The results are in: Alexa is legitimately dumber than Siri and Google Assistant
If you’ve always thought Alexa was dumber than the other voice assistants in your house or on your phone, a new test performed by Loup Ventures might prove your theory correct. Amazon Alexa scored last in an IQ test against Google Assistant and Siri.
Digital Trends Live: Google’s assignable reminders, Genesis Mini, and more
On today’s DT Live, we take a look at the biggest trending stories in tech, including Google Assistant’s new assignable reminders, British Airways’ plans to test virtual reality headsets for first-class passengers, Sega's announcement of the Genesis Mini, and DARPA’s new robotics challenge.
Google Assistant’s reminders will soon nag your significant other for you
Let Google take the heat for all that nagging: Google Assistant will soon allow you to assign reminders to others, the company said on Thursday. The feature will roll out to Google Assistant-enabled phones, speakers, and displays over the next few weeks, and to Google Nest Hub Max this fall.
Random people might have listened to your Google Assistant commands
The Belgian public broadcasting network VRT NWS issued a report that confirms Google uses professional contractors to transcribe commands given to their smart assistants. The problem is that not all of these commands were intentional and Google Assistant overheard private conversations.
JBL’s Google Assistant-powered Link Bar now available for purchase
Speakers offering built-in Google Assistant functionality have become so common that it’s essentially expected now. Android TV is another thing, but that’s exactly what the JBL Link Bar does, combining Google Assistant and all the functionality of Android TV in a soundbar that plugs into your TV.
Best Amazon and Walmart July 4th deals on Alexa and Google smart speakers
Amazon and Walmart are gearing up for Prime Day 2019 with early deals on smart home devices. The retail giants are going head-to-head this 4th of July with deals and competitive prices for smart speakers, the gateway products you need to talk with Alexa or Google Assistant to manage your smart home with voice commands.
Apple’s new Seattle campus may mean big things for Siri, artificial intelligence
Apple plans to hire 2,000 more employees for a new Seattle campus, the company announced Monday, with a significant number of those jobs focused on the Siri voice assistant and artificial intelligence. The new campus marks a major expansion right in Amazon and Microsoft's backyard.
A new survey by Adobe shows an evolving market for voice applications
It's not breaking news that consumers are becoming increasingly comfortable with conversing with their smartphones, digital gizmos, smart home devices, and smart speakers but a new survey from Adobe Analytics is showing a desire for more diversity in where voice technology is applied and used.
Amazon lowers the price on the Smart Light Switch by TP-Link
Amazon has lowered the price on the Kasa Smart Light Switch by TP-Link. Here's everything you need to know about the smart home product.
UN finds voice assistants aren’t helping combat sexist gender stereotypes
Most voice assistants have a female-sounding voice. While you may not think much of it, the United Nations believes it is reinforcing negative gender stereotypes that place women in antiquated roles. The study also argues that companies haven't done enough to have A.I. rebuff hostile language.
LG’s 2019 TVs slide Alexa next to Google Assistant, with Siri on the way
LG has announced that Alexa will be the next voice assistant on its 2019 lineup of ThinQ A.I. TVs, joining Google Assistant. Users will be able to control their TVs and thousands of smart home devices with just their remote, no external speaker required. AirPlay 2 and Siri support is still expected later this year.
Google Duplex sounds a lot like a human — and sometimes it is one
Google revealed Google Duplex at Google I/O 2018 as a way to make bookings at restaurants and other locations. At the time, the service was hailed for sounding a whole lot like a human, but according to a new report from the New York Times, the reason for that might be because sometimes it is a human.
Hey Google, let’s order out: Food delivery comes to Search, Maps, and Assistant
It's easier than ever to get your favorite grub delivered to your door or order it for pickup as Google integrates online food ordering into Google Search and Google Maps. You can even ask Google Assistant to order your favorite dish without having to pick up your phone or touch your computer.
FCC filing leaks smaller Samsung Galaxy Home before the first one even launches
Samsung's promised entry into the A.I.-powered smart speaker race, the Galaxy Home, is still nowhere to be seen. But that isn't stopping the company from planning a follow-up device, which will be smaller, and likely cheaper. A new FCC filing gives us a glimpse at what it will look like.
Oh, hey, Google! Bose brings Google Assistant to smart speakers and soundbars
Bose announced a new partnership with Google Assistant that will see the digital helper being added to all of its current smart speakers and soundbars, bringing listeners a ton of added functionality at no extra cost, and giving smart home lovers another reason to consider its various products.
Sonos is now compatible with Google Assistant, but Apple Music must wait
Sonos is now rolling out a free update to its software that will make its full range of Wi-Fi speakers and components compatible with Google Assistant. The update also gives owners of Sonos One and Beam smart speakers the option to use Google Assistant or Alexa as their voice interface of choice.
Finally! Sonos says it’ll launch Google Assistant for select speakers next week
It's been a very long road for Sonos customers who have been patiently waiting for the company to make good on its promise to integrate Google Assistant into its platform. On Thursday the company revealed it’s finally able to deliver, and will roll out the feature to two of its speakers next week.
Google and Qualcomm want to make more smart headphones with the Google Assistant
Google and Qualcomm have released a new development kit aimed at making it easier for manufacturers to add Google Assistant support to headphones and headsets. The development kit is now available, and supports the use of push-to-talk to communicate with the Google Home app on your smartphone.
Next-generation Google Assistant runs in real time on your phone
Google has shown off an impressive raft of new features coming to the next-generation Google Assistant. By compressing models onto local phones, the Assistant can now run in real time without the need for a network connection. There's also Driving Mode, Duplex on the web, and more.
Chrome OS 74 combines Google Assistant with device and web searching
Google latest Chrome OS build has combined three different kinds of search into one search utility. Google Assistant, device, and web searching were all brought together in Chrome OS 74, which was released this week. Google’s newest Chrome OS build also sports a few other features as well.
Survey says Siri and Google Assistant are the most used voice assistants
Alexa might be extremely popular because of smart speakers, but it still has a way to go to catch up to voice assistants the are built into smartphones. A recent survey conducted by Microsoft found that Apple's Siri and Google Assistant tied for the most used voice assistants on the market.
First-generation Sonos One smart speaker prices drop to just $150
We found a pretty great deal: The original Sonos One smart speaker is now $150, which is the lowest price we've seen since it launched. Though no longer the newest version, the first-gen model sounds identical to the second-gen, and will still get Google Assistant support when it launches later this year.
Google Assistant for Android and iOS wants to tell you a story
Just in time for National Tell a Story Day on April 27, Google has added the ability for Google Assistant for iOS and Android to read you a story. Adding this functionality to the mobile Google Assistant means there are even more ways to catch up with a good book without even having to hold one.
YouTube Music lands on Google Home speakers
Hot on the heels of Amazon's announcement that it's adding a free version of its Amazon Music service to Alexa-powered speakers, Google is making a similar move, adding a free, ad-supported version of its YouTube Music service to all Google Assistant-powered smart speakers.
There will be 200 million smart speakers by year’s end, analysts say
The research and analysis firm Canalys predicts that the worldwide market for smart speakers like Amazon's Echo devices and Google Home smart speakers will reach a massive crescendo this year, topping 200 million smart speakers by the end of 2019 with the U.S. accounting for nearly half the market.
Google Assistant may not be disclosing search results as paid ads
When you ask Google Assistant a question, it might be responding with an advertisement. A recent report found that Google's voice assistant was delivering results from paid partners without clearly disclosing any financial interests. The results appear to be a part of Google's Local Services program.
How to change your Google Home voice to John Legend
After anxiously waiting to hear the smooth voice of John Legend coming through our Google Assistant-compatible devices, the time has finally come. Here are the steps to change the voice on your Google Home or Google Assistant device to John Legend. But, the Legend voice might not be what you expect.
What is Google Duplex? The smartest chatbot ever, explained
People were shocked earlier this year when Google debuted Google Duplex, an artificial intelligence feature for Google Assistant that will make phones calls on your behalf using an extremely life-like voice. Here's more detail on what Duplex is.
Google Assistant can now finally talk like a (John) Legend
Google Assistant's voice is about to get a whole lot smoother. After months of delays, Google has finally announced that John Legend's voice is coming to Assistant, meaning you'll be able to get the R&B singer to answer all your burning questions about the today's weather forecast and why the sky is blue.
How to use Google Lens to identify objects using your smartphone
Google Lens, once a Pixel-exclusive feature, is now available on most Android smartphones. Google Lens combines the power of artificial intelligence with images from your smartphone camera to identify common objects and landmarks. Here's the easiest way to access Google Lens from any Android smartphone.
Alexa may be everywhere, but it’s Google’s Assistant I want in my home. Here’s why
The Amazon Alexa may have the Google Home beat in numbers of skills and compatibility with other products, but does that really matter when her voice falls flat for day-to-day conversation? Google Home sounds more natural, is easy to speak to, and its responses don't quite hint at a hostile robot uprising.
Bark commands at Alexa and your Roku will respond, unless you want Netflix
Current-generation Roku streaming devices and Roku TVs can now be controlled by Amazon's Alexa, if you have a compatible Alexa device, like the Echo or Dot. Google Assistant was added to the platform in 2018. Unfortunately for Netflix fans, neither A.I. can directly access Netflix content on a Roku.
Keep talking — Google OKs Continued Conversation on smart displays
Now you won't have to say "Hey, Google" as often when you use Google Assistant on smart displays. Continued Conversation works with all current Google Home smart displays set to use U.S. English. Originally only available on Google Home smart speakers, you can now ask follow-up questions with smart displays as well.
The best Google Home Mini accessories
The Google Home Mini is small, functional, and powerful, but these accessories can further improve the look and sound of the smart assistant. Wall mounts, pedestals, battery packs, and even Mickey Mouse ears expand the Mini's function beyond what it can do just out of the box.