Google Nest Mini hands-on review: New name, few changes
Google's new Nest Mini looks a lot like the older Google Home Mini speaker, and that's not the only similarity. Despite the new name, the Nest Mini is only a minor revision of its predecessor, and the focus is still on Google Assistant.
Here’s how to watch the Pixel 4 Made by Google event from today
The Google Pixel 4 launch is just around the corner and Google is throwing a party to celebrate. With new phones, a new Pixelbook, and some new smart devices expected, it's due to be quite the show. But how can you tune in and watch it live? Here's how you can watch all the Made by Google October 2019 reveals.
Google’s changes to its Nest Aware subscription aim to enhance simplicity, value
Nest Aware has gone through a revamp and now has more features, and a simplified pricing plan with two different pricing tiers. The new version of the service will start early next year in all 19 countries Nest Aware is now available, but some of the new features will initially only be available in the U.S.
Google Assistant 2.0 is now rolling out, starting with Pixel phones
At Google's annual hardware event, the company also announced some impressive improvements to Google Assistant. Notably, Assistant will now largely live on-device, ensuring that it's a whole lot faster than it was previously. The device will also now be a whole lot more natural to use.
Google brings out the new Nest Mini, an upgrade of the Google Home Mini, for $49
Google unveiled its newest smart speaker, the Nest Mini, at its Made by Google 2019 event. The new version of the Google Home Mini looks very similar to its predecessor, but it's got some impressive new features to go along with its new name, as well as an attractive price.
A European site may have leaked the new Google Nest Mini
We just posted about a Canadian company possibly leaking the code name and price for the new Google Mini that should be debuting tomorrow, October 15, at the Google hardware event, but it looks like a European site has leaked, the new device, reportedly called the Google Nest Mini.
Did a Canadian retailer leak Nest Mini’s pricing and code name?
A cached page from a Canadian retailer from back in September may offer some clues about the new Nest Mini that is expected to be revealed on October 15 at the Google hardware event. On September 7, online retailer PC-Canada listed several suspicious items that may be the new Nest Mini and Wi-Fi.
Google is smart for skipping yearly smart speaker updates. Here’s why
Amazon drops new smart speakers like they're going out of style, but Google takes a slower approach. Google's release schedule is slower, with a heavier focus on back-end improvements. There are several reasons why Google is smart to minimize refreshes for its line of smart speakers.
Google is giving away free Home Mini ahead of its Pixel event next week
Google is currently giving away free Home Minis to lucky YouTube Premium and Google Assistant users. The promotion looks to be limited to the United States. While Google is waiving the entire $49 price tag, the lucky users do need to pay for the shipping cost of about $5.
Don’t be surprised that Amazon workers are watching footage from the Cloud Cam
After the public outcry against the practice of using human reviewers on voice and video recordings, Amazon gave users the ability to opt out of human review, but it's important to understand what the review is for. Human reviewers improve an A.I.'s ability to understand and respond to users.
The voice of Insecure’s Issa Rae is coming to Google Assistant
So far, you have only been able to make John Legend your own personal assistant. As of today, October 10, though, you can also make actress and director Issa Rae your new Google Assistant voice. Rae recently co-starred in the the movie comedy Little with Regina Hall and Marsai Martin.
‘Stream transfer’ feature moves your music around the house using Google Assistant
Google Assistant users can now easily move their music and podcasts from YouTube Music, Spotify, Pandora and more from one smart device to another using a new feature called stream transfer. Videos move, too, with Google video devices like the Nest Hub Max and Chromecast-enabled TVs.
Walmart drops prices on Google Home Hub with Nest Thermostat and Security Camera
Security and convenience are the most common motivators for installing smart home devices, followed by entertainment and saving money. Walmart dropped the prices on the Google Home Hub smart display bundled with either the third-generation Nest Learning Thermostat or the Nest Outdoor Security Camera.
You can finally make Duo calls with Google Home smart speakers
You can now make Google Duo calls with Google Home speakers. Duo works with display devices like Google Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max in all countries and languages where Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max are sold, and on smart speakers like Google Home, Home Max, Home Mini. You can call speakers in your home, too.
Here’s how the new Google Assistant and Motion Sense will work on the Pixel 4
The Google Pixel 4 is just around the corner, so leaks are flying in now. The latest leaks are a series of marketing videos that show off the new Motion Sense control method and the updated Google Assistant on the Pixel 4, as well as some shiny new features for everyone's favorite Google A.I.
Google’s new privacy update lets you delete Assistant’s voice command history
Google announced new privacy updates that include the ability to delete Google Assistant history and the addition of incognito mode in Google Maps. By saying things like “Hey Google, delete the last thing I said to you," the Assistant will delete your voice command history.
You can now apply for a job at McDonald’s via Google Home or Amazon Alexa
Apply Thru is a voice skill from McDonald's that lets Amazon Alexa and Google Home users start the job application process from their couch. McDonald's hopes that by making applying for a job easier, more people will be encouraged to look for work without worrying about a long online application form.
Marshall updates its Major III wireless headphones with Google Assistant
Improving on a popular product is always risky, but Marshall seems to have gambled and won with its new $169 Major III Voice, an update to its wireless Major II headphones that adds both Google Assistant access and an enormous boost in battery life. Here's what we know about the new cans.
Walmart slashes the price of the Google Home smart speaker down to $99
There has been speculation that a new set of Google devices is to be released in the company’s event on October 15. This might be the reason for the recent markdowns on Google’s lineup of smart speakers. One spectacular deal we found is for the Google Home. Walmart is currently offering it for $30 off its list price.
Digital Trends Live: Google Assistant’s enhanced security, Vimeo’s marketplace
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, we dive into the biggest trending tech topics of the day, including Google Assistant’s enhanced security, Vimeo’s new marketplace, Disney+ pre-orders, and a new baldness-banishing baseball cap zaps your head until your hair grows again.
The best Google Nest Hub Max tips and tricks to check out
The Google Nest Hub Max is finally here after its introduction at Google I/O earlier this year, which means it’s time to dissect everything you should know about it. These tips and tricks we're going to be diving into will help you become better acquainted with this powerful smart display.
The Alcatel Go Flip 3 is a lightweight, cheap KaiOS phone with Google Assistant
Alcatel announced a new flip phone called the Go Flip 3, or the Smartflip, depending on the carrier it's on. The device offers the lightweight KaiOS operating system, as well as Google Assistant built into it — making it much more powerful than it otherwise would be.
How to order pizza with your smart speaker
Any day you're craving some pizza pie, getting it fast is a must. If you have Alexa or Google Assistant, ordering from favorites like Pizza Hut, Domino's or Papa John's is just a few voice commands away. Here's how to order pizza using just your voice and a smart speaker like Google Home or Amazon Echo.
Say bonjour to new Google Assistant voices in a wider variety of languages
Up until now, you could only change the voice of Google Assistant in English, and that option was only available in the United States. This week, Google is giving people internationally another voice option. You can now get a new voice in several languages, including Japanese and U.K. English.
Google Nest Hub vs. Google Nest Hub Max: Which smart display is better?
With the release of the Nest Hub Max, Google adds a new smart display to complement its existing Nest Hub. They may look the same and offer the same tight smart home integrations, but there are actually quite a few things that make them different. It's the battle of the Google Assistant home hubs
Google Home Mini review: Smart home, smart price
The Google Home Mini is an AI assistant that’s far more capable than its small size would suggest. With Voice Match capabilities and smarter than the Echo Dot, you'll like this impressive little speaker. Here are some other things we like about the device, and a few things we don't like.
5 ways that future A.I. assistants will take voice tech to the next level
Since Siri debuted on the iPhone 4s, voice assistants have gone from sci-fi gimmick to the basis for smart speaker technology found in one in six American homes. But what will it take to drive these A.I. assistants to the next level? Here are 5 challenges just waiting to be solved.
A perfect match? Google Assistant comes to Control4’s Smart Home OS 3
If you use Control4 products, there's a new way to get control. At CEDIA 2019, Google and SnapAV, a producer of A/V, surveillance, networking, automation, and remote management products, announced their new collaboration. This collaboration adds Google Assistant to Control4's new Smart Home OS 3.
JBL Link Bar soundbar review: The sin of ambition
The JBL link bar is a full media hub in soundbar form, offering viewers and listeners easy access to any of their favorite media with a simple "OK Google." But, at a price of $400, is it worth the premium over other subwoofer-less soundbars to get some streaming apps thrown in?
Entry-level smart displays: Google Nest Hub and Amazon Echo Show 5
The Google Nest Hub and Amazon Echo Show 5 are the entry-level displays for their smart home platforms. Both displays enrich user experience, but they're not equal. No one will switch between Alexa and Google Assistant because of a display, but the differences between the Nest Hub and the Show 5 bear scrutiny.
Gmail for Android finally gets a dark theme. Assistant and Maps likely to follow
With the release of Android 10 to the public, Google rolled out a systemwide dark theme, but a few apps were missing from the list of those that support the dark theme. Now, however, there's one more app to be added to that list -- Gmail now finally has support for dark theme.
Google Nest Hub Max review: The definitive smart display
The Nest Hub Max is meant to be the centerpiece of your home, a singular device that covers security, entertainment, home automation, and virtual assistance. Don’t be fooled if it looks like other smart displays, however. There’s more to Google's latest device than meets the eye.
Tile deepens Google Assistant integration as competition with Apple looms
Tile deepened the integration of its item trackers with Google Assistant, allowing users to ask help in finding their lost things even if their phone is not around. It remains to be seen if more updates are on the way, in preparation for the rumored launch of Apple's own version of the accessory.
Google’s future baby monitor could spy on your kid to alert you before they cry
Could the smart baby monitors of the future send parents a notification when the baby is starting to stir before that first cry? A recently published Google patent details an A.I. that could track the baby's eyes and movements for smarter alerts from a camera like the Google Nest.