercial product, Backstory, in March. In a blog post, Chronicle CEO and co-founder Stephen Gillett said Google Cloud's cybersecurity tools and Chronicle's Backstory and VirusTotal are complementary and will be leveraged together.
Now it's easy to order food in Google Assistant, Search and Maps
Starting today, you'll be able to order food via Google Assistant, Search and Maps in the US. At the outset, Google is working with DoorDash, Postmates, Delivery.com, Slice and ChowNow, with support for Zuppler and more on the way.
Google will let you play simple games on smart displays
Starting today, developers will be able to create games for Google's smart displays. Google is opening up access to a Google Assistant-based framework called Interactive Canvas, which will allow them to build full-screen apps (or Actions) on smart displays that bring together touchscreen inputs, voice and visuals. For the time being, games are the only type of Actions they can create for smart displays using Canvas, with more categories coming soon.
