Google Assistant Now Natively Supports iPad

Tuesday March 13, 2018 7:47 AM PDT by Joe Rossignol
Google Assistant for iOS has been updated with native iPad support today. The design looks essentially the same as the iPhone version, but with an interface optimized for the larger 7.9-inch to 12.9-inch screen sizes of Apple's tablets.


Like rivals Siri, Alexa, and Cortana, Google Assistant is a digital assistant that can set reminders, schedule calendar appointments, answer questions, and provide other information through machine learning techniques.

Apple only allows third-party assistants to function within their apps, however, limiting their usefulness versus Siri on iPhone and iPad. For example, Google Assistant can't be invoked with a voice command when an iOS device is locked.

Nevertheless, iPad users now have one more option to choose from alongside Siri, Alexa, and Cortana. Google Assistant is free on the App Store.

Update: Google has shared a press release highlighting a few ways its assistant can be used around the house:
- Set the mood by having the Assistant "dim the lights"
- Cast to your TV by asking the Assistant to "watch the latest news on the living room TV"
- Stay in touch by asking the Assistant to "video call mom" or "text Lauren"
- Keep up with your chores by asking the Assistant to "remind me to take out the recycling at 8 PM"
Google Assistant for iPad is currently available in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, and Spanish.


Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Tag: Google Assistant
Buyer's Guide: 11" iPad Pro (Buy Now), 12.9" iPad Pro (Buy Now)
16 comments


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HJM.NL
9 months ago
Nice to have a good assistant on the iPad. Lame Apple is limiting its functionality and not improving Siri.
Rating: 5 Votes
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StellarVixen
9 months ago

Then why come to a site like MacRumors? A site that hosts all it's videos on Google owned YouTube?


Who am I to say MacRumors where to host their videos? They are free to do whatever they want. I am passionate opponent of Google for the reasons which are very good known to me, and I am not gonna force anyone to do anything. My opinion is my opinion, and do not wish to force it on anyone.

I have noticed that all of you Google apologists are using the same mantra, it is like someone installs this same code inside you, like you are all programmed in the same factory, so you go around and repeat: "Why do you do that, why do you this, if you (x) than why you (y)"... Do you realize that Google has taken pretty much monopoly over the great part of the Internet, and that whichever path you take, you will eventually reach one of the Google's services? Trying to totally avoid the Google in my life would be almost equal to stopping using the Internet at all".
Rating: 4 Votes
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StellarVixen
9 months ago
Google is tireless, it seems. All that data mining must be making Google's CPUs red hot...Google can also start providing central heating to the USA, giving how much waste heat their CPUs generate from all that tireless personal info processing. There you go, another "source of income". Don't worry, it will be free. You know, with Google, everything is "free" (if you don't read the fine print).
Rating: 3 Votes
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barkomatic
9 months ago
Too bad Apple won't let it activate with a voice command without actually opening the app. If Apple isn't going to bother to improve Siri then they need to concede on this point. It used to be voice assistants were little more than a gimmick, but the good ones are actually getting useful. Siri sadly is still a gimmick with a pretty colorful image that undulates when spoken to.
Rating: 2 Votes
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WatchFromAfar
9 months ago

Google is tireless, it seems. All that data mining must be making Google's CPUs red hot...Google can also start providing central heating to the USA, giving how much waste heat their CPUs generate from all that tireless personal info processing. There you go, another "source of income". Don't worry, it will be free. You know, with Google, everything is "free" (if you don't read the fine print).

Then why come to a site like MacRumors? A site that hosts all it's videos on Google owned YouTube?
Rating: 2 Votes
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djeeyore25
9 months ago
"Hey Siri, ask Alexa if Cortana will open Google Assistant."
Rating: 1 Votes
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HJM.NL
9 months ago

Google is tireless, it seems. All that data mining must be making Google's CPUs red hot...Google can also start providing central heating to the USA, giving how much waste heat their CPUs generate from all that tireless personal info processing. There you go, another "source of income". Don't worry, it will be free. You know, with Google, everything is "free" (if you don't read the fine print).

If Siri was good, Google doesn't stand a chance. The situation now is that Google's assistant runs circles around Siri and Apple isn't doing a decent job to make Siri any better. Instead they've chosen to cripple the functionality of Google's assistant on iPad and iPhone. This will only work short time. People start to notice the grass is greener and definitely cheaper elsewhere.
Rating: 1 Votes
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prombough
9 months ago
Glad Assistant looks better on iPad. I use it all the time, and indeed, agree with HJM.NL ('https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/google-assistant-now-natively-supports-ipad.2109919/members/hjm-nl.1038025/') that it runs circles around Siri. (And all the companies mine data, not sure why that comment is here, anyway...)

Just like to add my take on Apple not allowing 3rd party assistants. Yes, it's a drag, wish they'd change that. But I work pretty well with my workaround allowing me to get most of the Android/Google assistant advantages while remaining on iOS. Weird, but it works:

"Hey Siri... Open Google Assistant." Once open Siri deactivates and it allows you to use "Okay Google" to control Home, ask Questions, etc. It will even allow you to start songs on another app like Google Play Music and I think Spotify. Actually, Google Assistant can open many other apps too, like Google Maps, Mail, and a few others. Once any other app is open, Siri re-activates, and then you can use it as normal, or to return to Google Assistant. I do this all the time in the car. Siri is useless for retrieving specific information and responding by voice with the details you need. I showed this trick to a friend who just went to a Google Pixel simply for access to Google Assistant and the better Google Home experience and his mouth dropped. Could have saved 800 dollars and stayed with iOS, which for most other things (video, messaging, find friends) is better. Best of both worlds man. Best of both.
Rating: 1 Votes
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WBRacing
9 months ago

I am passionate opponent of Google for the reasons which are very good known to me

So you're saying of this evil company that you don't and haven't ever made use of their many "free" services? Not to look at the location of a store on a map? No street or satellite viewing? Not even to search for an Apple rumor website?

So passionate apponent would surely never do such a thing.

Definite smell of double standards around here all of a sudden...
Rating: 1 Votes
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StellarVixen
9 months ago

So you're saying of this evil company that you don't and haven't ever made use of their many "free" services? Not to look at the location of a store on a map? No street or satellite viewing? Not even to search for an Apple rumor website?

So passionate apponent would surely never do such a thing.

Definite smell of double standards around here all of a sudden...


In the past yes, because I was pretty ignorant of how the stuff works.

That Google from several years ago, and this Google from today isn't the same Google. They have become shameless at how far they can go.

I will tell you that you cannot even access Google from my Mac without enabling it with "sudo" privilege (which you cannot have if you do not know my password). On my other devices, I am simply using other search engines.

And yes, I am using Apple Maps, no matter how inferior they are to Google Maps.
Rating: 1 Votes
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