Google is launching a major redesign of its Assistant app.
The search giant’s digital assistant was initially launched as a way for users to give commands using just their voice.
But as digital assistants, including Google’s own, begin to appear on a broader range of devices, it’s meant that users are increasingly interacting with them using touch. In fact, more than half of interactions occur using touch, according to the firm.
Google took notice and now it’s making some helpful updates to the Assistant app as a result.
More and more users are interacting with Google Assistant in more ways than just their voice, so the firm is making some changes to the Assistant mobile app that are focused around touch
‘With a new makeover to the Assistant on phones, we’re making it even easier to get things done regardless of whether you prefer to use your hands, your voice, or a combination of the two,’ the firm explained.
The Google Assistant app now includes big, bright visual cards that have additional context for users queries.
The app now shows images and buttons, as well as sliders that can be used to control your smart home devices, such as a dimmer switch for lights and buttons to turn them on or off.
There’s also a new messaging interface that makes it easier to text and edit replies and a window that shows users recommendations based on their day.
‘On Android phones, it’s now easier to access an overview of your day,’ the firm explained.
‘Open up the Assistant and swipe up on your screen to get curated information based on the time of day and your recent interactions with the Assistant.’
The app now shows images and buttons, as well as sliders that can be used to control your smart home devices, such as a dimmer switch for lights and buttons to turn them on or off
If users ask for the weather, they’ll see images showing the forecast, or photos of a restaurant when they search for a place to eat. The firm is also rolling out more tools for businesses
Google already showed images in the app for some requests, but with this update, the images become more prominent.
If users ask for the weather, they’ll see bigger images showing the local forecast, or photos of a restaurant when they search for a place to eat.
Google is also rolling out a new suite of new visual tools for businesses to use in the app.
Now, users will see more visual information like photos and gifs when businesses show things like a menu or recipe.
The redesigned Google Assistant app is now available for both Android and iOS users.
It comes as rumors have been circulating that the firm is prepping to release a voice-activated device with a screen.
IS GOOGLE RELEASING A SMART SPEAKER WITH A SCREEN?
Google’s next voice-activated device could be a smart speaker with a screen.
Leaked photos claim to show a smart display, called the ‘Google Home Hub,’ which features a 7-inch display mounted on top of a speaker.
The photos give credence to previous rumors that Google may soon launch its own smart display.
The Home Hub will be connected to Google’s Assistant, enabling it to display weather, calendar events, recipes and other pertinent information on the screen.
Google’s next voice-activated device could be a smart speaker with a screen. Leaked photos claim to show a smart display featuring a 7-inch display mounted on top of a speaker
A list of specs shows that the device will have a ‘full-range speaker for crystal clear sound’ and ‘far-field voice recognition.’
It also shows that the device will be available in two colors – chalk and charcoal.
Google may attempt to differentiate itself from rivals by launching a smart display with a smaller screen, as it tries to cater toward consumers who would use it for things like weather updates and reminders, instead of things like watching videos.