Google Assistant Coming to Even More Devices

Voice assistants are all the rage right now. Between Amazon’s stellar Alexa, Apple’s hit-and-miss Siri and Google’s excellent Assistant, there are a ton of options for home speakers with built-in assistants.

Google is set to make an even bigger splash as their assistant technology comes to even more devices this year.

Google Assistant Rolling Out on More Devices

CES 2019

This year’s Consumer Electronic Show, or CES, announced a number of new pieces of tech that will use Google’s Assistant software. JBL’s Link Bar, the Dolby Atmos soundbar and even Samsung TVs are slated to use the tech this coming year. This follows Google’s existing model of not marrying their software to their own tech, as seen with their Android phone operating system.

CES 2019 marked a ton of new tech that Google Assistant would call home. This puts it apart from Apple, who only allow their Siri virtual assistant to live on Apple-branded products like the HomePod. Amazon, however, is no stranger to renting out their Alexa software.

Earlier Models

“Earlier models” of speakers are also slated to get updates to allow Google Assistant to live on them. Play:1, Play:5 and Playbar, for instance, will all be updated to allow for use with Google Assistant. It’s worth noting that these speakers don’t have native mics built in, so those wishing to use them as home hubs will need a go-between. A smartphone or another Google smart speaker are the two most likely candidates, though any microphone would do.

So What?

While millions of homes are now equipped with smart speakers, many people remain unconvinced of their usefulness. As such, this news might sound like no big deal. However, given the incredible usefulness and flexibility of smart speakers and virtual assistants, this is huge news.

Smart speakers, first and foremost, are great for coordinating your media. If you want to listen to music or hear the weather, it’s easy to just call out to your smart speaker. Traffic reports, stock market changes and news are all available through these speakers as well, helping you streamline your morning routine.

Smart speakers also can act as home hubs if you opt for smart appliances and lights. Controlling your home’s entire electronic ecosystem with your voice is a uniquely awesome experience. Asking to have the oven pre-heat while you also command the lights to enter “romantic dinner” mode is a sublime experience, to be sure.