Google Assistant
Assistant is Google’s personal assistant that is capable of answering questions, performing automated tasks, and more.
Google Assistant button coming to more LG, Nokia, & Xiaomi Android phones in 2019
Nokia 3.2, Nokia 4.2 go official w/ Android One, Google Assistant button, notification LED in button
Nokia has seen explosive growth over the past couple of years, and the company isn’t slowing down with new models. Today at an event just ahead of MWC 2019, Nokia has announced a few new smartphones, including two new “mass-market” models. Here’s what you need to know about the Nokia 3.2 and the Nokia 4.2
LG’s latest budget Android phones have Google Assistant buttons and small notches
Ahead of MWC 2019, LG is unveiling a handful of new Android smartphones. The company has just officially announced the LG Q60, K50, and K40, all packing dedicated buttons for Google Assistant.
Google redesigns Assistant’s built-in list of features and commands
Since launching in 2016, Google Assistant has expanded from speakers to phones, headphones, and Smart Displays. Each platform has a way to surface all of Assistant’s capabilities, with the phone interface recently tweaking the “What can you do?” list of commands and features.
Google Assistant’s suggested actions carousel adds colorful icons on phones
Since Google Assistant launched on phones, the slide-up panel has featured a carousel of suggestion chips to help surface functionality. This feature has just been tweaked and more likely to draw your attention thanks to colorful icons.
Interpreter mode now widely available on Google Home speakers, Smart Displays
At CES 2019, Google announced interpreter mode for Google Home speakers and Smart Displays. The Assistant feature began rolling out earlier this month, and is now fully available for consumers as Google talks up the benefits for concierge and hotels.
[Update: Google statement] Google Assistant (mistakenly?) shows ads in results for one user
Google Assistant is an incredibly powerful and useful tool from Google, but as with any free product it’s eventually going to be subject to some sort of advertising. While we hope Google will be subtle about that, one user is seeing Google Assistant results that show ads and it’s pretty blatantly placed.
You can now use Google Assistant to train for HQ Trivia
HQ Trivia isn’t nearly as popular as it was this time last year, but the mobile game show still has a large collection of loyal players. Now, it’s a bit easier to train for your new HQ Trivia game thanks to a new integration with Google Assistant.
Google ‘refocusing’ Android Things for OEMs building smart speakers and displays
The Android Things platform finally launched in 2018 after an extensive developer preview period to power third-party Smart Displays and other speakers. Google is now “refocusing” the platform to prioritize OEM partners building that category of smart devices with Assistant built-in.
Google Assistant shortcut on mobile Search homepage now more widely available
Over the past several weeks, some users have spotted a Google Assistant shortcut on the Google.com mobile homepage. As of this evening, it appears to be widely rolled out and lets users launch Assistant on their phone.
Smart speaker customers are brand-loyal, 97% of owners only use one platform according to study
Smart speakers like Google Home and Amazon Echo are exploding in popularity, but it’s unclear which platform will truly dominate. It’s largely accepted, and proven, that Google Assistant is still the most capable of the bunch, and recent comments from Amazon leave the door open for devices with multiple assistants. According to a new study, though, consumers just pick one and run with it.
Nest Secure can now be turned into another Google Assistant speaker for your home
Google Assistant speakers come in all shapes and sizes, and I think one of the most clever uses is that of the Nest Cam IQ. Now, Nest Secure is getting an update which enables that same functionality, turning the home security system into yet another Google Assistant speaker for your home.
Google posts ‘100 Billion Words’ Super Bowl commercial featuring Translate, Assistant [Video]
Next to Search and YouTube, Google Translate is one of the company’s most well-known and genuinely useful tools. The service is the star of Google’s 2019 Super Bowl commercial, and aims to be heartfelt with a message of bringing people together.
Google expands Home Alone Again cinematic universe with Joe Pesci reaction video
Last December, Google released a funny Christmas-themed ad called “Home Alone Again” that saw Macaulay Culkin reprising his role as Kevin McCallister. Featuring a smart home with Google Assistant devices, the company today posted what is essentially a reaction video of Joe Pesci watching that ad.
Google Home Essentials: TP-Link Kasa KC120 Cam [Video]
Affordable home security cameras are often few and far between, even less so if you want Google Home or Google Assistant connected Wi-Fi security cameras.
[Update: Fixed] Google Assistant reminder notifications are currently broken, seemingly caused by latest app update
Google Assistant has literally hundreds of useful features and functions, and one of the more simple ones is setting reminders. A quick notification to remind you of whatever you want is very handy. However, over the past few days, many users on Android have discovered that Google Assistant reminders, specifically notifications, are completely broken at the moment.
Google Home Essentials: TP-Link Kasa smart plugs [Video]
One of the very best ways to introduce smart tech into your Google Home ecosystem is in the form of smart plugs. Fortunately, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug is a superb addition to your Google Home ecosystem.
Google app with Material Theme bottom bar, reorganized settings more widely rolling out
The Google app already features the Material Theme, but a revamp more widely rolling out this week tweaks additional elements. Settings and the “More” tab have been completely redesigned with menus and options reorganized for easier access.
Latest Google app beta reveals possible Google Assistant dark mode [Gallery]
As a leak of Android Q confirmed earlier this week, dark modes will play an important role in the next version of the mobile operating system. Google has been revamping apps in recent weeks to feature the other theme, with more updates planned. Now, Google Assistant appears to be the latest service due for a dark mode.
Google Assistant redesign with compact controls for phones rolling out now
At CES 2019, Google kicked off the year with a slew of Assistant announcements like handling flight check-ins and hotel bookings. Google Assistant is now rolling out a revamped phone interface that places controls and buttons closely together.
Google Home Essentials: 10 of the best Google Assistant apps
There are a number of Google Home Essentials that we want to uncover and build as we delve into the power of the Google Assistant and its services over time. And that includes the growing library of Assistant apps.
Expand
Expanding
Close
You can now more easily create Actions for Google Assistant w/ Java & Kotlin
As both Google Home and Google Assistant devices become more ubiquitous in our lives, making new Actions for the Assistant becomes an almost necessary step for developers. To make it easier for Android developers (among others) to make the leap, today, Google has released a Java & Kotlin library for Actions on Google.
Google Assistant expands to Polish language over the next few weeks, Arabic apparently in testing
Google has slowly been expanding language support for the Assistant over the past several months. Today, the company has announced that Google Assistant is adding support for the Polish language over the coming weeks.
Comment: Google Assistant’s ‘Pretty Please’ should not sacrifice utility in its quest to be kind
Not too long ago, I was able to treat the Google Assistant with a level of respect due to the entity that fits comfortably between “faceless voice” and “future robot overlord.” Something happened over the holidays though. With the launch of Pretty Please, being nice to the Google Assistant suddenly became an annoyance.
