Google is facing Alexa, Siri and Cortana with their own voice assistant: Google Assistant. It has made incredible progress since its launch in 2016 and is probably the most advanced and dynamic of the attendees.
Two years after the launch of Google Assistant, Google has spread everywhere, not only on Google's hardware, but through partnerships with other companies that see Google Assistant on a wide range of devices, from refrigerators to headphones, speakers and cars.
Google Assistant is Google's intelligent voice-controlled assistant. Originally, it was an extension of Google Now, designed to be personal, while extending Google's existing "OK Google" voice controls.
Originally, Google Now intelligently took relevant information for you: I knew where you worked and your meeting places and travel plans, the sports teams you liked and what you were interested in so that I could present you with important personal information.
Google has always killed the Google Now brand, but Assistant lives in the same space, merging these personalized elements with a wide range of voice control. Google Assistant supports text or voice input and is happy to continue the conversation, regardless of the input method you are using.
What can the Google assistant do?
The "OK Google" or "Hey, Google" covers voice commands, voice search and voice activated device control, allowing you to do things like send messages, check appointments, etc. on your Android device, like Apple's Siri on an iPhone or iPad, but reaching far beyond that, with an artificial intelligence experience centered on the bot , designed to provide you with conversational interactions.
Google Assistant:
- Control your devices and your smart home
- Access information about your calendars and other personal information
- Find information online, from restaurant reservations to addresses, weather and news
- Control your music
- Play content on your Chromecast or other compatible devices
- Execute timers and reminders
- Schedule appointments and send messages
- Open applications on your phone
- Read your notifications for you
Google can also recognize voice profiles for different people, so they know who is talking and can adapt the responses accordingly, something that other systems do not yet offer.
You can also ask for multiple things at the same time. This, says Google, is quite difficult: in linguistics it is called coordination reduction. Mastering applications like this is probably what will drive Google Assistant before its rivals.
Because Google Assistant knows you and understands the context, you can react in an informed or intelligent way. This is important since the Assistant extends its wings, because it gives much more power to voice control and moves it from just reacting to specific phrases or commands. In the future, Google even says that the Assistant will be able to call and book appointments for you, designed to be more than just reactive.
Google Assistant devices in Google Home form the basis of intelligent home control, compatible with a wide range of devices so you can control the heating, lights and much more with your voice.