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.
The devices that will feature the Assistant
Lenovo announced the “Smart Clock.” It is a clock that has Google Assistant integration that can charge your devices, play music, and even be set up with a Google Assistant Routine specifically for sleeping. It has a 4-inch touch screen and a fabric cover that is the same material used on the Google Home Mini. It will retail for $80.
Whirlpool also showcased the KitchenAid Smart Display with the Google Assistant. It can guide you through cooking recipes from Yummly on its 10-inch display and simultaneously control your smart home devices. Being made for use in the kitchen, it’s water resistant up to IPX5.
Apart from that, here are the others:
- Sonos One and Sonos Beam.
- Later this year, the Assistant will work with TVs from Samsung. You’ll be able to use your voice to turn on the TV, change volume and channels, and switch between inputs.
- Several Android TV devices from Sony, Hisense, Philips, TCL, Skyworth, Xiaomi, Haier, Changhong, and JVC will be enabled with far-field microphones that allow the Assistant to pick up your voice even with noise in the room.
I have no clue why these devices are getting, or rather even need the Assistant, but here they are anyway:
- Devices and appliances: Instant Pot’s Smart WiFi Programmable Pressure Cooker, Sub Zero’s refrigerator and wine storage, Wolf E-Series and M-Series ovens, Cove dishwashers, U by Moen™ shower.
- HVAC: Rheem’s Econet Smart Thermostat, Côr 7C thermostat by Carrier
- Security: McAfee’s Secure Home Platform.
- Water Leak Sensors: LeakSmart Leak and Flood Protection, Flo by Moen.
- EV charging: eMotorWorks’ JuiceBox Level 2, SolarEdge’s EV Charging Solar Inverter.
- Irrigation: Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller, Rain Bird Smart WiFi Controllers, Orbit’s B-Hyve.
*internally screaming*
The new features
The Assistant can now help you navigate in Google Maps for Android and iOS. You can share your ETA with friends and family, reply to text messages, play music and podcasts, search for places along your route, add a new stop, and auto-punctuate your messages. On Android, the Assistant can send messages with SMS, WhatsApp, Messenger, Hangouts, Viber, Telegram, Android Messages, and more.
Google’s also worked with Anker and JBL to make the Anker Roav Bolt and JBL Link Drive. They plug into your car’s power socket and can connect to your phone via Bluetooth or AUX and let you use the Assistant without unlocking your phone. They also simplify audio input/output and allow the Assistant to hear you clearly, even if there’s loud music or conversations happening.
Soon, you’ll be able to check in to your flight and save your boarding pass with the Google Assistant. The Assistant can also notify you when your flight is ready for check-in.
You can also book a room using the Google Assistant with Choice Hotels, AccorHotels, InterContinental Hotels Group, Priceline, Expedia, Mirai, and Travelclick.
Google’s also adding support for Google Keep, Any.do, Bring!, and Todoist. You’ll be able to keep track of your itinerary with notes and lists in the Google Assistant.
Google Home devices and Smart Displays are getting a new feature called “Interpreter mode” to get real-time spoken translations. On smart displays, you’ll also get a written translation to aid the conversation. It doesn’t work well, however, as evident from the video below.
Last but not least: the Assistant will get better lock screen support if you opt for it. You can ask your Google Assistant to show restaurants nearby, set up and dismiss alarms, and schedule reminders and timers without unlocking your phone. You can also opt in to see answers to personal queries like traffic updates to work and calendar updates. It’s currently available for Pixel users but is coming to all Android devices in the next few weeks.
Source: Google
