Google Assistant

1,243 'Google Assistant' stories June 2012 - July 2018

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Assistant is Google’s personal assistant that is capable of answering questions, performing automated tasks, and more.

Devices powered by the Google Assistant |

Google Assistant rolling out scheduling Custom Routines by time/day

Abner Li Jul 26 2018 - 3:57 pm PT

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At I/O 2018, Google announced a number of new features for Home smart speakers including six new voices, Continued Conversation, and Multiple Actions. Custom Routines were also introduced to replace Shortcuts and today the feature is gaining the ability to schedule the macros to trigger at set times.

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Lenovo Smart Display Review: An Assistant-powered display to replace your kitchen Google Home

Ben Schoon Jul 26 2018 - 8:04 am PT

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Google Assistant has been a core part of my life since its debut. Whether it be using my Google Home Max for music, timers, and controlling lights, using other Assistant speakers throughout my home for things like getting the weather when I get up in the morning, or using my phone for a quick answer to something trivial, I’ve come to depend on the voice assistant in my daily habits.

Early this year, Google revealed that Assistant would be arriving on a new form factor: Smart Displays. Now, the first one has arrived from Lenovo, and I’ve spent the past several days putting it through its paces.

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Google Assistant now available in the Netherlands w/ support for Dutch

Ben Schoon Jul 26 2018 - 6:02 am PT

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As Google Assistant continues to get better, it’s also rolling out to more regions. Today, Google has revealed that the Assistant is rolling out to users in the Netherlands.

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Yahoo’s David Pogue gets inside access to Google Assistant’s personality team [Video]

Stephen Hall Jul 25 2018 - 2:56 pm PT

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Yahoo’s David Pogue got a rare chance to take his cameras into a Google conference room, and within met some of the team behind Google Assistant’s personality. A series of interviews with the team give us some fresh insight into how Google’s developing its friendly new voice of the company…

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Latest test shows Google Assistant as the clear leader in smartphone digital assistants

Stephen Hall Jul 25 2018 - 8:01 am PT

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The latest digital assistant test from Loup Ventures is out today, providing a comprehensive look at how the top four players compare. Just like last year’s test, Google Assistant comes out as the clear winner above Apple’s Siri, Microsoft Cortana, and Amazon Alexa in almost all categories…

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Google Duo picks up Assistant integration on phones ahead of smart display debut

Ben Schoon Jul 25 2018 - 7:21 am PT

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Google’s video calling service Duo has seen tremendous growth since its launch, and in a recent update, it’s picking up integration with Google Assistant.

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Google Assistant’s news excerpts may soon improve thanks to ‘Speakable’ publisher tool

Ben Schoon Jul 24 2018 - 12:01 pm PT

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Google Assistant can make it really easy to get quick updates on news topics you’re interested in, but the results aren’t always the most accurate. Today, Google is revealing a new publisher tool that may help with that called “Speakable.”

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Assistant’s new Google Now-esque dashboard replaces ‘Upcoming’ in the Google app

Abner Li Jul 18 2018 - 7:14 pm PT

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The visual redesign of Google Assistant first unveiled at I/O 2018 officially began rolling out yesterday. Touted by many as the successor to the original vision for Google Now, the new feature even replaces the Google app’s “Upcoming” tab.

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Google Assistant gets visual w/ dashboard for agenda, commute, & more on Android, iOS

Abner Li Jul 17 2018 - 9:59 am PT

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At I/O 2018, Google announced a new “visual experience” for Assistant on phones that is quite reminiscent of the original vision for Google Now. Featuring proactive suggestions and personalized information for your day, this redesign is rolling out to phones this week.

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Temi’s personal home robot adding ‘Ok Google’ & Assistant, launching this year for $1,499 [Updated]

Abner Li Jul 11 2018 - 10:10 am PT

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The idea of a robot that caters to your whims is a long-running sci-fi dream. Several companies have already given it a shot, with the latest coming from a company called Temi. Launching in 2018, this more focused approach to a robot will soon include the Google Assistant and the “Ok Google” hotword for commands.

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New color-based Google Assistant voice picker now rolling out in Google app

Stephen Hall Jul 10 2018 - 3:19 pm PT

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We first told you in an APK Insight story last month that Google was preparing a new color-based Assistant voice picker, and now Google says it’s rolling out to everyone.
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You can now use Google Assistant to control Dish Hopper DVRs

Justin Duino Jul 9 2018 - 6:59 am PT

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Amazon Echo owners have been able to control their Dish Hopper DVRs over a year now using Alexa voice commands. If you’ve been living in envy, the wait is now over as the Google Assistant can now help you watch your favorite shows all without picking up a remote.

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How to change the Google Assistant voice

Justin Duino Jul 8 2018 - 11:11 pm PT

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Google is always working on improving the Assistant and occasionally adds new voices for users to choose from. With eight currently available as of this writing, here’s how to pick the right one for you.

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Polk Assist Review: Google Assistant meets stellar sound in a compact, affordable package

Ben Schoon Jul 6 2018 - 10:54 am PT

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When you look at smart speakers, the primary use for most users seem to be streaming music. There’s no shortage of options that deliver excellent sound quality, but some of them are big, bulky, and expensive. Polk Audio is a renowned audio brand, and the company has recently debuted its first Assistant speaker, and it delivers a whole lot for its small size and affordable price…

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Google invests $22M in KaiOS, bringing Maps, YouTube, & Assistant to smart feature phones

Abner Li Jun 27 2018 - 6:56 pm PT

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To bring the Next Billion Users online, Google has developed specialized apps like Tez and Files Go, while optimizing others for specific needs, like limited connectivity. To popularize Assistant, Maps, and other services to those using feature phones, Google today invested $22 million in KaiOS.

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Google Duplex testing begins this summer as Google addresses criticism [Video]

Abner Li Jun 27 2018 - 7:44 am PT

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Unveiled at I/O 2018, Google Duplex was a highlight of the keynote, but also a controversy in the ensuing days. From accusations of “tricking” humans with the use of “uh” and “umm” to the lack of a live demo, Google finally revealed more about the Assistant integrated feature today that is still on track for a limited launch this summer.

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Continued Conversation brings natural back-and-forth to Google Home, rolling out now

Abner Li Jun 21 2018 - 8:00 am PT

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At I/O 2018, Google announced and immediately launched a slew of new Assistant features like six new voices, Multiple Actions, and Custom Routines. Today, the Google Home will no longer require that you repeat a hotword for every command thanks to Continued Conversation.

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Latest Google app glitch opens and adjusts the volume when searching ‘9a songs’

Abner Li Jun 20 2018 - 11:19 am PT

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Last month, a peculiar glitch in the Google Android app was discovered that resulted in a specific query displaying your text messages. The bug has since been fixed, however, another similar bug has emerged that brings up the system volume slider when searching “9a songs.”

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Smart display support begins appearing in Google Assistant settings

Abner Li Jun 13 2018 - 3:29 pm PT

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Unveiled at CES 2018 with availability announced at Google I/O, the first Assistant smart displays are set to hit the market next month. Ahead of that, the Google app is beginning to lay the groundwork by noting what first-party Assistant services will support the new device category.

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Google Home now understands up to three queries at a time w/ smarter command support

Ben Schoon Jun 12 2018 - 6:31 am PT

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Google Assistant’s biggest selling point is just how smart it is, and on smart speakers that especially shows its value. Now, Google Home devices are getting even smarter with improved support for multiple queries.

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Google Home can now speak in Spanish dialects from US, Mexico, and Spain

Ben Schoon Jun 11 2018 - 6:17 am PT

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One of the most impressive aspects of Google Home and Assistant is the realistic speech that the company achieves. Regardless of language, things sound really natural for the most part. Now, Google is enhancing that for Spanish speakers with support for three new dialects.

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Here’s the latest look at Google Assistant’s visual redesign, Material Theme for Podcasts [Gallery]

Abner Li Jun 9 2018 - 7:41 am PT

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Version 8.7 of the Google app rolled out yesterday detailing an upcoming “Google Podcast” app, and provided more details about the company’s upcoming updates. Since then, we’ve enabled the latest iteration of Assistant’s visual refresh expected later this year, as well as a new interface for the Podcasts app.

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Android Go coming to Brazil along w/ more local Google Assistant Actions given high usage

Abner Li Jun 7 2018 - 11:37 am PT

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In important markets, like India, Google often hosts specialized events to announce country-specific features and initiatives. At the second annual Google for Brazil event, the company today announced Android Go, along with new features in Search and Maps.

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Lenovo’s Google Assistant smart displays are now available for pre-order

Justin Duino Jun 5 2018 - 3:40 pm PT

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We got our first look at Lenovo’s smart displays back at CES, and at I/O 2018, Google announced that the Assistant smart displays from Lenovo, LG, and JBL would be available this July. Now, B&H Photo has both sizes of Lenovo’s smart displays up for pre-order.

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