Google: Google Assistant
Google Assistant is both the name of a consumer-facing assistant baked into consumer products as well as a platform designed to allow the Google search engine to interact with users in a conversational manner.
Google Assistant was announced in May 2016. It first appeared integrated into Google’s communication app Allo in September 2016. In October 2016, it was made part of the Google Pixel phone. In November 2016, it was put into the Google Home device. In February 2017, it came to Android Wear watches. In March 2017, it was widely released for Android phones running Android 6 and 7.
Google plans to add Google Assistant into more products and applications, but it hasn’t said what those will be.
For more about Google Assistant, see our stories below.
Smart speakers set to eclipse tablets globally by 2021
Commerce, advertising or something else: The smart speaker model hasn't been figured out....
Just 4% of U.S. businesses ‘voice search ready,’ finds analysis of nearly 75,000 companies
Are your local SEO and business listing data optimization efforts ready for voice...
‘Rich Answers’ and search ads coming to Google Assistant
Beyond improving the experience, Google appears to be trying to harmonize Assistant and mobile search results....
Machine reservations: Google’s Duplex expanding to more Android, iPhone users
The technology appears to be ready for prime time as Google readies machine-based booking for categories beyond restaurants....
‘Google Guarantee’ local listings appearing in Google Home results
The Google Guarantee has been associated with Local Services ads, but the two programs are technically distinct....
Survey finds Google Home users do more, have ‘far higher’ satisfaction than Alexa owners
Alexa devices dominate, but higher Google Home NPS scores suggest it will have better word of mouth and could gain market share....
Study: Brands are failing voice search optimization in 3 key areas
Brands had limited or non-existent review-response strategies, failed to optimize for unbranded keywords and didn't do enough local-social...
Report: 65 million US smart speaker owners, smart displays quickly gaining traction
Surveys suggest there's still considerable room for...
Duplex-powered Google Assistant restaurant booking expanding to more states and users
Available on Pixel phones, it will be rolling out to other Android and iOS users in the near future....
Voice gaining on mobile browser as top choice for smartphone-based search
Since 2018, voice has become more users' first choice for mobile...
Google Assistant everywhere: more dedicated buttons, expansion on lower-end phones
The company is also adding local search suggestions in Messages....
SMBs bullish on virtual assistants, think Alexa has biggest marketing potential
Don't focus on the specific numbers, the interesting thing is the sentiment....
Google Actions vs. Alexa Skills is the next big App Store battle
There are thousands of Skills and Actions but very few people are using them....
Analyst: 8 billion voice assistants by 2023
Marketers need to have a voice strategy that recognizes the different use cases of different hardware devices and channels....
Google adds voice input and spoken results to mobile web search
The search giant appears to be conditioning searchers to use voice across all...
Microsoft seeks more Cortana distribution, deeper integration on Android, iOS
We're heading toward a voice-first world for publishers, retailers and brands....
Google Assistant updates: Airline check-ins, hotel bookings, language translation and Maps
The business model for Google Assistant may be transactions over advertising....
Google Home wins smart speaker IQ test but Siri beats Alexa and Cortana
Alexa had the most noticeable improvement according to the test results, nearly matching Google for general information queries....
Will Google Home Hub ever become a useful local search tool?
Just a few modest improvements would make Home and Home Hub more effective for local search....
Google shutting down Allo, where Google Assistant made its debut
The company is investing in Duo and Android Messages, where it says it's seeing consumer traction....