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Google Assistant

Google Assistant may have come after Amazon introduced Alexa into the world, but it’s rapidly making up for lost time. The voice assistant from the search giant is available on everything from your phone to headphones, to smart speakers and even TVs. With over 1 million “Actions” and a rapidly expanding list of supported devices, Google’s smart assistant will soon be everywhere.

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Dominic Preston
Gemini is ready for your Wear OS watch now.

Google’s AI is rolling out to more wearables, after the company announced it was coming at I/O in May, then debuted it on the Galaxy Watch 8 this month.

Gemini replaces Google Assistant, and should be available from the Play Store for any watch running Wear OS 4 or later that has Assistant. But if your watch doesn’t have Assistant already, you’re not getting the Gemini upgrade.

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Thomas Ricker
Improved Google Home this fall.

Increasingly frustrated users of Google’s smart home platform just got tossed a lifeline. After apologizing for Google Assistant’s reliability, the platform’s chief product officer offered this promise:

Ecobee’s video doorbell now integrates with Google HomeEcobee’s video doorbell now integrates with Google Home
News
News
Andrew LiszewskiCommentsComment Icon Bubble
A Gemini-boosted Google Assistant is now available on some Nest speakersA Gemini-boosted Google Assistant is now available on some Nest speakers
AI
AI
Jennifer Pattison TuohyCommentsComment Icon Bubble
Every smart home device that works with Matter

All the Matter-compatible devices you can buy, plus the latest on the smart home standard backed by Apple, Amazon, Google, and Samsung.

Jennifer Pattison TuohyCommentsComment Icon Bubble
How to use Google Gemini on your phoneHow to use Google Gemini on your phone
How to
How to
David NieldCommentsComment Icon Bubble
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Wes Davis
Google Assistant gets Siri-ous on Android Auto.

After a recent update, Android Auto now displays a circle with Google Assistant’s trademark four-color bar along its edge when the voice assistant is waiting for a reply from users.

As 9to5Google notes, it bears at least a little resemblance to Siri’s glowing orb, which is set for a glow-up when Apple updates that UI for Apple Intelligence.

Google Gemini, explainedGoogle Gemini, explained
How to
How to
Barbara KrasnoffCommentsComment Icon Bubble
Google Home is still re-adding audio features it lost due to the Sonos lawsuitGoogle Home is still re-adding audio features it lost due to the Sonos lawsuit
Google
Google
Wes DavisCommentsComment Icon Bubble
Gemini will integrate with Calendar, Tasks, and KeepGemini will integrate with Calendar, Tasks, and Keep
Google
Google
Wes DavisCommentsComment Icon Bubble
Walmart’s Google-powered streaming box and smart speaker combo is liveWalmart’s Google-powered streaming box and smart speaker combo is live
Streaming
Streaming
Umar ShakirCommentsComment Icon Bubble
Google offers non-Pixel owners a way to avoid waiting on hold with latest testGoogle offers non-Pixel owners a way to avoid waiting on hold with latest test
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Google
Jon PorterCommentsComment Icon Bubble
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Jon Porter
Samsung’s older TVs lose option to view a Ring doorbell’s camera feed.

As of this week, Samsung TVs released between 2018 and 2021 can’t show a video feed from the Ring Doorbell Pro, according to a support page. The news comes after Samsung also announced it would be dropping its TV’s built-in Google Assistant support as of March 1st, 2024.

Between this and the subscription price increases, it’s been a frustrating week for Ring owners.

Google’s Gemini assistant is a fantastic and frustrating glimpse of the AI futureGoogle’s Gemini assistant is a fantastic and frustrating glimpse of the AI future
Google
Google
Allison JohnsonCommentsComment Icon Bubble
JBL Authentics 300 smart speaker review: two assistants at once

7

Verge Score

JBL is the first to make Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant coexist on the same speaker, and it works quite well. But the price you pay for that convenience feels a little uneven.

Chris WelchCommentsComment Icon Bubble
Hey Google, I was using that button!Hey Google, I was using that button!
Google
Google
Barbara KrasnoffCommentsComment Icon Bubble
The Verge’s 2023 home tech holiday gift guide

From color-changing lights to gadgets that’ll take care of dinner for you and your pets, here are some of our favorite smart home gifts.

Sheena VasaniCommentsComment Icon Bubble
2023 in the smart home: Matter’s broken promises

The new smart home standard finally arrived this year. But poor implementation, significant backpedaling, and glacial progress have left it broken.

Jennifer Pattison TuohyCommentsComment Icon Bubble
This smart garage door controller is no longer very smartThis smart garage door controller is no longer very smart
Tech
Tech
Jennifer Pattison TuohyCommentsComment Icon Bubble
Alexa and Google Assistant play together nicely, but not perfectly, on JBL’s new speakers

After JBL announced its new lineup of Authentics speakers at IFA 2023, we put the two built-in voice assistants that promise simultaneous usage to the test.

Jon PorterCommentsComment Icon Bubble
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The Verge
Victoria Song
August 31st is the last day for Google Assistant on Wear OS 2.

Wear OS 2 users have started getting notifications that Google Assistant support is ending soon. At first, we didn’t have any concrete timing but Google spokesperson Ivy Chen tells The Verge that “The last day Google Assistant on Wear OS 2 devices will work is August 31, 2023.”

You can read more about it in my writeup from yesterday, but I feel for Mobvoi TicWatch owners who are either waiting for the Wear OS 3 upgrade to roll out or for Assistant support to arrive on the latest TicWatch Pro 5.

Soon you’ll need Wear OS 3 to run Google AssistantSoon you’ll need Wear OS 3 to run Google Assistant
Google
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Google will ‘supercharge’ Assistant with AI that’s more like ChatGPT and BardGoogle will ‘supercharge’ Assistant with AI that’s more like ChatGPT and Bard
Google
Google
Emma RothCommentsComment Icon Bubble
How to start a smart home using Google HomeHow to start a smart home using Google Home
Smart Home
Smart homes for smart people
Megan WollertonCommentsComment Icon Bubble
Smart homes for smart peopleSmart homes for smart people
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Smart Home
Kara Verlaney
From brilliant to basic, here are our smart home setups

The Verge staff varies widely as to how ‘smart’ our homes are, ranging from one or two stray devices to entire planned networks.

Barbara KrasnoffCommentsComment Icon Bubble
How to pick a smart home platform

One connected lock does not a smart home make. If you want to get serious with home automation, start with a smart home platform.

Jennifer Pattison TuohyCommentsComment Icon Bubble
What is a smart home, and do you need one?

As connected becomes the default for every household appliance — from TVs and washing machines to ovens and vacuums — we break down exactly what makes a home ‘smart’ and help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.

Jennifer Pattison TuohyCommentsComment Icon Bubble
It could get harder to use a Nest Hub for shopping lists soonIt could get harder to use a Nest Hub for shopping lists soon
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Wes DavisCommentsComment Icon Bubble
The new Google Home app is finally here

A much-needed update brings greater control and customizability. Plus, Google updates its iOS app to support Matter devices.

Jennifer Pattison TuohyCommentsComment Icon Bubble
Google’s smart speakers are finally smart enough to shut upGoogle’s smart speakers are finally smart enough to shut up
Gadgets
Gadgets
Jennifer Pattison TuohyCommentsComment Icon Bubble
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The Verge
Nathan Edwards
“Hey Google, play Baby Shark Stories.”

“Sorry, I can’t do that while content filters are turned on.”

My children are constantly trying to launch games on the Nest Hub Max, and the best I’ve been able to do ‘til now is block them, which means I hear the above conversation twenty times a day. So the news that Google is killing Assistant games entirely? Sweet relief.

Google will shut down Dropcam and Nest Secure in 2024Google will shut down Dropcam and Nest Secure in 2024
Smart Home
Smart Home
Nathan EdwardsCommentsComment Icon Bubble
The Verge’s favorite desktop accessoriesThe Verge’s favorite desktop accessories
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Verge Favorites
Verge StaffCommentsComment Icon Bubble
You’ll soon be able to talk to Home Assistant without Google, Siri, or AlexaYou’ll soon be able to talk to Home Assistant without Google, Siri, or Alexa
Smart Home
Smart Home
Umar ShakirCommentsComment Icon Bubble
Everybody promised to disrupt the smartphone — and the smartphone outlasted them allEverybody promised to disrupt the smartphone — and the smartphone outlasted them all
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David PierceCommentsComment Icon Bubble
Now Google Home users can sign up to test the redesigned appNow Google Home users can sign up to test the redesigned app
Google
Google
Sheena VasaniCommentsComment Icon Bubble
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The Verge
Barbara Krasnoff
Google Home Routines has new starters that can make it a lot easier to automate your home.

Your Google Home app can now turns your lights off and your cameras on at 10PM each night; adjust the brightness of your lights when the TV turns on; or turn the bathroom light on when a motion sensor detects movement. And it’s not hard to set up — if you know how.

How to set up Google Home Household RoutinesHow to set up Google Home Household Routines
How to
How to
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How do you clean your fabric-covered smart speaker? CarefullyHow do you clean your fabric-covered smart speaker? Carefully
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How to
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