News and notes on the latest from Google.
Google wrapped up its annual I/O keynote today led by CEO Sundar Pichai. Pichai talked about the new developments at Google and gave us a glimpse of what’s to come. Here’s a quick recap of what was announced.
Continue reading “Recap: Here’s what was announced at Google I/O 2019”
Google is bringing an upgrade to the Google Assistant that adds larger, richer card interfaces with more visuals. They’re also including new built-in tools like a tip calculator, color picker, metronome, and bubble level.
Continue reading “Google Assistant gets richer card interfaces and some built-in tools”
Google announced Duplex back at I/O 2018. It enables the Google Assistant to call businesses and make reservations or appointments for you. In March, it started widely rolling out to only the Pixel phones and turned out to be pretty reliable too. Now, according to a report from XDA-Developers, Google Duplex is rolling out for iPhones (with the Google Assistant app) and most Android phones in the US.
Continue reading “Google Duplex is rolling out to non-Pixel phones in the US”
Who doesn’t like Harry Potter? Recently, Warner Bros. released a new Google Assistant action called “Wizarding World.” To try it out, all you have to do is simply ask your Google Assistant to “Talk to Wizarding World,” and this can be done on any Google Assistant-enabled device—your Android phone, Google Home, etc. If you’re an iOS user, you can install the Google Assistant app from the App Store.
Continue reading “Harry Potter fans: Try out this new game in the Google Assistant”
After adding support for Android Auto and Android tablets late last year, signs indicate that Apple Music will soon support the Google Assistant and Google Home speakers for music playback.
Continue reading “Apple Music will soon support Google Assistant and Google Home”
Google Assistant is going big (I didn’t say useful) at CES this year. The Assistant is getting new features and is being built into almost everything, lock, stock, and barrel. Here’s a brief overview of every new device, device-integration, and feature Google has announced so far.
Continue reading “Here’s what all Google announced for the Assistant at CES”
If you want to unlock your Android device with your voice, Google allows you to with Voice Match. Simply saying “Ok Google” can unlock and give you access to the Google Assistant. However, it’s less secure than a passcode or fingerprint and a similar voice or a recording of your voice could unlock your device and give somebody total access to your device. Google’s now removing it and replacing it with “Lock screen personal results.”
Continue reading “Google might remove Voice Match unlocking on Android devices”
Bharti Airtel (Airtel India) announced that all their customers, prepaid and postpaid, can now ask the Google Assistant questions related to their data usage, account balance, etc. It’s currently only available in English with support for regional languages rolling out later.
Today, Google updated Wear OS, its software for smartwatches. The new changes affect the design of Wear OS. You can now access your notifications more quickly, the Google Assistant now has a dedicated pane similar to the phone, and Google Fit data is just a swipe away.
Continue reading “Wear OS updated with improved notifications and Assistant and health updates”
Google recently announced Smart Displays with the Google Assistant. These didn’t come from Google but came from Lenovo, JBL, and LG. Now, according to a report from Nikkei Asian Review, Google is planning to announce another Smart Display—made by Google itself.
Continue reading “Google is making its own Google Assistant Smart Display”
