11 Oct
- Along with the launch of new Google hardware this week, there are many Google Assistant updates on the way.
- A lot of the Google Assistant updates will hit Google hardware first, but many will come to all Android devices eventually.
- It’s clear Google is continuing to go all-in as an “AI first” company.
The long-awaited Google hardware event took place on Tuesday, but we’re still unpacking a lot of the updates and announcements from the company. Today, Google published a laundry list of all the various Google Assistant updates coming to various pieces of Google hardware.
To be clear, a lot of these Google Assistant updates will hit Google-branded devices first, especially the Google Pixel 3 and Google Home Hub. However, at some point in the future most (if not all) of these updates will roll out to capable Android devices.
Those of you who already pre-ordered your Google Pixel 3 or Google Home Hub should check out the list below as it will give you an idea of all the cool new tricks you’ll have access to. Those of you who passed on the new Google devices should also check out the list because you’ll likely eventually see these features (and will just have to be jealous of early adopters in the meantime).
Smart Displays
As previously mentioned, Google launched the Google Home Hub on Tuesday, the first Google-branded smart display and one of only three smart displays on the market powered by the Google Assistant (the other two being the JBL Link View and the Lenovo Smart Display). Although the updates below are coming to the Google Home Hub (and Google really wants you to know that), the features are also coming to the other two, non-Google devices.
- You can now use Google Assistant to create multi-room audio using your smart speakers, which includes the Google Home Hub.
- The new Live Albums from Google Photos uses Assistant to create photo albums on-the-fly based on people, locations, or topics you want to see.
- The new Home View layout will allow you to easily see the status of your smart home with a quick swipe down from the top of your smart display. This is also coming to the Android Google Home app.
- Google Assistant can now control more smart devices and can do so from within the Google Home app or your smart display interface. No more app switching!
- The various tools within Digital Wellbeing are coming to smart displays.
Smartphones
It’s very clear — despite the hilarious objections from Samsung — that Google loves the new Pixel 3 smartphones and thinks you will love them as well. That’s why nearly all of the new Google Assistant updates for phones are coming to Pixel 3 first. Some will then later come to the other Pixel smartphones, and then eventually roll out to Android at large.
- Google Assistant will screen your calls using Google Duplex technology. You’ll be able to see a real-time transcription of the call.
- Using Duplex once again, you will be able to book restaurant reservations in select areas of the U.S. (with more to come later).
- See a visual snapshot of your day right in the Google Assistant interface. This snapshot is catered specifically to you and your schedule and will be available for all smartphones, not just Pixels.
- You can use Google Assistant within the lock screen if you opt-in to the service on your Pixel 3.
All these updates confirm Google is going all-in with Google Assistant and sticking to its new “AI first” mantra.
NEXT: Google Assistant is now bilingual and has new Chromecast abilities
