Google Assistant Goes to Smart Displays, Cars
Google is bringing Google Assistant to smart displays, headphones, acars, and more.
These new devices have the Google Assistant built in, and with the added benefit of a touch screen, they can help you get even more done. You can watch videos from YouTube, video call with Google Duo, find photos from Google Photos and more. You can also get recommendations for your favorite content, right on the home screen.
Starting later this year, the Assistant is coming to new smart displays from four companies, including JBL, Lenovo, LG and Sony, according to Google.
The Google Assistant lets you have a conversation and ask about everything under the sun and it's available wherever you need help-at home or on the go. Over the past year, Google has been working to bring the Assistant to more devices in more places and now it's available on more than 400 million devices.
The Google Assistant is already lending a helping hand in speakers like Google Home, Mini and Max. Google says it has sold more than one Google Home every second since Google Home Mini started shipping in October. And this weekm, Google is announcing that the Assistant is coming to new voice-activated speakers from Altec Lansing, Anker Innovations, Bang & Olufsen, Braven, iHome, JBL, Jensen, LG, Klipsch, Knit Audio, Memorex, RIVA Audio and SoLIS.
Google will also continue to roll out the Assistant to existing Android TVs such as AirTV Player, Bouygues Telecom, LG U+, TCL, Skyworth and Xiaomi. And, this week, Changhong, Element, Funai, Haier, Hisense and Westinghouse are announcing new Android TVs with the Google Assistant. Plus, Google has worked with LG to integrate the Assistant into the new line of LG TVs in the coming months.
The Assistant also works with over 225 home control brands and more than 1,500 devices, including a bunch of new ones from Abode, Crestron, Gourmia, Insteon, Kohler and Yonomi.
The Google Assistant is available on your Android phone, iPhone, and headphones. And over the coming year, more headphones are on the way from Jaybird, JBL, LG and Sony. These headphones are optimized for the Google Assistant; once you pair them to your phone, you can talk to the Assistant with just the touch of an earbud, whether you want to skip a track to hear the next song, get notifications, or hear and respond to your messages.
The Assistant can also help you in the car, so that you can keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Starting this week in the U.S., the Assistant is coming to Android Auto.
Android Auto is available in tens of millions of cars on more than 400 models from 40+ brands, including Ford, General Motors, Nissan, Volkswagen and Volvo. With the Assistant in Android Auto, you can listen to your playlists from apps like Spotify or Google Play Music, get directions from Google Maps or Waze, and send or receive messages from services like WhatsApp. And soon, you'll be able to reserve a parking space with SpotHero or order your favorite handcrafted drink or food from Starbucks-all from the road.
You can use the Assistant in Android Auto on your car display by connecting your Android phone to a supported car-or you can use it on your phone screen in any car. And Google is working with auto makers to integrate the Assistant directly into their cars-no phone required.
Google is also introducing a new way to talk about Google Assistant. Actions include features built by Google-like directions on Google Maps-and those that come from developers, publishers and other third parties, like working out with Fitbit Coach. So finding photos with Google Photos would be one Action while meditating with Headspace would be another.
To help you discover the Actions available on the Assistant, Google has a new directory page. You can also explore them with your Assistant on your Android phone or iPhone -just go to your Assistant, select the blue icon in the corner and dive in.