The global smart speaker market is surging to record levels, according to research firm Strategy Analytics, which frames its recent report as a “market recovery.” The data are from Q2 of this year, compared to Q2 2020, and represent the highest-ever Q2 growth. Click for an illustrative table which tells the whole story. Continue Reading
Google is introducing some adjustments to its voice assistant’s responsiveness. A blog post outlined new tweaks to setting up Voice Match with Google Assistant, as well as fine-tuning how likely it is to be activated. Continue Reading
Google is launching a livestreamed video series to inform users about the capabilities of voice technology. The monthly series, VOICE Talks Presented by Google Assistant, will be created by a partnership between Google and digital content experts Modev Productions. Continue Reading
Google Assistant can now use a Sonos speaker as its default hardware. Sonos hardware received updates this week that will allow those devices to be the primary player for requests of the voice assistant. Continue Reading
Google Assistant has been updated with several quality of life improvements. In addition to new voice commands for retrieving and sharing photos, and for updating notes and lists, the platform now offers topical search for podcasts. We tested it. Continue Reading
Google Assistant has been updated with a new news feature for listeners. The voice assistant is adding a tailored playlist of news stories called Your News Update. It can be started by asking Google to play the news. Continue Reading
Sirius XM announced that its programming will be adding support for Google Assistant. The company said its audio content will begin rolling out on Google Nest smart speakers and displays over the next week. Continue Reading
Google has introduced a new tool for transitioning media from one smart device to another. Its stream transfer feature can transition music, videos, and podcasts between compatible devices. Continue Reading
Google announced new privacy policies around how it handles recordings made with its voice AI platform. Under the new default for Google Assistant, the company will not retain user recordings. Customers can opt into Google’s Voice & Audio Activity program when they set up the AI. Continue Reading
Google is testing out a new effort to bring its voice assistant to cellphones without internet access. The India pilot program offers a 24/7 phone number that people can call to pose their questions to Google Assistant. Continue Reading
Human review of voice assistant recordings has been a fiery topic of late, and actions are already being taken to improve privacy for their users. Apple announced that it will globally suspend its grading program, while Google has stopped the practice in Europe. Continue Reading
The capabilities of voice assistants have been expanding at a rapid rate as developers continue to work with new partners and test the limits of what information the AI can provide. The latest news development is beginning at a small scale, but points to a much broader use case in the future. Continue Reading