Uncovered by 9to5Google in a recent APK Insights deep dive was a feature for the Nest Hub Max called "Look and talk". Codenamed "Blue Steel" as a reference to the Ben Stiller movie "Zoolander", the feature was just officially revealed at Google I/O 2022, and it's a small part of a much larger … [Read more...] about Google Assistant can now be activated without a hot word, will be patient with filler words, pauses
Google Assistant
Google Assistant has become the central focus for Google ever since their event in October of 2016. With the roll-out in full swing to many devices across multiple categories, Google Assistant is becoming extremely pervasive. The flagship device for Google Assistant, Google Home, is also powered by a varied version of Chrome OS. As we watch Assistant fully integrate into Chrome OS, we realize the Assitant story is just beginning.
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Google TV’s new Ambient Mode with “proactive personal results” rolling out for some
It's been seven months since Google first announced personalized user profiles and glanceable information in Ambient Mode. Although we have only seen user profiles show up accidentally here and there, we finally have some definitive proof that the new ambient mode is rolling out to some users. A … [Read more...] about Google TV’s new Ambient Mode with “proactive personal results” rolling out for some
How to temporarily turn off Google Assistant on Nest speakers and displays with ‘Downtime’
Google's Digital Wellbeing tools can help you use technology without it overtaking your life. Limiting your usage of Nest speakers, displays, and more as well as apps on your phone is an incredibly powerful way to make the most of innovations without losing yourself in the process as it can be easy … [Read more...] about How to temporarily turn off Google Assistant on Nest speakers and displays with ‘Downtime’
Google Assistant’s delayed feature to fix your compromised passwords finally gets a wider rollout
Google Assistant will soon be able to detect data breaches from sites that you normally log in to with a saved password from Google Password Manager, then after warning you, it will offer to change said password automatically for you. If that sounds familiar, it's because this feature was announced … [Read more...] about Google Assistant’s delayed feature to fix your compromised passwords finally gets a wider rollout
Successful Failures: Google Now should be resurrected
Since the works of Jules Verne (and arguably well before him), science fiction has been at its most interesting when it was making predictions about our future. Indeed much of Verne’s writing is often thought of as prophetic rather than simple imaginings. Consider the flip-style … [Read more...] about Successful Failures: Google Now should be resurrected
With Snapshot finally dead, there’s a big gap in Google Assistant’s usefulness
While there's yet to be an official announcement, "Snapshot", or the Google Now successor that displays useful and intelligently intuitive, and timely cards based on your habits and data, is dead. Last month, Android Police discovered a banner at the top of the service that stated it would be going … [Read more...] about With Snapshot finally dead, there’s a big gap in Google Assistant’s usefulness
Google TV will now show you YouTube videos in response to questions you ask Assistant
Google has officially created a roundup post on its Nest community forum of features that we’ve been tracking and reporting on for some time now. From Birthday cards appearing on Nest Hub devices, to a completely redesigned Hub UI complete with a more Pixel-like functionality in wake of its upcoming … [Read more...] about Google TV will now show you YouTube videos in response to questions you ask Assistant
Topics are one of Google Discover’s best features yet they remain hard to find and follow
I would argue that I've come to utilize Google Assistant's Discover feature more than Google News itself for my daily fix of what's happening outside the walls of my home, and even though it currently has no plans that we're aware of for coming to Chromebooks, it can still be accessed via Pixel … [Read more...] about Topics are one of Google Discover’s best features yet they remain hard to find and follow
This Android 11 fullscreen ‘At a Glance’ prototype makes me miss Assistant Snapshot
Last week, Android Authority obtained some exclusive screenshots of a fullscreen 'At a Glance' prototype for the lock screen of Android 11 that never went public. These shots revealed that Google had plans to make 'At a Glance' much more robust and let it fill your entire screen while active instead … [Read more...] about This Android 11 fullscreen ‘At a Glance’ prototype makes me miss Assistant Snapshot
[UPDATE: Now $30] Blurams Dome Lite 2: Budget-friendly PTZ Works with Google smart camera
UPDATE: Shortly after publishing my thoughts, the Blurams Dome Lite 2 went on sale on Amazon. You can now pick up this versatile smart camera for only $29.98 if you are an Amazon Prime Member. Blurams Dome Lite 2 on Chrome Shop Just in case there was any doubt in your mind about the validity … [Read more...] about [UPDATE: Now $30] Blurams Dome Lite 2: Budget-friendly PTZ Works with Google smart camera
How to turn off Google Assistant on your Chromebook and why you may want to
Google Assistant is great...most of the time. It's fantastic for over a million actions - many of those which can transform the way we obtain and utilize information. There's no denying that its presence in our lives has completely transformed the way we live, work, and interact with the world … [Read more...] about How to turn off Google Assistant on your Chromebook and why you may want to
It’s okay to tell Google Assistant to self-destruct every once in a while
I've had my ups and downs with Google Assistant in the past, and have even written about how many of you have shared those frustrations. Unfortunately, a handful of users resort to cursing at their smart home speakers and displays in hopes of relieving the pressure of it being wrong in its responses … [Read more...] about It’s okay to tell Google Assistant to self-destruct every once in a while
