At this year’s I/O 2018 press conference Google unveiled a slew of new features and functionality for their Google Home platform. If you missed the event live, no worries, we have a recap of all the updates for Google Home right here!
Google Smart Display
As a direct competitor to Amazon’s Echo Show, the new Google Smart Displays go on sale this July. Representing a leap forward for the Smart Home line, the Smart Displays will be able to play YouTube videos and display search information directly on the screen. With all the Chromecast and Google Assistant support you’ve already come to expect from the platform, the Smart Display is an even better way to help you stay organized and connected.
Duplex Functionality
By far the most astonishing thing seen at I/O 2018 was Google’s new Duplex software. Essentially a highly advanced conversational AI, Duplex uses tons of neat linguistic tricks to sound eerily human. Originally pitched as a service that can make phone calls in lieu of users, in order to set up reservations and the like, Google has also teased that the highly advanced conversational program will make its way into the Google Home suite. Google Assistant functionality that speaks and reacts like a real person sounds simultaneously creepy and awesome. I, for one, welcome our new robot overlords!
Play Movies Compatibility
Bafflingly, Google Home has only recently received the functionality to launch movies purchased from Google’s own Play Store. Google Home has long had the ability to launch Netflix and other streaming services with just voice commands, but Google is only just now rolling out support for playing Google Play Movies from your library. While this one seems like a no-brainer, it’s always nice to small quality of life improvements like this not get overlooked in favor of massive new updates like the upcoming Duplex support.
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