Google Assistant & Google Home at CES

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Google Assistant

4 min readJan 31, 2019

It’s been a busy four days in Las Vegas, as more than 7,000 people attended the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2019 at the Las Vegas Convention Center this year. Here is an exhaustive recap of everything Google announced about Google Assistant and Google Home. First of all, Google Assistant was HUGE at the CES this year! They had an incredible Google Assistant Playground on Central Plaza-1 (outdoor space in front of the exhibition center) to showcase all the new ways the Assistant can give you some help throughout your day: when you’re at home, in your car or on the go.

Preview of Google Assistant Connect

Google introduced a preview of Google Assistant Connect, a platform for device manufacturers to bring the Google Assistant into their products in an affordable and easy-to-implement way. Connect uses Google’s existing smart home platform to expand to new device types while making device setup and discovery simple for people.

Lenovo launched Smart Clock

Lenovo launched the new Smart Clock (coming this spring, $79) to help you manage your morning and evening routines. With its 4-inch touchscreen, you can see alarm suggestions based on your daily routines, gently wake up with auto-adjusting screen brightness and animations, and control your smart home devices.

Whirlpool launched KitchenAid Smart Display

Whirlpool launched the new KitchenAid Smart Display (10-inch display, water-resistant) with the Google Assistant, which guides you through cooking recipes from Yummly and simultaneously controls your smart home devices. Learn more on the Whirlpool website: https://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/kitchenaid-previews-state-of-the-art-kitchenaid-smart-display-with-the-google-assistant/.

Google Assistant coming to Sonos One & Sonos Beam

Google Assistant is coming to the Sonos One and Sonos Beam (earlier speaker models will be updated to work with the Assistant). With the Assistant built in, people will be able to control their favorite music, podcasts, and radio stations from all over the home without ever picking up their phone.

Google Assistant coming to more TV devices

Google Assistant is coming to more TV devices, including TVs from Samsung. DISH’s Hopper family of receivers will also now have the Google Assistant built in. Google’s partners launching Android TV devices with the Google Assistant include Sony, Hisense, Philips, TCL, Skyworth, Xiaomi, Haier, Changhong, and JVC.

New smart home devices integrated with Google Assistant

Google is working with even more brands to launch new smart home devices this year, including select Whirlpool connected appliances, GE’s smart microwave, and August security products. There are also new devices that work with the Assistant across a range of new categories, including:

Devices and appliances: Instant Pot’s Smart WiFi Programmable Pressure Cooker, Sub Zero’s refrigerator and wine storage, Wolf E-Series and M-Series ovens, Cove dishwashers, U by Moen™ shower
HVAC: Rheem’s Econet Smart Thermostat, Côr 7C thermostat by Carrier
Security: McAfee’s Secure Home Platform
Water Leak Sensors: LeakSmart Leak and Flood Protection, Flo by Moen
EV charging: eMotorWerks’ JuiceBox Level 2, SolarEdge’s EV Charging Solar Inverter
Irrigation: Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller, Rain Bird Smart WiFi Controllers, Orbit’s B-Hyve

Google Assistant powered navigation in Google Maps

Google Assistant can now help you navigate in Google Maps for Android and iOS. With just your voice, you’ll be able to share your ETA with friends and family, reply to text messages, play music and podcasts, search for places along your route, add a new stop and auto-punctuate your message.

New car accessories with Google Assistant built in

Google is working with Anker and JBL to build the Assistant into car accessories. Anker Roav Bolt and JBL Link Drive plug into your car’s socket, so you can connect your phone to your car’s stereo via Bluetooth or AUX. Once the accessories are connected in your car, you can use the Assistant hands-free, without having to unlock your phone.

Track your travel info using Google Assistant

Soon, you’ll be able to check in to your flight (starting first with domestic flights with United Airlines), save and retrieve your boarding pass, all with the Google Assistant on Android or iOS. The Assistant will also proactively notify you when your flight is ready for check-in.

Google Assistant responses in the lockscreen

Google Assistant can respond to you even when your Android phone is locked. You can ask your Google Assistant to show restaurants nearby, set up and dismiss alarms, schedule reminders and timers without unlocking your phone. You can also see answers to personal queries, like traffic updates to work or calendar updates.

Interpreter Mode feature launched

With Interpreter Mode, a new feature on Google Home devices and Smart Displays, you can ask the Google Assistant to help you have a conversation in dozens of languages. Just say “Hey Google, be my German interpreter” to start Interpreter Mode and get real-time spoken and (on Smart Displays) written translation to aid the conversation.