Nest makes two-factor authentication mandatory for its smart home devices
Google Nest is the latest smart home device to make it mandatory for people to set up two-factor authentication on their devices by using verification code.
Use your smart speaker to make Valentine’s Day a little sweeter
This year, there's no better wingman for your Valentine's Day than Alexa or Google Assistant. Here's how to use your smart speakers to light a spark this February 14.
Now Google Assistant can help you remember where you left your keys and wallet
Google and Tile teamed up to create a new Google Assistant function: the ability to tell you where you left your purse, wallet, laptop, and more.
Your Nest thermostat can now help to identify potential HVAC problems
Google Nest Thermostat has some new tricks in the works. Google Nest announced that it is testing a new feature that can help identify problems with your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. When it finds a problem, it will send you an email alert so you can find a fix.
Google’s next virtual assistant could chat your ear off on just about any topic
In a new paper, Google detailed a "human-like" chatbot called Meena that can "engage in conversation on any topic." Meena, unlike its peers such as Google’s own Assistant, is an open-domain chatbot and is designed to contextually and constantly converse with you -- no matter the topic.
Google Home devices in Preview Program are in danger of being bricked by update
A new update from the Google Preview Program is at risk of bricking some first-generation Google Home devices. Google has made no official statement yet, but many users have begun to disconnect their at-risk devices in an attempt to mitigate the threat to their smart assistants.
Guest mode abruptly vanishes from Google Home smart speakers
At some point in the last week, Google decided to remove the Guest Mode function from its wireless smart speakers. The move, which Google has not commented on, means that Google Home owners can no longer provide an easy way for their friends to play music on their speakers without sharing their Wi-Fi password.
Google Assistant is now used by half a billion people around the world
At CES 2020, Google Assistant celebrated a huge milestone: The smart assistant is used by more than 500 million people around the world. Google also announced several new features to make the system even better, including better security features and more natural speech patterns.
The Pixel 4’s A.I. will soon screen robocallers without disturbing you
The first Pixel feature drop will arrive this month, and it's going to improve some of the Pixel 4's best features, including the A.I.-powered Call Screen, background blur in photos, and video calls on Google Duo. Older Pixels will be getting some of the Pixel 4's best new tools as well.
We tested over 1,000 products in 2019. These are the best.
2019 was an awesome year for consumer tech. We tested over 1,000 of the best products, devices, and gear put out in 2019, including smartphones, laptops, and TVs. Our top tech is not just the best of the year, but the culmination of an innovative decade.
Google’s plan for the helpful home all goes back to privacy
The smart home landscape continues to evolve, and one of its biggest proponents is Google. We sat down with Google's Michele Turner, who talks about the company's vision for the smart home, what it's doing to get there, and what we can expect surrounding the helpful home.
How to save money using your smart thermostat
Using a smart thermostat is a great step toward saving money on electricity bills. There are some ways to make your thermostat even more efficient, though.
Android is a dead-end for new devices — and Google knows it
Google launched Android over a decade ago but has struggled to replicate the explosive success of the OS beyond phones. There was only one Android-powered device at Google's hardware event. Is Android a one-trick pony? As Google increasingly focuses more on the Assistant, where is Android really headed?
What Blade Runner got right (and wrong) about 2019
1982's Blade Runner is rightly considered a masterpiece among science fiction movies. But how accurate were its predictions about the future? With November 2019 being the far-flung month and year in which the movie is set, here’s what the movie got right and, in one case, very wrong.
Amazon Echo Buds review: The best earbuds for Alexa fans
With a huge number of features for the money, Amazon's $130 Echo Buds are one of the best values in a set of true wireless earbuds. Here's our full review.
Google’s changes to its Nest Aware subscription aim to enhance simplicity, value
Nest Aware has gone through a revamp and now has more features, and a simplified pricing plan with two different pricing tiers. The new version of the service will start early next year in all 19 countries Nest Aware is now available, but some of the new features will initially only be available in the U.S.
Google brings out the new Nest Mini, an upgrade of the Google Home Mini, for $49
Google unveiled its newest smart speaker, the Nest Mini, at its Made by Google 2019 event. The new version of the Google Home Mini looks very similar to its predecessor, but it's got some impressive new features to go along with its new name, as well as an attractive price.
Google Nest Mini vs. Google Home Mini
Google's Nest Mini and Home Mini look alike, but what makes them different? We examine both smart speakers to explain what makes them unique.
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.
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 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.
Digital Trends Live: Google Home is listening, Samsung Note 10 images, and more
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, we discuss the biggest trending stories in tech, including reports of Google Home recording 24/7, Samsung Note 10 Plus images leak, getting rock samples from an asteroid, NASA discovers the 4,000th exoplanet, a four-legged dog robot, and more.
Hey Google, let’s order out: Food delivery comes to Search, Maps, and Assistant
It's easier than ever to get your favorite grub delivered to your door or order it for pickup as Google integrates online food ordering into Google Search and Google Maps. You can even ask Google Assistant to order your favorite dish without having to pick up your phone or touch your computer.
With new integrations, Google Assistant makes big push for dominance at CES 2019
This was a huge year for Google Assistant at CES 2019. Google and partners announced scads of Google Assistant-compatible products and services for the home, the car, and travel. Google is going all out to support device makers and software developers to create new products that work with Google Assistant.
Google Assistant’s global drive helped it quadruple its active users in 2018
Voice assistants made talking to yourself cool, and they're reaping the benefits. Google has taken to CES 2019 to release the details of how Google Assistant has grown over the last year, and the results are pretty staggering. With 2019 just kicking off, here's how Google Assistant did in 2018.
Let Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant spook you on Halloween
Need help with a last-minute costume idea? Want to listen to spooky music or a scary book? Recruit Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for help. Here are the best Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant Halloween tips and tricks for your Halloween party, decorations, games, family activities, and more.
Google Home Hub vs. Amazon Echo Show
The Google Home hub and the new Amazon Echo Show will be the big smart display contenders this holiday season. But how do they match up? Which is better? We compared the two products in appearance, performance, cost, and more. Here's everything you need to know about the two devices.
Google Nest Hub review: A refreshing take on the smart display
What’s small, simple, cute, and lacks a camera? The Google Nest Hub is the latest smart display (a smart speaker with a screen) to hit the market.
The Google Home Hub smart display: everything you need to know
Google officially unveiled the Google Home Hub at a hardware event in the fall, and began selling it October 22 for $150. The smart display and speaker integrate with Google Assistant to provides a visual element to augment the smart speaker. Here's everything you need to know.
How to set up your Lenovo Smart Display
Find out how to set up your Lenovo Smart Display by pairing it correctly with the Google Home app. We'll walk you through everything you need to know.
The Google Pixel Stand turns your Android phone into an Assistant-powered hub
Google has taken the wraps off of the new Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL -- and alongside them, the Google Pixel Stand. The Pixel Stand turns an Android phone into a Google Assistant hub, allowing you to see important information at a glance, quickly control your smart home, and more.
‘Can I book a table for Thursday?’ Google Duplex duped me, but I didn’t mind
Google’s Duplex technology enables the Google Assistant to make calls, so you can ask it to book a reservation at a restaurant or schedule a haircut, and it’ll do all the work for you. We spent some time with the team behind Duplex to learn more about how it works, and to take a call from the Assistant.
Rule your home with custom voice commands for Alexa and Google Assistant
Alexa and Google Assistant can do quite a bit, but with IFTTT, you can set them up to perform a range of additional actions using little more than your voice. Here's how to get started, whether you're looking to set up custom commands for your Philips Hue bulbs or your calendar.
You may be able to step foot into this massive Google Home Max
At Google I/O 2018, we stepped inside a larger than life-size Google Home Max to experience a wave of sound and immersive visuals. This big structure, which first popped up at Coachella, showcases the audio capabilities of the Google Home Max smart speaker, and it may be toured around the country.