Google today announced that its AI helper, Google Assistant, will begin rolling out to users with smartphones running Android 7.0 Nougat and Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Previously, the company's AI assistant was exclusive to the Pixel smartphone, Google Home, the Google Allo app, and Android Wear devices.
Google Assistant will first arrive to English users in the United States this week, followed soon after with an English debut in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Support for German speakers will be coming soon, and Google said that it will "continue to add more languages over the coming year." Users with eligible Nougat and Marshmallow devices will automatically gain Google Assistant through Google Play Services.
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Whether you need to know how to say “nice to meet you” in Korean or just a simple reminder to do laundry when you get home, your Assistant can help. With the Google Assistant on Android phones, you have your own personal, helpful Google right in your pocket.
A few new smartphones will be incorporating Google Assistant from the get-go as well, like the LG G6 and some other "newly announced partner devices." Sony, Huawei, Samsung, and HTC are all listed as companies with Android smartphones that will support Google Assistant.
With the expansion of Google Assistant to more smartphone lines, as well as a future launch on TVs and in cars, Google is continuing to bolster the Assistant's competition against Apple and Siri. Many smartphone vendors are reported to be doubling down on artificial intelligence features for smartphones debuting in 2017 and beyond, including Apple with the "iPhone 8" and an update to Siri that is said to bring more "enhanced" capabilities to the personal assistant.
In its announcement post, Google said that its ultimate goal "is to make the Assistant available anywhere you need it." Google's hope for an AI future was highlighted at a media event in October where it unveiled Google Home, the Pixel smartphone, and more, while connecting everything to its artificial intelligence initiatives.
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Top Rated Comments
I recently switched from iOS to Android (Google Pixel) and the only complaint I have is that I didn't do it sooner.
If the iPhone 8 isn't revolutionary, I'm switching away to Google.
[doublepost=1488190778][/doublepost]Once you've worked with Amazon's Alexa, you don't want to use any of the other assistants anymore. And since Alexa is an open and developer friendly platform, we will be hearing a lot more of her in the future.
If you want my honest opinion, get an Android phone that doesn't cost $800, just in case you aren't satisfied. The OnePlus 3T is a phone nearly as good as the flagship $800 Android phones, at about half the price (the reason I asked about your carrier was because the OnePlus doesn't work on Verizon).
I myself got my used Nexus 6P on eBay for $360.
Get a phone that you can keep a month and really try out. The 14-day return period isn't quite enough if you ask me.