Tag: Google Assistant

  • Google Pixel March Feature Drop: Call Screening, Fitness Upgrades & More

    Google Pixel March Feature Drop: Call Screening, Fitness Upgrades & More

    Google has unveiled its latest Pixel Feature Drop for March, aiming to boost productivity and health tracking capabilities across Pixel phones, the first-generation Pixel Watch, and the wider Pixel ecosystem. This update introduces significant enhancements that users will find beneficial.

    Enhanced Call Screening and Productivity

    Pixel phone users will now enjoy an improved Call Screening feature. If a call that is being screened remains silent, a new "hello" prompt will prompt the caller to speak, encouraging them to state their purpose for contacting you. Moreover, Google Assistant can now ask callers to hold on if you opt not to answer immediately.

    Stunning Visuals and Search Feature

    A notable addition is the ability to share vibrant 10-bit HDR videos directly on Instagram Reels and upload gorgeous Ultra HDR photos to your Instagram feed from your Pixel phone. Additionally, the convenient "Circle to Search" feature that allows seamless searching without switching apps is extending to Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, making it easier to find desired content instantly.

    Fitness Boost for Pixel Watch

    The first-generation Pixel Watch is receiving a fitness upgrade with features previously exclusive to the second generation. These include Pace Training for specific pace training, Heart Zone Training for heart rate zone monitoring, and a revamped user interface for improved workout data visualization.

    Google Pixel March Feature Drop: Call Screening, Fitness Upgrades & More

    Mindfulness and Navigation Features

    Users can now find moments of tranquility with the Fitbit Relax app, now accessible on the first-gen Pixel Watch, guiding users through breathing exercises directly on their wrist. Moreover, enhance your city navigation experience with Google Maps on your Pixel Watch, offering real-time departure times, diverse transit options, and compass-enabled map guidance.

    Portfolio Enhancements and Connectivity

    The Pixel portfolio is also receiving enhancements. During video calls on Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, or Pixel 5a (and newer phones), users can now selectively share specific app content with app screen sharing to maintain privacy while sharing relevant information. Furthermore, connecting previously used devices to your new Pixel phone or tablet is now simplified through the "Connected Devices" settings page, with Fast Pair facilitating connections with Bluetooth accessories.

    Document Markups and Gboard Voice Toolbar

    Users can now annotate documents and assignments directly on their Pixel device using their finger or stylus with Google Docs markups. This feature offers various tools like pen colors and highlighters for individual and collaborative work. Additionally, the new Gboard voice toolbar on Pixel Tablet streamlines the keyboard into a toolbar when activated, optimizing screen space and enhancing multitasking capabilities.

    These updates are set to roll out to Pixel devices over the following weeks.

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  • Samsung is parting ways with Google Assistant on all of its smart TVs

    Samsung is parting ways with Google Assistant on all of its smart TVs

    A significant change is coming to Samsung smart TVs. Starting March 1, 2024, Google Assistant will no longer be available on any Samsung TV model, including those that previously came with it.

    Samsung TVs Losing Google Assistant Support

    This development follows the quiet elimination of Google Assistant from Samsung’s 2023 TV lineup. The Samsung support page now confirms the discontinuation of this feature across all Samsung smart TVs, including:

    • 2022 models
    • 2021 models
    • 2020 8K and 4K QLED TVs
    • 2020 Crystal UHD TVs
    • 2020 Lifestyle TVs (Frame, Serif, Terrace, and Sero)

    Reason for Removal

    Samsung started integrating Google Assistant into its TVs in 2020, but in a mere four years of time, the feature is now being removed from all supported models. Samsung says the removal is due to “a change in Google’s policy,” although the specific details remain unclear.

    Alternative Voice Assistants

    The support page notes, “Important: Due to a change in Google’s policy, Google Assistant will no longer be available on Samsung TVs beginning March 1st, 2024. Check out other options for voice assistants on Samsung TVs.”

    Google recently made changes to Assistant by removing 17 features, though any connection to this development is unknown.

    With the departure of Google Assistant, Samsung TV owners will now have to switch to other pre-installed voice assistants, that is, Samsung’s Bixby and Amazon’s Alexa.

    Considerations for Samsung TV Owners

    But for those who are accustomed to Google Assistant, we guess you now have no option other than switching to a different TV brand altogether. This could be a viable option if you’re considering purchasing a new TV, but surely isn’t the most practical.

    Google Assistant Support in Other Brands

    Currently, almost all smart TV brands, excluding Samsung, such as LG, Sony, TCL, and Hisense, continue to offer Google Assistant support in their TVs.

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  • Improved User Experience with Google Assistant and Voice Responses in Android Auto Revamp

    Improved User Experience with Google Assistant and Voice Responses in Android Auto Revamp

    The most recent Android Auto update introduces a much-needed redesign, enhancing the user interface for improved usability and intuitiveness.

    Centralizing the navigation panel, positioning the call and music cards at the panel’s bottom, and integrating Google Assistant at the UI’s base eliminates empty space. Let’s delve deeper into the significant modifications within the Android Auto redesign.

    Key Alterations in Android Auto Redesign

    Google has once again revamped the Assistant interface on Android Auto, offering users a more sophisticated and polished experience. Notable changes include the introduction of a "listening" UI on the bottom bar, which supersedes app icons. This UI transcribes the user’s speech across the bar, facilitating interaction with the Assistant. Furthermore, voice replies have been revamped and are now visible alongside maps.

    Restructured Google Assistant Experience

    The updated Google Assistant now greets users with a welcoming "Hi, how can I help you?" prompt during quiet moments. As soon as the user speaks, the Assistant transcribes voice commands along the bar. It’s important to note that the Assistant’s responses are still vocalized and not displayed on the screen.

    Enhanced Voice Response Mechanism

    Alongside the visual enhancements, Google has enhanced the voice reply experience on Android Auto. Voice replies now optimize any vacant screen space, maximizing the available display area. The interface includes a "Speak now" cue in one panel, transcribing messages while providing distinct "Cancel" and "Send" buttons. Additionally, the recipient’s profile image, name, and app icon (e.g., Telegram) are showcased.

    Artificial Intelligence-Powered Auto Replies

    Google is leveraging its generative AI capabilities to enrich the auto-reply function on Android Auto. Following the introduction of generative AI to Chrome, Google intends to introduce similar functionalities to Android Auto. While a preview video has displayed several design elements, these specific features are not yet live but are anticipated to be available soon. These features entail AI-generated message summaries on Android Auto and context-aware auto-replies.

    Acquire the Latest Android Auto Version

    The redesign is a part of Android Auto version 11.2 and seeks to elevate the overall user experience. The update will be progressively distributed to users within the upcoming weeks. Users can anticipate a more streamlined and intuitive interface, improved voice interactions, and the forthcoming AI-driven auto reply capabilities.

    (via)

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  • Google to Remove Seventeen Assistant Features Soon

    Google to Remove Seventeen Assistant Features Soon

    Google Assistant Eliminates 17 Features to Improve User Experience

    Modifications Effective from January 26

    Inventory of Features Getting Eliminated

    • Management of audiobooks on Google Play Books by voice command
    • Organization of cookbooks
    • Establishment of media, music, or radio alarms on Google Assistant devices
    • Administration of stopwatches on Smart Displays and Speakers
    • Device-to-device voice calls or broadcasting to your Google Family Group
    • Transmission of emails, video, or audio messages using voice commands
    • Requesting contact details
    • App Launcher found in Google Assistant driving mode within Google Maps for messages and calls
    • Voice command for activities on Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 devices
    • Caller ID presentation for calls from speakers and Smart Displays
    • Verifying personal travel plans via voice
    • Voice-directed actions such as transferring payments, securing reservations, or sharing on social media

    Enhancements to the Google App

    • Upon tapping the microphone icon, users will activate search responses in the Google app.
    • The microphone icon will no longer manage smart home devices or send messages.
    • This adjustment also pertains to the Pixel Search bar, which will now initiate Voice Search instead of Assistant.
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  • An Early Sneak Peek: Google Assistant with Bard on Android Phone

    An Early Sneak Peek: Google Assistant with Bard on Android Phone

    Google Assistant with Bard: A Sneak Peek into the Future

    Google has been hard at work developing a new version of its Assistant, and it's called Bard. Bard is a large language model (LLM) that boasts impressive capabilities such as generating text, translating languages, creating creative content, and providing informative answers to your questions.

    Last year, Google announced its plans to integrate Bard with Google Assistant for Android phones. This integration means that users will soon be able to harness the power of Bard to perform all the tasks that are currently possible with Google Assistant, and much more.

    While an official release date for Assistant with Bard is still unknown, developer Dylan Roussel has given us a glimpse into its interface.

    A User-Friendly Interface

    From the sneak peek shared by Roussel, it is evident that Google has designed Assistant with Bard to be user-friendly. The setup screen provides a clear explanation of how Bard works and the data it accesses. Additionally, users have the option to connect their Google apps, enabling a more personalized experience similar to the current Bard web app's extension functionality.

    Once the setup is complete, users can tap on the arrow icon on the popup, which then reveals a comprehensive interface. This interface offers helpful suggestions and allows users to either type their questions or prompts.

    A World of Possibilities

    The integration of Bard with Google Assistant opens up a world of possibilities. With its language generation capabilities, Bard can assist users in creating various types of content, be it written articles, blog posts, or even creative pieces. Additionally, its translation feature will make communication across languages seamless and effortless.

    Furthermore, Bard's ability to provide informative answers ensures that users can rely on it for accurate and reliable information. Whether you need to know the weather forecast, the latest news, or simply want to learn something new, Assistant with Bard is there to assist you.

    Conclusion

    While we eagerly await the official release of Google Assistant with Bard, the sneak peek into its interface has left us excited about its potential. With its vast range of capabilities, Bard promises to revolutionize the way we interact with our devices and access information. Get ready for a new era of intelligent and creative assistance with Google Assistant and Bard.

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  • ChatGPT Integration on Android with Google Assistant

    ChatGPT Integration on Android with Google Assistant

    Google Assistant and AI-Powered Assistants for Android

    The default choice for many Android devices, Google Assistant, retains its position as the preferred option among Android users owing to its exceptional performance. Google is presently integrating generative AI technology from Bard, a versatile language model adept at text, voice, and image processing, to augment the capabilities of its Assistant.

    Despite Google’s strides, other players are also venturing into developing AI-driven assistants for Android. ChatGPT, renowned for its sophisticated language processing abilities, stands as a prospective new entrant in the Android assistant arena.

    Diversification in the Android ecosystem with third-party assistants isn’t a novel concept. Previously, Microsoft’s Cortana and Amazon’s Alexa attempted to offer alternative assistant experiences. Nevertheless, none have succeeded in toppling Google Assistant from its dominant position.

    With the potential to redefine the current landscape, ChatGPT was recently observed in a fresh activity within the latest Android app version, hinting at forthcoming voice input support through an overlay, akin to Google Assistant. However, this function isn’t operational at this juncture.

    Scrutiny of the app’s code reveals endeavors to establish ChatGPT as the default assistant, evident in the presence of references to an "assistant_interaction_service" and a "supportsAssist" tag. Yet, substantial development efforts are still required for ChatGPT to evolve into a fully functional default assistant.

    In a contrasting move, Microsoft relinquished Bing’s default assistant capabilities upon introducing its GPT-based LLM experience. The prospective transition of ChatGPT to a default assistant status and its accessibility as a complimentary feature remain shrouded in uncertainty. OpenAI, the minds behind ChatGPT, extends additional features through a Plus subscription, with implications that a Quick Settings tile for ChatGPT might exclusively be available behind this payment barrier.

    While encouraging signs hint at ChatGPT’s prospective role as an Android assistant, it’s premature to make definitive forecasts about its trajectory. The evolution of the Android assistant landscape in the approaching months will be influenced by forthcoming developments and disclosures from Google, OpenAI, and the broader Android ecosystem.

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