Google is bringing its voice assistant to the latest Android phones, starting with the just announced LG G6, hoping the service can boost its odds to win customers from Apple Inc.'s iPhone.
The Google Assistant is already available on Pixel, Google Home, Google Allo and Android Wear. Starting this week, the Google Assistant is coming to smartphones running Android 7.0 Nougat and Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
And here are a few other things to try out-just long press on the Home button or say "Ok Google" to get started:
- What's my confirmation number for my London flight?
- Take me to Museu Picasso.
- Show my photos of sunsets in Tahoe.
- Do I need an umbrella today?
- Turn on the living room lights.
The Google Assistant will begin rolling out this week to English users in the U.S., followed by English in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, as well as German speakers in Germany. Google will add more languages over the coming year.
The Google Assistant will automatically come to eligible Android phones running Nougat and Marshmallow with Google Play Services.
Google's goal is to make the Assistant available anywhere. It came to Android Wear 2.0-via new smartwatches-just a few weeks ago and, as Google previewed in January, the Assistant is also coming to TVs and cars.
Companies ranging from appliance maker Whirlpool to Ford Motor announced products featuring Amazon's Alexa assistant at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this year, leading some analysts to conclude the online retailer had gained an early lead over Google.
What is more, Android manufacturer Huawei Technologies announced it would support Alexa, highlighting the cost of Google's decision to feature the assistant on its own hardware before opening it up to partners.
Samsung Electronics has announced plans for an assistant, and other companies are reportedly working on the technology.