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| Google launches conversation-based Assistant | Google launches conversation-based Assistant |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Google has announced a conversation-based tool to control smartphones, smartwatches and other devices. | Google has announced a conversation-based tool to control smartphones, smartwatches and other devices. |
| Google Assistant can be used to find information, play media and carry out tasks - such as booking cinema tickets - via a back-and-forth chat between the user and the software. | Google Assistant can be used to find information, play media and carry out tasks - such as booking cinema tickets - via a back-and-forth chat between the user and the software. |
| The firm also announced a voice-activated device with a built-in speaker called Google Home to provide the tech in living rooms. | The firm also announced a voice-activated device with a built-in speaker called Google Home to provide the tech in living rooms. |
| It will compete with Amazon's Echo. | It will compete with Amazon's Echo. |
| Amazon launched its own dialogue-based smart home device in 2014, and has since included the Alexa voice assistant that powers Echo in some of its other products. | |
| Google's chief executive Sundar Pichai credited Amazon with having pioneered the idea. | Google's chief executive Sundar Pichai credited Amazon with having pioneered the idea. |
| His announcement was made at the start of the firm's IO developers' conference in California. | His announcement was made at the start of the firm's IO developers' conference in California. |
| "Google's new Assistant is its attempt to bring together a set of disparate efforts that have lacked a coherent brand," commented Jan Dawson from Jackdaw Research. | |
| "Referring to the combined functions of Google Now, OK Google, and other elements has been tough in the past, because there wasn't a single name for this functionality. | "Referring to the combined functions of Google Now, OK Google, and other elements has been tough in the past, because there wasn't a single name for this functionality. |
| "This should help Google compete more effectively both with Amazon's Echo device but also with better-branded personal assistants like Siri, Cortana, and Alexa." | "This should help Google compete more effectively both with Amazon's Echo device but also with better-branded personal assistants like Siri, Cortana, and Alexa." |
| Google Assistant can link into third-party services including Ticketmaster, Spotify, Uber and Whatsapp. But Alexa already works with many more. | Google Assistant can link into third-party services including Ticketmaster, Spotify, Uber and Whatsapp. But Alexa already works with many more. |
| "Amazon should take note of Google Home given Google's search and artificial intelligence capability, but Alexa has an early lead in third-party integration," noted Geoff Blaber from the CCS Insight consultancy. | "Amazon should take note of Google Home given Google's search and artificial intelligence capability, but Alexa has an early lead in third-party integration," noted Geoff Blaber from the CCS Insight consultancy. |
| Chat app | Chat app |
| Google Assistant also plays a role in a new chat app called Allo, in which it can make suggestions based on what the user is talking about with their friends. | Google Assistant also plays a role in a new chat app called Allo, in which it can make suggestions based on what the user is talking about with their friends. |
| One executive demonstrated the AI tool proposing a restaurant to visit when two users discussed wanting to eat Italian food. | One executive demonstrated the AI tool proposing a restaurant to visit when two users discussed wanting to eat Italian food. |
| Allo's other unusual feature is that it can provide replies on its user's behalf. | |
| This includes commenting on pictures sent by friends, thanks to its use of image recognition algorithms. | |
| The company acknowledged that the process would not be perfect but said the suggestions should improve the more people used the app. | |
| A partner video chat app called Duo provides a live view of the caller before the recipient decides whether or not to answer. | |
| Virtual reality | |
| In the past, Google IO has provided a first look at the next version of Android. | |
| But many details about Android N were released weeks ahead of this year's event. | |
| However, there were new details about how virtual reality would be integrated into the OS via a platform called Daydream. | |
| It introduces a dedicated VR app store and provides a set of specifications that devices must meet in order to provide a lag time of less than 20 milliseconds between a movement of the user's body and an on-screen response. | |
| Daydream also includes a reference design for a VR headset mount, into which phones can be fitted, and a controller - a handheld device featuring a trackpad and two buttons. | |
| Google is not making either, but hopes that manufactures will put its designs into production. | |
| "One of the worst things about Samsung's Gear VR [headset] is the control system - Daydream looks much better," said Mr Dawson. | |
| More to follow | More to follow |