OnePlus TV remote with Google Assistant button

OnePlus introduced its OnePlus TV in India. It features a 55-inch QLED 4K display, sleek design, Dolby ATMOS speakers, and comes with a voice-enabled remote that supports Google Assistant.

Microsoft brings Google Assistant support to Xbox One

Microsoft enabled Google Assistant to work with its Xbox One console to launch games and apps, turn the console on and off, pause videos, and much more. Google Assistant won’t run on the Xbox One itself; instead, it will receive commands from other devices running Assistant (iOS or Android phone or Google Home). Join a Google Group to get access to the Google Assistant support for Xbox One.

Learn more on the Xbox website: https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2019/09/26/expanding-xbox-voice-capabilities-with-google-assistant/ and Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/xboxinsiders/comments/d9jcjf/get_started_with_xbox_for_google_assistant/.

Google Assistant comes to more Chromebooks

The latest version of Chrome OS brings the Google Assistant to more Chromebooks. The Assistant on Chromebook helps you stay productive, control your smart devices, and have a little fun along the way. Try asking or typing the following queries:

“Hey Google, create a new document”,

“Hey Google, what’s next on my calendar?”,

“Hey Google, remind me to buy a cake for Ciara’s birthday”,

“Hey Google, play some party music”,

or “Hey Google, what can you do?” to explore more.

Learn more on the Google blog: https://www.blog.google/products/chromebooks/whats-new-september2019/.

Changes to Google Assistant audio recordings

Google made a few changes about how audio recordings work to protect user’s privacy with the Assistant:

updated audio settings to highlight that when you turn on VAA, human reviewers may listen to your audio snippets to help improve speech technology;

added greater security protections to their transcription process, including an extra layer of privacy filters;

implemented additional measures to help them better identify unintentional activations and exclude them from the human review process;

updated their Voice & Audio Activity policy to reduce the amount of audio data they store (later this year, they’ll automatically delete the majority of audio data associated with your account that’s older than a few months).

Learn more on the Google blog: https://www.blog.google/products/assistant/doing-more-protect-your-privacy-assistant/ and your Google Assistant data page: https://g.co/assistant/yourdata.

Collaboration between Google Assistant and Home Connect

Home Connect is now available on the Google Assistant. With Home Connect and the Google Assistant you can control the following Home Connect enabled appliances: dishwashers, dryers and washers, as well as hood, and the Roxxter. So you can now ask Google to start a program on your oven, how much time is left on a washing cycle or tell your hood to stop.

Learn more on the Home Connect website: https://www.home-connect.com/global/connected-partners/voice-assistant/google-assistant.

Talking to Google Assistant by dialing a phone number

Google is allowing people in emerging markets like India to dial a phone number to talk to Google Assistant. People across India on Vodafone Idea, a carrier that Google has partnered with for the service, will be able to dial a toll-free number and ask Google Assistant — in English and Hindi — about the weather, sports scores, traffic conditions, and more.

New voices for Google Assistant in 9 countries

Google launched a new voice in 9 more languages: German, French, Dutch, Norwegian, Italian, Korean, Japanese, English in the UK or English in India. All the new voices were built with DeepMind’s state-of-the-art WaveNet technology which makes them sound natural, with great pitch and pacing.

Learn more on the Google blog: https://www.blog.google/products/assistant/new-voices-your-google-assistant-nine-countries/.

Google Assistant for Good Europe Challenge

Google announced the Google Assistant for Good Europe Challenge organized by NEMO Clinical Center with the support of Google Italy to bring the power of technology to people affected by neuromuscular diseases. Learn more on the NEMO Clinical Center website: https://contenuti.centrocliniconemo.it/google-assistant-for-good.

Google Assistant showcase at CEDIA Expo (Denver, CO)

At CEDIA Expo, Google showed how devices from their partners work together with the Google Assistant in your home. These include cameras, doorbells, lights, thermostats, security systems, vacuums, washers, locks, AC units, air purifiers, refrigerators, ovens, and many more.

Learn more on the Google blog: https://www.blog.google/products/assistant/lights-tv-even-backyard-how-assistant-helps-you-home/.

New Google Assistant-powered speakers, soundbars, TVs, headphones

Google Assistant is coming to a wide range of new voice-activated speakers and soundbars, including the JBL Link Music, Phillips AW25 and TAPN805, Konka G1, SEIKI Tough and Cigar, high fidelity Braun Audio LE01, LE02 and LE03. Google is also expanding the Assistant to more Android TVs from top brands, including Hisense, Sony, TCL, Philips, Changhong, Haier, Skyworth, Metz, Vestel, Sharp, JVC , XGIMI Projector, RCA and SmartTech. More Assistant-powered headphones are also on the way, including the JBL LIVE300 TWS, Harman Kardon FLY ANC, Bose NC700, Cleer Flow II and Halo, Phillips PN505 and PH805, and Sony WI-1000XM2 and WH-H910N.

Learn more on the Google blog: https://www.blog.google/products/assistant/google-assistant-comes-more-devices-home/.

New Google Assistant-powered smart display from Lenovo