Google Assistant

Almost since their debut, Google Assistant speakers have featured the ability to make phone calls, but only in that one direction. Now, Google Assistant speakers are gaining the ability to receive calls as well, but only on one telecommunications company for now.

The new Google Assistant has had a look of its own since it launched on the Pixel in 2019. Google looked to be bringing elements of that interface to other devices with a UI that we dubbed as being “compact.” NGA is now losing its original transparent look.

Back in August, a “Hey Google, show me my day” command was added to quickly launch Assistant’s recap feed on Android. Google also previewed a number of other Assistant Snapshot features coming, with “Catch up on news” and a FAB with shortcuts now widely available.

Google’s last announcement at Search On 2020 will likely be its most popular. Starting today, you can “Hum to Search” using Google to find out what song has been stuck in your head.

Beyond phones and Smart Displays/speakers, Google Assistant is available on a slew of other devices. Google today is highlighting other form factors that recently launched with Assistant, including Samsung TVs and Fitbit.

Google Play Music will soon be shut down, pushing its users to either YouTube Music or to switch to another provider entirely. Parts of Play Music have been closing for a few weeks, and now, Google Assistant speakers are losing support.

Over the past four years, Google has expanded its smart speaker lineup quite a bit. This week, the new Nest Audio is hitting doorsteps, but where does it fall in the lineup? Here’s how Nest Audio compares to Home Max, Nest Mini, Google Home, and everything else.

At I/O 2019, Google announced the Interactive Canvas framework to bring full-screen visuals and animations to what were previously voice-only Actions. After making a big push for games on Smart Displays, Google is now letting developers build interactive education and storytelling apps.

Google today announced a big push to make it easy for Google Assistant to control your Android apps, and that includes everything from ordering a smoothie with Postmates to sending a snap with Snapchat. It also includes… tying your shoes, apparently? That’s the nifty demo Google sent us in the form of a pair of Nike Adapts, which I can confidently say is equal parts awesome and a bit unnecessary.

Google Assistant is available on a slew of platforms from cars to TVs and wearables. However, the place where it has really taken off is inside the home on Smart Displays and speakers to control household fixtures. Google now wants to bring Assistant’s ubiquity to Android apps.

While fans of using Android in the car may be more excited by the upcoming launch of Google Assistant Driving Mode, Android Auto is preparing improvements of its own with custom shortcuts to Assistant actions and contacts.

Google positions Assistant as being able to provide help throughout your day, and recently rolled out Gentle Sleep & Wake to all smart lights, while Routines let you quickly turn off devices for the night. Google Assistant is now readying integration with health services so that you can verbally ask for fitness and sleep information.

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness month, with Google yesterday highlighting what Chrome is doing to protect user privacy and security. Today, the company announced a Google Assistant guest mode and in-app critical security alerts.

Back at I/O 2019, Google announced that the on-phone experience of Android Auto was on the way out, set to be replaced with a new “Google Assistant Driving Mode” experience. As of the most recent beta update to the Google app, we’ve finally been able to enable Assistant Driving Mode and get a preview of how it will look and work.

October is International Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month, and Google is working to make Assistant available on Tobii Dynavox devices, as well as updating Action Blocks to provide a more familiar experience.

Since the revamped Snapshot feed launched in March, Google has been adding more and more features. Google Assistant now offers settings to control which cards appear in Snapshot.

Google has been putting out smart home speakers for a few years now, but up until earlier this year the original Google Home was still the most well-rounded option out there. That changes today, as Google Nest Audio goes on sale — here’s what the reviews are saying.

Google Play Music is set to stop working for users around the world starting this month. YouTube Music continues to add legacy features to ease the transition, with Google Assistant now working to play personal playlists.

One of the most impressive software features to debut with the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 is “Hold for Me.” The Google Assistant will stay on the line until an actual human being comes on for you to directly interact with.