Google Assistant

Perhaps like many of you, I’ve had to embrace the world of Bluetooth headphones and earbuds much sooner than I would’ve liked. Mobvoi makes some superb Wear OS smartwatches, but the IndieGoGo-backed TicPods Free finally give Android users a solid alternative to Apple AirPods.

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While Google Assistant smart displays options are still quite limited, there’s already a model for nearly every user. The first option was that of the Lenovo Smart Display. Though now, everything is compared to the Google Home Hub that undercut the pricing of everyone else. For Black Friday, however, the Home Hub and smaller Lenovo Smart Display have the same price tag, and I think Lenovo’s might be a better buy. Here’s why.

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Way back at CES this past January, Google Assistant smart displays were revealed, and LG was among one of Google’s first partners. However, following Lenovo and JBL launches, LG was fairly quiet. Today, launch details for the LG smart display, WK9, have been revealed, including a $100 price cut.

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While the Pixel 3 doesn’t add a lot of jaw-dropping new features, one that turned heads was the call screening feature. Now, it’s looking like Pixel 2 call screening is starting to roll out.

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Amid a series of hardware unveils at 10/9, Google announced several new features for Assistant. The Home View dashboard launched on the Google Home Hub and made its way to other Smart Displays, along with Digital Wellbeing. Google Assistant is now adding Broadcast replies, cooking cards, and more.

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Routines in Google Assistant allow users to string together various Actions that are naturally invoked together over the course of a day. Useful for controlling smart home gadgets, these custom macros now integrate with Google Clock to invoke after an alarm is dismissed. Meanwhile, Assistant will soon be able to invoke Do Not Disturb on your phone.

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Earlier this month, a Google Assistant redesign first announced at I/O 2018 began rolling out on Android. Taking cues from Smart Displays, the Assistant became more visual, touch-friendly, and provided quick access to the Updates feed. Over the past 24 hours, a Google Assistant bug has caused this design to disappear for some users.

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Over the past decade, Google has mapped the external world extensively and increasingly wants to do the same for the indoors. For example, mapping stores could make it easier for customers to find products. Google is now partnering with Roomba-maker iRobot to get a better sense of your house and improve your smart home.

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The Google Home Hub, despite a few omissions, is probably the best Smart Display available for the vast majority of those looking to buy an assistant powered home control screen. I always saw Google’s own Smart Display effort as a potential threat to the JBL Link View and Lenovo Smart Display, but let me explain the differences (as of today) and why my first statement will apply to most considering a device in this category.

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Google kicked off its Halloween festivities yesterday with an open call to recreate costumes in VR with Tilt Brush. Ahead of tomorrow, the latest Google Doodle is the company’s “first-ever multiplayer interactive game” and also powered by the Google Cloud Platform.

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Just about a month ago, Roku announced that Google Assistant support would be coming to the platform. Now, Roku Google Assistant support is rolling out to users with compatible hardware.

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For several years now, the Google app allowed users to unlock a device with your voice when interacting with Google Assistant. After removing on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, “Unlock with Voice Match” appears to be nearing deprecation and replacement on all other Android devices given that it’s not too secure.

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As we learned earlier this week, the Assistant is getting a visual revamp on Chrome OS, coinciding with the upgrade to Android Pie. Now, it seems that the Pixelbook and Pixel Slate won’t be the only devices seeing the redesign, as evidenced by a new Chrome flag.

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Following our report yesterday about Voice Action Services, Google confirmed to us that the app was created to comply with the European Commission’s decision against Android app bundling. The company also detailed the general functionality, but emphasized how it’s distinct from Google Assistant in a key way.

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At I/O 2018, Google announced that Assistant would allow users to set a default lists and notes service. With the latest Google app beta, it’s finally beginning to roll out, and it includes a built-in Assistant provider for users that don’t want to use a third-party solution.

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Last week, Google detailed how it would comply with the European Commission’s $5 billion antitrust fine and ruling on Android. Ahead of new manufacturer licenses coming into effect next week, Google is seemingly preparing by unbundling key services like Google Assistant into separate Play Store apps.

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Over the past year, YouTube Kids introduced human-curated channels and allowed parents to whitelist videos after some failings with the algorithm. The service is now coming to Smart Displays, Google Home, and Cast-connected televisions.

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