Google Assistant to be ‘news host’ on devices

WASHINGTON — Google said Tuesday its digital assistant will serve as a “news host” on its connected devices to deliver stories from a variety of its media partners.

The feature called Your News Update will be activated by asking the Google Assistant to read the news.


The artificial intelligence program will deliver “a mix of short news stories chosen in that moment based on your interests, location, user history, and preferences, as well as the top news stories out there,” said product manager Liz Gannes in a blog post.

The assistant will offer stories from partners including CBS, Politico, Fox News and CNN based on user preferences and other factors.

It can offer news, for example, about the user’s favorite sports teams or specific local or business events.

“In between stories, the Google Assistant serves as your smart news host that introduces which publishers and updates are next,” Gannes said.


The feature is available in English in the United States and will expand internationally next year, for people with compatible smartphones and connected speakers.

It is activated by saying, “Hey Google, play me the news.”

Amazon offers a similar “flash briefing” feature for its Alexa-powered devices.

source: technology.inquirer.net

Google’s Nest smart home devices get spooky updates for Halloween

For Halloween this year, Google has rolled out a handful of festively frightful features to their Nest home products, including letting owners swap out their doorbell chime for the sound of a cackling witch and asking the Assistant to “get spooky.”

On Monday, Google announced that users can look towards their Nest smart home devices for help getting festive (or scary) this Halloween.

As of Oct. 21 and through the beginning of November, owners of the Nest Hello video doorbell will have the option to make their chime sound like a cackling witch, ghost, vampire or monster to make your home the spookiest on the block — no decorations necessary.

When these tones are no longer available, Google has promised that winter-themed bells will roll out on Hello products, too.

While that’s the only brand-new feature coming to Google’s Nest smart home products, the company outlined a few additional ways the devices can be used to help owners prepare for the big day.

By saying “Hey Google, get spooky,” the Assistant will start playing a 60-minute playlist of “spooktacular” sounds and music.

Requesting the devices to “show me DIY Halloween costume videos” or “show me Halloween makeup videos on YouTube” will bring up content to help users get their looks ready ahead of fall parties and trick-or-treating outings.

All Halloween Nest features are available as of Oct. 21. Time to get your spook on! IB/JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

LG announces new ‘neckbud’ models featuring ‘OK Google’ button, external speaker

LG’s premium line of wireless “neckbuds” is getting new models with Google features and external mono speakers. LG announced two new special additions to its TONE series, the Platinum SE and the TONE Ultra SE.

The LG TONE series consists of four models (Platinum, Infinim, Ultra and Pro) and are what the tech world has dubbed “neckbuds,” bluetooth earbuds that can be worn around the neck. LG’s U-shaped bands rest around the bottom of the users neck and house two earbuds that can be pulled out and inserted into the ears.


Now, a special edition will make the Platinum the most tech-savvy bluetooth headset of the bunch, featuring the ability to trigger Google Assistant without the need to say anything first.

The announcement states that this will “offer Google Translate and other AI features at the press of a button.”

As long as the user has set Google Assistant to unlock their phone, they’ll be able to simply click the dedicated button and ask “How do you say ‘thank you’ in Japanese?” or ‘Where is the nearest gas stations?” The feature is set to appeal to users on the move who may not want to get their phone out every time they have a question.

As for Tone Ultra SE, an external speaker will provide users the chance to play music or take calls without having to insert the earbuds and therefore potentially blocking out sound. This has become a growing trend in audio wearables as people are required to be aware of sounds such as transport announcements, traffic or simply someone trying to talk to them.

Both models feature a dual MEMS microphone for optimized audio clarity and support for the Tone & Talk app for smartphones.

The brand’s latest wearable audio products will be unveiled and displayed at IFA in Berlin from Aug. 31 to Sept. 5. Sold in black, blue and gold, prices will be announced locally when they become available in each region. JB

source: technology.inquirer.net