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.
Google’s Ambient Mode turns phone screens into Assistant-powered smart displays
Google's Ambient Mode turns select smartphones and tablets into Assistant-powered smart displays, with an interface resembling the one on the Nest Hub. The feature is limited to the Nokia 6.2 and the Nokia 7.2, along with new tablets from Lenovo, but it's unclear if it will make its way to other devices.
Simplehuman’s Sensor Mirror Hi-Fi now responds to Amazon Alexa commands
Smart mirrors are all the rage these days, and now Simplehuman is upping its game by adding voice control via Amazon's Alexa voice assistant. The Simplehuman Sensor Mirror Hi-Fi also serves as a super-cool night-light, a smart speaker, and, well, you know, a mirror. It also has Google Assistant support.
The next Google Home Mini could have a wall mount and support for hand gestures
Google will reportedly release an upgrade for the Home Mini this fall called the Nest Mini. The new smart speaker will have a wall mount, better sound, and support for hand gestures, all for a similar price as the older Home Mini.
Walmart cuts prices for Google Home smart speakers and displays for Labor Day
Walmart dropped a round of serious price cuts on Google Home smart home devices for its Labor Day sales event. We've found the best discounts on Google Home smart speakers, a smart display, and two Google Home smart kits, one for smart lighting and the other to set up a smart TV in your home.
The results are in: Alexa is legitimately dumber than Siri and Google Assistant
If you’ve always thought Alexa was dumber than the other voice assistants in your house or on your phone, a new test performed by Loup Ventures might prove your theory correct. Amazon Alexa scored last in an IQ test against Google Assistant and Siri.
Amazon and Walmart match lower prices on Echo Dot and Google Home Mini
Amazon and Walmart just resumed their price competition on the entry-level smart speakers for the Amazon Echo and Google Nest Home smart home ecosystems. The price cuts have started again, with 40% discounts on the third-generation Echo Dot and the Google Home Mini.
Digital Trends Live: Google’s assignable reminders, Genesis Mini, and more
On today’s DT Live, we take a look at the biggest trending stories in tech, including Google Assistant’s new assignable reminders, British Airways’ plans to test virtual reality headsets for first-class passengers, Sega's announcement of the Genesis Mini, and DARPA’s new robotics challenge.
Google Assistant’s reminders will soon nag your significant other for you
Let Google take the heat for all that nagging: Google Assistant will soon allow you to assign reminders to others, the company said on Thursday. The feature will roll out to Google Assistant-enabled phones, speakers, and displays over the next few weeks, and to Google Nest Hub Max this fall.
Google Nest gives 100,000 Home Minis to people living with paralysis
Google Nest is giving away 100,000 free Home Minis to people who are living with paralysis. The company announced a partnership with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Friday to provide the devices to paralyzed individuals to help them gain some additional independence.